10 Best Restaurants in Santa Cruz

Prepare to eat your heart out and bust your belt, as Santa Cruz is more than just beaches and surfing!

If you are looking for a place where you can have a plate of some delicious meals paired with an ocean breeze, then you are in the right place! Santa Cruz not only offers sunsets and waves, but it also delivers a culinary playground vibe that needs to be explored perfectly! Craving breakfast masterpieces? Or perhaps a coffee sip right from a street-side hidden cafe? Or a Michelin-starred dish or seafood from oceanfront restaurants? Whatever you want, Santa Cruz will serve you exactly that!

Get this feast for the senses with our curated guide to the best places to eat in Santa Cruz! So, just let’s jump in!

Find flavors of Southeast Asia in Santa Cruz at Kao Sook Thai Cuisine. Kao Sook is known for its recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation. You will enjoy dishes such as Yellow Curry (made with coconut milk), various red and green curry options, and Pa-Nang curry (with peanuts), along with Tropical Roasted Duck Curry with Pineapple and Basil. Other dishes that are also very popular include Pad Thai (tangy), Coconut Shrimp (crispy), and Mango Sticky Rice (sweet and sticky with a taste of sunshine), plus house favorites such as Tom Kha Soup and Spring Rolls that set the tone for your main meal.

Address: 245 Mt Hermon Rd, Suite H, Scotts Valley, CA 95066

Located directly at the site of Jack O'Neill's original surf shop, Jack O’Neil is one of the best Santa Cruz places to eat. For brunch, you can enjoy dishes such as the Dungeness crab cake benedict, which has the citrusy flavor of the hollandaise sauce, and the crispy chicken and waffles with hot honey. For lunch or dinner, you can find plates such as the butter-rich lobster roll and the perfectly seared bigeye ahi tuna. Jack's Lounge burger comes with hand-cut fries on the side for a traditional comfort food experience. To top this all off, you should order a bowl of the rich Dream Inn chowder.

Address: 175 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Linda's Seabreeze Cafe is located on Seabright Ave and offers a comfortable environment for breakfast and lunch. Be sure to try one or more of their many delicious breakfast specialties, such as Huevos Rancheros, Homemade Cinnamon Rolls, Buttermilk Pancakes, Ortega Chile Burgers, and Popeye Scramble.

Address: 542 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Laili Restaurant, located in the center of Santa Cruz’s downtown, offers guests an opportunity to taste the Mediterranean and Silk Road through their palate. The Mediterranean plate starts it off with a variety of spreads, but some of the highlight meals include pomegranate chicken kabob with saffron basmati, braised lamb pasta, and lamb shank. For vegetarian and plant-based eaters, be sure to ask your server about the pomegranate eggplant and roasted cauliflower. You must try the apricot chicken flatbread.

Address: 101B Cooper St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

The Crow's Nest sits at the intersection of the harbor and the ocean. Start your meal by enjoying a silky Tuna Tower with layers of pickled ginger and wasabi dressing, as well as fresh Pt. Judith Calamari made with roasted cherry tomatoes and sliced banana peppers. Next, you could enjoy the rich clam chowder made from fresh clams harvested from Monterey Bay, then you might opt for a lobster roll made with a buttery grilled roll and topped with flaky lobster, and finish with a comforting sesame ahi salad made from grilled tuna and served with ginger-sesame dressing, all while gazing at the rolling surf behind the restaurant.

Address: 2218 E Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Lillian’s Italian Kitchen in Santa Cruz is like stepping into Grandma Lillian’s busy kitchen. One item to not miss at Lillian’s is the black truffle gnocchi served with a Gorgonzola cream sauce. If you want a meal that wraps you in warmth from the slow-cooked sauce with beef from the braised beef ragu, try the fettuccine with braised beef ragu, which is heavy with tomatoes, yet the best thing to try at this Santa Cruz restaurant. The prawns scampi served with spaghetti offer a bright taste sensation of garlic and lemon, while the traditional spaghetti alla carbonara will meet your every dream for creamy and silky pasta. Lillian’s has an incredible amount of nostalgia wrapped up in their “Sunday gravy” penne topped with rich pork, beef, and Italian sausage. Don’t forget to save room for one of the West Coast’s best cannolis!

Address: 1148 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

The View Restaurant & Bar is located above Monterey Bay and boasts an amazing view. Whether you come for brunch or dinner, the menu features fresh, seasonal ingredients with influences from local coastal cuisine. Try the Wild King Salmon with ginger sauce and fresh artisanal greens, the Fish and Chips made with 805 beer batter, the classic Chaminade Benedict breakfast dish, and the flavorful Chilaquiles made from scratch. Don't forget to try the delicious Raspberry Cheesecake.

Address: 1 Chaminade Ln, Santa Cruz, CA 95065

Walnut Avenue Cafe, located in Downtown Santa Cruz at the intersection of Walnut Avenue and Pacific Avenue, is a casual and welcoming locale. The menu features classic dishes with a modern twist—for example, the Shrimp Tomato Eggs Benedict consists of perfectly poached eggs, succulent shrimp, spicy tomatoes, and rich Hollandaise sauce. The French Toast, which is topped with grilled bananas and chopped walnuts, is a sweet and savory dish. The Blackened Ahi Benedict is also delicious, while the colorfully spiced Chilaquiles and Huevos Mexicanos with jalapeños and avocado are a bold addition to the brunch menu.

Address: 106 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Makai Island Kitchen & Groggery is located at the very end of the Santa Cruz Wharf and provides an all-out Tiki experience with its Tiki décor, ocean views, and a rotating bar, while serving fine island fare. To begin, there is Poke Stack. Ahi tuna is marinated in soy and sesame, layered with avocado and seaweed salad, and served with crunchy wonton chips. The Coconut Prawns are deliciously crispy and have a sweet and spicy chili sauce. The Huli Huli Chicken is marinated in a sweet lager marinade and grilled over an open flame. Seafood lovers love the Poke Bowl (ahi tuna on top of edamame and seaweed salad), which includes avocado and macadamia nuts.

Address: 49A Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

To kick off your morning, try either a giant stack of sourdough pancakes or a pile of French toast, then transition into the savory world with the world-renowned Mike's Mess, an amazing plate comprised of eggs, bacon, mushrooms, and cheese, or get the hearty Corned Beef Hash & Eggs that locals rave about. Do not leave without having a Zachary's Breakfast Sandwich, which is filled with eggs, bacon, mushrooms, and chipotle sauce on grilled oatmeal-molasses toast.

Address: 819 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Reserve your stay at Capri Motel Santa Cruz today and enjoy a prime location just a short walk from the Beach Boardwalk and nearby attractions.