Best 10 Restaurants in Santa Cruz CA

Santa Cruz, popularly known as Surf City, is positioned on the central California coast, famous for its high-stroke surf culture. The city boasts a rich history, having been home to a diverse range of inhabitants over the centuries, including the Ohlone people, as well as settlers from Mexico, the United States, and Spain. With such a rich history, Santa Cruz also stands out for its truly decadent cuisine. Located along the tranquil shores of Monterey Bay, this town is home to some of the finest dining establishments in the region. From homemade meals to an otherworldly Mexican menu, you are bound to find one of the best restaurants in Santa Cruz CA. So, let’s get in!

Linda's Seabreeze Café is a handcrafted gourmet eatery that resembles a modest American diner. Situated in Santa Cruz's Seabright district, adjacent to the train tracks, this charming restaurant is a must-visit and is often included among the best things to do in Santa Cruz, when it comes to food. It's a popular spot, frequently drawing a line of patrons eager to secure a table. Ideal for brunch, the café offers a delightful menu of breakfast and lunch options, including turkey club sandwiches, curry eggs, and chicken apple sausage scramble. Don't miss out on their cinnamon rolls, available in a dozen pieces for takeout or as a side dish.

El Palomar is home to some of the really good Mexican food in Santa Cruz and has two locations. The restaurant on Pacific Avenue in the heart of the city offers guests access to a big atrium space with a bar and entertainment on weekends, as well as a small taco bar. El Palomar in Santa Cruz Harbor has a modest indoor area with a view of the ocean and outside seats. Wednesday nights are for watching sailboat races while stuffing your face with shrimp or fish tacos, or the corresponding burrito. Enjoy a classic well-poured margarita or a beach-friendly plastic-bottled Anchor Steam microbrew to go with your dinner, making it among the best restaurants in Santa Cruz.

Since 1988, Mobo Sushi has been celebrated for offering the freshest sushi options to the Santa Cruz community. This popular spot is also known for its unique sake bomb dominos. Located in The Galleria Plaza near the San Lorenzo River, right in the heart of Santa Cruz, the restaurant takes its name from the "Mobo," or modern boys, a term used for Japanese youth in the 1920s who embraced Western fashion and ideals. For weekday lunches, the Bento Box—a creative sushi sampler—is a popular choice. On weekends, diners can enjoy entertainment along with a complimentary sake bomb. Notable sushi rolls include the Kat in the Hat, spider roll, and NorCal roll.

The Aloha Island Grille captures the essence of Santa Cruz, often referred to as the “Hawaii of California.” The restaurant embraces an ohana (family) ethos, offering traditional Hawaiian cuisine, including poi, taro, and other island specialties. Owned and operated by Bruddha Timmy Hunt, a Maui native with deep family roots, Aloha Island Grille is the perfect gathering spot after a morning surf session. The venue features both indoor dining areas and a spacious, sun-drenched terrace, perfect for enjoying the warmth as the morning mist dissipates. Be sure to try the Pork Lau Lau, a delicious dish of cubed pork wrapped in ti leaves and taro served with butterfish and Hawaiian salt.

Chill Out Café has been providing morning burritos to Santa Cruz residents and surfers since 1997. It is set in Santa Cruz’s Pleasure Point area, adjacent to the well-known surf location known as "The Hook." Due to its growing popularity, this modest shack by the sea has added lunch dishes to its menu and extended its premises to include a beer garden and live entertainment. Huge breakfast burritos like the Number 3, which has bacon, egg, potato, and avocado, and Veggin' Out, which has Tomatoes, tofu, spinach, Mushrooms, bell peppers, artichoke hearts, and green onions are among the famous creations of Chill Out.

Dharma's, Santa Cruz's premier vegan and vegetarian restaurant, was established in 1981 as a fast food option for health-conscious individuals. With a name that translates to "virtue" from Sanskrit, Dharma's offers a diverse menu featuring homemade Mexican dishes, Japanese miso soups, classic American fare, and authentic Thai cuisine. Dharma’s offers the best options for dining in Santa Cruz including in-season delicacies sourced from local producers of organic cuisine. The Portobello artichoke sandwich, the Dharma dog, and the Brahama burger are all excellent options.

Since 1988, Charlie Hong Kong has been a staple at the bustling intersection of Soquel and Seabright in midtown Santa Cruz. The cuisine here is inspired by Southeast Asian street vendors, with an emphasis on using organic, regionally sourced products. For those looking to dine before catching a performance or movie at the nearby independent Rio Theatre, or simply unwind and enjoy good food and conversation, Charlie Hong Kong offers the perfect ambiance with its warming lamps and enclosed awning. The cozy setting makes it an ideal spot for a relaxed meal. Meanwhile, takeout is equally popular for its convenience and ease of preparation. Be sure to try Dan's Spicy Peanut Delight.

Acai was first introduced at the renowned Café Brasil before gaining global popularity. The café continues to offer traditional South American foods and drinks to its customers. Joao Luiz opened the café in 1990 and was temporarily closed due to fire, but it soon reopened in 2004 with a brand-new exterior and interior that maintained the Brazilian flag's green and yellow color scheme. Get the orfeu Negro for breakfast, which is a dish of black beans topped with mozzarella cheese, Brazilian salsa, and poached eggs on a baguette. The classic Brazilian feijoada is a must-try delicious lunch option.

When exploring places to eat in Santa Cruz, Thai Basil is a must-visit. This charming restaurant in Capitola Village, with just five dining tables, is celebrated for offering some of the best Thai food in the area. The interior, adorned with real bamboo plants and gilded Thai Buddhas, features vibrant silk fabric, reflecting traditional Thai elegance. In addition to its popular dishes like Pad Kee Mao, Tom Kha soup, pineapple curry, and Pad Thai, the proprietors have also opened the Lotus Asian Market, which provides a selection of Asian groceries, snacks, and décor.

Betty Burgers

If you’re looking for the best burger Santa Cruz has to offer, look no further than Betty Burgers. It is a fantastic spot to enjoy classic American food that the entire family will love. Among its burger and French fries is a flavor of classic American cuisine with a Texas focus. The 1950s-style restaurant also serves chili, hot dogs, wings, ice cream, and milkshakes. Notably, each of these dishes comes with a surprising variety of options, allowing for a high degree of customization, especially with their extensive selection of burgers and fries.