Best restaurants near me in Santa Cruz, CA

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560 restaurants available nearby

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1. Laili

4.7

Exceptional(2885)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mediterranean • Santa Cruz

Booked 22 times today

Laili is our expression of love through food and service. We offer a unique menu made up of fusion Afghani Mediterranean items that include kabobs, wraps, flatbreads, pastas, and spiced lamb and chicken dishes as well as delicious vegetarian options.Laili Restaurant "BEST MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANT", Good Times 2023, Voted #1Rich Mediterranean Flavors with a Unique Afghan Twist in the Heart of Downtown Santa Cruz.Currently taking reservations for lunch and dinner, walk-ins welcome too.Dine in our elegant, secluded, off street patio. Visit our website for event information.

2. Gabriella Cafe

4.7

Exceptional(980)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • Santa Cruz

Booked 1 time today

Zagat rated as "OUTSTANDING". Gabriella Cafe is a 50 seat, picturesque and romantic dining experience in downtown Santa Cruz.

A photo of Mozaic - Santa Cruz restaurant

3. Mozaic - Santa Cruz

4.4

Awesome(478)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mediterranean • Santa Cruz

Booked 2 times today

We named our restaurant Mozaic because we wanted to capture the diversity of flavors and culmination of authentic Mediterranean dishes that we offer. We bring together the best of Mediterranean recipes from Greece, Lebanon, Turkey and Sicily, emphasizing Middle Eastern influence. Our menu is hand-crafted after years of experience in the restaurant business knowing what people like. We make every dish completely authentic, utilizing 100 years old techniques that have been passed down through generations to bring you incredible flavor. COME AND TASTE THE DIFFERENCE We seek only the best, local ingredients. We use high-quality meats, like our Australian lamb tenderloin and select only sustainable seafood. Our lavash comes from an authentic Persian bakery. Everyone wants family. Mozaic is a warm and inviting atmosphere where everyone can feel at home. Come enjoy our incredible and lush atmosphere.

A photo of Chocolate the Restaurant restaurant

4. Chocolate the Restaurant

4.7

Exceptional(109)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • Santa Cruz

Booked 4 times today

Now celebrating 25 years, Chocolate the Restaurant provides an attractive dining environment for couples on dates, friendly meetings, and special occasion meals. Dine outside on the heated garden patio. Celebrate special occasions with up to 25 guests in the private street-side party room. Maybe start with a Chocolate Martini or a Passion Fruit Margarita. Chef David Jackman's fresh baked pasta rosettes, slow-roasted meats, and delicious seasonal organic vegetable dishes are all a prelude to our many chocolaty desserts. Our wine list focuses on local and on Italian wines. Our cocktails are all made from scratch; often using locally distilled spirits, and always using fresh house-made mixers. We are at your service for dinner every night! Afternoon walk-up cafe' service Friday thru Sunday. . We are open for dinner every holiday except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

A photo of Rosie McCann's Irish Pub & Restaurant - Santa Cruz restaurant

5. Rosie McCann's Irish Pub & Restaurant - Santa Cruz

4.1

Excellent(43)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Irish • Santa Cruz

Booked 1 time today

Rosie McCann's Irish Pub is located in Santa Cruz, California and specializes in serving homemade Irish pub fare. The restaurant features a neighborhood bar atmosphere and offers a full-service bar with over 25 beers on tap.Rosie McCann's Irish Pub serves lunch and dinner daily and offers an additional brunch service on weekends. Brunch fare at the restaurant consists of steak and eggs, corned beef hash and eggs, eggs Benedict, buttermilk pancakes and more. Lunch and dinner at Rosie McCann's Irish Pub features a variety of appetizers, salads, soups, entrées, steaks, Irish favorites, grass fed burgers, pasta and sandwiches.

A photo of Jack O'Neill Restaurant & Lounge restaurant

6. Jack O'Neill Restaurant & Lounge

4.6

Exceptional(2016)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Santa Cruz

Booked 30 times today

Jack O’Neill Restaurant and Lounge is Santa Cruz’s best new destination for coastal California cuisine. The approachable and family-friendly vibe at Jack O’Neill Restaurant and Lounge will welcome hotel guests and locals alike.

7. Oswald

4.4

Awesome(1625)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Santa Cruz

Booked 11 times today

Oswald is a contemporary American restaurant and bar that focuses on the abundance of delicious ingredients found on the central coast of California. Oswald features an eclectic, international wine list and an exciting, seasonal bar program. While the decor is spare and modern, the atmosphere is comfortable and relaxed. Oswald features new art shows every two months. We do have first come tables available in the lounge as well as bar seats.Come by and see if there is a table or seat for you.

8. la Posta

4.8

Exceptional(2376)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Santa Cruz

Booked 23 times today

Select from a menu that features dishes composed of locally sourced ingredients as well as house-made pastas, naturally leavened breads and pizzas from our brick oven. Because we rely on the bounty of the Santa Cruz farming community, our menu changes frequently and features a wide array of specials. La Posta’s all-Italian wine list includes autochthonous varieties from small producers, by-the-glass and by the bottle. La Posta adheres to the Monterey Bay Seafood Watch Program and is a certified City of Santa Cruz Green Business.We are so thankful for the incredible support from our customers and community. We will continue to adjust our service based upon best practices for keeping our staff and community safe.

A photo of Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen | Westside restaurant

9. Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen | Westside

4.5

Awesome(642)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • Santa Cruz

Booked 20 times today

Savor our handcrafted cocktails and flavorful dishes right beside the distillery where our premium spirits are crafted. Whether you prefer indoor dining, a lively bar atmosphere, or our covered heated patio, we provide a variety of seating options to enhance your experience.HOURS:Monday - Thursday // 5pm - 9pmFriday // 4pm - 9pmSaturday - Sunday // 11:30am - 9pm

A photo of Woodstock's Pizza - Santa Cruz restaurant

10. Woodstock's Pizza - Santa Cruz

4.6

Exceptional(32)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Pizzeria • Santa Cruz

Booked 2 times today

Legendary taste meets an epic party scene at Woodstock’s Pizza in downtown Santa Cruz. Bring your friends for mouth-watering pizza and our famous Wildebread. Woodstock's offers a fast casual dining experience with counter ordering and delivery to your table.Bring your friends for award-winning pies, sides and suds. Your choices are endlessly customizable; we have options for most dietary restrictions, including gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and lactose-intolerant. Try our signature wheat crust and exclusive extra zesty sauce, and watch us load on the freshest, highest-quality toppings. Woodstock's has 16 taps serving some of the most innovative craft beers, along with a selection of bottled beers and wines. We specialize in groups of all sizes, with flexible seating and a pet-friendly heated patio. Join the fun at our weekly Trivia and Pint Nights. We're open from lunch to late night, and we deliver throughout Santa Cruz. We accept reservations f

Dining near Santa Cruz, CA at a glance

Updated on 4/24/2025

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From verified diners like you

H
Heather
San Francisco Bay Area •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
The food was delicious and the service was excellent. The back patio was lovely, as usual.
More info
LailiPrice: Moderate• Mediterranean• Santa Cruz
•
4.7
R
Robyn
California Central Coast •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
We loved everything we tried. We had the antipasto platter, rigatoni, chicken pie, mushroom soup, polenta and finished with cheesecake, mouse and gelato.
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Chocolate the RestaurantPrice: Expensive• Californian• Santa Cruz
•
4.7
K
Kristin
San Francisco Bay Area •4 reviews
5.0
Dined on Apr 6, 2025
Such lovely wait staff—warm, friendly, and caring! And the setting is so cozy and heartwarming. Plus the food is excellent!
More info
Gabriella CafePrice: Very Expensive• Italian• Santa Cruz
•
4.7
S
Sande
San Francisco Bay Area •28 reviews
5.0
Dined on Mar 16, 2025
From the very beginning, we felt welcomed. The proprietor dropped by our table twice to chat and to make sure we weren’t lacking for anything. We shared the generous and tasty mezze platter and then calamari and salad. On prior visits, we have enjoyed their burgers, and wish they would put the lamb burger on regular rotation. It looked like a good place to go as a solo diner to catch a game at the bar This resto has earned a place in our regular rotation.
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Mozaic - Santa CruzPrice: Moderate• Mediterranean• Santa Cruz
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4.4
CS
ChrisS
San Francisco Bay Area •4 reviews
5.0
Dined on Jun 29, 2024
Great restaurant, nice ambience, good food, great service. Great location, right in downtown, multi Storey parking very close
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Rosie McCann's Irish Pub & Restaurant - Santa CruzPrice: Moderate• Irish• Santa Cruz
•
4.1

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Best restaurants near me in Santa Cruz, CA

Price

Cuisine

Top Rated

Dining Options

Seating Options

Award-winning

Accessibility

560 restaurants available nearby

1. Laili

2. Gabriella Cafe

3. Mozaic - Santa Cruz

4. Chocolate the Restaurant

5. Rosie McCann's Irish Pub & Restaurant - Santa Cruz

6. Jack O'Neill Restaurant & Lounge

7. Oswald

8. la Posta

9. Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen | Westside

10. Woodstock's Pizza - Santa Cruz

Dining near Santa Cruz, CA at a glance

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