Mission City Grill

★★★★☆ 4 (974) • $$

"We met up with some friends here at Mission City Grill to have brunch and catchup on their recent vacation, holiday, etc.It has been a while since we last came here, so it was nice to revisit. The service was nice and friendly as soon as you walked in the door. Our server was good too. She was friendly, patient, and attentive!The decor reminds me of an Italian restaurant. It's not. Good old American cuisine. LOL. Breakfast served all day, Burgers, Sandwiches, and Entrees. Separate Restrooms for Men & Women's with multiple stalls.The Classics: Two cage free eggs, hashbrowns & toast or pancakes. Substitute French Toast or waffle ($2).*Hash & Eggs: Old Fashion Corned Beef Hash. It was from a CAN and griddled. It was a good breakfast. I really enjoyed the Swedish Pancakes with lingonberry butter! So good! I shouldn't be surprised since they are connected with Holder's.My wife and friend split theOmlettes & Scrambles: Choice of omlette souffle or diced scramble with Hash browns. Choice of toast or pancakes. Substitute French Toast ($2).*Supreme Scramble: linguica, sausage, bacon, ham, mushrooms, bell peppers, jack & white cheddar cheese, Spanish sauce (4/5). They ordered the diced scramble and added a waffle. They enjoyed the scramble a lot. They had them put the sauce of the side. The waffle was light, yet crispy.Our other friend enjoyed his Fire Guacamole Burger: Angus chuck beef patty, guacamole, crispy onions, lettuce, tomato, pickles, pepper jack cheese, special sauce, artisan bun, fried jalapeño.Come check them out!"

It's Italia

★★★★☆ 3.8 (965) • $$$

"This place was absolutely amazing. It closes at 8 on Sundays; our reservation was for 8pm. We walked in and they seated us right on time. The ambiance was perfect, romantic and intimate yet not overdone. The service was fantastic; quick but not rushed, and all the staff were extremely attentive. My better half had originally ordered gnocchi but they happened to be out at the end of the night. He went with the pumpkin gnocchi instead, and was pleasantly surprised. I tried a bite as well, and liked it enough to order again. The lemon caper salmon and mashed potatoes with greens was fantastic, and I am definitively picky when it comes to how my salmon is cooked... Hats off to the chef and kitchen staff; between the wine and the amazing dinner were were too full for dessert . We did not leave until well after closing, and were not rushed out at all. In fact quite the opposite. We asked if they would take our picture together; I attempted to dress up and put on cute shoes for the evening but as someone with a mobility disorder I am admittedly slow when it comes to standing and walking lol. They were so kind, patient and accommodating, and more than happy to take the camera and get some good shots before we left. I am truly impressed and do not have a thing to speak poorly of. We would most definitely return when we are in the area again!"

The Mountain House

★★★★☆ 4.2 (721) • $$$$

"Loved it! Had to be rolled down the mountain because I over ate. They were super accommodating because of the cyber attack and adjusting the number for my reservation. Drinks were on beyond on par. Ordered the border which was the bartender monthly special... had two.Went back again for the second time and tried other dishes, still great!Lucky both times sitting in the green room."

Paradise Beach Grille

★★★★☆ 3.6 (936) • $$

"Staff is great and attentive even in the busiest days. Food is amazing as expected. Dining at paradise beach grille never fails."

Slice of Homage Pizza

★★★★☆ 4.4 (605) • $$

"The food was definitely amazing if you're craving good old classic pizza. Lots of options ranging from a classic New York pizza with cheese to Detroit style pizza. The wings were average but it was good for a pizza place. The worker was super nice, listened and spoke to us as if we were friends. The vibes were great! Only issue is there is little seating, but you can always walk to San Pedro's little seating area!100% would come back again."

Chaplin’s Sports Bistro

★★★★☆ 4.1 (688) • $$

"I can't believe I've never written a review for Chaplin's before. I went on a Friday night just to grab some drinks with friends. They had a DJ to my surprise and really gave the place a good vibe. We got lucky and were seated in a booth right as we walked in. They have ample parking, but also have street parking available. I got a Moscow mule which was good and some Cajun fries. The Cajun fries had a kick to them if dipped in the chipotle mayo. The service was great with the team checking in every 10 mins to see if we need another drink or food item. I would highly recommend you check it out.Just wanted to add that I went and they had the Formula 1 Australian GP Practice 2 playing so I think they play the Formula 1 GP's here. Great to know I found a spot where I can go watch and have a drink!"

Rise Woodfire Pizza & Rotisserie

★★★★☆ 4.2 (632) • $$

"We came rather late but there was no wait or line. We were seated right away. I had the pomagranate fizz non-alcoholic drink and hubs had the henhouse beer. He never drinks or likes beer but said it was surprisingly good! My drink was refreshing and delish!We had the back ribs pizza and the cheese was super good. My other half said it tasted like feta (slightly gamey) but I tasted none of that. I really enjoyed the fresh cheese and it reminded of queso fresco. We also got a Margherita with Italian fennel sausage to go for the kiddos and that was also tasty! Love the thin crust. Reminds me of new York"

The Garden Club

★★★★☆ 3.7 (797) • $$

"If you want an amazing dining experience with old world charm this is the place. It been a while since I have been here still the same great food . Will definitely be back . Thank you Garden club for an outstanding meal"

Willow Street Wood-Fired Pizza

★★★★☆ 3.7 (790) • $$

"Very cozy, inviting and pleasant atmosphere. The food is really good and the pizza from an oven wooden is super tasty. The good thing is the happy hour has great deals! The service was excellent and super fast - no long waiting to be seated and served."

Horsefeather

★★★★☆ 4 (672) • $$

"Came here with a friend for brunch in late December and really enjoyed dining at Horsefeather during this very quiet time in San Francisco.The atrium was light-filled though it was a rainy day and service was attentive.The food was very good--the double cheeseburger hit the spot and my friend helped me eat my pile of fries. Would love to return for dinner and drinks!"

Willow Street Wood Fired Pizza

★★★★☆ 3.6 (749) • $$

"What a great pizza place for your family or even for date night. It has pizza, pasta, and more. I love the thin crust on their pizza, and I recommend the margarita pizza and any of their salads. Also, they have great desserts, and mud pie from Marianne's ice cream is in Santa Cruz! Which is my favorite. The restaurant itself is clean. They have great staff. It's pretty quick and we didn't wait very long. I definitely recommend this place for a birthday. Quick dinner, maybe lunch, or a night out for drinks."

Wine Cellar Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.7 (704) • $$$

"I love the Wine Cellar Restaurant! I love the outdoor patio seating, with umbrella tables, little lights at night, and fresh air, even though you are basically in the parking lot. Indoors, there is a very quaint ambience that feels a bit like Tuscany. There is a raised area with some tables, and a lower floor, as well as a few tucked into corners. And, for those with mobility issues, we found out there is a little freight elevator that can be used to get you down the stairs if eating indoors. One of the highlights is the cheese fondue. We had that in Switzerland for the first time many years back, and this was one of the few restaurants that served it in our area. It is delicious, although, there is not enough cheese to cover the variety of things on the platter--usually bread cubes, red apples, green apples, broccoli, & cauliflower. I wish they would give you more cheese so that you could finish off your platter. Instead, you end up wasting food. But just having this, with a glass of wine, with a friend, and you have a nice appetizer! The Old Town Harvest Salad is very good, as is the Seared Ahi Salad. I was recently here with people who tried the Chicken Marsala, the Grilled Artichoke, and the French Onion Soup, which were also said to be good. They also have a nice selection to drink: we recently tried their Old Fashions, which took me back in time. It was tasty, and came with a fresh cherry (vs. a Maraschino), and their wine selection is also nice. It just has an enjoyable atmosphere to have a meal. I would give it 5 stars, but had an incident one time with one of the waiters who has been there a long time, where some people had left from another table that we didn't know, and he hadn't charged them for part of their order, so he put it on our tab. When we pointed it out, he said, "Well, those people have already left..." That does not ever mean that you should charge someone else for their meal. So very unacceptable. Since he is still there, I would always check your tab. I also had some issues in the past in trying to get them to cook my ahi tuna to medium rare, rather than just seared, and then having them way overcook it, so that it was inedible, so there have been a few issues, but overall, it is one of my favorite local restaurants to enjoy a meal."

Dino's Family Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4 (593) • $$

"Cute little diner with tons of options. Def worth the visit especially if you are out of state!I ordered the french toast meal which comes with two slices, eggs, and bacon. Very yummy and decently priced!I also ordered a vanilla latte but they brought me out this gigantic fun drink! Not what I was expecting at all and I would def order it again lol! So cute and yummy!! The service was super speedy. Very nice servers as well!"

Central Park Bistro

★★★★☆ 3.9 (587) • $$

"Happy birthday Alex! We came here on a Saturday afternoon for lunch. Strangely we were the only party here this whole time. Our food came pretty quickly after we ordered. So hard to choose! Everything on the menu looks delicious. +1 service was great! Came to refill our waters regularly +1 food came out quick! +1 good portion sizes! Only keeping it a 4 stars because the appetizers I was not too impressed. Calamari was cold and too salty, poke was not bad but the chips to poke ratio was quite stingy lol Allen and I got the paella and lobster pasta, and both were so filling. Lunch has lunch combos too. Overall, I would come here again for a fancy occasion. I can see the vibes being nice at night time!"

The Lexington House

★★★★☆ 4 (529) • $$$

"Good spot for a date night! Very romantic setting, though I agree with the other Yelp reviews that it can get a bit noisy when it's packed insideWe got the Red Butter Lettuce as an appetizer which was very refreshing and the dressing wasn't too overpowering--the tasty potato crumbs were a nice touch and added crunchThe market fish was a bit disappointing--super thin slices and a bit overpowered by the lemony flavorThe pork chop was very solid and was perfectly cooked. Super tender and had a nice crunch to it. Definitely the star of the nightOur waiter was so nice, warm, and enthusiastic--though he recommended to not rely on the Yelp reviews"

Pinoy BBQ ATBP

★★★★☆ 3.9 (535) • $$

"I was passing by for a daily routine and noticed this place took over the previous Vietnamese food joint?It's been a while since I saw another Filipino food place so I figured there is no harm in coming by.I only ordered one pork skewer to give it a try, and just enjoyed it. Taste wise it's about as good as it gets, Filipino food at fair prices is respected regardless."

Oswald

★★★★☆ 3.9 (526) • $$

"We completely stumbled onto Oswald because we were in the area and had a terrible experience somewhere else. Oswald saved our night!Oswald had the ideal blend of sultry ambiance, swanky decor with local artwork and cool lighting fixtures, great cocktails, delicious bites, and too-notch attentive service! Our server checked on us so much that I knew she caught whenever we finished a plate or a drink because she'd swoop in to take it or offer something else. She was fastastic. Customers seemed happy and the noise level was medium. It's not a family/kids place; more of an adult vibe, just fyi. I can't wait to return to Oswald for a full dining experience."

Mistral Restaurant & Bar

★★★★☆ 3.6 (604) • $$$

"$25 for the Chef's Appetizer special, which was seared ahi tuna on a bed of soba noodles. It came with shrimp-like crackers but maybe they're just crispy rice crackers. Loved all the textures in this dish. It wasn't too heavy and was perfect as an entree for one or as an appetizer to share.They currently have a few specials for $31 in celebration of their 31st anniversary, which included surf and turf (shrimp and steak with scalloped potatoes and veggies). Most of my party ordered this and all seemed very pleased. Service was friendly and took the time to take pictures of our big group at different angles. I went at night and faced the patio with the water but it was dark so there wasn't much to look at. It's a shame they no longer serve lunch to get the daytime view...I may need to come back when the days are longer."

Drakes

★★★★☆ 4 (486) • $$

"Service is goodAmbiance is goodCocktails are MiddlingFood is not good. Edible, but not good"

West Park Bistro

★★★★☆ 4 (482) • $$$

"Great for family parties or friend get-togethers. Staff is friendly. Dedicated area to hang your coats/jackets helps too and makes it nice and organized. I always enjoy the food here. Salmon was cooked perfectly and the staff was accommodating to our dietary needs. Consistently delicious which is why we keep coming back. Highlights:- bread & butter - wine selection - calamari - cocktails Thank you for always creating a welcoming atmosphere."

Capers Eat & Drink

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (720) • $$

"Came in for dinner on June 28, 2024 and there were two large groups there... Had no problem finding a place to sit at the bar. The staff was very busy, but as friendly as ever. Horacio, a bartender, was also our server. We thoroughly enjoyed an end, cut Of Prime Rib and the prawn skewers as well. I asked Horacio for a small piece of foil for the shrimp tails and showed him a video of a couple of opossums that come through the backyard nightly... He laughed and went onto explain that he has his girlfriend recently rescued a female opossum and her babies (mom got hit by a car).We look forward to our next visit."

Bantam

★★★★☆ 4 (460) • $$

"Had such a stellar experience at Bantam this evening! From the warm service to DELICIOUS food and wine, I highly recommend if you're in Santa Cruz!We're visiting from LA for a few days and this place is definitely on par with LA standards for GOOD food. We ordered the caesar salad, pickled cauliflower, fried chicken & soppressata pizza, as well as a bottle of Chianti.Highly recommend all of the above and wish we could stomach dessert! The staff were all extremely sweet and personable and we can't wait to come back next time we're in town!"

Park & Howard Bistro

★★★★☆ 4.3 (366) • $$$

"Decided to check out Park & Howard Bistro for dessert and drinks and it was phenomenal. It was pretty chill and lowkey for a Saturday, which we greatly appreciated. The service was also superb and very attentive. We never felt forgotten and hardly had to wait at all. My wife ordered the Chocolate Lava Cake and I ordered the Bread Pudding and Eggnog Espresso Martini. Everything was absolutely delectable! Can't wait to go back. Highly recommend for a date night away from the kids."

Farm & Vine American Bistro

★★★★☆ 4 (419) • $$$

"This is an amazing location The staff is very kind and welcoming I love the ambiance here very elegant Perfect for our date we came here We had such a great time at this wonderful restaurant We had a delicious dessert a picture worth a thousand words Over all 5 stars if not more"

Smoke Eaters

★★★☆☆ 3 (743) • $$

"After much debate, I ordered the classic cheeseburger. And it was an amazing burger -- the caramelized onions added a sweet note that balanced the well seasoned and sizable beef patty. It might not be a hit with those who aren't a fan of the sweet and savory combo, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The special sauce added a tangy layer of flavor to each bite. The fluffy but sturdy bun did a great job of holding the (slightly messy) sandwich together. The fries were relatively basic but made for a delicious accompaniment to the burger. Next time, I would probably try out some of the other sides on the menu. The atmosphere is very laid back but a little rowdy depending on who's playing. It's a great place to watch a game. Hopefully I'll be back soon!"

Banh Mi Oven

★★★★☆ 4 (409) • $

"I would rate this place as 2.5 Ordered delivery today and I was very disappointed.The baked chicken sandwich was made with dry white meat, the bbq pork sandwich was tasty but included chunks of fat, and the summer rolls were made with dry char sui pork instead of the grilled pork in the description.The Thai tea was solid, and plain white rolls fresh."

Kirk's SteakBurgers - Palo Alto

★★★★☆ 3.6 (500) • $$

"I've been to Kirk's a few times, and it's a decent spot to grab a quick burger. Ate here recently, wanted to try something new and decided to go with their chicken bacon ranch club sandwich with Cajun fries.The CBR comes on grilled sourdough bread with mayo, avocado, and bacon. The sandwich unfortunately was a bit too much bread and not enough filling. The piece of chicken was while seasoned, was paper thin. I think the meat to bread ratio for this sandwich could be better. The Cajun fries were good, but oddly sweet. For the chicken sandwich, fries, and a coke, plus tip, came out to $26. A bit steep for the amount of chicken you get but lesson learned, I'd stick with the burgers"

Dany's Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.4 (333) • $$

"As we headed home on a rainy morning, we stopped in Gilroy for breakfast. Because we were in an RV we were looking for someplace that had adequate parking. I found the spot on yelp, and it sounded interesting and the parking worked for us.Located in the small strip mall it doesn't look particularly special, but it was a nice surprise once in the door. Our server was friendly, and answered questions on the menu that we had. There are traditional breakfast offerings as well as some with a Mexican influence. We opted for the latter. Mr. S had chorizo scramble, but I think the star was my Chilaquiles with Chili Verde. Every bite was filled with flavor and not overly spicy, just perfect. I had leftovers, but never got to eat them. Mr. S got to them first and really enjoyed them the second time around.I'd return for breakfast anytime!"

Gabriella Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.5 (507) • $$

"Super super cute little spot, tucked away a block away from the main street. As soon as my daughter and I walked by, we both wanted to dine here. The restaurant is in a cozy house- with indoor, outdoor and alley-way seating. The alley way seating was so cute, like out of a little Italian romance scene. Service was top notch- our server was so super sweet. Huge breakfast/brunch/lunch menu- We had the vegetable hash which was super tasty, and also a simple but refreshing Market salad"

Willard Hicks

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (558) • $$$

"The service was slow slow slow (and the restaurant didn't even have 10 people seated) The cornbread was DELICIOUS The fries were DELICIOUS The tacos were Delicious The sale was old and we sent it back The drinks the good The Beat thing of all was the rib eye flatbread pizza Servers were nice but no clue why the food took forever to come out We were there during happy hour the day before Thanksgiving and as I stayed there were not even 10 people in the restaurant ; including the 3 in my party It's a beautiful restaurant, great vibe, live DJI'll definitely be back the next time I'm in the area 5 stars for the bartender 4 for our server 4 for the food"

Fire Wings

★★★★☆ 3.8 (401) • $$

"This is strictly a review for a to-go order. I usually love getting the salt and pepper wings but this time they were extra salty. I had to eat it with something to make it edible. However, whenever I've had it in the past it was good so I think this might have been one off. The garlic noodles are super tasty. I also ordered all carrots but they still ended up giving be celery. Given this is a to-go order it wasn't as good in person since lost some of the crunch."

The Post

★★★★☆ 3.6 (444) • $$

"Cute place for a birthday lunch! I met a friend and loved the decor inside and had outdoor dining. Comfort food with tons of options of Chicken and Waffles, Burgers, Fries, etc. I ordered the Bacon and Ham Quiche with a side salad. It was so good with buttery crust with tons of veggies and ham on a pomodoro sauce. My friend got the Croque Monsieur with a fried egg on top with melted cheese and savory ham. I loved the presentation of the food. Our waiter did a great job of answering our questions and bringing out our food quickly. We enjoyed a piece of flan and fruit for my birthday! Prices were average and tons of parking behind the restaurant. I want to go back and try out a cocktail!"

Evarista’s Comal Restaurant

★★★★★ 4.7 (256) • $$

"If 6 stars was available I would give this restaurant a well deserved amazing review. I found this on Yelp with some great reviews. We were seated promptly with some very welcoming smiles. The chips, homemade salsa and guacamole were amazing. To top it off we ordered some Micheladas that were absolutely perfect! Several of us ordered the quesa birria tacos that were 10/10. The consome and tender meat were probably the best I've had. Amazing authentic Mexican food and great customer service made this the best meal in Santa Cruz. Best hole in the wall Mexican cuisine on the coast. Salud to the owner and his family who run this place daily."

Heritage Restaurant & Bar

★★★★☆ 4.3 (300) • $$

"This place is great! I was having a super long day and they went out to their way to accommodate me. They have really good options for vegetarians and a cozy vibe. A little fireplace in the back but TV's over the bar so you can watch whatever game is currently live. The staff was also super friendly. Great neighborhood spot!!"

Bittersweet Bistro

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (563) • $$$

"Bittersweet Bistro Aptos CA Fri 12/27/24On Rio Del Mar Blvd!One very bright Friday in December!Sunny & warm at the coast!Several of us stopped by for drinks!©Here with friends after taking care of some business in the area! You can't help it but feel celebratory in the beautiful Santa Cruz area, Capitola, Aptos, coastal Rio Del Mar, where ocean proximity offers the best of the sea-meets-relaxed-lifestyle! In comparison to Silicon Valley's stresses, it feels almost remote here, yet it's only a hillside away from the valley's intensity! In a beautiful koi pond, just outside of your stone and stucco building, the happiest vibrant fishes sparkle & dance in the water, displaying bright red and yellow! You wanna join the human size teddy bear Santa by the bar? You can do it here! Straight to the bar counter we go, spacious and inviting to relax and quench that thirst! Classy Mahogany bar is hard to pass by. Let's go! My rye whiskey, but of course! We ordered several cocktails, one of those was French Lemon Drop! Chitchat with the bartender Cliff! Excellent service! Bittersweet Bistro is a staple recognized by locals, one of top spots in Santa Cruz County & in Aptos's Rio Del Mar enclave. It's a New American classic with Mediterranean twist!I savored my rye! Overall the WhistlePig PiggyBack Rye 6 Years has a nice sweet profile! It complements the dominant rustic and spicey notes. Good all around, it's a versatile whiskey! Works equally well in cocktails or in a glass by itself, just like I have enjoyed it! It features a 100% rye mashbill, a solid 96.56 proof.Delicious Lemon Drop, made to order, I carry a recipe given to me years ago, by a true professional. It comes out strong & citrusy refreshing! Very good. Time flew fast with a great conversation! On to the next stop! Arrivederci Bittersweet! Until we meet again!* Cocktails and dreams give them to meI said, oh, oh, oh I'm begging you pleaseGive them to meCocktails and dreamsCocktails and dreams give them to me[ Review #817 w 4 pics Jan 21, 2025 ]Vibrant fishes in the pond outside!Santa's waiting to make U company!My WhistlePig PiggyBack Rye 6 Years! Exceptional French Lemon Drop!@Bittersweet Bistro Aptos CA Fri 12/27/24"