Crow's Nest Restaurant

Believe it or not, I have never been to the particular restaurant before! Despite having a summer in paradise point! LolI was so excited too go to this restaurant after all these years!! Sadly, the downstairs restaurant was closed until dinner and since it was around 4 PM, we were able to go upstairs to the bar and order! Basically the same thing! Lol plus you get a beautiful view of an outlet ! There were two sea lions in the water and they were so cute to watch as my entertainment.Within the upstairs portion of the bar/restaurant there was a old-fashioned fire and that made the ambience very rustic and warm!! I would love to go have a cocktail or two here next time, but since we were doing a late lunch, I got the fish and chips and everything was delicious and fresh tasting!! I was surprised their fish and chips was actually out of mahi-mahi! Usually in the mainland, it's frozen cod, but I guess that's a perk to going to Santa Cruz! I actually get mahi-mahi fish and chips!!I will definitely be coming back to the crows nest again to try out a cocktail and check out the adorable marketplace across the street!! Look for my review on that little store it's so quaint and cute!!

We had lunch at the Crows nest today, it was busy but the waitress came over and brought water and took out drink order. We got a great table next to the window with a great view. I ordered nachos $21.50 with grilled chicken $8.50 and sour cream and guacamole $3.25, yes $33.25!! My husband ordered a cup of clam chowder and calamari. The problem with my order was dry chicken, a lot of chips but very little beans and cheese, I ordered guacamole, but what I got was avocado that was spooned out. That's not guacamole that's avocado. The salsa was bland and unflavored. My husbands calamari looked very greasy and the breading came off the calamari. It was a mess! The clam chowder was chalky tasting. We were both very disappointed. Your talking about a $100 dollar lunch. But my husband said the Bloody Mary was excellent!

Came here the day after Thanksgiving, the Crow's Nest is a typical old-school seafood and steak themed restaurant right on the harbor. Checked the upstairs bar area to eat first; it was a bit run down and empty, so our family opted for the "finer" dining experience downstairs. The downstairs area is big and spacious, perhaps a bit tired. Cozy seating and booths, wood paneling, dark, it's what you want and expect in a place called the Crow's Nest. View was probably very nice, but it was dark so we couldn't see much.Big selection of hearty cocktails and local wines, we started with a couple of cocktails that were good - not refined in any way, but they hit the spot. Menu is full of various fish preparations, raw seafood bar, pastas, salads, steaks, combinations, etc. You can also add a salad bar to any dinner. Our family had a mix of seafood and pasta dishes. My son's sand dabs were very good; fresh tasting. The pasta dishes were large and on the heavier side, but loaded with goodies, as was my seafood risotto. Had a (massive) slice of key lime pie for dessert. Service was friendly, prompt and efficient. Only complaint is that the prices are high for what you get - even the simpler entrees, including pastas and salads are $30+, but unsurprising at a prime tourist location. Wouldn't mind trying lunch next time to appreciate the views!

Visited The Crow's Nest on a Friday evening with a group of about 12, and we were seated promptly once most of the group had arrived. The restaurant is beautiful, with a great location right by the water--definitely a spot for a nice view!The wait staff was fairly attentive, especially considering our group size, which I appreciated. As for the food, it was decent, though I expected a bit more in terms of freshness and seasoning. The drinks, on the other hand, were excellent--well-made and strong.Overall, I'd come back, especially for the view and the drinks. It's a lovely spot to relax by the water, but I hope the food can match the vibe a bit more next time.

Had high hopes for this place for my wife's bday. Was seating by a window which was great. Not great was the 50 children and loud dive bar sounding women all around us. YES ladies, if you think that loud bar voice is welcome in a restaurant...it's not! Important to note we were on the 1st floor which has the deluxe menu. The noise and kids was so bad even my wife recommended we move to the upstairs. That was an older more melo crowd with no children. Great right? Until we got the menu. The upstairs gets a 3rd class menu. We both rated the overall experience as a 5 out of 10. We will never go back.

Back for another year and again a good spot for seafood! We had lunch this year and the fish and chips were certainly good! We'll be back again soon!

My friends and I came in at 1345 in the afternoon to grab a late late lunch. Iy was Saturday so we called and made reservations prior. I love how staff was nice and answers all our questions and gave their recommendations. Food portion is big! Don't forget to try their Calamari, its bery good and tender. We were seated by the window, overlooking the beach which was really awesome. Restaurant was clean and also the bathroom. Downside you have to pay for parking. Will be coming back for sure!

I enjoy coming here while visiting the area due to the lovely view you get while sitting inside. However, my expectation of their fish and chips dish was not met by far. You get a few pieces which look alright in the plate but the coating tasted like "Shake and Bake". Also, the inside of the pieces were dry. I am glad I had some sauces to coat them with to make them tastier. The cole slaw was too runny and did not taste fresh. The french fries were mediocre at best. Our waitress was friendly and I love staring out onto the sandy beach but for the expense of a meal here, I hope some other fish dishes are much better.

Dining at The Crow's Nest after some time away was a mixed bag. With out-of-town guests in tow, we anticipated an evening of great cocktails and local seafood--hallmarks of the restaurant's reputation.Positives: 1. Ambience: The unique character of the venue remains intact, offering a charming and welcoming atmosphere. 2. Service: The wait staff delivered the excellent service we fondly remembered, attentive and quick to respond to concerns.Negatives:The food, unfortunately, did not live up to the expectations set by past visits. * Prawn Ravioli Dish: Arrived lukewarm, with an off taste that raised concerns about its freshness. While the server promptly replaced it with a pecan and Gorgonzola salad (a B- effort), it couldn't redeem the initial disappointment. * Blackened Fish: While the fish itself was passable, the sides of steamed vegetables and red mashed potatoes were cold and lacked flavor, detracting from the overall dish.It was disheartening to see such a departure from the high standards we associated with The Crow's Nest. Our guests were gracious enough to mask their disappointment, but the experience was far from the memorable evening we had promised them.Conclusion: While the ambience and service remain strong, the inconsistency in food quality makes it difficult to recommend The Crow's Nest with the same enthusiasm as before.

Attended the Crows Nest for the first time on a Monday evening for a friend's birthday, and we do not have plans of coming back.First off, none of the FOH staff (hostess & waitress) even cracked a smile at us, and we weren't feeling the hospitality at all. I understand that we are a young crowd, and maybe they assumed that we would be rowdy and not tip well, but we all work in the service industry and felt like we deserved a bit of kindness from the team. Actually, the one busser (a young gentleman) who cracked a joke with us and collected all our plates throughout the dinner, he made us feel more comfortable! Secondly, everyone was disappointed with their meal (especially with the hefty prices). Rice was crunchy, sauce on the steak was overbearing with balsamic flavor, steamed veggies were cold... Lastly, when the bill came we were confused as to why the top options were only 5-7%, only to find out there was already a service charge of 20%, AS WELL AS an operational surcharge to our whole bill. I fully understand large party service charges, but it would've been nice if the waitress would've inform us that it was already part of the bill before letting us tip extra. Overall, if you're looking to spend the same money there are many other options in Santa Cruz with better service and food quality.