Santa Cruz Restaurants
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Chocolate the Restaurant
Price: Expensive•Californian•4.8(124)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.Laili
Price: Moderate•Mediterranean•4.7(2,890)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 #1
Rich 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.
Gabriella Cafe
Price: Very Expensive•Italian•4.5(987)Zagat rated as "OUTSTANDING". Gabriella Cafe is a 50 seat, picturesque and romantic dining experience in downtown Santa Cruz.Oswald
Price: Expensive•Contemporary American•4.5(1,632)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.
Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen | Westside
Price: Expensive•Californian•4.6(654)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 - 9pm
Friday // 4pm - 9pm
Saturday - Sunday // 11:30am - 9pmIdeal Bar & Grill
Price: Moderate•Californian•4.5(310)Fun, family friendly dining with a beautiful view of Santa Cruz Main beach and the Municipal Wharf! We offer out side seating on our sunny deck! Come down and try our award winning clam chowder today! Reservations are for our inside dining room only.
Outdoor dining in San Francisco Bay Area
See what locals rave about in Santa Cruz
From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
- MMarthaAtlanta •9 reviews5.0Dined 3 days agoDecided to check out Oswald's Happy Hour menu. Best burger and fries ever! Great service and delicious drink special with blood orange, pomegranate, and gin. Will make Oswald a regular occasion.More infoOswaldPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Santa Cruz•4.5
- CChristineSan Francisco Bay Area •18 reviews5.0Dined 3 days agoLove the chocolate roasted pork and the Amarillo mole as entrees. They were both quite tasty and will order again when we return. Great to eat outside as inside is quite small. The margaritas were generous and delicious. Enjoyed the street music and beautiful begonias in the outdoor dining area.More infoChocolate the RestaurantPrice: Expensive• Californian• Santa Cruz•4.8
- MMoniqueSan Francisco Bay Area •2 reviews5.0Dined on Jun 28, 2025A consistently enjoyable restaurant. Everything was well presented and delicious.More infoLailiPrice: Moderate• Mediterranean• Santa Cruz•4.7
- EEricPalm Springs / Palm Desert Cities •5 reviews5.0Dined on Jun 28, 2025Food and service was very good and tasty. Cocktails hit hard and the belly dancing entertainment was fun. The desserts off the charts so good!! Lamb shank was tender and fell off the bone. Cioppino was a little on the fishy side but the sauce was so so good!! Overall have already made another reservation!!More infoMozaic - Santa CruzPrice: Moderate• Mediterranean• Santa Cruz•4.5
- PPatrickVIPHawaii •15 reviews5.0Dined on Jun 14, 2025Family of four. Everyone enjoyed the food. Food was very good and the service was very good. It was truly an enjoyable evening. Would highly recommend and look forward to returning. Thank you for a great night.More infoGabriella CafePrice: Very Expensive• Italian• Santa Cruz•4.5
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Frequently asked questions
Celebrate special occasion at the best restaurants in Santa Cruz. Our customers recommend Laili, la Posta and The View Restaurant & Bar
As of Jul 6, 2025 there are 21 restaurants in Santa Cruz. Filter by “outdoor dining”, “romantic” or “dog friendly”.
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