Chocolate the Restaurant

Name: Chocolate the Restaurant
Address: 1522 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA, United States, 95060
Telephone: (831) 427-9900
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.8

4.8 (129)

$31 to $50

Californian

1522 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Make a reservation

2 people

Jul 16, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 8 times today

About this restaurant

Charming
Neighborhood gem
Great for outdoor dining

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.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Californian, Mediterranean, Dessert
Hours of operation
Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(831) 427-9900
Website
http://www.chocolatesantacruz.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
David Jackman
Catering
Offsite catering for up to 150 guests. Weddings, or any other kind of occasion. Wedding cakes, or other special desserts. Chocolate mousse truffles. We can work with you to design a custom menu, based on your comfortable budget parameters.
Private party facilities
Rehearsal Dinners, Graduation Parties, Birthday Parties, Anniversary Parties are our specialty

Location
1522 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Neighborhood
Santa Cruz
Cross street
Cooper Street
Parking details
Large multi-level public lot one half block away. Also, several parking spaces in front of restaurant on the street.
Public transit
Metro bus station with links to San Jose, three blocks away.
Additional
Banquet, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Ask Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

What 129 people are saying

Chocolate the Restaurant reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.9Service
4.7Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

San Francisco Bay Area
Healthy
San Francisco Bay Area
Great for fine wines
San Francisco Bay Area
Great for outdoor dining
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Best Overall
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Best Food
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Best Service
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Best Ambiance
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Best Value
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Healthy
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Neighborhood gem
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Great for fine wines
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Great for outdoor dining
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Good for special occasions
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Lively

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Chocolate the Restaurant in Santa Cruz is a beloved spot known for its "excellent service" and "superb chocolate drinks." With a diverse menu including vegan and gluten-free options, it features standout dishes like Oaxacan chicken mole and hand-rolled fettuccine. Guests rave about the "awesome dessert sampler" and vibrant outdoor dining experience.

312 Reviews

M
Mohit VIP
San Francisco Bay Area95 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The appetizers and desserts were great. Staff was very friendly. We didn't enjoy the entrees so much but liked everything else.
Is this helpful?
E
Eddie VIP
San Francisco Bay Area36 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
07/12/25 - weekly visit moved to Saturday rather than usual Friday (DJ Illenium show last night). But have to get our weekly Chocolate visit - 1x pasta rosettes and 1x daily quiche. First time in awhile for the quiche and really enjoyed it. No pictures as my iPhone is in backup mode and not accessible. Posting from desktop. Usual dessert of coconut cream pie and chocolate cream pie with Victoria hot chocolate (oat milk, no cream). The food was excellent as usual and I was told there was a new chef working on 7/12/25 - food was great as usual.
Is this helpful?
K
Kathleen VIP
Sacramento / Sacramento Valley25 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This is a family favorite for as many years as i can rey. Always fantastic food and cocoa!!!!
Is this helpful?
E
Eddie VIP
San Francisco Bay Area37 reviews
5.0
Dined on July 6, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
07/05/25. Sat visit instead of usual Friday. 2x mini loaf,Chicken Mole dishes, chocolate cream pie, coconut cream pie, Victoria hot chocolate
Is this helpful?
A
Avery
San Francisco Bay Area38 reviews
5.0
Dined on July 5, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
The food was good, the hot cocktails and dessert. Was excellent.
Is this helpful?
C
Christine
San Francisco Bay Area18 reviews
5.0
Dined on July 3, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Love 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.
Is this helpful?
E
Eddie VIP
San Francisco Bay Area37 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 29, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
6/28/25 weekly visit one day later Saturday. Pasta rosettes full order marinara, Oaxacan chicken mole, mocha truffle, chocolate cream pie, Victoria hot chocolate, chocolate sin cake, mini loaf
Is this helpful?
M
Mohammad VIP
San Francisco Bay Area17 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 24, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
New menu with lots of varieties including many vegan and gluten free options. Moderately priced
Is this helpful?
P
Phil
San Francisco Bay Area11 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 22, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always a great experience we visit about once a year on return travel to the area. The chocolate drinks and specialty cocktails are superb. Service is the best and ingredients fresh and prepared quickly to order. The desert sampler is awesome. Highly recommend.
Is this helpful?
E
Eddie VIP
San Francisco Bay Area37 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 20, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
6/19/25 - have holiday off from work so here Thursday instead of usual Friday. 1 mini loaf - hot and fresh as usual, 2x Oaxacan chicken mole, 2x chocolate ectasy sundae
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Chocolate the Restaurant is rated 4.8 stars by 129 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Jul 16, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 8 times today

1522 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Additional information

Cross street
Cooper Street
Neighborhood
Santa Cruz
Hours of operation
Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Californian, Mediterranean, Dessert
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
Large multi-level public lot one half block away. Also, several parking spaces in front of restaurant on the street.
Public transit
Metro bus station with links to San Jose, three blocks away.
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
David Jackman
Additional
Banquet, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.chocolatesantacruz.com/
Phone number
(831) 427-9900
Catering
Offsite catering for up to 150 guests. Weddings, or any other kind of occasion. Wedding cakes, or other special desserts. Chocolate mousse truffles. We can work with you to design a custom menu, based on your comfortable budget parameters.
Private party facilities
Rehearsal Dinners, Graduation Parties, Birthday Parties, Anniversary Parties are our specialty

Chocolate the Restaurant

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Additional information

Ask Concierge
AI Beta

Menu

What 129 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is Chocolate the Restaurant restaurant rated?

Is Chocolate the Restaurant currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information