Best American Restaurants in Santa Cruz
Price
- $30 and under
- $31 to $50
- $50 and over
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Award-winning
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17 restaurants available nearby
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See what locals rave about
- JJoyceSan Francisco Bay Area •1 review5.0Dined 5 days agoThe tacos were delicious, just the right amount of spicy. Both of my friends had an eggs Benedict dish and they were both amazing. Excellent service, beautiful atmosphere, best view in Santa Cruz!!More infoJack O'Neill Restaurant & LoungePrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Santa Cruz•4.7
- DDarrylSan Francisco Bay Area •9 reviews5.0Dined 6 days agoReally wonderful this time, new chef, new vision. Excellent and highly recommended.More infoAlderwood Santa CruzPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary American• Santa Cruz•4.7
- TTarynSan Francisco Bay Area •1 review5.0Dined on Nov 29, 2024My husband and I went for thanksgiving dinner. We arrived an hour early but were seated promptly. Staff was very friendly and quick to tell us the specials and take our order. We split the Brussels sprouts and meatballs. The Brussels are a must. It really could be its own meal. You get 2 meatballs which is a bummer but only because the are so good. I had the cornstar martini which was very refreshing & the perfect balance to my very rich & DELICIOUS spaghetti carbonara. The portion size was double what I expected and a very yummy snack a couple hours later. Pasta tasted fresh & perfect al dente. This is the kind of dish you want for a cheat meal. My husband had the salt & vinegar with kettle one. Personally I hate pickles, but the drink wasn’t bad. He had the seafood stew which I couldn’t try because I’m allergic to shellfish but he loved it, and he’s pretty picky about his seafood. The portion was also big and came with a giant prawn on top. There was a lot of seafood in it too which he was happy about. For dessert we had the chocolate bomb & Americano. The chocolate bomb was a chocolate shell with a mousse inside. Not overly sweet at all. It was ridiculously good. One of the top 5 desserts I’ve had. The Americano was great and a great pair with the chocolate. Normally when I have carbs I instantly bloat…bad. After eating here I was fine! No bloat at all! Everything was high quality and fresh. They really know what they’re doing. Everything we got came out hot. I mean blow on it hot. I’ve never been to a restaurant and had my food come out like that. You can tell it wasn’t sitting under a heat lamp. I loved it! Everything we saw come out of the kitchen looked delicious. We will definitely be back!More infoOblòPrice: Expensive• Italian• Santa Cruz•4.7
- BBrendavipSan Francisco Bay Area •3 reviews5.0Dined on Nov 24, 2024We ordered off of the Happy Hour menu and had a number of delicious dishes; lasagne & salad, burger & fries, and Mac n’cheese. The Olive app was good too. Also the happy hour cocktails: Negroni & Orange/ pomegranate cocktail were delicious. Unfortunately the avocado toast wasn’t available, but we’ll be back. Our server Janet was great too!!More infoOswaldPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Santa Cruz•4.6
- CSChrisSSan Francisco Bay Area •4 reviews5.0Dined on Jun 29, 2024Great restaurant, nice ambience, good food, great service. Great location, right in downtown, multi Storey parking very closeMore infoRosie McCann's Irish Pub & Restaurant - Santa CruzPrice: Moderate• Irish• Santa Cruz•4.1
Discover best American restaurants in Santa Cruz
Discover the vibrant American dining scene in the Santa Cruz/Capitola/Aptos area of the San Francisco Bay Area, where culinary creativity meets coastal charm. This region boasts a diverse array of restaurants that celebrate American cuisine with a distinctive Californian twist. Patrons can expect menus rich in locally sourced ingredients, with dishes that are both traditional and innovative, catering to a variety of tastes and preferences. Each establishment prides itself on combining excellent service with unique atmospheres, from cozy, family-friendly settings to more sophisticated dining experiences. The dining scene here is characterized by its commitment to quality and sustainability, often featuring farm-to-table offerings that highlight the best of what the local area has to provide. Whether you're in the mood for a classic American burger, seafood straight from the nearby Pacific, or a creative vegetarian dish, the Santa Cruz/Capitola/Aptos area delivers with style and substance, making it a must-visit destination for food lovers.