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Oswald, Santa Cruz, CA
Oswald, Santa Cruz, CA
Oswald, Santa Cruz, CA
Oswald, Santa Cruz, CA
Oswald, Santa Cruz, CA

Oswald

4.8
4.8
1522 Reviews
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Top Tags:
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.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 12 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Wed–Sat 12:00 pm–2:30 pm Dinner Wed, Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (831) 423-7427
  • Website
    http://oswaldrestaurant.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Damani Thomas
  • Location
    121 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
  • Neighborhood
    Santa Cruz
  • Cross street
    Front
  • Parking details
    Oswald is located on the street level of a four story public parking garage with very reasonable rates.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,522 people are saying

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
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Good for business meals

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Innovative

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Hot spot

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Great for fine wines

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Good for special occasions

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Lively

1,522 Reviews

  1. Alison

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Never has failed to impress since the beginning at the OLD site. Consistent service, food and ambience. Loved the music too. Staff is always friendly, accommodating and professional.

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  2. TracyL

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on September 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I always feel special at Oswald. The food was great. Everyone was friendly, and they ahve my favorite cocktail, ever.

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  3. Gloria

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very pleased that we chose this restaurant, loved the food and ambience. The waiter was such a gentleman and very attentive.

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  4. CristinaM

    San Francisco

    119 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    119 reviews

    Dined on August 20, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    limited menu but food was good and I would go again. I appreciate that they have a glass of good wine for $10

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  5. Paraplu

    San Francisco

    15 reviews

    4.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience3
    Very busy bar scène. Nice to see how the place fiils up though. Server was great. Loved her. Ribs were amazing, the steak was a little tough. Great Cesar Salad though and nice drinks.

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  6. RhondaO

    Palm Springs

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I had the Ribs. The sauce was great and the ribs melted in my mouth. The potatoes were crispy and wonderful! Excellent choice on drinks. It was their special. Great job Team Oswald!

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  7. DeDe

    San Francisco

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    overall4food2service5ambience4
    We were looking forward to a special evening with out-of-town family. We had been to Oswalds before and enjoyed it. Unfortunately, this time we were disappointed with the food and the noise level. The service was excellent but the ribs and the steak special did not live up to our expectations. The ribs had more tendons? than meat and the potatoes were almost too crisp, if that's possible. The two members of our group who had the steak weren't sure what was wrong but thought it might have been the cut of meat. Apparently, the flavor was fine. Perhaps some ceiling insulation or spreading people further apart might help with the noise reduction.

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  8. CristinaM

    San Francisco

    119 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    119 reviews

    Dined on August 13, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Burger was great, and so was the crab appetizer. Great Location

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  9. Laina

    Central Coast

    6 reviews

    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on August 13, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience3
    Several dishes were excellent: the Peruvian Scallops starter, the shishito Pesto pasta was unusual and quite good, the Oso Buco was outstanding, particularly its accompanying Jerusalem Artichoke chips. The White Bean soup was disappointing. It tasted like an underseasoned chicken soup. The drinks were good. We would enjoy the pub grub for a Sunday lunch, but you are not open then. Laina

    1 person found this helpful

  10. JJdiners

    Sacramento

    10 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on August 12, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience3
    Excellently prepared meals with a great cocktail service.

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  11. Bebe

    San Francisco

    45 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    45 reviews

    Dined on July 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This is my "Go To" place for out of town guests. Always good and the service is always excellent!

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  12. BillP

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on July 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    To say we had a great dinner here would be an understatement. First of all the bartender was amazing, their drink special was delicious and the old fashion was perfect. The bean soup was wonderful BUT the Osso Buco was the best I have ever had. It had a clean flavor and was very lean, but still had all of the hearty flavor you would expect from Osso Buco.

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  13. Geoff

    Miami

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Oswald is my favorite restaurant on the Central Coast

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  14. MarinF

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Delicious. Best service ever! My favorite place in Santa Cruz

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  15. DustyF

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on July 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    The food never disappoints. Excellent soups and bar food. The halibut is divine.

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  16. LadW

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 15, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience2
    The chocolate souffle was the best I've had. The wine list was short enough to be comprehensible, and broad enough to satisfy variety.

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  17. LynnK

    San Francisco

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on July 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    For my birthday, got my requested window table for two at 5pm. It was nice and quiet. Server was perfect, attentive, but not overly. Enjoyed everything, appetizers (white bean soup, peruvian scallops) and dinner of brasied veal osso buco. The almond custard torte dessert was heavenly. Another wonderful experience at Oswald's. Thank you!

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  18. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Oswald’s is always a fantastic experience. One our most solid options in SC

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  19. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Super tasty halibut and steak. Great flavors. Cooked perfectly.

    Is this helpful?

  20. RobinR

    Central Coast

    18 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on July 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a fabulous dinner at Oswald. The food was delicious (best Caesar salad ever), scallops so wonderful, soup just perfect. The service was impeccable. We look forward to going back soon.

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  21. Jacquie

    San Francisco

    21 reviews

    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on June 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Oswald never disappoints! Amazing menu choices, well prepared and very delicious food. The bar scene is vibrant and the drinks are tops. The servers are knowledgeable and friendly. There's much attention to detail in every aspect of your dining experience. Oswald is the Best!

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  22. WineGal

    New Mexico

    10 reviews

    4.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on June 25, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Oswald's in downtown Santa Cruz is a favorite restaurant. Their food is very good, the wait staff and service is always excellent. We enjoy their cocktails, burgers, and we always order their molten chocolate dessert. (Remember to order the molten chocolate cake during your meal, because it takes a while to heat up.) We had not been during COVID lockdown and some of our favorites like the Endive salad were not on the menu. (their food is locally sourced so menu items change.) Oswalds is a good choice for a date night, birthday celebration, or pre concert meal. It's best to have a reservation as the restaurant is packed on most nights.

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  23. OpenTable Diner

    Unspecified

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Thanks for the foods well definitely be coming back cheers lads

    Is this helpful?

  24. Marshall

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on June 24, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Service was outstanding, very enjoyable evening with delicious food.

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  25. umeboshi

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    My son suggested visiting Oswald based on a recommendation by a friend. I was warned that the prices were on the high side, but we went to celebrate his graduation from UC Santa Cruz. My son enjoyed his Veal and my scallops were yummy. Our server Lexy was great!

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  26. Jamie

    San Diego

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on June 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a wonderful pre-wedding meal. It was difficult to make a decision on what to order because everything sounded so good. Our cocktails (especially the Negroni) were fantastic. The soup, chicory salad, sea bass and the steak were delicious. Don’t forget to have the almond torte and the chocolate soufflé. Our thanks to Janet for making the evening so special.

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  27. Jilld

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 4, 2023

    overall4food3service2ambience3
    Underwhelming. The food was good, but usually I leave there raving about the best meal ever. Caesar salad was meh. Entrees acceptable but something was missing. Ordered the special cocktail with gin; pretty sure there no gin touched that drink. Since I rarely drink, I know when a cocktail is missing the alcohol ingredient. Probably should have said something. Wait staff was fairly inattentive, but the restaurant was busy and it looked like she was a bit overwhelmed so I'll give that a pass. May have to find a new special event restaurant... so sorry to be negative.

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  28. KevinD

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    So fun to be indoor dining! The most amazing desserts after a scrumptious burger and fried chicken dinner . The white chocolate bread pudding with caramel sauce was a delight to the taste buds! Well done cocktails too!

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  29. GaryB

    San Diego

    18 reviews

    1.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on May 27, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    Pulled up this place when I entered “brunch”. They do NOT have a brunch menu, although they did have a couple breakfast type dishes. The service was dreadful. I had to get up multiple times to place an order, and we ended up getting up and leaving. It was taking them over 20 mins to produce 2 cups of soup and a chicken Caesar salad. There was ONLY TWO other tables (with customers) besides ours. We just left. They looked like they might have partied too hard the night before, and were just trying to survive their shifts. There were many other options nearby where we had an amazing meal. Plus, our waiter looked like he hadn’t had a haircut in 9 months.

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  30. PatZ

    Central Coast

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    I had the trout with potatoes and green beans and French white wine. My partner had the steak with potatoes and asparagus. For dessert, the almond cake with ice cream and coffee reduction sauce. The food was superb! I just wish it were slightly less loud but other than that, this is the best restaurant in Santa Cruz.

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  31. YumYum

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 12, 2023

    overall5food3service5ambience5
    Love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Is this helpful?

  32. GraceS

    Vancouver

    6 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on May 10, 2023

    overall1food1service2ambience1
    We booked Oswald for lunch yesterday to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. Upon arriving, the restaurant was 80% full and seemed very understaffed. There was no host and we stood at the doorway until the bartender told us to sit wherever we wanted. After we got seated, we noticed that all our surrounding tables did not have food and were looking agitated and trying to flag down someone for services. The manager came by to give us water and did not greet us or respond when I said "hello". My husband had to get us menus and the server came to take our order after we had been seated for about 10 minutes. When I asked the server which soup he would recommend, he just flat out said he did not eat soup (he then later said that most patrons liked the chicken orzo soup, which I ordered. We quickly received our cocktails but sat for another 15 minutes when I still noticed that none of the table around us had received any food. The table right next to us went to cancel their order when they finally brought it out and they had to pack up in to-go containers since it took so long. Then I heard the table to my other side inform the manager that one of the toilets was clogged, to which the manager just said okay and walked away but did not seem interested in remedying the issue. We were not hopefully that we would receive our food in any reasonable time frame and since I was very hungry, knew there was no usable toilet at the restaurant, and did not receive friendly service, we asked our order to be cancelled if it had not yet been fired. We paid for our drinks and went and had a lovely lunch nearby. This was shocking since I dined at Oswald for dinner a while ago and had a very good experience. It just seemed they were not prepared for so many lunch reservations and were painfully understaffed. The staff on hand were stressed and overwhelmed and it definitely showed.

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  33. DouglasK

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall2food1service2ambience3
    Brought my wife to Oswald for our anniversary dinner. We had heard good things, so we were eager to hopefully experience a tasty restaurant. But we'll never return to Oswald. The food was bland and costly for the quality and the service uninspired. To their credit, they did exchange my alcoholic drink at no cost. In terms of the food, the beef lasagna was tasteless, lacked sauce, and needed more melted cheese. It was too similar to a standard frozen lasagna from the local super market. It was not worth a Saturday night dinner out. I should have notified the restaurant ahead of our meal that we were celebrating our anniversary. But I didn't. So that's on me. I did tell our waitress about our anniversary as we were being seated. To mark our occasion, they brought out a candle on a small plate plate with a piece of chocolate after the meal. I dunno, most restaurants would likely have offered a free dessert I think, but the lack of effort to make our anniversary meal anything more than another Saturday night dining experience was disappointing.

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  34. Bebe

    San Francisco

    45 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    45 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Janet the manager is always accommodating and friendly. We had a great server although don't remember her name but will get it next time I go there and there will be many next tines.

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  35. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 30, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    Nice place for a date, good food nothing extraordinary, dessert my favorite. Slow service.

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  36. KathleenW

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 23, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Had a delightful meal. Enjoyed every bite. Our waitress Shannon had great suggestions for wine that complemented each course. Looking forward to returning soon!

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  37. AntonellaG

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food, service and ambience. They often have duck confit on the menu which is harder to find in Santa Cruz. Bar seating is first come, first served.

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  38. TomB

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 22, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Good, friendly service, nice but not stuffy atmosphere, good food and cocktails. Consistently good the many times I've dined here.

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  39. Johnna

    Baja California Sur

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on April 14, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Great cocktails but you may wait a bit to get them. I love the duck and the lasagna and their fries are super delicious and crispy

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  40. StephenB

    Tahoe

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Oswald is one of our few favorites in Santa Cruz. Great food and drinks!

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Sealed or wrapped utensils used
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers

  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners
    • Distancing maintained in common areas
    • Extra space between tables

  • Protective equipment

    • Waitstaff wear masks
    • Diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking

  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

Oswald offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (831) 423-7427.

Oswald is rated 4.8 stars by 1522 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 12 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Oswald

121 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Front
  • Neighborhood
    Santa Cruz
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Wed–Sat 12:00 pm–2:30 pm Dinner Wed, Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Oswald is located on the street level of a four story public parking garage with very reasonable rates.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Damani Thomas
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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