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Oswald, Santa Cruz, CA

Oswald

4.5 (1631)
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
121 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 5 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Good for business meals
  • Great for creative cocktails
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.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Wed–Sat 12:00 pm–2:30 pm Dinner Tue 5:00 pm–8:15 pm Wed, Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Damani Thomas
  • 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 1,631 people are saying

Oswald 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

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.1Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Hot spot

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Neighborhood gem

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Great for fine wines

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Romantic

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Good for special occasions

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Oswald offers a charming dining experience with "excellent" service and a lively atmosphere. Known for its creative menu, highlights include the "justifiably famous" burger and delightful desserts. While some note rising prices and occasional slow service, the restaurant remains a "reliable Santa Cruz standby" with standout dishes and a welcoming space.
1,631 Reviews
  1. Stephanie

    California Central Coast9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    As always Oswald's was superb. It is still the best restaurant in downtown. I had the duck confit, my husband the lamb shank and our picky son the fried chicken. It was all amazing.

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  2. Alexis

    Charlotte1 review

    2.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    It’s a cute spot and the waitstaff were really attentive, but the food was just… not very good. Everything sounded amazing but was over salted and the flavors were very muddied. To be fair, the desserts were quite good.

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  3. Deborah

    Orange County15 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Small upscale restaurant with excellent food, different from the usual faire.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Sheila

    San Francisco Bay Area1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 22, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Always good food, but had gotten very expensive (like most restaurants).

    Is this helpful?

  5. Peter

    Hawaii3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 21, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Enjoy the evening. The food, service and food was great.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Maureen VIP

    California Central Coast4 reviews

    1.0

    Dined on June 16, 2025

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 2
    Please don’t accept reservations on Open Table if the restaurant will be closed.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Jeffrey

    San Francisco Bay Area18 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Tasty eats, excellent service, lively resteraunt, very enjoyable

    Is this helpful?

  8. Andrea

    San Francisco Bay Area10 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on June 12, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    I have enjoyed Oswald for the last 14 years. They have had times where the food was incredible with excellent choices at reasonable prices. But some things have changed in the last few years. Last night I felt the menu was just ok. The fried chicken was a bit dry which surprised me. And the steep increase in prices was also a surprise. Quality of food is good, not excellent, and certainly not in line with the new price points. I will keep giving them a try to see what changes in the next year. I’m hoping to see additional options on the menu with some healthier choices and higher quality food. The staff there is lovely, but service was a bit slow last night especially waiting for cocktails/drinks and then getting dinner orders in. I have faith they can redeem themselves.

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  9. Bruce

    San Francisco Bay Area8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 28, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The burger is justifiably famous. The fried chicken isn't quite as spectacular, though very good. We had a lovely Valpolicella with the meal and finished off with a delightful chocolate soufflé. Oswald is a reliable Santa Cruz standby for special occasions, such as my birthday last night.

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  10. brent VIP

    San Francisco Bay Area15 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 25, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had an amazing dinner at Oswald’s . Awesome service and a fun spot to have a great dinner!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

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

Oswald is rated 4.5 stars by 1631 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. San Francisco Bay Area
  4. Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
  5. Santa Cruz

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 5 times today
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 Tue 5:00 pm–8:15 pm Wed, Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • 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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