Oswald

Name: Oswald
Address: 121 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA, United States, 95060
Telephone: (831) 423-7427
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.5

4.5 (1631)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

121 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Make a reservation

2 people

Jul 2, 2025

9:30 PM

Booked 13 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
(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

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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

Noise • Moderate

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

S
Stephanie
California Central Coast9 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 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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A
Alexis
Charlotte1 review
2.0
Dined 6 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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D
Deborah
Orange County15 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 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.
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S
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).
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P
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.
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M
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.
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J
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
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A
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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B
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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b
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!
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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.

Make a reservation

2 people

Jul 2, 2025

9:30 PM

Booked 13 times today

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

Website
http://oswaldrestaurant.com/
Phone number
(831) 423-7427

Oswald

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About this restaurant

Additional information

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Menu

What 1,631 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does Oswald offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Oswald restaurant rated?

Is Oswald currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information