Award-winning

Alderwood Santa Cruz

Name: Alderwood Santa Cruz
Address: 155 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz, CA, United States, 95060
Telephone: (831) 588-3238
Price range: $50 and over
Rating: 4.6

4.6

547 Reviews

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Top Tags:

We are now open at 4pm for Happy Hour! Discounted cocktails, wines, and small plates. (4pm-6pm Wednesday through Sunday) The Cheeseburger and other beloved items have returned.

Alderwood Santa Cruz is a seasonally-driven restaurant (Michelin Guide recommended) by Executive Chef Jeffrey Wall serving coastal, wood-fired cuisine with French undertones. We are inspired by the Central Coast region and its world-renowned farms. Our goal is to bring you a dining experience that blends sophistication and comfort with our unyielding passion for graceful hospitality, and a menu that reflects California’s abundant produce and the best regional purveyors.

Please enjoy the beautiful wood-fired hearth ambiance, our passion to quality, service standards, and an undying strive to create the best experience imaginable. Thank you from the entire team for being our beloved guests. Chef Jeffrey Wall and Chris Jones.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Dec 4, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 9 times today

Additional information

Dining style
Fine Dining
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Contemporary American
Hours of operation
Wed–Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(831) 588-3238
Website
http://alderwoodsantacruz.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Jeffrey Wall

Location
155 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Award-winning
1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
Neighborhood
Santa Cruz
Cross street
Cedar
Parking details
We encourage our guests to order car service if they plan to enjoy spirits during their dining experience. If you choose to drive, optimal parking is available across the street in the two-story parking structure.
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

What 547 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.7Service
4.6Ambience
4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

San Francisco Bay Area
Innovative
San Francisco Bay Area
Contemporary American
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Best Food
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Best Service
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Best Ambiance
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Innovative
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Great for fine wines
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Good for special occasions
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Lively

547 Reviews

O
Oceangirl
San Francisco
17 reviews
5.0
17 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
From the appetizer to dessert, everything was excellent. Best meal I’ve had in a long time!
Is this helpful?
BR
BethR
San Francisco
7 reviews
vip
2.0
7 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
overall2food2service3ambience3
Food was average for what you pay. I have no desire to go back.
Is this helpful?
w
watermoss
Central Coast
30 reviews
vip
5.0
30 reviews
Dined on November 20, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
It’s pricey but worth every bite. The cocktails are fabulous. Popovers to die for with the cured ham jam and butter. Ate so many of the appetizers plus a Cesar salad didn’t have room for an entree. Can’t wait to go back and try the rest of the menu.
Is this helpful?
CG
CherylG
Central Coast
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 10, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great service, delicous food, and fabulous drinks! Personal favorites are the oysters, beef tartare, caesar salad, and duck breast. Happy hour burger & beer is a great deal and yummy.
Is this helpful?
JL
JohnL
San Francisco
91 reviews
vip
4.0
91 reviews
Dined on November 10, 2023
overall4food5service5ambience4
For me this was return to the Cedar St. location. The food was still as good as ever. the oysters were perfect, the Alderwood burger is still one of the best around, and the potatoes are excellent and unique. I would love to see the return of the Cali-Burger which was a big hit at Alderwood Pacific. I would have liked a glass of red wine, but on the list, there was nothing under $20. I looked through all of the menus and could not find an option. I have since been told that they do have a happy hour wine at a good price, but there was no indication of that that I could see. I still really enjoy Alderwood and do recommend it.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 29, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
i love coming here, one of my favorite restaurants. the hen of the woods is a must have! alderwood made my anniversary spectacular
Is this helpful?
MB
MaryB
San Francisco
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on October 27, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We wanted to come here for the Happy Hour menu and it did not disappoint! The oysters were tasty. Our burgers were prepared like smash burgers and were made of bison and ground chuck. They were served with grilled chopped onion which was a little overpowering. The baked potato pomme frites are very unusual but super flavorful. I highly recommend trying them. The servers were friendly and attentive and we were able to chat with the chef. Good wine for the happy hour menu. Can’t wait to return to try their lobster roll!
Is this helpful?
CO
COBCali
San Francisco
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on October 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We returned to Alderwood since its repairs are done and no surprise at how wonderful it is. Great services, cocktails and food! Try the Parmescan Popups with coba and peach preserves. We just love Alderwood it doesn't dissappoint.
Is this helpful?
k
kmc9
San Francisco
13 reviews
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on October 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
There is a spectacular happy hour menu from 5 to 6! I encourage everyone to take it advantage of this! We had the oysters, split a wonderful Caesar salad, and shared the 8 ounce filet mignon that was melt in your mouth fantastic! we also shared a side of a terrific potato dish that I had never experienced before. It was like a baked potato cut into thick strips, and lightly deep-fried served with some sauce. Yummy!! we ordered wines by the glass and that was good. Overall, we had a delightful evening, although a bit pricey. However, we felt it was worth it!
Is this helpful?
KB
KellyB
Northern MI
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on October 21, 2023
overall3food3service3ambience3
Our server was attentive but slow service. Drink was forgotten. Popovers felt stale. Lobster roll had no flavor...the oysters were great!
Is this helpful?
MB
MickBrown
San Francisco
19 reviews
vip
5.0
19 reviews
Dined on October 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Our fourth time to Alderwood was a joy. The food was very interesting, nicely made and the service was personal and pleasant.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on October 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Alderwood has combined the very best of the Pacific and SantaCruz menus into one. Both burgers and filets are perfect. Also great HH specials and desserts. Yay for this great new dinner option in Santa Cruz, we sure needed it.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great to see Alderwood bring all the favorites back! Cheeseburger, Caesar salad, Hen of the Woods, Oysters - mmmm. Plus having a happy hour makes it so folks in the community can come in and enjoy a casual visit that may or may not lead to a fine dining experience.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 24, 2023
overall3food5service3ambience3
I wanted to like this place, however, we had a 9pm reservation but the restaurant was closed. Don’t take such late reservations because you cannot provide the experience guests are looking for. Was able to order one drink the minute we sat down because it was last call. Food was good but they ran out of dessert (it was my husbands birthday so that sucked, they ran out of horseradish as well) We basically just watched the restaurant close. We will not be returning.
Is this helpful?
JJ
JJdine
San Francisco
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on September 22, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience4
The dishes had a unique and tasty combination of ingredients that I haven't had at other restaurants.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on September 18, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience4
Great cocktails, international wine list, delicious food (especially all the starters)!
Is this helpful?
J
Jetaime
Central Coast
14 reviews
vip
5.0
14 reviews
Dined on September 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
My husband and I went to Alderwood for the Sunday prime rib dinner (which we shared) We sat at the counter where you can watch the magic of the chefs, and interact with them for a moment or two, which was really fun. Now for the food-Chopped salad, and the parmesan popover with smoked butter and peach jam was a little bit of heaven. Prime rib was perfectly cooked to our liking, it came with roasted potatoes, creamed snap peas, and sauteed patty-pan squash. And, for the finally, a bourbon based peach crisp with piped vanilla ice cream, OMG! All and all it was amazing from start to finish. We bought our own wine a 2011 Cab, yum! (corkage fee $40) Last but not least Enzo, our server was the best (he could honestly train others-yes he's that good.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We always thoroughly everything at this fine+fun restaurant.
Is this helpful?
SD
SarahD
Central Coast
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 16, 2023
overall3food3service2ambience3
We have had amazing dining experiences at Alderwood and last night was not one of them. Service was slow and drinks took a really long time to come. We were Told they were understaffed and I am sore that was the reason.
Is this helpful?
b
badladyk
San Francisco
10 reviews
vip
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on September 10, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Run, don't walk, to Alderwood. Each bite of the chef's exquisite fare —— exquisite from thoughtful conception through gorgeous execution —— was an absolute triumph. For me, every dish offered all the elements of a compulsively readable & visionary novel — the kind of book you break dates over so you can stay home and read — every dish with its own compelling through line and inventive subplots and crafty flourishes that had me cracking up the whole time, cause artfully prepared food can do that to a person: make you super appreciative and mirthful. Yes, you want to have at least a couple of wines paired. Yes, you want to delight in the excellent, attentive, and thoroughly unstuffy service. And yes, you'll likely be ruined, because a dining experience doesn't get any better than this.
Is this helpful?
UC
UCSC
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on September 9, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
i ate well, although the food is pricey -- in my view the main problem with alderwood is the same as it was before it closed and re-opened: the mixed drinks cost too much in relation to their volume (e.g., gin martinis are served in what appear to be roughly 5 oz glasses, whereas i can get 8 oz martinis at oswald that are just as good and cost quite a bit less), and the wine list is too expensive top to bottom for the quality you get -- i will continue to use oswald as what my british friends call (in my case) my weekly local and visit alderwood perhaps once every 2-3 months, either bringing my own wine or drinking alderwood's wine only by the glass
Is this helpful?
R
Rebecca
San Francisco
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 1, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
This is the best restaurant experience I’ve had in Santa Cruz. Very good service and exquisite food. We also appreciated the attention to our evening being a special birthday celebration. (Side note: it would be nice if more customers followed the restaurant’s request and dressed up to business casual attire. This is elevated dining…)
Is this helpful?
F
Foodisgood
Central Coast
24 reviews
vip
5.0
24 reviews
Dined on August 25, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
What an elevated dinning experience! We were fans of Alderwood before the recent "refresh," but this is whole other level. They have dialed it in! The service was some of the best we've ever experienced in a restaurant - timely, warm, attentive. Enzo and Alex were fantastic. Enzo made great recommendations. Even the background music was perfect. Best of all, the food was AMAZING. The king crab…. we will be dreaming about that dish for days to come. The grits with the pork were freakin incredible.
Is this helpful?
EM
EduardoM
San Francisco
12 reviews
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on August 25, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent food and friendly attentive service. Fine dining in Santa Cruz at its best. Chef is commended for the quality of food. And presentation he personally reviews and supervise throughout the evening.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Phenomenal adjusted concept from the prior version. We loved the new layout and noise level. Very refined and perfect execution.
Is this helpful?
SA
SAMS
San Francisco
12 reviews
vip
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on August 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Once again, from cocktails to dessert, we enjoyed an extraordinary dining experience amd a wait staff and kitchen who accommodated my food allergies without making me feel in any way deprived.
Is this helpful?
A
Aura
San Francisco
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 20, 2023
overall3food5service5ambience4
Wanted hen of the woods, and is no longer served there.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on August 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
So glad to have this great restaurant back up and running.
Is this helpful?
JH
JordanH
San Francisco
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on August 13, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Amazing flavors. Great people. Crazy expensive. Always a fun and special treat. We'll be back!
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Antonio
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on August 10, 2023
overall2food5service1ambience5
Started strong and the wheels fell completely off. Manager threw on a hoodie and left the building before service was over. Ordered a $450 bottle of wine and he made his bartender open it for us. For a place charging Michelin star prices, it couldn’t be further from achieving one. Kitchen is operating on a very high level and the front of house needs to get it together
Is this helpful?
SF
SFOflyer
San Francisco
128 reviews
vip
5.0
128 reviews
Dined on August 7, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Six of us celebrated a birthday at Alderwood and everything was outstanding. Yes, it is expensive but the quality of ingredients and the polished, professional service created an evening to remember. The grilled King crab appetizer was amazing and the sirloin strip steak was our favorite. Our vegetarian guest was also impressed. lolThe sommelier recommended an excellent Meursault which was stunning. There is no match in Santa Cruz for his level of dining.
Is this helpful?
DB
DorothyB
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 3, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Alderwood Santa Cruz was a perfect evening! The service was incredible; knowledgeable, considerate, and fun. The food was both delicious and gorgeous to view. The atmosphere was modern, warm, and inviting. Really a fantastic addition to the Santa Cruz scene. Thank you Chef Wall, Chris, Jessie and the Alderwood crew for an exceptional experience. Cheers!
Is this helpful?
HC
HildurC
San Francisco
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on July 30, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We went to Alderwood for a last minute anniversary dinner. We were very pleasantly surprised. Everything was excellent! The service was very friendly and professional. The food was tastily and the presentation was lovely. We especially loved the steak tartar that came with smoked bone marrow. We're big bone marrow fans and had never had it smoked before. Perfection!
Is this helpful?
C
Cannidy
San Francisco
20 reviews
vip
5.0
20 reviews
Dined on July 22, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delicious fine dining in Santa Cruz! I love the presentation, flavors, amazing staff, chill yet upscale vibe.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on July 16, 2023
overall3food4service5ambience4
The food was prepared well and served hot but the cost exceeded the value. The ambiance is not as nice as other fine dining restaurants in the area such as Shadowbrook. Service was excellent.
1 person found this helpful
AV
AndreaV
San Francisco
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on July 15, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We are very happy to back at Alderwood after their reopening. The menu was amazing, flawlessly executed and Enzo was awesome! Highly recommend!
Is this helpful?
c
converger
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on July 7, 2023
overall3food5service3ambience4
Alderwood has apparently decided to focus its efforts on becoming the first Michelin starred restaurant in the area, with premium prices to match. The food is superb. The drinks are excellent. Unlike the few other Michelin-starred restaurants I have experienced in my life, I cannot honestly say that the experience is worth every penny. To be fair however, my attitude is tempered by a sense of mourning for Alderwood's previous incarnation as a worthy (if expensive) local dining experience, instead of something deliberately intended to be inaccessible to mere mortals.
1 person found this helpful
RF
RebekahF
San Francisco
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 1, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience4
Excellent food. Definitely on the Michelin path! Beautiful plating. Desserts could be a little smaller only to ensure consistency in overall uniform presentation.
Is this helpful?
JM
JeanM
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 29, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Outstanding food, flavors, choices, service!!! The mushrooms were out of this world and the NY steak like none ever tasted before. Will return!! Highly recommend!!
1 person found this helpful
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 26, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
They say “fine dining”, and they aren’t joking. Easily the best steak, dessert, and overall dinner I’ve ever had.
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Alderwood Santa Cruz is rated 4.6 stars by 547 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Dec 4, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 9 times today

155 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Additional information

Award-winning
1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
Cross street
Cedar
Neighborhood
Santa Cruz
Hours of operation
Wed–Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Contemporary American
Dining style
Fine Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
We encourage our guests to order car service if they plan to enjoy spirits during their dining experience. If you choose to drive, optimal parking is available across the street in the two-story parking structure.
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Jeffrey Wall
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://alderwoodsantacruz.com/
Phone number
(831) 588-3238

Alderwood Santa Cruz

Make a reservation

Additional information

Popular dishes

Lobster Risotto

8oz Filet Mignon

Green Salad

Menu

What 547 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

FAQs

How is Alderwood Santa Cruz restaurant rated?

Is Alderwood Santa Cruz currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information