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Alderwood Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA
Award-winning

Alderwood Santa Cruz

4.6
4.6
547 Reviews
$50 and over
Contemporary American
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

2 people

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
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Jeffrey Wall
  • 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

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

NoiseModerate

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
  1. 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!

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  2. 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.

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  3. 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.

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  4. 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.

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  5. 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.

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  6. 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

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  7. 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!

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  8. 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.

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  9. 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!

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  10. 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!

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  11. 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.

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  12. 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.

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  13. 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.

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  14. 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.

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  15. 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.

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  16. 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)!

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  17. 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.

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  18. 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.

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  19. 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.

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  20. 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.

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  21. 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

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  22. 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…)

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  23. 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.

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  24. 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.

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  25. 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.

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  26. 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.

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  27. 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.

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  28. 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.

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  29. 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!

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  30. 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

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  31. 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.

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  32. 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!

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  33. 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!

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  34. 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.

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  35. 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

  36. 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!

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  37. 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

  38. 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.

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  39. 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

  40. 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.

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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

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 9 times today
Google Map for Alderwood Santa Cruz

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
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