Diners' Choice: Healthy restaurants in Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall healthy cuisine in Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

la Posta

4.8

4.8 (2299)

$30 and under

Italian

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Select from a menu that features dishes composed of locally sourced ingredients as well as house-made pastas, naturally leavened breads and pizzas from our brick oven.

Because we rely on the bounty of the Santa Cruz farming community, our menu changes frequently and features a wide array of specials. La Posta’s all-Italian wine list includes autochthonous varieties from small producers, by-the-glass and by the bottle.

La Posta adheres to the Monterey Bay Seafood Watch Program and is a certified City of Santa Cruz Green Business.

We are so thankful for the incredible support from our customers and community.

We will continue to adjust our service based upon best practices for keeping our staff and community safe.

Top review

Steven

Dined 2 days ago

Steve, the waiter, was great. The food was very fresh and tasty, with some interesting offerings. The Gnocco Fritti was outstanding.

Discover more

Experience

Cantina del Pino Cru Night

Gabriella Cafe

4.8

4.8 (957)

$50 and over

Italian

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Zagat rated as "OUTSTANDING". Gabriella Cafe is a 50 seat, picturesque and romantic dining experience in downtown Santa Cruz.

Top review

Maxwell

Dined 4 days ago

The ambiance at Gabriella Cafe is amazing! The food is great and the service fantastic.

Jack O'Neill Restaurant & Lounge

4.7

4.7 (1929)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Jack O’Neill Restaurant and Lounge is Santa Cruz’s best new destination for coastal California cuisine. The approachable and family-friendly vibe at Jack O’Neill Restaurant and Lounge will welcome hotel guests and locals alike.

Top review

Denis

Dined 2 days ago

Went there for our anniversary, the staff was remarkable, excellent, friendly, and totally accommodating , we weren’t sure of the wine choice, they offered a wonderful selection and it was spot on. This is our go to place and love it every time. Highly recommended!!!!!!!!

Discover more

4.7

4.7 (2827)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Laili is our expression of love through food and service. We offer a unique menu made up of fusion Afghani Mediterranean items that include kabobs, wraps, flatbreads, pastas, and spiced lamb and chicken dishes as well as delicious vegetarian options.

Laili Restaurant "BEST MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANT", Good Times 2023, Voted #1

Rich Mediterranean Flavors with a Unique Afghan Twist in the Heart of Downtown Santa Cruz.
Currently taking reservations for lunch and dinner, walk-ins welcome too.

Dine in our elegant, secluded, off street patio. Visit our website for event information.

Top review

Eric

Dined 7 days ago

Outstanding service and food. One of our favorite restaurants in Santa Cruz and our latest visit was no exception.

Discover more

Sugo Italian Pasta Bar

4.7

4.7 (248)

$30 and under

Italian

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

A European concept-restaurant of traditional Italian cuisine; a modern and dynamic service, that allows customers to enjoy fresh, organic and authentic italian food through a selection of appetizer, panini, pizza and salads, and obviously our specialty: "Pasta".

Top review

Mike

Dined on Sep 6, 2024

Excellent and fresh Italian food in Santa Cruz. Second time here and had a great experience. Just wish Santa Cruz streets were cleaned up a little bit more.

Oswald

4.5

4.5 (1596)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Melindavip

Dined on Aug 23, 2024

This was a great casual place with excellent food and service!

Mozaic - Santa Cruz

4.5

4.5 (468)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

We named our restaurant Mozaic because we wanted to capture the diversity of flavors and culmination of authentic Mediterranean dishes that we offer. We bring together the best of Mediterranean recipes from Greece, Lebanon, Turkey and Sicily, emphasizing Middle Eastern influence.

Our menu is hand-crafted after years of experience in the restaurant business knowing what people like. We make every dish completely authentic, utilizing 100 years old techniques that have been passed down through generations to bring you incredible flavor. COME AND TASTE THE DIFFERENCE We seek only the best, local ingredients. We use high-quality meats, like our Australian lamb tenderloin and select only sustainable seafood. Our lavash comes from an authentic Persian bakery.

Everyone wants family. Mozaic is a warm and inviting atmosphere where everyone can feel at home. Come enjoy our incredible and lush atmosphere.

Top review

Kristinvip

Dined on Sep 2, 2024

Great food! Baklava is awesome with mint leaf on top. Eat outdoors by heater.

Oblò

4.5

4.5 (40)

$31 to $50

Italian

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Modern Italian cuisine with Californian influence, sit in our beautiful dining room or enjoy one of our amazing craft drinks in the comfort and cozy lounge bar area.
Our chef Andrea designed an innovative menu that perfect match with the list of cocktails craft from the Bar manager Keith Fox.

Top review

Goharvip

Dined 7 days ago

Madeleine was our server. Highly professional and dedicated to making our dinner experience as wonderful as possible. She went above and beyond to show is unreasonable hospitality. Food was great as well

Paradise Beach Grille

4.3

4.3 (34)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Capitola

About the restaurant

Paradise maximizes the beautiful beach location on Monterey Bay with an outdoor patio, views of the historic Venetian condominiums, and the ocean. We also feature an outdoor fireplace perfect for that cozy dinner or wine tasting. We have high top tables in the bar area for drinks or dining, as well as an attractive and spacious dining room. Customers enjoy the various casual venues yet an upscale flair with quality food, beverage, and service.

Top review

Fran

Dined 2 days ago

Had a reservation - decided to stay at the bar. Fun little place with great food.

Chocolate the Restaurant

4.1

4.1 (74)

$31 to $50

Californian

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Now celebrating 25 years, Chocolate the Restaurant provides an attractive dining environment for couples on dates, friendly meetings, and special occasion meals. Dine outside on the heated garden patio. Celebrate special occasions with up to 25 guests in the private street-side party room. Maybe start with a Chocolate Martini or a Passion Fruit Margarita. Chef David Jackman's fresh baked pasta rosettes, slow-roasted meats, and delicious seasonal organic vegetable dishes are all a prelude to our many chocolaty desserts. Our wine list focuses on local and on Italian wines. Our cocktails are all made from scratch; often using locally distilled spirits, and always using fresh house-made mixers. We are at your service for dinner every night! Afternoon walk-up cafe' service Friday thru Sunday. . We are open for dinner every holiday except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Top review

Susanvip

Dined 5 days ago

My companions had interesting, delicious meals. My chicken Parmesan was a bit of a disappointment because it had no cheese. The homemade sauce was tasty but no cheese on chicken Parmesan? The server said it would be very cheesy. Nope. Weird oversight? Nice cocktail menu and the deserts were all top notch.

Explore Diners' Choice best of Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

Explore more Diners' Choice lists