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

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

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 (2395)

$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

cherylVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Always the best! Loved every single dish, ordered 1 of all the antipasti, 5 entrees and desert!

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Chocolate the Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (125)

$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

Christine

Dined 3 days ago

Love the chocolate roasted pork and the Amarillo mole as entrees. They were both quite tasty and will order again when we return. Great to eat outside as inside is quite small. The margaritas were generous and delicious. Enjoyed the street music and beautiful begonias in the outdoor dining area.

Suda

4.8

4.8 (405)

$31 to $50

American

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Pairing seasonal produce from local farmers with line caught fish and lean, hormone-free beef, the menu at Süda stays as fresh as the ingredients. With a variety of inventive dishes, including vegan and gluten free options, there is truly something for everyone.

The atmosphere at the bar is lively, while booths offer diners a more intimate experience making Süda the perfect place for a casual meal with friends or a night out with someone special. We are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner so you can enjoy fresh food whenever your heart desires.

Top review

John

Dined 2 days ago

Good server and fun brunch menu but dj club music was too much!

Laili

4.7

4.7 (2891)

$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

MonicaVIP

Dined today

Great patio outdoors, delicious food , and best service provided by Gencay!!!

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Cafe Cruz Rosticceria & Bar

4.7

4.7 (2129)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Soquel

About the restaurant

Cafe Cruz is a popular and lively local restaurant. We offer casual/fine dining with a full bar, indoor and heated patio dining. Guests enjoy watching the "magic" created in our open copper-backed kitchen each night by our talented team of chefs. Notable features include many locally sourced foods, nightly sustainable seafood specials, and many creative salad and vegetable options. Our innovative pastas and sandwiches are always a hit.
Spit-Roasted meats are featured each night, cooked on a french Rotisol rotisserie. The lush garden room can seat larger parties of up to 35. Guests enjoy our warm friendly service, our many seating options, and exceptionally delicious food.

Top review

Kelly

Dined 4 days ago

Really nice place but service was slow. Excellent baby back ribs but Mr half roasted chicken drumstick was unfortunately not fully cooked. So it red inside and not edible. But we would come back for the calamari and ribs.

Sugo Italian Pasta Bar

4.7

4.7 (313)

$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

ElizabethVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Bruschetta is a great starter. Pesto is delicious and service is always great.

Paradise Beach Grille

4.7

4.7 (73)

$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

MichelleVIP

Dined on Jun 25, 2025

Great service, great selection of food, wonderful location, prices reasonable

Jack O'Neill Restaurant & Lounge

4.6

4.6 (2052)

$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

Brittney

Dined on Jun 18, 2025

A wonderful view and such yummy food. My children loved the kids menu options and the atmosphere was perfect.

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Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen | Westside

4.6

4.6 (654)

$31 to $50

Californian

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Savor our handcrafted cocktails and flavorful dishes right beside the distillery where our premium spirits are crafted. Whether you prefer indoor dining, a lively bar atmosphere, or our covered heated patio, we provide a variety of seating options to enhance your experience.

HOURS:
Monday - Thursday // 5pm - 9pm
Friday // 4pm - 9pm
Saturday - Sunday // 11:30am - 9pm

Top review

Nancy

Dined 7 days ago

Food is great. Drinks are also delish. It was a bit loud, but that's probably normal. Ceasar salad with chicken was really filling. Brussel sprout and venus fries yummy! Love the gin.

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Experience

Mimosa Service

Experience

Celebrate your birthday with us!

Experience

Daily Happy Hour

Ideal Bar & Grill

4.5

4.5 (310)

$30 and under

Californian

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Fun, family friendly dining with a beautiful view of Santa Cruz Main beach and the Municipal Wharf! We offer out side seating on our sunny deck! Come down and try our award winning clam chowder today! Reservations are for our inside dining room only.

Top review

JoVIP

Dined on Jun 15, 2025

Great time - Father’s Day & graduation celebration. Casual, beach vibes, lunch food with choices for everyone, professional servers - plus drinks!

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