39 Best American Restaurants in Santa Cruz

“We had the most amazing food and dining experience. I felt like we were in a Michelin starred restaurant.
The appetizers and main courses were unique and so well executed.
Loved to Brussels sprouts and Butter Charcuterie Board. Our table had pork tenderloin, chicken and sea bass.
Everyone couldn’t believe how good their dish was!“

“Delicious calamari Great vibes“

“The staff is amazing! The food is amazingly fresh and flavorful. Hands down this Restaurant was a huge highlight of our vacation. Thank you for an awesome dinner, and making us feel right at home!“

“A great place to eat, shop, and walk around. It’s also home of the Diversity Center, Santa Cruz County’s LGBTQ+ Center.“

“very good and Shelby s sunny disposition makes it even better. definitely our new favorite place for breakfast.“

“Great cocktails and appetizers“

“I ordered the chicken Cobb salad and it was amazing. The chicken was well seasoned and well cooked. The portions of all the toppings were plentiful and I got a bit of everything in every bite. I especially loved the beets. Would definitely order from here again! The Mac and cheese was really good too.“

“Visiting SC from Michigan and came across Suda. Glad we did. Looked like it had a good vibe from the outside so we went in and sat at the bar where we had drinks. What fun! The bartender, Max, was slammed but never stopped smiling. We had fun watching him and talking with him. He knows his drinks! So much fun we came back for dinner another night. Max came over to our table to welcome us back! The drinks and food were really good! We’ll definitely be back next visit to SC. Hopefully, Max, will be there too!“

“Everything was great! We will be returning. Maybe next time for dinner.“

“Great place for mid week date night or to see live music. a Santa Cruz must“

“Awesome stinging nettles pizza and fried chicken with butter beans! Wow. 😁“

“Every time we drive over from San Jose we eat there.“

“Great food, great staff, great service!“

“Had steak, eggs, home fries and a side of strawberries... All cooked to my liking. Awesome what else can I say is Just go and dine out dine in. Have fun and enjoy your meal.

Parking: If you're lucky you find a spot behind the building but do not park anywhere else or your car will be towed... True story someone's car got towed while I was there.“

“This is a cozy cute place with delicious café de olla, and Mexican dishes, live music and kind owners, convenient location to have food before walking to the beach.“

“Excellent appetizers, amazing healthy food and great service.“

“My husband and I had a great breakfast I got a breakfast burrito and a frittata. Both were very good and big great food for a great price and the customer service was amazing.“

“Top of the line Food thats forsure“

“Great food, atmosphere all the waiters are nice. Great location.“

“Visiting Santa Cruz and happened upon CT lights - really great bar and restaurant. We had mini Tacos (Tacos Tuesday!) at the bar and a couple of drinks. They have a really good range draft beers and soft drinks but the best part was the family running it were so friendly and helpful. We loved your attitude and relaxed hospitality. Thanks!!“

“#bookshop #santacruz #hardcovers #softcovers #goodreads #mustreads“

“Amazing food. Exquisite taste expertly prepared. The wait staff is so attentive and friendly. Loved everything from start to finish!“

“It was elegant and good energy. Drink menu was creative and well executed and the food was really good. I think one knock I might have is that their menu was very limited (5 main entree options). It'd be nice to see a few more options, that's all. Similarly the wine list was very limited which isn't in line with the overall quality of the restaurant“

“I wrote a detailed review on 831 Best and Worst Facebook page and this was definitely the BEST category ! Cannot go wrong IMO !“

“The food and service was amazing.“

“The food was outstanding, we had the one of the daily specials and our server was very friendly.“

“Food was good and Service was great.“

“This is the place to be for delicious food and cocktails! As you sit in the newly renovated restaurant and bar, watching the teams of golfers swinging away in the background.“

“The Studio Ghibli cocktails were fantastic! I loved the "Waiting with Totoro" and my wife loved the "Full Moon Departure." We didn't get to try the food, we had just eaten and found the place by accident. 5/5 friendly bartender but I can't for the life of me remember her name (we were there on 8/31/24 in case the managers want to give her a bonus).“

“My favourite dining hall at UCSC! Nothing will beat the gorgeous view at the Cowell/Stevenson Dining Hall. I wish they had more halal options and a greater variety of food, but it does the job! Would highly recommend getting food here pre-sunset, and to bask in the view whilst sitting on the balcony - alone and with friends.“

“My family and i arrive to this location and they bring to us Hot meal they have Friendly servers they always smile they are kind with our kids. My omelette was utterly delicious i going to cone back this location in a good spot. in santa cruz. thanks for everything“

“So happy to have Johnnys open for lunch and Taco Tuesday ❣️“

“Great place to meet up with friends, for breakfast or anytime! Great beach and lighthouse view, and casual, comfortable atmosphere! I highly recommend!!“

“karaoke night is the best“

“We had my mom's 92nd birthday party here today. We had 10 adults and two toddlers. The staff was super friendly and accommodating. The lunch selection was varied and the food plentiful and delicious. Even with the active toddlers and our boisterous family, the staff remained attentive and supportive. We all had a marvelous time and plan on more future gatherings here. The view was spectacular and the remodeling of the venue recently was very pleasing.“

“Beautiful property, friendly and helpful staff, excellent food at the on site restaurant The View. Great room, a calming environment, exercise facility, spa, pool, hot tub, walking trails, Pickle ball and bocce ball courts, a lovely view of the city of Santa Cruz below. It was very enjoyable and only a 2 hour drive from the Bay Area. They also allow pets on the property so you can bring your furry family members if you like.“

“When another of their locations closed early after my party of visiting family members arrived, the downtown Betty's invited us down promising to seat us as long as we arrived before closing. We were a large group, and they set up a big table in the back room. Our order arrived quickly, the food was great, and our server was friendly and gracious. Thank you Betty's Eat Inn!“

“Great clam chowder, decent prices, amazing view.“