16 Best Burger Restaurants in Santa Cruz

“First time we came in ,,,
what a treat to meet someone that is so open and friendly in discussing the menu. If you have any questions about the food …..ask,
noting that his recipes will stay the same with no exceptions ,,,,what you see is what you get,,,, and what you get is the best flavor profile hamburgers you’ve ever had!!!!

Please note the highlight of my meal was the ever so ……lost out in the world , “”Choco taco”” handmade just the way you remember it!!!!!

When in Santa Cruz, this is a must!!!!“

“They make a good burger. It’s simple. Like it was done right, at the best backyard spot. That person you want grilling your burger, they got them. And then they got the people who know how to put it together so it doesn’t get messy. This sounds like a ridiculous review but I feel like if you know you know. None of us took pictures - we ate it too fast. I feel like that’s the best kind of review.“

“Food is delicious. Service was top notch. Staff is extremely friendly.“

“Food is delicious. Service was top notch. Staff is extremely friendly.“

“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.“

“The vegan options were awesome! They were understaffed and couldn’t remember our two drinks we ordered. Which took a while had to go remind them, Just two coffees. The food was very good though. Probably need to hire more people though to handle the amount of traffic and remember the orders. Updated from previous review on 2026-02-27“

“Taste great. Friendly Staff. Enjoyed having Birthday dinner with our daughter who turned 20 yrs old. Yummy“

“As a member of Abbot Square, and one that has been around for a while, Belly Goat Burgers gave me good vibes and hope. Their menu has these big juicy burgers on them and, for a place that hits all the visual cues of a hipster brewery, it didn't seem all too expensive. All the menu options seemed unique and creative. I gave the Drunken Onion a try, along with two fried fish tacos and a side of fries.
Although I ate them last, I'll start with the fries as they were the least notable. They were fine. Not too pricey for a nice big basket, but a little dry.
I always like to try fried fish tacos. There are many unique ways to approach them, though they do retain a core identity, so you get to see the personality of the restaurant come through in a relatively subjective playing field. Belly Goat certainly tried here, and there are definite positives. I'm not usually a fan of pickled jalapenos but they worked here. The slaw was great, and they were big enough to match the price. Yet they fail in two key ways. First of all, the tortillas are not good. They have that slightly stale dryness and flavor typical of bought tortillas, and having to taste them in every bite unbalanced the experience. But far more importantly, the fish was bad too! The few bits of actual meat I got seemed fine, but they were so deeply enveloped in the oiliest, most char-flavored coating I have ever had I would rather have just ordered them vegetarian and fishless.
But they really made up for it with the burger. The Drunken Onion had so many great flavors -- acidity, meaty savoriness, creamy cheese, all rambunctiously competing for attention but ultimately working together to create a fun and enjoyable eating experience. The burger was huge, too, both in girth and height. It's nice to know that, at least when it comes to burgers, this place knows what they're doing.
Like I said, they have a fantastic looking menu and I'd love to try a few more of their offerings. I would just stay away from the tacos and stick to the burgers.“

“I took my in-laws here for an anniversary dinner and loved it. I made a reservation, but really didn’t need one (Monday night). If you’re going on a night you expect it to be busier, I’d recommend marking one.

Everyone at the table raved about their food (swordfish, salmon, ribeye, Cajun pasta and jam burger). The bar side of the restaurant is a little more casual and the dining room is a quieter, good vibes on both sides, depending on what you’re in the mood for.“

“Top of the line Food thats forsure“

“Best Philly Cheesesteak west of the Mississippi! They rock!!! Try an Apple Fritter too. They are killer!!!“

“The beach, the rides the concerts oh my gosh there’s so much that goes on there during the summertime. It’s a wonderful place to take family and your first date.“

“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“

“Food pricing is gotten out of budget. Tried to alert them that their bathroom is out of compliance and they didn't seem to understand. The food was good and hot. They weren't going to give me any numbers to call for it so I will be forcer to seek further action thru the courts“

“Absolutely the best crab sandwich I’ve ever had!

Seaside Fish and Chowder at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is a hidden gem that every seafood lover needs to visit. I stopped by on a whim and ended up having one of the most memorable meals of my trip.

Their crab sandwich is out of this world—sweet, fresh crab meat served on perfectly grilled sourdough from Sumano’s Bakery, crisped in butter until golden. The flavors were perfectly balanced, rich, and comforting without being heavy. You can taste the freshness.

The staff was friendly, the service was quick even with a crowd, and the location can’t be beat—right near the beach, with that classic Boardwalk vibe.

Highly recommend grabbing a crab sandwich (and maybe a bowl of chowder too!) and enjoying it while watching the waves. This place is a must-stop when you're in Santa Cruz!“

“Such a neat place! We really enjoyed this spot. Service and drinks! Their house drink menu is very unique and fun! Definitely recommend if you're visiting Santa Cruz! The entrance is around the back of motiv off pearl alley but if it's after 9:30p you'll need to go to motiv first to get stamped anyways.“