18 Best Burger Restaurants in Santa Cruz

“My buddy and I spent the day riding Mt Bikes in Santa Cruz. I’m not completely sure where we were riding but it was just above the ocean and we eventually rode past an area growing huge brussell sprouts. And we got to witness another biker crash into a huge puddle so the day was very entertaining. Before driving home we stopped for a bite at Jacks and it’s the perfect local burger joint in Santa Cruz. If I lived here, I’d come to Jacks all the time. The fries are great, the burgers are great and the ambiance is perfect. We sat outside and felt our day could not have gone better.“

“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.“

“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.“

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

“I really enjoyed this place. as a long time strict vegan, they answered questions kindly, and in ways I felt good to eat here. I had a lovely little chop salad, that really hit right as I was in need of vegetables.😄Followed it up with Tom’s Bright Eyes Surprise that was nice.“

“Top of the line Food thats forsure“

“Went here for a date night recently. We should up earlier to our reservation and they were able to accommodate us pretty quickly which was great.

The service was top notch. I believe our server was Brenda and she was excellent. Always checking in on us and being prompt. She was also sure of getting any dietary issues handled.

We had some mocktails and found them delicious.

The calamari is one of my favorites so far in Santa Cruz. Very nicely seasoned and cooked just right, I'd like it to be a little more flaky but the taste was superb. Not tough nor feeling a little on the bland side.

I had the ribeye and while the precise cut wasn't my preferred choice it was delicious. It was cooked perfectly, don't know why so many places can't get Medium right, but the Point executed it perfectly. It was juicy, good bits of fat (wish it had a bit more fat though), and seasoned well. I think it had a really subtle glaze that went perfectly with the arugula. The glaze wasn't overpowering or too sweet, it just enhanced the umami flavored and the arugula was also not too overpowering, so you can actually taste the beef.

My wife had the Salmon and thought it was great. It was a nice big cut and cooked very well.

Overall it was a great experience and great food. Our server, Brenda, was superb and that's something you just can't get anywhere anymore.

We saw in the area with the older style red leather seats and this is the only part that I didn't like too much. The decor just clashed and it felt difficult to get a sense of ambience. I saw the other side has the nicer updated look and I'd probably prefer seating there but I think given the fair prices and the location, I don't think it was that bad.

Overall I'd probably give this place a 4.5, for the update the dining area needs but given the terrific service and delicious well priced food I'd say a 5 is justified.“

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

“I love The Boardwalk. It's always a good time over there. Everything about a beach town is always fun. Such an amazing vibe everytime I go.“

“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“

“Burger King Just Changed My Life (For $4.99?!)

I wasn’t even in the mood for fast food—just wanted something quick and reliable. I walked into Burger King expecting “meh” and walked out rethinking everything I knew about burgers.

That Bacon Melt Double Patty Burger for $4.99? Spiritual awakening.
Double patty, crispy bacon, Swiss cheese, lettuce, mayo, ketchup—every bite hit like a choir of flavor angels in my mouth.

Customizing it on their touchscreen? Effortless. I felt like a sleep-deprived burger scientist building a masterpiece. Even with the lunch crowd, the vibe was chill, and the wait was short. And then… BOOM. First bite? Life. Changed.

And yes, the water was absurdly good. Ice cold. Crisp. Like it had been blessed by mountain monks. I half expected a wise old trout to rise from the cup and hand me a prophecy.

6 out of 5 stars. If you walk in and don’t order this burger? Buddy… rethink your life.“

“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!“

“Good selection of breakfast and lunch items. Seems the prices are on-par with the rest of campus. The store itself has a decent selection of snacks, drinks, and condiments you can buy for your apartment or stuff your face with before class.“

“My family and I recently went to the Santa Cruz beach boardwalk and we ate lunch here. I had a corn dog and a few garlic fries! Both were delicious but if you don’t like a lot of garlic I would recommend not to order the garlic fries because they are loaded with garlic! Garlic lovers will find them perfect for a snack though!
I’d definitely eat here again!“

“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.“

“Santa Cruz local instution. This is a legacy NorCal small business chain. If you're not vegan you need to be supporting these people. The employees in Santa Cruz are respectful, efficient and maybe not earning a living wage required for the rents here. They work very late on the weekends until 3am. Shop local is up to YOU.“