My favorite clam chowder in town! It's a MUST do every time I'm in town! Whether you order from the counter or dine in, it's consistently delicious every time. The sourdough bread bowl is soft and chewy, the chowder is perfect! We also love to get the seafood platter that comes with fried fish, calamari, shrimp, and the best part... fresh scallops!
Maryjane Johnson
Been going to Santa Cruz since I was 12 every year for my birthday, and every year’s experience is better then the lasts! I’m 22 now and will be still going for my 23rd even if I can’t eat there until it’s repaired or rebuild. But I’ll be going as soon as it reopens! Best bread bowl clam chowder. Thank you for sharing my birthdays with me an family ❤️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Clam Chowder Bread Bowl
Nick G
This is the best restaurant on the wharf by a milestone! The unfortunate situation we came across today was the restaurant has been closed for a while now due to the ocean rising and damaging the restaurant! I hope it opens back up soon but this is by far the best place to come get clam chowder bread bowls from! The service is always great and they get through the line fairly quickly with their outstanding service!Vegetarian options: They have optionsParking: Tons of spotsKid-friendliness: Definitely great!Wheelchair accessibility: They have a few spots that are handicap in front of the restaurant!
This is the best restaurant on the wharf by a milestone! The unfortunate situation we came across today was the restaurant has been closed for a while now due to the ocean rising and damaging the restaurant! I hope it opens back up soon but this is by far the best place to come get clam chowder bread bowls from! The service is always great and they get through the line fairly quickly with their outstanding service!
Cecilia M.
Dolphin Restaurant is one amongst several restaurants here on the Santa Cruz Wharf boasting fantastic views of the ocean, beach and boardwalk. However, it has the prize location of being at the very end of the pier and having the largest patio space. I think a lot of people who walk all the way to the end of the pier will get drawn in to stop here and enjoy a bowl of clam chowder to mark the visit. Warning that there are a LOT of wild birds here (obviously since it's off water) but if you're not a fan of birds, the indoor dining room is very small. So either arrive early to snag a table, or be prepared to wait for one. The inside feels like a nautical shack -- very homey and diner-like. Service is friendly enough, but limited as the 2 servers were covering the entire indoor and outdoor areas. Be prepared to wait -- but hopefully you've grabbed a table with a great view. The food is fair. Good portions and seafood shone the best here. We had a bowl of clam chowder (YUM!), side green salad (ok), seafood skewers (served with hollandaise) with garlic fries (we noticed the boardwalk had a lot of garlic fries vendors and felt like we needed to try), and a seafood pasta. As mentioned early, the seafood was the best things: the clam choweder, and the seafood in the skewers and pasta tasted fresh and well seasoned. The pasta sauce was very heavy and a bit oily -- wasn't a huge fan. But the pasta itself was ok. The garlic fries was a highlight as well. They are thick -- crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. With a pile of minced garlic on top.
Dave Dondero
Closed indefinitely and fenced off due to damage to pier underneath in recent storm.
Mj Stearns - Your Local Santa Cruz Realtor
This is a cozy little spot located at the end of the Santa Cruz wharf. It only has a count of 7 or 8 tables inside, but if it’s a nice day out, you can also take advantage of the outdoor seating as well.They are open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They have appetizers, soups and salads, sandwiches, pasta, freshly caught fish, and wine and champagne.The clam chowder was delicious and super flavorful. I don’t eat oysters, but a friend got them and said they were amazing. They looked pretty!I had the deep-fried prawns and fries. They were so good, and the fries were yummy and slightly crispy.The prices and service were good. I have always just gotten take-out here, but I loved eating here.Next time you go to the end of the wharf to check out the deals, you've got to give this place a try.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chowder
Olga Vorotnikova
Breakfast was so good. Best Mimosa ever! Had Crab Benedict for the first time and I was thrilled!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Boltman Winner
Nice view, good service, but food needs to be worked on big time!They ruined my date :(
The chilaquiles are very good and the service too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
John Westwood
Enjoyed a late lunch on the outdoor patio area of Dolphin. There were beautiful views of the north coast. Server was friendly and attentive.I enjoyed my fish tacos- the fried breaded fish was wonderfully crisp. I also enjoyed the spicy sauce topping. Tacos came with beans and rice rather than fries.Kiddo enjoyed a corn dog with fries.(Left off a star for pricing - but you are paying for the atmosphere in addition to the food)Kid-friendliness: Kids menu with coloring available
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Majdi Razick
Best place to
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rick Irrgang
It’s one of our go to spots for a great meal. Super friendly staff and great
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chowder, Fish 'N' Chips
Jean Pierre SANS
Breakfast on site. Friendly atmosphere, good quality food. At the end of the pier with beautiful panorama.
My favorite clam chowder in town! It's a MUST do every time I'm in town! Whether you order from the counter or dine in, it's consistently delicious every time. The sourdough bread bowl is soft and chewy, the chowder is perfect! We also love to get the seafood platter that comes with fried fish, calamari, shrimp, and the best part... fresh scallops!
Been going to Santa Cruz since I was 12 every year for my birthday, and every year’s experience is better then the lasts! I’m 22 now and will be still going for my 23rd even if I can’t eat there until it’s repaired or rebuild. But I’ll be going as soon as it reopens! Best bread bowl clam chowder. Thank you for sharing my birthdays with me an family ❤️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Clam Chowder Bread Bowl
This is the best restaurant on the wharf by a milestone! The unfortunate situation we came across today was the restaurant has been closed for a while now due to the ocean rising and damaging the restaurant! I hope it opens back up soon but this is by far the best place to come get clam chowder bread bowls from! The service is always great and they get through the line fairly quickly with their outstanding service!Vegetarian options: They have optionsParking: Tons of spotsKid-friendliness: Definitely great!Wheelchair accessibility: They have a few spots that are handicap in front of the restaurant!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Clam Chowder Bread Bowl, Fried Calamari Appetizer
This is the best restaurant on the wharf by a milestone! The unfortunate situation we came across today was the restaurant has been closed for a while now due to the ocean rising and damaging the restaurant! I hope it opens back up soon but this is by far the best place to come get clam chowder bread bowls from! The service is always great and they get through the line fairly quickly with their outstanding service!
Dolphin Restaurant is one amongst several restaurants here on the Santa Cruz Wharf boasting fantastic views of the ocean, beach and boardwalk. However, it has the prize location of being at the very end of the pier and having the largest patio space. I think a lot of people who walk all the way to the end of the pier will get drawn in to stop here and enjoy a bowl of clam chowder to mark the visit. Warning that there are a LOT of wild birds here (obviously since it's off water) but if you're not a fan of birds, the indoor dining room is very small. So either arrive early to snag a table, or be prepared to wait for one. The inside feels like a nautical shack -- very homey and diner-like. Service is friendly enough, but limited as the 2 servers were covering the entire indoor and outdoor areas. Be prepared to wait -- but hopefully you've grabbed a table with a great view. The food is fair. Good portions and seafood shone the best here. We had a bowl of clam chowder (YUM!), side green salad (ok), seafood skewers (served with hollandaise) with garlic fries (we noticed the boardwalk had a lot of garlic fries vendors and felt like we needed to try), and a seafood pasta. As mentioned early, the seafood was the best things: the clam choweder, and the seafood in the skewers and pasta tasted fresh and well seasoned. The pasta sauce was very heavy and a bit oily -- wasn't a huge fan. But the pasta itself was ok. The garlic fries was a highlight as well. They are thick -- crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. With a pile of minced garlic on top.
Closed indefinitely and fenced off due to damage to pier underneath in recent storm.
This is a cozy little spot located at the end of the Santa Cruz wharf. It only has a count of 7 or 8 tables inside, but if it’s a nice day out, you can also take advantage of the outdoor seating as well.They are open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They have appetizers, soups and salads, sandwiches, pasta, freshly caught fish, and wine and champagne.The clam chowder was delicious and super flavorful. I don’t eat oysters, but a friend got them and said they were amazing. They looked pretty!I had the deep-fried prawns and fries. They were so good, and the fries were yummy and slightly crispy.The prices and service were good. I have always just gotten take-out here, but I loved eating here.Next time you go to the end of the wharf to check out the deals, you've got to give this place a try.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chowder
Breakfast was so good. Best Mimosa ever! Had Crab Benedict for the first time and I was thrilled!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nice view, good service, but food needs to be worked on big time!They ruined my date :(
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 5
Great place to visit and eat.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fish 'N' Chips
Restaurantji Recommends
The chilaquiles are very good and the service too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Enjoyed a late lunch on the outdoor patio area of Dolphin. There were beautiful views of the north coast. Server was friendly and attentive.I enjoyed my fish tacos- the fried breaded fish was wonderfully crisp. I also enjoyed the spicy sauce topping. Tacos came with beans and rice rather than fries.Kiddo enjoyed a corn dog with fries.(Left off a star for pricing - but you are paying for the atmosphere in addition to the food)Kid-friendliness: Kids menu with coloring available
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Best place to
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It’s one of our go to spots for a great meal. Super friendly staff and great
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chowder, Fish 'N' Chips
Breakfast on site. Friendly atmosphere, good quality food. At the end of the pier with beautiful panorama.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5