Gilda’s at Santa Cruz Beach is a charming brunch spot with a nostalgic diner feel and a breezy view of the boardwalk, perfect for a relaxed weekend meal. The vibe is casual yet lively, with additional counter seating and the aroma of sizzling breakfast classics filling the air. Their new tomato juice and Modelo beer combo is a refreshing, savory sip that pairs surprisingly well with a late-morning feast, while the classic Bloody Mary is dressed to impress with olives, celery, lime, and a pepperoncini kick.
The food hits all the right comfort notes—crispy, golden-brown hash browns cooked to perfection, a light and fluffy Belgian waffle piled high with fresh strawberries and a dollop of creamy butter, and all the usual breakfast favorites served hot and hearty. It’s the kind of place where you can fuel up for a day on the beach while indulging in a little extra flavor adventure.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Erik Wilske
Clam chowda! 👍
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Zoey Sandoval
Last week I was in with family, the food was great.
When we left I realized and were already on the road, I realized I had left my designer glasses at the table we ate at. I called and was told by Kaylah that the manager took them home. (why would they do that?) following day Kaylah meets up with me in Capitola to hand them to me. Now tell me there isn't something shady about this waitress/busser girl.
I wasn't born yesterday. There's cameras are all around the building inside. This girl should honestly have been fired after pulling what she did. I don't appreciate a young worker girl thinking that, because some lady left her expensive shades she can just snag them. That is not ok and shitty work ethic.
As for the manager, i do keep trying to call to have a conversation with you personally but Gia seems to be the only one whose willing to talk, I know she's not the manager, lovely women you are Gia, ty for willing to talk to me about this, but I would greatly appreciate the manager stepping forward and speaking with me.
specially since Kaylah accused you, whoever the manager is, of taking them home. Please see something done about this employee of yours.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 1
Vicktoria Bass
My favorite restaurant on the pier. Every time i come i go here. I love looking out the window and the whole atmosphere. Great service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nan Boren
I like the cosy atmosphere and view of the ocean and beaches. Menu has a lot of variety.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
John Phonthaass
Foods good, service nice, price very cheap, & for happy hour times super cheap drinks with many hrs 🍾🥂🎉🎈🎊🌐🇺🇸💃🕺
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Banafsheh Sadeghi
The soups and salads arrived after the entrees. My entree was cold. The ribs did not smell or taste fresh and the kitchen could care less when we raised the issue. Their clam chowder was not great either.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
ginger rose
Everything was yummy...crab cakes needed a bit more seasoning. Cloudy peach hit just right. Kiki our hostess/server cute as button. Great service .
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Jarrod Mellow
Great food!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mandie Vardan
Crab and shrimp was bland and weird. Club sandwich was awesome
We came on a Thursday afternoon for happy hour. Got a drink and beer for $8 each. Server was very friendly and noticed my husband didn’t like his beer so she asked if she can replace it with another kind at no cost to us. Second beer was much more delicious compared to the first (light) one that tasted watered down. Very old and “tired” building inside and out, it’s dated and due for a makeover; the atmosphere is of a “cafe/diner” rather than an oceanside restaurant. Got the $16 salmon special to go.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mary Gomez
This place is so amazing , Aden was great!!! Very informative about the menu , and made the best drinks !!! Food was amazing !!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Pete G
Go for the views not the food. Our waitress was lovely. My Bloody Mary was just ok. Worst Reuben sandwich ever.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 5
Brandon Beans
We love this place! Good food with great prices and spectacular views. They have specials every day and the bar has a special hidden menu! Check it out next time you're near the Santa Cruz Wharf.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Paul Neuman
The Caesar salad was delicious although a whole lot of croutons. The view was nice and the staff was friendly and attentive.
Gilda’s at Santa Cruz Beach is a charming brunch spot with a nostalgic diner feel and a breezy view of the boardwalk, perfect for a relaxed weekend meal. The vibe is casual yet lively, with additional counter seating and the aroma of sizzling breakfast classics filling the air. Their new tomato juice and Modelo beer combo is a refreshing, savory sip that pairs surprisingly well with a late-morning feast, while the classic Bloody Mary is dressed to impress with olives, celery, lime, and a pepperoncini kick.
The food hits all the right comfort notes—crispy, golden-brown hash browns cooked to perfection, a light and fluffy Belgian waffle piled high with fresh strawberries and a dollop of creamy butter, and all the usual breakfast favorites served hot and hearty. It’s the kind of place where you can fuel up for a day on the beach while indulging in a little extra flavor adventure.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Clam chowda! 👍
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Last week I was in with family, the food was great.
When we left I realized and were already on the road, I realized I had left my designer glasses at the table we ate at. I called and was told by Kaylah that the manager took them home. (why would they do that?) following day Kaylah meets up with me in Capitola to hand them to me. Now tell me there isn't something shady about this waitress/busser girl.
I wasn't born yesterday. There's cameras are all around the building inside. This girl should honestly have been fired after pulling what she did. I don't appreciate a young worker girl thinking that, because some lady left her expensive shades she can just snag them. That is not ok and shitty work ethic.
As for the manager, i do keep trying to call to have a conversation with you personally but Gia seems to be the only one whose willing to talk, I know she's not the manager, lovely women you are Gia, ty for willing to talk to me about this, but I would greatly appreciate the manager stepping forward and speaking with me.
specially since Kaylah accused you, whoever the manager is, of taking them home.
Please see something done about this employee of yours.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 1
My favorite restaurant on the pier. Every time i come i go here. I love looking out the window and the whole atmosphere. Great service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I like the cosy atmosphere and view of the ocean and beaches. Menu has a lot of variety.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Foods good, service nice, price very cheap, & for happy hour times super cheap drinks with many hrs 🍾🥂🎉🎈🎊🌐🇺🇸💃🕺
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
The soups and salads arrived after the entrees. My entree was cold.
The ribs did not smell or taste fresh and the kitchen could care less when we raised the issue.
Their clam chowder was not great either.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
Everything was yummy...crab cakes needed a bit more seasoning. Cloudy peach hit just right. Kiki our hostess/server cute as button. Great service .
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Great food!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Crab and shrimp was bland and weird. Club sandwich was awesome
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
We came on a Thursday afternoon for happy hour. Got a drink and beer for $8 each. Server was very friendly and noticed my husband didn’t like his beer so she asked if she can replace it with another kind at no cost to us. Second beer was much more delicious compared to the first (light) one that tasted watered down.
Very old and “tired” building inside and out, it’s dated and due for a makeover; the atmosphere is of a “cafe/diner” rather than an oceanside restaurant.
Got the $16 salmon special to go.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place is so amazing , Aden was great!!! Very informative about the menu , and made the best drinks !!! Food was amazing !!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Go for the views not the food. Our waitress was lovely. My Bloody Mary was just ok. Worst Reuben sandwich ever.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 5
We love this place! Good food with great prices and spectacular views. They have specials every day and the bar has a special hidden menu! Check it out next time you're near the Santa Cruz Wharf.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The Caesar salad was delicious although a whole lot of croutons. The view was nice and the staff was friendly and attentive.
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