New American Restaurants in Santa Cruz, CA

Vim Dining and Desserts American • $$$
2238 Mission Street, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Chocolate Peanut Butter Trifle
Butter Charcuterie Board
Chorizo Fettuccine
Strawberry Churro
Cucumber Lemonade
Baked Steelhead
Balsamic Steak
Lamb Meatballs
Seasonal Salad
Smoked Salmon

“The food here is amazing! It changes often. I've been a handful of times and loved everything (my wife loves it too!). If you're reading this, you should go here. It should absolutely have a Michelin star.

The dishes are unique, have interesting ingredients, and are always excellently prepared. The deserts are amazing as well.“

4.8 Superb151 Reviews
The Water Street Grill American • $$
503 Water Street, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Garlic Butter Shrimp Linguine Pasta
Filet Mignon and Lobster Tails
Rib Eye Steak and Lobster Tail
Filet Mignon with Lobster Tail
New York Steak with Prawns
Bourbon Street Chicken
Blackened Fish Tacos
Fettuccine Alfredo
Fish \u0026 Chips
Chicken Piccata

“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!“

4.4 Superb369 Reviews
BAD ANIMAL New American • $$
1011 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz

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

4.4 Superb191 Reviews
Avanti Restaurant American • $$$
1917 Mission Street, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Dinosaur Kale Salad with Almonds Ricotta Salata Citrus Vinaigrette
Dinosaur Kale Salad with Almonds Ricotta Salt Citrus Vinaigrette
Seafood Linguine Puttanesca
Butternut Squash Ravioli
Focaccia \u0026 Olives
Daily Fish Special
Braised Short Rib
Chocolate Mousse
Seafood Risotto
Potato Gnocchi

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

4.3 Superb190 Reviews
5

Süda

Süda American • $$
3910 Portola Drive, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Burrata Salad and Steak on the Side
Crème Brûlée French Toast
Creme Brulee French Toast
Sweet Potato Fries
Tempura Cauliflower
Cauliflower Burger
Crunchy Detox Salad
Baja Snapper Tacos
Kale Caesar Salad
Cauliflower Wings

“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!“

4.2 Good300 Reviews
Oswald Restaurant American • $$
121 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Grilled Pork Chop with Polenta
Blue Cheese Burger and Fries
Hamburger with Blue Cheese
Mushroom Bruschetta
Halibut and Clams
Steak Medium-Rare
Market Fish Plate
Chocolate Souffle
French Fries
Chicken Soup

“Great cocktails and appetizers“

4 Good400 Reviews
Gabriella Café Italian • $$
910 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Grilled Persimmons & Burrata
Breakfast Taco with Salad
Butternut Squash Ravioli
Brussels Sprouts
Porcini Gnocchi
Waffles
Fish

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

4.2 Good384 Reviews
8

Bantam

Bantam American • $$
1010 Fair Ave, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Fried Chicken Breast
Pickled Cauliflower
Margherita Pizza
Pepperoni Pizza
Sopressata Pizza
Marinara Pizza
Margarita Pizza
Caesar Salad
Napoli Pizza
Sausage

“The service was good and the food was delivered quickly.“

4.2 Good177 Reviews
Johnny's Harborside Restaurant Seafood • $$
493 Lake Avenue, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Sand Dab Sandwich
Fish \u0026 Chips
Shrimp and Grits
Fish and Chips
Fried Calamari
Fresh Oysters
Fish & Chips
Caesar Salad
Fresh Catch
Clam Chowder

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

4.1 Good453 Reviews
Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen | Westside Cocktail Bar • $$
200 High Rd, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Crispy Brussels Sprouts
Grilled Chicken Sando
Frozen Paloma Libre
Wayward Burger
Smoked Salmon
Fried Chicken
Laura Palmer
Venus Fries
True Grit
Cornbread

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

4.1 Good305 Reviews
Crow's Nest Restaurant American • $$
2218 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Brioche French Toast with Strawberries and Vanilla Syrup
Clam Chowder or Soup of the Day
Alder Smoked Prime Rib of Beef
Our Award-Winning Calamari
Pear and Gorgonzola Salad
Crow's Nest Caesar Salad
Eggs Benedict Crab Cakes
Crow's Nest Cheesecake
Calamari Appetizer
Crabcake Benedict

“Great food, great staff, great service!“

4.1 Good735 Reviews
Ulterior Cocktail Bar • $
110 Pearl Alley, 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.“

3.9 Good58 Reviews
FireFish Grill Seafood • $$
25 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Riva's Famous Fried Calamari
Oysters on the Half Shell
Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Firefish Seafood Platter
The New Fish and Chips
Clam Chowder Bread Bowl
Seafood Rockefeller
Calamari and Fries
Clam Chowder Bowl
Fisherman's Pasta

“We enjoyed the dinner specials recently. Arrived here right before New Years, 12-30. I hade the daily catch and my wife had the steak pasta. Delicious. My fish was petrale sole, mixed vegetables, rice pilaf. Wife’s steak pasta was flavorful and creamy. We sat at the bar so service wasn’t the best but still attentive. Will return tomorrow. HAPPY NEW YEAR“

4 Good470 Reviews
Solaire Restaurant + Bar American • $$
611 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Steamer Lane Sandwich
Bacon Ham or Brisket
Breakfast Sandwich
Solaire Breakfast
Burger and Fries
Croissant Sando
Cinnamon Toast
Beet Salad
Bailey
Samosa

“At first when we checked in, there wasn't anyone in front to receive us. All employees are busy and since we were not staying at the hotel we had to initiate the conversation. Once seated, Rainbow took over, I mean literally. Rainbow is the cool bartender, waiter, all things Bar and restaurant and he manages really well. Anyway, he took our order and had a nice conversation with all four of us and made the effort to interact with all of us. We loved his energy and he certainly was looking to give us a great dinning experience- which we appreciate! We got to know Rainbow and he got to know us as well and I think he is a good part of the dinning experience that makes you want to come back and they also had great food. I ordered the chilaquiles, my sons the steak and eggs, the Benedict and my wife order light dish. The cheesy tots were unreal as well for the table. All plates were certainly stacked and the food was fabulous and with great presentation! We will certainly be back“

3.6 Good206 Reviews
The View Restaurant & Bar (at Chaminade Resort & Spa) Bar & Grill • $$
1 Chaminade Lane, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

California Artisan Cheeseboard
Honey Chipotle Salmon Salad
Raspberry Cheese Cake
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Raspberry Cheesecake
Chaminade Benedict
Braised Short Rib
The View Salad
Steak and Eggs
Truffle Fries

“As the title says, The View certainly has the view. On a clear day, you will see Santa Cruz and the Monterey Bay. The breakfast on the day I ate there was a little disappointing but still a wonderful place with amazing service and an outstanding atmosphere.“

3.7 Good587 Reviews