13 Best Seafood Restaurants in Santa Cruz

Jack O'Neill Restaurant & Lounge Seafood • $$
175 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Huevos Rancheros Tostada
14 Oz Ribeye Steak GF
Crab Cake Benedict
Eggs Benedict
Charcuterie
Fish Tacos
Seafood
Burger

“I love coming here for breakfast as a local midweek. The food and service never disappoint. The view is spectacular. The only issue is the reflection off the ocean in the morning on specific tables. The wait staff really try to bring down the shades without blocking the view. The only problem is that each shade cannot be controlled independently of the others. So if they bring down 1 shade they must all come down, which ruins the view. Bring sunglasses just in case.Parking: The parking lot is across the street. The restaurant will validate your ticket before you leave“

4.2 Good400 Reviews
Lillian's Italian Kitchen Italian • $$
1148 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Black Truffle Stuffed Gnocchi in Pesto Cream with Filet Mignon
Fettuccine with Braised Beet Ragu
Wild Mushroom and Kale Ravioli
Ravioli in Tomato Cream Sauce
Prawns Scampi with Spaghetti
Garlic Bread with Mozzarella
The Specialty Pasta Diavolo
Spaghetti Alla Carbonara
Garlic Bread with Cheese
Braised Short Rib Ragu

“They have great food, the service is good, it kind of feels like even on their slower nights they try to rush people in and out so they can get more business, despite it being unnecessary. Otherwise it's a great place. My favorite dish here is the Black Truffle Stuffed Gnocchi with the pesto cream sauce and chicken.“

4.5 Superb108 Reviews
The Water Street Grill American • $$
503 Water St, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Garlic Butter Shrimp Linguine Pasta
Filet Mignon and Lobster Tails
Bourbon Street Chicken
Crispy Calamari
Fried Asparagus
Seafood Pasta
French Fries
Bread Pudding
Chicken Wings
Skirt Steak

“The food was fabulous, I had the pork chop and my husband the shrimp. The vegetables were seasoned perfectly and the potatoes as well. It was a very busy night for the restaurant. My only complaint was the price was high for the chop, and the service was a little slow getting the desert and check.“

4.3 Superb145 Reviews
Los Pericos Market Mexican • $$
21400 E Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Breakfast Burrito with Bacon & Potatoes
Cali Burrito
Taco

“One of the best burritos and tacos that I've ever eaten there the flavor is good, but what really stands out is the tenderness of the chicken meat that they serve so good so juicyVegetarian options: All items can be modified so there's no meat in it just need to ask“

4.4 Superb63 Reviews
Seaside Fish & Chowder (formerly Fisherman's Galley) Seafood • $$
400 Beach St, Santa Cruz

“Our visit to seaside fish&chowder was a delightful treat. The fish was cooked to perfection with bomb tartar sauce to match. Also, we pleasantly surprised about the quality of the French fries tasted was like they were freshly peeled potatoes. The service was excellent; our waitress was very attentive. The decor matched the beach boardwalk theme, especially since we were on the Santa Cruz beach boardwalk with sand just a few feet away. You can easily make your meal a beachfront dining experience! 5-Star rating on experience, taste, and service. Thank you, seaside fish&chowder!“

4.2 Good57 Reviews
Riva Fish House Seafood • $$
31 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Calamari and Fish and Chips
Riva's Famous Fried Calamari
Lupe's Might Fish Tacos
Calamari Appetizer
Clam Chowder Bowl
Fisherman's Plate
Dozen Raw Oysters
Sourdough Bread
Grilled Snapper
Fish & Chips

“Visiting the region for the first time we stopped here after reading good reviews. We received exceptional service from Paul and the food was excellent. A beautiful, pleasant atmosphere with a view of the water and the sunset. I would happily come back here.“

4 Good158 Reviews
Taquería Jalapeños & Pupusería Salvadoran • $
107 Leonard St, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Pupusas with Pork and a Side of Beans and Rice
Chile Relleno Plate with Carnitas Taco
Revueltas Pupusa - Mixed
Breakfast Burrito
Super Quesadilla
Super Wet Burrito
Fried Plantains
Veggie Burrito
Vegan Burrito
Super Burrito

“A true hidden gem! We came during the lunch hour and this place was packed! Service however was quick and absolutely wonderful! They were so kind and quick.We ordered of variety of 9 pupusas and they came out pipping hot! Cheese was bubbling on the plate.The green tomatillo salsa from the salsa bar was my 9yr old’s favorite! He slathered it on every pupusa and devoured it all! Can’t wait to come back!“

4.1 Good61 Reviews
FireFish Grill Seafood • $$
25 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Oysters on the Half Shell
Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Clam Chowder Bread Bowl
Clam Chowder Bowl
Firefish Grill
Fried Calamari
Fish N Chips
Fried Shrimp
Shrimp Salad
Crab Cakes

“This restaurant is getting an unusual five-star review. I say unusual, because fishing pier and tourist area restaurants don't usually do so well in my book.I had the grilled seafood platter and my friend had the steak. Both were cooked and seasoned to perfection. The mixed green salad exceeded expectations. The blue cheese salad dressing tasted homemade. The french fries were fresh and crispy, and I did not have to request them extra crispy. For dessert both my friend and I had creme brulee. The serving size was the largest I've ever had in a restaurant. It too tasted fantastic. Service also exceeded expectations. My diet Coke glass was always full. And the busser cleared dirty plates the second to the last particle of food was removed. All in all, I'd say the service was exceptional.And I love the ambiance. We were seated at an unusual table with both positions facing outward toward the window. Initially we laughed because it almost felt like we were on a two judge panel in a courtroom. But it turned out to be an excellent arrangement. We had a fantastic view of the Santa Cruz Bay and the seating area was comfortable and not cramped. Parking on the pier was super cheap. It was a little drizzly outside, so being able to park right outside the door of the restaurant, that was ultra convenient.A rare experience, I have zero complaints or concerns. I would definitely eat here again and I recommend tourist and locals alike give this place a shot. I'm glad I was not put off by the low Yelp score.“

4 Good97 Reviews
Aldo's Harbor Restaurant Seafood • $$
790 Mariner Park Way, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Fugasia Cod Sandwich
Calamari and Chips
Prawn Quesadilla
Fish and Chips
Crab Benedict
Clam Chowder
Fish Tacos
Hamburger
Cioppino

“Amazing place at the Santa Cruz harbor. We got the recommendation by a local during our whale watching tour which departs right next to Aldo’s. I saw it already when we arrived and it looked quite ordinary but smelled really good.This is a snack place but with outstanding food. I have had fish and chips at multiple places but none tasted as good as the one from Aldo and the Cioppino that my wife had was so rich of flavor and had a lot of seafood on it. Love this place. Simplicity at its best!!“

3.9 Good253 Reviews
Taqueria Santa Cruz Mexican • $
2215 Mission St, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Breakfast Burrito
Tacos Al Pastor
Shrimp Burrito
Super Burrito
Chile Relleno
Crispy Tacos
Carne Asada
Guacamole
Carnitas
Salsas

“One of my favorite Taquerias! A huge choice of various meats: carne asada (steak), birria (goat), and even lengua (beef tongue), with one of the best Horchatas this side of the hill. Your order comes with tortilla chips and they still have a salsa bar with Pico de Gallo, guacamole, and radishes!The food is absolutely awesome! The service is perfect: attentive and multilingual. Plenty of places to sit in the evening (weekday). A nice selection of Mexican bottled sodas and juice.Great for parties!“

3.9 Good81 Reviews
Real Thai Kitchen Thai • $$
1632 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Spicy Noodles
Peanut Sauce
Green Curry

“I love this place. The food is amazing, extremely tasteful, and seasoned perfectly. They have never gotten my order wrong. They're on top of everything, they don't play around haha. I usually do take out, but I dined in on my birthday a couple months ago and their service was amazing. The atmosphere was nice too. If you want authentic Thai food with great service, you should definitely try this place. I almost want to gatekeep because it's so good, but they deserve the business.“

3.9 Good63 Reviews
Fire Fish Seafood • $$
59 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Our Award-Winning New England Clam Chowder
Classic Fish and Chips
Calamari and Fries
Smoked Salmon
Fish Tacos
Rolls

“The staff were polite and nice and the food was great, but I expected more from their service; It took around 10 minutes for someone to bring us water and another 5 for someone to come and take our order.Also the appetizer came a few minutes after the main dish.“

3.8 Good354 Reviews
Poke House Poke • $$
1543 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Crispy Shoyu Chicken Bowl
Build Your Own Poke Bowl
Sriracha Aalte Porzu
Zucchini Noodles
Spicy Tuna Bowl
Crab Salad
Tuna Lover
Avocado

“Nice place in Santa Cruz. Food was good, around $20 per bowl, beer $6 draft. Nothing is cheap anymore but the food looked fresh and tasty, the service was good and the the vibe was fine. No frills casual fast food joint that is probably one of the cheapest places you can find in Dec 2023. The crowd is mostly young.“

3.8 Good62 Reviews
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