Location: Capitola
Top Restaurants in Capitola
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Top 9 Italian food in Capitola, California, United States
Best Italian restaurants nearby. Discover the best Italian food in Capitola. View Menus, Photos and Reviews for Italian restaurants near you.. Capitola, just minutes south of Santa Cruz, is California’s oldest seaside resort town, and boasts a Mediterranean flavor. An esplanade winds around village shops and bistros, while picture-ready views from the Capitola Wharf create a relaxing atmosphere. Experience signature events like the Capitola Art & Wine Festival, Capitola Begonia Festival, wine tasting rooms, and shopping. Take a hillside “cable car” to dinner overlooking Soquel Creek, next to scenic gardens and waterfalls.
Things to do in Capitola
9. Olive Garden
Reviewed By Linda B
Hard to believe I'm writing the first review of this great addition to the local dining options, since the "new" OLIVE GARDEN has been open at least 2 months. It's at Capitola Mall, on the site of the former Marie Callender's We've been out here three times, twice with success. First time was on a holiday weekend, and the wait was going to be 1.5 hours, so we bailed out. Next two times, we went early or late on a weekday and got right in with only a few minutes to wait. They use the buzzer machines to call you when it's your turn. OLIVE GARDEN has quite a few deals that cater to the needs of those with huge appetites, like free refills and variations on a pasta bowl, very popular with fullback-sized youth! The staff is VERY WELL TRAINED and proud to be working their jobs. They always take care to get your order right, including the bar drinks. My husband orders Italian specialties that require a great deal of culinary skill, whatever things he's not willing to make at home. I'm not a pasta eater, so I order appetizers, salads and the Italian Margarita (Amaretto topper instead of Grand Marnier) with no salt.The wonderful surprise is the price, comparable to fast food prices, The bill is considerably below what you'd expect to pay for good to great quality cuisine, and personalized service with a smile. Credit card machines at the table are used for self checkout. I'm registered at the OLIVE GARDEN E-CLUB for promotions, which gives you a free appetizer when you join, and already yielded a coupon for a free birthday dessert, big enough to share with my husband, and deliciously gooey chocolate in nature. Everything, including the appetizers, is supersized. You can share dishes and it'll be enough for most couples; or expect to carry half your food home with you. Yes, OLIVE GARDEN, wherever you can find it, is highly recommended!
8. Michael's Pizza
Michael's Pizza has been a local favorite since 1986. We serve pizza, pasta, homemade bread, salads and meatballs. Beer and wine is available.
Reviewed By Gourmands155
Good food...both pizza and pasta. Service could be better, but overall nice family run business. At one time they were located in Aptos in the Rancho del Mar Shopping Center. They're is another pizza shop there now. Easy to go food, by the slice or whole pie. Worth a stop.
7. Cafe Mare
Overall Ratings
4 based on 136 reviews
Old world charm in the heart of Santa Cruz, authentic Italian cuisine with an extensive wine list and a full bar. Open for lunch and dinner daily, happy hours sunday thru thursday from 5pm to 7pm, new specials every day. Large groups welcome, kids friendl
Reviewed By Carolyn W
Many pasta dishes, but limited seafood offerings not made with pasta. They had fresh swordfish on the menu but it was unavailable at the time we ate. Very disappointed. Chose a shellfish, with pasta and red sauce. It was dry and blah. My granddaughter had a pasta, but it was a very small helping. My husband had a fish fillet which was excellent.
6. Lago di Como Ristorante & Pizzeria
Overall Ratings
4 based on 120 reviews
Reviewed By Chuck_from_SantaCruz
Just returned to Lago di Como after a few months. It's tremendous. We had the Caesar Salad and a variety of entrees and everyone enjoy his/her meal. I had one of their special chicken dishes with a chicken breast on polenta, with mushrooms, and it was so damned tasty. It made me understand what flavors a sophisticated chef can blend to make an unbelievable dinner. Other entrees were similarly delicious. We had ice cream with espresso for desert, and that was also lovely. The prices, despite our thirst for wine, were very reasonable. I have to say that as much as I like the competition, this is the best Italian in Santa Cruz.
5. Cafe Mare
Overall Ratings
4 based on 136 reviews
Old world charm in the heart of Santa Cruz, authentic Italian cuisine with an extensive wine list and a full bar. Open for lunch and dinner daily, happy hours sunday thru thursday from 5pm to 7pm, new specials every day. Large groups welcome, kids friendl
Reviewed By Carolyn W
Many pasta dishes, but limited seafood offerings not made with pasta. They had fresh swordfish on the menu but it was unavailable at the time we ate. Very disappointed. Chose a shellfish, with pasta and red sauce. It was dry and blah. My granddaughter had a pasta, but it was a very small helping. My husband had a fish fillet which was excellent.
4. Lillian's Italian Kitchen
Overall Ratings
4 based on 194 reviews
Lillianâs Italian Kitchen opened quietly on July 4, 2007. Itâs a joint venture of the owners, Joe and Charlotte Moreno and their sons Chris and Matt. Long time residents of Santa Cruz, the Morenoâs dream was to open a neighborhood place that was an extens
Reviewed By Harry W
An earlier TA review led us to this wonderful restaurant! Occupying a older building which might have been a car dealership or other large format retail establishment in past decades, you will find a classic Italian restaurant. The interior is beautifully executed with plenty of tables, a large bar and an open kitchen. There isn't any pizza on the menu, but who needs pizza when you have a staggering selection of pasta and related dishes?The portions are large, the drinks are generous, and our waitress was simply fantastic. I enjoyed the lasagna although was sorely tempted by the spaghetti carbonara and fettuccine alfredo. My wife has the penne arrabiata. Both were excellent! There was a seasonal salad which was delicious. We opted for the garlic bread which I highly recommend.The dessert menu was comprehensive as was the wine list. Again, the wait staff was outstanding.I will seek this restaurant out on my next visit to Santa Cruz!
3. Bella Roma Cafe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 59 reviews
Reviewed By lmyers21
We went for dinner, at first we were seated at a not very nice table and shoddy chairs. We moved to a better table. Server was good, place was busy. I had gnocchi it was a large portion. The carpaccio was amazing! Wine selection was very good. Others had cannelloni and bolognese. Probably will go back. On the weekends parking can be difficult especially in summer.
2. Caruso's Tuscan Cuisine
Overall Ratings
4 based on 121 reviews
Reviewed By Jeffry W
Food and service is world class. Get there early or have a reservation because this is a busy place!
1. Cafe Mare
Overall Ratings
4 based on 136 reviews
Old world charm in the heart of Santa Cruz, authentic Italian cuisine with an extensive wine list and a full bar. Open for lunch and dinner daily, happy hours sunday thru thursday from 5pm to 7pm, new specials every day. Large groups welcome, kids friendl
Reviewed By Carolyn W
Many pasta dishes, but limited seafood offerings not made with pasta. They had fresh swordfish on the menu but it was unavailable at the time we ate. Very disappointed. Chose a shellfish, with pasta and red sauce. It was dry and blah. My granddaughter had a pasta, but it was a very small helping. My husband had a fish fillet which was excellent.
