Location: Aptos
Top Restaurants in Aptos
Countries
Where to eat Seafood food in Aptos: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Reviews on Seafood food in Aptos, California, United States. Combining the redwoods and the sea into one idyllic setting, Aptos is a quaint town that serves as home to the forested Nisene Marks State Park, perfect for mountain biking and hiking. Historic Aptos Village features antique shops, restaurants and boutiques. For the perfect spot to picnic, barbecue, or take a seaside stroll, head to Seacliff State beach and walk to the end of the pier to see the S.S. Palo Alto, an experimental concrete vessel known as “the cement ship”.
Things to do in Aptos
8. Johnny's Harborside
Overall Ratings
4 based on 283 reviews
Reviewed By rosestraveling452
This might sound nit-picky, but the fish tacos that I ordered came with salsa and chips, and I only received 5 chips (as did my Mother) and had to ask for more. Other than that, amazing food! The salsa was delicious. There are three dollar mini desserts!! That's right, three dollars!
7. Fish Lady
Overall Ratings
5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By Judybookdoc
The quality of fish is outstanding. My only caution is that the cost/pound is so much higher than on the Santa Cruz Wharf or in the supermarket.
What to do and see in Aptos, United States: The Best Places and Tips
6. Wharf House Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 93 reviews
Reviewed By dmc52
We were there during the week early in November. We were the only people there for dinner and were told this is normal for the time of the year. Our seafood meals were fresh and delicious. Good size and reasonably priced glasses of wine. Definitely worth the walk to the end of the pier.
Aptos Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Aptos
5. Zelda's
Overall Ratings
3 based on 397 reviews
Reviewed By foodfunfest
Wonderful table overlooking the beach, with fast and no-nonsense service. Chowder was plentiful and flavorful with a little bit of its own spice; and fish and chips were hot, generous, and coupled with great fries. Salad was ok. Its the location as much as anything, and the hum of voices doesn't crowd out conversation, as at so many other places.
Where to eat Italian food in Aptos: The Best Restaurants and Bars
4. Margaritaville
Overall Ratings
4 based on 184 reviews
Margaritaville has reopened under new ownership with a new 25 seat bar, service staff and menu. We offer fresh sustainable contemporary Mexican seafood in a first class casual environment with panoramic oceanviews.
Reviewed By gary c
I stopped in here today because the locals told me to experience this place. Tremendous food and drinks and service. My server, Lauren 622, was PERFECT!!!! She was super attentive, very quick at delivering either food or drinks, helped me make some culinary and alcohol decisions and had a super personality!!!! Lauren made my experience the best!!!! Thanks Lauren!!!!!!!!!! I had some guacamole and calamari to start my evening...both super choices...look at my pictures!!!! I then had the crab cocktail and it was super-superb!!!!!! I ended up with a house salad and it was great too. My wines were all endemic in the Santa Cruz area and were great and the two margaritas I had were so cool and easy to drink.... this place has plenty of ambiance and a great view of the water and birds. The manager, Alexid, stopped by to make sure my experience was great!!! That was very cool!!!! I love it when a manager sticks her head into the inner workings of her restaurant instead of just standing by passively!!!! Alexid was super too!!!.....everyone was just great to me!!!!......and I appreciate that!!! I would highly recommend this place to anyone traveling in the area!!!!! Thanks to all for a great time!!!!!!!
3. Paradise Beach Grille
Overall Ratings
4 based on 378 reviews
Located on the water in Capitola Village, Paradise Beach Grille is the perfect place to enjoy lunch with a view or to finish a perfect day on the beach. We feature a contemporary menu with a Pacific Rim flare. Enjoy our famous Coconut Prawns appetizer, fo
Reviewed By TamaraC210
Capitola by the Sea is beautiful but the restraurants tend to be touristy, especially on the Esplanade. Paradise is our go to place. Sit on the patio which over looks Soquel Creek and enjoy the view. The food is very good and the staff and manager are excellent. A glass of Proseco and the cheese plate is my favorite. Other favorites are the BLT and the French Onion Soup. If it is coolish they have nice patio heaters or there is a room with a fireplace in the back.
2. Bittersweet Bistro
Overall Ratings
4 based on 174 reviews
Recognized by locals as one of the top restaurants in Aptos and Santa Cruz County, Bittersweet Bistro offers an American Bistro Cuisine style dinner menu with Mediterranean influences. Outstanding dessert menu and an award-winning wine list are served in
Reviewed By warbler44
We were a table for six. Birthday party for my husband. When i made reservations, I asked if I could bring a cake, the guy on the phone said sure. When we arrived, I talked to a busser and said this is cake for that table....He said: "you know there is a $5.00 cutting fee for each person". I said really, no one told me that. That was the first indication this was not going to be a great experience. The cake sat on the floor in the corner..... $30.00 to cut a cake? really? (We ate it at home).Next came the corkage fee of $35.00 a bottle. Outrageous! So we ordered by the glass and did not get to taste the two amazing bottles our friends had brought for the table.Had to ask for menus, service okay, hardly anyone in restaurant. Not sure why our table waited so long.Portions small and expensive for what you get. My Seafood Puttanesca literally had five small pieces of fish (looked like scraps from something else), one shrimp and four small clams. Sauce was too spicy and not pleasant. Also expensive. Others in group said some entrees were good, and some just okay.Bread never refilled, busser stacked plates when clearing right in front of me.....Three of us have worked in restaurants, and that is a "No-No". Train your bussers. Waitress was pleasant and apologized for the cake issue...... Brought us free dessert to share.Bill was over $300.00 for six of us. Wine prices marked up triple per bottle, (usually doubled). Wine per glass was in the ball park, but a thin pour. None of us will ever go there ever again. For a local establishment, they must be banking on the tourist trade to keep them going, or that their bar is always crowded for Happy Hour...Maybe that will keep them afloat. Female owner always looks cranky......and not happy to see customers.There are other places with way better food, ambience and appeal.
1. Cafe Rio Aptos
Overall Ratings
4 based on 135 reviews
Local Favorite! Amazing views of the Monterey Bay, this restaurant has food for everyone...including Gluten Free Pastas, Steaks, Fresh Seafood, House made Desserts. You can also bring your tail wagging friend because the spacious heated patio is Dog frien
Reviewed By Teralyn I
This restaurant sits across the street from the beach. You would think that with that vantage point and little nearby competition, they would be pricey. We found it to be very unpretentious and fair priced, especially for the food. Being a popular family vacation area, we were sick of burgers and fries. The fish here is cooked to perfection. Vegetables are abundant. I felt more like we were eating California cuisine than most of the touristy spots closer to Santa Cruz. The menu is very diverse and they work with the neighboring restaurant if what you really want is pizza.Very relaxed atmosphere.
