Location: Santa Cruz
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Where to eat Seafood food in Santa Cruz: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Find out what Seafood restaurants to try in Santa Cruz. The quintessential California beach town of Santa Cruz! It was here that surfing was first brought to the mainland by Hawaiian royalty. Home to the legendary Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, a pedestrian-friendly, tree-lined downtown area, and the historic Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, which stretches out a half-mile into the waters of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Other highlights include UC Santa Cruz, the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, and nearby redwood forests.
Things to do in Santa Cruz
10. Las Olitas Cantina & Grill
Overall Ratings
4 based on 188 reviews
Reviewed By daroberts_ent
Have been to Olita's several times and always good. Visiting Santa Cruz this trip we dined at Olitas for lunch,went back next day for Dinner. Specials are outstanding and the fish and lobster "tacos" are more like tostadas 'cause they're so full they can't be folded. Amazing.
9. Dolphin Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 192 reviews
At Dolphin Restaurant, we have something for everyone. Join us in our dining room for our favorites including everything from an eclectic breakfast menu to our traditional fish & chips. Or if you prefer, dine outdoors on the only outdoor patio on the Whar
Reviewed By Gabriel H
Almost at the end of the Municipal Wharf is the Dolphin, a fish and seafood restaurant that provides excellent views of the bay and the city. Our food was quite good. the Calamari were tasty and the grilled fresh sanddabwas very good. The steamed vegetables were slightly overcooked, but the fresh, crisp Sauvignon Blanc made up for it. The portions were quite generous. Service was slow, despite the place being half empty.
8. Woodies Cafe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 154 reviews
At Woodies Cafe, our focus is on quality. We pride ourselves on super-friendly service to accompany the top quality ingredients we use in all our entrees. Families gravitate to Woodies for all kinds of reasons. It starts with our menu, which is All-Americ
Reviewed By alessia79
What's better than have a wonderful lunch on the Santa Cruz wharf, with a beautiful seaview? I ordered fried calamari and a crab cake sandwich, very good fish, and staff is nice. I love this place. I have great memories about Santa Cruz thanks to this place as well.
7. Ideal Bar & Grill
Overall Ratings
3 based on 725 reviews
Reviewed By Gary1974
Went here for lunch as we passed through Santa Cruz. The restaurant sits in a prime location between the boardwalk, beach and wharf and the outside seating area offered up excellent views. Unfortunately the food was bang average. I had the pulled pork sandwich which was ok but was served alongside some anaemic fries. Admittedly I did get food envy when I saw the fish tacos, so perhaps I picked the wrong dish.
Top 3 Hawaiian food in Santa Cruz, California, United States
6. Firefish Grill
Overall Ratings
4 based on 629 reviews
Add some fire to your next dining experience at the FireFish Grill, where we specialize in fresh seafood, steaks & homemade pasta dishes! At FireFish Grill, our specialty is quality. We are committed to serving fresh, high quality ingredients everyday. We
Reviewed By Renee002
We liked the fried calamari and french fries, the local's special seafood Rockefeller (shrimp, fish, spinach and delicious sauce), sand dabs, local's special ling cod-good fresh seasonal vegetables and pilaf...the non fish eater enjoyed a hamburger...Since school has started for many and it was a week day, it was not crowded. The drinks were good...Prices are ok but you pay for the location too-a nice view of the harbor.
Most Popular American food in Santa Cruz, California, United States
5. Aldo's Harbor Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 241 reviews
Aldo's Harbor Restaurant is a third generation, family run business located in the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor. Aldo's serves Breakfast and Lunch with Dinner service offered in the Summertime. Aldo's boasts a fabulous outdoor deck which overlooks the Harbor,
Reviewed By Paul R
If you love seafood this is the place for you. Situated on the ocean with of course great clam chowder, calamari, Cioppino!!! excellente etc etc Salmon is fabulous and I can't think of anything I don't like there even Pizza. Very affordable in my opinion, good beer and wine selection. The view is what makes it for me though as I enjoy the ocean every chance I can.
4. Gilda's Family Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 385 reviews
Reviewed By lwj
Gildaâs Family Restaurant is located in the middle of the Santa Cruz Wharf. There are daily specials.... Monday: Roast Turkey, Tuesday: Marinated Tri-Tip, Wednesday: Prime Rib, Thursday: all you can eat Spaghetti, Friday: Seafood Cioppino....We had an early dinner on a Friday and ordered the Seafood Cioppino plus Coney Island Clam Chowder... both were served with French Bread. Good taste and price.
3. Riva Fish House
Overall Ratings
4 based on 468 reviews
What started as a fish market has ended up an amazing dish restaurant and bar. At Riva Fish House, we offer a view with flavor. Dine at our seaside haven on the Municipal Wharf in Santa Cruz today! When we gave up the fish market for the restaurant, our o
Reviewed By cookpias
This restaurant is right on the pier and the view is great. No reservations, so we had to wait a bit for a table, but the bar is great, with good cocktail choices (We had a jalapeno margarita--VERY spicy--and a mescal paloma, nice and smoky, and good local craft beer on tap). The service was very friendly and ernest, but all our food arrived at once (we ordered calamari appetizer, salad, and entre--everything came together--oops!) The calamari was good, and we liked the house salad. I didn't love my fish entre, but I ordered the mushroom and caper snapper, something I hadn't had before, and I didn't care for the flavors.Thank you for taking in the view and grabbing a bite to eat with us. I'm glad you enjoyed the bar and the cocktail selections. Receiving all your food at the same time shouldn't have happened, and for that, I apologize. I appreciate you trying something new with us, and I just wish the flavors lined up with your palate. I'd love to see you back so we can give you an entree that earns a fifth start from you. Take care,Peter Drobac, Owner
2. Stagnaro Bros Seafood
Overall Ratings
4 based on 641 reviews
Reviewed By HealthyEating29
Introduced by family I was visiting, I was not expecting much from this restaurant given the fact that it is located on the Wharf in Santa Cruz that is laden with tourist trap junk laden souvenir and destination retail clothing stores.The restaurant itself does not give any clues to the excellent food it produces in its kitchens. Very good service from the waiter and the food was first rate excellent that one would find in or expect in any elegant upscale fine dining 5 star restaurant.Wine and beers as well as large portions of food make this a "To Go Back To" place.
Best Italian food near Santa Cruz, California, United States
1. 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!
Most Popular Pub food in Santa Cruz, California, United States
