Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for the best overall restaurants in Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Sugo Italian Pasta Bar

4.9

4.9 (273)

$30 and under

Italian

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

A European concept-restaurant of traditional Italian cuisine; a modern and dynamic service, that allows customers to enjoy fresh, organic and authentic italian food through a selection of appetizer, panini, pizza and salads, and obviously our specialty: "Pasta".

Top review

Sue

Dined on 25 Dec 2024

The food and service were outstanding, and we really enjoyed the ambiance on the cozy back patio.

la Posta

4.8

4.8 (2343)

$30 and under

Italian

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Select from a menu that features dishes composed of locally sourced ingredients as well as house-made pastas, naturally leavened breads and pizzas from our brick oven.

Because we rely on the bounty of the Santa Cruz farming community, our menu changes frequently and features a wide array of specials. La Posta’s all-Italian wine list includes autochthonous varieties from small producers, by-the-glass and by the bottle.

La Posta adheres to the Monterey Bay Seafood Watch Program and is a certified City of Santa Cruz Green Business.

We are so thankful for the incredible support from our customers and community.

We will continue to adjust our service based upon best practices for keeping our staff and community safe.

Top review

LoriVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Gavin was amazing! Such a wonderful knowledgeable server! The entire wait staff and host were attentive friendly and fun!!

Discover more

Popular dish

Agnello

Jack O'Neill Restaurant & Lounge

4.7

4.7 (1977)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Jack O’Neill Restaurant and Lounge is Santa Cruz’s best new destination for coastal California cuisine. The approachable and family-friendly vibe at Jack O’Neill Restaurant and Lounge will welcome hotel guests and locals alike.

Top review

MauraVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Perfect location for beach lovers. Excellent food. Good service.

Discover more

4.6

4.6 (2868)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Laili is our expression of love through food and service. We offer a unique menu made up of fusion Afghani Mediterranean items that include kabobs, wraps, flatbreads, pastas, and spiced lamb and chicken dishes as well as delicious vegetarian options.

Laili Restaurant "BEST MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANT", Good Times 2023, Voted #1

Rich Mediterranean Flavors with a Unique Afghan Twist in the Heart of Downtown Santa Cruz.
Currently taking reservations for lunch and dinner, walk-ins welcome too.

Dine in our elegant, secluded, off street patio. Visit our website for event information.

Top review

Melody

Dined on 27 Dec 2024

The eggplant is always superb. Our waitperson was attentive and not intrusive. The courtyard is a favorite but as it was raining, we had the opportunity to admire the decor inside and appreciate the acoustics. Can count on Laili for consistently high-quality food and service!

Discover more

Cafe Cruz Rosticceria & Bar

4.7

4.7 (2051)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Soquel

About the restaurant

Cafe Cruz is a popular and lively local restaurant. We offer casual/fine dining with a full bar, indoor and heated patio dining. Guests enjoy watching the "magic" created in our open copper-backed kitchen each night by our talented team of chefs. Notable features include many locally sourced foods, nightly sustainable seafood specials, and many creative salad and vegetable options. Our innovative pastas and sandwiches are always a hit.
Spit-Roasted meats are featured each night, cooked on a french Rotisol rotisserie. The lush garden room can seat larger parties of up to 35. Guests enjoy our warm friendly service, our many seating options, and exceptionally delicious food.

Top review

ChuckVIP

Dined 3 days ago

As often as we have dined here, this was the best for service, food and value--must go!

Discover more

Chocolate the Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (88)

$31 to $50

Californian

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Now celebrating 25 years, Chocolate the Restaurant provides an attractive dining environment for couples on dates, friendly meetings, and special occasion meals. Dine outside on the heated garden patio. Celebrate special occasions with up to 25 guests in the private street-side party room. Maybe start with a Chocolate Martini or a Passion Fruit Margarita. Chef David Jackman's fresh baked pasta rosettes, slow-roasted meats, and delicious seasonal organic vegetable dishes are all a prelude to our many chocolaty desserts. Our wine list focuses on local and on Italian wines. Our cocktails are all made from scratch; often using locally distilled spirits, and always using fresh house-made mixers. We are at your service for dinner every night! Afternoon walk-up cafe' service Friday thru Sunday. . We are open for dinner every holiday except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Top review

EddieVIP

Dined 1 day ago

We come here nearly weekly since ~2022 (prior to that year too but during pandemic it was spotty - once pandemic subsided, nearly weekly from San Jose, CA to Santa Cruz CA). This place is great - regular attendees every week (37 mile one way from San Jose every Friday). That's big endorsement for their chocolate desserts (we usually get ectasy sundae and warm brownie cake, chocolate gelato, etc). Our go-to entree dishes are past rosettes, Oaxacan chicken mole, hand rolled fettuccine, roasted pork. We don't drink alcohol so can't speak to that.

Gabriella Cafe

4.7

4.7 (977)

$50 and over

Italian

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Zagat rated as "OUTSTANDING". Gabriella Cafe is a 50 seat, picturesque and romantic dining experience in downtown Santa Cruz.

Top review

donna

Dined on 27 Dec 2024

Our dinner was OK! We were expecting something a bit different. It was not bad but it was disappointing that it was not more of a traditional Italian menu. My husband ordered the pork chop and thought it was very tasty. I got the butternut squash raviolis. They were a bit dry and could of used more flavor. The Caesar salad was just ok. Needed a bit more flavor. I know they have good reviews so we probably just ordered the wrong dishes. I would try them again some time.

Alderwood Santa Cruz

4.6

4.6 (654)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Alderwood, under the culinary leadership of Executive Chef Mikey Adams, is dedicated to providing a dining experience that strikes a delicate balance between the comfort and warmth of home and the vibrancy of the downtown dining scene. Our mission is to offer our guests an exceptional and memorable meal that is deeply rooted in our commitment to fostering a genuine connection between our open kitchen and the local community. We welcome you to join us for an unforgettable culinary journey that celebrates the essence of togetherness and exceptional cuisine.

Top review

Tom

Dined on 28 Dec 2024

The food here is delicious. I had the trout and my wife had the sea bass. The trout was from Oregon and has a delectable flavor. My understanding is the trout feed on shrimp. Our server was attentive and recommended the French Chardonnay. It was a nice complement to our meals. I highly recommend dining at this restaurant.

Discover more

Popular dish

Steak Tartare

Oblò

4.7

4.7 (57)

$31 to $50

Italian

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Modern Italian cuisine with Californian influence, sit in our beautiful dining room or enjoy one of our amazing craft drinks in the comfort and cozy lounge bar area.
Our chef Andrea designed an innovative menu that perfect match with the list of cocktails craft from the Bar manager Keith Fox.

Top review

DavidVIP

Dined on 15 Dec 2024

My friend had the seafood pasta she had the gluten-free pasta which added two dollars to the service. I had the special which was a beef tenderloin tortellini style pasta with a creamy sauce, which was very good. My friend had the seafood pasta, she really enjoyed it. She thought it was an excellent value, and the flavor was very good. I like the overall feel of the restaurant. I like the fact you’re not freezing inside of it which it can be a problem with many restaurants in Santa Cruz. This restaurant was very warm and comfortable and we will definitely be back with friends.

Oswald

4.6

4.6 (1615)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Oswald is a contemporary American restaurant and bar that focuses on the abundance of delicious ingredients found on the central coast of California. Oswald features an eclectic, international wine list and an exciting, seasonal bar program. While the decor is spare and modern, the atmosphere is comfortable and relaxed. Oswald features new art shows every two months.

We do have first come tables available in the lounge as well as bar seats.
Come by and see if there is a table or seat for you.

Top review

Peter

Dined 1 day ago

Always above average food and excellent service. Always our go to for a date night.

Explore Diners' Choice best of Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

Explore more Diners' Choice lists