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Best food near me in Santa Cruz, CA

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533 food choices available nearby

A photo of Gabriella Cafe restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(976)
Price: Very Expensive
• Italian • Santa Cruz
Booked 2 times today
Zagat rated as "OUTSTANDING". Gabriella Cafe is a 50 seat, picturesque and romantic dining experience in downtown Santa Cruz.
A photo of Laili restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(2868)
Price: Moderate
• Mediterranean • Santa Cruz
Booked 31 times today
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 #1Rich 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.
A photo of Alderwood Santa Cruz restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(654)
Price: Very Expensive
• Contemporary American • Santa Cruz
Booked 11 times today
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.
A photo of Chocolate the Restaurant restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(86)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Santa Cruz
Booked 3 times today
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.
A photo of Mozaic - Santa Cruz restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(475)
Price: Moderate
• Mediterranean • Santa Cruz
Booked 2 times today
We named our restaurant Mozaic because we wanted to capture the diversity of flavors and culmination of authentic Mediterranean dishes that we offer. We bring together the best of Mediterranean recipes from Greece, Lebanon, Turkey and Sicily, emphasizing Middle Eastern influence. Our menu is hand-crafted after years of experience in the restaurant business knowing what people like. We make every dish completely authentic, utilizing 100 years old techniques that have been passed down through generations to bring you incredible flavor. COME AND TASTE THE DIFFERENCE We seek only the best, local ingredients. We use high-quality meats, like our Australian lamb tenderloin and select only sustainable seafood. Our lavash comes from an authentic Persian bakery. Everyone wants family. Mozaic is a warm and inviting atmosphere where everyone can feel at home. Come enjoy our incredible and lush atmosphere.

Food scene near Santa Cruz, CA at a glance

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From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • JeanneVIP
    Denver / Colorado •6 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    There’s a bar on your left as you walk in, the space is laid of beautifully. The open kitchen anchors the room and there’s fresh persimmons hanging to dry. Despite the kitchen being open, the noise level was minimal. Looking up the ceiling, I saw that the noise is managed by acoustic paneling that absorbs the sound. The staff is welcoming, friendly and attentive. We started with the Santa Cruz greens which is a bowl of salad greens and dressed simply in a delicate vinaigrette. It’s light, citrusy and the leaves were fresh. Delicious. We had the hamachi lettuce cups next. The crispy rice was a nice counterbalance to the delicate fish. We shared the ribeye katsu Sando with caramelized onions. What a great bite! Milk toast toasted perfectly and the rib eye cooked medium. The Brussels sprouts with pickled garlic and balsamic/maple glazed and pork belly was the surprise hit of the evening. We couldn’t stop eating it! We also had their version of margarita which was light, citrusy and not overly sweet. We really enjoyed dining here. It’s perfect for a date night!
    More info
    Alderwood Santa CruzPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary American• Santa Cruz
    4.6
  • Melody
    San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 6 days ago
    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!
    More info
    LailiPrice: Moderate• Mediterranean• Santa Cruz
    4.7
  • Kelly
    San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
    4.0
    Dined on 25 Dec 2024
    Our party of 6 had an amazing Christmas Eve Dinner there, everything was spectacular and we will return someday soon !
    More info
    Mozaic - Santa CruzPrice: Moderate• Mediterranean• Santa Cruz
    4.7
  • Christine
    San Francisco Bay Area •12 reviews
    4.0
    Dined on 24 Dec 2024
    Pasta Rosettes, pasta w bolognese sauce, pork mole, all desserts were delicious. Chicken parm was a little dry and chicken soup was ok. Service was slow and one of our orders came late but all of our servers were nice, attentive and kept water for the table coming.
    More info
    Chocolate the RestaurantPrice: Expensive• Californian• Santa Cruz
    4.6
  • BethVIP
    San Francisco Bay Area •11 reviews
    4.0
    Dined on 21 Dec 2024
    The food and service were great! We shared the focaccia bread, the arugula salad and the mushroom ravioli with chicken apple sausage. All were excellent. I recommend this restaurant.
    More info
    Gabriella CafePrice: Very Expensive• Italian• Santa Cruz
    4.7

Frequently asked questions

Here are the most popular cuisines: Italian, American, Californian, Japanese, Steakhouse and many more.

There are 1806 restaurants on OpenTable in San Francisco Bay Area.

Yes, we partner with a third party to retrieve menu information for restaurants near you.

Food experiences are a way for restaurants to showcase what makes their restaurant unique and special. Experiences allow diners to discover and book exclusive dining adventures, from tasting menus to happy hours, all in one place. Whether you're after a discounted offer or a special set menu, our "Experiences" page is your ticket to dining out differently. Dive into a world of culinary delights and make your next meal an experience to remember here

At OpenTable, we've made getting your favourite meals delivered a breeze. While we specialise in reservations and unique dining experiences, we also understand the convenience of enjoying restaurant-quality food from the comfort of your home. Here's how it works: On our platform, you'll find third-party links for each participating restaurant that offers delivery services. Simply select the restaurant of your choice, click on the delivery link, and you'll be redirected to the restaurant's delivery partner to complete your order. It's a seamless way to explore and enjoy the vast array of culinary delights your local restaurants have to offer, all with just a few clicks here.

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Discover food near me in Santa Cruz, CA

Find your next culinary adventure in one click with the food near me in Santa Cruz, CA, your gateway to discovering the full spectrum of dining options in your area. Booking your spot at the hottest tables around has never been easier —just a couple of clicks and you're all set to enjoy anything from intimate tasting menus and special offers to set menus crafted to surprise and delight. Dive into an array of exclusive food experiences that showcase the best local restaurants have to offer. Whether you're in the mood for a spontaneous dinner out or a meticulously planned evening featuring a chef's tasting menu, OpenTable makes it seamless to reserve your food experience. Not feeling like dining out? We've got you covered with hassle-free delivery. Through OpenTable, access a curated selection of restaurants offering everything from your favourite comfort food to gourmet dishes, all available for convenient delivery. With OpenTable, exploring the food landscape near you is effortless. Discover, reserve, and savour the best dining experiences your location has to offer—all in one place.

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