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Oswald, Santa Cruz, CA

Oswald

4.6
4.6
1612 Reviews
$31 to $50
Contemporary American

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2 people
21:30
Booked 18 times today
  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Great for happy hour
  • Neighbourhood gem
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.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Wed–Sat 12:00 pm–2:30 pm Dinner Wed, Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (831) 423-7427
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Damani Thomas
  • Area
    Santa Cruz
  • Cross Street
    Front
  • Parking details
    Oswald is located on the street level of a four story public parking garage with very reasonable rates.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,612 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

Diners' Choice Awards

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Best Overall

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Best Food

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Best Value

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Innovative

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Good for groups

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Healthy

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Hot spot

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Neighbourhood gem

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Great for fine wines

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Romantic

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Good for special occasions

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Lively

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Oswald offers "consistently great food and service" with an inviting atmosphere. Known for its "amazing cocktails" and diverse menu, it's perfect for both casual and special occasions. While some find it pricey, the quality and "warm, friendly" staff make it a "delightful dining experience."

1,612 Reviews
  1. Tracy

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I have had my celebrations here for 30 years. I always love it.

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  2. Steven

    Portland

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 16 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food, lovely drinks, and wonderful staff. We had such a great night.

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  3. Ki

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 15 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This is a great dining option in downtown Santa Cruz. Excellent food and service, with a creative drinks bar.

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  4. Susan

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 13 November 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Oswald’s is always good. I just didn’t like what I ordered. The french fries are the best.

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  5. David

    San Francisco

    17 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on 10 November 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    Good main dishes, but with significantly increased prices: sliced duck breast $45 and 3 scallops with a nice beet risotto $48; chicory salad $21.

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  6. LeMel

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 10 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It’s always a pleasure to eat at a restaurant where the food experience is as if I were at home eating its comfort food with a classy atmosphere! LeMel

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  7. Stephanie

    Central Coast

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on 27 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Oswalds is consistently the best restaurant in the Santa Cruz area. And last night did not disappoint. Great service by Logan and amazing food and drinks. They also have a happy hour menu that lasts until 7pm which is a nice way to enjoy this amazing restaurant in an economical way. It includes reduced prices on their pub food selections as well as a few drinks and starter specials. We opted for non-happy hour items last night for our mains -- which included a perfectly done salmon dish and an amazing duck breast. Finished off with the bread pudding which was so yummy.

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  8. Joy

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 19 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A consistently wonderful experience! From kitchen to cocktails!

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  9. Martin

    San Francisco

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 19 October 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    I was with a party of 5. Service was its normal excellent standard. However, the dishes were a disappointment. The duck was nowhere near pink and one of my fellow diners thought it looked like the colour of my pork tenderloin. I know that diners view the degree of cooking differently but I ate the duck a week earlier at the restaurant and it had been cooked to perfection. i suspect it lay on the pass for too long. Mac and cheese is a staple of US cooking but in this instance my fellow diner felt that it had suffered from a bad case of being 'chef'd' . Less is more. Keep it simple. Both my clams and pork tenderloin dishes were great as was the shirt steak cooked to perfection and delicious. So much so that my fellow diner took a doggy bag and had it for lunch the day after. Would I return to Oswalds again in the future? Yes absolutely but I'll take time speaking to my server about how i would want my dishes cooked.

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  10. eric

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 16 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Chef Doumani is a genius. Conistently puts out fresh, creative, flavorful dishes. Staff is all time, they all have worked with Chef D for a LONG TIME, which tells me a lot about he positive culture at Oswalds. Favorite spot in town.

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FAQs

Oswald offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (831) 423-7427.

Oswald is rated 4.6 stars by 1612 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
21:30
Booked 18 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Oswald

121 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Front
  • Area
    Santa Cruz
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Wed–Sat 12:00 pm–2:30 pm Dinner Wed, Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Oswald is located on the street level of a four story public parking garage with very reasonable rates.
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Damani Thomas
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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