Gabriella Cafe

4.7

976 Reviews

$50 and over

Italian

Make a booking

2 people

30 Dec 2024

19:00

Booked 7 times today

Good for special occasions
Charming
Romantic

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

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Fine Dining
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Italian, Californian
Hours of Operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–2:30 pm Lunch Tue–Fri 11:00 am–2:15 pm Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(831) 457-1677
Website
http://gabriellacafe.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive Chef
Gema Cruz

Location
910 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Area
Santa Cruz
Cross Street
Church Street
Parking details
Parking Garages are very close
Entertainment
Come listen to the acoustic jazz guitar on Thursdays and jazz vocals (no amp) on Fridays.
Additional
Patio/Outdoor Dining

House Marinated OlivesUS$7.00
Pan AmoreUS$9.00
goat cheese, arugula pesto & roasted garlic
Crispy Rodoni Farms Brussel SproutsUS$9.00
apple gastrique & toasted hazelnuts
Rodoni Farms Grilled ArtichokeUS$9.00
lemon aioli
Prosciutto Wrapped AsparagusUS$15.00
tallegio & balsamic reduction
QuesadillasUS$9.00
oaxaca queso fresca & epazotas

Salad

Roast BeetsUS$12.00
honey pistachio puree, arugula, candied citrus & goat cheese
Gabriella CaesarUS$11.00
lemon boquerones emulsion, croutons & reggiano
Farmers Market LettucesUS$10.00
balsamic vinaigrette, red onions, carrots & avocado

Pasta

Housemade PappardelleUS$17.00
rustic bolognese & reggiano
Porcini GnocchiUS$18.00
cream sauce, carrots, spinach, asparagus & reggiano
Butternut Squash RavioliUS$18.00
truffle honey, kale, apples, walnuts & goat cheese
TagliatelleUS$18.00
tomato sauce, calabrese sausage, cabbage, leeks, chili flakes & reggiano

Entrees

California Sea BassUS$27.00
cream pipian sauce, carrots, romanesco & polenta
Grilled Sonoma QuailUS$19.00
market vegetables, mashed potatoes & romesco sauce
Organic Duck ConfitUS$19.00
apple gastrique, kale, carrots & mashed potatoes
All Natural Pork MoleUS$21.00
cabbage, carrots & potato croquets
California Lamb ShankUS$24.00
herb chimichurri, cabbage, carrots & potato croquettes
Allen Bros Angus New York SteakUS$32.00
porcini cream sauce, grilled asparagus, carrots & mashed potatoes

What 976 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.6Service
4.6Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Diners' Choice Awards

Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Best Overall
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Best Food
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Best Service
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Best Ambience
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Best Value
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Innovative
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Healthy
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

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Gabriella Cafe in Santa Cruz is a charming spot with "delicious food" and a "lovely atmosphere." Ideal for brunch, lunch, or dinner, it offers a menu of fresh, thoughtfully crafted dishes inspired by local ingredients. While service is generally "attentive and joyful," some guests noted occasional delays.

976 Reviews

B
Beth
VIP
San Francisco
11 reviews
4.0
11 reviews
Dined on 21 December 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
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.
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L
Liz
Portland
20 reviews
5.0
20 reviews
Dined on 8 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Beautiful meal. Each dish was delicious and nicely presented. Service was good and the atmosphere is lovely, good for groups or a romantic evening. Standouts are the roasted cauliflower and the salads. Fish and meat perfectly cooked. Highly recommended.
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M
Melinda
Palm Springs
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on 4 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our whole dinner was delicious from the appetizers to the dessert.
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S
Stacey
San Francisco
3 reviews
2.0
3 reviews
Dined on 29 November 2024
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 3
Arrived a few minutes early for our Thanksgiving reservation and were finally seated at a "temporary table" 30 minutes after our reservation time. Twenty minutes later moved to another table. Our requests from the prix fixe menu were taken and drinks were served. Thirty minutes later, our entrees (course 3) were brought out. We explained we had not yet received our 1st or 2nd courses. They apologized and 15 minutes later we received courses 1 and 2 together. The entrees they brought out were the originals they had tried to serve us earlier so dried out on top on scalding hot plates. First two course tasted great. Entrees and desserts were not great. An 18% tip was automatically added and no apologies provided. We so wanted to love this experience but it was definitely subpar. At least those 3 hours were spent with people we love.
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a
adrianna
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 10 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great service and outstanding food! I also love the ambience. I highly a recommend Gabrielle café.
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R
Robert
Central Coast
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on 31 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I recently dined at Gabriella Cafe in Santa Cruz and was impressed. The gnocchi, served with a spicy tomato sauce, sweet autumn squash, and generous slices of Parmigiano Reggiano, was melt-in-your-mouth perfection. The roasted Brussels sprouts with apple gastrique were crisp and caramelized, with just the right hint of sweetness. Gabriella Cafe nails locally inspired, thoughtfully crafted dishes—highly recommend!
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S
Sandra
San Francisco
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on 30 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Gabriella Cafe never disappoints! The food was excellent as always. I rarely go out for dinner, but if I do, Gabriella Cafe is the best and maybe only restaurant in Santa Cruz and maybe beyond.
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S
Sandi
VIP
San Francisco
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on 28 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Visited during Restaurant Week. My duck confit was fantastic and my friend's risotto w/kombucha and veggies was perfect. Dessert of flourless chocolate cake and apple crisp were the also very good. We will return!
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D
Dogan
VIP
San Francisco
14 reviews
5.0
14 reviews
Dined on 27 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent food and service (despite it being restaurant week and therefore quite busy at prime time on a Saturday night): OpenTable reservation I had made somehow didn't take, but the hostess found us a table for two anyway! Food was great as ever (beat salads for both, pork shoulder, yellowfin tuna, choc torte and apple cobbler). We've been going to Gabriella for years and top quality has never wavered. Way to go, Paul and staff!
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t
tricia
Central Coast
13 reviews
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on 27 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
The food was excellent, of the highest quality and cooked to perfection.
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FAQs

Gabriella Cafe offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (831) 457-1677.

Gabriella Cafe is rated 4.7 stars by 976 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people

30 Dec 2024

19:00

Booked 7 times today

Order delivery or takeout

910 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross Street
Church Street
Area
Santa Cruz
Hours of Operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–2:30 pm Lunch Tue–Fri 11:00 am–2:15 pm Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Italian, Californian
Dining style
Fine Dining
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
Parking Garages are very close
Payment Options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Gema Cruz
Entertainment
Come listen to the acoustic jazz guitar on Thursdays and jazz vocals (no amp) on Fridays.
Additional
Patio/Outdoor Dining

Website
http://gabriellacafe.com/
Phone number
(831) 457-1677

Gabriella Cafe

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Starters

House Marinated OlivesUS$7.00

Pan AmoreUS$9.00

Crispy Rodoni Farms Brussel SproutsUS$9.00

Rodoni Farms Grilled ArtichokeUS$9.00

Prosciutto Wrapped AsparagusUS$15.00

QuesadillasUS$9.00

Salad

Roast BeetsUS$12.00

Gabriella CaesarUS$11.00

Farmers Market LettucesUS$10.00

Pasta

Housemade PappardelleUS$17.00

Porcini GnocchiUS$18.00

Butternut Squash RavioliUS$18.00

TagliatelleUS$18.00

Entrees

California Sea BassUS$27.00

Grilled Sonoma QuailUS$19.00

Organic Duck ConfitUS$19.00

All Natural Pork MoleUS$21.00

California Lamb ShankUS$24.00

Allen Bros Angus New York SteakUS$32.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Diners' Choice Awards

Review summary

FAQs

Does Gabriella Cafe offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Gabriella Cafe restaurant rated?

Is Gabriella Cafe currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information