Olivia Coraggio of Hula's Island Grill. Photo by Chip Scheuer.
From appetizers to vegetarian food—with all the burgers, burritos and every type of food locals love in between—our readers have once again chosen their local favorites. This is where to find not only the best dishes in Santa Cruz County, but the best restaurants for romance, great views and more.
Best Appetizers
221 Cathcart St, Santa Cruz. 831.426.4852
515 Cedar St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.5051
105 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.2020
Best Bagel
320 Cedar St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.8049
1636 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.425.8550
4763 Soquel Dr, Soquel. 831.462.9888
1411 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.454.9555
1475 41st Ave, Capitola. 831.477.9919
Best Bakery
702 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.458.3020
504 Bay Ave, Capitola. 831.462.1200
402 Ingalls St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.9059
Best Barbecue
8059 Aptos St, Aptos. 831.662.1721
2590 Portola Dr, Santa Cruz. 831.476.4424
230 G Mount Hermon Rd, Scotts Valley. 831.438.2227
Best Bar Food
515 Cedar St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.5051
200 Locust St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.1913
841 Almar Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.421.0507
Best Bread
504 Bay Ave, Capitola. 831.462.1200
2341 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.252.2253
402 Ingalls St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.9059
Best Breakfast – Countywide
106 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.457.2725
819 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.427.0646
35 7th Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.475.4948
Best Breakfast – Santa Cruz
106 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.457.2725
819 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.427.0646
35 7th Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.475.4948
Best Breakfast = Aptos/Soquel
783 Rio Del Mar Blvd #15, Aptos. 831.685.1224
2650 Soquel Dr, Santa Cruz. 831.475.2725
4718 Soquel Dr, Soquel. 831.462.0466
Best Breakfast – Capitola
504 Bay Ave, Capitola. 831.462.1200
815 41st Ave, Santa Cruz.831.476.1214
203 Esplanade, Capitola. 831.475.4900
Best Breakfast – San Lorenzo Valley / Scotts Valley
1210 Mount Hermon Rd, Scotts Valley. 831.335.7311
6560 Hwy 9, Felton. 831.335.4637
3103 Scotts Valley Dr, Scotts Valley. 831.438.1840
Best Breakfast – Watsonville
946 Main St, Watsonville. 831.761.8996
589 Auto Center Dr, Watsonville. 831.761.9551
435 W Beach St, Watsonville. 831.761.0544
Best Burger – Countywide
505 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.8190
1000 41st Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.475.5901
1222 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.600.7056
1520 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.5300
202 Lincoln St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.4421
Best Burger – Santa Cruz
505 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.8190
1222 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.600.7056
1520 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.5300
202 Lincoln St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.4421
Best Burger – Aptos/Soquel
7941 Soquel Dr, Aptos. 831.662.2811
106 Rancho Del Mar, Aptos. 831.688.1282
2621 41st Ave, Soquel. 831.476.3801
Best Burger – Capitola
1000 41st Ave, Capitola. 831.475.5901
2400 Porter St, Soquel. 831.476.6260
2621 41st Ave, Soquel. 831.476.3801
Best Burger – San Lorenzo Valley / Scotts Valley
230G Mount Hermon Rd, Scotts Valley. 831.438.2227
13040 Hwy 9, Boulder Creek. 831.338.7882
4402 Scotts Valley Dr, Scotts Valley. 831.438.2244
Best Burger – Watsonville
1819 Freedom Blvd, Freedom. 831.724.2600
946 Main St, Watsonville. 831.761.8996
100 Aviation Way, Watsonville. 831.724.7767
Best Burrito – Countywide
1053 Water St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.6095
1601 41st Ave, Capitola. 831.464.8810
UCSC, Merrill College. 831.459.5078
608 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.457.8226
1101 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.471.2655
893 41st Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.464.7022
6272 Hwy 9, Felton. 831.335.4264
1003 Cedar St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.9799
Best Burrito – Santa Cruz
1053 Water St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.6095
UCSC, Merrill College. 831.459.5078
608 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.457.8226
1101 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.471.2655
1003 Cedar St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.9799
Best Burrito – Aptos/Soquel
7488 Soquel Dr, Aptos. 831.688.0911
4616 Soquel Dr, Soquel. 831.476.1754
261 Center St, Aptos. 831.688.4848
Best Burrito – Capitola
1601 41st Ave, Capitola. 831.464.8810
893 41st Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.464.7022
427 Capitola Ave, Capitola. 831.464.8652
Best Burrito – San Lorenzo Valley / Scotts Valley
6272 Hwy 9, Felton. 831.335.4264
18 Victor Sq Ste A, Scotts Valley. 831.439.9803
95 Mount Hermon Rd, Scotts Valley. 831.438.2567
Best Burrito – Watsonville
11 Alexander St, Watsonville. 831.724.8823
2233 E Lake Ave, Watsonville. 831.722.6837
1934 Main St, Watsonville. 831.761.2161
Best Calamari
2218 East Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz. 831.476.4560
31 Municipal Wharf #500, Santa Cruz. 831.429.1223
1917 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.427.0135
Best Cheap Eats
1141 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.426.5664
1336 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.425.7575
Multiple locations
Best Cheese Selection
622 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.1398
1134 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.425.1793
1101 Fair Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.426.1306
105 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.2020
Best Chinese Food
2316 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.8458
1010 Cedar St, Santa Cruz. 831.458.2460
900 41st Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.475.8751
Best Chocolatier
1509 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.458.4214
1492 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.425.1492
1522 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.427.9900
Best Coffeehouse – Countywide
816 41st Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.475.7776
104 Bronson St, Santa Cruz. 831.464.8141
1540 Pacific St, Santa Cruz. 831.600.7784
1545 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.429.9804
118 Cooper St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.5858
Kiosk, 911 Soquel Ave (Whole Foods parking lot), Santa Cruz.
1330 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.459.0100
Best Coffeehouse – Santa Cruz
104 Bronson St, Santa Cruz. 831.464.8141
1540 Pacific St, Santa Cruz. 831.600.7784
1545 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.429.9804
118 Cooper St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.5858
Kiosk, 911 Soquel Ave (Whole Foods parking lot), Santa Cruz.
1330 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.459.0100
Best Coffeehouse – Aptos/Soquel
4640 Soquel Dr, Soquel. 831.477.1341
19 Rancho Del Mar Ste A, Aptos. 831.685.0100
7554 Soquel Dr, Aptos. 831.685.2520
Best Coffeehouse – Capitola
816 41st Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.475.7776
231 Esplanade #100, Capitola. 831.475.3679
3701 Portola Dr, Santa Cruz. 831.477.1940
Best Coffeehouse – San Lorenzo Valley / Scotts Valley
255 Mount Hermon Rd Ste A, Scotts Valley. 831.439.0700
6253 Hwy 9, Felton. 831.335.3611
6006 La Madrona Dr, Scotts Valley. 831.430.9112
Best Coffeehouse – Watsonville
28 2nd St, Watsonville. 831.724.7500
734 E Lake Ave, Watsonville. 831.722.0480
912 E Lake Ave, Watsonville. 831.722.5047
Best Cookies
1203 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.429.6905
702 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.458.3020
504 Bay Ave, Capitola. 831.462.1200
Best Date Night Restaurant – Countywide
1750 Wharf Rd, Capitola. 831.475.1511
2621 41st Ave, Soquel. 831.476.3801
910 Cedar St, Santa Cruz. 831.457.1677
Best Date Night Restaurant – Santa Cruz
1917 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.427.0135
121 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.7427
910 Cedar St, Santa Cruz. 831.457.1677
Best Date Night Restaurant – Aptos/Soquel
787 Rio Del Mar Blvd, Aptos. 831.662.9799
8042 Soquel Dr Ste A, Aptos. 831.688.6238
3101 N Main St, Soquel. 831.477.9265
Best Date Night Restaurant – Capitola
1750 Wharf Rd, Capitola. 831.475.1511
2621 41st Ave, Soquel. 831.476.3801
215 Esplanade, Capitola. 831.476.4900
Best Date Night Restaurant – San Lorenzo Valley / Scotts Valley
5447 Hwy 9, Felton. 831.335.5551
9217 Hwy 9, Ben Lomond. 831.609.6132
Scopazzi’s Restaurant and Lounge
13300 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek. 831.338.6441
Best Date Night Restaurant – Watsonville
972 Main St, Watsonville. 831.264.4463
1934 Main St, Watsonville. 831.761.2161
452 East Lake Ave, Watsonville. 831.728.1620
Best Deli
1534 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.1711
1815 Soquel Dr, Santa Cruz. 831.475.9191
1101 Fair Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.426.1306
1134 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.425.1793
1210 41st Ave, Capitola. 831.479.7987
13159 Hwy 9, Boulder Creek. 831.338.7211
6240 Hwy 9, Felton. 831.335.7322
Best Desserts
702 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.458.3020
504 Bay Ave, Capitola. 831.462.1200
1522 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.427.9900
Best Donut Shop
2227 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.457.2760
1055 Water St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.1785
3791 Portola Dr, Santa Cruz. 831.475.6447
Best Drip Coffee
Multiple locations
1330 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.459.0100
1723 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.6583
3701 Portola Dr, Santa Cruz. 831.477.1940
1443 Capitola Rd, Santa Cruz. 831.476.5488
Best Exotic Food
101 Cooper St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.4545
736 Water St, Santa Cruz. 831.457.2350
514 Front St, Santa Cruz. 831.458.3023
Best Falafel
Falafel House (Downtown)
113 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.459.9770
1501 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.459.0486
7528 Soquel Dr, Aptos. 831.688.4465
Best French Fries
Multiple locations
145 Laurel St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.8505
1520 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.5300
Best Ice Cream/Froyo
913 Cedar St, Santa Cruz. 831.204.2523
1020 Ocean St, Santa Cruz. 831.458.1447
1101 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.216.6421
Best Indian Food
207 Searidge Rd, Aptos. 831.685.0610
1133 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.427.3000
270 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.427.2400
Best Italian Food
1116 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.425.2288
1711 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.427.0135
538 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.457.2782
Best Juice Bar / Smoothies
Multiple locations
1410 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.1855
1266 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.8632
Best Kid-Friendly Eatery
1100 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.469.4400
145 Laurel St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.8505
4250 Capitola Rd, Capitola. 831.462.1717
Best Late-Night Eatery
145 Laurel St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.8505
1134 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.429.6994
909 Ocean St, Santa Cruz. 831.426.7151
Best Mediterranean Food
7528 Soquel Dr, Aptos. 831.688.4465
101 Cooper St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.4545
435 Front St, Santa Cruz. 831.466.9990
Best Mexican Food – Countywide
1336 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.425.7575
Multiple locations
261 Center Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.688.4848
Best Mexican Food – Santa Cruz
1336 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.425.7575
1053 Water St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.6095
UCSC, Merrill College. 831.459.5078
822 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.458.2821
Best Mexican Food – Aptos/Soquel
261 Center Ave, Aptos. 831.688.4848
4616 Soquel Dr, Soquel. 831.476.1754
21 Seascape Blvd, Aptos. 831.662.9000
Best Mexican Food – Capitola
1601 41st Ave, Capitola. 831.464.8810
893 41st Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.464.7022
123 Monterey Ave, Capitola. 831.476.1553
Best Mexican Food – San Lorenzo Valley / Scotts Valley
3115 Scotts Valley Dr, Scotts Valley. 831.438.7004
6272 Hwy 9, Felton. 831.335.4264
18 Victor Sq Ste A, Scotts Valley. 831.439.9803
Best Mexican Food – Watsonville
1934 Main St, Watsonville. 831.761.2161
618 Main St, Watsonville. 831.728.9080
11 Alexander St, Watsonville. 831.724.8823
Best Patio Dining – Countywide
2218 East Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz. 831.476.4560
1134 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.429.6994
2621 41st Ave, Soquel. 831.476.3801
Best Patio Dining – Santa Cruz
101 Cooper St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.4545
1134 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.429.6994
2218 East Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz. 831.476.4560
Best Patio Dining – Aptos/Soquel
787 Rio Del Mar Blvd, Aptos. 831.662.9799
2591 Main St, Soquel. 831.479.9777
2621 41st Ave, Soquel. 831.476.3801
Best Patio Dining – Capitola
203 Esplanade, Capitola. 831.475.4900
215 Esplanade, Capitola. 831.476.4900
1750 Wharf Rd, Capitola. 831.475.1511
Best Patio Dining – San Lorenzo Valley / Scotts Valley
5447 Hwy 9, Felton. 831.335.5551
18 Victor Sq, Scotts Valley. 831.438.5005
4402 Scotts Valley Dr, Scotts Valley. 831.438.2244
Best Patio Dining – Watsonville
1934 Main St, Watsonville. 831.761.2161
618 Main St, Watsonville. 831.728.9080
972 Main St, Watsonville. 831.728.0644
Best Pizza – Countywide
1116 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.426.2511
209 Esplanade, Capitola. 831.475.5714
2180 41st Ave, Capitola. 831.475.6000
537 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.429.1856
710 Front St, Santa Cruz. 831.427.4444
Best Pizza – Santa Cruz
1116 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.426.2511
537 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.429.1856
710 Front St, Santa Cruz. 831.427.4444
Best Pizza – Aptos / Soquel
253 Center Ave, Aptos. 831.684.1110
3101 N Main St, Soquel. 831.477.9265
98 Rancho Del Mar, Aptos. 831.662.3362
Best Pizza – Capitola
209 Esplanade, Capitola. 831.475.5714
2180 41st Ave, Capitola. 831.475.6000
4000 Portola Dr, Santa Cruz. 831.475.4999
1501 41st Ave, Capitola. 831.475.4450
Best Pizza – San Lorenzo Valley / Scotts Valley
6205 Hwy 9, Felton. 831.335.1500
226 Mount Hermon Rd, Scotts Valley. 831.439.9999
6231 Graham Hill Rd, Felton. 831.335.4414
Best Pizza – Watsonville
1400 Freedom Blvd, Watsonville. 831.724.2271
531 Corralitos Rd, Watsonville. 831.786.0100
1417 Freedom Blvd, Watsonville. 831.728.0411
Best Restaurant With A View
2218 East Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz. 831.476.4560
1750 Wharf Rd, Capitola. 831.475.1511
49B Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz. 831.458.9393
Best Salad
2621 41st Ave, Soquel. 831.476.3801
4250 Capitola Rd, Capitola. 831.462.1717
103 Lincoln St, Santa Cruz. 831.427.9583
Best Seafood – Countywide
31 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz. 831.429.1223
59 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz. 831.423.2180
493 Lake Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.479.3430
Best Seafood – Santa Cruz
31 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz. 831.429.1223
59 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz. 831.423.2180
493 Lake Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.479.3430
Best Seafood – Aptos / Soquel
131 Esplanade, Aptos. 831.688.8917
787 Rio Del Mar Blvd, Aptos. 831.662.9799
2621 41st Ave, Soquel. 831.476.3801
Best Seafood – Capitola
1750 Wharf Rd, Capitola. 831.475.1511
215 Esplanade, Capitola. 831.476.4900
2621 41st Ave, Soquel. 831.476.3801
Best Seafood – San Lorenzo Valley / Scotts Valley
11 Camp Evers Ln, Scotts Valley. 831.430.0657
5447 Hwy 9, Felton. 831.335.5551
4402 Scotts Valley Dr, Scotts Valley. 831.438.2244
Best Seafood – Watsonville
1934 Main St, Watsonville. 831.761.2161
1922 E Lake Ave, Watsonville. 831.536.4286
972 Main St, Watsonville. 831.264.4463
Best Soup
145 Laurel St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.8505
1126 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.420.1025
1522 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.427.9900
Best Small Plates
105 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.2020
515 Cedar St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.5051
221 Cathcart St, Santa Cruz. 831.426.4852
Best Steak
303 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.426.7770
1750 Wharf Rd, Capitola. 831.475.1511
121 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.7427
Best Sushi/Japanese – Countywide
105 S River St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.1700
1123 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.469.4477
1222 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.600.7093
Best Sushi/Japanese – Santa Cruz
105 S River St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.1700
1123 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.469.4477
1222 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.600.7093
Best Sushi /Japanese – Aptos/Soquel
7957 Soquel Dr, Aptos. 831.688.3690
820 Bay Ave #148, Capitola. 831.464.9192
3005 Porter St, Soquel. 831.479.0366
Best Sushi/Japanese – Capitola
3775 Capitola Rd, Capitola. 831.464.1818
200 Monterey Ave Ste 3, Capitola. 831.464.3328
830 41st Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.464.2586
Best Sushi /Japanese – San Lorenzo Valley / Scotts Valley
4727 Scotts Valley Dr, Scotts Valley. 831.440.9240
235 Mount Hermon Rd, Scotts Valley. 831.440.9040
5600 Scotts Valley Dr Ste C, Scotts Valley. 831.438.9262
Best Sushi/Japanese – Watsonville
452 E Lake Blvd, Watsonville. 831.728.1620
1994 Main St, Watsonville. 831.761.8799
1441 Main St, Watsonville. 831.728.9192
Best Taqueria – Countywide
Multiple locations
Multiple locations
1336 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.425.7575
Best Taqueria – Santa Cruz
608 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.457.8226
1101 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.471.2655
1053 Water St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.6095
UCSC, Merrill College. 831.459.5078
1336 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.425.7575
Best Taqueria – Aptos/Soquel
7488 Soquel Dr, Aptos. 831.688.0911
3070 Porter St, Soquel. 831.477.1430
140 Rancho Del Mar, Aptos. 831.688.1417
Best Taqueria – Capitola
893 41st Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.464.7022
1601 41st Ave, Capitola. 831.464.8810
1955 41st Ave, Capitola. 831.295.6076
Best Taqueria – San Lorenzo Valley / Scotts Valley
18 Victor Sq Ste A, Scotts Valley. 831.439.9803
6272 Hwy 9, Felton. 831.335.4264
95 Mount Hermon Rd, Scotts Valley. 831.438.2567
Best Taqueria – Watsonville
11 Alexander St, Watsonville. 831.724.8823
1471 Freedom Blvd, Watsonville. 831.722.2022
2233 E Lake Ave, Watsonville. 831.722.6837
Best Tea House
1541 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.4200
350 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.1058
911 Capitola Ave, Capitola. 831.477.1798
Best Thai Food
1218 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.1200
5050 Soquel Dr, Soquel. 831.462.5051
353 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.458.3546
Best Vegetarian Food
4250 Capitola Rd, Capitola. 831.462.1717
103 Lincoln St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.8327
145 Laurel St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.8505
Best Winery
328 Ingalls St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.6771
303 Potrero St, Santa Cruz. 831.458. 5030
3535 N Main St, Soquel. 831.475.2258
Best Wine List
105 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.2020
1750 Wharf Rd, Capitola. 831.475.1511
725 Front St #101, Santa Cruz. 831.426.VINO
Best Wine Shop
105 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.2020
725 Front St #101, Santa Cruz. 831.426.VINO
622 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.1696