Presenting the winners in the Food & Drink category of our annual Gold Awards Readers Survey…
Food & Drink
BEST Bagel
Bagelry
320 Cedar St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.8049
1636 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.425.8550
4763 Soquel Dr, Soquel. 831.462.9888
Noah’s Bagels
1411 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.454.9555
Main Street Bagel
1475 41st Ave, Capitola. 831.477.9919
BEST Bakery
The Buttery
702 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.458.3020
Gayle’s Bakery & Rosticceria
504 Bay Ave, Capitola. 831.462.1200
Kelly’s French Bakery
402 Ingalls St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.9059
BEST Barbecue
Cole’s
2590 Portola Dr, Santa Cruz. 831.476.4424
Smoqe
10110 Soquel Dr, Aptos. 831.662.2227
Aptos St. BBQ
8059 Aptos St, Aptos. 831.662.1721
BEST Bar Food
The Red Restaurant and Bar
200 Locust St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.1913
515 Kitchen and Cocktails
515 Cedar St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.5051
The Parish Publick House
841 Almar Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.421.0507
BEST Bread
Gayle’s Bakery & Rosticceria
504 Bay Ave, Capitola. 831.462.1200
Beckmann’s
104 Bronson St #6, Santa Cruz. 831.423.9242
Kelly’s French Bakery
402 Ingalls St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.9059
BEST Breakfast
Walnut Avenue Cafe
106 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.457.2725
Linda’s Seabreeze Cafe
542 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.427.9713
Café Brasil
1410 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.1855
BEST Burgers
Betty Burgers
505 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.8190
1000 41st Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.475.5901
burger.
1520 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.5300
Jack’s
202 Lincoln St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.4421
BEST Burrito
Tacos Moreno
1053 Water St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.6095
1601 41st Ave, Capitola. 831.464.8810
UCSC, Merrill College. 831.459.5078
Taqueria Vallarta
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
Planet Fresh
1003 Cedar St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.9799
BEST Calamari
Crow’s Nest
2218 East Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz. 831.476.4560
Riva Fish House
31 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz. 831.429.1223
Stagnaro’s
59 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz. 831.423.2180
BEST Cheap Eats
Charlie Hong Kong
1141 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.426.5664
El Palomar Taco Bar
1336 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.425.7575
Taqueria Vallarta
Multiple locations
BEST Chinese
O’Mei
2316 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.8458
Little Shanghai
1010 Cedar St, Santa Cruz. 831.458.2460
Panda Inn
738 Rio Del Mar Blvd #5, Aptos. 831.688.8620
BEST Coffeehouse
Lulu Carpenter’s
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.
Verve
816 41st Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.475.7776
Coffeetopia
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 Cookies
Pacific Cookie Company
1203 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.429.6905
Nite Owl
216 Fern St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.6483
Gayle’s Bakery & Rosticceria
504 Bay Ave, Capitola. 831.462.1200
BEST Date Night Restaurant
Shadowbrook
1750 Wharf Rd, Capitola. 831.475.1511
Gabriella Cafe
910 Cedar St, Santa Cruz. 831.457.1677
Café Cruz
2621 41st Ave, Soquel. 831.476.3801
BEST Deli
Zoccoli’s
1534 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.1711
Erik’s DeliCafe
1664 Soquel Dr, Santa Cruz. 831.462.1919
102 Rancho Del Mar, Aptos. 831.688.5656
1601 41st Ave, Capitola. 831.475.4646
1980 N. Main St, Salinas. 831.449.7272
155 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.425.5353
222 Mt. Hermon Rd #G, Scotts Valley. 831.438.4646
1074 Green Valley Rd, Watsonville. 831.724.7575
New Leaf
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
The Buttery
702 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.458.3020
Gayle’s Bakery & Rosticceria
504 Bay Ave, Capitola. 831.462.1200
Chocolate
1522 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.427.9900
BEST Donut Shop
Ferrell’s
2227 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.457.2760
1403 Ocean St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.9470
5520 Scotts Valley Dr, Scotts Valley. 831.438.0423
1761 17th Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.462.0444 (“Original Ferrell’s”)
Albright’s Donut Shoppe
1055 Water St, Santa Cruz 831.423.1785
41st Avenue Donut House
1601 41st Ave, Capitola. 831.462.9579
BEST Drip Coffee
Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting
1330 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.459.0100
19 Rancho del Mar Shopping Center, Aptos. 831.685.0100
920 Pacific Ave #2, Santa Cruz. 831.457.0100
Verve
816 41st Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.475.7776
Lulu Carpenter’s
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.
BEST Exotic Cuisine
Malabar
514 Front St, Santa Cruz. 831.458.3023
India Joze
418 Front St, Santa Cruz. 831.325.3633
The Greek
435 Front St, Santa Cruz. 831.466.9990
BEST Falafel
Falafel House
113 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.459.9770
Falafel of Santa Cruz
1501 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.459.0486
Falafel Hut
309 Beach St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.0567
Best French Fries
Betty Burgers
505 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.8190
1000 41st Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.475.5901
Saturn Café
145 Laurel St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.8505
Jack’s
202 Lincoln St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.4421
BEST Ice Cream / Fro Yo
Penny Ice Creamery
913 Cedar St, Santa Cruz. 831.204.2523
Marianne’s
1020 Ocean St, Santa Cruz. 831.458.1447
Mission Hill Creamery
Available at www.santacruzlocalfoods.com or 831.515.8799
BEST Indian
Sitar
1133 Pacific Ae, Santa Cruz. 831.427.3000
Ambrosia
207 Searidge Rd, Aptos. 831.685.0610
Royal Taj
270 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.427.2400
BEST Italian
Lillian’s
1116 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.425.2288
Ristorante Avanti
1711 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.427.0135
Ristorante Italiano
555 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.458.2321
BEST Juice Bar/smoothies
Jamba Juice
1550 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.426.5262
New Leaf
Multiple locations
Java Junction
580-A River St, Santa Cruz. 831.426.2128
519 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.5282
BEST Kid-Friendly Eatery
Kianti’s
1100 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.469.4400
Carpo’s
2400 Porter St, Soquel. 831.476.6260
The Greek
435 Front St, Santa Cruz. 831.466.9990
BEST Late Night Eatery
Saturn
145 Laurel St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.8505
Santa Cruz Diner
909 Ocean St, Santa Cruz. 831.426.7151
Crepe Place
1134 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.429.6994
BEST Mediterranean
The Greek
435 Front St, Santa Cruz. 831.466.9990
Vasili’s
1501 Mission St #A, Santa Cruz. 831.458.9808
Zameen
7528 Soquel Dr, Aptos. 831.688.4465
BEST Mexican
El Palomar
1336 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.425.7575
Manuel’s
261 Center Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.688-4848
Tacos Moreno
1053 Water St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.6095
1601 41st Ave, Capitola. 831.464.8810
UCSC, Merrill College. 831.459.5078
BEST Patio Dining
Crepe Place
1134 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.429.6994
Crow’s Nest
2218 East Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz. 831.476.4560
Kianti’s
1100 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.469.4400
BEST Pizza
Pizza My Heart
1116 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.426.2511
209 Esplanade, Capitola. 831.475.5714
Woodstock
710 Front St, Santa Cruz. 831.427.4444
Engfer’s Pizza Works
537 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.429.1856
BEST Restaurant with a View
Crow’s Nest
2218 East Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz. 831.476.4560
Riva Fish House
31 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz. 831.429.1223
Olita’s
650 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz. 831.458.9393
BEST Salad
Crow’s Nest
2218 East Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz. 831.476.4560
Dharma’s
4250 Capitola Rd, Capitola. 831.462.1717
Café Cruz
2621 41st Ave, Soquel. 831.476.3801
BEST Seafood
Riva Fish House
31 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz. 831.429.1223
Stagnaro’s
59 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz. 831.423.2180
Crow’s Nest
2218 East Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz. 831.476.4560
BEST Soup
Erik’s DeliCafe
Multiple locations
The Greek
435 Front St, Santa Cruz. 831.466.9990
Café Limelight
1016 Cedar St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.7873
BEST Small Plates
Soif
105 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.2020
515 Kitchen & Cocktails
515 Cedar St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.5051
Cellar Door (Bonny Doon Vineyard Tasting Room)
328 Ingalls St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.6771
BEST Steak
Hindquarter Bar & Grill
303 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.426.7770
Café Cruz
2621 41st Ave, Soquel. 831.476.3801
Crow’s Nest
2218 East Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz. 831.476.4560
BEST Sushi/Japanese
Mobo Sushi
105 S. River St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.1700
I Love Sushi
516 Front St, Santa Cruz. 831.421.0706
Shogun
1123 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.469.4477
BEST Taqueria
Taqueria Vallarta
Multiple locations
Tacos Moreno
1053 Water St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.6095
1601 41st Ave, Capitola. 831.464.8810
UCSC, Merrill College. 831.459.5078
Taqueria Santa Cruz
2215 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.0606
1002 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.429.5193
BEST Tea House
Asana Teas
103 Lincoln St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.8327
Chaikhana Tea Culture
317 Cedar St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.4200
Peet’s Coffee & Tea
1409 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.457.8170
819 Bay Ave, Suite A, Capitola. 831.316.5040
BEST Thai
Sabieng
1218 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.1200
Sawasdee
5050 Soquel Dr, Soquel. 831.462.5051
Bangkok West
2505 Cabrillo College Dr #4, Aptos. 831.479.8297
BEST Vegetarian
Dharma’s
4250 Capitola Rd, Capitola. 831.462.1717
Saturn Cafe
145 Laurel St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.8505
Malabar
514 Front St, Santa Cruz. 831.458.3023
BEST Wine List
Soif
105 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.2020
Vinocruz
725 Front St #101, Santa Cruz. 831.426.VINO
Cava
115 San Jose Ave, Capitola. 831.476.2282
BEST Winery
Bonny Doon Vineyard
328 Ingalls St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.6771
Storrs Winery
303 Potrero St, Santa Cruz. 831.458. 5030
Bargetto Winery
3535 N. Main St, Soquel. 831.475.2258
