The Best Restaurants in Santa Cruz & Monterey

Mulligan's Pub

Newly opened and fast becoming a favorite haunt of locals, this classic English-style pub offers many in-house specials, a nightly 3-course dinner for $12.00 and a Happy Hour featuring soup & salad plus a drink for only $5.00! And there are two T.V.s... more

Mundaka

Mundaka is a beautiful and historic town and famous surf spot located in the province of Biscay, in the Basque Country of northern Spain. Now it is also the new Spanish-style, tapas-centric restaurant in downtown Carmel. The kitchen is headed by... more

Oak Tree Ristorante

Oak Tree Ristorante is nestled in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains with surrounding redwoods, rivers, wineries, and the sounds of the steam engine in the distance. We focus on the of use seasonal, local, organic ingredients for our menus by util... more

Oswalds

A contemporary restaurant in the heart of Santa Cruz, Oswald features a modern style and a relaxed atmosphere. This Santa Cruz restaurant features a well scripted menu of modern American cuisine, including dishes like homemade summer squash ravioli,... more

Pacific Thai Santa Cruz

Located in the heart of downtown Santa Cruz, Pacific Thai offers the sweet and savory flavors of both Thai cuisine and Boba Teas. Popular dishes include Fresh Spring Rolls, Pad Thai, and Panang Curry. Boba teas include Milk Teas, Juice Teas, Milkshak... more

Paluca Trattoria

Trattoria is the Italian word for an informal, family-owned restaurant.  These cozy eateries are peppered throughout the countryside of Italy.  Paluca is a combination of names - those of our two cherished boys, Paolo & Luca, who ar... more

Paradise Beach Grille

From day one, we have not wavered from our original concept of providing quality service and food in a fun environment for our customers, employees and owners. Paradise has become a popular meeting place for local patrons as well as a favorite restau... more

Patisserie Boissiere

A combination pastry shop and restaurant, this Carmel classic combines a cheery French feel - antique tables and chairs and ornate wall sconces - with delectable dishes and inspired pastries. Their menu features a quiche maison, pot pies, roasted... more

Pernille Restaurant

Carmel's oldest restaurant, serving locals and visitors since 1864. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as a Sunday champagne brunch. Sandwiches, salads, pastas, seafood and Italian specialties. Open daily for breakfast from 7:30 AM. Dinner until... more

Pizza My Heart - Capitola

Even if you hate surfing, the downtown San Jose chapter of this local favorite will make you feel “locals only,” since there’s enough memorabilia on the walls for a mini museum. And the pies are good too. The thin-crust pizza here j... more

Pizza My Heart - Monterey

Even if you hate surfing, the downtown San Jose chapter of this local favorite will make you feel “locals only,” since there’s enough memorabilia on the walls for a mini museum. And the pies are good too. The thin-crust pizza here j... more

Pizza My Heart - Santa Cruz

Even if you hate surfing, the downtown San Jose chapter of this local favorite will make you feel locals only, since there's enough memorabilia on the walls for a mini museum. And the pies are good too. The thin-crust pizza here just destroys those a... more

Pizzeria Avanti

Avanit Pizzeria is located on the Westside of Santa Cruz, where you can find an excellent selection of pizzia and wine pairings. It isn't all about the pizza as they offer an array or appetizers and micro brews, so you can stop in and socialize whil... more

Planet Gemini

PLANET GEMINI – MONTEREY’S #1 COMEDY AND DANCE NIGHTSPOT HAS BEEN BRINGING LIVE ENTERTAINMENT TO MONTEREY FOR OVER TWO DECADES.  FEATURING NATIONALLY KNOWN HEADLINING COMEDIANS AND MAJOR STARS AS SEEN ON HBO, COMEDY CENTRAL,EVENING A... more

Pleasure Pizza

The original location for Pleasure Pizza. more

Red Restaurant and Bar

If the salads don’t get you, the Wimpy Burgers will. The kitchen at this plush, popular downtown nightspot is open til midnight most nights, turning out generous platters of surprisingly sophisticated fare (like ribeye rubbed with espresso and... more

Restaurante Los Pinos

Great little Mexican spot right outside of downtown. more

Rio Grill

Rio Grill isn't your typical Carmel bar and grill. With over 29 years experience and multiple best restaurant awards over the past 15 years, Rio Grill's focused on culinary excellence and has become a catering favorite for lo... more

Ristorante Casa Nostra

Ristorante Casa Nostra is located in Ben Lomond, CA.  It has been described as "ristorante that fits heart, soul, and food into its time and place." Offering Panini's, pastas, and salads for lunch, and premium pastas with complimentary wines fo... more

Ristorante Italiano

Ristorante Italiano has been a Santa Cruz county dining favorite since we started in 1980. Locals have consistently named us as their favorite Italian Restaurant for many years because of our fine Italian food with our classic inviting atmosphere. W... more

Riva Fish House

In addition to seafood salads, crispy calamari, chowders and seafood pastas, the weekly specials at this classic beach town diner include cracked crab, skewers of prawns and grilled salmon. Fresh fish, unpretentious décor and spectacular views... more

Rosie McCann's - Santa Cruz

A more upscale establishment than most Irish pubs, this restaurant/bar has a tucked-away dance floor where revelers can shake out their worries without disturbing diners in the main room. A long list of mixed drinks, including the Naughty Olivia and... more

Roy's at Pebble Beach

A trendy, casual and high-energy setting invites you to experience Hawaiian-fusion cuisine inspired by internationally known Chef Roy Yamaguchi. With The Links at Spanish Bay serving as a panoramic backdrop, Roy's also offers an eclectic selection of... more

Samba Rock Cafe

Open Since 2009, We are a Cafe with a menu all based in Acai - 10 acai bowls, 10 acai smoothies, hot acai drinks, and also, yerba mate drinks (cold and hot), pastries and really good coffee and espressos with a bike park inside. more

Sanddabs Seafood & Wine Bar

Since 2008, Sanddabs has been providing local fish and seafood to the lovely community of Scotts Valley. We have come up with a brand new, fun, fresh and local menu to highlight the best we have to offer here on the central coast, whenever possible s... more

Sanderlings Restaurant

Sanderlings Restaurant, where your dining experience is as spectacular as the view. Located 9 miles south of Santa Cruz and bordered by Monterey Bay to the west, Sanderlings Restaurant at Seascape Beach Resort offers elegant, casual dining with a dr... more

Santa Cruz Diner

When the post-party calls for a pile of hefty pancakes served with ice cream scoop-sized mounds of whipped butter, this is your place. With plenty of crazy stuff on the walls to distract you from the gyrations of the other late-night revelers, this i... more

Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing

Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing. An award winning, local, certified organic brewery. Yes, we’re proud. With seven flagship ales brewed on premise along with a handful of wildly innovative seasonal beers, hard ciders, draught root beer, and Kombuch... more

Sardine Factory

When The Sardine Factory opened on October 2, 1968, Cannery Row was a run-down and forgotten piece of Monterey on the wrong side of the tracks, but owners Ted Balestreri and Bert Cutino saw potential. "Everyone thought we were nuts but it was afforda... more

Saturn Cafe

For almost three decades this late-night, all-day vegetarian diner has been serving up instant comfort of the edible variety. The condiment-friendly menu is long on cheeses, salads, faux burgers, french fries and cheeses. Veggie corndogs, mac and che... more

Schooners Coastal Kitchen

With a bustling open kitchen, oceanfront outdoor patio and high-energy bar, there’s a relaxed and convivial atmosphere at Schooners – making it a Monterey dining favorite of both locals and travelers alike. Cocktail classics take on creat... more

Scopazzi's

Scopazzi's Restaurant and Lounge is located on the right-hand side of Big Basin Way (Hwy 236), about two hundred yards from the center of Boulder Creek (at Hwy 9). The building housing Scopazzi's restaurant has a long and interesting history. more

Sea Root

Sea Root highlights Monterey's bounty along with a rich medley of coastal Mediterranean-inspired dishes such as crudo, tuna tartar, and spiced lamb shank with a craft cocktail menu stirred up with a twist, such as cardamom or rose petals. "Hyatt i... more

Severino's Bar & Grill

Known for its happy hour and live music five nights a week, Severino's is—surprise!—located in a Best Western motel. The food is excellent, and the bar is more on the upscale side, with an extensive cocktail menu that goes great with the... more

Shadowbrook Restaurant

The Shadowbrook restaurant of Capitola opened in October of 1947 with a theme of Romance in Dining. This is one of the most romantic place to dine in the entire Santa Cruz area. Enjoy the beautiful ambiance that The Shadowbrook has to offer. With... more

Shogun Japanese Restaurant

Sushi. Exceptionally fresh ingredients and large portions. more

Smalleys Roundup Restaurant

S.O. Smalley, originally from Alabama, lived in Salinas over 20 years. At age 55 he retired from construction, and on Halloween Day 1975 opened the Roundup out of his boredom "with bein' put out to pasture." About Smalley's secret sauce S.O. said,... more

Soif Wine Bar & Restaurant

Soif is a Santa Cruz Retaurantm Wine Bar, and Wine Retail Shop providing the opportunity to explore wines in a sophisticated and friendly environment. Our goal has been to provide a comfortable place to drink great wine and eat food that is as good a... more

Solaire Restaurant

One of the newest places to enjoy happy hour or a great dinner in Santa Cruz, Solaire Restaurant + Bar is a true local dining destination offering guests unexpected and offbeat twists on local ingredients and flavors.  Located at Hotel Paradox o... more

Star Bene Incorporated

Working as a family the Star Bene staff and owners bring together their experience to serve you. We welcome you to enjoy traditional Italian recipes including homemade pastas, primarily locally grown organic produce, natural free-range meats and cold... more

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