This is our go to restaurant for special events. Family friendly; we have two kids and even came on valentines when our smallest was 2 months, a year after we came for valentines again and a server brought our girls little toys they loved. Great food, we're vegetarian and love the mushroom dishes. We love both sitting inside and out depending on the weather. read more

The ambiance is wonderful, it falls in the tradition of a cafe in Italy. The food is delicious but overpriced. They continue to charge a convenience fee which never dropped off after Covid. The bartender ( Cliff) was somewhat rude and pretentious. That made the entire dinning/cocktail experience unpleasant. We won't be coming back. read more

The food was delicious, and the service was attentive; however, four children were running up and down, screaming in the outdoor area. We spoke to our server about the disruption, and although she spoke to the person in charge, nothing changed. We will not come back. read more

While visiting Aptos we found this gem of a restaurant and I am so happy we did. It was a weeknight so it was not super busy. The service was fantastic! We were greeted right when we arrived and seated in a window seat that was somewhat private. We ordered the Housemade Focaccia Bread to start that was topped with sea salt & extra virgin olive oil; whipped butter and the roasted beet salad with feta cheese, pickled bermuda onion, candied walnut, organic mesclun greens & honey-dijon vinaigrette. For entrees we ordered the Pan Seared Sand Dabs cooked in white wine, lemon, caper beurre blanc; seasonal vegetables & mélange of rice. This dish was so flavorful and would absolutely order again. We also ordered the Halibut en Papillote which is baked in parchment paper over a bed of spinach, tomato, zucchini, yellow squash, kalamata olives, roasted bell pepper, exotic mushrooms, artichoke, fresh herbs, garlic, shallots & EV olive oil. The presentation alone is worth the order but the flavors of the halibut combined with the perfectly cooked vegetables made the dish my favorite. We absolutely ate every single bite. To finish we had the Lemon Tiramisu which is Lady fingers soaked in housemade limoncello, lemon mascarpone mousse, topped with lemon curd, crème anglaise & amarena cherry sorbet. The presentation was almost too beautiful to eat but alas we dove right in and finished it all. It had the perfect balance of sweet but not overwhelmingly sweet. The sorbet was the perfect compliment to the lemon. Overall we had a wonderful dinner and would visit again if we came back to the area. read more

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It's been a long time since I have dined at the Bittersweet Bistro. On this visit, my Company held their annual dinner. They held it in a private back room with a full bar setup with wine service too. Three course dinner featuring a Garden Salad, filet mignon and crème brûlée. The service was impeccable and friendly. read more

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Bittersweet Bistro Aptos CA Fri 12/27/24 On Rio Del Mar Blvd! One very bright Friday in December! Sunny & warm at the coast! Several of us stopped by for drinks! © Here with friends after taking care of some business in the area! You can't help it but feel celebratory in the beautiful Santa Cruz area, Capitola, Aptos, coastal Rio Del Mar, where ocean proximity offers the best of the sea-meets-relaxed-lifestyle! In comparison to Silicon Valley's stresses, it feels almost remote here, yet it's only a hillside away from the valley's intensity! In a beautiful koi pond, just outside of your stone and stucco building, the happiest vibrant fishes sparkle & dance in the water, displaying bright red and yellow! You wanna join the human size teddy bear Santa by the bar? You can do it here! Straight to the bar counter we go, spacious and inviting to relax and quench that thirst! Classy Mahogany bar is hard to pass by. Let's go! My rye whiskey, but of course! We ordered several cocktails, one of those was French Lemon Drop! Chitchat with the bartender Cliff! Excellent service! Bittersweet Bistro is a staple recognized by locals, one of top spots in Santa Cruz County & in Aptos's Rio Del Mar enclave. It's a New American classic with Mediterranean twist! I savored my rye! Overall the WhistlePig PiggyBack Rye 6 Years has a nice sweet profile! It complements the dominant rustic and spicey notes. Good all around, it's a versatile whiskey! Works equally well in cocktails or in a glass by itself, just like I have enjoyed it! It features a 100% rye mashbill, a solid 96.56 proof. Delicious Lemon Drop, made to order, I carry a recipe given to me years ago, by a true professional. It comes out strong & citrusy refreshing! Very good. Time flew fast with a great conversation! On to the next stop! Arrivederci Bittersweet! Until we meet again! * Cocktails and dreams give them to me I said, oh, oh, oh I'm begging you please Give them to me Cocktails and dreams Cocktails and dreams give them to me [ Review #817 w 4 pics Jan 21, 2025 ] Vibrant fishes in the pond outside! Santa's waiting to make U company! My WhistlePig PiggyBack Rye 6 Years! Exceptional French Lemon Drop! @Bittersweet Bistro Aptos CA Fri 12/27/24 read more

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With a set of cousins (annual reunion) I just enjoyed a most delicious hi-quality dinner with excellent service ... our appetizers, salads, entrees and deserts were devoured! BB is not inexpensive. read more

Great spot, fantastic bar. Love bringing the dogs and sitting in the patio. Blue cheese olives are hand stuffed.

I'm so fortunate that I was able to travel to Aptos and try Bittersweet Bistro! A family owned restaurant with amazing owners. Elizabeth is the BEST! Thank you for your hospitality, the servers were attentive and Cliff is an amazing bartender. We were a big group and we felt right at home. The pizzas made fresh every day were delicious (and the Togo boxes are so cute). Now for the best part, the DESSERTS oh my goodness, all super yummy. My favorite was the lemon tiramisu yum yum yum, the berries add a nice touch. I really can't wait to come back. Thank you all for everything. read more

Bittersweet Bistro - Pizza and friends are all we need in life! - New American Near Me - Aptos, California

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Bittersweet isn't just the best restaurant in Santa Cruz, it feels like family! The food here rivals (and honestly beats) some of the top spots I've tried in Vegas. The chef is always rotating the menu with the seasons while still keeping the classics we love. And let me just say--this is the only place in town that can make a proper martini. The energy and ambiance are unmatched. We love grabbing the seats at the end of the bar where you're right in the middle of all the action. The owners truly care about their customers and their staff, and it shows in every detail. Don't miss the oversized mousses (big enough for 3+ people), and some of my go-to dishes: the spaghetti and meatballs, the burger, caviar bumps, arancini, and honestly almost every salad they serve. I've never once left this place hungry! Santa Cruz is lucky to have a gem like this. PS Say hi to Cliffy the bartender when you are there! read more

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Meh - nice patio. Dogs allowed. Noticeably Weird vibe between owner and staff. Pretentious:

Amazing service, we had this one server that was pretty rude but the manager was very helpful on getting us a new one and we got this one girl and she was very nice and helpful, very friendly understanding and patient, the place was very nice and a dim peaceful calm vibe would definitely recommend for a date night with family friends or partner read more

Our experience here was wonderful. Yes it is pricey, but the food and drinks are exceptional! Worth it for a nice meal if you're in the area. read more

Bittersweet Bistro - Local Halibut Crudo. AMAZING. - New American Near Me - Aptos, California

We hosted my daughter's rehearsal dinner. The food was outstanding. The service was excellent. We were very pleased with the experience.

My bittersweet bill. The place had a nice ambiance, but they seem to be aiming for an upscale vibe with upscale prices, yet they have plastic chairs outside, which felt out of place. When we walked in, one waitress was arguing with another, saying, "Well, I have the most tables right now," which created a contentious environment. We ordered two appetizers, including a Burrata salad that was essentially just a whole Burrata with a bit of cucumber and lettuce underneath. For $20, the four of us each got barely a bite. The clams were okay, but nothing to write home about. My husband got an $11 mocktail, which was pricier than the $8.50 beer. For the main course, my friend ordered the piccata, and another friend had the short rib. Both dishes had the same sauce, which was basically a pool of sauce with a side of meat. It was unappetizing. My husband and I both ordered a $40 entrée, which consisted of three small scallops and a tiny portion of potatoes and spinach. We finished our meal in maybe five bites. The portion sizes were tiny for the high prices. Our total bill was $240. Next time, I'm going to Shadowbrook, where I can pay the same prices but actually have an upscale experience. Overall, I was extremely unimpressed with this place and won't be coming back. read more

Bittersweet Bistro - My 40 dollar scallops - New American Near Me - Aptos, California

food is good, but upscale pricing leaves a bad taste in your mouth. We've lived in the area for years, and remember fondly when Bittersweet Bistro was a goto restaurant. It was never cheap/affordable, but it was excellent food at appropriate/expected pricing for that level of meal. Post pandemic they lost our business due to low food quality and we stopped going. Well we thought we'd give them another chance since it's been several months, and we will again wait several months/years until we return. The food was "good" and nothing wrong, but the pricing was Napa/SF 5* level pricing for food quality and quantity was was only "regular nothing special" quality. Food = good (not great) Service = good (not great) Ambience = good Price/Value = I'm not that price sensitive and I was shocked/appalled at what this meal cost - and we eat out often The medium quality vs. "excellence" level pricing makes bittersweet a no-go for myself and my wife. it saddens me greatly. read more

My family loves the food here. The outdoor patio is lovely in Summer. However, the owner/hostess is incredibly rude and condescending. This sadly dictates how often we eat here. She openly treats her staff horribly. None of them look happy to be working there. While there are some regular staff, there is still a lot of turn over. I have two separate friend groups who will not give them their business for this very reason. We ate here last night. She scolded our waiter for doing his job, serving the patrons who pay really good money to be there. My nephew was fired from here many months ago for no reason. Whatever her name is should step aside and let Cliff run the place. read more

Chef is AMAZING! took my husband to dinner for his birthday we all ordered something different and tasted each others dishes. Come ready to spend money for very satisfying food. It's worth it! read more

Good service, ok drinks, great desert, good entrees, expensive, also hood appetizers. read more

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Summary: wide range of entrees, quality ingredients, pricey, large outdoor patio Details: Bittersweet has a gigantic outdoor covered patio; in fact, there are two. During summer 2022, almost everybody was eating outside -- it's loud! If you comfortable with it, you'll have a better experience inside. Cornbread: special starter. Filled with candied jalapeño, sweet pepper, and roasted corn. I enjoyed it but it's messy to eat. Cod: blackened with a hint of ginger. Served with sautéed spinach & au gratin potatoes. Light so perfect for a warm summer eve (which occasionally happens in Aptos). Solid dish worth getting again. Gnocchi: pesto truffle gnocchi with chicken, served with zucchini & squash. Can drop the chicken to make it vegetarian. Just the right amount of garlic. Seafood Puttanesca : a slew of seafood with fettuccini. The chili and anchovies gives it a good kick. Generous portion. Blackberry cobbler: special dessert. Very fresh. Large enough to share. One word: delicious. Another word: disappeared. The chef apparently used to be a pastry chef so the desserts might reason enough to try Bittersweet. Raspberry lime aid: a substitute for the normal strawberry lime aid and I think it might be even better. There's a wide variety of interesting mixed drinks and a solid wine list. Our server, Jacob, was helpful and engaging. When one of our dining party was worried about food allergies, he did the research. My chief complaint: price. Things in CA have gotten expensive but Bittersweet seems over the top. It's not for me to judge but it does keep me coming back as often as I might otherwise. read more

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This was the worst dining experience I've ever had. The owners treated us terribly. We took 9 family members for our holiday meal. The noise from another party was unbarable in that none of us could hear a word each other said, the wait staff couldnt hear us, making the meal a disaster. When we asked for accommodations the wait staff had attitude and when the managers finally came out, they told us several times "we don't care" When I got up to leave a large male manager boxed me in and threatened to call the Police. Then threatened my 81 year old parents that they would call the police. It was really odd at best and an absolutely horrible experience. None of us will ever go any where near that restaurant again. read more

I am a local and haven't been here for some time but my husband and I decided to give it another try and were hugely disappointed. Nothing we ordered was as stated in the menu. The carpaccio had no mustard or sauce of any kind, the tomato and burrata salad was soggy and tasted only of straight balsamic vinegar, and the burger tasted frozen. Ambiance is always pleasant but they were not busy at all. Service was good however my husband swears that he heard a server mutter 'bitch' under his breath as he left another table. All in all way too pricey for a horrible experience. read more

I'd come back again for the scallops entree and a glass of sparkling wine, but I'll pass on dessert next time. I'd also recommend sitting in the quiet inside rather than the loud and super noisy outside seating. So I think it'd be a more enjoyable place to eat if you chose to dine inside. While I usually prefer to sit outside, the outside patio at this place is sooooo loud. Like I can hear the people from across the room as if they are right next to me. And the people right next to me? Sounded like they were shouting at my table. I had a really difficult time hearing my date speak (and he was sitting right across from me). The inside was pretty dead (especially compared to the outside patio) when we went on a Saturday night, so I don't think you'd have trouble getting a seat inside. The patio is super dog friendly though, so you can bring Fido with you if you want to sit outside. I just would still recommend not bringing your pup so you can have a quieter dinner here. I ordered the pan seared scallops entree which came with sautéed garlic spinach and au gratin potatoes. I had to add some salt to the spinach, but I ate every last bite of my entire entree. It was a good portion size that didn't make me feel overly full. I will say the scallops are a bit dear in price coming in at $48, but there are lots of other price points for other entrees if that's an issue for you. I just really wanted the scallops and they were def delicious. I also got some sparkling wine which tasted very nice paired with the scallops. For dessert, my date and I shared the warm bread pudding. I was originally excited to try it because it's one of my fave desserts, but ngl, I didn't love it. It didn't even taste like bread pudding, nor did it have the right consistency and texture of bread pudding. It was kinda just some sweet tasting mush. Probz my least favorite bread pudding I've ever had. I did like the lemon seed poppy wafer that came with it though. Service was pretty standard. Nothing outstanding, but def good and timely in getting drinks and food. Overall, would come back again, but def recommend eating inside for a more enjoyable experience. read more

Bittersweet Bistro - Pan Seared Scallops and Prosecco - New American Near Me - Aptos, California

By far one of my favourite restaurants in Santa Cruz! This cute bistro just screamed summer dining. They had a pleasantly open space both indoor and outdoor with dainty lights to complement the night sky. I ordered the Truffle Chicken Gnocchi and the gnocchis felt like I was eating little pillows! So tender and chewy. I absolutely loved the nectarine salad as it was in season, there was so much flavour in every bite! The other dishes at my table were all well seasoned and tasty. The vegetarian wood fire pizza was probably the only one that was the least favourite due to the crust not upholding the toppings very well and the plain condiments used. As for dessert, we shared the chocolate mousse and dulce de leche cheesecake for the table and it was more than enough for all of us! My personal favourite was the dulce de leche cheesecake, but the mousse was just as good being so light and airy with a crunch of the waffle-like bowl it was served in. I would definitely come back and try this place again and explore their menu more! read more

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Good food, but ridiculously expensive. Market price for skirt steak at $59!! Yikes. 2.5 stars from me.

My 7 friends and I have been coming to Aptos for 35 years celebrating our friendship and staying on the beach for a week. First time at Bitter Sweet Bistro. Not crowded. Thursday night. We had reservations at 5 0'clock to enjoy the Happy Hour. After being seated in the restaurant we were told we could not have Happy hour. Only at the bar. We stayed and paid double for our wine and gin and tonics. Our waiter Shannon was very condescending with our group of over 65 age ladies. From the Happy Hour issue to the no pork belly being available. His demeanor could have been more friendly and helpful. We received our check for over $800 and of course we were left to our own devices to decipher what was service charges and tip ect. Instead of being helpful and reprinting our ticket so we could see what each one ordered, he made snide comments about why dont we venmo each other. He is not a good representation of a beautiful restaurant. Our food was outstanding. If we had seen the dessert martini first we would have never made it to the main course. They were the bomb. Sand Dabs were perfect also. Might come back...not sure. Been around the block so many times to be treated like we were idiots. read more

First time dining at Bittersweet Bistro! The Bistro has a gorgeous and welcoming ambiance, with a variety of seating areas, including a spacious dining room, exterior dining area, and a bar/lounge. All of which are pretty and comfortable. The menu was diverse and interesting. I was thrilled with my food choices. Everything was well-prepared and presented. Oh, and don't skip dessert! There were also fantastic. Last, but not least, the service was outstanding! Everyone we encountered (even if they weren't directly involved in our visit,)!was friendly and helpful. Can't wait to return. read more

The food was great, served at an appropriate pace and the bar tender (Cliff) is awesome!

Food was good. But the service was awful. Given the price point, the service should at minimum be very good. Among other things, we were told the wrong things about what was included in an appetizer and when I inquired that it was not the same as we were told, the response was the kitchen must have changed things up again. I hate being gaslit. We also had to open the wine ourselves because the wait staff was struggling with opening the bottle. The overall experience was subpar at best. There were four of us and we dropped nearly $450. A restaurant has to do better at that price point. I'd give it a one star except the food was good. For the price, I don't think I'll be going back. read more

The service was very good. The food was sparingly served. I had Rock Cod which was a small serving @ cost of $30.00. It was served with potatoes au gratin (hidden completely by the small fish portion) and spinach as a vegetable. Desserts, (my favorite part of any meal) were outrageously expensive. See photo. The portion again for the creme brûlée dessert was small but was garnished with sliced 1/2 strawberry and a raspberry. I will not be in a hurry to return. I stopped by to get fast food on the way home, to appease my hunger. Verdict: Overpriced. Don't go there if you are hungry after a hard days work. read more

Bittersweet Bistro - Desert Menu - New American Near Me - Aptos, California

We had our holiday Xmas dinner. The place was decorations were very festive. The service was top notch. The food was very delicious. We had a choice of chicken, steak or fish. I had the blackened fish, it was moist, delicious and very tasty! I loved it. Everyone loved their meal. Happy Holidays to you and your wonderful staff. read more

Outstanding to be seated comfortably and courteously be served. Sweet to the 3rd power. May the 4th be with you. ;) Temperature is great with non temperamental individuals. Space and lightning is a great comfort zone to enjoy a quick dinner. Thank you. read more

If you want to spend $200 for the most disappointing dinner for two, this is the place for you. The beef stroganoff was underwhelming but the slice of raw cold halibut was embarrassing. Even the waitress was ashamed of it. You'd think they'd comp a drink or a dessert or something for the trouble but nope. GFY customer. Have a nice night or whatever. Cool. Never again. Just about every restaurant in the area is better than this place. read more

What can I say but "Wow", this place is really great. It is one of my favorite places to eat for multiple reasons - I would come much more often in fact, if I lived closer than San Jose. I usually stop here after a relaxing day at Rio Del Mar State Beach nearby since it is just around the corner. But it is close to many places south of Santa Cruz, so I highly recommend trying it out when you are in the area. The place is gorgeous, both outside in the patio area, beautiful layout and beautiful decoration makes for a very relaxing place to hang out with friends and enjoy great food. The koi pool in the corner is very pretty as well as watching the fish swim. Outside is well lighted from the sun and surroundings, however there is enough cover to keep you in the shade during the summer and there are heaters to keep you warm during the winter. The inside is also very spacious with separate different areas with lots of room between tables so that you can have a nice dining experience with plenty of company and yet feeling in your own space. The bar is also very nice with vaulted ceilings and a beautiful bar. The food, drinks and dessert are all really excellent. There is an enormous selection of different foods of all types, pastas, appetizers, meats and fish as well as various seafood too. There's a huge cocktail menu including CBD options both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. The mocktails are well thought out and appetizing for those who don't want alcohol. There are many things I would recommend, but I really recommend the beat salad or the roasted brussel sprouts, the French onion soup, and the sesame crusted ahi tuna - You can't go wrong with any of these. But there are so many options that if you are in a good group of people, you can share and really enjoy a wonderful selection. The staff is always perfectly friendly and willing to meet your every challenge . Once again, one of my most recommended restaurants especially down in the Santa Cruz area. read more

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As 4 year residents of Aptos I admit we had never been to Bittersweet Bistro. Not sure why... lol Probably Covid for first 2 years we were here.. Anyway - We had dinner there tonight. As a couple who have both worked in design and architecture ... we are way more sensitive to the aesthetics of a space than 99% of folks. Lol That being said, I was redesigning the place in my head as we entered.. Where IS the entry..? The main dining room is warm and comfortable, although it is a dated design and doesn't feel as fresh or appealing as newer dining venues in Santa Cruz County. So. ... While I was HATING the mirror over the fireplace that clearly came from the set of "Ruthless People" with Bette Miller from 1982... We were immediately greeted by our server Camille - who I suspect may be an owner of the place. She clearly is a very experienced, gracious, funny, and invested person in this place. Lovely. And unbelievably intuitive. My husband wanted to order a cocktail and didn't know what one of the ingredients was... she said "hold that thought" and came back with the bartenders explanation and how those flavors work together for this particular drink. Pfff.. who does that.. ? Amazing. Because we hadn't been there before we decided to "jump" around the menu and try several things which we shared: Started with the beet salad which was a perfect combination of the earthy beet flavor, citrus, sweet nuts and absoluty fresh greens and pickled onions. Feta cheese and spicy vinaigrette dressing. Perfect. Burrata foccacia with honeycomb. House made foccacia with burrata and honeycomb fresh honey. Delish Fried Brussel sprouts I know this is a "thing" now at a lot of eateries.. but these were fantastic - just crispy enough, tender and probably best sprouts we've had in a long time. Arancini... The balls were cooked to perfection... Which is an art for this dish.. Nice and crispy and the flavors of the of the cheeses was not overpowered by the light marinara sauce.. perfect balance and served piping hot so not mushy! Moms meatloaf.. So this was highly recommended by several friends... and we're ole down home meatloaf lovers.. Ok.. this isn't my Moms meatloaf ... But.... it was a new and different experience and a very yummy 2nd ? to my Moms... Lastly.. I saw several reviews that indicated folks thought the prices were high.. Our dinner - 3 courses and 2 cocktails was $156 plus tip. Now keep in mind.. they have an EXCEPTIONAL wine selection ... I don't like it when a reviewer says "it was EXPENSIVE" And they don't mention the $300 bottle of exquisite wine they ordered! We felt it was an exceptionally fair amount to spend for the outstanding service, wonderful food and the ambiance... It is loud .. but it is filled with laughter and people enjoying... Only reason not 5 stars. It's a dated space aesthetically and the entrance and outdoor courtyard are just a lil tacky.. They need a good designer, a remodel in the dining areas to reduce noise and increase privacy for smaller tables around the perimeter... and just keep doing what they are doing! read more

Excellent service, great drinks, and the best romantic patio seating! I had the best steak of my life there a couple weeks ago for our anniversary. Bittersweet strikes a great balance between small-town/welcoming feel with upscale food and ambience. Bittersweet is a must-go for locals and visitors alike. read more

Great spot always! Food is delicious, environment is cool and quiet! Good service! Steak sandwich was good and tender, short ribs were good, Brussel sprout appetizer was really good! Gorgeous patio for nice days:) read more

Bittersweet Bistro - Steak sandwich photo almost too late! - New American Near Me - Aptos, California

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Food OK, $9.45, I.e. , 3% Bank charge. Food was delayed. Server was sweet. Everything mentioned was not her responsibility. We are used to eating at pricey restaurants, but this restaurant was gauging read more

Been going for years, and will continue to do so. Food is very good, but at some point, the price point is tough to justify. Good for them if they can get that pricing. but I find myself going less- I just don't see the value. Works for them, great! For me- when the rib eye costs more than it does at the house of prime run in SF, maybe time to skip it from time to time. read more

Have been going here for years! Always great food and ambience. Recently went with my husband and son. The food was awful. Very disappointed. Won't be going back. The service was good. read more