First time here. According to my friend, it used to be a Lyons restaurant. She ordered the special which was barbeque ribs with mashed potatoes and gravy with a few veggies. I had a garden salad with blue cheese and onion rings. The onion rings were great. The salad was just okay. I put too much dressing on it but that's on me. It's a big place with a full bar and didn't have many clients. We were there at 5:30. Went there after tried to go to East End Gastropub which was unexpectedly closed today. I think my tastes go towards the Gastropub and my friend's tastes go for the Capitola Diner. We both enjoyed being there together, chatting away. It wasn't terribly noisy like other places so we could have a nice conversation without yelling at each other. read more

Before I write this, I have to say that Alex is an amazing and hard working man. His service is always outstanding and he's always a pleasure to see whenever we would go in. The review below does not reflect Alex or the service he provides for Capitola Diner. Unfortunately the last few times my wife and I have visited Capitola Diner the service was extremely poor and makes me hesitant to give it another shot. We waited 47 minutes after placing our order (2 burgers and fries ) before we said screw it and left. I'm almost convinced the waitress working the dinner shift forgot to put in our tag. We weren't offered refills on our water and It was hard not to pay attention to her lack of attentiveness with the other tables around us. It sucks to write a review about a place that used to be your favorite spo, but it is what it is. read more

Stopped by here on my way surfing. It is a Diner, so I knew there would be a nice greasy breakfast waiting inside. The decor was diner like with lots of booths. It was clean and the booths weren't all torn up. I ordered the Joe's Special breakfast with country potatoes. It arrived in a reasonable amount of time and was very good. My buddy ordered the veggie omlette and devoured it, so it must have been good. The service was attentive but not annoying. Our server was really cool and did not rush us at all. He even kept the drinks filled while we just hung out & talked. Overall, the experience was very good and I'll be back. read more

Capitola Diner - Joe's Special - Diners Near Me - Capitola, California

This place is like a home away from home for me. The staff is friendly and welcoming. They always let me use the heater and know exactly what i want. Capitola diner feels like a local spot it has character and spirit. There are other places to get breakfast in town. A few of them are good as well they all have their quirks. What i like about capitola Diner is it feels like i am at a real persons restaurant, not at some plastic overproduced. i hop crap which feels like one step away from a matel play set. If you are in town or new give it a try as far as dinners go i feel its pretty good read more

This is our 3rd time eating her abs we were so disappointed. The service was incredibly awful and the food matched. Our waitress seemed bothered, didn't provide any place settings and never once came back to check on us. We needed refills on our drinks but didn't get any bc she never showed up. I orders the same thing I have the past 2 times and it was disgusting, no presentation or flavor. read more

So, so - just a mediocre place to eat. Service was a bit slow and the server didn't get my order right. Ordered steak tacos (very clearly) but received the steak nachos plater. The steak was good and the nachos plater was huge and tasty but I really didn't want to eat that much which is why I ordered two tacos. The server offered to replace it and I would have accepted if it didn't take so long to get the first order. My wife ordered the cheese burger which was hot and looked good but the burger meat maybe had fillers (mealy) and poor flavor. Anyway, an ok place but not likely to go back. read more

I remember coming to this spot way back when it was Lyons...or Sizzler...maybe both. Capitola diner is an unpretentious spot to come and sooth a hangover with decent food and a full bar. Yeah...they have a full bar. They have breakfast 24hr, and my wife swears by the breakfast enchiladas. Did I mention they have a full bar? read more

Capitola Diner - The breakfast enchiladas are AWESOME - Diners Near Me - Capitola, California

We usually order take out breakfast here to take to our doggie play date. Today was the 4th or 5th time. I felt I finally had to say something, since every time there was something wrong with our order. The food is good and they aren't big things so I just let it go, but after so many times I wanted them to know it is frustrating to not get what you order. First time we didn't get the toast, next time one whole dish was wrong, third and this time no added sour cream or cheese as requested and paid for. read more

The food was pretty good, but our server was terrible. She clearly hates her job and seemed very annoyed by all of her tables, honestly. Hardly spoke a word aside from asking what we wanted to order. Did not acknowledge or respond to a single one of our thank-yous. Once she brought out our food, she did not once check on us, for 30 mins. Returned only to give us our check. read more

The family went out to eat for lunch and my daughter ordered a French dip sandwich. The meat was literally green with a sheen. Way to old to serve someone. I will never risk my family's life here again. read more

We ordered from Capitola Diner via Door Dash for pickup at a set time. We specifically selected a time of 7:25, because that's when we could get there to pick it up. We got confirmation from Door Dash that the order would be ready for pickup between 7:30 and 7:35. When my husband arrived, the woman he spoke to rudely berated him for being so late. He was right on time. The woman told him that the order had been ready since 7:00, so apparently they totally ignored our requested time The food was just ok, and it was cold, because our requested time was ignored. Horrible, rude service, mediocre food. Will not go back. read more

The food is so amazing It's like a Denny's but the service is horrible the waiters are slow and I think they are short on staff. There was 2 cooks who kept completing orders and ringing the bell. I watched my plate sit under a heat lamp for 15 mins. My food arrived before my glass of water and a waiter never checked on us or gave us refills. I had to ask for a staw 3 times. I wasn't upset this the waitress, I still tipped her but it's just a shame things aren't running well. Foods still good but expect a long wait even though the place isn't crowded Also don't sit at the booth closest to the restroom, it smells like sewer read more

I lovedddd this place. No wait. Friendly and fast service. We ordered bfast and it was just cooked to perfection. I loved how my over medium eggs was still runny, but fried edges gave it so much flavor. Toast was just right. Hash browns were crispy. Bfast should be easy to prepare, but I'm surprised how often I get disappointed. This place was a refreshing change. read more

Great service and amazing food! My husband is a chef and VERY picky! Passed his test! The croissant sandwich was fresh and delicious and my husband's breakfast for dinner was equally perfect! We also shared the Capitola app platter. The homemade zucchini was divine. Our new spot! Our server was attentive and had a great sense of humor and took great care of us! Wish I'd gotten his name! read more

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Solid brunch. Great menu with easy options to add pancakes, sides without adding another full entree. Very reasonable price for what you get. Parking. No wait at 11am on Sunday. Excellent local business. read more

EDIT: There is now a change of business owner form up in the front door window. So this place is about to change. This is a locally owned diner that has some unique quirks. It's located directly across from capitola mall in the same strip mall as an hr block and a dollar store. As such the parking close to the diner is for practical terms, unlimited. The full name of this place is the capitola diner and sports bar. Way back in 2013 the original owners wanted to make this a full sport bar thing with live bands and whatnot. Unfortunately they got into some trouble by not getting the correct permits first and so that plan fell by the wayside. Still has a decent bar area, but it's more diner then bar. The space has the usual tables and booths common to diners and the aforementioned underutilized full service bar counter. There is no outside seating. The booths are kept up quite well and are comfortable. The menu has a lot of choices-breakfast all day (of course) along with the expected daily specials. The latino selections-taco's burritos etc. are very well made. The shrimp tacos we had (it's a daily special) had full size shrimp prawns. Three per taco. That was unexpected and gives the shrimp taco a whole new dimension of awesomeness. The place wasn't overstaffed-we came in after the lunch rush(if any) at 1 pm or so, and both employees were fully committed to the three tables that were present. The service was good verging on great, we were well attended on food and drink, but was a small delay with the check. No biggie, but if there had been six tables that could have swamped them. The pricing conforms to the area, you are looking at 15-20 dollars a plate. The happy hour however, is a great deal offering beer on tap (domestic) for 2.50 a pint which is a real bargain. The bar bites offered with this are all the greasy half price goodness you could want (full size shrimp tacos!) The michelada con camerones is truly magnificent, practically a meal by itself. Do note that there is no dedicated bartender, so the waitstaff will be making your drinks. the beer/wine/well drinks options are not spectacular but are very agreeable with the better then expected food choices. Overall this is one of the better diner options available. read more

Capitola Diner - Soon enough there will be a new business here - Diners Near Me - Capitola, California

This is my GO- TO spot never disappoints! Great service & quality food must try!! It's amazing !!! Attention all food enthusiasts! If you're craving a mouthwatering experience, look no further than the Chicken Pesto Philly Cheese -Steak (shown as steak on menu but it's elite with all chicken!!)  at Capitola Diner on 41st Ave. Trust me, it's a game-changer! Picture this: tender, juicy chicken loaded with gooey cheese and perfectly sautéed peppers and onions, extra pesto inside, all nestled in a soft, toasted roll. But here's the kicker - ask for a side of their special pesto sauce to elevate the flavors to new heights. You won't be able to resist drizzling it over your fries - a match made in culinary heaven! And let's talk about consistency - every visit to Capitola Diner guarantees top-notch service from the most humble owners in town. Their prices are unbeatable, and the quality of their food speaks volumes. Whether you're a regular or a first-timer, you'll be treated like family from the moment you walk in. Trust me, one bite of their Chicken Pesto Philly Cheese Steak, and you'll be hooked for life. Don't miss out on this flavor sensation - head to Capitola Diner on 41st ave today and prepare to have your taste buds blown away!! read more

This has become our go to spot on Friday nights lately. We want to support local businesses during this pandemic and we are glad we started coming here. The place is clean and set up nicely for social distancing. The food is great diner food. Not too greasy, but greasy enough to fulfill that craving. We tried the grilled cheese, patty melt, tacos and ribs the last couple of times. Great portions, friendly service and again tastes awesome . We wish we would have found this place a year ago when we moved here. We'll continue to come back and support. Come check it out! read more

The service and food are consistently amazing, and I love taking my family here on the weekends. The food is reasonably priced, and the coffee is so delicious. The food choices are very good also consisting of traditional Mexican and American dishes. read more

I was in the mood for some quick and greasy food one Saturday night. Capitola Diner was a nearby option that was still open. Curiously though, there's no link to a business website and the most recent reviews are pretty poor. However, it turned out surprisingly good! I immediately got excited when I saw "ALL DAY BREAKFAST" written on the specials board outside. My boyfriend and I arrived as soon as another elderly couple were about to leave. We were the only ones dining throughout our entire meal. Service wasn't bad at all, but I could see how it could potentially be bad had it gotten any more busy. It's not really a sports bar, but that's not important. Prices were decent--we both got breakfast specials for about $10 each, enough to satisfy our appetites. Overall: Don't be deterred by the reviews! Try it especially if you like breakfast food. I'll probably come back to try their weeknight dinner specials. read more

Capitola Diner - Meat lovers omelette and the breakfast special thing - Diners Near Me - Capitola, California

We're in from out of town and stopped in for dinner. Greatly enjoyed our meals and the friendly service. The menu is extensive so there was plenty to pick from. Dinner salads were fresh, not bagged lettuce. Food was well-prepared and tasty. Our server was attentive and friendly. There weren't many people here but there should be! We felt like we found a hidden gem and will be back next time we're in town. read more

We were up in the area wasting some time and decided to stop for a bite. It wasn't very busy but we were in need of some lunch. It was a little dark and in need a facelift inside but it was ok. Service was good. I noticed that every customer that walked in after us was a regular as the staff knew them by name. Glad to see how friendly they were. We started out with guac and chips. I don't know if it's because avocado's are from California, but this was really great guacamole. My husband isn't much of a guac eater but he even liked it. I chose one of the lunch specials of cajun tilapia with rice and beans. Had a good flavor but a little overcooked. Oh well. You win some, you lose some. Overall everything was ok for our lunch visit. read more

Capitola Diner - Cajun tilapia with rice and beans - Diners Near Me - Capitola, California

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This diner is outstanding. The food is generously portioned, absolutely delicious and home-style, just like if your mama was cooking for you. The menu boasts a little bit of everything, but the breakfasts... YUM! The staff is very courteous and on point and the diner itself holds a certain vintage-style all on its own. Great for large parties, and there's a delightful Kids Menu. I eat here at least once a week. PS: there's even an adorable little bar that's great for unwinding after a trying day of work! read more

I have been coming here for many years, but this last year has been the best. The food is delicious and portions are very generous. The service is outstanding!! Staff is always cleaning and sanitizing. Hand sanitizer are located at each table. I highly recommend it..! read more

Alex is amazing, cheerful and genuine. He's a good worker and should be given a raise for his dedication and loyalty with his customers

If you come eat here you should ask for Sabina she is a very nice / best service waitress. I come here only for her service. The food does take a while to come out but you won't be disappointed. read more

This is a true hidden gem. Let the others have iHop,this place is special...with a whole page ofenu for dessert. staff is.so tolerant,happy,considerate and kind. They are ADA Compliant,and.make.things comfy for all. The owner works tirelessly,creating,good,fresh, local when possible, resources. Thank you Capitola Diner for taking good care of us today. On hospice and.last meal in public, you made it nice. Cynthia? Cinderella to me. They all go above & beyond and so gracefully. Go or miss out. read more

Capitola Diner - Garden Salad,no cheese,house made ranch & best potato skins Full bar . They take care of all in a great way. Best dinner in Capitola! - Diners Near Me - Capitola, California

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Old-school diner. But the prices are right in the food is good! If you're on a budget I recommend going here! I got a Belgian waffle two eggs and a side of bacon for $10.99! read more

Capitola Diner - Belgium waffle, two eggs and bacon for $10.99, you can't find that anywhere down days! - Diners Near Me - Capitola, California

Our new favorite breakfast spot! Great service, delicious food and fair prices. We got a mocha, breakfast quesadilla and the chicken fried steak breakfast. read more

Capitola Diner - Breakfast quesadilla, chicken fried steak - Diners Near Me - Capitola, California

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I have been coming here for almost 4 years and the service at night has gone down much it's sad. We sat for almost 30 minutes before we ordered. I ordered a skirt steak salad you would think there would be like other things than just skirt steak and lettuce well i was super wrong. It's literally lettuce dressing and skirt steak. The waitress couldn't remember for the life of her who ordered what. Do not come here unless you don't want to have crappy service and ok food. read more

Capitola Diner - Diners Near Me - Capitola, California

I got the croissant breakfast sandwich delivered through door dash. It was soooo good. read more

Capitola Diner - Croissant breakfast sandwich - Diners Near Me - Capitola, California

Went here for breakfast before leaving for SFO and our flight home. Great place with awesome breakfast. I had a Breakfast Croissant which was awesome. One of the best breakfast we had during this visit to the US. read more

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When traveling to any town or city I always have to try new food places as that's how I remember my time there most! Our food came out really fast and did not disappoint! Definitely will return! read more

Great service Great food! Under appreciated spot! Love coming here with my son for some good breakfast and great people! read more

Nice atmosphere and good service. The food is okay for a diner but isn't the best. It's a little under seasoned and not too flavorful.

I I love eggs Benedict. So far this place has the best eggs Benedict. They also have hashbrowns. I can't never find places that have hashbrowns. This place is quiet old friendly restaurant. This place really needs to be updated. read more

Capitola Diner - Diners Near Me - Capitola, California

Came here for breakfast and we had French toast, California omelet and a BLT with fries. The waiter was very nice but service was slow and the food was average. The name has "sports bar" in it but it has the feel of an old diner and I didn't see many tvs. Some of the steak dishes are pricey but there is a senior discount available! read more

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I've been patronizing this restaurant since it was Lyons franchise back in the day. It's nice to have a diner in the area but we have always had a problem with the service. I went in yesterday and essentially it's a Hispanic restaurant at this point. I have nothing against that but the service totally sucked. The couple that came in after us got their order taken first by another server and we waited and waited for the female server to finally come over and take care of us. When she eventually did bring the food she left off the side from the hamburger. She never came back to check on us to make sure everything was okay. This is the last time that I will patronize this restaurant. read more

Amazing service! The made a private patio and a front patio seating area AMAZING can't stress it enough . Over all the food was amazing. Will be definitely coming back. read more

My teenage son and I have had a lot of fun meals here-- Always greeted warmly, seated promptly, and well taken care of by the excellent staff. There is something for everyone on the menu, breakfast served all day! it looks like they have a full bar as well. There is plenty of space and a nice outdoor dining option. One star off for margarine instead of butter with the pancakes (that could have been a one time thing). Thanks Capitola Diner for a great experience every time read more