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Crow's Nest Restaurant

3.4 (2.7k reviews)
Closed • 7:30 am - 9:00 pm
Updated 2 months ago

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CROW'S NEST RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Happy hour specials
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - Crow's Nest Restaurant

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Kevin L.

Located right off the docks of the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, parking is limited and difficult to find. The ambiance was quite hectic and crowded. The upstairs was a pretty nice area though. I didn't stay long enough but it seemed like there was going to be live music playing too. Food honestly isn't bad. The fries were solid. Cripsy and soft. I really liked the Aloha Palmer. Overall Crow's Nest makes a solid gathering place for a big group of people.

Pear and Gargonzola Salad
Jeff T.

Santa Cruz has many great places to eat a nice dinner. Consider them all then eat at the Crow's Nest, our harbor goto for over 30 years. My partner, J does something similar with her entree selection. The steaks look good, our waitress suggests the Halibut with the Chardonnay Cream sauce served over polenta but after due consideration she orders the Sand Dabs. Again. As she always does. I enjoyed the Halibut and J the sand dabs but we ended up swapping plates to get both of us a bite of each entree. We brought in a Bargetto 2024 Viognier from an earlier in the day tasting which complemented both dishes and finished with a rich Ollaliebery pie slice ala mode. Pro tip: Get a window seat a couple of hours before dusk on a midsummer night and watch the boats entering the harbor at sunset. Who needs variety when the standards are served so well!

Prime rib sandwich
Stacey W.

I enjoyed the all you can eat salad bar while the rest of my family ordered entrees. We sat outside and looked out at the ocean and had a wonderful time. Everyone was happy with the meals. We continue to come here for the views and the salad bar. Bread and butter is also served at the table and the staff is friendly and attentive.

Birthday Mud pie!
Genie O.

5 star service and ambiance. 3-4 star food. They certainly have the location and are an old school marina restaurant. That means heavy woods, typical seafood, steak, crab cakes and salad bar menu. We had their complementary mud pie for a birthday - again good though not great. Ordered the grass fed rib eye burger, medium, but had to send it back for a re-do. Grass fed often comes out dry and this was no exception. But if you're paying $30 for a burger I figured we should be happy with it. Our server Gabriel agreed and the second one was much better. Gabriel was friendly, efficient and we certainly would ask for him in the future. Crab cake was decent, as was the salad bar. My martini was good sized and I made my own bleu cheese olives via the salad bar bleu which was a nice touch. I'd come back again to try out the Happy Hour and upstairs.

Eggs Benedict
Corinne J.

Visited for brunch with a friend around noon on a Sunday and was able to get a table outside on the patio. I want to acknowledge that we showed up during a rush period and it was clear that the servers were being sat multiple tables at the same time, so the service was slow. Typically I would be more critical of that experience because everything was delayed but our server was nice and we weren't in a rush. I love eggs Benedict and order it as much as possible and this one was solid. The eggs were fluffy and the hollandaise was well made. My friend really enjoyed the variety of the salad bar as well. All in all a good experience and I would visit again. I would give the experience a 3.5/5, so I'm rounding up.

Front
Jennifer D.

My boyfriend and I planned a little overnight getaway to Santa Cruz and stumbled upon this cozy hidden gem. The atmosphere was classy, relaxing, and the view was absolutely beautiful. The service was outstanding! I wish I could remember our server's name--she had shoulder-length dark hair and such a bubbly personality. We were there on Thursday evening (7/23/26). I think her name may have been Kaylie. She truly made our experience even better. The food was delicious! We both had the prime rib, and it was cooked perfectly. I'd rate it a 4.8 out 5 (only because a little too much fat)--very flavorful and definitely something I'd order again. Parking was a bit challenging, but that's honestly the only minor downside. If you're planning to visit, I highly recommend requesting a table on the patio. We didn't this time, but after seeing the view, we'll definitely do that on our next visit. Overall, it was a wonderful 5-star experience from start to finish. Thank you for a memorable evening--we'll definitely be back!

Junsheng X.

Came here to check out a well known spot near Santa Cruz. Great views as expected given its location, but it was overall disappointing Salad bar was great! But that's about where the story ends Got the special Prime rib and it was oddly tough and flavorless. Other people at my party for the swordfish, and it was...not great. Pretty expensive too so won't be returning personally

Aloha Palmer
Robert W.

We got there Sunday after 7pm for happy hour. I got an aloha palmer and smoked salmon. If you dont get these appetizers during happy hour you are blatantly getting ripped off. The taste of the smoked salmon was pretty good but it came in cubed pieces instead of the typical slices. The aloha palmer was refreshing and nice and the service was good! I just cannot in my good conscience direct people to this establishment because of its blatant price gouging, no matter how beautiful the view is from the deck.

WOW!! The restaurant downstairs was closed because it was like 3:15 PM and instead of waiting until 4:30 PM when they opened, we came upstairs to the Bar & Grill, checked the menu and decided "OK, well ... let's have a calamari & fries and eat dinner later". We had a window table with a beautiful view of the harbor entrance, and watched all the boats coming and going and took pictures and video as well. Melina our server was incredible. All the other staff are awesome. The food was fantastic, and now we don't even have to eat dinner so five stars thanks to all the Crow's Nest cast and crew and cooks!!! VERY highly recommended!! We will definitely be back and if the restaurant's closed, don't even sweat it. Come upstairs, it was great!! Sincerely, Lary James The Always Outdoorsman Shooting Sports Instructor Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun Free Firearms Safety Training Personal Protection Home Security & Defense Member: The NRA & CRPA / CRPA Silicon Valley https://home.nra.org/ https://crpa.org/ https://crpa.org/chapter/siliconvalleychapter-home/ Staff Advisor to: The Golden State Second Amendment Council https://www.gs2ac.com/ https://www.facebook.com/GS2AC See also: Steve Hilton for Governor https://stevehiltonforgovernor.com/ Liberty Forum https://liberty-forum.org/ Silicon Valley Association of Conservative Republicans Conservatives for Action https://www.svacr.com/ Bootstrappers Breakfast https://www.meetup.com/Bootstrappers-Breakfast-SV

Fish and Fries
Sarah G.

Everytime we go to Santa Cruz we stop here. I'm partial to the bar menu which is different than restaurant menu. Food-drinks-views never disappoint.

Chicken Azteca***

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Ask the Community - Crow's Nest Restaurant

Is friendly with service dog?

No it is not

Does the Crow's Nest offer validated parking?

No, they don't own the parking lot.

Does the downstairs dining room have a dress code for dinner?

Semi-Casual is best. I dont think you would be turned away for beach/casual attire but it is a more formal setting so at least semi-casual so you are comfortable

Do I need to make reservation for dinner or walk-in is available?

Walk in is available

During covid do they still have happy hour upstairs?

Yes.

Patio dining available?

They do have an "enclosed" (glass walled) patio to protect from the wind. They did currently seat inside also.… 

Does the Crows Next have an elevator to the second floor?

Yes

Do I need reservations for Sunday brunch? Party of 4...

If you don't have reservations it'll take you a little longer to be seated. But well worth it. But call

What is the difference between upstairs and downstairs and which has the live music?

Upstairs is the bar with live music. You can order and eat upstairs in the bar as well - a bit more casual, as you would imagine. . Downstairs is the "formal" dinning room.… 

Is the patio dog friendly?

No dogs allowed

How often do they have live music, if any?

http://www.crowsnest-santacruz.com/live-entertainment/

Does Crow's Nest have local craft beer on draft?

Yes, they have a decent selection

Are they open Thanksgiving Day?

Yes

Can anyone tell me if I am allowed to bring my dog to this facility?

I echo the prior service animal answer and I also saw a dog on the deck/patio during my visit. In summer months there is a weekly event every Friday with outdoor music and food so presume dogs are permitted on the Beach. Of course, your best and… 

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H&H Fresh Fish - 6/11/2023

H&H Fresh Fish

4.6(104 reviews)
0.3 mi
•$$

Cute hole in the wall. Harborside had the FRESHEST oysters and YUMMIEST tuna poke…read more 10/10 would recommend

Very small fish market in the harbor where all the boats park, right underneath Johnny's Harborside…read moreSeafood Restaurant. Even though small in size, at least they focus and value the local catch. To that I had to show my interest. I saw they opened a newer store in north Santa Cruz in a new and hip retail complex called The Swift Street Courtyard. That one seems to be more geared toward prepared foods/product as that complex is a food and drink destination, breweries, wine tastings and coffee shops all around. This one is mostly a raw fish market. Mostly filleted and pan-ready items. Not sure if you can request a whole fish here but my guess is you can if you establish a correspondence with the employees. But in a small cooler up front they also have some prepared seafood items ready to grab n go. They have tuna poke, some ceviche, and some smoked salmon deviled eggs. They may have more things but the slowish day I went, that seemed the selection. Rockfish Ceviche ($14/4*) my receipt said halibut ceviche but the container label said rockfish. Not sure what I got but the nice chunks of fish were nice and whitish from the citrus cure, clean and meaty. Which ever I got, it was delicious. There was sliced raw onions, cucs, tomato, jalapeno and cilantro which made for a standard but satisfying ride. Everything was in nice big chunks which I tend to like more than when Mexican places finely chop it to where you can't really identify anything anymore. Only thing I wished I had access to were some squirts of hot sauce and some tortilla chips. But since this wasn't a sit-down resto situation I had to make due. Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs ($8/3.5*) You only get 3 halves so basically an egg n a half. I think they should give at least 4 halves to even things out if being shared. But the smoked salmon is beaten into the yolk mixture so you can't really see or identify it. Upon chewing the deviled egg, you will taste a smidge of smoked salmon. It's not strong or in your face but it will remind you that something else is there. I wished it were more identifiable or obvious, but it was still pretty tasty especially with the hits of tobiko. They had one of my favorite Asian brands of iced green tea which was a nice surprise. And after swimming and lying around on the hot beach down the street, this made for a refreshing snack break. Even though I wished there were better seating and amenities this filled a void on a weekday when the restaurant upstairs was closed. Nice find and I'll try and buy some local fish from their market next time I'm around. And I sure as heck am gonna try their newer and more visible location.

Photos
H&H Fresh Fish
H&H Fresh Fish
H&H Fresh Fish - Pacific Oysters

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Pacific Oysters

Hook & Line - Beautiful presentation on the oysters, were a touch creamier than I go for.

Hook & Line

4.1(143 reviews)
1.5 mi

In town visiting and used trusty Yelp to find a spot to eat in the area. This place did not…read moredisappoint. From the service to the ambiance and not to mention the food. Drool!! I definitely want to come back next time I'm in town. Check this spot out if you like good seafood and a chill vibe. The ceviche had a nice kick to it which made it yummy. Although I think they could have provided more tortillas with it. They only give two halves of a tortilla for a large dish of ceviche. Mussels...just get it. You won't be disappointed.

If you're headed to Santa Cruz and craving a memorable dine,…read moreHook & Line should be first in line. One of the few spots where people actually dress to impress, Perfect for date night or celebrating life's success. The cocktails were stellar, I couldn't resist, The Emerald stole the show and topped my list. Bright, refreshing, with green chile bringing a gentle spicy kiss, Balanced so well, it's hard to miss. Three kinds of oysters, fresh from the sea, Briny, clean, and as fresh as can be. The tomato & pluot salad sourced from the farmers market stand, Summer on a plate, crafted by a thoughtful hand. The Brussels sprouts were among the best I've had anywhere, Every flavor complemented the next with care. The risotto was garden fresh, light, and bright, The kind of summer comfort that gets everything just right. But save room, don't call it a night just yet, The dessert is one you won't forget. Homemade vanilla ice cream with olive oil and sea salt on top, One magical spoonful, and your heart might just stop. A few tips before you make your way: Reserve ahead, tables don't usually stay. They also have a happy hour that's worth checking out too, Whether it's a special occasion or fun with friends, this place delivers through and through.

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Hook & Line - Dining area

Dining area

Hook & Line - The most delicious ice cream ever maybe olive oil?

The most delicious ice cream ever maybe olive oil?

Hook & Line - Yummy cocktail!

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Yummy cocktail!

Riva Fish House - On the iconic Santa Cruz Wharf, Riva has been Dishin' fish since 1981!

Riva Fish House

3.6(1.6k reviews)
1.0 mi
•$$
Locally owned & operated
Outdoor seating

4 stars for food. They just magically has everything I like, the Fish and Calamari both in one a…read moredish (never seen that before), yummy cup of clam chowder for $7, plus replace fries for a lightly coated coleslaw. Calamari here is not ring so minus one star. 5 stars for service: our great and wonderful Nicole server was fast, caring and love her customers. You can just tell by the little details she does 5stars for the epic views and check out their restroom too, a nice surprise haha (RV trailer size) Best on the pier

One of the old school players doing the mandatory seafood on the municipal wharf in Santa Cruz…read more Pretty touristy (as it should) but I also sensed a good amount of locals just out for a good time. Nothing fancy or cutting edge here. But imo these are the kind of old school seaside joints that many inland seafood places try to recreate. This is the actual model places like Red Lobster, the now defunct Fish Market and Market Broiler bases their businesses on. *food for thought* Crab Cakes ($16/4*) Served with pickled onions and remoulade right on top. At first I thought the crab cakes were too bready, like a decent amount of bread crumbs in the crab mix to bind it. The texture was very smooth and more paste-y than crab shreds in texture. So my first initial bites I was ready to start not liking the dish. But after the 3rd/4th bites I realized that it wasn't all that bad and that most crab cakes are made in this fashion more than not. Unless you go to a hella expensive resto where they can use lump meat without hezzy. The crab flavor was indeed there, and the seasoning was spot on. And the mushy texture was really helped by the pickled onions which gave each bite a brightness and crunch. I think ALL crab cakes should be served with pickled onions. Yet I hardly ever see it. Great move on their part. Grilled Halibut ($30/4*) I chose this simple prep cuz I love local fresh seafood done simply so I can appreciate the freshness of the fish. It was grilled ok over coals but did get a bit dry as halibut is so lean, kinda like grilling pork chops. I think they should baste the fish with some oil/butter while it is grilling. It keeps the fish moist during that dry method of grilling. They do offer like 8 sauces to choose from to pair with your fish. I chose a Picatta sauce that was butter, garlic , parsley, lemon and capers. And theirs was light and fresh and when poured over the grilled fish just totally absorbed into that fresh halibut. I even sensed a bit of anchovy umami in that sauce which I found very effective. Had a glass of Chardonnay with the food which was very complementary. Then finished with an Irish Coffee as I was too full to eat anything else. I should have called out for Jamesons whiskey tho, as I think I got their well version. Not as smooth as Jamesons which is usually my go-to. Still an above average seafood outing in a seaside town. Service was proper with really good timing on coursing. I hate when a course arrives when you're still in the middle of a soup or appetizer. Riva I came in not expecting much but I left more impressed than not. I would come back for another round.

Photos
Riva Fish House - New Riva Special! Mussels Barracho

New Riva Special! Mussels Barracho

Riva Fish House - Riva's Famous Beer-Battered Calamari!

Riva's Famous Beer-Battered Calamari!

Riva Fish House - Local artist Jeff Owen's beautiful fish dancing in the sea breezes on the Santa Cruz wharf!

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Local artist Jeff Owen's beautiful fish dancing in the sea breezes on the Santa Cruz wharf!

Harbor Cafe - Spicy Machaca

Harbor Cafe

4.4(1.7k reviews)
0.4 mi
•$$

There was a short line when we arrived, but they do a great job of keeping things moving and…read moregetting people seated quickly, which we really appreciated. The food here is always fun, fresh, and consistently good. We shared the carnitas omelette with sourdough toast, and it was excellent--lots of flavor and a perfect start to the morning. We also had a couple of Irish coffees, and the homemade whipped cream definitely put them over the top. Another huge plus is the dog-friendly patio. Our little guy Milo was very happy to join us for breakfast--and maybe even happier when some bacon came his way. Great food, friendly vibe, efficient service, and a patio where we can bring the pup. We'll definitely keep coming back!

Yelp Elite Review: Where the Coffee Is Bold & the Stories Are Even Better…read more Some restaurants serve breakfast. This place serves breakfast with a side of Santa Cruz history. This spot has been around for years, and when my boys were younger, we would come here after a day at the beach. It has gone through a few owners over the years, but the improvements they've made are awesome. The place still has that classic beach-town chill--lots of laughter, good food, and people enjoying life. Parking? Let's just say Santa Cruz and parking have never exactly been best friends. But once you get inside, you have the choice of indoor or outdoor seating, and it's worth the effort. One of my favorite things about this place is the history. For years, a group of local fishermen have been coming here. Two of them are still regulars, sitting around telling fish stories. And if you know fishermen, you know those stories have probably gotten a little bigger every year. My wife and I split the all-meat omelette, and it was delicious. They also do a fantastic job with the hash browns--crispy, hearty, and exactly what you want with breakfast. The coffee deserves its own paragraph. Bold, flavorful, and strong enough to make you believe you can conquer the day. Our server was wonderful. She has worked here since graduating from high school, and you could tell she genuinely cared about taking care of people. Friendly, positive, helpful, and the kind of service that makes you want to come back. There's a wonderful selection of food, but honestly, part of the experience is simply being there. You can almost feel the decades of stories in the walls--families, fishermen, beach days, laughter, and countless cups of coffee. This isn't just a place to grab breakfast. It's a place where Santa Cruz history is still being served--one omelette, one cup of coffee, and one slightly exaggerated fish story at a time. Yelp Elite approved! #YelpElite #SantaCruzEats #SantaCruz #BreakfastInSantaCruz #BeachTownVibes #SantaCruzFoodie #Breakfast #Omelette #HashBrowns #Coffee #LocalFavorites #CaliforniaEats #FoodAndMemories

Photos
Harbor Cafe - The open kitchen area

The open kitchen area

Harbor Cafe - Carnitas omelet

Carnitas omelet

Harbor Cafe - The outdoor seating

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The outdoor seating

The Water Street Grill - complimentary fried mash potatoes

The Water Street Grill

4.1(845 reviews)
1.6 mi
•$$

We were (desperately) looking for a restaurant to have dinner with our kids & young grandchildren…read morewhile visiting the Santa Cruz area. We were told at a place we had previously chosen it would be an hour wait, I called Water Street Grill and the young woman who answered the phone told us no problem!, we will have your table ready. It's a small place but, oh my gosh, the food and the hospitality were amazing. Our hostess was an absolute gem! Thank you Zayda, for a wonderful dinner. You are a gem! If you're are debating about eating here - have dinner here! It's a cozy, relaxing atmosphere with great food and wonderful hospitality!

The water street grill was a nice little hole in the wall. It is quite small but in a cozy way…read morerather than cramped. The service was excellent and the servers make sure you are well taken care of all the way through. However, some of the food items were hit or miss. We started off with the calamari appetiser which for 18 dollars was a bit disappointing. It was greasy and a bit chewy, lacking flavor as well. Then we ordered our mains which were the garlic steak with asparagus and mashed potatoes and the new york with prawns, asparagus, and roasted potatoes. The new york was beautifully cooked however the garlic steak was slightly overcooked yet still marinated wonderfully. The mashed potatoes were really good but the roasted potatoes were rather gummy and a bit lukewarm. The asparagus were some of the best we've ever had. We also ordered a side of garlic bread with mozzarella but it was more akin to a ciabatta bun with shredded cheese on top. Overall some of the food was incredible, and some was lacking, but the service was amazing.

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The Water Street Grill - Pretty restaurant

Pretty restaurant

The Water Street Grill - New York Steak and Shrimp

New York Steak and Shrimp

The Water Street Grill - Skirt Steak Dinner

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Skirt Steak Dinner

Johnny's Harborside - The broth alone is a flavor bomb, with fresh halibut, stone clams, mussels, rock shrimp, and plenty of Dungeness crab, and garlic bread.

Johnny's Harborside

3.6(1.5k reviews)
0.3 mi
•$$
Locally owned & operated
Wheelchair accessible

I will give this great place a 5 star rating is because the food is amazing! I stopped in to get…read moresome great food. I asked for a burger (they are amazing) and a side of fries. I asked to get a small portion of fries and salad like I usually do (they would split the portion so it's smaller for each) and the chef/manager denied it. I spoke to him mentioning how this has not been an issue over the past year I have been coming here. The guy asked me to sit down at a table with him to explain portion sizes and the guy had slurred speech and an extremely strong smear of liquor radiating from him. I asked if he is on the clock and he said I will be in a few minutes. Doesn't seem like a good idea to be wasted at work. This guy has created some very good tasting foods (hence why I like to return) and the prices are reasonable. The owner is a super sweet gal and you can tell she's pouring her heart and soul into this spot. It has a perfect view of the harbor while you enjoy some good eats. Even though this guy was wasted today, it won't detour me from returning for the 5 star food flavors! He later came to my table as I am indulging in a burger that explodes with flavor and apologized for being brash. I shook his hand and told him there are no hard feelings. I complimented him on his menu, flavors of the foods, and told him we will still be coming in. Do come check this place out as you'll will leave impressed by the food if you know what good food tastes like.

We had a staycation in Scotts Valley, found this place and made my trip fantastic! We ordered 6…read moreoysters, Pan-roasted halibut, and Dungeness Crab Bucatini. All are above expectations. Price is affordable and it's the best value with great service and food. Ambiance is great it's playing World Cup and my dog enjoys seeing other dogs, they allow interior seating with dog too! If I have to pick one, I highly recommend Dungeness Crab Bucatini, they are generous with the crab meat. I'll definitely come again when I'm in the area :)

Photos
Johnny's Harborside - Bonito crudo taco, blue corn tortilla made with smoked marrow fat, marinated mango, salsa, diablo verde, oranges

Bonito crudo taco, blue corn tortilla made with smoked marrow fat, marinated mango, salsa, diablo verde, oranges

Johnny's Harborside - Fresh Oysters

Fresh Oysters

Johnny's Harborside - Filet Mignon Bone Marrow Taco!!! Delish!

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Filet Mignon Bone Marrow Taco!!! Delish!

Pete's Capitola - Iberico Pork Skirt "Steak"

Pete's Capitola

4.3(108 reviews)
2.8 mi

I stopped by for a drink on a hot Tuesday afternoon. I was absolutely committed to a seat right by…read morethe water and although Pete's doesn't have the largest volume of patio seating, all of it is right by the water. Since it was an off-time, I also had the whole patio to myself. I ordered the Garden Gimlet (which I finally learned with a hard G, like "gift"). The drink arrived ice-cold (which hit especially well on such a hot day in Capitola) with a balance of punchy fresh lime juice, delicately herbed syrup, and the classic botanical sophistication of gin. The drink also comes with a decorative edible flower. I don't know my flowers too well but of the two different flowers I had in the two gimlets I ordered, both had a very subtle licorice flavor (nothing at all close to jäger) and an herbaceous quality. Pro-tip: dip the flower in the drink for an even more complex experience. The drinks and the ambiance were both excellent but the service took the experience to the next level. I had the pleasure of being served by Erik, who is normally the bartender but was also my server today. He was extremely knowledgeable about the menu, and served a consistent and delicious drink each of my rounds. I certainly benefited from it being slow the afternoon I visited because I got some extra time to chat with Erik about some of the things on my mind that brought me to grabbing a drink overlooking the water in Capitola. Definitely say hi if you see him working sometime; he's a wise soul.

Great happy hour right on the water!…read more Took a day trip to Capitola and stopped by Pete's to enjoy the amazing weather and view. They have a solid happy hour menu with drinks, great for catching up or even just people watching! We shared the lobster roll, shrimp cocktail, and oysters. I enjoyed their dirty martini extra dirty, but I'm not sure what my sister ordered, but she enjoyed it as well. Service was attentive, and it was right before dinner service, so they made sure to share their specials of the evening. Can't wait to be back next summer to spend time on their deck again!

Photos
Pete's Capitola - The main dining room is full of light and doors and windows to the beach and ocean

The main dining room is full of light and doors and windows to the beach and ocean

Pete's Capitola - Tiramisu

Tiramisu

Pete's Capitola - Nice view!

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Nice view!

Crow's Nest Restaurant - newamerican - Updated October 2026

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