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    Discretion Brewing

    4.2 (458 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 3 weeks ago

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    DISCRETION BREWING ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Live music
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Classy

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    Recommended Reviews - Discretion Brewing

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    Hops.
    Dave S.

    Let's update. I haven't drank here since Covid started. It's still great, some smooth tasting brews and the food is still delicious. I don't get out this way much anymore but Discretion Brewing is a must stop for me. Last word...relax.

    James F.

    We've been here a few times and, even though they have the narrowest parking spots on planet earth, they have a fun vibe and some tasty, creative brews. I also really dig their outdoor space. Last weekend, we dropped by again because we were in the neighborhood (at Target). We really enjoyed our conversation with the bartender and one of the brewing assistants. They were willing to make recommendations, pour samples, and talk about the beers. I haven't eaten much here, except for the olives- which make the perfect, salty beer snack- but heard a few compliments on the food from other patrons on their way out. Another great brewery in the Santa Cruz-Capitola area that's worth checking out.

    Beer Menu
    D.wight L.

    Pretty darn solid brewery in Soquel/Santa Cruz area. More inland, so more locals than tourist. Looks like they invested and built the facility for themselves with a metal barn-like building for the tap room and brewery, equipt with solar energy to power their operations. Their outdoor area is much more impressive than their indoors and seems 85% of the action happens out there. There's table seating, counter seating and communal benches, most are under a cover. Lots of dogs and locals, you can just feel the buzz of the community here. I only did a quick sampling of several beers here as I had plans to eat in the neighborhood for dinner. But they do have a small menu with appetizers and sandwiches that looked really promising, and the pics prove that I'm going to have to try some on my next visit for sure. I loved their website before I even ventured in. It has their story in a concise manner and the way they describe their beers are very entertaining if not poetic and creative, which I have to pound my chest and nod to. Like they describe their Shimmer Pils as having "a shimmery depth, like light on a fathomless sea.' Lol. And their Ten Million Flower's Kolsh is called so because it took ten million flowers for bees to make the honey that goes into this brew. If James Joyce and/or Walt Whitman lived in this town, I could see them being patrons here. Their beer flight you can choose up to six from their current tap selection, which I think was around 16 taps. That's a lot, like it was hard in making a decision and it would probably take me at least 6 visits to get a full grasp/opinion on their body of work. They also have brews in cans in a fridge that may not necessarily be on tap. I went last summer and their current line up is much different than what was being offered on my visit. So FYI things are in a constant state of flow here, hope you're flexible and adventurous. If you get cans to-go, you can mix and match whatever flavors you want, which I thought was a nice bonus. I really liked 2 light brews I tried. The above Pils and Kolsh were remarkably light and crisp and clean. I liked the Kolsh a tad more, had more depth and uniqueness. Liked their Mosaic hopped Pale Ale as I like a strong hop presence, but I often don't want the malt and gravity of IPA's. I did try a couple of IPA's as well as most of my buddies are into them, and I had to bring something back. Also tried a Black Lager and that was pretty much true to style. I also bet that my tasting would have evolved and been more complete with some bites of food, but that'll just have to wait for the next out. Digging their style and their efforts, so an inevitable return is on queue.

    First of all the beer is really good, I especially like their hazys. Bit what surprised me was the incredibly good food! The ribeye sandwich was tender, juicy and flavorful. I want to know where they get that bread! The salami and burrata flatbread with the grilled zucchini was on point. Sauce so tasty and again the crust! Plus its on the large size. We also had the anti pasta plate, with those savory Italian cookies that I dipped in the light and airy buratta I was in heaven. Highly recommend stopping in for a bite!

    Barrel-Aged Good Faith, ABV 9%, IBUs 65 Pillowcase
    Rossana C.

    Very cool place to go with friends! My first time here and I really liked. The service is great, everyone was super friendly. I went there with my boyfriend and we had some beers. I got their Pillowcase, and it tasted super delicious. For food, we got their Pepperoni Pizza and Bruschetta Caponata. The pizza was pretty good but I didn't like the Bruschetta. It was cold and I just didn't like it. It's very different but maybe you can order and like it. Overall everything was great! I really want to come back in the summer. I think it's amazing to be at their patios enjoying the sun while having a beer. I'm looking forward to it!

    Alicia F.

    Add Discretion Brewing to your list when visiting Santa Cruz. Discretion carries 16 delicious brews on tap, has their own parking lot, ample outdoor seating, indoor seating, heaters for when necessary, clean bathroom, and sweet merch! What more can we ask for in a brewery, really? After a long day of drinking, I really don't remember what I had...(it was a good day). I want to say it was the good faith, strong ale paired nicely with a pepperoni pizza. I am seeing some not so great reviews on the Italian kitchen situation but I didn't have any issues with it. I typically don't expect much from a brewery kitchen in general. Will definitely go for a flight next time!

    The vibe was cool...music was great (mandolin/guitar). Glad we got there early to park. Meatball sandwiches didn't disappoint. State of Gold Lager and Shimmer Pils tasted good.

    Vegetarian flat bread
    Karen F.

    We're visiting from out of town, but if we lived in Santa Cruz we'd be regulars here. Have been here twice in the last two years and had the same experience both times; friendly staff, good beer, good food, nice ambience and a pretty outdoor seating area. Last time we were here we accidentally came on a free movie Monday, which was a fun surprise. Check this place out, you won't be disappointed.

    Outdoor covered seating with heat lamps
    Audrey S.

    High on my list of Santa Cruz breweries. Discretion's outdoor area is very spacious and weather-friendly. The beer and food are both very good. Service was helpful. We grabbed a seat out under the pop up tent outside. On a cold night they had plenty of space heaters and there was room to space out while still staying warm. We ordered a stout and a bourbon barrel aged tripel. Both were great, but the tripel was the winner. So delicious, and strong without tasting overly so. Appreciate the vegetarian food options. We had the veggie antipasto and it was yummy and healthy. A very solid choice for a beer out in SC.

    Good choice Daddy! Big Dipper Golden Ale!
    Rawley D.

    My last review was in 2015. And another great time out! Best craft beer in Santa Cruz county!

    Morgan M.

    It had a vey calm atmosphere. I have been here a few times and I have always had good food!

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    1 month ago

    Great pizza, nice seating outside in the shade. Made for a relaxed place to sit and visit with friends.

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    9 months ago

    The Best brewery food in Santa Cruz. The beer is great too. Love this place, and love their beers, but please make the Saison year round.

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    1 year ago

    virtually every beer they make. I enjoy great people, friendly attitude and amazing beer

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    Page 1 of 12

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    Lillian's Italian Kitchen

    (3k reviews)

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    One of the best restaurant experiences I've had. I'm not even talking about the food although it…read morewas amazing! We arrived on a Sunday night maybe an hr before closing. Wait was 20 mins. After we got seated we quickly ordered. We had a mixture of lasagna, ravioli, and a sea bass lemon risotto. Food was incredible. But what I want to emphasize is the service. I mean WOW. From the moment I got there, everyone was super kind and welcoming. I didn't get her name, but the beautiful young lady who was all tatted, she made our experience so memorable. She came over constantly to check on my family and I. She made it so personable. This was our last dinner before heading home on our vacation and we hope to return. Thank you for the hospitality.

    Walking into Lillian's, my first impression was its romantic, dimly lit atmosphere. The employees…read morewere attentive, informative about the menu, and made the whole experience feel welcoming. In my opinion, this is one of the better restaurants in Santa Cruz. Black Truffle Stuffed Gnocchi ($25): This dish was creamy and so delicious! The gnocchi was cooked perfectly, and the tomatoes gave it a fresh, nice touch. My only complaint is that the portion size is a bit on the smaller side. Sunday Gravy ($25): This dish included Italian sausage, spare ribs, beef, and pork, served with rigatoni pasta. I loved how meaty it was, yet it didn't feel heavy. Some pastas leave you feeling weighed down after eating, but not this one. It could have used a little more seasoning, but overall, it was a solid dish.

    Tramonti

    Tramonti

    (1.1k reviews)

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    A family owned and operated restaurant! Our table of 4 was lucky enough to snag a same-day…read morereservation. Highly recommend booking ahead! This spot was packed with locals, even late into the night at 9 PM. We'd read some reviews about slower service, but our experience was smooth. The team is attentive, kindly flag them down and have some patience, they're managing customers both indoor and patio diners. We had our orders ready before being seated, which helped moved things quickly. Water refills came without asking, & we received our orders in a timely manner. However we did notice if you ordered an oven baked dish--pizza, calzones. Those took much longer. They seemed to be an establishment that liked serving all the orders at once so be prepared to wait. Onto the food! Seriously the most delicious pastas and sauces I have had (and I am an absolute pasta snob)!!! Ranked from best: Gnocchi Tricolore ($28) Trofie Al Pesto ($28) Spaghetti & Meatballs ($29) Prawns Diavola ($21) Gnocchi Tricolore was absolutely perfect! Texture on point, not mushy, tender al dente. The sauce amazing compliment to the pasta, I've never had both pasta and sauce be stars of the whole dish. The Trofie Al Pestowas unique and a fun twist! It swept up the pesto well with its coils. Spaghetti & Meatballs was a comforting classic with tender meatballs. Prawns Diavola were good, but more standard. Bacon-wrapped shrimp with a smaller portion for the price ($21 for 5 pieces, though we did appreciate the extra piece thank you!!) Overall one of the BEST spots in town I would come back to Santa Cruz solely for this restaurant.

    Had dinner here today with friends who wanted to check out my son's newish town (first year at…read moreUCSC).... Pros- flavors of each dish were quite tasty. We had six people in total and all together ordered the short rib ravioli, seafood stew, spaghetti and meatballs, roasted beets, French onion soup, potatoes with dip, a salad and a pizza. My favorite bite was the lasagna. The top had nicely melted and crispy cheese... very good! I also enjoyed the crispy potatoes with dip. The French onion soup didn't have a lot of color, but it still had a very distinct and tasty flavor. Outside of the food, the restaurant has a great outdoor area that's dog friendly! There is also a nice sized private parking lot. Oh, and if you pay in cash, there's a discount! Cons- I was craving spaghetti and meatballs, it just sounded so good to me! This was I think it's the first time I've ever ordered it at a restaurant (usually make it at home!) while I thought the dish had good flavor, I felt the pasta was slightly overcooked. It was not al dente... the meatballs also didn't have a lot of color, so that was disappointing. The seafood stew a friend ordered was small. She said it was good, but we overheard someone at a different table say that the stew used to be huge and it currently is not... Coloring... typically color equals flavor, so it was odd that several dishes had little coloring, but they did still taste good! Some things I didn't care as much for, but we all enjoyed the flavors of each dish...

    Sugo Italian Pasta Bar - Spaghetti Allo Scoglio

    Sugo Italian Pasta Bar

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    If you're in Santa Cruz and love authentic Italian food, you have to try Sugo Italian Pasta Bar…read more This place is such a hidden gem. I had the spaghetti carbonara and it was absolutely delicious--rich, flavorful, and clearly made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. They have a lunch special where you can add a salad for just $3 more, and it's so worth it. The cucumbers and tomatoes were incredibly fresh and tasted amazing. To top it off, I had the tiramisu for dessert and it did not disappoint--perfectly balanced and so satisfying. The atmosphere really makes you feel like you've stepped into a true Italian restaurant. When I walked in, I could hear people speaking Italian, which made the whole experience feel even more authentic. The staff were also wonderful--my server was kind, attentive, and gave great recommendations. Overall, everything about this place was amazing. I highly recommend it if you're in the Santa Cruz area!

    A small-ish dinner spot with excellent service and delicious food. Every dish we ordered was…read morefabulous! Hot bread - so yummy! We ordered: - eggplant parmigiana (my favorite) - cannelloni - gnocchi - mushroom flatbread - ravioli -Caesar salad - tiramisu (good, but the portion could've been larger) - crème brûlée (excellent- could've been a larger seeving) There's are only about a down tables but we made a reservation and were seated right away. It was a bit noisy(partly the table next to us, partly the kitchen which was close by), and partly the high ceilings. Highly recommend and would absolutely return!

    Home - Halibut with Rice

    Home

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    I have been wanting to come to Home for years, but every time it would pop into my head to go for…read moredinner it would be 7 PM the same day and their reservations only. Finally it came into my head when my in-laws asked me where I'd like to go for dinner for my birthday! It's a small quaint indoor restaurant but outdoors has a large patio with seating too! We were sat at the round table which was quiet and intimate. Everything we tried was fantastic, the starters we had were the foccacia. It wasn't warmed which I would've preferred but it was still fluffy and tasty and served with sea lettuce butter which definitely had a hint of garlic, which always makes things better ;). Who doesn't love garlic?! The other starter we tried was the asparagus, loved it! Would totally order again! The portions were perfect for sharing for 4 of us as well. My entree I ordered the beef check gnocchi, they make their pasta in house and this was so rich and freaking tasty! Absolutely similar to a short rib. 10/10 recommend!! My husband ordered the CA strip loin, cooked perfect medium served with a garlic aioli and crispy potatoes. I got to try his and his was equally fantastic! My mother in law ordered the rock cod crudo and she shared with me as well, the chili oil really came out in flavor in the dish, it was plated beautifully as well. I think this would be a great shared appetizer for groups too. Father in law got the fried chicken, and WOW - an entire HALF chicken! So large, local chicken, fresh and flavorful. Desserts we had the pistachio pana cotta and olive oil cake, the panna cotta was FANTASTIC. You should absolutely order this if you have room! The service could have been quicker, but she was still attentive overall dining time was about 2 hours which is long in my opinion and we could've ordered more beverages and upsold us but overall this place is a must try! You will not be disappointed!

    So stoked to finally get to check out this place with some friends who have raved about it for…read moreyears. Aptly named, the restaurant is super warm and welcoming. Very...homey. The food was simply outstanding. The only section of the evening's menu from which we didn't order was the seafood. Focaccia with sea lettuce butter. Chicken liver pate. Chicory salad. Cauliflower with pine nuts and currants. Papardelle. Beef cheek. Pork chop. All. So. Good! Absolutely cannot wait to come back and try many more things!

    Mentone - Pizza

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    (411 reviews)

    Took my mother here years ago; the restaurant has been consistently on-point (i.e. great food,…read morecustomer service, etc.) Always a must if you seldom visit Aptos Village.

    Lovely restaurant with fabulous service. Homey and comfortable yet still a little fancy. Open…read morekitchen, high ceilings and an Italy-meets-France vibe. I loved it. Offerings were diverse and plentiful. Once again, I was struck with wanting all of the things. My server was accommodating with my request to taste two different white wines and two different reds throughout my meal. I opted for the Chardonnay to go with the special halibut crudo, which was outstandingly prepared. The fish itself was a bit on the fishy side (especially for halibut) but I don't fault the restaurant. The treatment of the fish was perfection. I'm a bit of a Caesar salad aficionado and considered skipping Mentone's mostly because I'd just enjoyed one the night before. But I just had to try it and I'm glad I did. It was certainly not traditional but it was very well made, even better with the added anchovies ~ although I did suffer some sticker shock when I got the bill and found that those little fish were $2 each. Ooof. Switched gears to some Pinot Noir and went for the ricotta sage browned butter ravioli, which were fabulous. I probably should have stopped there but ordered the tiramisu and it was a miss for me. Just way (way) too boozy and totally lacked balance, although it was pretty. All in all, a very nice experience ~ although very pricey for a single diner. Appetizer, salad (with the pricey little fishies), entree, dessert and two 5-ounce pours of wine left my wallet $185 lighter (with tax, tip and 4% kitchen wages surcharge). I know everything is very expensive these days, but whoa. Definitely a special occasion kind of place!

    Discretion Brewing - breweries - Updated May 2026

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