The restaurant was super busy, so I am glad I made a reservation. Location: 5/5 stars! AMAZING! Mexican Food: 4/5 (I've had better and I wish there were specials) Service: 4.5/5 stars (attentive, but forgot my chardonnay) Sound: 3/5 stars indoors (loud!) 5/5 stars outdoors I had chimichurri steak and it was okay, but kind of greasy? Overall, a fun place to visit and get the Capitola experience. I would suggest sitting outdoors if it isn't too bright or hot. read more

Had an overall good experience at Margaritaville. The Dungeness Crab Tostadas and Baja Fish Tacos were both really good--especially since the fish didn't taste overly fishy (big plus for me). Drinks were solid too--the Pomegranate Skinny Margarita and Piña Colada were both refreshing. Appreciated the pet-friendly outdoor seating. Only downside is the high-top tables could use bag hooks since space is limited. Service was good and the online reservation system was easy to use. Parking in this area on a weekend is a bit of a hassle. Recommend parking in the Public Lot behind the police station and walking. read more

Margaritaville - Dungeness Crab Tostadas and Baja Fish Tacos - Seafood Near Me - Capitola, California

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I was so excited to have dinner at Margaritaville. We were seated on the patio so we could see the sunset and the water. That was the only good thing about the visit. We were at the restaurant for almost an hour before I had to flag down a busboy and ask for water. Our waitress had taken our food order than disappeared. After the busboy brought us water the waitress finally came back to say she was going on break. The waiter who took over never brought us more water and never brought us our food. Finally when our waitress came back from break (we have now been in the restaurant for 1.5 hours), she brought our food and it was all cold. We asked for more water and never got it. Two hours later, no bill. No boxes. Cold food. No water. I finally grabbed another busboy and asked him to get our bill. Thank goodness I had cash, otherwise we probably would have had to wait another hour for my card back. I really really really wanted to like this and have a nice romantic dinner, but instead we left angry and grumpy. read more

First time here even though we are nearby residents- usually cook at home food was AMAZING ....the service by Megan was absolutely fantastic! She let us know she was taking a quick break and we had another server who was just as lovely. Such a nice place! The Quesobirria was so good and blackened shrimp enchiladas equally delicious! read more

Had a birthday lunch at Margaritaville surrounded by sunshine, peaceful ocean sounds, & great service. I treated myself to a coastal drive with a few stops for walking and a nice lunch. Kasey was my server & she respected my unusual requests that included alone time to read a great book and dessert first. I started with a healthy bottle of filtered water & lava cake. Ice cubes in the water glass were perfect cubes! Not crushed, not cylindrical, just perfect. I added a diet Coke to my meal... more cubed cubes. Lava cake was moist & chocolately, but I don't really like chocolate. Dessert options were limited, but I recommend the churro. Next, I had marinated skirt steak with chimichurri sauce - medium rare. I requested beans without rice, but was served beans with rice. Beans were yummy. Dunno about the rice because I don't like it. The steak! It was amazing. Perfectly cooked with the juices mixing with sauce that created a delicious blend of flavors. Chimichurri sauce was a nice blend of acid (lemon?), sweetness from the parsley, and olive oil. It was so good that I'm drooling as I type this review. Quiet day in Capitola - low season for tourists, so the restaurant was mostly empty. No rushing the guests, so I read alot & took some nice photos. Chef was very friendly & cute! Clean bathrooms, plenty of nearby paid or free parking, and patio with umbrellas for dining. Only negatives -- I asked for 'no ice' in my water & no rice with my entree. Also, I wanted Crudo instead of cake, but it wasn't available. Kasey recognized the errors and was an exceptional server. read more

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A stop in Capitola means a mandatory visit to Margaritaville. It is definitely located in the touristy part of town but believe me, it is a local watering hole too. Incredible waterfront and ocean views from both inside and the outside patio make it a popular destination. The Mexican faire and spirits are very good. Seafood is a specialty. Vegan and vegetarian items available. Great chips and salsa. Margaritas that taste delicious and go down easy:). Lovely, friendly and welcoming customer service. Truly a vibrant, casual atmosphere in which to relax and enjoy your day. Bring the family, friends, or that special someone. Parking can be a challenge. But do not let that deter you from experiencing one of Capitola's best oceanside Mexican restaurants. Trust me on that one. Salud! read more

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This place used to be better. The quality of the food has decreased in the last year. The service has slipped. The restaurant is a disappointment if you're expecting food and quality from over a year ago. Shame. What happened?! read more

Perfect Mexican restaurant with a beautiful view of the colorful architecture of Capitola. Great for families and in a fun and walkable neighborhood. The pictures don't do it just but the food was absolutely amazing. The flavors were complex and delicious. You could tell that only the best ingredients were used to prepare each dish. And of course the margaritas were solid. The service was friendly and welcoming. Highly recommend for delicious Mexican food with elevated flavors. read more

Margaritaville - Blackened Shrimp Enchiladas - Seafood Near Me - Capitola, California

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Came here for dinner on a Tuesday night. It wasn't super packed but there was enough people inside to make the atmosphere feel lively. You have indoor dining options or outdoor dining options with a view. They have heaters outside to keep you warm. We got the calamari and the birria tacos. The birria tacos were good but they could've been crispier. The calamari had the same issue the breading wasn't crispy enough but the food itself had flavor and was good. The overall dinning experience was pleasant though the staff was very friendly and accommodating. read more

Margaritaville - Birria tacos - Seafood Near Me - Capitola, California

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My husband and I found this little gem on Yelp after seeing all the great reviews, so we decided to give it a try. We came in on a busy Sunday and were quoted a 30-minute wait, so we decided to grab a drink at the bar. It took quite a while to get our pitcher of margaritas, and by the time our drinks arrived, our table was already ready. We were seated outside per our request and had an amazing view. The weather was perfect, which made the experience even better. My husband ordered the shrimp tacos, which were excellent -- the sauce was perfectly made and the shrimp was very flavorful. I ordered the branzino plate, and it was absolutely delicious and cooked to perfection. There were bones, so I ate it slowly, but it had plenty of meat. It came with a salad topped with a cilantro dressing that was outstanding. We would definitely come back. They have super clean bathrooms. The margaritas were strong and delicious. The only downside was that the bar service was very slow and our table server wasn't very friendly, though it was extremely busy. Despite that, the food and drinks were excellent. read more

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Margaritaville in Capitola was a cute little Mexican restaurant that my friends and I decided to visit after a long day of hiking and checking out the cute painted houses/beaches nearby. While we did not have a reservation, the wait was not too bad and we only had to wait about 35 minutes. The inside of the restaurant is beautifully decorated with tons of seashells, blue tones and sandy wood colors and there is a large window panel where you can directly see all of the little colorful houses of Capitola as well as the water and beach behind. It is absolutely beautiful especially if you go around sunset time. As for the food, I decided to get the fish tacos, the guacamole with chips and the calamari. The calamari was my absolute favorite and was perfectly crispy and tender with a delicious aioli to accompany it. The guacamole was also incredibly fresh and tangy, and the Margaritas were also refreshing and tasty. That being said, my fish tacos were quite dry and could have used more seasoning or salsa to add flavor. All in all though Margaritaville is definitely a solid beautiful restaurant to visit while in Capitola! read more

Margaritaville - Fish tacos - Seafood Near Me - Capitola, California

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Such a beautiful day to sit in the patio. Comfortable and pleasant. The service this past Sunday morning was outstanding! We enjoyed strawberry lemonade, some chips with salsa and I had shrimp enchiladas. All very delicious. Highly recommend for delicious food and great atmosphere. read more

Margaritaville - Shrimp enchiladas - Seafood Near Me - Capitola, California

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We live about 4 miles from Margaritaville and have not eaten there for years, but decided to try it for lunch. Extremely disappointed. Had to wait about 5 minutes for the hostess to show up to seat us and they were not busy. The waiter was nice when he appeared. BUT, the menu showed limited options and prices soooooo high that we considered leaving, but decided to stay and give it a try. BTW, chips and salsa are $10!!!! That's ridiculous! And they were NOT worth $10. We ordered the chips & salsa, a cup of soup, tacos & a soda. Our bill was $70!!!!!! And remember, this was lunch and NO alcohol. We will NEVER go back. This is a complete tourist trap and that's so wrong. read more

Perfect location! Food was great, drinks were okay, but you're really paying for the amazing view. Service was very helpful! Not affiliated with Jimmy Buffetts Maragritaville read more

Margaritaville - Nachos - Seafood Near Me - Capitola, California

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Yes, yes, yes. If you're looking for a strong marg, views, and comforting Mexican food without a worry of splurging the wallet in Capitola, Margaritaville is your spot. I would most def come back here again during the day and sit outside and take it all in! We arrived to Capitola late evening as the sun was setting and chose to sit indoors with the kiddo after walking the beach and finding Margaritaville still open and thriving. The staff was so gracious and even went across the street to grab a special straw for the kiddo ~ high chair/kids menu/all the special love too. It's these moments when you realize the staff has young kids and just you know..get it. So thank you Margaritaville for that, we still have the straw as a vital everyday piece of our day. As mentioned, margaritas are done well. The guac is phenomenal, chips homemade. I went with the blackened shrimp enchiladas, and others ordered the shrimp diabla and chile verde enchiladas. The verdict = delicious. My enchiladas came with a house sauce that tasted like a mole. Ample pieces of shrimp cooked to perfection. I heard from table convo the shrimp diabla was just the right amount of spice and flavor, and the pork meat being juicy in the chile verde. Loved the Spanish rice and creamy refried beans on the side as well. We did premium margaritas ($21), but there are other options like tiki drinks, zero proof, non-alcoholic, beer/wine, house cocktails, and house marg/skinny marg. Dessert is also served here, and it's recommended to make a reservation ahead of time as this place gets hoppin'. Can't wait for a day marg soon! read more

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Recently came here to celebrate with some friends for a birthday dinner and we were all excited. However upon arriving for a reservation the hostess a young gentleman immediately was very off putting and gave terrible customer service. He first asked us "where do you want to sit" and my party of six were looking around the resteraunt with no tables to accommodate all of us. We are asking where are there options for all of us and he just starts looking around. He offers a table for four people stating he can grab chairs, and then offers us two tables with a huge bannister right in the middle between the tables so we wouldn't of been able to see one another. We stated we would take a booth that sat five of us with one person sitting outside of it with a chair. When I first slid into the booth the table was so tucked in I asked the host if we could have the table pulled out more. I asked this a couple of times as he was setting the menus on the table. He didn't say anything and just walked away. After that we all looked over the menu and all of us ordered cocktails and appetizers. The chips were DELICIOUS and paired with the quac was great. Our server we had was amazing and giving us a lot of time to look over and recommend different drinks. Only thing I found odd for this place being a Margaritaville was there wasn't really any margarita selection. There was three different options and none really wowed me. Maybe it's gimmicky but I was expecting a whole list of different options like a strawberry margarita or mango margarita. However the cocktails we all ordered were delicious and well made. All of us enjoyed our food, and despite being maybe a little overpriced we all still really enjoyed our experience. And since it was my birthday I was offered a free shot of alcohol (my choice) or free ice cream. Of course choosing the shot it was sweet to have it come out with a candle. I would come here again for lunch or dinner but with a smaller group. Due to the fact they really couldn't accommodate our party despite making a reservation, but the food was yummy and deserves a good rating. Just seriously teach the host some people skills, PLEASE. read more

We went here for a birthday dinner. The food was good but way overpriced. The service was horrible! Server never came back to our table after our food was delivered. He only came back with the check and when my daughter asked hey I talked to the bartender about the 2 birthdays we were celebrating and he said you would bring ice cream? He suggested we go to Polar bear ice cream because it was really good read more

April 20, 2025 - Capitola We arrived early, about 11:00 am. We had our pup with us, so we were led around the back to the patio. We were seated at a table near the water and had a lovely view of the bay, the pier, and the colorful houses. Our server (Josiah) welcomed us and gave us a few minutes to decide what we wanted to order. I ordered a glass of rose' (Birichino Rose', Santa Cruz, $14), which was very light and perfect. My husband ordered a jalapeno' margarita ($16). Spicy! We also ordered chips and salsa ($8), a small garden salad ($16), and an Ultimo Chile Verde Burrito ($28). The servings were very generous, and the food was delicious. The garden salad included mixed greens with Hass avocado, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, goat cheese, and sourdough croutons with a balsamic vinaigrette. Small was large enough for two to share. Then came the monster burrito. When it came, we commented to Josiah that we'd never be able to finish it all. It was so good--Chile Verde in a flour tortilla with refried beans, Spanish rice and Queso Oaxaca. Served with sour cream on the side. Don't you know, we finished every last bite. As the food arrived, I had finished my rose, and needed something a bit more robust to go with the rest of the meal. I ordered the Midnight margarita (Mezcal Verde / Fresh Squeezed Lime / Agave / Lavender, $18). A bit smoky flavored, it was perfect to accompany my meal. The view, the food, the service (thank you, Josiah), and the dog-friendly patio, all made for a delightful lunch. read more

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I would leave zero stars if possible just based off the experience. Semi busy on a Saturday night with no reservation so we sat at the bar. 1 group of 4 leaving as we walked up so we were the only patrons on the large round part of the bar. Order drinks and get menus and decide on what to eat. Bartender states "I need to get a card from you if you're ordering food". No problem right? Hand him my AMEX, think nothing of it, and over the next 40 minutes proceed to watch 5 couples order drinks, food, and not be asked for a credit card UPFRONT. Even watch a couple share a margarita, and walk out on the tab. But I get asked to give a credit card BEFORE hand??? Can we say the quiet part out loud [and I would never say it if it didn't feel that way].........RACIST. Bad look. I frequent Capitola as I have friends here. Won't be returning to this restaurant. Funnier my friends that I came to see said "their not surprised", so there's that ‍ read more

The service was great, and the view was stunning. I found the drink options to be a bit underwhelming, and the food choices felt limited. That said, it was a nice change of pace coming from San Francisco, and I enjoyed the experience overall. I'd recommend it if you're looking to try something different! read more

Very much enjoyed our lunch at Margaritaville! Service was great, friendly, and attentive. The tacos were tasty, the steak was tender. Definitely would come back here again on a nice sunny day to sit outside. read more

Margaritaville - Steak Tacos - Seafood Near Me - Capitola, California

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Amazing service, great food and drinks! We ordered the chips and salsa to start along with a skinny pomegranate margarita and a strawberry margarita. For lunch we ordered the Baja Fish Tacos and Quesabirra Tacos. Everything was amazing, tasted great and had the best service by Gabe! A must if visiting Capitola. read more

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Our family loved this place! We were starving when we came in here and could barely waddle out when we were done. I got the quesabirria tacos which I thoroughly enjoyed and my husband got the blackened shrimp tacos, which were also delicious. They were perfectly charred without tasting bitter. We also ordered a side of nachos, and the waiter was kind enough to let us know that we had the option to purchase only a half portion. We are so glad he did because the full size would have been way too big for us. Drinks were also great. We'll be back here! read more

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My husband and I went In to grab some drinks in this place on Saturday since it was our anniversary. We were greeted by this nice gentleman I forgot his name but he had snake tattoos,he was very attentive, and kind and sweet to us and to the other customers around us as well. We had mango margaritas it was very delicious. We definitely felt welcome. We will be back soon. read more

Stopped in for a late lunch. Although they were busy, we only had a 15 minute wait. There were three young hostesses at the entrance. Only one was friendly and courteous. She was the one who took us to our table. It was a beautiful day so we sat outside on the patio. Our waitress was great and stayed on top of things. We shared the nachos, it was a good size appetizer and was tasty. I ordered the fish tacos and they were delicious! My husband had the Chile Verde Plate. He said it was good. My grandson had the ultimate burrito and loved it. We have been to this restaurant multiple times over the years and have never been disappointed. We will be back. read more

Margaritaville - Fish tacos - Seafood Near Me - Capitola, California

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After a long afternoon of drinking at the Capitola Sip & Stroll we mosied into Margaritaville with high hopes and empty bellies. Lucky for us, we were seated almost immediately out on the patio which typically has a water view, but it was already nighttime so all we could see was the reflection of the moon on the water. Not complaining though because, I do love Mr. Moon! Our server brought us water and butter with bread, which I thought was a bit odd being that it's a Mexican restaurant (I was expecting chips and salsa) but, my stomach didn't care, it was growling for me to put literally anything in there. We were able to order quickly and our food came out within a reasonable time even though the place was pretty packed (major points for that!). It was everyone's first time at Margaritaville and we weren't sure what to expect however, the food was actually pretty good. truth be told, I always judge Mexican restaurants based off of their rice and if it is as legit as my grandmas. A lot of Mexican restaurants just don't have a clue how to actually make the rice correctly and it's bland AF but! I give Margaritaville an 8 out of 10, meaning their rice was pretty good, not chef's kiss good but definitely good enough. I ordered the green chili Verde enchilada plate, because I'm a sucker for any kind of enchilada and I would have to give those a 7 out of 10. They were tasty, but I wish that they had more cheese inside. Our server came back and checked on us a few times and after we finished eating, we didn't linger long but we definitely enjoyed the fast service and decent food. I might have to go back sometime when I haven't had, two bottles of wine prior, lol. I'd also like to go back in the daytime to enjoy the beautiful water view so... here's to another trip to Capitola and another trip to Margaritaville! Ariba! read more

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Visited this location with my family and it took 20 minutes to be acknowledged by our server. When food came out, it was not good in flavor. When I asked for my check to pay, it took 20 minutes to get it because our server was busy trying to light a heater. To top it off, when I got my check they gave me a leaky pen and got stains all over my hands. It was a bad experience and won't be returning. read more

Margaritaville exceeded all of our expectations. First of all - Donyl was amazing, she was so attentive and anticipated our every need. Our food was delicious, we ordered the quesadillas and the skirt steak tacos. I wish I took a pic, but they were so tasty that we devoured them immediately. Not the mention the waterside views.... We will absolutely be back, thank you Donyl for the fantastic service and the Margaritaville team for a wonderful dinner experience! read more

Margaritaville - Seafood Near Me - Capitola, California

Service was fast and food was great! My 2 friends and I made a last Knute decision to grab lunch in capitola, I wanted ceviche and they wanted margs, so we decided to go to Margaritaville! We got ceviche, oysters and a birria quesadilla, all of it was delicious. I also had the mostly alcohol free marg because I was driving and it was also very yummy. It was also a nice day so I was worried the wait for an outside table would take a while, but we literally waited 2 minutes. Parking can get packed in that area, but if you send good vibes you should be ok. Will definitely go again! read more

Margaritaville - Ceviche - Seafood Near Me - Capitola, California

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The bartenders on a Friday night were very accommodating and checking up on us a lot. It's a pretty laid back but also an intimate atmosphere too. There's outside seating RIGHT by the water with heat lamps. Dress is casual but dressing up is also normal too. You can't go wrong either way. Early evening is definitely a date night mood. Parking can be difficult but around 6-8 on a Friday night it wasn't bad. We didn't have to drive around at all. If you see a spot just take it. It does get noisy close to 10PM until closing. Their cocktails are all good, the ones that we tried. The tequila flight for 25ish (can't remember) is a good starting point for the night. I noticed a mostly 30-50 year old crowd. I can't recommend their food as we didn't order anything but from what I saw the food looked good quality and there was thought into presentation from their chefs. Customer service is on point and aside being by the water the service was the highlight. We will definitely be back, but as I'm finishing up... the wife and I are headed to Chaminade for a drink and the view. Visit and enjoy! ***** five easy stars. Oh, the place is clean, immaculate. Modern and inviting.. let's go Warriors! read more

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If Kendrick Lamar ate here he'd be like "Ewwwww, dat taco good, why don't you sit it on my taste buds?" I said the same damn thing myself! I was pleasantly surprised because the reviews that mention vegan options were all hinged on a server who no longer works there. But Good news! One of the head chefs that works weeknights himself if vegan. A fine meal was had. Now... if you like really spicey you may need to ask for a special sauce. IN fact they should probably change the name to Gringo-ville cause this is some tex-mex mild vittles here. The red sauce and green sauces that come with the chips are good but with a little added salt they become delicious nonetheless. Easier to add salt than remove it mmmmmm-kay? Oh and the guac does NOT have chicken stock in it like somebody said in one of the reviews. It's vegetarian straight out of the shell. Anyway, just order the soft tacos, and tell 'em. your plant-based type. Their fajitas filling is smokey AF. Also, Tty those sauces on their vegan burrito which they will make custom. Your tum-tum gonna feel gooooood. My only complaint: i do wish they had a specialized vegan menu with faux meat proteins (vegetarian mock meat) read more

Margaritaville - big birthday/retirement party for gayle - Seafood Near Me - Capitola, California

Amazing views on the water especially when tide is high. Blackened shrimp tacos and the spicy margarita transported me on a mini vaca. Can't wait to go back. Brought my dog and we were able to sit on the patio. read more

Always a great location for a meal, especially out on the patio. The food is always well arranged and high-quality and the service has always been outstanding. Our experience this week was exactly what we wanted. Thank you Margaritaville! read more

Margaritaville - Patio view - Seafood Near Me - Capitola, California

We were visiting the area and were looking for some delicious seafood. We came across this restaurant decided to give it a try. We were seated right away in this casual fish house style dining area. The service was great and the food was super fresh and delicious! read more

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Stumbled upon this place while walking through Santa Cruz. I loved how they had both an outdoor and indoor seating. We chose to sit outdoors and the view of the beach and city was nice. They also have a wide variety of items on their menu which I appreciate! So many good looking items on the menu but went with the ceviche and Dungeness crab tacos! The food and prices here and pretty mid. I really liked how refreshing the ceviche was though. It was very flavorful and tangy. I really wanted to like the crab tacos because they sounded good and were different from what I usually get but the flavors of the avacado and crab just did not blend well together. I hardly could even taste the pieces of crab even though there was tons of meat on it because the guac was just so overpowering. This place is known for margaritas so we gave the cucumber one a try and it really was so good and refreshing. We also decided to try the flan but it was just way too sweet. Overall, the service was great. Our waiter was very attentive and friendly. I would definitely come back again for margaritas or maybe even try some of the other items on their menu! read more

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"The food was okay, but the service was outstanding. I believe our server's name was Nora, and she was incredible--attentive, friendly, and on top of everything we needed. It was one of the best service experiences I've had in years. Plus a nice view. Definitely the kind of visit that makes you want to come back." read more

Margaritaville - Nice view - Seafood Near Me - Capitola, California

A great spot to eat at if you are in Capitola! We grabbed a few drinks and the nachos and loved enjoying the view at Margaritaville. read more

Margaritaville - Seafood Near Me - Capitola, California

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Stopped by for an afternoon appetizer with my daughter and ordered her the kids meal. For $14 I accepted this fact but then it came out and well the picture speaks for itself. This is ridiculous presentation size and everything. I get it restaurants costs have gone up but this felt like robbery. Sad to say we will not be coming back. On a positive note my server was great! read more

Margaritaville - $14 children's bean burrito. Does the picture make the point? - Seafood Near Me - Capitola, California

Good food, great location. The skirt steak is grilled to perfection, tender and juicy (not dry and chewy). Parking is a challenge, but there's a hidden parking lot behind the Capitola Police station that has a lot of available spots. read more

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Fantastic place to end the day with dinner! Great views of the beach on the patio and we had excellent service from our server Nora. She hustled so hard covering so many tables, getting our order, refills, and she was so friendly! We had the chile verde enchiladas and the ultimo burrito with chicken and both were so tasty. Look forward to coming back. Thanks again, Nora! read more