Pete's Capitola

We had a wonderful time. It's a beautiful restaurant, we loved the cable car, and the staff was…read morevery responsive. We had a party of 5 including 2 teens and one kid. We were able to find vegetarian dishes easily and loved the desserts! It was very special!

I love this Restaurant! I celebrated my 60th birthday in March. It was such a special night. The…read morefood was delicious! The service was outstanding, ambiance is beautiful. And of course celebrating a milestone with friends and family was the icing on the cake.. Thank you ShadowBrook

Greenhouse interior

Spinach Salad

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Chicken Parmigiano

Margaritaville

4.1(1.2k reviews)

0.0 mi

AMAZING STAFF!!!!!!! The staff was as excellent as the food…read more Our server Mia and the gentlemen bussing the tables could not have been more welcoming and friendly. Thank you for such a lovely experience, the friendly atmosphere, especially on a very busy weekend. All I can say is come hungry and thirsty!!!! You will leave full and watered. Mucho Gracias (:

My family and I rented a place nearby for my dad's 72nd birthday. He loves Mexican food, so we…read moredecided to try Margaritaville in Capitola yesterday! He's usually more on the grumpy/serious side and wanted absolutely no birthday fuss, so we kept the celebration to ourselves. The food though was amazing and the views were absolutely beautiful, but the younger manager really made our night. He stopped by often to check on us, answered any and all our questions, and made us feel welcome and cared for. My dad isn't one to crack a smile easily, so seeing him smile and even chuckle while talking with the manager made the whole experience a 10/10 for me. We're already planning to come back for his birthday next year. Thank you, Margaritaville, for a memorable night!

Skirt Steak Plate & Caesar Salad

Midnight Margarita

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Quesabirria, Ceviche, Chile Verde Plate

Paradise Beach Grille

3.6(999 reviews)

0.0 mi

Just ate here last night with my whole family including my toddlers and my in-laws and we all had a…read moregood dinner. Pleasantly surprised by how well they were set up to serve kids - solid kids menu options and all the kids meals are served on a frisbee you get to take home. Kids cups with kids and straws for their drinks and coloring pages and crayons provided. Food overall was good. The whole table loved the Beach Blanket Breadalon appetizer - basically cheesy, garlic sourdough. I had the clam chowder and the Apple Gorgonzola salad and both were very good. Everyone else's entrees were reportedly good, not great except the Halibut was reportedly exceptional. Service was good, they definitely wanted to provide us with a good experience. Pacing of the serving wasn't the best but you never know how much of that is the server vs the kitchen and overall I felt they tried and did well. We sat outside and enjoyed the view of the Capitola beach houses. They have heaters which are nice as nights are reliably cool even on hot days here. Overall would recommend

My family and I stopped by Paradise Beach Grille during our trip and, unfortunately, left a bit…read moredisappointed. The best part of the experience was easily the location. We sat outside and had an incredible view of Capitola Beach. The service was slow throughout the meal, and one thing that stood out was that I never received a water refill the entire time we were there. It wasn't terrible service, but it definitely felt inattentive. I ordered the Seafood Fettuccine because I wanted something a little more filling. In hindsight, that's partly on me since seafood fettuccine isn't exactly a dish I usually expect to be exceptional anywhere. The Alfredo sauce was bland and needed a lot of pepper to bring some life to it. Most of the seafood was overcooked and chewy, particularly the fish. The clams were probably the best part of the dish and were cooked reasonably well. Overall, the view was fantastic, but beyond that, the meal didn't do much for me. Between the slow service and underwhelming food, this ended up being one of the worst meals I had on my trip.

Cesar Salad

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Mango Margie (@joeynht)

Cafe Cruz

4.0(1.1k reviews)

1.1 mi

I stopped by Caffe Cruise and had a half roasted chicken with black rice and black beans, along…read morewith a separate dish called Linguine Cruise, which I added "prawns" to. Now, I say "prawns" because apparently there was a little seafood identity crisis happening -- they were actually shrimp! Outside of that little prawn/shrimp confusion, everything was exceptionally good. The roasted chicken was delicious, the black rice was really good, but those black beans were FIIIIRRREEE! They had this amazing smoky flavor that I absolutely loved. Seriously, those beans were ridiculously good. The Linguine Cruise was also excellent, and even though my "prawns" turned out to be shrimp, they were still damn good! The restaurant itself is huge, clean, and has plenty of seating, with a killer bar that I really liked. The atmosphere was comfortable and welcoming, and the staff were super friendly, funny, and genuinely enjoyable to deal with. Overall, I really liked this place. Great food, good portions, cool atmosphere, friendly people, and some seriously fire black beans. I'd absolutely go back!

We visited with family, a group of eight, and had a reservation. Even though the restaurant was…read morepacked and lively, it never felt overly loud, making it easy to enjoy conversation. The exterior doesn't do the restaurant justice. Inside, the dining room and patios are beautifully decorated, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. There's plenty of space for both small and mid-sized groups. The food was fabulous! We started with the calamari, which was honestly some of the best I've ever had, perfectly cooked and full of flavor. We also ordered the seasonal Caprese (tomato stack) salad, which was incredibly fresh with a wonderful combination of flavors. Even the complimentary bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar stood out. The balsamic was so good I forgot to ask what brand they use so I could buy some for home! Our server was friendly, attentive, and helpful. When I ordered the fettuccine with steak, she thoughtfully confirmed whether I wanted the Gorgonzola Alfredo or the traditional Alfredo sauce. I chose the traditional Alfredo, and it was absolutely perfect. I shared it with my daughter, so the photo shows about half of the original portion. Everyone at our table loved their meals. The rotisserie chicken received rave reviews as well, although I forgot to take a photo. If the weather is nice, don't miss the outdoor patios. There's a table for six near the fireplace that looked especially inviting. I wanted to take a picture, but I couldn't get the angle without including other diners in the frame. I also tried the watermelon martini, which was refreshing and delicious, and the wine pours were generous. If you're in Aptos, this restaurant is absolutely worth a visit. We'll definitely be back.

Seafood Bouillabaisse

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Patio view

Trestles Restaurant

4.5(446 reviews)

0.1 mi

Trestles is a fantastic restaurant! From the service to the…read morefood, it's a great experience! If you are able to snag a reservation (and a parking spot) definitely check them out!! Their menu changes with the seasons and what's fresh. So Everytime you go, you might get to taste new amazing dishes Everytime!!

Food, service, wait time... all a huge thumbs DOWN. Waited 45 mins for first starter, and 20 for…read morethe next starter (ordered at same time). Then dishes taken off the table while we were still eating said starters! Then, after the last starter plate was removed, we had to wait another 45 minutes for the entrees, which were TERRIBLE. Bland. Fish UNDERcooked. One dish had obviously been sitting under a heat lamp for 10 mins+ and was flattened and dried on top. And the steak was so incredibly tough, and fairly certain microwaved or pre-cooked and then flash heated somehow. It was unbelievable, the dismal quality. And don't go for the s'mores dessert. It is literally a tiny jam jar filled with chocolate pudding, graham cracker crumbs on top, a toasted marshmallow, and served cold out of fridge. I will rarely write a blasting review unless something is really really bad. This place was really, really bad. Way overpriced for the value of the service and the food. And the ambience is very loud and uncomfortable... the lighting is nice, the exterior façade is nice, with a few seats out front on the deck, which might be nice for an evening cocktail, but it was awful, overall. I don't know what the chef was thinking- if they were drunk, or just really bad at their job, or both. For a place that does not include salt or pepper on their tables, I would expect much more- don't flatter yourselves. This restaurant is definitely not to the caliber of not offering options on the table to do something to improve the already bland food. Shame on you guys at Trustle's.

Open concept kitchen

Corn Fritters - Yum!

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Crispy pork belly (soy glaze, apple puree, jalapeno - $19)

Pono Hawaiian Kitchen & Tap

4.1(445 reviews)

0.9 mi

Came here with a big group but was no problem finding seats. We thoroughly enjoyed our food and…read moreeverything was great, and staff was friendly. Parking can be a real pain is my only complaint

We were in the mood for some poke and decided to give this spot a try! They have a parking lot in…read morethe back and also an outdoor patio, which was perfect for us since we had our dog with us. I ordered Da Kine Poke Bowl and it was a tasty poke bowl, just what I was craving! The portions were great and I liked that it included some of my favorite toppings like edamame, avocado, and seaweed salad. The spicy aioli drizzle also added a good spicy kick to the bowl. Overall, Pono was a good find and we were satisfied with our poke bowls!

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Kalua pig plate

Caruso's Tuscan Cuisine Restaurant

4.3(515 reviews)

0.0 mi

The owner here is so sweet. They are extremely straightforward in telling you when they are busy,…read moreit may take a bit for the food to come out. Not a problem for me, but I did appreciate the straightforwardness and being able to manage expectations. The food was great! I got the gnocchi italia (gnocchi served in three different sauces - marinara, pesto, and gorgonzola), burrata, and tiramisu. They also have a vegan menu (ask for it!!!) and italian beers. The ambiance is beautiful too. I would 100% come back here next time I'm in town!

We took my parents to eat here for their 50th anniversary. We didn't make reservations but we were…read moreable to come right before they opened and wait for a table no problem. We ordered a bottle of wine and four different pasta dishes. Everyone was very happy with all of their meals and at the end of the meal we ordered tiramisu. The tiramisu was delicious. I had carbonara which I was excited about trying because I just came back from Italy a few months back. It didn't taste exactly like what I ate in Italy, but it was good. It's a small restaurant with maybe a handful of tables, but the service was very friendly and warm and I would definitely come back again.

Fettuccine Vodka with shrimp

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Scarpetta, Pinot Grigio.

Miches and Ceviches

4.6(118 reviews)

1.0 mi

Sea food is my favorite and rarely am I impressed by new recipes. The vast variety of ceviche that…read moreis available is amazing. The mango and fish Ceviche was delicious and is my new favorite. Definitely my new favorite spot in Santa Cruz.

Have been here twice and tried their aguachile verde both times. I got their plate which is perfect…read morefor two people. I believe it is made fresh for every order so it can be a bit of a wait, but totally worth it. The aguachile is delicious and you can also choose if you want no spice, mild, or spicy. It comes with a few tostadas, but they charge if you want extra. They make agua fresca as well, but they had ran out this last time. The service is okay, it can definitely be improved. There is indoor and outdoor seating available. There is some street parking available and I believe a parking lot in the back. Definitely worth a try!

Aguachiles negro

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H&H Fresh Fish

4.6(105 reviews)

2.7 mi

I came and visited their booth that was set up for farmers market and remembered seeing some good…read morereviews about this company. I decided to buy the rockfish ceviche and my mistake was not buying multiple I took a few bites and instantly knew my niece would love this also so I have to save majority for her when she comes ugh I do wish they sold it in different container sizes. I was greeted nicely and was offered a bag to hold it. I give this ceviche 5 out of 5 stars it taste so fresh, just the right amount of citrus , the red onion was more like slivers and nice size cucumber. I'm still really mad I didn't get two lol

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.

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Pacific Oysters

La Jaiba Brava Restaurant

4.3(54 reviews)

1.4 mi

This is a small restaurant tucked behind the parking lot of Cole's BBQ on Portola Rd…read more They have Great friendly staff. Fast service and the food was excellent. I had a michelada loaded with meaty shrimp with the quesa Birria tacos, order or (3) these are the best quesa Birria in Santa Cruz, area. The other nest quesa Birria tacos is in a restaurant in San Jose. So im thrilled to have discovered this place. They are know for their seafood dishes but I've only had the Birria tacos. Soooo GOOD! Next time I'll be trying a seafood dish... Yum Must try this place

Truly great enchiladas and amazing birra tacos! Burrito with shredded chicken was delicious and…read morehuge. You can tell that they care about what they cook and how they present it. Friendly owners and great service. They've been open two and a half years. The bill had both a credit card price and a cash price. (Not sure if there was a discount for cash or a surcharge for using a credit card or a cash discount. As a small business owner it never seemed right that businesses pay for customers using credit cards.) Couldn't have enjoyed our meal more! We'll return next time we are in Santa Cruz.

Dining area

Mixto Molcajete, with different Meat is awesome.

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Korina L.

6 months ago

-- An Ocean View & a Caesar Salad That Changed My Life Where do I even begin? Pete's has officially set the bar for what a perfect dining experience looks like. From the moment we settled into their outdoor patio overlooking the ocean, I knew this was going to be a special meal. I ordered the Caesar salad -- and I genuinely mean this -- it was the most delicious Caesar salad I have ever had in my life. Crisp, perfectly dressed, bold without being overwhelming. It was a moment. I followed it with clams and pasta that were absolutely divine, and washed it all down with a filthy martini that was every bit as good as it sounds. Salty, cold, dangerously smooth -- exactly what the ocean air called for. My boyfriend ordered the burger, and he has not stopped talking about it since. Cooked perfectly, incredibly flavorful -- paired with a hazy IPA that complemented it beautifully. He's already planning his next visit just to order it again. The vibe, the food, the drinks, the view -- Pete's delivers on all fronts. This is the kind of place you tell everyone about. We will absolutely be back. read more

Bob ..

10 months ago

Our recent dinner at Pete's was absolutely wonderful from start to finish. From the moment we sat down, the entire team treated us like royalty; always smiling, always attentive, and never intrusive. The service struck that rare balance of being both polished and genuinely warm. The food was truly first class. We started with the mussels, and they were so exceptional that I jokingly asked, "Who prepared this?" Moments later, one of chefs came out personally to check on us. We raved about the broth - rich, fragrant, and completely out of this world, and he seemed genuinely touched by the praise. That moment alone said so much about the pride and care behind the scenes. For my main course, I ordered the filet, and it did not disappoint. Perfectly cooked, deeply flavorful, and beautifully presented, it was the kind of dish that reminds you why great restaurants stand apart. Pete's delivers not just outstanding food, but a memorable dining experience that makes you feel truly welcomed. Highly recommended for a date night. I know we will be back. read more

laura s.

127

2 months ago

We came in pretty early for our reservation for four on a very busy Saturday Capitola afternoon. I had family in town from the East Coast and the hostess was very accommodating taking us almost an hour earlier than our reservation and being patient enough for half of our party to find parking. She also allowed us to to the windows with a beautiful view and easy access for family members with mobility issues. We all had the Smashburger. It was pretty tasty. I wish they gave you more than just chips, although those are good, but I feel like it needs more substance for the price. At least offer a salad before. Or options of sides. Service was . Our server was nice, but could have checked in a little bit more seeing where the restaurant wasn't very busy. We probably would've ordered another round of drinks or dessert. Other than that, I say it's a great spot to stop and have a great martini or a glass of wine and a view. read more

Corey B.

3 months ago

If you're looking for great seafood in the Santa Cruz area, Pete's is absolutely worth a visit. From the moment we walked in, Colin and Jacob made us feel like old friends instead of just another table. The service was genuinely welcoming and attentive without ever feeling forced. The food was excellent. Everything tasted fresh, well prepared, and high quality. It's refreshing to find a place in a tourist area that doesn't feel like it's just trying to turn tables. Instead, Pete's feels like a restaurant that genuinely cares about the experience, from the hospitality to the food. We'll definitely be back, and a big thank you to Colin and Jacob for making the meal even better. Side note Colin was on point with the beer recommendations. read more

Donna D.

104

9 months ago

My husband and I popped in for a quick bite at this place. Our server was super friendly and knowledgeable, giving us a great rundown of the day's specials. I went with the Delicata Squash Toast appetizer, and my husband enjoyed the Lobster Roll. Both dishes were beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. Our server checked in on us a few times to make sure we were happy, and the manager also stopped by a couple of times. We're really pleased with the food, service, and the overall vibe of the restaurant. We're definitely planning to return! read more

Pete's Capitola - seafood - Updated October 2026

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Riva Fish House

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