We have been conscious of trying to patronize harbor businesses since the bridge debacle…read more Double checked their website to make sure they were open and saw that halibut was on sale- this in itself motivated me to navigate my way there. Upon arrival, the price in the case did not reflect the sale price mentioned on their website. When I mentioned this to the guy helping me, he shrugged. Then another guy came out from the back (he must have heard the conversation) and said that the prices online were from yesterday (!) For the $5 off a pound that these two were unwilling to honor or even apologize about, they lost a customer. Good thing Shoppers Corner has great fish at better prices.

When I tell you that I have had poke and sashimi in Hawaii and Japan and this store's fish was as…read moregood or slighter better?! We got a tin of the tuna poke and the salmon poke and a small box of the tuna sashimi. I'm normally a salmon over tuna girlie but the texture of the tuna? Butter. The taste? Insane. The store also offers a variety of cuts and options of fresh fish and shellfish if you prefer cooked options at home, but treat yourself to some poke to eat at the picnic tables outside before the drive home. Logistics: - outdoor seating only - there is a parking lot in front but I couldn't tell if it was part of the paid harbor parking as we walked over from elsewhere - they don't offer rice with the poke but you can grab a bag of Taco Works chips for some carbs and crunch if need be

If you're looking for dinner in Santa Cruz, you can chase trends, white tablecloths, or whatever…read moresome algorithm tells you is hot this week. Or you can walk into Hook & Line and remember what restaurants are actually supposed to be. Hook & Line is not just a place to eat. It's a living, breathing organism fueled by salt air, citrus oils, shucked shells, and a bar program that could make a grown adult weep quietly into a coupe glass. The menu shifts like the tide. One week it's pristine local halibut laid bare with market produce that still tastes like the sun it grew under. Another week it's oysters that taste like they were pried from the Pacific ten minutes ago. They lean into sustainably sourced seafood and hyper-local produce with the kind of integrity you don't have to advertise loudly. You taste it. That clean, briny snap. That just-picked sweetness. No gimmicks. No foam for foam's sake. Just confidence. Happy hour here is not an afterthought. It's a ritual. A civilized rebellion against the workday. The room hums. Glassware clinks. Someone laughs too loudly at the bar and no one minds. Behind that bar, Todd and Rain move like jazz musicians in a tight duo - precise, rhythmic, unflappable. They bang out craft cocktails with the calm of surgeons and the swagger of pirates. Drinks arrive balanced and intentional, whether it's something spirit-forward and brooding or bright and citrus-kissed. You don't "get a drink" here. You get an experience in a glass. And then there's the gravitational center of the room: Samantha. Fiery red hair, sharp eye, warm smile. She runs a tight ship without ever making it feel rigid, her steady presence and quiet command keeping the whole operation flowing seamlessly. Hospitality is not a script for her; it's instinct. She engages, remembers, anticipates. She treats regulars like old friends and newcomers like they've finally arrived where they were meant to be all along. Brandy brings a little New Orleans heat to the floor - sultry, sharp, and just mysterious enough to keep you guessing. There's a certain je ne sais quoi about her, the kind you can't train and can't fake. Bridgette helps run the show with steady hands and quiet command. Together, the front of house is well orchestrated. Vibrant. Intentional. Alive. And that's the thing about Hook & Line. It reminds you that restaurants aren't just about plates and pours. They're about people. The line cooks firing seafood that tastes like the ocean wrote it a love letter. The bar team crafting something that makes you pause mid-sentence. The managers who see you. And the regulars who slide into their usual seats like they're coming home. Santa Cruz has plenty of places to eat. But Hook & Line? That's where you go when you want to taste the ocean on your tongue, the craft in your glass, join in the conversation, and to feel the pulse of the room beating right alongside your own.

$2 oysters? Yes, please! They were on the milder side, but came with accouterments like mignonette,…read morehomemade hot sauce, and horseradish--those really helped amp up the flavor. We also got tasty deviled eggs topped with trout roe and fried shallots (just wish there were more than 3 per order), grilled cabbage made with tons of butter (loved the char, but the sauce was just a tad too sweet), and fun conserva! The mocktail made with beets was KILLER and their HH Pink's Margarita was solid. The restaurant fills up quickly on Mondays because happy hour is all-night on Mondays. I'm glad we went during happy hour! Service was nice and attentive.

The food is great, the service is very good and the ocean view is amazing. I have been coming here…read moresince it opened and even though it changed owners, it is still my go to place on the wharf. Try it!

We went to Riva's Fish House on the Santa Cruz Wharf on May 9th and had a great experience. Our…read moreserver, Nathan B., was the standout of the night. My husband ordered the Fish and Chips and they were perfect, crispy on the outside, flaky and moist inside, easily a 10/10. I got the third‑pound cheeseburger with bacon and avocado on the side, and it was also delicious. What really made the visit memorable was the service. Right at the start, my husband let Nathan know that we both have an allium intolerance and garlic allergies. Nathan was upfront about the limitations of a small kitchen and the fact that they can't guarantee anything, which we appreciated. But he still went out of his way to check on things for us. He even came back to let my husband know the tartar sauce had yellow onion in it so he could choose something else. It was clear they were paying attention. Nathan was friendly, patient, and genuinely thoughtful. Dining out with allergies can be stressful, but he made it feel easy and comfortable. We also watched another waitress run after a family who had forgotten a sippy cup; just another example of how attentive the staff is. Overall, the food was great, but the service is what will bring us back.

Harbor Cafe absolutely lived up to the hype--and then some. My girlfriend and I stopped by…read morerecently, and it honestly exceeded my expectations. She ordered the spicy machaca con huevo scramble, and I went with the country steak breakfast--both dishes came out hot, fresh, and packed with flavor. Everything was cooked perfectly. This place used to be my go-to spot back when I lived in Santa Cruz, and coming back after all this time, it was even better than I remembered. Same great vibe, amazing food, and just an all-around solid experience. If you're in the area, Harbor Cafe is a must. I'll definitely be making it a regular stop again.

The staff was attentive, especially at the checkin stand. The wait staff seemed a bit short staffed…read morethough. I got the breakfast burrito, but added Carnitas. It was excellent. Very filling very flavorful no complaints. I'm definitely going back. I also like the feel of the place. The ambience was kind of cool.

The service was great and the atmosphere is perfect for a romantic dinner or any occasion! The food…read morehad a diversity of options and was very tasty!

Food was amazing it's such a cute little romantic restaurant . Shelley was so nice and welcoming…read more She was all by herself and still provided the best service . Pleasant , funny and kind. Overall such a great experience. Must try!!

Best Oysters! Chef Jeffrey has curated a culinary menu…read moreutilizing the freshest ingredients. Whether land or sea, you will experience a great meal. Sky and staff cannot be more welcoming and service oriented. Santa Cruz Harbor MUST STOP!

Came here with some CO workers right at noon on a Friday. Excellent service and amazing views. Felt…read morevery authentic. I grabbed a mai tai IPA which was perfectly chilled and crispy. And for my main course was their lobster roll. Good lobster roll but was missing a nice buttery touch (my preference) otherwise assembled nicely. Would recommend this lunch spot any day

I had never heard of this place before, but happened to come across it when looking for a place to…read morehave dinner. The food looked amazing and the reviews were also pretty good so we decided to give it a try. There is indoor and outdoor seating available. The outdoor seating is covered and heaters are available. We sat indoors since it was pretty cold. We were immediately seated and greeted by multiple of their staff that night. I tried their fettuccine Alfredo and I believe it was their spaghetti and meatballs as well? We were also provided with bread while we waited for our food. Everything was really good. Our food was ready pretty fast and our server was very attentive. There's parking available, they offer dessert, but they are also right next to a frozen yogurt shop!

Food was very delicious and fresh! Excellent service! The restaurant is small so make sure to make…read morea reservation. This is the best Italian restaurant I've ever been in the city of Santa Cruz.

My boyfriend and I had an amazing experience at Pete's Capitola. The food and ambience was great!…read moreMy fav was the fresh pasta in lobster cream sauce. This is going to be our new favorite restaurant in the area

Pete's is in Capitola Village and can be easy to miss because it's right at the curve of Esplanade,…read moreand you need to look up and step up into the entrance. (I have, no joke, walked by it dozens of times without realizing it!) I found it from seeing it on a list of restaurant participants for Burger Week. Overall, I give Pete's 3.5 stars, and here's why... **Ambiance: 5 stars** With the bright and tastefully-decorated dining room along with the multiple windows overlooking the spectacular beach, you really can't beat this ambiance! Pete's has the fine-dining vibe that's perfect for that first date, anniversary or other special dining occasion when you want some quiet and mood lighting. **Service: 4 stars** We were seated right away, even without reservations. It was a Sunday, and there was no wait or crowd. Service was quick and friendly. Mid-dinner, a server broke some glassware right behind my seat and needed us to move so they could sweep under our table and feet. They ended up moving us to a better table (next to the window) instead of having us stand there to watch them sweep. Accidents happen, and I felt they handled that well. **Food: 3 stars** Every item we ordered was delicious and fresh, and all arrived quickly. However, the menu was fairly compact, and the amount of food is even more compact. I was excited Pete's had lobster rolls (one of my all-time favorite food items EVER; $28) on their menu, so I didn't hesitate to order that along with a lychee martini. My partner ordered the bolognese ($30) and an old fashioned. We ordered the polenta as an appetizer. All of it was tasty, but oh-so-small. The cheddar polenta was like a taste test size (maybe 4 TBs), and the lobster roll was the smallest I had ever seen in my life. I didn't want to be rude, but I wanted to laugh when it arrived at our table! The lobster roll was smaller than my hand. It looked like circus food with all super tiny sizes. **Price/Value: 2 stars** You don't come to Pete's for the value because the portions are.... micro. TIP: If you have a big appetite or skipped a meal that day, I suggest going elsewhere or be ready to turn over a paycheck because you'll need to order a lot to fill up. It is worth it, however, if you fancy a light-filled room with views of the sparkling ocean and sounds of the waves crashing on the golden sands of Capitola!

Of course I've never been here so I checked Yelp reviews and it looked like it had pretty good…read morereviews. We didn't have reservations and it was on Mother's Day. But we got seated right away for three people. We got seated towards the back of the restaurant where the other bar is. I start to look at my menu for a couple minutes and I noticed something weird happened that I was in a different spot. And then I realized that I was sitting on a rotating platform! It was super cool because you always get a rotation to view the ocean many times. I only ordered one drink, because I had a 2 1/2 hour drive home, which was really good and my bistro steak (medium rare) was so good. It had a really nice char and taste to it. I'm definitely coming back to check out their other entrées and hopefully have more time to have a couple cocktails!

We enjoy Hawaiian food, so we made this our lunch stop at Santa Cruz. It's located near the end of…read morethe pier so it was a little walk to get here. We were seated immediately on a Saturday, which was nice. The AC/fans were blasting so it was actually really chilly inside, but you've got a great view of the ocean and the revolving bar is a bit of a trip to watch! I got the honey macadamia nut prawns, my wife got the tamarind Pua'a, and the kid got coconut prawns. The food was decent- not bad but nothing notable in our opinion. Perhaps our thoughts were swayed by the prices- a little expensive we thought. Decent lunch but a one and done place for us.

My FAVORITE restaurant…read more Went to celebrate my birthday for a girls trip, we got Tiki Torch Wings, Ceviche, potstickers and my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE..... The Pink Bikini Martini.... I swear I can drink a ton of those. Our server was a little more serious, but I've experienced that before here. Not overly friendly... Felt like maybe they were a little annoyed. But, hey we all have our days. I just love the vibe, the classic videos, the decor and they even have a doppelganger picture of my mom I always ask her, "How'd they manage to get a picture of you...." lol The only complaint... They know longer have available parking across the street as they are now putting a building in that part for the university, so we had to go on a mission to find parking further away and walk through the businesses to get their.

Dunno much about the inside of the restaurant, we had our pup with us and took to patio seating…read moreright on the sidewalk. Drinks were make right, had me an Old Fashioned and it hit all the right spots. The Hawaiian steak was good, a ten oz steak, on top of some good mashed potatoes with Brussel sprouts. The steak was a little sweet for me but very good. My kid had the king carb curry over rice. I think that was probably the best item on the menu. I tried a bite or eight. It was super good. Service was great.