Shadowbrook
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What a magical experience as always! Shadowbrook is hands-down one of the most romantic spots around. Getting there is half the fun--you can either ride the cute little red cable car down the hill or take the winding stairs through the gorgeous, lush scenery. Inside, the ambiance is perfection with dark wood details, cozy lighting, and an overall super enchanting feel. They have an extensive drink menu, and the French 75 was fantastic. I've been here a few times over the years and usually order the prime rib (which is always excellent), but this time I decided to mix it up and tried the black truffle gnocchi with added filet mignon. It was SO good and incredibly flavorful! The staff here is always so informative, warm, and attentive. Every visit is memorable--I always truly enjoy my time here!
If you're on the hunt for a truly captivating, breathtaking, and memorable dining experience, do yourself a favor and pay a visit to "Shadowbrook". Located in the beautiful Mediterranean-esque coastal city of Capitola, this unique and elaborate restaurant has been in operation dating back to 1947. Originally built as a log cabin, this place has gone through evolutionary changes over the decades while preserving the historical rooms (both inside and out) that can seat hundreds of guests at any given time. Located directly off of Wharf Rd and adjacent to the Soquel Creek, this place captivates the heart of Capitola and surrounding areas in every way possible. As far as getting here, you have the option of driving your personal vehicle while Shadowbrook offers a dedicated lot to park. And of course there is always Uber/Lyft. But if you want the ultimate experience by arriving here in style, I HIGHLY recommend booking a complimentary Shadowbrook shuttle. My lady and I were staying at the "Best Western Plus Capitola By-The-Sea Inn & Suites" (only 0.8 miles away) and one of the hotel staff called the restaurant to have us picked up at 5:30pm on Friday 9/4/2026. However, this isn't any old shuttle. Nope, we were picked up by a restored 1955 Checker Cab! Not only did our driver drop us off at the restaurant, but he also took us through some of the amazing views of Capitola! We felt like celebrities that were living in a fantasy world. When we arrived, we made a short walk to the entrance that eventually led us towards the red Shadowbrook cable car. This tram/gondola goes down a slanted track making its way through a dense, green hillside. Once we got to the primary entrance to the actual restaurant, everything was a breeze just in time for our 6:00pm reservation. I have to say, the attention to detail here is on a whole other level. The massive amount of foliage combined with the overall beauty and aesthetics of both the interior and exterior dining areas really prove that every seat here is a winner. We were fortunate to sit at the outdoor patio area which provided a serene view of Soquel Creek and all of its surroundings. Our server, Sean was absolutely fantastic. He brought out (2) food menus and a drink menu as well as warm ciabatta bread with whipped butter. As for their food selection, they carry a vast array of traditional upscale American cuisine. I ended up ordering a 6 oz. cut of their "Chateau Prime-Top Sirloin". This char-grilled Angus steak included potato gratin, Shiitake mushroom sautéed spinach, Baker's bacon, and topped with chef's butter. My lady went with their "Ricotta Ravioli" which included edamame puree, sugar snap peas, and topped crispy tarragon butter. I went with a refreshing "Coconut-Lavendar Lemonade" while she opted with a glass of the "Salmon Creek Merlot". Total time to receive our food after ordering was roughly 30 minutes. I was perfectly fine with that as this was a place worth admiring every single minute. When our entrées did arrive, everything was showcased and beautifully presented. As for my sirloin, this had the perfect 'char' while retaining all the juices (as I had requested it medium). The potato gratin was creamy with the addition of infused cheese. I particularly loved the bacon chunks that were part of the spinach. I also tried a few bites of her ravioli and that too was perfectly balanced with the creamy ricotta and edamame puree. All in all, both of our dishes were a 9/10. After we were done eating, our server Sean was gracious enough to even take a picture of my lady and I complete with the creek as the background. I will say that everything from the main dining room to the Rockroom Lounge to the Rooftop Terrace to the exterior dining spot where we ate, this place is a real gem. Reservations are strongly encouraged but not required. Hours at the Rockroom Lounge are from 12-10pm while main dining hours are from 2-8:30pm (with extended hours to 9:30pm on Fri/Sat). Whether you're here for date night, a birthday, anniversary, etc., this place is as good as it gets. Finally, with world class service, million dollar views, amazingly delectable food, and an experience that I will never forget, I am giving "Shadowbrook" restaurant in Capitola a perfect five star rating.
First things first, the cable car ride down was so cute. Cramped. But cute. The staff were so nice and accommodating. Definitely make reservations ahead of time! Now let's get to the food. I can only speak for what I ordered. My espresso martini made with tequila instead of vodka was UHMAZING! Best one I've had so far. The baked Brie was mouth watering, the crostinis were so good and crispy. And the top sirloin was perfectly cooked to medium rare. Loved every bit of it! And the cheesecake was good but I wasn't a fan of the peach compote. My friend loved her cosmo and her gnocchi. And she loved the peach compote. So it worked out for us. Will definitely be back next year!
Shadowbrook must be the #1 premiere dining experience on the central CA coast. Second time at this landmark historic restaurant, impressed with the exceptional cuisine and service. My wild salmon topped with julienned vegetables and served over seagreens and jasmine rice, garnished with ginger-wasabi and ponzu sauces was nothing short of memorable. Many diners on a Monday evening, so reservations definitely recommended on weekends.
A must try! I never knew about this restaurant until others mentioned it. My husband took us here for our anniversary with my son. We came at an odd time where there are no reservations so seating was limited. This is such a unique experience. My kid loved taking the cable car. The lush greenery and views made it even better. Since we came around 2:00, the full menu wasn't available. I decided to order the chicken, my husband ordered the steak, the kiddo ordered a burger and we got some clam chowder and prosecco to celebrate! The steak was delicious. The chicken was just OK. I wish it would've came with a better side like mashed potatoes or rice. Anyway, I liked the chimichurri sauce. The clam chowder was also really good. I wish the full menu was available, but we'll come at a different time next time. Our server was great and we had an amazing experience.
A once in a lifetime experience for sure! Everywhere we looked we had picturesque views and the novelty of dining at this property was so special! I would recommend it to anyone in the area. We ordered steak and lobster and it was sadly very plain. We didn't get any bread, but in other reviews it has been complimentary, so I am not sure why. I would return again, but order a pizza
I've been here twice for our "dating anniversary" One was when my boyfriend and I were both underage and young and the other one was she we were older. We were treated the same both times. Glad to see that both adults and so called "kids" are treated thw same no matter what :) Vibe 10/10: It's so pretty!!! The first time I learned about this place, I wanted to go for the pictures. There's a little trolley that you can ride down to the front of the door, or you can walk the stairs. It's somewhat hidden, so it feels so... I don't know how to explain it. The restaurant is below where the parking lot it. I honestly can go on and on about the vibes of this place. The lighting is warm, so many plants too!! Service 10/10: As someone who has worked in the food industry, you always have a line that you say to every single customer. My boyfriend and I joked about jow the server was going down every new table saying the same thing. It was definitely a treat to hear. After the servers gets to know us, I notice that they definitely starts talking on a more personal level. My boyfriend is also on his little "wine craze" so he asked the server to recommend something. He loved what was recommended. Food 9/10: Personally for me, the food wasn't something to go crazy for. It's definitely more of a place where you can talk to each other and sit for dates. Food was still so good though! I can eat that damn mashed potatoes forever though!
We had a fantastic time at this historic restaurant! The entrance is so unique; you can ride a small cable car down to the building or take a lovely walk through their herb gardens and past a small waterfall. The restaurant itself is very well-maintained with many different dining rooms that have a very cute, rustic setting. The food is reasonably priced with good portions. The Prime Rib was delicious and moist, and the Lamb was incredibly tender and packed with flavor. The mud pie was super delicious. Our server was high-energy and gave us helpful recommendations throughout the night. With the beautiful river view and the great atmosphere, we highly recommend this spot!
Hands down the best restaurant in California and maybe one of the best I've ever been to period in my life. Service was top notch, every dish and drink was incredible and perfectly cooked/flavored, and the views and interior vibe are wonderful. The trolley car down is fun but walking up and down is also nice especially after the meal.
This was our third visit to Shadowbrook, and every time has been an amazing experience. The atmosphere is one of a kind. It somehow manages to feel quaint, elegant, and homey all at the same time. The service is consistently excellent, and we honestly haven't ordered anything here that we didn't like. Even the calamari deserves a special mention. Calamari feels like such a staple appetizer at so many restaurants that it's hard for one to really stand out, but somehow Shadowbrook does it. Their calamari is absolutely amazing. The beef Wellington, lobster tail with filet medallions, New York steak, and lamb have all been fantastic as well. One thing we especially appreciate is how family-friendly Shadowbrook is despite being such a fine establishment. They have coloring pages for kids, a varied children's menu, and even a little hat filled with toys that kids can choose from. Those small touches make it much easier to enjoy a special meal as a family. Without a doubt, Shadowbrook has become one of our favorite places for special occasions. And, of course, you can't talk about Shadowbrook without mentioning the iconic hillside cable car. It's the cherry on top and worth the ride every single time.
We made reservations for 4 online for an early dinner so we could enjoy the tram ride down to the restaurant. We were able to do same day on a Friday. We were able to get dressed a bit since there is a dress code. We were seated right away and had a great view next to a window. The staff was great, our server was very friendly and helpful. Food was amazing - we ordered the baked Brie, oysters, a Cesar salad we all shared, I had the beef bolognese, others ordered the prime rib, gnocchi, and sirloin. We had some drinks - wine, lemon drop, sidecars were all great. Great night of dinner for my bday w/ the family.
The location of the restaurant was in the side of a cliff which was pretty interesting. They have a lift system if you prefer or cannot take the stairs to the dining levels from the street. Our salad and chowder actually came to the table before our drinks which should have been a sign the timing would be off. When the food arrived, my pot pie came out 45 minutes BEFORE my husband's steak. While talking with the manager, the server justified the lack of timing because the food came from two different kitchens, however, he never tried to manage expectations. It was extremely disappointed that he felt it was acceptable to serve our main courses this far apart from each other. The best part of our experience was the setting of the patio/outdoor dining area. I am not sure we will be back to this location, as it seemed every table experienced the same mismanaged food serving. I will leave a positive note that the manager seemed understanding of our frustration and did not try to make excuses for the service.
Got to finally ride their famous little cart up and down! Went during lunch so their menu is limited, there's no dress code during this time. Cocktails were just okay I got a guavapolitan 6/10 Baby octopus with baby potatoes 7/10 Ahi carpaccio 8/10 6 oz sirloin steak dish 6/10 Server: 10/10 super friendly and nice his name starts with an M, very helpful and kind.
17 days ago
Ahh this is a must go to place when near Santa Cruz. Just miles 5 away from Santa Cruz is Capitola where you get to try this great place! Beautiful location an amazing ambiance and some great food! Must go to know how great this place really is!!!! read more
17 hours ago
Had such a great experience here! Hannah was absolutely wonderful--so kind, friendly, and attentive. She was incredibly helpful and made sure we had everything we needed throughout our visit. Her positive attitude and great service really made a difference. Thank you, Hannah, for making our experience so enjoyable! We'll definitely be back! read more
1 day ago
10 days ago
This place is kind of a gimmick. It is nice for a date but the food is not worth the price. My server didn't do anything wrong. The vibe of the restaurant was pretty nice and definitely romantic. My green beans were inedible, raw and unseasoned. The potatoes and the filet were fine but nothing special. The girl I was with liked the pork chop but not the puree. We also got some baked brie and calamari. The calamari was good and the sauce they came with were a good combo. I wasn't a fan of the sweet dressing under the brie but the rest of the dish was alright. I would come here once just for the experience and to say you went. You come more for the gondola and photos than the food really. read more
We've always wanted to dine at this restaurant and let me just say clearly, we should've been here 10 years ago and continued to dine here at least once a year! From honoring our request for a view of the river and a quiet location to the staff, especially Brandon And Jacob... Superior treatment! Also the recommendations for food selection, wine cocktails... Can't say enough great things ... 100% you must go read more
Such a great restaurant, we were very happy with the service, food and atmosphere. We've been to Capitola about 4 times in the last few years. We've had Shadowbrook on our list, but just never got around to going. We made it a priority to try on this trip. We had an evening reservation on a weekday and it was still pretty busy. The replica cable car was a hoot and my kids had a great time riding that up and down in our visit. The interior of the restaurant was very nicely appointed. The ambience was very classy without feeling too stuffy. The views of the river/creek were also very nice. Our server and waitstaff were very accommodating and so very kind. The food was fantastic. I tried the Black Truffle gnocchi with sliced filet medallions. My wife had the lobster tail, my kids had the Prime Sirloin and Honey Glazed Porkchop. Everyone loved their meals. Prior to dinner, we shared prawn appetizers and fried artichokes. Both of which were delicious. For dessert my wife and kids shared the Chocolate Meltdown while I opted for a Keoke Coffee. All in all we had a fantastic experience. We Ubered there from our VRBO. Luckily we were able tog eat a ride back in the taxi. This was a lot of fun for my girls, as they had never been in an old fashioned taxi. We wanted every bit of our evening and look forward to future visits in our next Capitola trips! read more
2 months ago
My blackened prime rib was just oh okay. The seasoning was off, the potatoes were good the spinach was okay. My wife's shrimp mac and cheese was pretty good heavy on the breadcrumbs. The calamari and bacon prawns were good. My daughter's Pizza underwhelming is what she said. Would I come back??? I'm not to sure about that. Service was great though!! read more
11 days ago
Shadowbrook was such a beautiful and unique restaurant experience that lived up to the hype! After reading all the reviews and photos, I was expecting a truly magical night and they definitely delivered on all counts. We came here to celebrate the anniversary of my furbaby's passing (not your typical anniversary celebratory dinner, but def still an anniversary!) and I was very satisfied with my choice. Parking was super easy. The entrance was already beautiful enough, and the tram was such a unique highlight experience. We got some great videos! I wasn't sure how our timing would be this night so I didn't make a reservation, but we called ahead and arrived a little before 7pm. We inquired about seating in the dining room area and got a drink at the bar and were thankfully squeezed in for a table (due to a cancellation). All of the staff were extremely courteous and attentive. The restaurant itself is an aesthetic rustic garden experience from beginning to end. So many floors to explore and lovely plants to enjoy. Its also right by the water, so sitting outside is also another experience in itself. Perfect for date nights! The food was excellent and surprisingly just as good as the view. The Ahi Carpaccio was sliced perfectly thin and just melted in my mouth. I wasn't expecting to devour the whole thing but i'm glad this dinner was my first meal of the day. The scallops were also divine, loved the mashed potatoes along with it, and the sauce. Also completely finished my entree. My vegetarian date enjoyed the beet salad and the nightly noodle special, which he also thoroughly enjoyed. The drinks we ordered were quite standard (nothing innovative) but still made well. And the mudpie dessert we ordered was also good. The crust was quite crispy. Since we were celebrating an anniversary (though not ours), our server helped us to take a photo which they printed out for us immediately. This was definitely a great touch and rare to find at a restaurant (especially complimentary). I would love to come back and introduce more people to this lovely restaurant!! read more
Overall such a great experience. Our waiter was super friendly and accommodating. The ambiance and experience was wonderful however I would suggest adding light music in the main dining room - or the room the host stand is located in. In terms of food I personally had the prime rib and it was well flavored and the drinks were great! However, the shrimp scampi lacked sauce and seasoning although it was still edible. Very romantic and fun place to visit! Must take the funicular down!! Great stop for a casual date night or traveling through. read more
We had an amazing experience here and would recommend this for folks who like some nostalgia, good food, great service, and a special place to celebrate any occasion! The old taxis in the parking lot perks your interest as you park your car. The lush gardens, the old menu from the 1950s, the trolley ride down the hill to the restaurant makes one anticipate what could be waiting at the Swiss chalet-like restaurant. Reservations are recommended. The Coconut Lavender Lemonade was a refreshing non-alcoholic drink we enjoyed. The rest of our party had wine and beer. Our server, Shawn, was kind, patient, and helpful. For appetizers we had the Fried Calamari and the Ahi Carpaccio. I love the Scampi Style Linguine with Filet Medallions which I had medium well. The noodles were al dente and although they were thick it was not heavy. There was a generous portion of shrimps in the dish and the filet was tasty and buttery melt in your mouth tender. They had a special which was this Alaskan Halibut with celery puree and it was fresh and delicious. The Lobster Tail was succulent and the Pan-Seared Sea Scallops were perfectly seared and delicate. We had to try their House Specialty which is the Prime Grade Prime Rib. Thanks to Shawn who recommended the blackened version as he learned we preferred it cooked a bit more. For dessert, we shared the Chocolate Meltdown and a slice of Berry Pie served with Vanilla Ice Cream. A perfect ending to a sumptuous lunch and a great start to a splendid day with family! read more
3 days ago
4 days ago
This isn't just dinner; it's an unforgettable experience from the moment you step inside. As you wait for the trolley you look out and oversee the restaurant. You're greeted by the beautifully decorated bar. We came early so we could wander around, exploring different floors, and finally settle down at our table. The meal is simply delightful. The drinks are delicious and expertly crafted, and the calamari is a standout dish. The scallops, potatoes, and prime rib are all excellent, and the crème brûlée is fluffy and incredibly good. My husband and I would definitely return for another wonderful dining experience. read more
5 months ago
Shadowbrook has to be one of my favorite restaurants of all time. They get a 10/10 from me in every single aspect: the atmosphere, staff, and food! It's definitely popular for a reason. Upon arriving, we took the cable car down to the restaurant, which was a short but lovely trip. They had indoor and outdoor seating, but we requested to sit outside since it was so beautiful. Our server, and just the staff overall, were so kind of accommodating. Our server helped us pick out our dishes and recommended we take a walk around the garden while we waited. The outdoor area was truly so serene and peaceful. Once we got our food, it didn't disappoint. I got scallops, while my boyfriend got the steak. We also got the caesar salad and poke nachos. Everything was delicious and we were stuffed by the end. I truly recommend everyone try this place at least once. It checked all my boxes and I can't wait to be back again! read more
Recommended by a friend and it did not disappoint! It was the cutest place, perfect for a date night. Our server was so sweet and made our experience great. Started with the ceasar salad & baked brie.. I'm still thinking about the brie! Then had the surf and turf which was also really good. Loved this spot! read more
Came in with expectation of an overhyped touristy place but was impressed by the food, service & of course the ambiance. $25 corkage fee for 1st bottle. Great: sirloin, baked brie, bacon wrapped prawn, choc lava cake Acceptable: lamb, scampi Ambiance was lovely even though we were in the dark Vault room. Love the tram ride experience. Would be back read more
6 days ago
Shadowbrook- long standing historical spot. I loved reading its history on the menu. The restaurant is very large. Dinner was okay, not great or outstanding- good. Nice portions. Lava cake was overdone so there was no lava. The baker brie could do without the bread encasing. The jalapeño jam was delish. Drinks were okay. Ambience 100%. Service great. Staff nice. Front host desk- on my way out I wanted to purchase a couple of souvenir items- there were about 5-6 girls gathered at the booth, all on their phones, looked up at me while I stood there, back to their phones to finish their text, then to ask how they could help me. This was a bummer. Other than that, you don't have to get dressed up to sit in the main areas- no real casual wear like beach wear. read more
6 months ago
Every had to take a funicular to dinner? Well now you can say you have here at Shadowbrook! A historic restaurant great for special occasions. We came here for a birthday and had fun getting a little dressed up to both adhere to and take advantage of the dress code. I ordered the oso busso which was braised pork so tender it literally fell off the bone between leaving the kitchen and reaching the table. The pork sat atop a block of crispy polenta and was garnished with a herby preserved lemon topping. We really wanted to try dessert but were so full that we could only opt for the order of two house made truffles which were rich and delicious. More places should offer bite sized dessert when you just need a little sweet treat. Logistics: - indoor and outdoor seating - Moderate amount of parking - 3 or 4 flights of outdoor stairs available for those too claustrophobic for the funicular - Vegetarian options (pasta) - Mocktail options read more
What a gorgeous restaurant! The highlight is the cable car that takes you down to restaurant, the ambiance and the views. Had a family birthday celebration , sat at the lower section corner table next to the window - best table in the house! Starters were carpaccio and calamari. Entrees from steak, pork chop, salmon, and kids pasta. Corkage fee was $25 and the desserts were a delight. Had the mudpie and creme brulee. 4% tagged on. This is one of those places you'd want to try once and happy you did. Supposedly one of the most romantic restos in the country and I can see why. The day could not have been nicer and sunny in Capitola to celebrate a milestone birthday with the clan. read more
2 months ago
Shadowbrook is absolutely beautiful and completely lived up to the hype! We actually came here without reservations for our anniversary dinner and were able to seat ourselves in the Rock room area, which still had a fantastic atmosphere. The food was absolutely delicious, and our server was incredibly attentive throughout the entire night. To top off an already amazing evening, the staff gifted us a framed photo of us taken at the restaurant, complete with the signature Shadowbrook logo. It was such a thoughtful, classy touch for our anniversary. Between the stunning riverside views, the cable car ride, and the top-tier hospitality, it was an unforgettable night. Highly recommend! read more
6 months ago
Can't complain! Went here for my anniversary and was surprised by such a delightful ride down to the restaurant via the most adorable tram (similar to Angel's flight in LA)! The restaurant itself was also delightfully designed, built right into the hill with at least 3 floors of seating with different vibes, including greenhouse, riverside patios, old fashioned american dining rooms, etc. The only modification I'd suggest them make, is to selectively add more heat lamps to warm the place up a bit at night. The food itself was also pleasant, and a pretty great value for the MAJOR portions. The blackened prime rib was exceptional and like nothing I had tasted before. It was perfectly cooked. The smokiness of the blackening seasoning marinated on top tasted absolutely amazing with the jous and fresh black pepper they doused on top. These were perfectly complemented by great creamed spinach and insanely creamy mashed potatoes, which I immediately mixed into the jous so it could soak up that delicious umami flavor. The osso buco was fall-off-the-bone juicy and delicious. The only comment would be that I wish they had better sides complementing the protein. The italian sodas were delightfully refreshing and paired well with the heavy meal. My boyfriend and I definitely appreciated them as they helped us finish the huge portions! The service was immaculate. Our waitress was an absolute professional and recommended some great dishes. They even gave us some complementary chocolate truffles served with a candle to celebrate our anniversary! I couldn't have asked for a more magical evening! read more
Shadowbrook is a great place to go for a celebratory dinner or romantic date night. The dining room is a formal experience, with a dress code required. They have the rock room/bar area for casual dining, and the menu does include some of the fine dining entrees which is great! I ordered a dirty kettle martini and asked for it extra dirty, and it wasn't as dirty as I'd like, it had a strong vermouth taste by the end and I didn't finish it and switched to the Malbec they have on the wine list. We started with the octopus appetizer and a special pizza they had for the evening. The octopus was a Greek flare with tzatziki which intrigued me and why we ordered it. It was a bit fishy, but the meat was pretty delicate. I don't think I would order it again but happy I tried it. And the pizza was decent, it came with chicken, bacon, cherry tomatoes, and onions. The thick cut bacon which was smoky and delish but personal preference I think they should've used sliced tomatoes vs cherry tomatoes. Entrees are the STAR here. I ordered the truffle gnocchi with the filet medallions. So tasty, meat was cooked perfectly and it was a great portion size. I had leftovers. My husband ordered the blackened prime rib and it was absolutely fantastic, I 10/10 recommend this!! So flavorful all around, the meat, the horseradish cream sauce, and potatoes. Dessert we ordered the cheesecake which was topped with blueberries, it was sweet but also had the cream cheese flavor. I loved it. Overall, you will never regret a night dining here! read more
**Update: Overall 3.5 Stars** I took my family there for a celebration dinner. It was their first time here, and I couldn't wait to show them the cable car, the beautiful garden, the cool tree in the middle of the restaurant, the old school upscale vibe, and the delicious food. To my surprise, there was little consistency in the food served and service provided from the last time I was there, and I left a little disappointed. For instance, my last server went out of their way to make an anniversary feel special with a plate of chocolate truffles and candles. They also spent a great deal of time with us on wine selection and checking in. However this time, for a 21st birthday, there was nothing but crickets. (I noted this in my reservations as well as reminded them when I checked in and sat down.). Another example is the Osso Bucco (one of the few items that is still on the menu) was not plated with care like it was previously. Instead, it looked as if it was hastily slapped into the bowl. The bones were put into the bowl along with sauce that haphazardly covered everything, including the "crispy polenta cake", which was soggy and hidden. And there was also supposed to be a side of root vegetables. The menu description said the pork would be served with braising juices only, but it looked more like stew. They served the dish to me with A SPOON, if that tells you anything. My kids ordered Italian dishes, which they enjoyed, but for $30+ each, the portions were pretty small. They seemed more excited about the fresh bread that was given out by someone holding a basket! Considering how little we ordered (3 dishes, 1 cocktail, 2 regular $4 drinks, 1 dessert), it came out to be $60 per person! (This includes the 4% fee the restaurant charges, tax, and tip.) The food alone does not make this worthwhile. The service is not consistent where sometimes a special occasion gets celebrated, and sometimes it doesn't. With all that said, I do think Shadowbrook is one of the most unique restaurants I've ever been to with my favorite part being the cable car ride to/from the restaurant. Thus, I'd go there next time to the bar area only for drinks and light snacks. TIP: I recommend that everyone come here at least once though! And I highly recommend making reservations so you don't have to wait. (You can make them on their website.) read more
8 days ago
Fabulous experience from the grounds to the food and service Definitely a special occasion restaurant with incredible ambiance Staff is amazing read more
The venue, ambiance, and service were top tier here. I highly recommend taking the trolley down. When you get there there are multiple rooms with different themes (randomized seating). Favorites are the greenhouse and main room. Food was good but not amazing. I had the puff pastry, clam chowder, and black truffle gnocchi. Clam chowder 10/10 perfect Puff pastry 8/10 sauce was ok Gnocchi 7/10 could use more flavor in the cream and gnocchi texture wasn't my favorite GOOD FOR: dates, group outing, family, views (river and interior views) read more
Perfect spot for date night, family gathering, corporate event, and many more! I celebrated my birthday dinner at Shadowbrook and I loved lamb strak the best. Shrimp scampi was blend for my taste and rest of the food tasted great. Amazing view with cable car to ride up and down to the restaurant. There's many stairs to walk as well with beautifully maintained garden. I was hoping to get complimentary birthday dessert but it didn't happen. read more
9 months ago
What a stunning restaurant! Getting there is half the fun, after being dropped off at the top, you can either stroll down a garden staircase or ride the vintage "hillavator." We chose the hillavator. It fits about six people and is a cute ride down to the restaurant. Waiting for the hillavator, can be time consuming as it is an attraction of its own. Once we arrived, the staff greeted us warmly, and after a short 10-minute wait, we were guided down TWO more flights of stairs to our table.... consider it a pre-dinner workout with a reward at the end. Tread carefully if wearing heels. Our server was incredibly attentive, and the food absolutely delivered. We started with the bacon-wrapped prawns, (should really be called shrimp) then moved on to pan-seared sea scallops and beef Wellington. Every bite was phenomenal truly worth the descent. The price point is right in line with other upscale restaurants, and the experience makes it more than worth it. Come for the hillavator, stay for the food, and leave already planning your return! Grab your reservations early! read more
1 month ago
Went to meet a friend for lunch and drinks. Haven't been to Capitola, so great opportunity to go and eat at a historic place. A great scenic view walking up and at the patio seats. You get to ride a cable car down to the restaurant. Really cool! Small and only 6 can fit, so this could be a wait for going down to restaurant. Sat down with a fantastic view while outside on a 68 degree day. Ordered the Marine Layer to drink, a nice coconut yogurt style drink with Rum. Ordered the top sirloin dish. Oh that butter was a great touch to a medium cooked sirloin. Very flavorful and seasoned. Potatoes and salad added a great touch of fresh flavor to the dish as well. Enjoyed a couple of pressed coffee before the dessert. This vanilla bean crème brûlée is FANTASTIC! Creamy, thick and a nice caramel burnt crust on top! Also ordered some jalapeño Bree cheese for the road. Overall very happy with the location, view, and service. Very top notch and professional. Would comeback any enjoy another meal. This time around dinner for the full menu. read more
Shadowbrook is definitely something to experience. The cable car to the restaurant is one of a kind. My favorite place to sit on the soquel creek but every room is unique. Our server was great and made us feel special by taking our photo for my birthday. We had a printed copy by the end of the night. I ordered the filet, with the pomme puree. It was cooked to perfection But could have been hotter. The rolls were not warm and we only got one roll before dinner. The bolognese with oxtail was also very good but not very hot. I was not a fan of the shrimp appetizer. read more
10/10 Ambiance - The garden is beautiful and so well taken care of. There are fountains with fish. You can walk down the path through the garden, or up once you are done with your meal. Other option is the unique elevator that can take you up and down to the restaurant. Inside the restaurant are live plants, quiet music, and an upscale atmosphere. FYI there is a dress code so make sure to check their website before going. Parking - they is a parking lot dedicated to the restaurant right near the entrance. Drinks We ordered a bottle of Rose from their specials menu which ended up being a perfect pairing for our meal. Food 9/10 Baked Brie - puff pastry and Brie had a great crunch, the jalapeño jelly was a nice surprise, not spicy and added depth to the plate 7/10 Caesar salad - overall just okay. I prefer more dressing and the Romain was cut very small which made it harder to eat. My partner loved the anchovies on the side and said they were the best he's ever had. 8/10 Short Rib - fell off the bone and had great flavor 9/10 "Surf and turf" - came with a huge lobster tail and a 6oz filet. The lobster tail was so buttery and soft. The filet was good and matched well with the potatoes! Dessert 9/10 Crème brûlée - had the most delicious and sweet crunchy top and perfect soft interior Overall a beautiful romantic spot for dinner and drinks. Will be back again soon! read more
8 months ago
**3.5 - 3.75 Stars Overall** Came here for my 2 year anniversary and it was a beautiful restaurant but was a bit disappointed with the food and atmosphere. For a restaurant that "has a dress code" and advertises how it's one of the most "romantic" spots, and has signs throughout the restaurant to "turn off electronics for the experience", it didn't really seem to live up to the ideal. I was seating in an area that seemed quite crowded and loud - not really the "romantic - demure" vibe they try to portray. Perhaps have designated areas specific for smaller parties and dates and other areas for larger celebrations. Food: Clam chowder 3.5/5 - I thought the bacon pieces were a nice touch but this was nothing more than an average cup of chowder. I'm from SF and a bit of a chowder snob so maybe I'm a bit tougher. Calamari 3/5 nothing memorable, Baked Brie 4.5/5 - the jalapeño jelly(?) / jam sauce with the cheese paired so well and was enjoyable. Lobster 5/5 - perfectly cooked and buttery. The blanc sauce was creamy and amazing. Prime rib 4/5 - cooked perfectly as a medium rare Garlic mashed potatoes 2/5: way too much garlic salt. Espresso martini 2/5 - there was straight up crushed iced in the drink which I was so confused by. The server recommended shaking the martini with some baileys to make it a bit sweet and creamy which was a good suggestion but I guess the bartender poured the ice along with the drink? Honestly this would've been a 5/5 martini but the ice was just killed the glass Server 5/5 our server was very attentive and the staff always kept the table clean. The dishes would be bussed as soon as they were done. Kinda weird tho that the bag they put out to go boxes in was a compost bag. read more
Named one of the most romantic restaurants and seen it all over tiktok, and you know what? It lives up to its name. Staff has always been attentive. The place sits right by the riverbank which gives it great scenery while you eat lunch. The inside feels like has a home-y feel but also elegant at the same time. Waiters has always been great to make the night special. Also asked if we wanted pictures right after. It also has a small trolley to go up and down the hill if you dont want stairs, but also i recommend the stairs at least once because it the ambiance of it all just asking for some photos. Off to the food review! 5/5 - Baked Brie - One of the best things on the menu. The gelatin jalapeno spread with cheese you can't go wrong. The crunchiness of the bread with some cheese on top that is baked with some pastry outer layer just makes it all the better. Gooey, crunchy and sweet/spicy jelly, soo good. Recommend this to anyone. 3.7/5 - Pacific Rim salmon - Decided to try a non-meat this time around. Despite the plating looks amazing and defeinitely eye catching. It lacks the in-depth flavor profile that i expected. Just tasted like simple soy ginger taste. Ginger is stronger than i thought and just gives off "asian" flavor citrus ginger. Not a huge fan but the salmon was cooked beautifully and plating looks nice. 4/5 - New York Steak - Chef cooked it perfectly like we asked for. Medium- Medium Rare. Tender and juicy with also nicely cooked fries. Crunchy with a small bit of potato taste. Not a fan of steak fries but this definitely is better. 4.3/5 - Mudpie - I had hesitated from the name alone and description but waiter recommended it. Ooooh boy i was wrong. Its sweet, but defeinitely a great way to top the night off. The creaminess of the "mud" and crunchiness of the crumble pairs well. The vibes and ambiance alone is well worth the price. I recommend this to anyone that wants a romantic date night. read more
1 month ago
Everything was great. Andrew our waiter was incredible. But the table next to us was absolutely obnoxious and saying really inappropriate comments while we were trying to enjoy our 2nd yr anniversary. I would have preferred to move or have something rearranged because I just kept having to deflect and distract their comments from ruining our first time experience. They clearly have been there before and ruined it for three other tables and we felt a huge relief when they paid their bill and left. I wish there was more than an apology at the end (by their server) to suffer from their behavior. read more
One of Capitola's hidden gems off a busy road lies this wonderful restaurant giving off vintage and charming vibes with storybook treehouse architecture. The food and drinks were delicious and well presented, a bit pricey but, I understand because you're paying for the ambience. Add it to your list, it's a must see! I highly recommend checking this place out! Thank you Shadowbrook Restaurant! read more
Went out for what we thought would be a wonderful anniversary dinner. Drove 250 miles specifically for the event and must say, was very impressed with the atmosphere. When we explained that it was our anniversary, (the hostess didn't reed the notes) we were escorted down to what I'll call group seating. Not the cozy vibe that we were looking for. Dinner was fine but when we asked the waitress to box our leftovers, she brought back A box with everything dumped in the same box! And the worst part, gave it to us in a COMPOST BAG! Nearly a month later, A reoccurring charge shows up on my CC that I called to dispute! It was for missing our reservation. WHAT! I spoke with John the manager who said it was an oversight and would refund the charges. Three weeks later, still no correction to my account. My bank now closed my account due to fraud! Thanks John, Try harder! read more
1 month ago
Overall we had a good experience at Shadowbrook, great ambience and good service & food. The star of the entrees was the Chilean sea bass. The Pacific Rim salmon was good, but a tad overcooked and ginger wasabi sauce was overpowering. Both meats, the prime top sirloin and prime rib were okay, too much fat/gristle. For dessert had the chocolate meltdown and Jack Daniel's mud pie. Both were delicious, but both were small servings especially considering mud pies elsewhere are huge and tall slices. read more
Worth a trip to Shadowbrook! Had a very fun and much needed mom's night out. We enjoyed every moment of this amazing restaurant. From the tram ride down, to soaking up the woodsy vibes we loved our visit! It was so fun to people watch as well! Lots of families celebrating and a few awkward first dates happening all around our rowdy group of moms. We enjoyed all the yumminess, my favorite dish was the beet and burrata salad! So delish! read more
2 months ago
Went here to celebrate my wife and daughter's birthday. The food was good and service was great. I had the prime rib medium rare and a salad. It was tender and the portion was good. The inside of the restaurant is beautiful and the tram down was awesome. I would recommend this at least once to try. read more
More info about Shadowbrook
1750 Wharf Rd
Capitola, CA 95010
Directions
(831) 475-1511
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http://www.shadowbrook-capitola.com
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Ask the Community - Shadowbrook
For Easter brunch, is it buffet or menu?
What room is best to sit in and is it better to go at night or day?
Right before sunset
Best Closest hotels to restaurant?
I would suggest considering the Venetian in Capitola and booking a complimentary pickup in one of Shadowbrook's classic cabs.
Is the Rock Room the more casual one and does it take walk-ins?
The Rock Room bar and patio have a more casual dress code. You can get away with jeans and a collared shirt. Any of the other dining rooms you are going to want a minimum of business casual.
Is this restaurant family friendly we have a nine year old and a baby?
It seemed to be but not a place to let ur kids run around for sure. I saw some younger kids there. Very well behaved sat and played but didnt run around.
Does anyone know if they still have their famous orange cinnamon rolls?
Wheelchair accessible? How about Funicula? If so, do we have to mention that our reservation is accompanied by a handicap individual?
Shadow Brook restaurant is wheel chair accessible but the cable car is not due to the steep incline and limited space.
Do you need to book for the trolley ride to the restaurant?
No, the trolly ride is just a way to get down to the restaurant besides the stairs
If reservation is made for 9:30pm will the kitchen still be operating?
I don't know but you can ask when you call to make the reservation.
Can we bring our own cake for a special occasion?
Yes you can but there is a per person surcharge to do so. It's been awhile so can't remember if it's $5.00 or $10.00 each...
Do I need a reservation?
Yes, I would highly suggest a reservation unless you wanna wait quite a while to be seated you might be waiting also to take the Funicula to get down to the restaurant unless you take the stairs. There is often seating available in the bar terrace…
Does anyone know if kids are allowed to take the shuttle taxi? My son is 4 and would absolutely love it
Not 100% but wouldn't see why not. If he is in your party Family. There is nothing stating no kids allowed! They are very family friendly.
Is there a waitlist for reservations?
Reservations are made online and usually gets busy
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Shadowbrook - tradamerican - Updated September 2026
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