Strawberry Patch Cafe

Incredible takes on calamari sautéed with olives rather than fried. Best spinach salad also. My…read moreciopino with linguini and Sherryl sand dabs as good as we have ever had. Beautiful sautéed veggies too. This a great find. Will definitely return.

Food - 3, service - 3, ambiance - noisy casual…read more We've been here several times in both small and larger groups, weekdays and weekends. We like to support local family run businesses and the food has been good in the past. The wait staff are consistently friendly and mostly competent. We've been pleased that when asked about gluten-free options each time, the waiters know about 90% of the menu off the top of their heads and aren't afraid to say they need to ask the kitchen when there's an item they're not sure about, rather than guess the answer, as has happened at other restaurants. Saturday we had a group of 8 that were seated at 4:45, so not exactly rush hour. We finally had to ask for water after 15 min. It was close to an hour from when we placed our orders before the food began arriving. I had informed the waiter of an onion allergy and requested no onions anywhere on the plate, as well as subbing extra veggies for the pasta. My food arrived with onions throughout the veggies. While I appreciate that they quickly took the plate back to fix it, the new plate had only a single serving of veggies which were so undercooked that even with the steak knife if was difficult to cut, and not great to chew either. I quickly gave up and saved it to finish cooking at home. Another guest ordered the tuna fresh catch rare, and it arrived between medium and medium rare, which was quite disappointing. But at least his veggies were closer to al dente. Another small irritation was that they brought out bread and olive oil, but there were only 5 pieces for our group of 8 so we asked for another one for our end of the table, and they charged us. While we recognized many staff as longtime employees, both the food and the service didn't live up to previous visits, which is even more disappointing because we brought new people to experience their food. Given this experience, it'll probably be awhile before we go back.

Indoor

Salmon

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Indoor

Lillian's Italian Kitchen

4.3(3k reviews)

15.1 mi

The food hit the spot. I had the chicken Parmesan on a bed of rigatoni noodles and marinara. It was…read moredelicious. The service was very friendly. I was seated right away. I thought it was going to be a wait because the place was packed. The table service was very friendly and always timely. She checked backed on me more than just taking the initial order. Since the place was packed it was pretty loud inside. You could still hear the piano music in the background. Next time I am back in town, I will definitely recommend Lillian's for a dinner for the team I work with. I know they will enjoy it as much as I did.

We typically pick up dinner from Lilian's in Santa Cruz once a week, and it's consistently a top…read morechoice. While dining in is enjoyable, my kids adore their Alfredo and marinara, making takeout a regular part of our routine. The food quality remains reliably excellent, portions are generous, and everything is usually ready when we arrive. Service has always been friendly and straightforward, even for quick pickups. Having a dependable local spot like Liliana's makes dinner effortless, especially when the kids are happy with their pasta. It's definitely a go-to for our regular Santa Cruz dinner outings.

Black Truffled Stuffed Gnocchi + Filet Mignon + Creamy Pesto

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Burrata appetizer and cherry sour

Sugo Italian Pasta Bar

4.5(366 reviews)

15.2 mi

An amazing hidden GEM!!! I and my husband are locals and gratefully discovered Sugo just a number…read moreof months ago. Everything wev'e had there was so so great!! Veal milanese was exceptional! Recently I had the spinach salad! I could go back there everyday for that salad!!! So delish!! I had the Carbonara and my husband had the Bolognese Pasta! So flavorful!! As a native New Yorker I especially loved their cannolli's. The best I've had here! The owner is the real deal!!! Oh just for you to know.....the portions are extremely huge!! You'll need to take some home! Also enjoy their dog friendly outdoor patio! The only thing I would suggest is that they should fix their website....since you can't log onto it...and allow the newest menu to come up on there!! Oh also...please advertise your wonderful place and meals on sall of ocial media! All the best and thank you for bringing great food into the neighborhood!!!

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

Look at that cute place setting

Spaghetti E Polpette

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Tramonti

First off, I've never done a review on yelp but something happened that made me feel like the…read moreowners need to hear about. We came here last night for a big birthday celebration ( party of 9). We had some good things and some things that felt not so good. The good: several dishes were great, short rib raviolis, bolognese pasta, pizza. We appreciated the vegan and gf options which they take seriously since apparently a member of the family has celiac as well. So they understand the seriousness. (unfortunately the muscles were extremely fishy) The frustrating stuff: After we spent over $500, I had a cookie box out because we were going to sing happy birthday and pass out cookies. Waitress informs us there a per person cake cutting fee. I said oh no, I'm just passing out cookies, she say oh there's still a fee. Wow!!!! First of all there's no cake to cut, refrigerate, no extra plates or silverware to wash. It made the closure part of our celebration so awkward. We went into the parking lot, sang and had a cookie. We chose your restaurant to celebrate, spend $500 and you want more money to pass out a cookie that I brought! We sat outside, was hot in the tent, we were sweating. We asked about another fan but were told there was no outlet by our table (another table had a fan). I would suggest a simple extension cord so everyone can feel comfortable.

Amazing food, great service, wonderful wine list. Fresh and authentic. Locally sourced ingredients…read more Best Italian restaurant in town.

Indoor seating

Indoor Booths seat 4 to 7

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Spaghetti & Meatballs

Caruso's Tuscan Cuisine Restaurant

4.3(515 reviews)

11.9 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.

Mentone

3.8(432 reviews)

9.3 mi

Everything was simply amazing! From the service, the comfortable atmosphere, to the incredible…read morefood. We indulged in delicious cocktails, 2 delicious appetizers: the stracciatella and foccia, and the peaches with prosciutto and Parmesan. They had the best Caesar salad we've ever had (better than the Zuni cafe even). We also enjoyed a pasta dish (beef dumplings in tomato sauce) and a Genovese and pistachio pesto pizza. We didn't really have room for dessert but had to try them anyway. The lemon curd with pistachio was divine as was the affogato. We will be back next time we are in Santa Cruz!

Good: - marg pizza -…read moretrenette bolognese - ravioli (wouldn't get it again cuz not my palate) - strachiatella Meh: - root vegetables Black cod was weird, like it seemed nice but we all thought the fish was too slimy, too...alive? Too recently slaughtered? But I mean, maybe we're just not cool enough to appreciate it lol.

Look at the decor! Tres chic!

Stracciatella

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Affogato with hazelnut gelato

Maurizio's

4.5(1k reviews)

15.3 mi

If your looking for amazing Italian food this is the place delicious…read more The service is great fast and very friendly The indoor dining makes you feel like you're in mamas house cozy and warm They also have outdoor seating Great place

My husband and I decided to come here on a whim. We were staying in the area for the weekend and…read moredecided to try this place out based on the reviews and we were not disappointed.. well, my husband was with his steak but for me, my meal was absolute perfection! We got seated outside and immediately got the bread with garlic and olive oil. It was delicious! We ordered the calamari as an appetizer and the portion was decent. The sauces were both spicy which we loved! If you're not a spicy person, may not enjoy them. The calamari had an even ratio of rings and tentacles. The breading was light and the calamari tasted delicious and fresh. I decided to go with the Fettuccine al Pescatore and I was blown away by everything about this dish. The pasta was delicious and a very generous portion. The sauce was amazing with a spicy kick. The seafood was a generous amount and tasted fresh and cooked to perfection. As I was enjoying this meal, I looked to my husband and said "this is one of the best meals I've ever had!" My husband got the ribeye steak and it was over cooked. He didn't enjoy it and complained quite a bit as he ate it. I told him to send it back but he just ate it. It took a while to get the server to come back to give us the check. We had to chase him inside the restaurant to pay. Ambiance is very laid back. Small indoor seating space but felt stuffy. Outside seating space with heaters. Outdoor seating was nice especially with nice weather. Saw a lot of locals coming to the spot. I will be coming back to enjoy another delicious meal.

Indoor decor

Calamari Fritti

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Full body red wine light, not bitter, slightly sweet.

Mangia - Eat on Main

4.5(121 reviews)

17.9 mi

I recently heard from some of my clients in Hollister that this winery closed, and I was so sad to…read morehear the news. It's been many years since my last visit, back when I was engaged, but I had been hoping to return this year. Some of my favorite memories are from this place. The wine was always wonderful, but what truly made it special were the people. Anna, her husband, and their son Steph were some of the kindest and most welcoming people you could meet. They made every visit feel personal and memorable, and their warmth was a big part of why so many people loved coming here. Thank you for the memories, the hospitality, and the great wine over the years. You will be missed.

We came around 7:00 on a Thursday evening and it was fairly full, but we were seated right away…read more Staff was the highlight of the night, I can't remember the waiters name, but he had memorable curly hair and a mustache. He was patient and knew the menu, and offered options when he saw our reactions as we tried to decide. The chef even walked out and offered to make the bolognese from scratch and omit the mushrooms. From start to finish the whole Mangia team was great, and it made me happy to see how they treated one another. The dishwasher came up a few times to swap the trays and everyone got along, and I noticed the chef made them each something to eat as the restaurant was closing. As for the food, good Salinas option. The Nonna appetizer was a bruschetta with pistacho, fresh ricotta, and honey. Delicious. Beet salad was good, hearty beets, mixed greens, and balsamic. It was over dressed for my taste, but hubby loved it. I wasn't a huge fan the cheese they used, it was a harder salty cheese in small cubes. I got the penne with a really subtle lemon cream sauce, grilled chicken, and broccoli. Came out hot and it was a generous portion, waiter offered some fresh cheese so took that of course. I'd order it again, but don't think it was the best pasta dish I have ever had. Chicken Parmesan was cooked fresh, and came with the penne and marina. In my opinion the marina was under seasoned, but I'm generally heavy on the garlic and basil. I don't know I'd label it as a culinary hot spot, but the food was good, and made by good people. I appreciate the atmosphere and we will definitely be back.

Soup of the day, Mushroom truffle creamy Soup, bomb!

Gnocchi

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Calamari

Sicilia In Bocca

4.0(570 reviews)

15.3 mi

Excellent authentic food at a great price. Great service,…read morefriendly staff. Relaxing ambience.

Eight Lamb chops they were delicious!!! Served with veggies potatoes nice bread with garlic dip.read more

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14 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Jean-Sylvain N.

12 years ago

I have searched for good restaurants in Watsonville. Of the many I have tried Cafe Ella offers BY FAR the absolute BEST price and quality ratio. I have eaten there many times since December of 2012 for lunch. EVERYTIME the staff has been extremely gracious and helpful. The choice of music is very tasteful as well. The food is always fresh and delicious; I am very picky and don't throw compliments around: with the current staff and ownership, you will never be disappointed. I will continue to take all my friends and business associates there for an unmatched experience. read more

Sara M.

19 years ago

I was so excited to visit a new cafe in Watsonville as I work in the area. After visiting Cafe Ella, I was highly disappointed. The woman that assisted me (I believe was the owner) was cold and aloof. Instead of a smile, I received a blank look and a forced hello. To make matters worse, the egg in the breakfast panini I ordered was luke warm as if it had been sitting for awhile. I could only assume it was an order that someone decided against as it tasted as if it had been made one hour prior to serving. I would not recommend this cafe to anyone I know. read more

Alice R.

14 years ago

I am really bummed! I always came in on Saturdays but my favorite person who always helped me isn't there anymore!!! She was so friendly and happy with all the customers not just me! I think her name was Shannon and I miss her! Plus the food the food has really slipped! The salad I always get to go is really tiny now! I came in one day and had a fennel soup it was terrible and I usually really like fennel. I think this cafe has gone down the tubes! So bummed need to go somewhere else! read more

Kari F.

2 years ago

This café has an amazing vibe, beautifully aesthetic and a great place to relax. The coffee is fantastic, and I especially love the lavender coffee. However, the customer service could use some improvement. Even when it's not busy, it can take around 30 minutes to get a simple sandwich, which is frustrating. If they could speed up service, this place would be perfect! read more

D C.

17 years ago

pizza soggy !!!!! overpriced seriously by the time you get your lunch your out $15.00 per person ridiculous for some that's 2 hour of work!!!! soups and sandwiches are okay but the bread does scrape your mouth. soups are okay but they all have pretty much same spice. read more

Barbara B.

12 years ago

Another great lunch special...just had the special Pizza this week with local zucchini & bacon and don't remember what else but it was divine! What happened to your outdoor seating? Lost some it looks like but so glad to see you all are busy! read more

Patty G.

15 years ago

Pretty disappointing. I ordered a hot chocolate that was basically warm milk. Ordered a pizza, that was extremely soggy and not worth the price. I guess I should have known better, next time I will go to Second Street Cafe! read more

Jonathan N.

1 year ago

Cool Watsonville atmosphere and decor, plenty of seating indoor and outdoor. I tried the patch burrito and it was amazing, as a local this is my go to spot and my top recommend. The staff was friendly and professional. read more

Gladis C.

8 years ago

I love their paninis. Fresh and delicious ingredients. The staff is always friendly as well.

Kimberly L.

18 years ago

If KPIG says they are good...why not try em out... I trust DJ Ellie Mae! Peace! read more

Gail C.

6 years ago

Don't bother. Usually closed and staff couldn't care less.

Mi K.

10 years ago

Good food. Like the ambiance. WiFi is decent (~4.5/0.75). read more

Pedro H.

150

13 years ago

Great salads and service, plus they serve beer.

Jahan J.

11 years ago

Love it! Cute outdoor area! Awesome food!

Strawberry Patch Cafe - sandwiches - Updated October 2026

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Amazing customer service and even better paninis!!! The staff is so friendly…read more I had their signature chipotle chicken panini and I can't wait to get back and get it again. Tender chicken, chipotle sauce was so good, and quality of bread was top notch! My fiancée got their turkey panini and loved it. Our cousins had the breakfast burritos and turkey sandwiches and they mentioned they were really good. Lastly, their chocolate cake is sooo good. It was the perfect dessert after a long day at the beach. Overall really great people working at Agua Deli and I will always go there when I drive through Watsonville. Thank you Maribel!!

Absolutely phenomenal!! Came to Watsonville to go plant shopping and stumbled across this GEM of a…read moreplace!! Google Maps was hating on me and tried to get us lost but we finally found it. Let me say this, I'm a full on sucker for customer service and they went way above and beyond! Suuuuper friendly from the second we popped our heads in. Food: 10/10. We asked to have the Chipotle chicken panini on a tortilla instead (I know, diet restrictions) and omg it was sooooo good!!! Dang it, I shoulda got another one to take home for later lol. Anyways we will be back on the regular, that's for sure. They also have cute patio chairs to sit outside and eat.

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Doughnuts ham&cheese sandwiches everything they make is fresh delicious owners are so nice they…read morealways throw in a few extras when your a regular especially when you get a dozen best Crescents in town there big fluffy

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Remembering this location had closed down during COVID, we were thrilled to see it had reopened and…read moreis a Farm to Fork eatery! Follow the signs from the parking lot up and down the stairs (or via elevator) to either the bar side or table side to be seated by your welcoming host. We were immediately offered a beverage and greeted warmly by our server a short time after. There was a good sized lunch crowd, but plenty of seating is available. The menu offered many choices but we enjoyed a Club Sandwich and Beet with Greens Salad (option included shrimp or chicken). As you can see, portions a VERY generous. It was a great find for our lunch today and we will return again, I am sure!

We had a very good dinner at California Grill while visiting Watsonville. The restaurant has a…read morecomfortable, old-school local feel with a large bar and dining room. It isn't trying to be overly trendy or fancy, and the emphasis on local ingredients and the Pajaro Valley gives it some character. My partner had the Mediterranean pasta with grilled chicken, and our son had the steak dinner with fries and vegetables. I ordered the evening special, which was cheese tortellini with prawns in a creamy sauce. Everything was very good, and the portions were generous. They also brought bread to the table before dinner and kept us supplied during the meal. We had a bottle of Alfaro Pinot Noir with dinner. It was a good local wine and paired nicely with the meal. We also appreciated seeing local wines represented on the menu. We finished by sharing the crème brûlée. It was quite tasty and considerably larger than we expected... definitely enough to share. The service was a real highlight. Our waiter was friendly, attentive and prompt throughout the meal. Since we were visiting the area, he also took some time to share a few local tips, including where to find some particularly good sausages and meats. It was a nice personal touch and added to the experience. Overall, California Grill was a very good find in Watsonville: good food, generous portions, excellent service and a nice connection to the local agricultural community. A solid four-star experience, and somewhere we'd be happy to visit again.

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We got the iced matcha latte, green life juice, and yogurt and berries…read more According to a middle schooler (hard to impress), the matcha was the best she's ever had! Drinks and food came out quickly, servers were polite. It's a small placed, but they've done the best with what they have! Love the bright colors! Will definitely come back again!

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