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

East End is one of my favorite restaurants in Santa Cruz! Delicious cocktails and the pepperoni…read morepizza is the best in town, hands down!!! Amy does an awesome job running the place with a great smile! Highly recommend!

I've had great food here. A few months ago I came in with a business acquaintance, tipped well, and…read morecomplimented the bartender on her tattoos. We had a good night. Later I learned Hannah had spoken badly about me to that same acquaintance on a night I wasn't there, made it clear I wasn't welcome at "her" bar, and said the owners would back her if I complained. That is bizarre and unprofessional toward someone she does not know. One good night was rewritten as a bad one after the fact. My acquaintance still goes occasionally because she loves the food, but has received continual dismissive looks and snarky comments from the same bartender. Great vibe and delicious food, but the bartender has forgotten she works in hospitality. I won't spend money where the service is unprofessional and hostile. After reading other reviews, I'm not the only one who's seen this.

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.

We were (desperately) looking for a restaurant to have dinner with our kids & young grandchildren…read morewhile visiting the Santa Cruz area. We were told at a place we had previously chosen it would be an hour wait, I called Water Street Grill and the young woman who answered the phone told us no problem!, we will have your table ready. It's a small place but, oh my gosh, the food and the hospitality were amazing. Our hostess was an absolute gem! Thank you Zayda, for a wonderful dinner. You are a gem! If you're are debating about eating here - have dinner here! It's a cozy, relaxing atmosphere with great food and wonderful hospitality!

The water street grill was a nice little hole in the wall. It is quite small but in a cozy way…read morerather than cramped. The service was excellent and the servers make sure you are well taken care of all the way through. However, some of the food items were hit or miss. We started off with the calamari appetiser which for 18 dollars was a bit disappointing. It was greasy and a bit chewy, lacking flavor as well. Then we ordered our mains which were the garlic steak with asparagus and mashed potatoes and the new york with prawns, asparagus, and roasted potatoes. The new york was beautifully cooked however the garlic steak was slightly overcooked yet still marinated wonderfully. The mashed potatoes were really good but the roasted potatoes were rather gummy and a bit lukewarm. The asparagus were some of the best we've ever had. We also ordered a side of garlic bread with mozzarella but it was more akin to a ciabatta bun with shredded cheese on top. Overall some of the food was incredible, and some was lacking, but the service was amazing.

Fun place to visit and hangout at while staying in Capitola! Lovely staff, good atmosphere, yummy…read morefood, and a good selection of drink options. Live music was great too.

Live music 3rd sat is great: Ashley Lloyd 5:30-7:30. Good acoustic…read more Honestly, I did not like any of the 6 beers that I tasted in the sampler flight. But there are about 6 more that I will try later. And the live music was good. Parking is OK; they have a lot of spaces in the back.

If you don't already know... you need to know... this place is so bomb. You need to give it a try…read moreregardless if you are a carnivore or not. I always get the tofu bahn mi cause that's my jam. I've never strayed. Then I might get the Brussels sides or any one of the their delicious salads. However TODAY I was convinced by the lovely gentleman at the counter to get the heirloom tomato peach sandwich. His reasoning? It's all fresh in season produce that comes from the owners farm. What's a girl suppose to do with all that knowledge? Well, I caved. And happy camper I was. Ingredients are so fresh and juicy- tomatoes and peaches go together like bread and butter. Only word of caution, don't get this on a first day. I had whipped goat cheese up to my cheeks by the time I gobbled down my sand which. Thanks for the rec and the delicious fresh food!

I don't normally write reviews, but when things don't go well I feel people need to know what…read moretranspired here. My girlfriend ordered a breakfast sandwich a that we were going to share. The counter service female was very nice and helpful. The sandwich was very good and we've eaten there many times in the past. When we both sat down to eat we noticed that our sandwich hadn't been cut in half. My girlfriend went back to the counter and asked a male kitchen employee behind the counter if he could cut our sandwich in half. The sandwich was completely wrapped in paper and we did not unwrap it at all prior to asking for it to be cut. His response was extremely rude and nasty. He claimed that it was already contaminated despite the fact that it was still completely wrapped in paper. He acted like we were putting him out by us asking him to simply cut the sandwich in half. He accused my girlfriend of "contaminating" the sandwich (in his words) just by touching it despite the fact that it was handled by 2 people before we even touched it. Basically, it was his scolding condescending tone that totally turned us off to ever visiting this place again. It only takes one lazy a--hole employee to ruin a great dining experience.

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.

Great Food, Great Service & a Manager Who Actually Says Hello!…read more Loved this place! My bride and I had a fantastic experience from the moment we walked in. This restaurant has an incredible indoor and outdoor space, a great menu, and an atmosphere that somehow manages to be both chill and professional. You'll find a wonderfully diverse crowd here, and everyone seems to fit right in. Now, let's talk about the food! I highly recommend the meatballs--they were fantastic! And the garlic bread? Fabulous. Honestly, I could have made a meal out of the bread alone, but I exercised some restraint...because I'm an adult. My bride ordered the hamburger, and she loved it. The salads were excellent, the bread was outstanding, and the dessert selection was enough to make someone suddenly forget they were "too full for dessert." Our server was incredible--attentive, friendly, and genuinely welcoming. And then, as if the experience couldn't get any better, the manager actually came out and welcomed us! You don't find that everywhere. That personal touch says a lot about how this place approaches hospitality. Everything was clean, the service was excellent, the food was delicious, and the ambiance made us want to hang around longer than we probably should have. One warning: Parking can be a bit of a challenge. But trust me, this is one of those places where you circle the parking lot a few times and say, "Lord, give me a parking space!" Yelp Elite verdict: Absolutely worth the hassle! Great food. Great people. Great atmosphere. Great service. And apparently, great managers who actually come out to meet their guests. My bride and I will definitely be back! #YelpElite #FoodieFind #DateNight #GreatFood #GreatService #Meatballs #GarlicBread #DessertLovers #RestaurantReview #WorthTheHassle #FoodAndFun #FiveStars

Really enjoyed our first visit to The Hideout! We had the fried chicken sandwich with sweet potato…read morefries and the prime rib. The sandwich was delicious, and the chipotle aioli was especially good--creamy, flavorful, and one of the better ones I've had. The sweet potato fries were crispy. My partner really enjoyed the prime rib, and the portion was large enough for leftovers. Service was quick, attentive, and friendly. We sat outside with our pups, which we appreciated. The only suggestion would be to update the patio layout a bit. Our table was directly across from the waiting area, so it felt like we had very little privacy while people waited. Other than that, we had a great experience and would definitely come back.

Betty Burgers is a Santa Cruz classic for me. I first heard about this place from my cousin when he…read morewas attending UC Santa Cruz ages ago, and it's become a mainstay for our family over the years. The burgers, fries, and onion rings are always a solid choice. I've been here countless times with friends and family, and we even came here for my cousin's bachelor party. It's one of those places that holds a lot of memories, which makes coming back even more special. Definitely a go-to spot in Santa Cruz, with a classic diner feel where you can grab a yummy meal!

I've eaten at this Betty Burgers many times because the food is usually good. It's not the best…read moreburger in Santa Cruz but it's a decent and I want to support the businesses affected by the road closure. This visit was a little disappointing. The burgers seemed sloppier than usual and just weren't as good as they've been in the past. What really bothered me, though, was the 3.95% credit/debit card service charge. I didn't notice it until after I had already paid because the only explanation was printed at the bottom of the receipt. If you're going to charge customers an extra fee for using a card, that should be made very clear before they order so they have the option to pay cash. Between the food that wasn't up to par and an added processing fee, this visit just wasn't worth it. I don't mind paying for good food but I don't like feeling nickel-and-dimed over an extra charge that wasn't obvious before ordering. Transparency goes a long way.

Food service outdoor patio... ePic!! Good to know we can get…read moresome decent food -&-warm up in the sun after a good surf ... The strawberry salad so sweet and fresh..... Cauliflower bites crispy -n- scrumptious .....

*Please be sure to watch the video and view photos…read more Our experience at Suda in Santa Cruz was deeply disappointing, both because of the food, overall staff demeanor and how the staff handled an unpleasant situation. We waited in a long line to see the hostess, and the seating process seemed poorly organized and inefficient. The hostess acted as if she was doing us a favor by allowing us to be there. When we were finally seated, we were placed outside on the patio in the dark despite what appeared to be more than 10 open tables inside. We had to ask for a heater to be turned on and used cellphone lights to see the menus. Our waitress was somewhat warmer, but the overall service felt indifferent. Then came the most disturbing part: my burger arrived with what appeared to be fly larvae crawling on top. The waitress apologized, but her response felt surprisingly casual. No manager came over to acknowledge the issue or apologize. I ordered a replacement burger. My family had finished their meals and our table was cleared before the replacement burger arrived. Before eating it, I quickly removed the lettuce and used my phone's camera light to look over the burger. Sadly, I found a similar bug inside, between where the lettuce was and the sauce. Two burgers, both with visible bugs and very little concern by the staff. My husband then got up and requested a manager to visit our table. The manager arrived, apologized and offered to remove my meal from the bill and provide macaroni and cheese at no charge. I told the manager that Chat GPT said the bug appeared to be larvae and he said the cooks also shared that the problem had to be coming from the produce. We still paid more than $70 for dinner which took all in about three hours. What concerned me most was watching staff continue serving burgers and sandwiches with lettuce, and salads to other tables full of people seated outside in the dark. After finding bugs in two separate burgers, I was seriously concerned about the ingredients being served. There is no way the source of the problem had been addressed before serving about 15 other meals. I should have spoken more loudly or alerted others to check their meals before eating. The restaurant could have simply served meals without lettuce until the problem was resolved. Finding bugs in a meal is upsetting enough. Finding another in the replacement, then having to request a manager ourselves, made the restaurant's response feel completely inadequate. The restaurant should have cared more about the quality of food they were putting out and done more to accommodate my family for a terrible experience. Based on this experience, I would not return.