Great thoughtful menu and service. Very pleasant dinner. One of the best restaurants in Santa Cruz read more

Perfect fine dining dinner spot off the main road to the cozy Capitola Corridor, worthwhile to enjoy a warmer summer and fall dinner with outdoor and indoor seating options. We came in off the recommendation of a local patron and it did not disappoint. Reservation recommended but we were able to get a walk in rez with about a 20 minute wait on a Saturday night. Our server Matt was super informative, suggested to ask for specials of the day to go off menu although the menu options are also great. We tried the fried green tomatoes (delicious), the eggplant labneh starter (so good) and shared the wagyu NY strip (wow - *off menu special). Presentation for everything was spectacular and very tasty with a variety of flavor. The desserts were also incredibly delectable. The s'mores cup was our favorite but don't sleep on the New York cheesecake with creme brûlée drizzle on top that added a welcomed texture to the classic dish. We wouldn't hesitate to come back read more

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It's been a couple of years since I wrote my first review and I thought I'd update it, although not much has changed (and that's a positive thing!) The staff continues to be so warm and kind. I recommend a reservation, always, but particularly here as the space is small. We had a protein-heavy dinner most recently and it was seriously the bomb. The hamachi appetizer was so freaking buttery smooth and tasty. That dish is perfection. We then had the melon and prosciutto and again, so tasty. I LOVE seeing that combination on menus. From there, we both ordered the red meat dishes (both different cuts of steak). I was delighted by the portion sizing as we can throw meat down, which we did. This continues to be one of my top favorite restaurants in the county. read more

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My friend and I had dinner here last night and sat at the bar. I was so excited because I haven't been here in about a year and I remembered how great it was the first time I tried it! The service and drinks were excellent and our food came out fast. We were a little disappointed with the food however. We got the artichoke and the beans with squash blossoms. The artichoke was okay; a little cold and not a whole lot of flavor. The squash blossoms were delicious but beans were a little hard/undercooked. I'll be back because I love the vibe here so much, but I will say that food wise we were a bit underwhelmed. read more

Trestles Restaurant - New American Near Me - Capitola, California

Great experience at Trestles Restaurant. The staff were friendly, the food was outstanding, atmosphere was awesome. The portions is something that I would like to see improvement on, -1 otherwise, will be visiting again soon. read more

Trestles located in adorable Capitola was a delicious meal and staff couldn't be nicer! Our dinner was done perfectly, nice wine selection, and everything was a pleasant dining experience. Would recommend! read more

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Food was delicious and well portioned. Servers and staff are friendly and welcoming. Ambiance of the restaurant was great, friendly, inviting and intimate. read more

Restaurant was closed on a Wed during posted "open" hours. No signs, no notes. Not sure whats going on here. read more

The food was excellent, the service attentive, a nice atmosphere, and it was reasonably priced.

This place is awesome! Highly recommend reservations as the dining area is small. But the food is fabulous and the service is just as good as the food. FOOD: We started with the pork belly which was honestly the best pork belly I've ever had and I've had quite a bit and I make it myself. Both crispy AND tender it was amazing served on a shallow bed of greens. I had the braised short rib with potato gnocchi and it literally fell apart it was so tender. The gnocchi was also the best ever and whatever reduction they served it with was so packed with flavor. My wife had the braised duck and again... amazing. Polenta was delicious too. And then dessert? You can already guess. SERVICE: Was out of this world. Our server was amazing and the hostess was terrific. The portions were terrific. And the plating was perfect. COST: Pricey but not for what you get. Very reasonable for a nice romantic dinner especially considering the quality of the food! read more

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We are outside, they had the heaters on so it was nice and comfortable as we got to people watch. The staff was attentive and so sweet! Get the corn if they still have it, that was so darn good. I tend to enjoy vodka drinks but I switch it for tequila. They ended up making exactly what I wanted and working with me. GO HERE! read more

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We love this restaurant because of the complexity of the flavor profiles of their dishes. While inside is too loud for our liking, sitting at the table outside is perfection. We celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary here! The Borba Farms Potatoes & Trumpet Mushrooms, and the Pork Belly & Scallops were phenomenal. We also had the House Made Strozzapreti Pasta which was nice but it did not wow us. The staff was sweet for congratulating us on our anniversary and complimenting us with some champagne. read more

Trestles Restaurant - New American Near Me - Capitola, California

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This is my favorite restaurant, and the only place that I've returned to 10+ times. We drive there from the Peninsula every few months just for it. The kitchen always delivers - every dish, especially the use of sauces, is full of creativity. This place reminds me that creativity doesn't only belong to restaurants with Michelin stars. read more

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Met my friend's brother and his wife for dinner and it was simply lovely. The food was tasty and exactly as described, the surroundings were warm and inviting, and the service stellar! read more

Trestles Restaurant - A fun evening in a lovely dinner spot - New American Near Me - Capitola, California

This is the second time we have been here, and like the 1st, we had an excellent experience. Both our host and our waiter were very friendly. No matter what you get, the food here is always consistently good. Looking around the room, we could see that the dishes we didn't order also looked fresh and tasty, giving us a reason to come back again. The space feels very cozy, and has a small town feel to it. We will be back again! read more

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Trestles is one of our favorite restaurants because the food is consistently excellent, atmosphere is fantastic, service and staff are wonderful, and it's conveniently located to take a stroll after our meal to help with digestion and to enjoy all that the Village has to offer. We are going to return on Wedneday Neighbors Night for the fixed menu and a cocktail. We hope to see you there!! read more

Trestles Restaurant - Overlooking Capitola Village from the top of the stairs after having dinner at Trestles. - New American Near Me - Capitola, California

I really loved this meal! In fact, every meal I've had there has been outstanding. Trestles also provided very good service in a comfortable atmosphere. I ordered the halibut and it was delicious- one of the best I've ever had. I highly recommend this restaurant read more

Cute, tiny restaurant with good food. We had reservations but because they were unusually busy on a weeknight, we had to wait over 21 mins before we got seated. The young lady who greeted and seated us told us initially it would be an additional 10 mins wait. She was apologetic and they comp us 2 tiny tuna tartare tacos which were delicious. This is a great place to come with friends to share the plates. The items are a bit pricier for quality ingredients. The staff works hard with the exception of our greeter, who was cheerful and friendly, the waitstaff seemed serious and less buoyant. We started off with Little Gem salad, Kung Pao Brussel Sprouts. Both were tasty dishes. Hubby ordered the smoked pork belly with scallops. The pork belly (3 pieces) was delicious, nice and crispy and the scallops cooked just right. They ran out of the duck so Hubby tried the Patagonian salmon filet which was cooked to perfection. I liked my wild mushroom pasta with truffle butter with great flavor but a tad too salty for my taste. I couldn't taste much truffle flavor and it was drenched in yummy butter. We ordered too much food and I had to take the pasta back and heated it up the next day and I got to savor each delicious bite. Definitely a place we'd come back to. read more

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We came here for a birthday dinner and it did not disappoint. Right away after being sat and settled, our waiter let us know that the food may take awhile considering it was a busy weekend, Valentines day weekend. I appreciated this and we felt like the timing was fine. The place was somewhat small but cozy and has a outside porch/counter. We sat near the hallway to the restroom across from the kitchen which was a fun experience. Noise level of the restaurant was a-bit noisy though. Our food though - amazing. The appetizer: pork belly had an even amount of crunch yet richness from the fat. The scallops were also cooked well and the garnishes were good pallets cleansers from the two. Mains: Our waiter sold us on the special options for the weekend. He also let us know what steaks they still had in stock. The salmon was perfectly cooked inside and skin was crispy. The roast fell apart in your mouth and the sauce made it just that much better We were too full for dessert, but would definitely love to come back and try more dishes! read more

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2nd visit , we sat outside on small patio - blankets provided. Very quaint. Service was outstanding! Plate presentation ***** Quality ***** Taste ***** We definitely return when visiting the area again. read more

Very cozy ambiance, great central location and setting, friendly staff and service. Reservation required a card and will charge a fee if late cancellation. Foods were pretty good and small portions. We tried the fish, pork belly scallops and cheesecake. Check it out when you near by. read more

Went for the neighborhood night special menu and it was awesome! Loved the food, love the vibe of the restaurant. Great service. Lovely glass of wine to go with AND I had leftover rib eye that was enjoyed the next day. Great value for the price. read more

Visited Capitola for the weekend and tried Trestle for the first time -- absolutely loved it! The oysters were fresh, and both the steak and chicken entrées were beautifully presented and full of flavor. The space feels cozy yet elevated, and the service was great. We'll definitely be back next time we're in town! read more

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We went a couple of weeks later, on a weekday and the food and service were much better. I believe it was a Thursday evening. It was a beautiful day and the weather was great so we sat outside overlooking the street and people watched while we ate and talked. The waitstaff was attentive without being overbearing. The food was original and very good. Definitely a great improvement over the last visit. I would say that the reservation piece, from our last visit needs work. If you are too close to people coming for that ensure that seats are saved so not to have people wait over 30 minutes and leave as there seems to be no end in sight. Hope to visit again and see if the reservation thing has been resolved or is at least better or, since we are local, stop by on a weekday evening for a beautiful meal. read more

We have been a few times for dinner and it was good. This last visit for a Christmas Eve dinner (four of us) was fantastic. I appreciated that they accommodated a vegan (among 3 steak-eaters) and it was good, simple, and better than I can make at home. The specialty drinks, the great service, and the food were all excellent - we will be back soon! read more

From the moment we stepped into Trestles, a bustling bistro type restaurant, we were welcomed like old friends. Blixa got us some bubbles as we selected our choice for dinner. James helped guide us through the night along with Matt. Amazing choices from the mushroom toast and ahi starter to the absolute amazing halibut special to the gnocchi. Pretty darn close to a perfect dinner. James recommended the Pinot which perfectly pared w both main dishes. All throughout the meal, James, Matt and Blixa made certain that that all of our flavors were just right. James made a great recommendation for a wine paring. What a great place, staff and meal to celebrate our anniversary. Thanks Blixa, James and Matt for making this special occasion special for us! read more

Trestles Restaurant - Perfect paring for both the gnocchi and the halibut. Thanks James for the recommendation! - New American Near Me - Capitola, California

Incredible food with well-thought out flavors, in a beautifully decorated, and often bustling, bar/restaurant. We were able to make same-day dinner reservations on a Sunday at 5:30. It was starting to get full when we arrived. The tables inside are somewhat close to each other, so the very boisterous party next to us sometimes made it hard for us to hear each other. The patio area looked cozy and had free throw blankets to use, so that might be a better choice in nice weather. We started with the crispy pork belly, crispy Brussels sprouts, and the halibut tail (daily special, not pictured). All were expertly cooked: the pork belly had a slight crispiness that offset the natural fattiness from the pork belly, and made for a wonderfully savory appetizer. The Brussels sprouts were roasted to perfection, with a sweet glaze that paired perfectly with the tangy pickled onions. The halibut tail was also moist and flaky. One complaint: they only serve the tiny 8 oz. bottles of Diet Coke. Afterward, we ordered 2 mains: a halibut daily special with fava bean puree, and the house ricotta gnocchi. My friend loved the halibut and said it was beautifully cooked. The gnocchi, though, may have been my favorite gnocchi ever: pillowy doesn't even begin to describe it, and the mix of flavor from the super-rich mushroom fondue and texture from the smoked hen of the woods mushrooms was outstanding. I would honestly come again just for this dish! All in all, a wonderful place to dine and have some drinks in Capitola. read more

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The food was divine, and they were easily able to seat everyone even with how cozy the place felt. Plus no wait with a reservation which does sometimes happen. read more

Trestles Restaurant - Everything here is good! You can't pick wrong on the menu - New American Near Me - Capitola, California

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Sorry, but this dining experience was so underwhelming I felt compelled to comment. A friend invited me out expecting a nice, sumptuous meal at what's marketed as an upscale restaurant. What we got instead was bland, uninspired, and overpriced food served in the same dark, awkward bowls for everything -- starters, entrées, and even dessert. Presentation matters, and this was more confusing than creative. Let's be clear: tiny portions in quirky dinnerware do not automatically equal gourmet cuisine. To make matters worse, moments after finishing dessert -- while we were still chatting -- a waitress came over and asked us to leave because they had another party waiting for the table. Not exactly the hospitality you'd expect at an "upscale" establishment. My suggestion: Capitola has plenty of restaurants that actually deliver on quality food and service. This isn't one of them. read more

Jack, the new chef, is turning Trestles into the best restaurant in town. He's a future Michelin Star See picture read more

Trestles Restaurant - Scallops and pork belly cooked to perfection - New American Near Me - Capitola, California

We entered and were immediately greeted by the hostess and seated. She was very pleasant but could have been dressed a little more professionally. Bare belly and sneakers seemed off for a nice restaurant. Our server was very pleasant, although he seemed a little overwhelmed with the three tables he was working at the time. I ordered a dirty martini and Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts for an app. The martini wasn't dirty but was ok. The Brussels Sprouts were a bit over roasted but the sauce and peanuts were nice. The dish was not even warm. My entree, of the five available, was the Pork Milanese. Served over a black bean purée that was too thick. On top was a drizzle of lime crema, sliced jalapeños and sliced carrots with a side of two corn tortillas. The tortillas were very fresh and tasty. There were two small slices of jalapeños. I didn't get why the carrots were in the party. They were slightly blanched but too crunchy. They didn't make sense on the plate. My wife had the Italian Burger. A little greasy. Good flavor. The fries were killer. The wine was a short pour. Maybe 4-5 ounces, but a very good Zinfandel. Overall, the meal was meh. I do it at home for a fraction of the price. The ambiance was nice and it wasn't too crowded. What really nutted me up was the 3% surcharge on the bill. That drives me crazy. Hide the fricken 3% in the plate price, ya know?! Dadgum! Whatever. Overall, the food was so so. The service was so so. I'd probably not go back. read more

I see why this place was so hyped up, excellent food here. The service was great, and the food came out quickly. We particularly loved the Brussel sprouts and the pork belly, some of the best versions of those foods we've ever had. I probably wouldn't get the gnocchi or the dessert again, both of those were a bit disappointing, but as a whole massively impressed with this place. read more

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Everything was amazing! Wonderful service, we really enjoyed the ambiance and they ever offer blankets for you if you sit outside. The food was out of this world and is truly decedent! Our favorite was the ahi tacos. It's become our favorite date night spot. read more

Trestles Restaurant - Ahi tacos with a wasabi cream. So delicious!! - New American Near Me - Capitola, California

Key Point: - Classy interior with cozy outdoor option - Efficient and Friendly service - Food was excellent. Worth the price. The Fam plus extended Fam and I dined at Trestles during a weekend outing after taking the Little One to Thomas and Percy's Halloween Party. We were looking for a fine dining experience that could accommodate young children, like the Little One, who was a little over 2 years old at the time. We found some last minute availability at Trestle and were glad we did. The ambiance captured our attention with its classy decor and inviting atmosphere. However, we opted to dine outdoors in their single cozy outdoor table equipped with heat lamps. The outdoor seating area provided a delightful backdrop for our family gathering, allowing us to enjoy the coastal breeze and scenic views. additionally, The little One and The In-Laws prefer outdoor seating. The Food: Seared Ahi Tuna - Each bite was a symphony of flavors and textures. Succulent, tender, seared to perfection with a crispy crust. As one can see in my photo, a beautiful pink colored interior Prime New York strip - juicy, mouth watering. Although you can't see it, likely a well marbled piece, worthy of the designation "prime". It had a nice seared exterior crust. Cooked medium rare. Although not perfect edge to edge, few restaurant steaks are. Mac n' Cheese - looked plain, but don't let the looks deceive you. This creamy, comforting classic made with restaurant style flare was enjoyed not just by the Little One, but by us adults alike. Moreover, the service was impeccable. The servers were not only attentive but also friendly, willing to engage in small talk, adding a warm touch to our dining experience. Their genuine hospitality made us feel right at home. In summary, Trestles restaurant offers an exceptional dining experience that caters to both palate and comfort. Whether you're looking for a romantic dinner or a family outing, Trestles is sure to leave a lasting impression with its impeccable cuisine, classy ambiance, and top-notch service. read more

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I love a farm to table style, beautifully plated restaurant. I wanted something tasty in capitola and while googling, saw trestles and a toddler in a picture so I thought oh! Maybe we can make it through a fine dining meal with two kids in tow. 1 toddler and 1 infant. I wasn't sure if they would accept us here but eating at 5pm helped! They said we had to be out by 7pm and I'm like no problem! We sat outside on their bench seating and my 2 year old had no problems eating from there. My only thing is it wasn't too kid friendly with no juices or changing station but omg they served us a Mac and cheese for kids that was AMAZING! I thought it was going to be like a Kraft Mac and cheese but this was way more elevated. I think they do this with their house made pasta. Definitely try it out because my husband and I really loved this $10 dish. We made sure to take home what little was left. We had 2 appetizers. The fried green tomato was tasty and the pork belly was as well. My husband got the prime New York which, I guess was a little too chewy to his liking. My duck breast was good but both entrees were a little salty. The dishes came out beautifully though and I loved the presentation and the freshness of all the ingredients. Had a brownie ice cream dessert that was okay. Great restaurant for a date night or with friends. Nice wine and beer menu. We had a stroller with us and there was a wheelchair lift that helped bring it up. I really appreciated that their food came out pretty quickly. Man, the things now I look for in restaurants as parents read more

Trestles Restaurant - Duck breast - beautiful - New American Near Me - Capitola, California

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Excellent service and Amazing food is a great combination but not always easy to find . Thats what I found when visiting Trestles on Christmas Eve. Walking in its very welcoming with great lighting and atmosphere. We checked in and were seated right away ... greeted and shown menus and specials. Asked about drinks and then had them moments later. Service was really well above par. Many times the service can be the difference between going some where once in a while ... versus some where you try and go as often as possible. This was it. A combination of excellent food and excellent customer service. Thanks Sara and other server for being so friendly and prompt. It just doesn't get better than that. We ordered appetizers and their Brussel Sprouts were out of this world. Simple yet complex and so very delicious. Then our meals followed. All of which seemed to arrive just in the perfect amount of time between drinks and appetizers. I ordered a 10 ounce steak that initially seemed so large and well plated that i'd never finish .... To scraping the plate clean and me being so full and happy. The guests with us doing the exact same. Thinking wow .... This is a very generous portion and by the end of it not saving any for home. It's just that delicious. Service : A Food Quality: A Portions: A Atmosphere : A Location : A Chance ill return: ABSOLUTELY read more

Trestles Restaurant - Brussel Sprout dish that was to die for. Would come and get this for lunch every day if I could. - New American Near Me - Capitola, California

Enjoyed the rustic yet upscale atmosphere and hearty recipes of great food, on a warm Saturday night. Quality ingredients, superb service and unique offerings combined to create a memorable meal that was relatively reasonable for the lux experience. Worth it. :) read more

We stumbled upon Trestles so we didn't have a reservation. The hostess was super friendly and told us we could wait until the next two reservations arrived or we could sit at the bar or outside in the patio area. We chose the bar because it was warmer and, heck, it's cool to watch the chefs prepare the food! (The bar was next to the kitchen.) My friend and I shared an appetizer, salad, and entree, and had a couple drinks. They had a good-sized wine menu but because they don't have a liquor license, the only cocktails they had were made with wine and other creative mixes. Service was either luke warm (like the bartender who didn't acknowledge our existence for about 20 mins, and it wasn't even busy) or super awesome (like this woman who kept chatting with us and gave us tips on dishes to order next time that aren't on the menu!) The food was definitely the highlight of the evening, and for that, I give Trestles an ecstatic 5-stars! We loved everything (see photos), and surprisingly, the standout dish for me was the salad! I didn't expect the salad to have so many flavors. It was so good that I could have eaten 3 of these by myself, and I wasn't even hungry! It was to-die-for. I can't wait to return! read more

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Great food, great service. (85 characters minimum oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo)

What a great place! It's more upscale for the area, which is great for special occasions. Our waiter was super knowledgeable and friendly. The food was pretty good - I wasn't amazed by my dish but no complaints either. Great date night spot! read more

Trestles Restaurant - Tomato salad - New American Near Me - Capitola, California

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