Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

OpenTable

Updated November 05, 2026

Looking for the best overall restaurants in Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Sugo Italian Pasta Bar

4.8

4.8 (371)

$30 and under

Italian

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

A European concept-restaurant of traditional Italian cuisine; a modern and dynamic service, that allows customers to enjoy fresh, organic and authentic italian food through a selection of appetizer, panini, pizza and salads, and obviously our specialty: "Pasta".

Top review

KCGold

Dined on Oct 23, 2026

Food was fantastic and staff was kind. Definitely the best Italian food in the area.

Persephone Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (688)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Aptos

About the restaurant

Persephone Restaurant is a fine dining establishment focused on bringing the best and freshest ingredients Santa Cruz County has to offer directly to you. We are a Seasonal Kitchen meaning that Chef Cori changes our menu based upon whatever ingredients are locally and seasonably available. So check menus on our website, They are synced automatically with our printed menus.

Voted 'Best Farm-To-Table' 2025.
Best WineList in Santa Cruz County.
Intimate white table cloth dining inside the cottage or more rustic dining outside in our garden terrace.

Top review

Laura

Dined on Oct 18, 2026

Three of us went for a birthday dinner. Charming place, comfortable atmosphere, amazing food, very good (slightly slow) service. Farmers Market driven menu. We shall return.

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Experience

Thursdays: 15% off any bottle from our Winelist.

Cafe Cruz Rosticceria & Bar

4.7

4.7 (2310)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Soquel

About the restaurant

Cafe Cruz is a popular and lively local restaurant. We offer casual/fine dining with a full bar, indoor and heated patio dining. Guests enjoy watching the "magic" created in our open copper-backed kitchen each night by our talented team of chefs. Notable features include many locally sourced foods, nightly sustainable seafood specials, and many creative salad and vegetable options. Our innovative pastas and sandwiches are always a hit.
Spit-Roasted meats are featured each night, cooked on a french Rotisol rotisserie. The lush garden room can seat larger parties of up to 35. Guests enjoy our warm friendly service, our many seating options, and exceptionally delicious food.

Top review

Sabrina

Dined 4 days ago

Cafe Cruz is reliably wonderful! Food, service, ambience are all great.

Hook & Line

4.7

4.7 (217)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Hook & Line offers a fresh, modern take on sustainable seafood, inspired by the rich bounty of California’s coast. Guided by acclaimed chef Santos Majano, our seasonal menu blends global influences with the vibrant, ingredient-driven flavors of Northern California. Every dish reflects our deep respect for the ocean, the land, and the people who cultivate both.

We source thoughtfully — from local fishermen, farmers, and artisans — and let the seasons (and the tides) shape what we serve. From ceviche to whole fish, our offerings highlight what's fresh, what’s local, and what tastes best right now.

Our beverage program showcases small-batch spirits, craft beers, seasonal cocktails, and natural wines with a focus on organic and biodynamic producers. It's all part of our commitment to sustainability, quality, and minimal intervention.

Hook & Line is our love letter to the coast. A place to gather, to share, and to celebrate the simple joy of good food, good drink, and good company.

Top review

Sarah

Dined 3 days ago

Absolutely amazing food! We ordered the smoked trout and potato croquettes twice because they were that good. The marinated persimmons were an unexpected delight that kept us wanting more. But the popcorn with brown butter miso with furikake was a chef’s kiss. Don’t skip on the place if you are person who loves and appreciates great tasting food.

Shadowbrook Restaurant Capitola

4.7

4.7 (4721)

$31 to $50

American

Capitola

About the restaurant

Located in charming Capitola, 4-miles south of Santa Cruz, the world-famous Shadowbrook opened in October of 1947 with the theme of Romance in Dining. Shadowbrook today is not only the most romantic place to dine in northern California but was designated as one of the Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in all of America by the 5 million voters of Open Table. For nearly 80 years the restaurant has delighted generations of diners from around the world and locals from around the corner who come to celebrate special occasions or just to enjoy a fine meal in an atmosphere of Old World charm and grace.

The restaurant is best reached by a meandering garden path amongst waterfalls and lush gardens or by its famous red “CABLE CAR” that transports guests from street level down to the restaurant located on the banks of Soquel Creek and a short walk from Capitola Village. Those staying nearby can enjoy complimentary shuttle service in one of the restaurant’s beautifully restored classic taxicabs.

Top review

LukeGold

Dined 1 day ago

We had a wonderful time. Our food was terrific.

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4.6

4.6 (1035)

$50 and over

Italian

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Zagat rated as "OUTSTANDING". Gabriella Cafe is a 50 seat, picturesque and romantic dining experience in downtown Santa Cruz.

Top review

GustavoGold

Dined 5 days ago

Wonderful quaint and romantic restaurant. The food was spectacular and the service was beyond excellent. Thank you for a great evening.

Pete's Capitola

4.7

4.7 (170)

$31 to $50

Californian

Capitola

About the restaurant

A culinary celebration of California's coastal offerings, and a heartfelt tribute to the late Peter Orr. Founded by Sarah Orr and her mother Mary Ann Orr of Sunset Hospitality Group, Pete's embodies a deep-rooted passion for community and culinary excellence.

Named in honor of Sarah's father and mentor, this restaurant is more than just a dining experience—it's a reflection of cherished memories and Peter’s larger than life legacy. Sarah explains, "I have been looking for a way to honor him, and this feels like the right way to do that."

At Pete's expect a menu that is inspired by the coastal waters and the bountiful local agriculture that Peter was deeply committed to, ensuring a true representation of our region's culinary heritage.

Top review

MikeGold

Dined on Oct 8, 2026

We always make Pete's a destination for dinner when we come to the Capitola area. Great, innovative meal choices. Wine list is good too. great view of the Capitola pier and shoreline. Enjoy!

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Dungeness Crab Cocktail

la Posta

4.7

4.7 (2576)

$31 to $50

Italian

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Located in the Seabright neighborhood of Santa Cruz, La Posta is just moments from downtown Santa Cruz and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Select from a seasonal menu featuring locally sourced ingredients, house-made pastas, naturally leavened breads, gelato made in house, and pizzas from our brick oven.

Because we rely on the bounty of the Santa Cruz farming community, our menu changes frequently and features seasonal dishes and nightly specials. Visit lapostarestaurant.com to view our most up-to-date menu.

La Posta’s curated all-Italian wine list celebrates the regional diversity of Italy and includes autochthonous varieties from small producers. Our dining room and patio offer a welcoming setting for memorable dinners, celebrations, and gatherings.

We adhere to the Monterey Bay Seafood Watch Program and are a certified City of Santa Cruz Green Business.

Top review

Susan

Dined on Oct 29, 2026

The staff is charming, respectful, and knowledgeable. The food is well thought out for balance of flavors, appearance, and portion size. This is not heavy Italian food that sits like a lump in your stomach. It is delicious and satisfying and every dish has been carefully planned to give a maximum flavor experience.

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Popular dish

Ravioli

Mentone

4.6

4.6 (122)

$31 to $50

Italian

Aptos

About the restaurant

Inspired by the sun-soaked French and Italian Riviera, Mentone offers a vibrant, coastal dining experience from Nice to Genoa. Created by acclaimed chef David Kinch of Manresa, the menu delivers a fun, refined twist on Riviera cuisine with bright, seasonal ingredients and bold, satisfying flavors.

Designed for sharing, dishes include pristine crudos, house-made pastas, market-driven salads, and wood-fired pizzas crafted from 48-hour proofed dough. The lively dining room, centered around a striking pizza oven, blends rustic California heritage with the pastel charm of the Mediterranean coast.

Thoughtful details, a creative cocktail program, and warm, polished service complete the experience. From weeknight dinners to celebratory gatherings, Mentone captures the energy, flavor, and effortless spirit of the Riviera in every detail.

Top review

NicoleGold

Dined on Oct 27, 2026

Exceptional. Limited but intensely intriguing menu with wonderful nods to French and Italian regional cuisine. Simply delicious experience intertwined with a wonderfully zen vibe in Santa Cruz (Aptos). First time there for evening dining. Staff are extraordinarily knowledgeable and warm. Excited to go back!

Mane Kitchen & Cocktails

4.5

4.5 (56)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Welcome to Mane Kitchen & Cocktails, bringing a fresh tide of flavor to Pacific Avenue. We offer a sophisticated, contemporary setting perfect for conversation, connection, and a touch of indulgence.

Our menu is rooted in French and Italian techniques and celebrates the rich bounty of the California coast. We are committed to sourcing the highest quality ingredients, including:

Fresh Raw Seafood

Organic & Sustainably Raised Meats

Seasonal Produce from local Santa Cruz County farms.

Pair your meal with our carefully curated cocktail program, designed to perfectly complement our coastal-inspired dishes. Join us for an elevated dining experience where farm-fresh ingredients and classic technique meet modern sophistication.

Top review

Karen

Dined on Oct 25, 2026

Friend's birthday dinner. Everyone said they loved their food, some had lamb, some had burgers, some had pasta, my homemade ravioli with fresh corn was absolutely delicious. Excellent attentive service, and those who had cocktails loved them and commented on them.(Not usual in this group to rave about a cocktail 😉). Thank you Mane team for the great night!

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