Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

OpenTable

Updated November 05, 2026

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies 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!

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.

Chocolate the Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (226)

$31 to $50

Californian

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Now celebrating 25 years, Chocolate the Restaurant provides an attractive dining environment for couples on dates, friendly meetings, and special occasion meals. Dine outside on the heated garden patio. Celebrate special occasions with up to 25 guests in the private street-side party room. Maybe start with a Chocolate Martini or a Passion Fruit Margarita. Chef David Jackman's fresh baked pasta rosettes, slow-roasted meats, and delicious seasonal organic vegetable dishes are all a prelude to our many chocolaty desserts. Our wine list focuses on local and on Italian wines. Our cocktails are all made from scratch; often using locally distilled spirits, and always using fresh house-made mixers. We are at your service for dinner every night! Afternoon walk-up cafe' service Friday thru Sunday. . We are open for dinner every holiday except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Top review

StaceyGold

Dined on Oct 27, 2026

Amazing pricing for the quality of ingredients. Great food and service. We’ll definitely be back

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Popular dish

Gluten-Free Mini Loaf

Popular dish

Pasta Rosettes

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.

Gabriella Cafe

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.

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!

Mozaic - Santa Cruz

4.5

4.5 (496)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

We named our restaurant Mozaic because we wanted to capture the diversity of flavors and culmination of authentic Mediterranean dishes that we offer. We bring together the best of Mediterranean recipes from Greece, Lebanon, Turkey and Sicily, emphasizing Middle Eastern influence.

Our menu is hand-crafted after years of experience in the restaurant business knowing what people like. We make every dish completely authentic, utilizing 100 years old techniques that have been passed down through generations to bring you incredible flavor. COME AND TASTE THE DIFFERENCE We seek only the best, local ingredients. We use high-quality meats, like our Australian lamb tenderloin and select only sustainable seafood. Our lavash comes from an authentic Persian bakery.

Everyone wants family. Mozaic is a warm and inviting atmosphere where everyone can feel at home. Come enjoy our incredible and lush atmosphere.

Top review

PattiannGold

Dined on Oct 17, 2026

The menu had great choices. The staff were very attentive and had wonderful suggestions.

Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen | Westside

4.5

4.5 (754)

$31 to $50

Californian

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Savor our handcrafted cocktails and flavorful dishes right beside the distillery where our premium spirits are crafted. Whether you prefer indoor dining, a lively bar atmosphere, or our covered heated patio, we provide a variety of seating options to enhance your experience.

HOURS:
Monday - Thursday // 5pm - 9pm
Friday // 4pm - 9pm
Saturday - Sunday // 11:30am - 9pm

Top review

Elizabeth

Dined on Oct 23, 2026

Absolutely incredible experience! We went for their three-course tasting menu during their special week, and every single dish was phenomenal. The meat was so tender, and the flavors were truly out of this world. Words honestly don’t do it justice! A huge shout-out to Chef Carlos and his entire team for creating such an amazing experience. You can truly taste the passion and talent in every bite. We can’t recommend it enough!

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Experience

Mimosa Service

Experience

Celebrate your birthday with us!

Oswald

4.4

4.4 (1649)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Oswald is a contemporary American restaurant and bar that focuses on the abundance of delicious ingredients found on the central coast of California. Oswald features an eclectic, international wine list and an exciting, seasonal bar program. While the decor is spare and modern, the atmosphere is comfortable and relaxed. Oswald features new art shows every two months.

We do have first come tables available in the lounge as well as bar seats.
Come by and see if there is a table or seat for you.

Top review

Kate

Dined on Oct 29, 2026

Another wonderful dinner at Oswald. Stellar service combined with marvelous food equals a sublime experience.

High Tide - La Bahia Hotel & Spa

4.3

4.3 (82)

$31 to $50

Pacific Rim

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Celebrating Santa Cruz's long relationship with the Pacific Islands, High Tide transposes the relaxed beach culture into an elevated dining experience. Through artistry, craftsmanship and fresh California ingredients, our gracious hospitality lets you enjoy the stunning views and inspired cuisine.

Top review

Lee

Dined on Oct 24, 2026

Excellent service for the Santa Cruz area. Food is tasty and creative. Costs are priced for tourists. Over $50 for a small bowl of ramen was a bit shocking. Michelin rated ramen shops in Japan are a fraction of the price. Otherwise, if your looking for a nice evening date night and aren’t worried about a high bill, enjoy.

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