Santa Cruz Restaurants, Downtown
One of the benefits of staying at the Adobe on Green Street is that you can walk to downtown Santa Cruz for a meal. We have prepared this review of good places to eat downtown. All these establishments are within six blocks of the Adobe.
Restaurants
Aqua Bleu (831) 423-6999
A popular restaurant and sushi bar on Pacific Avenue with a fresh clean look and a fusion of east and west. The tall ceilings and open seating plan make this establishment very inviting, if a bit noisy. Everything we've had here from the Pan-Pacific menu is good. Plenty of choices including sushi, sashimi and dishes with Balinese and Korean influence. They even have specialty hamburgers, fish and chips and vegetarian spicy tofu sandwiches. The sweet curry chicken is particularly good. Prices are reasonable and the sushi bar stays open until 2:00am. Reservations are a must on weekends. 1108 Pacific Avenue near Cathcart.
Asian Rose / Malabar Cafe (831)423-7906.
Only Santa Cruz could have one restaurant with two names. Asian Rose refers to the lunch business and Malabar Cafe to the dinner house. Both are owned and staffed by an extended Sri Lankan family and you owe it to yourself to try this all-vegetarian establishment. The flavors here will leave you wanting more and wondering why others can't make vegetarian food this good. Let's take them one at a time. Asian Rose for Lunch: Head to the main counter where you will find a double sided piece of paper with the day's selections. You start with rice and then add one, two or three items. The selections include eggplant, cocoanut kale, tempeh with pineapple (tempeh is a fermented soy product like tofu), broccoli with curry, and the oh-so-rich tempeh lala which tastes like barbecued bacon. They will top off your meal with some chutney and a thin chickpea flat bread. After settling up your bill you take a number and in a few minutes your lunch is delivered to your table. Don't miss the exotic drink menu which includes raspberry lemonade, passion fruit juice, lemon grass and mint soda, and the smooth mango lassi (like a thin milkshake made from yogurt). Lunch is served 11:30 to 3:00 every day. Malabar Cafe for Dinner: At night the restaurant serves dinner with waiters and waitresses. The dinner menu is greatly expanded from lunch with dishes that are so wonderful you'll want to try one of everything. The evening menu includes Raw Pineapple soup with green onions, cucumber, cilantro and lime. Baked Samoa Goat Cheese salad with baby greens and truffle oil. Baked Butternut Squash Ravioli with sautéed mushrooms, saffron curry and a dollop of pesto. This is a blending of Sri Lankan tastes with a California twist and the resulting dishes are a delight. Most orders can be served vegan on request. Entrees are $9 to $11, salads are $7.00. Dinner is served 5-9pm. 514B Front St.
Cafe' Campesino (831)425-5979
Real Mexican farm food served from a tiny kiosk in front of 1128 Pacific Avenue at Lincoln. This is the real thing with authentic tasty dishes made by Chef Dina in an impossibly small space. They don't serve on rainy days. Take food to go or sit at a sidewalk table and watch the world file by. The menu is limited each day to 5 or 6 items. Some days it will be tostadas, other days something else. Whatever they make, it is always fresh and flavorful. Give them a try if you're in the mood for outdoor casual dining.
Cafe' Limelight (831)425-7873
A new addition to Cedar Street, this light and open eatery serves a small menu of salads and Panini sandwiches in an warm and eclectic atmosphere. We like the feeling we get here; like we're invited to best friend's living room. Italian soda, loose-leaf tea, espresso and desserts round out the offerings. Indoor and outdoor seating. Reasonable prices.
Clouds Downtown (831)429-2000
Fine dining for lunch and dinner with a popular bar. The closest thing Santa Cruz has to a hip Manhattan scene. 110 Church St. between Pacific and Cedar.
El Palomar Taco Bar (831)425-7575
This large restaurant has a fast, fun and tasty taco bar for a quick lunch or dinner. (We do not recommend the restaurant as highly as the little taco bar). Order a couple of fish tacos and watch a soccer match on the TV behind the bar. Located in the arcade at 1336 Pacific between Church and Walnut.
Gabriella Cafe (831)457-1677
Tucked into a tiny mission style cottage with a wee courtyard, Gabriella cafe serves up expensive meals using organic ingredients from local farmers. Lunch and Dinner every day. At 910 Cedar between Church and Locust.
Kianti's (831)469-4400
Bustling, noisy and fun establishment serving homemade Italian food, pasta, brick-oven thin crust pizzas and fine beer and wine. Affordable, casual, relaxed, and busy. Filling salads and endless choices of pasta and toppings make this place popular with picky eaters. House specialty is homemade lasagna made daily. The pizza flipper behind the counter maneuvers in ways you have never seen before. He came in second at the world championship pizza Olympics in Las Vegas. This establishment is just fun. Individual pizzas are $9-12, most entrees are $8-11. 1100 Pacific Ave. at Cathcart St. Daily 11am to 10pm
Little Shanghai (831)458-2460
Consistently good Chinese food from owners Jack and Sue and their growing children. Try the Gan Pong chicken or the Family Style Tofu for vegetarians. Lunchtime steam table is a fast and tasty bargain. Mongolian BBQ in the evenings. On the corner of Cedar and Locust. (Note: the public rest rooms in this building are a challenge. We recommend take out food here or dine-in but use other rest rooms before you arrive.)
Lulu Carpenters (two locations) (831)429-9804.
My friends who know coffee say Lulu's has the best coffee in town. They roast their own and are very particular about the beans they use. They have two locations in downtown. The first is at 1545 Pacific Avenue near the junction of Front St. A very civilized coffee house with fine art on the walls and many clients with laptop computers. Could it be because of the free wireless DSL? Full lunches and breakfast pastries. Everything is good at Lulu's.
Their other location serves coffee, espresso, and pastries only, no food. It is in the historic Octagon building on the corner of Front and Cooper Streets. This location is a must for tea lovers, over 36 varieties available by the ounce. This cafe also uses a special vacuum french press machine to make each cup of coffee. Those who know say it's the best coffee available just about anywhere. Outside seating.
Mobo Sushi (831)425-1700
Quality sushi and Japanese fare in the Cooper Street Plaza at the corner of Front and Cooper streets. Many in town believe this is as good as sushi gets.
Oswald (831)423-7427
* Oswald closed on Feb. 17, 2007 and will reopen in the parking garage at the corner of Front and Soquel. Word on the street is that they will reopen in May of 2008.
Oswald is Santa Cruz's version of famed Berkeley restaurant Chez Panisse. This intimate California-French Bistro consistently serves some of the best meals in Santa Cruz. Wonderful wine list and attentive service in the courtyard at 1547 Pacific where Pacific and Front come together in a triangle. Follow the brick paving stones to the little ivy covered cottage on the left. Dinner only. Reservations recommended.
Pearl Alley Bistro (831)429-8070
Fine wine and fine food served upstairs in an intimate space where dinner can take the entire evening. If Oswald is booked, this would make a great second choice. Located at 110 Pearl Alley which is at the back of the public parking lot on Cedar between Lincoln and Walnut.
Pizza My Heart (831)426-2511
Popular local pizza place that does a brisk business by the slice. Whether it's the pesto or the vegetarian delight, Pizza My Heart serves pizza with fresh ingredients to the masses. 1116 Pacific between Lincoln and Cathcart.
Red Restaurant
(831) 425-1913
Upstairs in the old Santa Cruz Hotel you will find a lively bar scene and slow, relaxed restaurant that serves good comfort food. Seafood, steaks, small pizzas, sandwiches and salads all beautifully presented and at reasonable prices. The decor is dark and very red. This is the kind of place that envelopes you. You can disappear into this place for hours and forget that the outside world exists. Service can take a while, so don't go there ready to eat immediately. As the night wears on the adjoining bar scene creeps in and takes over the restaurant space. Definitely the best late-night spot in Santa Cruz - Red serves dinners until 1:00am. Reservations recommended on weekends. 200 Locust St. at the corner of Cedar (above Planet Fresh Burritos).
Shogun (831)469-4477
Fresh Japanese fare and wonderful sushi. This establishment serves consistently great food. Can get crowded on Friday and Saturday nights. Located at 1123 Pacific near the corner of Lincoln.
Soif Wine Bar (831)423-2020
Pronounced "swaf" (french for thirst) this new arrival downtown has struck a chord with food and wine enthusiasts alike. Soif offers small meals to compliment their large wine selection (over 50 wines are offered by the glass). A wine shop adjoins the restaurant and has a wonderful selection. This establishment is a feast for the eyes as well as the palette thanks to local artist and architect Mark Primack's building renovation.
Taqueria Vallarta (831)471-2655
Fast and fresh burritos, tacos, and seafood specialties in a no-nonsense atmosphere. Inexpensive and always good. Lunch and dinner at the corner of Pacific and Cathcart.
Walnut Avenue Cafe (831)457-2307
Civilized and refined breakfast and lunch with continental flavors. At 106 Walnut Avenue between Pacific and Cedar.
Zachary's Restaurant (831)427-0646
The classic California breakfast house featuring huge omelets, home fries, and homemade pancakes. The coffee cake changes daily and is worth the upgrade with your omelet. Get there early on the weekends if you want a table. A downtown tradition, and for good reason. Located at 819 Pacific Avenue between Laurel and Maple.
Pubs
99 Bottles (831)459-9999
Always fun and always full, 99 Bottles has the best beer and ale selection in downtown and a popular trivia night every Wednesday evening at 8:00pm. Walk down and join a team and you could win free beer. Located at 110 Walnut between Pacific and Cedar.
Cafes, Desserts, Coffee
The Bagelry (831)429-8049
The original Santa Cruz bagel makers. Their cafe serves bagels with every possible combination of fresh and delicious spreads. Don't miss the two daily homemade soups. Located at 320 Cedar St between Maple and Laurel.
Cafe Pergolesi (831)426-1775
Coffee, Tea and lighter fare. popular with UCSC students. 418 Cedar between Cathcart and Elm.
Chocolate (831)427-9900
Coffee, tea, desserts and light lunch and dinner. 1552 Pacific at the corner of Locust. Located within the popular Bookshop Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting Company (831)459-0100
Long-time Santa Cruz coffee house in the heart of downtown. A local favorite with indoor and outdoor sidewalk seating. The largest selection of coffee in SC. Located at 1330 Pacific Avenue between Church and Walnut.
Lulu Carpenters (831)429-9804
My friends who know coffee say Lulu's has the best coffee in town. They roast their own and are very particular about the beans they use. They have two locations in downtown. The first is at 1545 Pacific Avenue near the junction of Front St. A very civilized coffee house with fine art on the walls and many clients with laptop computers. Could it be because of the free wireless DSL? Full lunches and breakfast pastries. Everything is good at Lulu's.
Their other location serves coffee, espresso, and pastries only, no food. It is in the historic Octagon building on the corner of Front and Cooper Streets. This location is a must for tea lovers, over 36 varieties available by the ounce. This cafe also uses a special vacuum french press machine to make each cup of coffee. Those who know say it's the best coffee available just about anywhere. Outside seating.
Zoccoli's Deli (831)423-1711
With cafe tables right on Pacific Avenue, this full delicatessen serves fresh sandwiches and salads daily for the business lunch crowd. Lots of custom sandwich choices and ready-to-eat sandwiches and salads. Located at 1534 Pacific Avenue near the corner of Pacific and Front.
