Restaurants in Santa Cruz
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Bagelry
The bagels here are real (boiled, then baked), and come with fantastic spreads, especially the hummus and egg salad. Check out the bulletin board for local goings-on.
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Zachary’s
The breakfast spot covetous locals don’t want you to know about (hide your guidebook). ‘Mike’s Mess’ is the kitchen-sink standout.
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Farmers Market
For organic fruits and vegetables and a taste of the local vibe, hit this oh-so-colorful farmers market.
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Attic
For big, crunchy organic salads, homemade soups, vegan dishes, and a huge menu of teas, head to this order-at-the-counter cafe-cum-gallery and performance space. There are meat dishes too, but the emphasis is on veggies. Save room for the vegan shortbread cookies, which defy the law that says vegan equals tasteless.
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Lillian’s Italian Kitchen
Nothing-fancy Lillian’s serves terrific homemade American-Italian dishes, including a knockout ‘Sunday gravy’ – a slow-cooked, tomato-based meat sauce – using an old family recipe. Great paninis at lunch. No reservations.
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Ristorante Avanti
Mom-and-pop Avanti’s Cal-Italian menu features earthy pasta dishes; chicken cacciatore is the specialty, but look for seasonal knockout specials that use local produce. Casual vibe, good wines. Families welcome. Make reservations.
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O'Mei
It's pricey for Chinese, but everything is fresh and preparations are spot-on. The crisp-fried sweet potatoes and red-oil dumplings both merit a special trip - some drive all the way from San Francisco for them. Make reservations.
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Lulu Carpenter's
If you wear your collar up and like to spread out with the Sunday Times, you'll dig this clean-hands café with brick walls and casement windows. There's outdoor seating on Pacific Ave or in the garden. Free wi-fi.
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Soif
Part wine shop, part wine bar and restaurant, Soif draws food-savvy bon vivants for a heady selection of 50 unusual wines by the glass, designed to pair with a sophisticated, seasonally driven, Euro-Cal small-plates menu.
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Engfer Pizza Works
Detour to find this old factory, where wood-fired oven pizzas are made from scratch with love - the no-name specialty is almost like a giant salad on roasted bread. Play ping-pong and sip draft microbrews while you wait.
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Gabriella Cafe
Intimate and romantic, with tiny tables and twinkling lights, Gabriella is the perfect date spot, with a charming outdoor garden for a long, lingering lunch. Dinner could be better for the price.
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Zoccoli's
An old-style Italian deli with outdoor seating, Zocolli's makes great sandwiches and picnic fixins. Note: If you've a kitchen, get the homemade meatballs and make spaghetti for dinner. Delicious.
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Saturn Cafe
A Santa Cruz classic, the late-night Saturn Cafe’s decor is an evolving pop-culture carnival. The menu is upmarket diner, with good salads and sandwiches and lots for vegetarians.
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Tacos Moreno
Who cares how long the line is, especially at lunchtime? You're guaranteed to find taqueria heaven here - from pork, chicken and beef soft tacos to supremely stuffed burritos.
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El Palomar
Always-packed El Palomar serves tasty Mexican staples – try the ceviches – and good margaritas. The tortillas are made fresh in the covered courtyard.
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Emily's
Their motto is simply 'good things to eat.' Stop by for hot, cheddar-cheese scones or the daily soup-and-salad combo, and nosh on the shady creekside porch.
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Dolphin
For fish on the wharf, you’ll get the most bang for your buck at this unpretentious, family-owned diner at pier’s end.
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