Santa Cruz
With a cult following, this artisan ice-cream shop crafts zany flavors such as bourbon-candied ginger, lemon-verbena–blueberry and ricotta apricot all…
Must-see restaurants in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz
Organic produce, baked goods and arts-and-crafts and food booths all give you an authentic taste of the local vibe. Shorter fall and winter hours.
Santa Cruz
A perennial local foodie fave, this chic and cosmopolitan lair harnesses mostly native products and turns them into triumphs of flavor pairings: Manila…
Santa Cruz
Complemented by sake, craft brews and a buzzy surf-town ambience, Akira's menu harnesses briny-fresh tuna, salmon, eel and shellfish for a huge variety of…
Santa Cruz
Another opening in the up-and-coming dining scene in Santa Cruz's West End, Bantam's versatile space is often packed with SC locals enjoying wood-fired…
Santa Cruz
Detour to find this old factory, where wood-fired oven pizzas are made from scratch with love – the no-name specialty is like a giant salad on roasted…
Santa Cruz
A chic downtown dining oasis, family-owned Laili invites diners in with an elegant high-ceilinged dining room and garden patio. Share apricot-chicken…
Santa Cruz
Line up at this clean, well-lit breakfast spot for fluffy Belgian waffles, blackened ahi tuna eggs benny, Mexican huevos rancheros with pulled pork and…
Santa Cruz
Vegan and organic ingredients all feature, but there's absolutely no trade-off in flavor with Buttercup's cupcakes and desserts. The downtown location is…
Santa Cruz
Organic and local produce, natural-foods groceries and deli take-out meals in the middle of downtown Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz
Across the street from the beach boardwalk, this locavorian kitchen puts together creative sandwiches such as beet with lemony couscous or 'fancy pants'…
Santa Cruz
Inside the Reef bar, this kitchen runs on 'island time' as it mixes up your fresh ahi tuna, salmon, shellfish or veggie poke (cubed raw salad) in a bowl…
Santa Cruz
At this scruffy brunch spot that locals don’t want you to know about, huge portions of sourdough pancakes and cinnamon-nut coffee cake will keep you going…
Santa Cruz
Always packed and consistently good (if not great), El Palomar serves tasty Mexican staples – try the ceviches – and fruity margaritas. Tortillas are made…
Santa Cruz
The bagels here are twice-cooked (boiled, then baked), and come with fantastic spreads like crunchy 'Tofu del Fuego' or hummus with sprouts.
Santa Cruz
Who cares how long the line is at lunchtime? Find taquería heaven with these marinated pork, chicken or beef soft tacos.
