RESTAURANTS & Groceries
Easy Eats
Dine out or take out and enjoy the garden. Here is a list of nearby restaurants that also do take-out.
If you like an authentic smoky BBQ, THIS is your place (Cole’s which is just down the street is no comparison). A 15-20 minutes but you can order for pick up in advance and The town of Aptos is adorable. We order the meat-only, with a few sides and make smoky BBQ tacos, the meal is economical, feeds a lot and is really good.
Here's our easy how-to: Grab some soft flour tortillas at the store before (soft is key). Order 1/2 lb. of tri tip & 1/2 pulled pork (chicken and ribs also work you just have to take them off the bone). Order the coleslaw & beans as sides. Choose spicy or regular BBQ sauce (this comes with the meal) this and the coleslaw will act as your salsa in this recipe. Assemble meat with sides and BBQ sauce inside your tortilla. Enjoy!
They deliver but you need to plan ahead, it can take up to an hour.
95 locals recommend
Aptos St. BBQ
8059 Aptos StIf you like an authentic smoky BBQ, THIS is your place (Cole’s which is just down the street is no comparison). A 15-20 minutes but you can order for pick up in advance and The town of Aptos is adorable. We order the meat-only, with a few sides and make smoky BBQ tacos, the meal is economical, feeds a lot and is really good.
Here's our easy how-to: Grab some soft flour tortillas at the store before (soft is key). Order 1/2 lb. of tri tip & 1/2 pulled pork (chicken and ribs also work you just have to take them off the bone). Order the coleslaw & beans as sides. Choose spicy or regular BBQ sauce (this comes with the meal) this and the coleslaw will act as your salsa in this recipe. Assemble meat with sides and BBQ sauce inside your tortilla. Enjoy!
They deliver but you need to plan ahead, it can take up to an hour.
East Side Eatery (ESE) is lovely to sit outside on a sunny day. It's simple bar food kinda place, not my favorite for a burger (that’s East End) but the fish & chips are great, as is the chili (spicy), Ryan's bowl, and fish tacos.
51 locals recommend
Pleasure Pizza East Side Eatery
800 41st AveEast Side Eatery (ESE) is lovely to sit outside on a sunny day. It's simple bar food kinda place, not my favorite for a burger (that’s East End) but the fish & chips are great, as is the chili (spicy), Ryan's bowl, and fish tacos.
Little bit of a drive but fun. Venus is the local distillery where you can do tastings of a variety of really good Gin, and whiskey. This is their restaurant. It's on the West side so if you're sitting outside during Golden Hour you'll be drenched in that beautiful light. Given it's next to the distillery, they have wonderful drinks!
Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen | Westside
Little bit of a drive but fun. Venus is the local distillery where you can do tastings of a variety of really good Gin, and whiskey. This is their restaurant. It's on the West side so if you're sitting outside during Golden Hour you'll be drenched in that beautiful light. Given it's next to the distillery, they have wonderful drinks!
Oaxacan dining in Santa Cruz. Having been to Oaxaca I have to say it's pretty close!
Copal Restaurant
Oaxacan dining in Santa Cruz. Having been to Oaxaca I have to say it's pretty close!
Down the 41st you'll find East End Gastropub. Good for take out, or dining in.
32 locals recommend
East End Gastropub
1501 41st AveDown the 41st you'll find East End Gastropub. Good for take out, or dining in.
On the Westside but great to drop into for lunch if you're exploring over there or shopping at Ingalls Courtyard (where our favorite store resides, Cameron Marks).
125 locals recommend
West End Tap and Kitchen
334 Ingalls StOn the Westside but great to drop into for lunch if you're exploring over there or shopping at Ingalls Courtyard (where our favorite store resides, Cameron Marks).
Coffee
These are local roasters and they are growing so you see them elsewhere (Verve is now in SF, LA, Tokyo). Cat & Cloud is a lovely morning walk (if you take the scenic route: Go out the white picketed fence, Left on Scriver St., Right on Anchorage St., Left on E.Cliff Dr., Left on 38th. You'll see Cat&Cloud, it is on the corner of 38th & Portola. Both offer good morning eats. Breakfast burritos, Overnight Oats. Cat & Cloud offers patisseries from Manresa Bakery.
Cat & Cloud Coffee
3600 Portola DrVerve Coffee Roasters
816 41st AveSomething Fancier
There’s nothing super fancy about these places which is to say you can still go beach-y. But if you're a foodie or looking for a special evening they are a step above in menu and price than the others. We always frequent at least one or two of these when we’re in town. Best to get reservations.
La Posta is a consistently delicious Italian restaurant. Great wine selection, seasonal menu, home baked bread. I would recommend reservations. They also do take out if you’re feeling like a refined meal from the comforts of home.
62 locals recommend
La Posta
538 Seabright AveLa Posta is a consistently delicious Italian restaurant. Great wine selection, seasonal menu, home baked bread. I would recommend reservations. They also do take out if you’re feeling like a refined meal from the comforts of home.
3 Michelin star chef David Kinch’s new casual restaurant. A 15-20 minute drive that’s worth it. The town of Aptos is adorable and everything on the menu is great. The pizza is incredible and if you like a cocktail, I highly recommend the spritzer, the Negroni and the wines. Think of the Spritzer as an adult slushy. They make it in an actual slushy machine. Also, p.s. there’s a documentary on David Kinch if you’re interested (called: ‘A Chef’s Voyage’).
32 locals recommend
Mentone
174 Aptos Vlg Wy3 Michelin star chef David Kinch’s new casual restaurant. A 15-20 minute drive that’s worth it. The town of Aptos is adorable and everything on the menu is great. The pizza is incredible and if you like a cocktail, I highly recommend the spritzer, the Negroni and the wines. Think of the Spritzer as an adult slushy. They make it in an actual slushy machine. Also, p.s. there’s a documentary on David Kinch if you’re interested (called: ‘A Chef’s Voyage’).
BAD ANIMAL
1011 Cedar StVery cool used bookstore that offers natural wine and Thai food. Great vibe.
Groceries
These are our grocery stores. They are located in 41st, there’s also a CVS, Beevmo and a “Lucky’s” across the road, and Point Market, CVS and 7-11 if you’re needing something quick.
New Leaf is Santa Cruz’s local organic grocery store. Great selection including wine and beauty, and the deli food is tasty.
1210 41st Street, Monday thru Sunday 8AM–9PM
248 locals recommend
New Leaf Community Markets
1101 Fair AveNew Leaf is Santa Cruz’s local organic grocery store. Great selection including wine and beauty, and the deli food is tasty.
1210 41st Street, Monday thru Sunday 8AM–9PM
Whole Foods Market
911 Soquel AveThis may not look like much but it's one of our favorites for breakfast burritos. You can sit outside breathing the ocean while watching the salty surfers walk around. They also have good rock fish tacos, fresh orange juice and probably other things too but that's what we usually order. It's also great if you need a snack and don't feel like driving as it's open very early and quite late, and is just down the street from us (from Scriver St. go right on Anchorage, left on E.Cliff and you'll run into it on your right).
38 locals recommend
The Point Market
23040 E Cliff DrThis may not look like much but it's one of our favorites for breakfast burritos. You can sit outside breathing the ocean while watching the salty surfers walk around. They also have good rock fish tacos, fresh orange juice and probably other things too but that's what we usually order. It's also great if you need a snack and don't feel like driving as it's open very early and quite late, and is just down the street from us (from Scriver St. go right on Anchorage, left on E.Cliff and you'll run into it on your right).
Live Oak Farmer's Market
21400 E Cliff DrTrader Joe's
700 Front St