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    Bad Animal

    4.3 (181 reviews)
    Open 12:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

    Bad Animal Photos

    Business Info

    BAD ANIMAL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Bad Animal

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    Reviews With Photos

    Menu 7/19/26
    Jocelyn C.

    Loved it!!! The food tasted fresh and loved the creative take. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Vibes was adorable sitting next to the bookstore part of the store.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Great value for the experience and quality.

    Chicken schnitzel (chicken katsu) done so well
    Andrew L.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]Incredible experience with the bohemian vibes and great service and music.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Unique and the food and local natural wine bar and the food blew me away such great execution on the various dishes we ordered. Highly recommend

    Menu online
    Cynthia Z.

    Review of the new menu - Winter 2025/2026, as of 1/18/2026: We had a very underwhelming experience. The Thai menu is permanently GONE. Now they have a new chef serving "French" cuisine. I love French especially modern French but their menu is pretty boring (to us) with limited selections. We only tried two dishes. Mussels: 1/5. The only reason to give even 1 star is because the side bread was very good. The mussels - omg where do I even start....the mussels are smaller than the size of my nails. They had no flavor. There are only maybe a dozen of them for $22. The broth was BITTER. I love mussels, and my partner and I both agreed that we have never had worse ones. ‍ please avoid. (Side note: we actually went to Hook and Line right after this and tried their mussels, which was juicy, plump, super duper sweet and tender, cooked perfectly in the lemongrass broth and frigging delicious. We got easily double the amount and 1000% more satisfaction for the exactly same price.) Pasta: 4/5. It's got a good al dente chewiness and tasted like freshly made in house. The flavor was pleasant: cheese, garlic, umami, a bit of lemon/citrus to balance it out. Portion was pretty small too but at least it was enjoyable. I wouldn't say it was worth the price though. The wine menu is indeed eclectic and interesting. Pricing is decent. The waitress charged us the wrong wine, but was quick to fix it. Service was decent. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The space (for dinner) for me was crowded and crammed. There's barely space for waiters to walk in between the tables.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Chairs weren't particularly comfortable, the table was teeny tiny, and there's no place to put my little purse.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The lady next us literally fell on the floor because she put her purse on the very minimalist chair, and the chair clasped on the floor. Sad to see that place has changed, and not for the better.

    Guillermo R.

    They deserve 4 stars, my meal was 3 stars only because two items were way over salted, not withstanding the extra salt the meal was great. From the oysters we started with to the NY strip we ended with. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We walked in and lucky to find seats at the bar.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Staff was attentive, helpful and a treat watch them dance. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The wine list was fun, loved the bookstore vibe wish they had the NY Times to read but a fun concept and kitchen delivers.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Chicken schnitzel
    Chefg G.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]The place is very Unique![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Great Staff! Very personable! The food was Amazing! Simple Delicious Fun I'll be back Chefg

    Kitchen view
    Jonathan B.

    TLDR; Hanloh Thai restaurant inside bad animal bookstore. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Good food, eclectic atmosphere.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Restaurants in bookstores aren't common but they are starting to pop up across the US after getting their start in Europe (especially Paris). The bookstore is legit -- lots of hard to find books and even some risqué magazines. The menu changes seasonally. Here's what we enjoyed in summer 2025: Fried tofu with cabbage salad: expertly flavored with lime dressing and shallots. Excellent. Probably my favorite thing we ate. Steamed black cod: yup steamed, not pan roasted. Surprising but it worked. The chili broth gave it a bit of a kick soothed by cilantro and lemongrass. Very good. Green curry with chicken: with eggplant and oddly green beans. Contains shrimp paste. Mild dish was ok. Jasmine rice was nicely cooked. A nice curation of white and red wines. We selected a Nebbiolo and Slovenian muscat, both of which paired really well. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Tables are relatively small and close together, so your neighbors can hear your conversation.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Our sever was very helpful, including suggesting the muscat. If eating out is supposed to be an experience, Bad Animal knows what it's doing.

    Black cod, Tom Yum Maprow
    Kurt P.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]An unusual atmosphere finding a restaurant in a bookstore.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Once the dishes start arriving it makes no difference what surrounds you, the stuff that came out of this Santa Cruz kitchen near killed me in its complexity, depth and fascinating composition. Just check the fotos. This was a Thai meal I will never forget. With friends for a birthday getaway, we followed the birthday boy looking for eats around town after cocktails at The Red Room, which was an adventure in itself. We peeked into a small bookstore-looking place n learned they had a chef in-residence dishing thai. Without a reservation the staff were apologetic but after learning the six of us were with a birthday boy, they escorted us to a private room in the back past towering rows of old books and cool periodicals. A nine course menu was offered tonight and after the incredible grace of the staff accommodations we were all in. If you're reading this i suggest look over the menu foto attached. Despite many years dining some remarkable spots, I found a lack of vocabz to satisfactorily convey the breadth of what we feasted. Apart from a few notes. Miyagi oysters in a limey, spicy Namm Chimm. Briney fragrance met with the funk of fish sauce with garlic and chili. Was amazing. Salad of fried tofu, cabbage and pineapple dressed in lime and an herb that grabbed everyones attention that we struggled to identify. Some guessed cilantro but not quite. I thought a kind of south asian tarragon. Turned out was an herb named rauram. Unlike anything else, that stuff. Fresh, crisp, intriguing, it set our palates alive for what came after. Pork belly came with another dish of double fried chicken. Pork marinated in coconut milk, garlic and turmeric, a dip of a mix of fish sauce, lime, chili and something sweet I guessed perhaps tamarind paste? A side of pickled cucumber helped clear the gorgeous fatty, tender goodness of the belly. Chicken super-crispy from the double fry, a sweet and sour sauce on side. The flesh carried a distinct hint of coriander and garlic, dripping moist. The Colonel's bird this ain't. Next a duo of stews. One a riff on Tom Yum with tender oysters and enokis fragrant of galangal and lime leaves. The other a duck legs in five spice broth and broccoli with a vinegar side that perfectly brought a touch of acid. A black cod in a chili broth scented with lime and lemongrass came last and fit perfectly as a closer. The desserts i cant remember cuz we took great advantage of the remarkable wine list along with what we brought along. If you're in Santa Cruz, dont miss what they're doing here. Truly incredible, Imho. Joe-Bob says be a good boy. Sit! Stay! At Bad Animal.

    Annie T.

    OMG stop everything. Bad Animal is EVERYTHING! You want to try something unique, tasty, swanky, and special? Come here. It's a Thai-seafood inspired boutique restaurant inside of a one of a kind adult bookstore with a wine bar. And I say adult because there's a rather prominent section with nudity, which is pretty artful, but still. The only downside to the restaurant and wine bar is there are very few tables and seats, so getting reservations for the same day is a complicated feat. You can call or try online, but you may not have much luck. Your best bet would be to come and wait in person. Just be nice to the hostess with the mostest, and go get a cool orange wine at the small bar while you sit there to talk to the cool crowd or walk around and check out a 1980's old Morrissey album or Lennon biography. Bad Animal seems like a secret hipster place for the rich. It is so fun!

    Lucy S.

    The ambience of this place is really one of a kind, it immediately drew us in. We came on a weekday night with no reservation, and walked around looking at the books until a waitress came to find us when a table was ready. The Thai leaf appetizer was perfectly spiced. Singaporean glass noodles were not bad, although I think the noodles could have used a bit more flavor. Overall we were pleased with the experience as a whole, from the environment to the service.

    Chicken Schnitzel (bottom) and Black Cod (top)

    Phenomenal dinner experience! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Lovely and cozy interior[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]], and the service was amazing. The food was delicious, our highlight was the Black Cod!

    Donati 'Malvasia' Sparkling Wine

    The food was overall great and the service from staff was great. I would highly recommend coming here and trying out the miso black cod as it is the standout dish in their Summer menu.

    Bookstore

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    22 days ago

    This is so overdue!! Thanks for the Edward Gorey book (and great food, wine, and ambiance!). We'll definitely be back!

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    Ask the Community - Bad Animal

    Are you guys reopened for dine-in yet?

    Yes! We are open for dinner from 5-9pm Wedndesday-Sunday with food brought to you by The Midway.

    Are you guys open for dining in yet?

    View All 4 Questions

    Review Highlights - Bad Animal

    We also got a glass of white and orange wine which paired nicely with our dishes.

    Mentioned in 5 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Vino by the Sea

    Vino by the Sea

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    (278 reviews)
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    What an amazing place food and staff are wonderful!!! I don't think i have had a better view…read moreanywhere i have ever been. They had a great band Aqua nett! So much fun. Happy birthday Anna!!!

    I never post here but i am just so disappointed in my experience at Vino by the Sea on the wharf I…read morefeel I need to shout it from the roof tops. I am a 45 yr local to Santa Cruz. I go to shows all the time. Free shows at Shanty Shack, Midtown, Tue wharf series you name it. Vino by the Sea really went low and dirty tonight. Punishing sober patrons and losing my local business. Don't bring your sober friends here...they will be kicked out for not spending money. Met a group of friends here for a show and drinks. My friends had been at the bar for about two hours, ate food and ordered a couple hundred dollars worth of drinks. They had been over served and slurring their speech by the time I got there. I show up and try not to lose it when I order a glass of wine and it's $23. I have spent $500+ on a single dinner for two and still got sticker shock at $23 for a glass. Whatever it was good. My sober friends who came with me to join the group were asked to leave because they were not buying drinks. I explained to the owner/bar tender they are sober and we are with a group of highly intoxicated friends who are spending a lot of money. They were still asked to leave. So they left. The only thing I said to the staff was that my sober friends should not be forced to spend money and apparently that was rude. I was calm, smiling and did not raise my voice or cause a scene. The 2nd they saw me take out my phone and write a yelp review I was kicked out

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    Vino by the Sea
    Baked Brie platter
    Baked Brie platter
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    The view!
    Cocoa Vino

    Cocoa Vino

    4.6
    (18 reviews)
    4.2 mi

    I found out about the bar from their owners who also own the Capitola Candy store. It's a beautiful…read morebar inside, and on nice nights, the glass doors are all open for a nice view of the town. I went on a Wednesday night, which every other Wednesday is a bingo charity night. You purchase a card(s) and any wine or anything else you might like and play bingo for a couple hours with the funds going to a local charity. And if you and your group are interested in playing board games, they have every imaginable goal board game, dating back to the 60s and before, as well as as a Scrabble table game and a Clue table game, where you can see all the rooms and place your people and weapons in the room of your choice. Definitely a really fun night out with wonderful employees and other guests having a great time. Highly recommend!

    Wine bar with a good selection and nice patio. Downsides:…read more- About once an hour, everyone gets hit with chlorine stench when they run the dishwasher. - They have live music Fri/Sat. It's fun, but the band brings their own amp/sound system, and the acoustics are not great. - They have a glass polisher, and it's very loud; it's about as loud as castanets. They run it all the time, including while the live band is playing. WHY? It ruins the sound from the band. I left. I tried a few glasses: - 5/5: The Dezzani sparkling red is great. $13 - 3/5: The Quady Orange Muscat $12. OK, but lacked complexity.

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    Charcuterie board
    Charcuterie board
    Bubbles!
    Bubbles!
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    Games galore!

    Bad Animal - usedbooks - Updated August 2026

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