This restaurant was recommended by our friend, and it definitely lived up to the hype. The menu is…read morevery unique, and every dish impressed us. We started with the Pork Belly & Watermelon, which was incredibly refreshing. The smoked pork belly was super tender and paired perfectly with the miso aioli and soy caramel glaze. The chili added just the right amount of heat to balance the richness of the pork. For our main course, we had the Filet Mignon. It literally melted in our mouths and was served with a silky tahini onion purée. We also loved how they transformed the leek and farro into crispy sticks--they added such a fun texture to the dish. Both dishes are highly recommended! We each ordered our own dessert. The Vim Chocolate Cake paired beautifully with a rich raspberry jam. It wasn't overly sweet, and we loved the subtle buttery aroma. The Mississippi Mud Pie is definitely in top three desserts. If you love brownies and caramel, this is the one to order. The presentation was beautiful, and both desserts were large enough to share. We finished with cappuccinos, and as expected, the coffee was excellent. The service was top-notch. They replaced our silverware and plates after every course, which made the experience feel even more special. We were told that the menu changes regularly, so we're confident that whatever is on the menu will be delicious. We'll definitely be back to try their bread service and afternoon tea next time!

My mom and I have been to Vim twice and both times it was excellent. Good customer service,…read moreabsolutely delicious food, pleasant ambiance. It's pricey but it's totally worth it.

i've lived in santa cruz for four years now and this has been my absolute favorite restaurant…read moreduring this time. as this chapter of my life is closing, and i'm getting ready to start the next, i just knew i had to come again and bring my partner who has never been in before. for starters, all of the staff we interacted with were very kind. the host sat us promptly and handed us over to our server, cassandra, who thoroughly impressed us with her impeccable memory of all the specials, provided great suggestions, and gave us even greater service throughout the evening, and also enzo who kept our table so nice & clean! the weather was so perfect, we just had to sit outside! it was nice to see the restaurant so full and lively on a weeknight. the flow of business was so consistent, you just know something is being done right here! now, the service & ambience were great but we really came here for the food and the kitchen staff did not hold back. i felt like i was living through an episode of chef's table. while i always switch up my entree, my go to's at avanti are the olives & focaccia paired with an espresso martini. i've had an embarrassing amount of espresso martinis but this is still the best i've ever had. the bread and olives were divine, but so too were the salmon cakes we ordered on a whim. they were crispy on the outside and moist on the inside! next, we shared the new york steak and ricotta ravioli. the steak was wonderfully tender and the potatoes that came with it were truly nature's gift to humanity. the ravioli were also so tasty my partner had to physically restrain me from licking the plate clean but the final boss was really the dessert. i've actually never had dessert from avanti but i was feeling especially glutinous and ordered two -- the lemon tart and the butterscotch budino. the lemon tart was subtly sweet and effortlessly zesty and i'm so glad we tried it, however, the butterscotch dessert truly sent me to flavortown and i'm not coming back! (i'm probably coming back) thanks avanti!!

Had an amazing experience here! The restaurant was very understaffed while we were there, which was…read morenot their fault, and it did take awhile to get seated. However, once we were seated (at the bar), our waitress was attentive and did a great job. Super enjoyed their all day Happy Hour for Tuesday (if you don't go on Tuesday, go during Happy Hour). They had great specials and a lot of really tasty sounding dishes. Ordered the Brussels Sprouts and Cauliflower and both had great flavors and were cooked perfectly. We would absolutely go back and try more items! Would also recommend to anyone in the area for an upscale dining experience.

This restaurant makes me want to be a Bad Animal, everything was absolutely incredible from the…read moredecor to the dish. We got there a little bit early and walked around, exploring books and their cover designs. There were many places to sit and chat. Somehow made us want to discuss philosophy? Now the food, we were blown awayyy by the Summer Squash Pasta. Initially questioning the portion size but it was one of the best dishes we have tried all year, truly! We have even begun trying to replicate it at home since we live all the way in San Jose. The Gougeres were good but we wish there was a sauce or at least a filling, a bit on the drier side. Excited to see what the Fall Menu will look like! If you want the corner booth spot, you gotta request it

Came here to share a bottle of wine with my son who is a student at UCSC. what a pleasant surprise…read morewe got when we ordered food. This was some of the BEST FOOD that I have had. We pride ourselves in eating in some of the best places all over. Bad Animal exceeded our expectation of a 'wine bar' food menu. We had Oysters Miso Black Cod Crostini And I never order dessert it with every bite of food I couldn't pass the opportunity to try what they had to offer. We went with the lemon verbena gelato with fresh blueberries Our server ( we sat at the bar) was very knowledgeable about the wine and food. He took his time explaining every dish which made the experience much more enjoyable. Whenever I get a chance to visit Santa Cruz, I will Make a point to eat here.

What a wonderful discovery in Santa Cruz! Every person in our party enjoyed every single item they…read moreordered. And believe me, that's asking a lot!! Couldn't recommend this place more highly.

4% discount if you pay in cash. 5/5: The chocolate souffle…read morewas perfection. 4/5: The chicken orzo soup had good flavor, with a little kick of heat. 3/5: The Rose glow cocktail was too dry. I added some maple syrup and it was a lot better. 2/5: The focaccia was rubbery, like it was day old. I should have sent it back.

We came here for dinner to celebrate my wife's birthday. I just wanted to shout out our waitress,…read moreHelen! Both of my sons have food allergies and she was super helpful and accommodating to their needs. She would double check everything with the chef to make sure they were safe with what was on the menu. Food wise, everything we ordered was delicious and my wife said her martini was strong but very good. Thanks again Helen!

weirdly empty inside but the vibe outside was good? was thrown off by the location bc it felt kinda…read morewarehouse-y service was nice forgot the name of what I got but it was a combo that had a burger w bloody Mary - I gave the bloody Mary to a friend bc tomatoes aren't my thing but the burger felt p small :( espresso martini was above avg but not the best I've had

My family had dinner here for the 1st time. not only was our food really good but the staff was…read moreextremely nice, attentive & accommodating. We came from San Francisco & spent the day at the boardwalk. It was dinner time & we didn't know where to eat & majority of places closed at 9pm. However, based off good reviews we found this place nearby. We weren't sure if they would allow us to dine in since we arrived pretty late around 8:40pm. Luckily, the waitresses didn't hesitate to seat our party of 6. (3 hungry kids & 3 adults) We ordered the: -Garlic New York Steak- medium rare & it was so good. Cooked perfectly & topped with roasted garlic. Mixed in the garlic herb butter with the mashed potatoes. It was delish! - Mac & cheese: we ordered a large & it was really yummy & enough for all of us to share. - Tiramisu: I was excited to order this and it did not disappoint. I'm always on the hunt for a good piece of tiramisu, as it's hard to find especially infused with rum. Not only was the flavor & texture perfect, it was paired with whip cream sprinkled with cocoa powder & strawberries. Such a tasty combination. Also, I'd like to give a special shout out to our waitress & chef for being so accommodating to us. They stayed open way after closing time & didnt rush us. For one of our entrees, as we cut the steak, we accidentally dropped 1/2 of it. Since it was our fault we weren't going to ask for another steak. However, when our waitress found out, she asked the chef to make another one. Surprisingly, they were very generous to give us an entire new plate. We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner and will be sure to dine here again during our next visits!

The water street grill was a nice little hole in the wall. It is quite small but in a cozy way…read morerather than cramped. The service was excellent and the servers make sure you are well taken care of all the way through. However, some of the food items were hit or miss. We started off with the calamari appetiser which for 18 dollars was a bit disappointing. It was greasy and a bit chewy, lacking flavor as well. Then we ordered our mains which were the garlic steak with asparagus and mashed potatoes and the new york with prawns, asparagus, and roasted potatoes. The new york was beautifully cooked however the garlic steak was slightly overcooked yet still marinated wonderfully. The mashed potatoes were really good but the roasted potatoes were rather gummy and a bit lukewarm. The asparagus were some of the best we've ever had. We also ordered a side of garlic bread with mozzarella but it was more akin to a ciabatta bun with shredded cheese on top. Overall some of the food was incredible, and some was lacking, but the service was amazing.

You know the spot is good when it also becomes your family's go-to spot…read more I recommend Harbor Cafe to everyone. Not only does it have my favorite breakfast burrito, but the staff are all so so so nice. It is the perfect ambiance - casual, fun, just incredible vibes. Everything I've ever ordered has been divine. We live about an hour away but always make a trip out for brunch.

Yelp Elite Review: Where the Coffee Is Bold & the Stories Are Even Better…read more Some restaurants serve breakfast. This place serves breakfast with a side of Santa Cruz history. This spot has been around for years, and when my boys were younger, we would come here after a day at the beach. It has gone through a few owners over the years, but the improvements they've made are awesome. The place still has that classic beach-town chill--lots of laughter, good food, and people enjoying life. Parking? Let's just say Santa Cruz and parking have never exactly been best friends. But once you get inside, you have the choice of indoor or outdoor seating, and it's worth the effort. One of my favorite things about this place is the history. For years, a group of local fishermen have been coming here. Two of them are still regulars, sitting around telling fish stories. And if you know fishermen, you know those stories have probably gotten a little bigger every year. My wife and I split the all-meat omelette, and it was delicious. They also do a fantastic job with the hash browns--crispy, hearty, and exactly what you want with breakfast. The coffee deserves its own paragraph. Bold, flavorful, and strong enough to make you believe you can conquer the day. Our server was wonderful. She has worked here since graduating from high school, and you could tell she genuinely cared about taking care of people. Friendly, positive, helpful, and the kind of service that makes you want to come back. There's a wonderful selection of food, but honestly, part of the experience is simply being there. You can almost feel the decades of stories in the walls--families, fishermen, beach days, laughter, and countless cups of coffee. This isn't just a place to grab breakfast. It's a place where Santa Cruz history is still being served--one omelette, one cup of coffee, and one slightly exaggerated fish story at a time. Yelp Elite approved! #YelpElite #SantaCruzEats #SantaCruz #BreakfastInSantaCruz #BeachTownVibes #SantaCruzFoodie #Breakfast #Omelette #HashBrowns #Coffee #LocalFavorites #CaliforniaEats #FoodAndMemories

We (me, husband and baby) came here on a Saturday evening during a long weekend and the place was…read morepretty busy (highly recommend booking ahead!). The restaurant is very cozy. It's got a modern vibe and the service is very friendly. The food was excellent!! We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner. The sourdough bread is superb, probably one of the best we've ever had. The lettuce salad was super fresh. The halibut was cooked perfect with a delish broth. The pork belly was delicious but probably too rich, even for a pork belly (we shared the mains so having half the pork belly dish was just right for me). Drinks are interesting - I had a house-made apple cider something shrub and it was tangy with the right amount of sweetness to take the edge off. Loved this place! The logo of the place I must said doesn't scream out to me but when you look inside the interior of the restaurant, it's gorgeous, relaxed and modern.

We had dinner tonight and while the food tasted great, the portions were small. We left still…read morehungry after 2 appetizers and 2 mains. We came straight home and ate a meal. A bowl of soup was $18. It should at least come with bread to try to add some calories. I ordered the tuna confit pasta and no exaggeration, there was only about 2 oz of tuna, about the size of a cutie tangerine with the dish. So for $29, pasta with a light tomato based sauce, 2 oz fish, some diced tomatoes and 4 pieces of artichoke heart. The pork belly main came with 2 small carrots and about a cup of spinach. No starch. It was like a snack.

Have reviewed this before years back and remains a go to. This review is of the front outdoor patio…read moreupstairs. Food: 4 Atmosphere: 4.5 Service: 5 Cost to worth it rating: 3 Return worthiness: yes Highlights: - Wes: our server was on top of it, friendly, cheerful and so kind to us on a very emotional day. Very much appreciated and such a genuine young soul. - Atmosphere: right on the beach with upstairs and downstairs dining rooms and patios. - Calamari: not your traditional crispy crunchy version but I loved the seasoning in the breading and the tenderness of the calamari rings. 4.5 stars - Fish sandwich: enjoyed the soft focaccia bread and the tender grilled fish filet. 4 stars - Cocktails: long menu for those who like fruity vacation type drinks or just a beer or wine. Midlights: - Different menu on the patio which is limited and more casual the the restaurant downstairs with a full meal. That's fine but good to know. Lowlights: - Can't make reservations on the patio so it's a bit of a craps shoot whether you can get a seat especially on a weekend. - Cover fee of $5 per person for upstairs early on a Saturday night was unexpected though live musicians were cool.

We visited on Friday, 9/4/26, for a late lunch during our Labor Day weekend vacation…read more Unfortunately, our first impression wasn't the best. The hostess didn't seem particularly welcoming when we arrived, and after being seated, it took about 10 minutes before someone came over to take our order. Our waitress, Alex, was friendly and attentive once she came to our table, and she apologized for the initial delay. Our appetizer and our daughter's meal came out promptly. However, throughout the rest of our meal, service remained quite slow. We had to ask several times for water refills, and it often felt like other tables were receiving more attention than ours. That said, the food was absolutely delicious! We ordered the calamari appetizer, prime rib sandwich, fish and chips, and the kids' grilled cheese with fries. Everything was tasty, and the entrée portions were much larger than we expected--definitely enough to take leftovers home. Overall, if you're looking for delicious food, generous portions, and a beautiful view, I would recommend giving the Crow's Nest a try. However, based on our experience, the service could use some improvement. Hopefully, our experience was just an off day, especially since the food itself was excellent.

4.5/5 Stopped in for a late night pizza and beer after a…read morework event and was really happy that I did! It is super nice to have a tasty spot that is open later on the westside, where most restaurants close promptly at 8 or 9. And the pizza was delicious! Really solid 4 pieces of Detroit style with tasty toppings and fun options. We for the "almost maui," but it was cool to see how many vergitarian options there where. Looking forward to trying more! They had a lager on tap, which was pretty exciting given their limited options and the IPA heavy focus in this town (). The owner was really nice and came over to see how we liked the beer and food. I see some people complaining about the price, but Detroit style pizza is really filling! Two pieces is a whole dinner, and at $12.50 (most average $25 a pie here) it is hard to find a cheaper dinner in town. The board game vibe was unpretentious and fun, and what it might lack in decor it makes up for in its other charms! A cute spot!

Despite the three star rating, I actually do recommend D20…read more I'm just not a huge fan of pizza, personally, and these reviews are for me, first and foremost. The pizzas were $20-25 for a square, four slice pizza. Very thick crust and very rich flavor that I personally found overwhelming. I preferred the normal cheese pizza to the mushroom one, as the tomato sauce helped cut the heaviness of the flavor. They also had a variety of soft drinks in a fridge by the entrance. They have two arcade games, and a board game on every table. It really felt like a community space in progress. When I visited they clearly weren't completely settled, with some dark corners that seemed to be waiting for new lighting and other similar small things but I expect they'll be fixed over time. Less likely to be changed is that it feels a little odd inside with how few windows there are. It is on the corner of a busy street, so that insulation might be a benefit for sound pollution. The service was friendly, but behind the counter or in the kitchen so I didn't get much interaction to make a judgment on. There was music playing at a good volume, and plenty of parking as well as being right next to a bus stop.