If you're looking for dinner in Santa Cruz, you can chase trends, white tablecloths, or whatever some algorithm tells you is hot this week. Or you can walk into Hook & Line and remember what restaurants are actually supposed to be. Hook & Line is not just a place to eat. It's a living, breathing organism fueled by salt air, citrus oils, shucked shells, and a bar program that could make a grown adult weep quietly into a coupe glass. The menu shifts like the tide. One week it's pristine local halibut laid bare with market produce that still tastes like the sun it grew under. Another week it's oysters that taste like they were pried from the Pacific ten minutes ago. They lean into sustainably sourced seafood and hyper-local produce with the kind of integrity you don't have to advertise loudly. You taste it. That clean, briny snap. That just-picked sweetness. No gimmicks. No foam for foam's sake. Just confidence. Happy hour here is not an afterthought. It's a ritual. A civilized rebellion against the workday. The room hums. Glassware clinks. Someone laughs too loudly at the bar and no one minds. Behind that bar, Todd and Rain move like jazz musicians in a tight duo - precise, rhythmic, unflappable. They bang out craft cocktails with the calm of surgeons and the swagger of pirates. Drinks arrive balanced and intentional, whether it's something spirit-forward and brooding or bright and citrus-kissed. You don't "get a drink" here. You get an experience in a glass. And then there's the gravitational center of the room: Samantha. Fiery red hair, sharp eye, warm smile. She runs a tight ship without ever making it feel rigid, her steady presence and quiet command keeping the whole operation flowing seamlessly. Hospitality is not a script for her; it's instinct. She engages, remembers, anticipates. She treats regulars like old friends and newcomers like they've finally arrived where they were meant to be all along. Brandy brings a little New Orleans heat to the floor - sultry, sharp, and just mysterious enough to keep you guessing. There's a certain je ne sais quoi about her, the kind you can't train and can't fake. Bridgette helps run the show with steady hands and quiet command. Together, the front of house is well orchestrated. Vibrant. Intentional. Alive. And that's the thing about Hook & Line. It reminds you that restaurants aren't just about plates and pours. They're about people. The line cooks firing seafood that tastes like the ocean wrote it a love letter. The bar team crafting something that makes you pause mid-sentence. The managers who see you. And the regulars who slide into their usual seats like they're coming home. Santa Cruz has plenty of places to eat. But Hook & Line? That's where you go when you want to taste the ocean on your tongue, the craft in your glass, join in the conversation, and to feel the pulse of the room beating right alongside your own. read more

$2 oysters? Yes, please! They were on the milder side, but came with accouterments like mignonette, homemade hot sauce, and horseradish--those really helped amp up the flavor. We also got tasty deviled eggs topped with trout roe and fried shallots (just wish there were more than 3 per order), grilled cabbage made with tons of butter (loved the char, but the sauce was just a tad too sweet), and fun conserva! The mocktail made with beets was KILLER and their HH Pink's Margarita was solid. The restaurant fills up quickly on Mondays because happy hour is all-night on Mondays. I'm glad we went during happy hour! Service was nice and attentive. read more

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Great stop after a day of adventure from Paso to Santa Cruz.. We did not have reservation but tend to go to the bar for service. So that where we headed. Food was pretty good. The knock on this visit is the service unfortunately the bartender seemed annoyed that we sat down. Maybe it was due to a holiday post Thanksgiving or later in the evening. We ended up not wanting to try different wines or cocktails as service lagged so we just ordered a bottle or wine. Was looking forward to trying some great food, maybe a revisit can be put in the books. read more

Hook & Line - Seafood Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Service was excellent, food is always interesting and fresh. Good portions, interesting menu. Have been multiple times and would recommend. read more

Enjoyed this place so much that I came back the very next day with my friends and family. Came here for happy hour, which is Thurs-Sunday (which is everyday they are open) from 4-5pm. The window is short, but very doable. We got: -$2 oysters (which changes, even the next day) -devil eggs (comes in an order of 3 pieces) -mussels (not on happy hour but is what they are popular for. Juicy mussels in a rich creamy broth, topped with string fries with chili crisp on top) -small seafood tower - came with ceviche, raw clams, oysters, mussels, and some sashimi for $45 The second day we got seated upstairs in their private room that overlooked the restaurant. That was a treat, especially with a lot of loud kids. There was even a private bathroom up there too. Service was extraordinary. They checked in with us and always refilled our water without us asking. Parking can be difficult as it is all metered street parking. Most of them require coins, but there is a qr code on the back where you can pay online if you do not have coins! Overall, highly recommend checking this place out. read more

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Hook and Line over the past year has truly become a home away from home. The service is some of the best I've experienced and the food is seasonal, fresh and phenomenal. Although the prices are high, it is important to note this is not only due to the extremely high cost of being in Santa Cruz, but also the quality of the ingredients. You often can see the Chef perusing the Downtown Farmers Market, carrying back more cases of vegetables than one can fathom. For me, hook and line is a place to escape, share some oysters and small plates with friends, and of course- have a filthy martini or glass of crisp wine. I recommend taking your time- order things one at a time, bring a friend or three or even a book for a solo date (side note- I go alone often, its awesome for solo diners). You will truly find that the price will seem very reasonable if you go this route and soak it all in. read more

Probably the best table service we've had since moving to Santa Cruz. Attentive without hovering, they actually knew the menu and had opinions worth hearing. Little things stood out: a busser fixed a wobbly table before we said a word, our server circled back later to check it, plates cleared right on time, drinks offered without being pushed. And this was on a packed night, just a two-top. Cocktails felt thoughtful, not just filler. Full bar with solid signatures. Wine list was equally sharp -- my wife went for the pét-nat, extra cold (her preference) and spot on. - Oysters (Rustics): creamier than we usually like, but that's the season. Sauces and mignonette balanced them well, nice presentation. - Squid fried rice: crispy, balanced, cooked right. - Black cod: melt-in-your-mouth tender with perfectly crisp skin, paired with red cabbage that actually worked (yes, red cabbage in a good way). Our waiter, Cole, was knowledgeable and genuinely helpful. And Layla, the co-owner, was out on the floor making guests feel welcome -- only knew she was the owner because we asked. The restaurant was BUSY and a little on the loud side but it was nice to be in a bustling spot the felt on trend. read more

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This, by contrast to the review I just finished posting, was my mom's last-minute, *quite* successful attempt at salvaging the situation, after inviting us to fly from SoCal out to visit Santa Cruz for my birthday last fall, to visit a specific, super-buzzy place in Capitola that we were all fairly unimpressed by. She happened to have a gift card to use here, and no problem getting a reservation for the next day (makes sense - it's a pretty large space), so that was a win-win. She got an excuse to use a gift card instead of forgetting about it, and we got a bonus, much better birthday dinner. Service here was, as far as I'm concerned, great - though they did send us a complimentary bread to apologize for the wait in taking our order, which was not actually a particularly long wait, even.) For an appetizer, we tried the deviled eggs, on my wife's request... the fried shallots were good, and ikura did make a great, fun topping, but they are still fundamentally just deviled eggs. Good deviled eggs, but I don't *personally* think worth 10 bucks for three. However, the entrees I tried: *fantastic*, totally worth the price. Admittedly, it also looks like this is the sort of place, like Vim, where the menu rotates pretty frequently, as neither of the dishes I tried are on the menu anymore, but I can still say - I had a chance to share a calamari fried rice, and a dish of grits, Nardello peppers and rockfish, and both were *exceptionally* good. Perfectly seasoned sweet/savory fried rice with just a tiny kick of spice, perfectly cooked calamari, perfectly slightly crispy rice. Perfectly cooked, flaky, rich rockfish, perfect pop of sweetness from the fruit in it, perfectly seasoned, grilled peppers, great, creamy grits... both were pretty large portions, too (we ended up taking a little of each home with us, and definitely did *not* have dessert here.) So I would assume the dishes on their current menu are presumably also as good. (That said, my wife had the seafood chowder, which is still on the current menu, and I tried a bite - it was good, but I have had better chowder. Also a solid portion, but I'm glad I said I wasn't as interested in it, and shared two entrees with my mom instead of with my wife, this time. :p) I didn't try any of their cocktails (I did have a wonderful glass of an orange wine for the unfortunately entirely reasonable price at this point of $15, not that I was paying for it this time - but I *usually* would be) - but as a cocktail nerd, I can definitely say that I appreciated the creativity that went into the cocktail menu I saw (which has almost certainly also been completely rotated out since the fall, anyway.) I also appreciated that they had a few quality *mocktails*, one of which my wife ordered (a $6 "no-jito", which I tried a taste of, and confirmed, was quite good, for that purpose.). Anyway, overall my point is, while I would probably still vote to just go back to Vim most of the time, whenever I'm home for a holiday and my parents are paying for dinner... unlike Persephone, I absolutely *could* see this place also going into that rotation. Strongly recommended. (Or at least the fall menu would have been, technically.) read more

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First time here and I absolutely loved it! Our server, Brandi, was so sweet, communicative, and engaging, she shared her own experiences which made everything even more fun. Our drinks were delicious, and when I asked for my second one with less sugar, she gave great suggestions and made sure I was happy with my choice. The food was amazing. The presentation alone was unforgettable, from the oysters to my risotto, everything looked and tasted incredible. The manager (I didn't catch her name, but she had blonde hair) was also so friendly and came by to check on us and see if we had any questions about the menu, which I really appreciated. We didn't have a reservation and walked in around 6pm on a Saturday, and the host seated us within 2 minutes--that kind of service is rare! It was also cold and rainy, so I appreciated that even more. I can't wait to come back, such an awesome experience! Also love the lighting and vibe for the whole restaurant thank you again for having us! read more

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Summary: fresh seafood with a flair, modern/minimalist vibe, artisan cocktails, friendly staff Details: H&L deservedly got multiple awards for Best New in 2024 and it hasn't slowed down in 2025. Of the three rooms, I prefer to eat in the middle room -- not quite as tight or as loud. The bar is for walk ins. The menu changes regularly so some highlights: Kanpachi sashimi: yellowtail (sometimes called amber jack). Tender and flavorful (and loaded with omega-3!). On my most recent trip, it was topped with caviar, yum! I shared as an appetizer but could easily eaten the whole thing. Halibut ceviche: a generous portion of fish cured in lime juice. A little more avocado pls. Halibut: the orange-fennel purée was a bit too sweet. Halibut was pleasant but unremarkable. Mussels: YUM! officially an appetizer but I've had it as a main and it's plenty. The fish broth is amazing with hints of lemongrass. Dunk the parmesan fries into the broth. Get the levain bread and dunk that too. Heck, drink the broth. Oh, mussels are really good and fresh. Seafood chowder: enjoyed this especially as not too creamy. All of the seafood was hiding under the garlic bread. Broth dunking also recommended. All of the staff seem pleasant and knowledgeable -- shout out to Bridgette who was especially so. Hook & Line is definitely date night worthy -- or an excellent place to take visitors you want to impress. It's in my rotation. read more

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Awesome date night during my first visit to Hook & Line. I'd definitely recommend getting a reservation, this place was packed during the dinner service. The service was TOP NOTCH. The service staff would check in frequently and would refresh our plates, silverware and napkins with in between our food orders. We ordered a bunch of smaller plates and each was delicious. We started with a sweet potato and smoked halibut appetizer. The sweet potato came with a delicious cilantro aioli, great balance of sweet and savory. Smoked halibut was perfectly smoked. We ordered shishito peppers which comes with a bunch of peppers and a nice sea salt. The crispy pork belly melted on my first bite. The oyster shooters were pretty good. For my drink I had the koyo which was sweet and smoky. Overall I had an awesome experience and I'd definitely recommend stopping by read more

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Honestly, it's good food, but it is expensive for what you get. The burger is good and the seafood is fresh. I've been here a few times and not sure if I'll go back. It's worth a try for fresh oysters. read more

I will absolutely always rave about Chef Santos' creations. The first time I tried his food a few years ago when he was at another restaurant and I would tell my husband we need to go back, we need to go back. He took some time off from the last location, and I told my husband during that period, you need to call Chef Santos so he can cater our wedding! He would just laugh, but I mean his food is just amazing. So delicious, flavorful and creative. I am so happy he has opened Hook + Line and I can enjoy his craft once again! read more

Despite not having a reservation on what could undoubtedly be the busiest night of the year (Valentine's Day), the hostess was able to seat us in a corner. Baby doesn't mind being put in a corner if it means that I can get a seafood fix on a busy evening. We had celebrated VDay the evening before since I cannot stand crowds. Oh the irony. Started with the calamari ($17) that was light and crispy - a moderate amount of small tentacles and rings. Not chewy in the slightest! I opted for the seafood chowder ($26) which featured mostly mussels and clams with a few pieces of fish fillets. The broth itself was neither tomato-based nor cream-based but very mild seafood tasting. The bi-valves had a bite to them without being overly chewy. Cubed yukon gold potatoes featured throughout. Topped with a gruyere toast, it hit the spot. The BF got the trout ($34) which came with potatoes as well and a slaw salad. The trout was not a white meat which I thought it would be, but more salmon-colored and fresh. The bar area was in the center of the restaurant and is first-come first-served. I think next time I would have preferred to sit there instead of the corner. Service was good - considering how booked this place was, we didn't feel ignored. Would return again to try out other dishes! read more

Hook & Line - Seafood chowder - Seafood Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Amazing! Hands down best place in Santa Cruz for the seafood experience. Cocktails beautiful. Presentation perfect. Coming back forever. read more

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Loved our visit here! The service was fantastic - our server (Jake) was so friendly and attentive. The oysters were fresh and full of flavor, and pairing them with a margarita was the way to go. We'll be back next time to try the other dishes! read more

Hook & Line - Seafood Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Definitely a hidden gem in Santa Cruz, food is good (100% not a tourist trap), highly recommend the mussel and all other seafood! Everything is super fresh with a great kitchen crew :) Enjoy $2 oyster in happy hour! (Before 5pm) read more

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The food was all really fresh and delicious but somehow we ended up spending over $150 for two even though most of what we ordered was on the happy hour menu! $2 oysters!! And num num. Great market salad, creative and delicious cocktails, nice selection of wines, and a scrumptious dessert. Service was attentive without being pushy. The only downside is that depending where you're seated it can be noisy. read more

Super impressed with Hook & Line! The ambiance, service, and food were all 5 stars! We went to celebrate a birthday and from the start the hostess recognized it (was on our open table res) and gave us a little card so our server would know. Our server Maya was attentive and kind, other staff also brought plates out and cleared and you could tell the team worked together which was awesome and lead to a fantastic and professional serving experience. There are several different rooms to sit in and the kitchen is open to the restaurant. Decor is very beautifully done. Drinks were fantastic, we had a martini and the Bird of Paradise. We don't eat too much seafood but we where blown away by everything we had- two orders of deviled eggs (so good), two crab claws, the mussels, a burger, chocolate tart, and the vanilla ice cream. Can't wait to come back, it was as a perfect date night! read more

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Dinner for 4. - Ambiance (3*) It's a comfortable restaurant, but they have a few things to figure out. The sun is really bothersome as it sets, even with the window shades. And then there isn't enough lighting inside once you pull the shade all the way down. I would recommend small table lights once the sun sets. - Service (3*) Friendly. The hostess (a Tilda Swinton lookalike) was super professional and very nice to my kids. She also was engaged and walking around the floor, filling some service gaps. There were some awkward slowdowns (apps and entrees, entrees and dessert, check drop-off and credit card pickup). I think this was less to do with the kitchen, and more to do with our server, who was a little absentminded. - Herb Crusted Goat Cheese, $18 (5*) Exquisite presentation. Absolutely delicious. Not an overpowering goat cheese taste. Just the right amount of texture from the toast. A little pop of acid from the compote. Each component tasted good, and then each bite together tasted even better! - Small Seafood Platter, $45 (5*) Most places have your perfunctory seafood tower. If you're lucky enough, the shellfish are shucked cleanly, but there's nothing particularly interesting about it. This is not that! Every single thing on this plate had some sort of interesting and delicious element. The oysters got this really smokey sauce, which came out of a dropper bottle. Not only was this not cocktail sauce, but the vehicle it came in was also epically important, allowing you to essentially "dot" your oyster with sauce. Pretty, clean, and easy to control. The mussels were plump and dressed. So were the raw clams- never had raw clams with bits of fermented cabbage before, but I'll do that again any day! Both the halibut ceviche and the kampachi sashimi were cut neatly and dressed perfectly. I find most places either add too much or not enough acid, too much or not enough salt, etc. etc.- these were so balanced. Even the tortilla chip with the halibut ceviche was tasty. No afterthoughts! - Grilled Halibut, $42 (5*) Exquisite presentation again. Once again, all components perfect on their own and build each other up. The beets (so overplayed at other places) were so good here and could themselves be a star appetizer. The puree was luscious. The fish though- wow! I find that many places overcook halibut. It doesn't contain much oil, so it's less forgiving. But when done right like it is here, then it's amazing! Firm but flaky. Each flake moist and almost silky. Reminded me a lot of Florida pompano which is one of my favorite fish to eat. I suppose it's not surprising they did this dish so well, considering halibut features prominently all over the menu, and even in their advertising. We saw a cute sign on the street after dinner that said "come grab a drink, just for the halibut"- very clever. Maybe H+L secretly stands for Halibut + Line. It would be fitting. - Vanilla Ice Cream, $3.50 (5*) Even the ice cream tasted special. Good texture, smooth, good bite. - Value (4*) Considering the execution and caliber of plates, I would say this is pretty good value. - Final Word I don't know why H+L is only 4* aggregate on Yelp. This is probably now one of my favorite restaurants in the Bay Area. I'm just sad it's in Santa Cruz and not San Jose, as I'll be able to frequent it less. Normally, the ambiance and service grades would drag my rating down to a 4*- perhaps without reading the other reviews, this happened for others as well. But the food was so, so, so good, that I'm choosing to overlook these flaws. I tend to be stingy with my stars, but this food was about as ironclad 5* as you can get in my book. Will definitely return. read more

Hook & Line - Cute sign! - Seafood Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Place is small but has 2nd floor for parties. We had birthday trip and were looking for seafood cute place on the way home, and were surprised that they gave us the whole room by ourselves even we had private toilet , it was so cute and felt special. We ordered food and didn't expect anything big , but when our dishes came it was magical, we had halibut tails clam chowder and burger also oysters and drinks , it was unforgettable experience, we loved everything since we just stepped into the restaurant. Everyone was nice and polite , they made our evening sparkle on the way home. Thank you !!!! read more

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Service and ambiance are great. The seafood is fresh but you definitely pay for it. Portions could be better. They do everything well but hard to be really excited about it. read more

It was my second time dining here tonight. I was super excited after our first experience. The first visit we got the sashimi with caviar, mussels and fries, oysters, etc and everything was perfect. Tonight we arrived with a reservation and it was packed for a Monday night. We learned it was an all night happy hour. Which is great for everyone else, but for a special occasion dinner and seated on the bar side with a reservation wasn't as relaxing as it could be. The calamari was on the HH list and smaller than we seemed to remember from the non-hh portion. Our dinners were good, but not as remarkable as our first experience. My desert was an espresso martini. Unfortunately it was missing the brewed coffee flavors and overpowered by liquor- I do not recommend. Next time, understanding that H&L is a better deal on Monday then I would probably spend a Monday special occasion elsewhere. But, if looking for a HH with friends it would be a fun spot. Otherwise, special occasions will have to be Tues-Sun (I'm not sure if they are open daily.) read more

I ordered a big eye tuna sashimi thinking that I would have a lovely dinner. Wait time was 35 minutes. I don't think I even received the portion of an appetizer. It was literally three pieces of tuna for $24, nothing special about it. I also tried the marinated fuyu persimmons. Pretty much paid $16 for one persimmon smothered in miso sauce and sesame seeds. I'll just DIY at home next time haha. The ambience is great though, and the bartenders were so nice and attentive. read more

Hook & Line - Seafood Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

I had a nice meal here! I had the apricot cardamom mocktail and vegetarian risotto. What worked: -- service was fast and friendly -- their non alcoholic drinks didn't feel like afterthoughts. They were complex and unique -- the apricot mocktail was really good! It was more than just different fruit juices mixed around--it was bitter and layered -- the risotto was tasty and well-sized. Not the most mind-blowing thing I've ever had but I'd be happy to eat it again! -- there were a good amount of cooked fish options for those who aren't into raw seafood -- you can order just a single oyster which I appreciate! -- the staff was really accommodating when we asked for our food to be cooked with less oil and butter! -- I appreciate the focus on sustainable seafood! -- the space struck a nice balance between casual and elevated. It would be a good place for a little celebratory dinner or a cute Tuesday-night date. What didn't work: -- it's on the pricier end. The pricing of the seafood made sense but not so much for a risotto with no meat or particularly unique ingredients -- I wish the risotto and something heartier in it. The flavors were good and it was a fairly large plate but since it didn't have any protein, I felt like it could've used something more to "beef" it up. Mushrooms, more greens, beans, etc Overall, I'd definitely come back if I had a craving for some thoughtfully cooked seafood or a fancy mocktail. read more

Hook & Line - Mocktail - Seafood Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Hook & Line is a modern restaurant bar lounge that is located in downtown Santa Cruz, a block off the main strip. It is a great venue for a drink after work or if you are on a date. The service was excellent from the host to the server, and the drinks and dishes were great. It doesn't photograph well because it looks brighter in my photos than it felt/seemed in real life. It had a darker ambiance and felt more like a lounge I'd see in Walnut Creek or LA. read more

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10 out of 10 experience! The staff is super attentive and friendly. A shoutout to Billy for the food presentation and Jake for table service. The ambiance was perfect for a date night for two, although a party of 5 were happy at the bar as well! It was lively and yet felt quite intimate all at once. The food. Incredible flavors and a wide variety of fresh ingredients in every dish. Go during their happy hour! The food and drink options on the HH menu were perfect to start off our dining experience. We cannot wait to return to partake in the dessert options, as we were too happy and full for anything else. Really amazing NA drink options and mocktails read more

Hook & Line - Seafood Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Service was excellent! Our server was attentive and checked on us often. Place is at a great location and the drinks were fantastic. I ordered the risotto which tasted good, I felt the portion was a bit much much for one person, I would have preferred more mushroom and other veggies and less of risotto. We also got the trout and that was great. The bass appetizer was also really great. Overall a great place with nice ambiance. read more

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The food was great as always and the ambiance never disappoints at this spot! Our server jake was great and was constantly checking in on us at the right times. Recommend getting a table with him if you can! read more

Sweet! I enjoyed finding this place for craft cocktails, fresh seafood and top notch service. Kate was great - knowledgeable about the drink and food - definitely an eye and attention to the craft! That made it even more enjoyable. Some basics. Parking was a struggle to get the parking app to work, so just I finally gave up and went to the nearby lot. But that's not H&Ls issue. Just a heads up. Sat at the bar and enjoyed how the place was set up. Drinks. Walnut Ave was a superb old fashioned with one of the best maraschino cherries. 100 Mistakes was using an Italian aromatic that I forget now, but another fine drink. Good food. The oysters were sumptuous. I had Buckley Bay, Hood Canal and the constant Miyagi's on their menu. Ceviche of local halibut, sweet potato (thought it was weird until I tasted it), avocado and lèche de Tigre was phenomenal. I even got a suggestion for another different but awesome spot to try. I'll definitely be back. Enjoy!! read more

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Solid recent family dinner at Hook and Line. Started with oysters which were great with a nice.Mingonette . We had green salad and sardines on the toasted bread, but I will definitely be ordering again a bit spicy for grandma.. I had the rockfish most others had the black cod both of which were solid. The french fries Are the best in Santa Cruz.. read more

I have to share our extraordinary dinner experience at Hook & Line, hands down the Best restaurant for seafood and steak in Santa Cruz county! Our son took us to celebrate his father's birthday at Hook & Line until now I hadn't heard of this place. If you're looking for an Extraordinary dining experience, I encourage you to try this gem of a restaurant. The service is first class, the food is Amazing and the ambiance checks all the boxes. We spent an incredible evening, eating drinking and celebrating. it's located on one of the downtown side streets, easily missed but it is the best fresh seafood in the Bay Area, seriously! Take an evening to enjoy their incredible menu and amazing staff. You will love it!! read more

Too good! Simple as that. The service was wonderful. Thankful for the chef's and the servers. Their hot sauce was wonderful read more

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It was a beautiful day in Santa Cruz about 78 when we got to there at 6 and sat in the main dining room. First time there. The salad we shared and both entrees were really excellent. We had O2T sea bass and rock cod, again excellent. The downside was. The water and glass of wine they served were just too warm. Ice fixed the water but our server said all the wines just sit on the counter. The temperature in the room was fine to start but having warm drinks didn't help. By the time the entrees arrived the room was too warm. No AC and dining area is shared with the kitchen. I sent the wine back. The bread ($5) was cooler than the wine. Service was fine. Overall $126 plus tip for one salad and two fish. The ambience killed the experience. We won't be going back. read more

I have been craving Oysters for moths now. i finally found the place and location. So i didn't hesitate to make the reservation to come and try them. We came by during Happy Hour which made them $2!! We had their Miyagi Oysters with their house lemon sauce and fresno chili sauce. We tried them 3 different ways and loved them every time. Also had their Pink Margaritas and their local Rock Fish fish n chips. Service and attentiveness was excellent and they did not hesitate to answer any of my questions especially about why the Oysters were called Miyagi. I will be back if I am ever in the area. read more

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Happened upon Hook and Line for dinner for the first time on a Monday night, and it turns out it's happy hour all night?! Jackpot. First off, unlike some places, the happy hour menu is actually quite happy - solid discounts on good food and drinks. Overall, this is a great place to grab a really tasty cocktail and some fresh seafood. I have high hopes once they iron out the kinks from their recent reopening, and will definitely be back next time I'm in Santa Cruz. ***** The only big con: * Not sure if it was an off night because the restaurant just recently reopened, but it took me around an hour to get my main course (sea bass). The staff was very friendly and apologetic though, so no worries I get it. Luckily I was on vacation anyway, so that just meant I could spend more time with my cocktails and appetizers! ***** Food: * Halibut ceviche: This must be Hook and Line's calling card? Some of the best halibut ceviche I've ever had. The fish was super fresh, the cuts were all very high quality without any stringiness, and there was a lot of it (considering it was a happy hour portion). The marinade was complex and flavorful without being just a sour-punch-in-the-mouth like some lower tier ceviches. And not to mention the heaps of avocado you get too. * Oysters: Happy hour oysters are $2 and they're the standard Miyagis. All the accompanying sauces are very tasty, especially the chili sauce! * Seared sea bass (I think? This was back in August): The done-ness of the fish itself was a bit of a miss here. Slightly overcooked, maybe because of the delay. Everything else in this dish was great though, from the puree sauce (sweet potato?) to the grilled caramelized leeks, and the chimichurri on top. ***** Cocktails: * Had some time to kill, so I had one of each cocktail on the happy hour menu. All super tasty! Very well executed. ***** Service: * I sat at the bar, so I mostly interacted with the bartenders, but they were super friendly and attentive! We had great chats about growing up in the Bay Area and how they liked Santa Cruz, and they were just generally a pleasure to hang out with. read more

Overall a great place! Service was excellent. Oysters were tasty but the burger was the surprise and really really good. Only thing is the oyster shucker needs to shucking shuck better. Lovely spot with a great bar space. One of the few places in Santa Cruz that are actually worth returning to. read more

Hook & Line - Seafood Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Definitely good food. I would say all our dishes were quite tasty. Portions were on the small side but that's what I was expecting. Loved the burrata (but when have I ever not loved burrata?) We got a small seafood platter - the ceviche was particularly good. I got the scallops, which were very fresh and tender, and the sauce went well - not overpowering, but as always with scallops - oh so sad that there were only 3. My husband got the whole fried rockfish which was quite a dish! The presentation on this one was really fun. And it was a much hearty meal than the scallops. It was very well fried - nice and crispy. He said the fried rice that came with it was rather spicy. The cocktail menu was overwhelming. So many words I didn't understand. I ended up getting the spritz, which was decent. My husband told our waitress that he's a fan of Mule's and she recommend a different spritz which wasn't on the menu (but is maybe one of their specials?) and it was very good. The waitress did seem very knowledgable about all the words I didn't understand. The service was a bit slow - and maybe this was by design? As in, they first brought the seafood platter first, and then brought the burrata a little while after we finished the seafood platter, and then brought our mains a little after we finished that. Like maybe they were trying to create a relaxed atmosphere? We certainly didn't feel rushed. But it did take 50 minutes for the seafood platter to come from when we arrived - and we ordered pretty quickly after arrival. Having said that our waitress was very attentive and other staff also checked in on us. Nice open space, but it did fill up on a Saturday night and got pretty loud. read more

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Tried the seafood chowder (lacked flavor), chunks of fish had skin intact (laziness?). The lemongrass broth for the mussels burst with flavor. Oysters were delicious but the server could not explain which were briney or not. Her attitude was cold and lacked attention to details (no offer of water when I sat). We were ignored for stretches of time, requested basics like another bottle of sparkling water, cracked pepper, and the manresa bread slices were late to the table. Overall food was good but the service was subpar. Off night? read more

Good food ruined by untenable service. Can someone please instill some basic service skills. Why Santa Cruz? Why?