Super cute spot right off the beach. We also got a view of the colorful houses from our table. We chose outdoor seating where our table was close to a lil pond and ducks were swimming up to us! We also saw someone stand-up-paddleboarding in there as we were eating! Happy hour is M-F 3:30-5:30pm but I heard they may be discontinuing it soon :( We got the Happy Hour Cucumber Margarita + Chicken Taco Combo, Lagunitas IPA Draft Beer + Shrimp Taco, Calamari, and Loaded Nachos. Happy hour plating size is smaller than the full menu size but the amount of food was perfect for my group of 3. They gave a generous amount of chicken+shrimp on the tacos so we put the extra meat on the nachos! The shrimps are grilled with a smoky charred flavor and the chicken is so juicy and flavorful, almost having a curry/tumeric taste. So delish. Staff is super nice and our waiter was super helpful. Vibes are immaculate and I'm sure food would hit even better after a warm summer swim! read more

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Higher prices but the portions arent terribly small at least. The clam chowder was pretty standard (nothing crazy but nothing to complain about). The steak tacos were pricey for the amount you get but the meat was good. The enchiladas were probably the most worth and were tasty though the beans weren't particularly good. The chips may be pricey but they are unlimited which is nice. My friend had the margarita and said it was just ok which is probably a little disappointing if thats what youre coming for. Service was solid though and The outdoor seating facing the beach is really nice and they do have heat lamps since it can get chilly. Parking in downtown Capitola is a little crowded (and most of it is paid parking) so you'll prolly need to do a short walk. All in all, you're paying more for the ambiance and service but the food isn't terrible and it was overall still a nice experience read more

Margaritaville - Enchiladas - Seafood Near Me - Capitola, California

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Dined here for my father in laws birthday dinner. The FOH manager I believe was at the host stand checking us in when upon arrival we had decided to sit outside given the nice weather. Our party was 7 guests and she seemed annoyed that they had to set an alternative table outside. Our waiter was green, nice but very unprofessional. Example: I did the old go to the bathroom and give the waiter my credit card trick to pay for dinner. We were barely into apps and hadn't even ordered dinner or dessert when he brings me the bill moments later... Our silverware, b&b plates or napkins did not arrive until we asked mid apps. The tea my wife ordered was putrid and was unable to take off our bill because our waiter already ran my card following apps... He even inclined to not provide the itemized receipt after the 2nd, final bill was dropped at the table.. The only highlight was the fish tacos that were excellent and the waitress who covered our server for his " 10 minute break." She was outstanding, friendly and engaged in our tables event, took pictures and was just overall outstanding, as a we would expect given the nature we were celebrating a birthday. 2 starts for the tacos and last minute save from the waitress. Much training is needed and a review of standard SOP's and steps of service. read more

We were in route from Carmel to SFO and stopped off in Capitola to stretch our legs and get a bite to eat. We are sure glad we did. It's a cute, little beach community with a canal that runs through it. The restaurant was right at the end of the canal before the small beach and Pacific Ocean. It's a picturesque spot with friendly servers and tasty food. read more

Beautiful patio seating with great service! The mai tai seemed like it was missing something. It was yellow with no orange in it, but still strong (nothing worse than a watered-down drink). The Pomegranate margarita is very tart. The tacos are always amazing! I liked that the server brought out the happy hour menus when the time came without us asking. read more

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The service and the margaritas were amazing. I can also add that the food is great but pricey, and I was not pleased when I got charge an additional $12 to add chicken to a $28 quesadilla. No warning, Not cool! read more

Margaritaville - The view from the restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Capitola, California

Had an overall good experience at Margaritaville. The Dungeness Crab Tostadas and Baja Fish Tacos were both really good--especially since the fish didn't taste overly fishy (big plus for me). Drinks were solid too--the Pomegranate Skinny Margarita and Piña Colada were both refreshing. Appreciated the pet-friendly outdoor seating. Only downside is the high-top tables could use bag hooks since space is limited. Service was good and the online reservation system was easy to use. Parking in this area on a weekend is a bit of a hassle. Recommend parking in the Public Lot behind the police station and walking. read more

Margaritaville - Dungeness Crab Tostadas and Baja Fish Tacos - Seafood Near Me - Capitola, California

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Had a birthday lunch at Margaritaville surrounded by sunshine, peaceful ocean sounds, & great service. I treated myself to a coastal drive with a few stops for walking and a nice lunch. Kasey was my server & she respected my unusual requests that included alone time to read a great book and dessert first. I started with a healthy bottle of filtered water & lava cake. Ice cubes in the water glass were perfect cubes! Not crushed, not cylindrical, just perfect. I added a diet Coke to my meal... more cubed cubes. Lava cake was moist & chocolately, but I don't really like chocolate. Dessert options were limited, but I recommend the churro. Next, I had marinated skirt steak with chimichurri sauce - medium rare. I requested beans without rice, but was served beans with rice. Beans were yummy. Dunno about the rice because I don't like it. The steak! It was amazing. Perfectly cooked with the juices mixing with sauce that created a delicious blend of flavors. Chimichurri sauce was a nice blend of acid (lemon?), sweetness from the parsley, and olive oil. It was so good that I'm drooling as I type this review. Quiet day in Capitola - low season for tourists, so the restaurant was mostly empty. No rushing the guests, so I read alot & took some nice photos. Chef was very friendly & cute! Clean bathrooms, plenty of nearby paid or free parking, and patio with umbrellas for dining. Only negatives -- I asked for 'no ice' in my water & no rice with my entree. Also, I wanted Crudo instead of cake, but it wasn't available. Kasey recognized the errors and was an exceptional server. read more

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My recent visit will be my last visit here. This visit was very disappointing and the worst out of every single time I have ever been there. A friend and I walked in to find the place completely empty and greeted by a new worker at the front. We could tell he was new by how the supervisor was berating him through out our meal. We sat at the bar and was approached by the bartender. He asked what we wanted to drink so we ordered two pina coladas. We inquired about food and received the food menus. After we ordered they brought us water and in the middle of our conversation interrupted us to ask for payment. Don't get me wrong, worked at a bar before so it's understandable. What was not understandable was not only were we the only ones in there he began going on a rant about why he needs our card about it being during their "busy times". We were the only ones there at the time and it wasn't asked prior to our order, we should have left then. He then brought our premixed frozen 20$ drinks and began talking to another worker. He stated "how he works harder but gets paid less so he only does bare minimum now". Mind you this was going on directly in front of us while we waited for our food. The food has changed for the worst and didn't even come out hot. By the time we received our food a blonde lady who appeared to be a supervisor or lead was behind us talking to the new person at the front. She talked to him so horribly and loudly it made me uncomfortable to where I didn't even finish the food. I get having teaching moments but for one you shouldn't do that on the floor in front of customers and for two you should learn how to speak to people in a leadership role. We were watched throughout our entire meal even though at this point they had my card. The prices have raised in order to keep business running as they depend on tourist who do not know. I would not recommend based on how we were treated, how they treated each other, the unreasonable prices and the cold unflavored food. I am bothered by this bizarre experience and would not want others to experience that, save your money or go to the other surrounding restaurants. read more

Nora was our server on Friday, July 10th. And she was amazing!!! Super friendly, attentive, and the food was amazing as well. I highly recommend Can't wait to plan another trip out there read more

A stop in Capitola means a mandatory visit to Margaritaville. It is definitely located in the touristy part of town but believe me, it is a local watering hole too. Incredible waterfront and ocean views from both inside and the outside patio make it a popular destination. The Mexican faire and spirits are very good. Seafood is a specialty. Vegan and vegetarian items available. Great chips and salsa. Margaritas that taste delicious and go down easy:). Lovely, friendly and welcoming customer service. Truly a vibrant, casual atmosphere in which to relax and enjoy your day. Bring the family, friends, or that special someone. Parking can be a challenge. But do not let that deter you from experiencing one of Capitola's best oceanside Mexican restaurants. Trust me on that one. Salud! read more

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My husband and I found this little gem on Yelp after seeing all the great reviews, so we decided to give it a try. We came in on a busy Sunday and were quoted a 30-minute wait, so we decided to grab a drink at the bar. It took quite a while to get our pitcher of margaritas, and by the time our drinks arrived, our table was already ready. We were seated outside per our request and had an amazing view. The weather was perfect, which made the experience even better. My husband ordered the shrimp tacos, which were excellent -- the sauce was perfectly made and the shrimp was very flavorful. I ordered the branzino plate, and it was absolutely delicious and cooked to perfection. There were bones, so I ate it slowly, but it had plenty of meat. It came with a salad topped with a cilantro dressing that was outstanding. We would definitely come back. They have super clean bathrooms. The margaritas were strong and delicious. The only downside was that the bar service was very slow and our table server wasn't very friendly, though it was extremely busy. Despite that, the food and drinks were excellent. read more

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Margaritaville in Capitola was a cute little Mexican restaurant that my friends and I decided to visit after a long day of hiking and checking out the cute painted houses/beaches nearby. While we did not have a reservation, the wait was not too bad and we only had to wait about 35 minutes. The inside of the restaurant is beautifully decorated with tons of seashells, blue tones and sandy wood colors and there is a large window panel where you can directly see all of the little colorful houses of Capitola as well as the water and beach behind. It is absolutely beautiful especially if you go around sunset time. As for the food, I decided to get the fish tacos, the guacamole with chips and the calamari. The calamari was my absolute favorite and was perfectly crispy and tender with a delicious aioli to accompany it. The guacamole was also incredibly fresh and tangy, and the Margaritas were also refreshing and tasty. That being said, my fish tacos were quite dry and could have used more seasoning or salsa to add flavor. All in all though Margaritaville is definitely a solid beautiful restaurant to visit while in Capitola! read more

Margaritaville - Fish tacos - Seafood Near Me - Capitola, California

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This place used to be better. The quality of the food has decreased in the last year. The service has slipped. The restaurant is a disappointment if you're expecting food and quality from over a year ago. Shame. What happened?! read more

Perfect Mexican restaurant with a beautiful view of the colorful architecture of Capitola. Great for families and in a fun and walkable neighborhood. The pictures don't do it just but the food was absolutely amazing. The flavors were complex and delicious. You could tell that only the best ingredients were used to prepare each dish. And of course the margaritas were solid. The service was friendly and welcoming. Highly recommend for delicious Mexican food with elevated flavors. read more

Margaritaville - Blackened Shrimp Enchiladas - Seafood Near Me - Capitola, California

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The restaurant was super busy, so I am glad I made a reservation. Location: 5/5 stars! AMAZING! Mexican Food: 4/5 (I've had better and I wish there were specials) Service: 4.5/5 stars (attentive, but forgot my chardonnay) Sound: 3/5 stars indoors (loud!) 5/5 stars outdoors I had chimichurri steak and it was okay, but kind of greasy? Overall, a fun place to visit and get the Capitola experience. I would suggest sitting outdoors if it isn't too bright or hot. read more

Came here for dinner on a Tuesday night. It wasn't super packed but there was enough people inside to make the atmosphere feel lively. You have indoor dining options or outdoor dining options with a view. They have heaters outside to keep you warm. We got the calamari and the birria tacos. The birria tacos were good but they could've been crispier. The calamari had the same issue the breading wasn't crispy enough but the food itself had flavor and was good. The overall dinning experience was pleasant though the staff was very friendly and accommodating. read more

Margaritaville - Birria tacos - Seafood Near Me - Capitola, California

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Perfect location! Food was great, drinks were okay, but you're really paying for the amazing view. Service was very helpful! Not affiliated with Jimmy Buffetts Maragritaville read more

Margaritaville - Nachos - Seafood Near Me - Capitola, California

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Yes, yes, yes. If you're looking for a strong marg, views, and comforting Mexican food without a worry of splurging the wallet in Capitola, Margaritaville is your spot. I would most def come back here again during the day and sit outside and take it all in! We arrived to Capitola late evening as the sun was setting and chose to sit indoors with the kiddo after walking the beach and finding Margaritaville still open and thriving. The staff was so gracious and even went across the street to grab a special straw for the kiddo ~ high chair/kids menu/all the special love too. It's these moments when you realize the staff has young kids and just you know..get it. So thank you Margaritaville for that, we still have the straw as a vital everyday piece of our day. As mentioned, margaritas are done well. The guac is phenomenal, chips homemade. I went with the blackened shrimp enchiladas, and others ordered the shrimp diabla and chile verde enchiladas. The verdict = delicious. My enchiladas came with a house sauce that tasted like a mole. Ample pieces of shrimp cooked to perfection. I heard from table convo the shrimp diabla was just the right amount of spice and flavor, and the pork meat being juicy in the chile verde. Loved the Spanish rice and creamy refried beans on the side as well. We did premium margaritas ($21), but there are other options like tiki drinks, zero proof, non-alcoholic, beer/wine, house cocktails, and house marg/skinny marg. Dessert is also served here, and it's recommended to make a reservation ahead of time as this place gets hoppin'. Can't wait for a day marg soon! read more

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Such a beautiful day to sit in the patio. Comfortable and pleasant. The service this past Sunday morning was outstanding! We enjoyed strawberry lemonade, some chips with salsa and I had shrimp enchiladas. All very delicious. Highly recommend for delicious food and great atmosphere. read more

Margaritaville - Shrimp enchiladas - Seafood Near Me - Capitola, California

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The food here was amazing. And the environment was also. They have outdoor seating for couples and comfortable booths for medium sized families. The manager here Nathan was probably the most helpful manager I've ever experienced in a restaurant. He was always checking on us, made sure we had comfortable seating, and even helped me when I dropped my daughter's pacifier ! An outstanding manager I was in awe because of how great he was. Will definitely come back here in the future! read more

Margaritaville - Quesabirria Tacos - Seafood Near Me - Capitola, California

April 20, 2025 - Capitola We arrived early, about 11:00 am. We had our pup with us, so we were led around the back to the patio. We were seated at a table near the water and had a lovely view of the bay, the pier, and the colorful houses. Our server (Josiah) welcomed us and gave us a few minutes to decide what we wanted to order. I ordered a glass of rose' (Birichino Rose', Santa Cruz, $14), which was very light and perfect. My husband ordered a jalapeno' margarita ($16). Spicy! We also ordered chips and salsa ($8), a small garden salad ($16), and an Ultimo Chile Verde Burrito ($28). The servings were very generous, and the food was delicious. The garden salad included mixed greens with Hass avocado, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, goat cheese, and sourdough croutons with a balsamic vinaigrette. Small was large enough for two to share. Then came the monster burrito. When it came, we commented to Josiah that we'd never be able to finish it all. It was so good--Chile Verde in a flour tortilla with refried beans, Spanish rice and Queso Oaxaca. Served with sour cream on the side. Don't you know, we finished every last bite. As the food arrived, I had finished my rose, and needed something a bit more robust to go with the rest of the meal. I ordered the Midnight margarita (Mezcal Verde / Fresh Squeezed Lime / Agave / Lavender, $18). A bit smoky flavored, it was perfect to accompany my meal. The view, the food, the service (thank you, Josiah), and the dog-friendly patio, all made for a delightful lunch. read more

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Excellent service and great food and really nice outdoor area. Food is expensive though it's listed as "$$." Plus mandatory 22% gratuity on parties of 6+. read more

Recently came here to celebrate with some friends for a birthday dinner and we were all excited. However upon arriving for a reservation the hostess a young gentleman immediately was very off putting and gave terrible customer service. He first asked us "where do you want to sit" and my party of six were looking around the resteraunt with no tables to accommodate all of us. We are asking where are there options for all of us and he just starts looking around. He offers a table for four people stating he can grab chairs, and then offers us two tables with a huge bannister right in the middle between the tables so we wouldn't of been able to see one another. We stated we would take a booth that sat five of us with one person sitting outside of it with a chair. When I first slid into the booth the table was so tucked in I asked the host if we could have the table pulled out more. I asked this a couple of times as he was setting the menus on the table. He didn't say anything and just walked away. After that we all looked over the menu and all of us ordered cocktails and appetizers. The chips were DELICIOUS and paired with the quac was great. Our server we had was amazing and giving us a lot of time to look over and recommend different drinks. Only thing I found odd for this place being a Margaritaville was there wasn't really any margarita selection. There was three different options and none really wowed me. Maybe it's gimmicky but I was expecting a whole list of different options like a strawberry margarita or mango margarita. However the cocktails we all ordered were delicious and well made. All of us enjoyed our food, and despite being maybe a little overpriced we all still really enjoyed our experience. And since it was my birthday I was offered a free shot of alcohol (my choice) or free ice cream. Of course choosing the shot it was sweet to have it come out with a candle. I would come here again for lunch or dinner but with a smaller group. Due to the fact they really couldn't accommodate our party despite making a reservation, but the food was yummy and deserves a good rating. Just seriously teach the host some people skills, PLEASE. read more

First time here even though we are nearby residents- usually cook at home food was AMAZING ....the service by Megan was absolutely fantastic! She let us know she was taking a quick break and we had another server who was just as lovely. Such a nice place! The Quesobirria was so good and blackened shrimp enchiladas equally delicious! read more

Very much enjoyed our lunch at Margaritaville! Service was great, friendly, and attentive. The tacos were tasty, the steak was tender. Definitely would come back here again on a nice sunny day to sit outside. read more

Margaritaville - Steak Tacos - Seafood Near Me - Capitola, California

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Michael was an amazing server, took care of us for my wife's birthday! He's only been there for six months and made sure we had everything we needed. It's been years since I've had this level of service. read more

Amazing service, great food and drinks! We ordered the chips and salsa to start along with a skinny pomegranate margarita and a strawberry margarita. For lunch we ordered the Baja Fish Tacos and Quesabirra Tacos. Everything was amazing, tasted great and had the best service by Gabe! A must if visiting Capitola. read more

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they definitely need to make a better option for dessert. one if my favorite place to be for lunch in capitola. everything is so good. read more

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We came from OAKLAND the land of the food food!! Let me tell you NORA-ask for her Amazing beautiful blue eyes & so so friendly The foooddd wow!!! We were so surprised yet sooo damFULL . Seems like the boss or owner came around a few times to check on multiple tables. We ordered 3 drinks plus 4 plates less than 200$ can't beat that! -& service was amazing!!!!!! 20 stars We had our first date here 8 years ago. read more

I would leave zero stars if possible just based off the experience. Semi busy on a Saturday night with no reservation so we sat at the bar. 1 group of 4 leaving as we walked up so we were the only patrons on the large round part of the bar. Order drinks and get menus and decide on what to eat. Bartender states "I need to get a card from you if you're ordering food". No problem right? Hand him my AMEX, think nothing of it, and over the next 40 minutes proceed to watch 5 couples order drinks, food, and not be asked for a credit card UPFRONT. Even watch a couple share a margarita, and walk out on the tab. But I get asked to give a credit card BEFORE hand??? Can we say the quiet part out loud [and I would never say it if it didn't feel that way].........RACIST. Bad look. I frequent Capitola as I have friends here. Won't be returning to this restaurant. Funnier my friends that I came to see said "their not surprised", so there's that ‍ read more

Blackened Shrimp enchiladas were amazing! Service was excellent! I went with a group of 30+ I was not disappointed! read more

Margaritaville - Blackened Shrimp Enchiladas - Seafood Near Me - Capitola, California

Our family loved this place! We were starving when we came in here and could barely waddle out when we were done. I got the quesabirria tacos which I thoroughly enjoyed and my husband got the blackened shrimp tacos, which were also delicious. They were perfectly charred without tasting bitter. We also ordered a side of nachos, and the waiter was kind enough to let us know that we had the option to purchase only a half portion. We are so glad he did because the full size would have been way too big for us. Drinks were also great. We'll be back here! read more

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I was so excited to have dinner at Margaritaville. We were seated on the patio so we could see the sunset and the water. That was the only good thing about the visit. We were at the restaurant for almost an hour before I had to flag down a busboy and ask for water. Our waitress had taken our food order than disappeared. After the busboy brought us water the waitress finally came back to say she was going on break. The waiter who took over never brought us more water and never brought us our food. Finally when our waitress came back from break (we have now been in the restaurant for 1.5 hours), she brought our food and it was all cold. We asked for more water and never got it. Two hours later, no bill. No boxes. Cold food. No water. I finally grabbed another busboy and asked him to get our bill. Thank goodness I had cash, otherwise we probably would have had to wait another hour for my card back. I really really really wanted to like this and have a nice romantic dinner, but instead we left angry and grumpy. read more

Stopped in for a late lunch. Although they were busy, we only had a 15 minute wait. There were three young hostesses at the entrance. Only one was friendly and courteous. She was the one who took us to our table. It was a beautiful day so we sat outside on the patio. Our waitress was great and stayed on top of things. We shared the nachos, it was a good size appetizer and was tasty. I ordered the fish tacos and they were delicious! My husband had the Chile Verde Plate. He said it was good. My grandson had the ultimate burrito and loved it. We have been to this restaurant multiple times over the years and have never been disappointed. We will be back. read more

Margaritaville - Fish tacos - Seafood Near Me - Capitola, California

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After a long afternoon of drinking at the Capitola Sip & Stroll we mosied into Margaritaville with high hopes and empty bellies. Lucky for us, we were seated almost immediately out on the patio which typically has a water view, but it was already nighttime so all we could see was the reflection of the moon on the water. Not complaining though because, I do love Mr. Moon! Our server brought us water and butter with bread, which I thought was a bit odd being that it's a Mexican restaurant (I was expecting chips and salsa) but, my stomach didn't care, it was growling for me to put literally anything in there. We were able to order quickly and our food came out within a reasonable time even though the place was pretty packed (major points for that!). It was everyone's first time at Margaritaville and we weren't sure what to expect however, the food was actually pretty good. truth be told, I always judge Mexican restaurants based off of their rice and if it is as legit as my grandmas. A lot of Mexican restaurants just don't have a clue how to actually make the rice correctly and it's bland AF but! I give Margaritaville an 8 out of 10, meaning their rice was pretty good, not chef's kiss good but definitely good enough. I ordered the green chili Verde enchilada plate, because I'm a sucker for any kind of enchilada and I would have to give those a 7 out of 10. They were tasty, but I wish that they had more cheese inside. Our server came back and checked on us a few times and after we finished eating, we didn't linger long but we definitely enjoyed the fast service and decent food. I might have to go back sometime when I haven't had, two bottles of wine prior, lol. I'd also like to go back in the daytime to enjoy the beautiful water view so... here's to another trip to Capitola and another trip to Margaritaville! Ariba! read more

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The service was great, and the view was stunning. I found the drink options to be a bit underwhelming, and the food choices felt limited. That said, it was a nice change of pace coming from San Francisco, and I enjoyed the experience overall. I'd recommend it if you're looking to try something different! read more

Margaritaville exceeded all of our expectations. First of all - Donyl was amazing, she was so attentive and anticipated our every need. Our food was delicious, we ordered the quesadillas and the skirt steak tacos. I wish I took a pic, but they were so tasty that we devoured them immediately. Not the mention the waterside views.... We will absolutely be back, thank you Donyl for the fantastic service and the Margaritaville team for a wonderful dinner experience! read more

Margaritaville - Seafood Near Me - Capitola, California

We live about 4 miles from Margaritaville and have not eaten there for years, but decided to try it for lunch. Extremely disappointed. Had to wait about 5 minutes for the hostess to show up to seat us and they were not busy. The waiter was nice when he appeared. BUT, the menu showed limited options and prices soooooo high that we considered leaving, but decided to stay and give it a try. BTW, chips and salsa are $10!!!! That's ridiculous! And they were NOT worth $10. We ordered the chips & salsa, a cup of soup, tacos & a soda. Our bill was $70!!!!!! And remember, this was lunch and NO alcohol. We will NEVER go back. This is a complete tourist trap and that's so wrong. read more

Service was fast and food was great! My 2 friends and I made a last Knute decision to grab lunch in capitola, I wanted ceviche and they wanted margs, so we decided to go to Margaritaville! We got ceviche, oysters and a birria quesadilla, all of it was delicious. I also had the mostly alcohol free marg because I was driving and it was also very yummy. It was also a nice day so I was worried the wait for an outside table would take a while, but we literally waited 2 minutes. Parking can get packed in that area, but if you send good vibes you should be ok. Will definitely go again! read more

Margaritaville - Ceviche - Seafood Near Me - Capitola, California

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