A Lebanese restaurant downtown that offers healthy options. We had the octopus appetizer, Mediterranean salad with gyro, chicken wrap, and mint tea. The complimentary bread and pesto were a nice touch though not sure it was strictly Lebanese. The octopus was cut into cubes and served with olive oil and herbs--good but unexpected. The salad and wrap were both good. The wrap was toasted--a nice touch that changed the gustatory experience. Decor, ambience inside, and service were nice. The dishes were cleared quickly and unobtrusively cleared--something a lot of restaurants in the metro area failed to do. If in the area, we would definitely return. read more

Mozaic - Chicken wrap, Mediterranean salad - Mediterranean Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Let me start by saying that I really liked this place but there were a few things that made me drop some stars. First was our flaming cheese appetizer that was served up with some snotty attitude. The server came out with a propane blow torch that he smacked on the side of the skillet and yelled "Opa" while lighting the fire. All good, everyone loves fire, but then he immediately said "see, everytime" to our waitress and walked off as if he was not satisfied with our response to the theatrics. The cheese was quite good and plenty salty, the fresh lemon squeezed on top just made it that much better. Buttttt, it was super rich so I would recommend at least 4 people to split this treat. I got the Gyros plate which was very tasty but the Gyros pieces were cooked to an almost black state on some but not all of the chunks, the black parts seemed hidden at first but they showed up as I turned them over as I ate. Last was (I know downtown is expensive) they rang up each fill of our soft drinks as separate items ($3 a pop). I called our waitress on it and she was apologetic saying that's how she lets the bartender know but if I had not checked my bill I would have paid an extra 6$ for refills... My reviews are always positive and I still say this place is awesome but I usually am not given so many reasons to grumble on a night out on the town. I'll be sure to give them another chance and you should give them a try for yourselves! read more

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Great food especially the lamb shank and lamb raviolis. This is on our permanent list of Santa Cruz places to eat! read more

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I've eaten here via DoorDash many times but today I had the opportunity to dine in. The staff was friendly and my waitress recommended the Lamb Kebab medium rare and it did not disappoint. Just perfectly seasoned and cooked. It's the perfect bite when you load up the fork with the lamb, slice of onion Tzatziki and some of the delicious rice. I ended up saving 1/2 my meal so I could try their tiramisu. That was also a great recommendation from my waitress. So light, flavorful and delicious! Can't wait to go back. read more

This restaurant came highly recommended by someone we trusted. Sadly, we had a different experience. We ordered the beet salad to split and it was all arugula (I prefer a mixture of greens as arugula is so strong). No dressing was offered and it was dry. We asked for dressing in order to eat it. For dinner, my friend ordered the eggplant moussaka. When she couldn't find any eggplant, she asked the waitress who said they do it differently--they grind up the eggplant. My friend didn't like the presentation or the flavor so it was sent back. I ordered Butternut Squash Ravioli. The ravioli was good but it was smothered in a very thick béchamel sauce--very heavy. It was too rich to eat all of it, so I shared it with my friend. It's not a place we would go to again. Maybe other items on the menu are better. Our waitress was very nice and helpful. read more

Food is first class. And the waitstaff amazing!! We LOVED this place. Authentic Mediterranean food.

Everything tasted very good and fresh. My favorite was the combo plate with the beef, gyro, chicken, rice, sautéed kale and side salad. I wish there were spicier salsas than their harissa available like a hot sauce or at least chili flakes. Our waiters were really nice and attentive which we appreciated. If I'm back in the area, I will visit again. read more

Had an excellent family dinner at Mosaic and again they were delicious! The gilled octopus is to die for! Also we shared a Castroville artichoke that was steamed perfectly. Lamb shank was fall off the bone tender and delicious. The Fishermans Cioppino was great as always and enough served to take some home. We have been coming here for years and one of the best things we enjoy is Mosaic's consistency and friendly service! Highly recommended! read more

Came here in the afternoon on a Saturday. Sat at the bar and was immediately greeted by the hosts, servers, and bartender. We opted to sit at the bar and were given waters and toasted bread with pesto. The pesto was to die for! So good! We ordered the old fashioned and a cucumber Basil mojito. My boyfriend enjoyed his old fashioned. But WOW the Cucumber Basil Mojito was amazing! So fresh and delicious. That alone wants us to come back and enjoy the other stuff on the menu. I believe Jeff was our bartender and he was very nice and friendly. We would love to come back and experience Friday night Nelly dancing! read more

With the wealth of restaurants in downtown Santa Cruz, Yelp led us to this one due to it being close, well-rated, and good for vegetarians (which my wife and I are). We were not disappointed. The ambiance is classy, there is a vast wine list, and they have courteous service. We were there at lunchtime. My wife and I both ordered the falafel wrap. She had the default salad and I paid-up for the tabouleh. From the sounds that my wife was making with the salad, I think she enjoyed it. The tabouleh was good as well, although I think I would go with the salad next time due to the upcharge for the tabouleh and my wife's reaction to it. The wraps were good, but a bit dry. I exhausted all of the sauce which was brought to the table for my kids' dishes. Although I ate all of mine, my wife did end up opening up her wrap and eating the falafel and tahini as the lettuce was warm from the brief grilling of the wrap before serving and the hot falafel balls. We ordered an appetizer of vegetarian grape leaves. I didn't snap a picture, but they were incredible. My kids both enjoyed their gyros. They ordered meat and I was impressed to see that instead of being thinly cut or shaved like I usually expect, here it was cut in strips. The kids seemed to enjoy it a lot this way. The fries with there meals were quite tasty as well (I stole a couple). read more

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This place is a gem. Excellent food and amazing service. Super chill ambiance and on nice days very quaint outdoor seating. Must haves: Lamb Shank, Cioppino, Grilled Vegetable Salad and the Grilled Octopus. read more

Mozaic - Baklava @ Mosaic - Mediterranean Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

$$ 4.5/5 - Mozaic is a Middle Eastern restaurant right off of Pacific Ave (which has some of the best shopping if you're visiting Santa Cruz). Immediately upon entering the restaurant you get a distinct, yet not cheesey or over done, Middle Eastern vibe from the decor. We were quickly seated and started to explore their menu. Out of the four of our group two of us are really adventurous eaters and two enjoy what they know. The menu has so many great options. Really accessible dishes for those that have never tried Middle Eastern food, and more traditional dishes for those that already love it. They also source their seafood locally, which is what you want when visiting this part of California. Everyone really enjoyed everything they ordered, even those out of their comfort zone. We ordered the "Saganaki" The Flaming Cheese (Pan seared feta cheese with olive oil, flamed tableside with brandy & lemon juice served with pita bread), Dolmas (Grape leaves stuffed with rice, tomatoes, herbs, lemon and olive oil served hot with tzaziki), Monterey Bay Fried Calamari (Lightly battered Monterey Bay calamari served with a lemon garlic aioli), Grilled Octopus (Slow cooked tender octopus, in a flavorful sauce of oregano, olive oil, caper & lemon juice), Shrimp Kebab (Two grilled shrimp skewers, topped with lemon garlic aioli served with rice pilaf and Greek salad), Middle Eastern Combo Platter (Gyros and chicken thighs over rice pilaf served with Greek salad, hummus, tzatziki & pita bread), and the Mozaic Burger (Charbroiled ground top sirloin with caramelized onions, lettuce & tomatoes, our special burger sauce on a toasted sesame seed bun). I'm picky about my Dolmas, because it's one of my favorite Middle Eastern dishes, and it was perfect. Octopus in general can be so tricky to cook, so I was a little nervous ordering it. But the texture wasn't rubbery, it was tender and cooked simply, so the mild octopus flavor shined without being bland. Overall, it was such a great experience and I would definitely eat there again! read more

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Covid precautions: outdoor socially distanced seating. Servers wear masks and gloves. Hand sanitizer are provided when requested. Lamb shank: This is served with a side of greens and rice or mashed potatoes. The lamb .. oooohhh mmyyy goodddd.. the meat just cleanly falls off the bones. So soft, so flavorful, perfectly spiced. The side compliment the dish pretty well. Highly recommend! Falafel wrap: it was decent but my friend said he has had better. read more

Mozaic - Lamb Shank - Mediterranean Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Awesome service and great food. Calamari was perfect! Super nice restaurant, paid attention to the small details!!! Far from cheap though.

Appetizers were great would go Back for those but the Entrees were very bland. Fishermen stew tasted pretty much like tomato sauce. Pasta was something I could make at home. There was just no kick to it. Service was good. read more

Mozaic - Combo plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

My friend and I just ate the most delicious Mediterranean lunch, sharing an artichoke Spanikopita and the grilled veggie salad. So many layers of exquisite joy for the tongue! Highly recommend read more

Mosaic was a great dining experience. The food was well prepared and tasty. Each meal starts with bread and pesto to dip in. Great menu where everyone can find something to fit their craving. I especially enjoyed the lamb shank I ordered. The drinks are good and you get live entertainment on Fridays with belly dancing. The staff are courteous and attentive. Desert is very good too! read more

Several years ago I had a mediocre experience and decided that mosaic wasn't worth the cost. This evening I decided to give them another try, reluctantly, as it was one of the only places open on Monday night. We were greeted warmly and seated right away. The server was pleasant and got me started with a drink. My wife asked for recommendations and the server seemed to have a hard time recommending something. I love it when people throw out their favorite dish or a specialty that everyone raves about. I wasn't super hungry so I ordered a gyro wrap. My wife ordered and sample platter. My gyro was ok. The meat was a bit greasy and I felt like the yoghurt sauce needed some lemon or garlic. My fries were way overly salted. My partner ordered a cucumber mojito and a sampler platter. The best thing on her sampler was the hummus. The rest was just ok. Her mojito was decent but the cucumber didn't really come through. We decided to order a dessert, which was a mistake. We ordered a pistachio panna cotta. The panna cotta was not custard like at all. It likely had way too much gelatin as it had a very odd texture. On top was honey, pistachio, and way way way too much rose water. The first bite tasted like biting into a bar of soap. I could not stomach a second bite. My wife made it through three bites but also could not eat it. I was pretty forward with the server that it wasn't good and I was surprised that it wasn't taken off the bill. Also with entrees in the mid $20s per plate the place should be clean and well taken care of. The men's bathroom, like many men's bathrooms, has had a rough life. But replacing the broken towel dispenser (currently being held together by twine) and water faucet (that's about to fall off) are easy and pretty cheap. So why not keep things in good shape? read more

Delicious food. We shared the sampler appetizer for 4 people and I had the salmon dinner.

We are tourists from San Francisco and got recommendation from our friend to stop by in Mozaic restorant All food we ordered was Delicious ! Lamb shank , grilled roasted vegetable salad ,classic humus, grand Ma spanakopita I tried the same food in other restorants , but in Mosaic is cooked better and very homemade style Will be glad to stop by again in this great restorants Very reccomend ! read more

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Wow! What an experience! We came here and got on the waiting list. The manager greeted us with a smile... Our server was very friendly and helpful! Everything we ordered here was FANTASTIC, down to the bread that was served! We will def visit here again and again! read more

Incredible flavors ! Shareable portion sizes . Ambient vibe inside and the staff are just super kind and helpful

Healthy eaters can order the falafel wrap. it says it's vegetarian but it's actually vegan. Order yours with pepper plant hot sauce. What's missing? Chili's‼ I wish they had jalapeño or Serrano peppers to make this Om nom nom chompsky pop. They do have hommade hot sauces you can order if I remember correctly. Mosaic is the most romantic, sophisticated and upscale of the Mediterranean restaurants in town. Come over during happy hour if you're on a budget. If you want something fast and cheap then try Falafel of Santa Cruz's veggie combo plate. They've been around since the 1980s and they offer great bang for the buck. read more

We wanted to try out new restaurant in Santa Cruz and found this place with great reviews, but i fell short. We ordered: - paella(the only flavorful and good thing we tried!) - lamb kebab($26 lunch for the portion you get is a rip off and the lamb is very chewy) - gyros plate(thick pieces, not like regular thin slice gyros) - calamari(a bit bland and too much breadings) - octopus(small portion, taste ok) There's a parking garage and plenty of street parking on Saturday lunch time. Unfortunately, we like Laili better than here. read more

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Mosaic is my favorite restaurant in all of Santa Cruz The ambiance is lovely with many options for comfortable and intimate seating indoors and out. The bar is a special treat with polite attentive service. I even love the music they play, not to mention the belly dancing on Friday night However, it is the food and cordial staff that bring me back and make each visit special. Birthday parties have special memories. Everything is made fresh, hummus and pita bread are served warm as if directly from the oven. The grape leaves are tender and moist. Vegetarian and carnivore dishes are all available - the lamb shank is a favorite and they also have mousaka on the menu. It is always a memorable and delicious evening with the warm welcome we receive. It is my pleasure to support this outstanding local business. read more

The restaurant itself is absolutely beautiful. We had a large group, so we were able to be seated in the back in a semi private dining room. Immediately the staff was so friendly and attentive. They made so many great suggestions for good and drink and were friendly and personable. I ordered a fig mule to start, which was so refreshing and delicious. I highly recommend it. We shared a mezze platter for 4 between the 6 of us and it was plenty of food to share. The baba ganoush and the dolmas were the best I have ever had. And the pita bread was so soft and pillowy. For dinner I got the chicken souvlaki platter, which had good flavor, but a few of the pieces of chicken were a little tough, and the kale it cane with wasn't seasoned at all. My friend ordered the moussaka though and it was so delicious. Our waiter said it was his absolute favorite comfort food and I can see why. read more

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Amazing! Can't wait to return and bring family! We stopped in for the first time on a late Friday afternoon to order takeout. We ordered two of their Mediterranean Combo Platters to-go. It was hard to choose because there are many delicious-looking items on their menu. We were immediately greeted with a smile and friendly service, handed menus, and encouraged to have a seat while we wait for our takeout. The restaurant is so beautiful inside and was very clean. We can't wait to come back for a dinner date and enjoy their lovely ambiance inside. We received our food in only 10ish mins, it was fast! Despite the 25min drive home, the food was DELICIOUS, seriously amazing! Everything was well packaged and we got a lot of food for the price ($54)! The lamb and beef were so tender and flavorful, the rice pilaf, hummus, pita bread, other bread with aioli, salad, salad dressing... not a bite was wasted and we cannot wait to return! They included a 20% off card for our next visit. Thank you, Mozaic, for a great first impression and experience! read more

Everything about this place was exceptional--the ambiance, the service, the food! Top tier and beyond. My family and I had dinner here tonight, and they made us feel so welcome, like we were right at home. You can tell the owner truly cares about his customers. Highly recommend, and I'll definitely be bringing more family next time! read more

After a tiring day at a local beach we were hungry and in search of a fresh and tasty treat. Keeping up with my tradition , we reached there at closing time. Absolutely loved our food except the chicken & gyro platter. Meat was very dry, overcooked and cold. Under regular circumstance, I would've returned the entree but they were wrapping and we were done for the day so called it good! Kofta kabob platter, shawarma sandwich and baklava were good!! I'd recommend this place to everyone. Stay safe & stay happy!!! read more

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Delicious Mediterranean food in the midst of tourist trap restaurants ! We were looking for a place that served halal meat and was accepting online orders for takeout ( via Yelp ). Mozaic showed up in the search results and did no disappoint ! We have been back since then and now its becoming a regular takeout spot after hanging out at the beach ( because of covid ). Can't wait to also try indoor dining once it opens. They have about 4 tables outside for outdoor social distance dining. Things we tried and liked : Calamari, Mezze platter ( almost filled up on just this ), the falafels ( some of the best we have had ) and the shawarma wrap ( chicken ). All the food is flavorful and made fresh and we really enjoyed it each time. The prices are reasonable too ! read more

The restaurant was very wierd. The host did not know what time they closed when we called to begin with. When entering the restaurant we were promptly followed in by a homeless man who would not leave till he was served some free items. The food was very Mediterranean but definitely less middle eastern which was very disappointing because the flavor of the food was just not there. It tasted watered down and the lamb kebab was meh. The portions and food quality did not come anywhere near the price we paid. I would not be back. Service was friendly but extremely inconsistent. No one came up after we paid, even to fill up the waters. read more

I don't know where to start. Maybe from describing how good and tasty their food, being tried by an authentic Lebanese eater and cook. This is the only place that I can say I am proud he offers Lebanese food. Everything we ate is not just good, but it is WOW good. From the appetizers (hummus, baba ghannoug, dolma, spinach..). Everything tastes home made. Talking to the owner, he pulled me to the back kitchen to show me how things are indeed being done and prepared from scratch like you do at home. Lamb shank, the biggest shank I had, usually in other places when I order Lamb shank, i order a side with it, as it is never enough for me. This shank was huge and filling. I believe if you come to Sant Cruz and don't eat as Mozaic, you haven't visited Santa Cruz and you missed on a lot. read more

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Kids really like their tiramisu and their pasta, it's our go to when in santa cruz. hardly any wait, although sometimes feels really empty.

The Dolmas, Souvlaki and dessert were amazing! I cannot wait to go back and try more dishes. The decor is authentic and the service super attentive. read more

The food was amazing and so comforting! The staff was the sweetest and very attentive! The Ambiance is so warm and cozy.

Great gyro lamb/beef blends in unusual large blocks of delicious tastes and textures. We thought it very good while not the best. Wonderful place & superb help. K read more

Mozaic - Two gyros beef & lamb. - Mediterranean Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

The meat options, specifically the Turkish Kafta Kebab, are great!! The rice that comes with them are also excellent. There's a ton of liquor options. Vegetarian options are limited. My gf made the curious decision of ordering the ravioli, which looked awful. Stick to the falafel or the Mosaic salad if you're a vegetarian. The food is overall a bit overpriced... but you're paying for the location. read more

We really don't understand this high rate restaurant reasons. We can tell the food is not fresh and was warmed in microwave (taste like that) Very disappointed read more

You know when you go somewhere to eat and you're soooo hungry so everything tastes better? Well that's why this place is like when you go there *regular* hungry. Sooo good. The chicken souvlaki was perfectly charred, the torched cheese slab AMAZING, the pita bread hot and fresh, the salmon perfect. The waiter made sure we were well taken care of, and was a dead ringer for Michael Biehn's Johnny Ringo. I can't stress how good the food was. Just, wow. read more

Beautiful dinner with my boyfriend. We were walking downtown and wondered in thank goodness because it was an amazing meal. I had the cioppino which was almost healing it was so delicious. The staff was so calm and happy and the environment was quiet and clean. Will for sure come back to the area just for another meal from them. read more

Mozaic - Fishermans Cioppino - Mediterranean Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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