This is my favorite place to buy fish. Fresh whole fish and prepared poke. The owners are fantastic…read moreand all of the people who work for the company are great. We know Cindy the best and she's the highlight of the farmers market in Palo Alto! We gifted my parents a CSA membership with H&H and it's the best.

We have been conscious of trying to patronize harbor businesses since the bridge debacle…read more Double checked their website to make sure they were open and saw that halibut was on sale- this in itself motivated me to navigate my way there. Upon arrival, the price in the case did not reflect the sale price mentioned on their website. When I mentioned this to the guy helping me, he shrugged. Then another guy came out from the back (he must have heard the conversation) and said that the prices online were from yesterday (!) For the $5 off a pound that these two were unwilling to honor or even apologize about, they lost a customer. Good thing Shoppers Corner has great fish at better prices.

If you're looking for dinner in Santa Cruz, you can chase trends, white tablecloths, or whatever…read moresome 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.

$2 oysters? Yes, please! They were on the milder side, but came with accouterments like mignonette,…read morehomemade 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.

The food is great, the service is very good and the ocean view is amazing. I have been coming here…read moresince it opened and even though it changed owners, it is still my go to place on the wharf. Try it!

The food was as good as I was hoping it would be…read more The Crab Cakes were well seasoned and the sauce was tasty. Zucchini sticks are always good. The cheese didn't have an overpowering salty Parmasianish taste. The batter had flavor. WAIT a few minutes before eating. They WILL be HOT and burn your mouth. Which means they were made fresh.. *Not pictured* The Clam Chowder is good. Not thick but not watery. Very peppery which I like. Had enough seasoning. Had celery in it, which I'm not a fan of but I couldn't taste it so that was nice. I wanted the Mahi Mahi to have more of a charcoal/smoke flavor, but the Mahi Mahi was firm, moist, and didn't need salt. The bacon cheeseburger was a bacon cheeseburger..pretty good from what I was told. I'd eat here again..maybe try the soups or seafood pasta dishes next time? The service was ok, didn't get to order any soda/drinks but was provided glasses of water. The food came out quickly. The bartender could be heard shaking and making mixed drinks and cocktails. I'll order one at the bar next time. We were seated at the end of the restaurant by the Manager's Office near the cashier. It's a nice view.

Harbor Cafe absolutely lived up to the hype--and then some. My girlfriend and I stopped by…read morerecently, and it honestly exceeded my expectations. She ordered the spicy machaca con huevo scramble, and I went with the country steak breakfast--both dishes came out hot, fresh, and packed with flavor. Everything was cooked perfectly. This place used to be my go-to spot back when I lived in Santa Cruz, and coming back after all this time, it was even better than I remembered. Same great vibe, amazing food, and just an all-around solid experience. If you're in the area, Harbor Cafe is a must. I'll definitely be making it a regular stop again.

Classic breakfast with some new twists. I ordered: - The…read more(non-alcoholic) Kitchen Coffee: the horchata whip on top was to die for. The rest of the drink was almost dunkin' levels sweet but it did the job of waking me up - The spicy meat omelette (wasn't listed online): contained eggs, bell pepper, avocado, either beef or pork I can't remember, cheese, and jalapeño. The meat and veggies were a great contrast to the eggs and salty cheese. The side of biscuit was a proper flaky biscuit, not some cornbread style affair Logistics: - Indoor and outdoor seating - Limited parking in lot next door - we ended up parking around the corner in a residential area

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!

Super kind folks in a really sweet spot. Old house, converted to restaurant. Something like 14…read moreyears old and they do a great job. Good advice from staff. They know the menu and will check sourcing/ingredients upon request. Didn't have any clam chowder (sad face emoji), but the arugula salad was fantastic. The fish N chips were very good. Fish was clearly fresh and clean. Mac N cheese was quite enjoyable.

Best Oysters! Chef Jeffrey has curated a culinary menu…read moreutilizing the freshest ingredients. Whether land or sea, you will experience a great meal. Sky and staff cannot be more welcoming and service oriented. Santa Cruz Harbor MUST STOP!

Came here with some CO workers right at noon on a Friday. Excellent service and amazing views. Felt…read morevery authentic. I grabbed a mai tai IPA which was perfectly chilled and crispy. And for my main course was their lobster roll. Good lobster roll but was missing a nice buttery touch (my preference) otherwise assembled nicely. Would recommend this lunch spot any day

I had never heard of this place before, but happened to come across it when looking for a place to…read morehave dinner. The food looked amazing and the reviews were also pretty good so we decided to give it a try. There is indoor and outdoor seating available. The outdoor seating is covered and heaters are available. We sat indoors since it was pretty cold. We were immediately seated and greeted by multiple of their staff that night. I tried their fettuccine Alfredo and I believe it was their spaghetti and meatballs as well? We were also provided with bread while we waited for our food. Everything was really good. Our food was ready pretty fast and our server was very attentive. There's parking available, they offer dessert, but they are also right next to a frozen yogurt shop!

This place! The owners are lovely and they pulled off an impromptu dinner party for our group of 15…read moreon short notice. The ambience on the patio was charming, the food was delicious and the service was gracious (if a little slow at times but they get a pass given how responsive they were to our late-made plans.) I would go here again for sure.

Service A+! Larry was attentive and warm…read more I had the branzino which was grilled perfectly! Accompanied by the best grits and veggies. A++! My husband had the pasta and clams and raved about the sauce!

Pete's is in Capitola Village and can be easy to miss because it's right at the curve of Esplanade,…read moreand you need to look up and step up into the entrance. (I have, no joke, walked by it dozens of times without realizing it!) I found it from seeing it on a list of restaurant participants for Burger Week. Overall, I give Pete's 3.5 stars, and here's why... **Ambiance: 5 stars** With the bright and tastefully-decorated dining room along with the multiple windows overlooking the spectacular beach, you really can't beat this ambiance! Pete's has the fine-dining vibe that's perfect for that first date, anniversary or other special dining occasion when you want some quiet and mood lighting. **Service: 4 stars** We were seated right away, even without reservations. It was a Sunday, and there was no wait or crowd. Service was quick and friendly. Mid-dinner, a server broke some glassware right behind my seat and needed us to move so they could sweep under our table and feet. They ended up moving us to a better table (next to the window) instead of having us stand there to watch them sweep. Accidents happen, and I felt they handled that well. **Food: 3 stars** Every item we ordered was delicious and fresh, and all arrived quickly. However, the menu was fairly compact, and the amount of food is even more compact. I was excited Pete's had lobster rolls (one of my all-time favorite food items EVER; $28) on their menu, so I didn't hesitate to order that along with a lychee martini. My partner ordered the bolognese ($30) and an old fashioned. We ordered the polenta as an appetizer. All of it was tasty, but oh-so-small. The cheddar polenta was like a taste test size (maybe 4 TBs), and the lobster roll was the smallest I had ever seen in my life. I didn't want to be rude, but I wanted to laugh when it arrived at our table! The lobster roll was smaller than my hand. It looked like circus food with all super tiny sizes. **Price/Value: 2 stars** You don't come to Pete's for the value because the portions are.... micro. TIP: If you have a big appetite or skipped a meal that day, I suggest going elsewhere or be ready to turn over a paycheck because you'll need to order a lot to fill up. It is worth it, however, if you fancy a light-filled room with views of the sparkling ocean and sounds of the waves crashing on the golden sands of Capitola!

Makai Island Kitchen delivered a solid dining experience, with the service being the real standout…read more The staff was attentive, friendly, and efficient throughout the meal, making us feel welcomed from start to finish. The atmosphere was also pleasant and added to the overall experience. I ordered the Korean BBQ Kalbi ribs plate, and the ribs were tender, flavorful, and easily the highlight of the meal. I also tried the miso-marinated prawn skewers. They were good and cooked well, but they didn't have that "wow" factor that would make me order them again. If I were rating the food alone, I'd probably land around 3.5 stars. However, great service can elevate an entire meal, and that's exactly what happened here. The hospitality and overall experience earn Makai Island Kitchen an extra bump in my book.

Being on the water and the aesthetics of the place made us feel like we were in Hawaii for an hour…read more I got the poke bowl which I really enjoyed after I picked the lychees out (I wasn't a fan, but you won't know unless you try). The drinks were tropical and really flavorful. The waiter said Blood Moon was one of their popular drinks, and it sure was tasty. Overall the service and food was great. We'd come back.

Always delicious. I've been coming to Hula's for maybe 10 years now, and I keep coming back for:…read more- the shrimp rolls (huge rolls served in halves with a pineapple dipping sauce) - the tiki drinks (so many stellar drinks) - the Hawaiian Fish Soup (coconut milk broth - YUM!) - the Hula Pie (vanilla macadamia nut ice cream cake with an Oreo crust) On top of that, the service is typically great and the restaurant has fabulous Tiki vibes. This time I ordered what was mentioned above (tiki drink was the Pain Killer - good balance of sweet, boozy, and creamy), and my husband ordered Duke's Luau Pork Plate- he said it was one of the best pork plates he has had. It was served with rice and coleslaw. PARKING SITUATION It has been about a year since the last time I visited, and I was SHOCKED that the parking lot right across from the restaurant is completely gone. Fortunately, we came before the dinner rush, so it wasn't an issue today... We will definitely be back for happy hours to avoid parking headaches!

Nice location just off the main downtown street. Tuesdays are All Day Happy Hour days! We didn't go…read morehere for that reason but it was a nice surprise. I really wanted a drink, and what better place to get one than a Tiki Bar? The Blue Hawaiian was amazing. It was fairly busy inside, and they are luckily a spacious place with plenty of seating inside and some additional seating outside for those with furry friends or wanting some outside air on a nice day. My wife had asked for a taster of the Maui Brewing Company lager, and our waitress brought back a full glass. My wife said she had just asked for a taster, and the waitress said "haha, yea." and walked away. It definitely could have just been a mis-hearing. Again, it was busy and I don't think I ever saw her not doing something, but it was definitely inconvenient because it ended up not really being what my wife wanted but she dealt. The burger was pretty good! Their hula sauce was a good, unique addition. It didn't really taste like other sauces that I'd had before and it made for a good flavor profile. The sweet potato fries were perfectly crispy. (Small thing, but they didn't upcharge for the sweet potato fries vs the regular fries, and that made me very happy despite being such a small thing)