Wow! Fantastic fresh seafood, and fish! Friendly staff and a great location. Highly recommended!read more

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.

Impeccable service, we sat at the bar, and it was crazy. How they catered to you? Food was okay…read morebiggest problem. I had ordered a side of bread. It came with the Olive oil. I asked for butter That's an upcharge. What?

In town visiting and used trusty Yelp to find a spot to eat in the area. This place did not…read moredisappoint. From the service to the ambiance and not to mention the food. Drool!! I definitely want to come back next time I'm in town. Check this spot out if you like good seafood and a chill vibe. The ceviche had a nice kick to it which made it yummy. Although I think they could have provided more tortillas with it. They only give two halves of a tortilla for a large dish of ceviche. Mussels...just get it. You won't be disappointed.

One of the old school players doing the mandatory seafood on the municipal wharf in Santa Cruz…read more Pretty touristy (as it should) but I also sensed a good amount of locals just out for a good time. Nothing fancy or cutting edge here. But imo these are the kind of old school seaside joints that many inland seafood places try to recreate. This is the actual model places like Red Lobster, the now defunct Fish Market and Market Broiler bases their businesses on. *food for thought* Crab Cakes ($16/4*) Served with pickled onions and remoulade right on top. At first I thought the crab cakes were too bready, like a decent amount of bread crumbs in the crab mix to bind it. The texture was very smooth and more paste-y than crab shreds in texture. So my first initial bites I was ready to start not liking the dish. But after the 3rd/4th bites I realized that it wasn't all that bad and that most crab cakes are made in this fashion more than not. Unless you go to a hella expensive resto where they can use lump meat without hezzy. The crab flavor was indeed there, and the seasoning was spot on. And the mushy texture was really helped by the pickled onions which gave each bite a brightness and crunch. I think ALL crab cakes should be served with pickled onions. Yet I hardly ever see it. Great move on their part. Grilled Halibut ($30/4*) I chose this simple prep cuz I love local fresh seafood done simply so I can appreciate the freshness of the fish. It was grilled ok over coals but did get a bit dry as halibut is so lean, kinda like grilling pork chops. I think they should baste the fish with some oil/butter while it is grilling. It keeps the fish moist during that dry method of grilling. They do offer like 8 sauces to choose from to pair with your fish. I chose a Picatta sauce that was butter, garlic , parsley, lemon and capers. And theirs was light and fresh and when poured over the grilled fish just totally absorbed into that fresh halibut. I even sensed a bit of anchovy umami in that sauce which I found very effective. Had a glass of Chardonnay with the food which was very complementary. Then finished with an Irish Coffee as I was too full to eat anything else. I should have called out for Jamesons whiskey tho, as I think I got their well version. Not as smooth as Jamesons which is usually my go-to. Still an above average seafood outing in a seaside town. Service was proper with really good timing on coursing. I hate when a course arrives when you're still in the middle of a soup or appetizer. Riva I came in not expecting much but I left more impressed than not. I would come back for another round.

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.

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

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

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

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

I will give this great place a 5 star rating is because the food is amazing! I stopped in to get…read moresome great food. I asked for a burger (they are amazing) and a side of fries. I asked to get a small portion of fries and salad like I usually do (they would split the portion so it's smaller for each) and the chef/manager denied it. I spoke to him mentioning how this has not been an issue over the past year I have been coming here. The guy asked me to sit down at a table with him to explain portion sizes and the guy had slurred speech and an extremely strong smear of liquor radiating from him. I asked if he is on the clock and he said I will be in a few minutes. Doesn't seem like a good idea to be wasted at work. This guy has created some very good tasting foods (hence why I like to return) and the prices are reasonable. The owner is a super sweet gal and you can tell she's pouring her heart and soul into this spot. It has a perfect view of the harbor while you enjoy some good eats. Even though this guy was wasted today, it won't detour me from returning for the 5 star food flavors! He later came to my table as I am indulging in a burger that explodes with flavor and apologized for being brash. I shook his hand and told him there are no hard feelings. I complimented him on his menu, flavors of the foods, and told him we will still be coming in. Do come check this place out as you'll will leave impressed by the food if you know what good food tastes like.

We had a staycation in Scotts Valley, found this place and made my trip fantastic! We ordered 6…read moreoysters, Pan-roasted halibut, and Dungeness Crab Bucatini. All are above expectations. Price is affordable and it's the best value with great service and food. Ambiance is great it's playing World Cup and my dog enjoys seeing other dogs, they allow interior seating with dog too! If I have to pick one, I highly recommend Dungeness Crab Bucatini, they are generous with the crab meat. I'll definitely come again when I'm in the area :)

A Culinary Gem: Simply Authentic ​If you are looking for a…read moredining experience that feels like a warm embrace from an Italian grandmother, this charming spot is an absolute must-visit. From the moment you walk through the door, the intimate atmosphere sets the stage for a meal that is clearly crafted with love and tradition. ​The commitment to quality here is unmistakable. Because everything is cooked from scratch, the flavors have a vibrancy that you simply won't find in larger, commercial establishments. ​You can taste the freshness of the ingredients in every sauce and handmade pasta. The seasonings are spot-on--bold enough to be memorable, yet refined enough to let the natural ingredients shine. The food is simply ah-mazing! ​What truly elevates this restaurant is the attentive and friendly service. The staff treats every guest with a level of care that makes you feel like a regular on your very first visit. If you are craving authentic Italian, look no further. This isn't just a meal; it's a reminder of why we fall in love with great food in the first place. Highly recommended!

Our best kept secret. Such an underrated gem that I feel no one knows about! The calamari is always…read morea hit. My two favorite dishes are the spaghetti alla carbonara and carbonara lasagna! Their portions are easily shareable between 2. Both times I've been here, the restaurant has been empty! Service is great. I love grabbing a seat on the patio and enjoying the lovely Santa Cruz air.

The best experience I've ever had! From the moment I arrived, everything was absolutely…read moreexceptional. The bartender was phenomenal--friendly, knowledgeable, and crafted some of the best drinks I've ever had. The oysters were unbelievably fresh and absolutely to die for. Every member of the staff provided outstanding service, making me feel genuinely welcomed and well taken care of. To top it all off, the view was absolutely breathtaking. It truly doesn't get any better than this. I can't wait to come back!

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!

Great times, good vibes! I forgot to take a pic of my Mr.Makai drink but it was delicious, strong…read morebut flavorful. The servers were very nice, just a bit busy with all the tables so it did take a little while for service but nothing unreasonable. Loved the loco moco I would say it was a little hot for medium well perhaps the toppings made it cook a little more after plating but it was proper juicy and seasoned. The bbq plate was great, the flavors were pretty much the same but different textures depending on what meat you were trying. The kalbi was really thick! Would definitely stop by again to see what's going on with the food or drink menu.

For appetizers, we ordered the poke nacho and it was delicious, and also the coconut shrimp…read more Nothing great but just regular coconut shrimp. It was my first time coming here and I brought my teenage son with me. My son, who does not venture out of plain foods, ordered a plain cheeseburger, just meat and cheese, in medium rare. Even though the patty wasn't overcooked, the grilled marks were so burnt and tasted like carbon char meat. It was awful, and I felt like he was going to get poisoned. He didn't finish the burger. It was only after that I read reviews in here that this was a common theme with other peoples patties, whether it was from a burger or a loco moco dish. I ordered the barbecue Galbi dish. The waitress explained to me the difference between the $30 and $39 option. She said for $30, you only get one piece of galbi--ONE PIECE! I've never heard of a restaurant only serving one piece of galbi for an entrée dish. So I chose the $36 option to get three pieces. The meat was tendered but OMG!, they put too much sauce on top of the meat. Galbi doesn't need all that sauce when it's been marinated already. It was way too sweet. The mac salad was yummy but the rice was overcooked mush. Throughout the entire time we were there, there were gnats flying around our table and I had to swat at them many times and couldn't enjoy my meal. This was really the worst part and it tells you about the cleanliness of the restaurant. I'm glad I tried this place and of course you can't be being on the wharf with the ocean view but if you are going to come here, I will stick with the appetizers and drinks. I don't think I will be back.

My friend was raving about this place for happy hour because all the drinks and pupils are only $8…read moreeach! It's everyday from 4-6 PM so we had just made it at the tail end and sat at the bar. The Kona style wings were my favorite, but the spicy edamame and sweet potato fries really hit the spot. I also got a double martini cocktail ($16) and it tasted so fun and tropical. I would definitely recommend for happy hour if you're in the Santa Cruz area!

Dinner here on June 29th was great. We made it in time for Happy Hour and ordered some apps and…read moredrinks. Both flavors of wings were excellent and their Mai Tai was one of the best I've had in a while. I've been here a handful of times over the years and I almost always order the Spicy Thai Chicken Bowl. This time, it was a bit bland and seemed like it was missing an ingredient in the sauce. The plantains that came with it were amazing though. I'll have to try a different menu item next time. Service was good and everyone was friendly and helpful. Ambience was nice and islandy. We had no problem finding parking on a weekday. There is street parking and a couple of parking garages nearby.