Shadowbrook
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We had a fantastic time at this historic restaurant! The entrance is so unique; you can ride a small cable car down to the building or take a lovely walk through their herb gardens and past a small waterfall. The restaurant itself is very well-maintained with many different dining rooms that have a very cute, rustic setting. The food is reasonably priced with good portions. The Prime Rib was delicious and moist, and the Lamb was incredibly tender and packed with flavor. The mud pie was super delicious. Our server was high-energy and gave us helpful recommendations throughout the night. With the beautiful river view and the great atmosphere, we highly recommend this spot!
This was our third visit to Shadowbrook, and every time has been an amazing experience. The atmosphere is one of a kind. It somehow manages to feel quaint, elegant, and homey all at the same time. The service is consistently excellent, and we honestly haven't ordered anything here that we didn't like. Even the calamari deserves a special mention. Calamari feels like such a staple appetizer at so many restaurants that it's hard for one to really stand out, but somehow Shadowbrook does it. Their calamari is absolutely amazing. The beef Wellington, lobster tail with filet medallions, New York steak, and lamb have all been fantastic as well. One thing we especially appreciate is how family-friendly Shadowbrook is despite being such a fine establishment. They have coloring pages for kids, a varied children's menu, and even a little hat filled with toys that kids can choose from. Those small touches make it much easier to enjoy a special meal as a family. Without a doubt, Shadowbrook has become one of our favorite places for special occasions. And, of course, you can't talk about Shadowbrook without mentioning the iconic hillside cable car. It's the cherry on top and worth the ride every single time.
The location of the restaurant was in the side of a cliff which was pretty interesting. They have a lift system if you prefer or cannot take the stairs to the dining levels from the street. Our salad and chowder actually came to the table before our drinks which should have been a sign the timing would be off. When the food arrived, my pot pie came out 45 minutes BEFORE my husband's steak. While talking with the manager, the server justified the lack of timing because the food came from two different kitchens, however, he never tried to manage expectations. It was extremely disappointed that he felt it was acceptable to serve our main courses this far apart from each other. The best part of our experience was the setting of the patio/outdoor dining area. I am not sure we will be back to this location, as it seemed every table experienced the same mismanaged food serving. I will leave a positive note that the manager seemed understanding of our frustration and did not try to make excuses for the service.
We made reservations for 4 online for an early dinner so we could enjoy the tram ride down to the restaurant. We were able to do same day on a Friday. We were able to get dressed a bit since there is a dress code. We were seated right away and had a great view next to a window. The staff was great, our server was very friendly and helpful. Food was amazing - we ordered the baked Brie, oysters, a Cesar salad we all shared, I had the beef bolognese, others ordered the prime rib, gnocchi, and sirloin. We had some drinks - wine, lemon drop, sidecars were all great. Great night of dinner for my bday w/ the family.
Wasn't sure what to expect going here but it was phenomenal. Had to reserve about a month out, service was great but could've been better if the servers communicated with each other better. Food was near perfect, thought it was strange (borderline criminal) to put gravy on a prime steak but the wife liked it and I assumed they were bringing whipped potatoes out with that but it turned out to be French fries (also borderline criminal for such an esteemed restaurant) but that's my fault for not reading close enough, no hate as I'm sure some people love that style but it doesn't personally sit right with me. Blackberry pie was amazing. Will definitely come back here everytime we are in town, want to try seafood next time!
Got to finally ride their famous little cart up and down! Went during lunch so their menu is limited, there's no dress code during this time. Cocktails were just okay I got a guavapolitan 6/10 Baby octopus with baby potatoes 7/10 Ahi carpaccio 8/10 6 oz sirloin steak dish 6/10 Server: 10/10 super friendly and nice his name starts with an M, very helpful and kind.
This was my first time at this charming restaurant near the coast in Capitola. It is known for their trolley that takes you down the hill to their restaurant and back up to the parking lot. There are also stairs that lead down to the restaurant with beautiful falls and garden views. I made a reservation for an early dinner on a Monday and thought it would be no problem to get a table with a view of the river, but alas we were told at checkin they would try but it was a no go, and we ended up sitting inside with a view of the fireplace, which wasn't bad, but disappointing because that was the whole reason I booked the reservation. Lesson learned. Request in advance. Our waiter seemed to be pretty busy, but he took great care of us, and service was excellent. He even took our picture with the house camera and printed it out for us. My friend and I ordered the clam chowder and a filet mignon special to share. The chowder was good, but we thought the filet stole the show. It came with white asparagus that had a smokey flavor from the grill. It was still a little bit crispy but very flavorful as well as the filet had just the right amount of seasoning and smoky flavor with a mushroom gravy on top of the meat and mashed potatoes. The potatoes were just ok and actually slightly cool already on arrival. I would definitely come again and try something else. I would just make sure I requested specific seating at the time of reservation.
Great restaurant and experience! Love taking the funicular down (but there are stairs in case you dont want to wait). The staff is so friendly and helpful... in helping decide what to order, in celebrating big moments, in managing allergies. Food was good. The steaks are great and juicy! Pasta was decent and filling. Overall good food, good vibes and great service. Plenty of parking, which is a plus! Would definitely recommend! Stay Cheerful
Took my family here for a treat to see the cable car and get drinks and apps. It's a cool and beautiful place. We each ordered over priced cocktails and shared prawns and pizza in the bar. The waiter wasn't friendly at all even when we mentioned that we were celebrating my parent's 50th wedding anniversary. He barely said anything. The drinks were good but they were small and overpriced. The pizza was really good and so were the prawns. Lately I've been disappointed in shadowbrook customer service. No one is really friendly or over the top like they were before.
The best truffle gnocchi I've had in my life. Very soft and pillowy! I also added steak to be included, which I thought did lack a bit of salt. We also ordered calamari, super flavorful and crunchy! Brie cheese was a bit too sweet for me! I would pass on this if you do not crave anything sweet! My boyfriend order the pork with palenta! It tasted very savory, and I thought it would have tasted even better with rice. What's cool about this place is how theres a cable cart :) you can use it but you can also skip that and take the stairs.
Definitely worth coming - and make sure you come a little bit early to ride the trolley as well! Food portions are huge, and we were very impressed by how good the food was. Would definitely visit again!! FOOD: Blackened Prime Rib (7/10) - Blackened (recommended by the waiter) was definitely the way to go! Huge portions with solid sides. Try it! Charred Peach Salad (8/10) - Loved this! Peaches and ricotta paired perfectly together. Caesar Salad (7/10) - Solid and wroth getting as an appetizer Scallops (9/10) - Our favorite! Was extremely pleasantly surprised by how many scallops came with it. Cooked really really well!
While spending the day in Santa Cruz for my birthday, we ended up at Shadowbrook. Nestled in a hill with a steep grade that's swallowed by the lush landscape, Shadowbrook has a magical ambiance that draws you in, as though you're crossing into a different dimension. This waterfront restaurant offers a more formal dining experience on the lower level, with a more casual dining room above. We ordered: - Baby Zucchini - loved the caramelized onions. - Baba Ganoush - This was seriously delicious! Bright and creamy and served with a soft flat bread with roasted garlic spread on top. - Blackened Shrimp Mac & Cheese was off the hook! The leftovers were even better the next day. Plus, I had a little of the zucchini leftover that I added to the pasta. They were meant to be together! - Beef Wellington - Every morsel was gone before we left the table. The meat was rare, tender and oh so mouthwatering! If you're looking for a quiet place to get some great food and wonderful service in the most beautiful setting, then I definitely recommend Shadowbrook!
Celebrated my birthday here and had a wonderful experience overall! The restaurant has a beautiful view that made the meal even more enjoyable, especially around sunset. I also enjoyed the cable car ride down to the restaurant, which was a unique experience. The fried calamari was decent but the standout appetizer was definitely the ahi carpaccio. It was really fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. I would absolutely order it again. We got the prime rib and ordered it medium rare. It came out slightly more undercooked than expected, but the flavor was still good and the meat was tender. We also ordered the beef Wellington. It wasn't bad by any means, but I felt that it was just missing a little flavor. I was hoping to taste more of the classic components that make a beef Wellington special, like the mushroom duxelles and prosciutto, but those flavors didn't really come through. Lastly, the black truffle gnocchi had a strong truffle flavor which I absolutely loved. I would definitely get that again if I were to come back.
Shadowbrook is a great place to go for a celebratory dinner or romantic date night. The dining room is a formal experience, with a dress code required. They have the rock room/bar area for casual dining, and the menu does include some of the fine dining entrees which is great! I ordered a dirty kettle martini and asked for it extra dirty, and it wasn't as dirty as I'd like, it had a strong vermouth taste by the end and I didn't finish it and switched to the Malbec they have on the wine list. We started with the octopus appetizer and a special pizza they had for the evening. The octopus was a Greek flare with tzatziki which intrigued me and why we ordered it. It was a bit fishy, but the meat was pretty delicate. I don't think I would order it again but happy I tried it. And the pizza was decent, it came with chicken, bacon, cherry tomatoes, and onions. The thick cut bacon which was smoky and delish but personal preference I think they should've used sliced tomatoes vs cherry tomatoes. Entrees are the STAR here. I ordered the truffle gnocchi with the filet medallions. So tasty, meat was cooked perfectly and it was a great portion size. I had leftovers. My husband ordered the blackened prime rib and it was absolutely fantastic, I 10/10 recommend this!! So flavorful all around, the meat, the horseradish cream sauce, and potatoes. Dessert we ordered the cheesecake which was topped with blueberries, it was sweet but also had the cream cheese flavor. I loved it. Overall, you will never regret a night dining here! read more
16 days ago
27 days ago
Went here to celebrate my wife and daughter's birthday. The food was good and service was great. I had the prime rib medium rare and a salad. It was tender and the portion was good. The inside of the restaurant is beautiful and the tram down was awesome. I would recommend this at least once to try. read more
**Update: Overall 3.5 Stars** I took my family there for a celebration dinner. It was their first time here, and I couldn't wait to show them the cable car, the beautiful garden, the cool tree in the middle of the restaurant, the old school upscale vibe, and the delicious food. To my surprise, there was little consistency in the food served and service provided from the last time I was there, and I left a little disappointed. For instance, my last server went out of their way to make an anniversary feel special with a plate of chocolate truffles and candles. They also spent a great deal of time with us on wine selection and checking in. However this time, for a 21st birthday, there was nothing but crickets. (I noted this in my reservations as well as reminded them when I checked in and sat down.). Another example is the Osso Bucco (one of the few items that is still on the menu) was not plated with care like it was previously. Instead, it looked as if it was hastily slapped into the bowl. The bones were put into the bowl along with sauce that haphazardly covered everything, including the "crispy polenta cake", which was soggy and hidden. And there was also supposed to be a side of root vegetables. The menu description said the pork would be served with braising juices only, but it looked more like stew. They served the dish to me with A SPOON, if that tells you anything. My kids ordered Italian dishes, which they enjoyed, but for $30+ each, the portions were pretty small. They seemed more excited about the fresh bread that was given out by someone holding a basket! Considering how little we ordered (3 dishes, 1 cocktail, 2 regular $4 drinks, 1 dessert), it came out to be $60 per person! (This includes the 4% fee the restaurant charges, tax, and tip.) The food alone does not make this worthwhile. The service is not consistent where sometimes a special occasion gets celebrated, and sometimes it doesn't. With all that said, I do think Shadowbrook is one of the most unique restaurants I've ever been to with my favorite part being the cable car ride to/from the restaurant. Thus, I'd go there next time to the bar area only for drinks and light snacks. TIP: I recommend that everyone come here at least once though! And I highly recommend making reservations so you don't have to wait. (You can make them on their website.) read more
29 days ago
I went for the kitschy and left with a happy belly. Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised by my experience. I expected this to be mediocre food because it's so touristy and kitschy. Food was great. Service was great. The gardens are beautiful, I walked up after dinner, I recommend coming early and walking down and wandering. Then taking the funicular back up. read more
One of Capitola's hidden gems off a busy road lies this wonderful restaurant giving off vintage and charming vibes with storybook treehouse architecture. The food and drinks were delicious and well presented, a bit pricey but, I understand because you're paying for the ambience. Add it to your list, it's a must see! I highly recommend checking this place out! Thank you Shadowbrook Restaurant! read more
20 days ago
The venue, ambiance, and service were top tier here. I highly recommend taking the trolley down. When you get there there are multiple rooms with different themes (randomized seating). Favorites are the greenhouse and main room. Food was good but not amazing. I had the puff pastry, clam chowder, and black truffle gnocchi. Clam chowder 10/10 perfect Puff pastry 8/10 sauce was ok Gnocchi 7/10 could use more flavor in the cream and gnocchi texture wasn't my favorite GOOD FOR: dates, group outing, family, views (river and interior views) read more
Perfect spot for date night, family gathering, corporate event, and many more! I celebrated my birthday dinner at Shadowbrook and I loved lamb strak the best. Shrimp scampi was blend for my taste and rest of the food tasted great. Amazing view with cable car to ride up and down to the restaurant. There's many stairs to walk as well with beautifully maintained garden. I was hoping to get complimentary birthday dessert but it didn't happen. read more
8 months ago
What a stunning restaurant! Getting there is half the fun, after being dropped off at the top, you can either stroll down a garden staircase or ride the vintage "hillavator." We chose the hillavator. It fits about six people and is a cute ride down to the restaurant. Waiting for the hillavator, can be time consuming as it is an attraction of its own. Once we arrived, the staff greeted us warmly, and after a short 10-minute wait, we were guided down TWO more flights of stairs to our table.... consider it a pre-dinner workout with a reward at the end. Tread carefully if wearing heels. Our server was incredibly attentive, and the food absolutely delivered. We started with the bacon-wrapped prawns, (should really be called shrimp) then moved on to pan-seared sea scallops and beef Wellington. Every bite was phenomenal truly worth the descent. The price point is right in line with other upscale restaurants, and the experience makes it more than worth it. Come for the hillavator, stay for the food, and leave already planning your return! Grab your reservations early! read more
Went to meet a friend for lunch and drinks. Haven't been to Capitola, so great opportunity to go and eat at a historic place. A great scenic view walking up and at the patio seats. You get to ride a cable car down to the restaurant. Really cool! Small and only 6 can fit, so this could be a wait for going down to restaurant. Sat down with a fantastic view while outside on a 68 degree day. Ordered the Marine Layer to drink, a nice coconut yogurt style drink with Rum. Ordered the top sirloin dish. Oh that butter was a great touch to a medium cooked sirloin. Very flavorful and seasoned. Potatoes and salad added a great touch of fresh flavor to the dish as well. Enjoyed a couple of pressed coffee before the dessert. This vanilla bean crème brûlée is FANTASTIC! Creamy, thick and a nice caramel burnt crust on top! Also ordered some jalapeño Bree cheese for the road. Overall very happy with the location, view, and service. Very top notch and professional. Would comeback any enjoy another meal. This time around dinner for the full menu. read more
Shadowbrook is definitely something to experience. The cable car to the restaurant is one of a kind. My favorite place to sit on the soquel creek but every room is unique. Our server was great and made us feel special by taking our photo for my birthday. We had a printed copy by the end of the night. I ordered the filet, with the pomme puree. It was cooked to perfection But could have been hotter. The rolls were not warm and we only got one roll before dinner. The bolognese with oxtail was also very good but not very hot. I was not a fan of the shrimp appetizer. read more
10/10 Ambiance - The garden is beautiful and so well taken care of. There are fountains with fish. You can walk down the path through the garden, or up once you are done with your meal. Other option is the unique elevator that can take you up and down to the restaurant. Inside the restaurant are live plants, quiet music, and an upscale atmosphere. FYI there is a dress code so make sure to check their website before going. Parking - they is a parking lot dedicated to the restaurant right near the entrance. Drinks We ordered a bottle of Rose from their specials menu which ended up being a perfect pairing for our meal. Food 9/10 Baked Brie - puff pastry and Brie had a great crunch, the jalapeño jelly was a nice surprise, not spicy and added depth to the plate 7/10 Caesar salad - overall just okay. I prefer more dressing and the Romain was cut very small which made it harder to eat. My partner loved the anchovies on the side and said they were the best he's ever had. 8/10 Short Rib - fell off the bone and had great flavor 9/10 "Surf and turf" - came with a huge lobster tail and a 6oz filet. The lobster tail was so buttery and soft. The filet was good and matched well with the potatoes! Dessert 9/10 Crème brûlée - had the most delicious and sweet crunchy top and perfect soft interior Overall a beautiful romantic spot for dinner and drinks. Will be back again soon! read more
22 days ago
Food was amazing and ambiance was even better. Lobster was buttery and the ferns next to me kept teasing me to take them home :) read more
7 months ago
**3.5 - 3.75 Stars Overall** Came here for my 2 year anniversary and it was a beautiful restaurant but was a bit disappointed with the food and atmosphere. For a restaurant that "has a dress code" and advertises how it's one of the most "romantic" spots, and has signs throughout the restaurant to "turn off electronics for the experience", it didn't really seem to live up to the ideal. I was seating in an area that seemed quite crowded and loud - not really the "romantic - demure" vibe they try to portray. Perhaps have designated areas specific for smaller parties and dates and other areas for larger celebrations. Food: Clam chowder 3.5/5 - I thought the bacon pieces were a nice touch but this was nothing more than an average cup of chowder. I'm from SF and a bit of a chowder snob so maybe I'm a bit tougher. Calamari 3/5 nothing memorable, Baked Brie 4.5/5 - the jalapeño jelly(?) / jam sauce with the cheese paired so well and was enjoyable. Lobster 5/5 - perfectly cooked and buttery. The blanc sauce was creamy and amazing. Prime rib 4/5 - cooked perfectly as a medium rare Garlic mashed potatoes 2/5: way too much garlic salt. Espresso martini 2/5 - there was straight up crushed iced in the drink which I was so confused by. The server recommended shaking the martini with some baileys to make it a bit sweet and creamy which was a good suggestion but I guess the bartender poured the ice along with the drink? Honestly this would've been a 5/5 martini but the ice was just killed the glass Server 5/5 our server was very attentive and the staff always kept the table clean. The dishes would be bussed as soon as they were done. Kinda weird tho that the bag they put out to go boxes in was a compost bag. read more
Named one of the most romantic restaurants and seen it all over tiktok, and you know what? It lives up to its name. Staff has always been attentive. The place sits right by the riverbank which gives it great scenery while you eat lunch. The inside feels like has a home-y feel but also elegant at the same time. Waiters has always been great to make the night special. Also asked if we wanted pictures right after. It also has a small trolley to go up and down the hill if you dont want stairs, but also i recommend the stairs at least once because it the ambiance of it all just asking for some photos. Off to the food review! 5/5 - Baked Brie - One of the best things on the menu. The gelatin jalapeno spread with cheese you can't go wrong. The crunchiness of the bread with some cheese on top that is baked with some pastry outer layer just makes it all the better. Gooey, crunchy and sweet/spicy jelly, soo good. Recommend this to anyone. 3.7/5 - Pacific Rim salmon - Decided to try a non-meat this time around. Despite the plating looks amazing and defeinitely eye catching. It lacks the in-depth flavor profile that i expected. Just tasted like simple soy ginger taste. Ginger is stronger than i thought and just gives off "asian" flavor citrus ginger. Not a huge fan but the salmon was cooked beautifully and plating looks nice. 4/5 - New York Steak - Chef cooked it perfectly like we asked for. Medium- Medium Rare. Tender and juicy with also nicely cooked fries. Crunchy with a small bit of potato taste. Not a fan of steak fries but this definitely is better. 4.3/5 - Mudpie - I had hesitated from the name alone and description but waiter recommended it. Ooooh boy i was wrong. Its sweet, but defeinitely a great way to top the night off. The creaminess of the "mud" and crunchiness of the crumble pairs well. The vibes and ambiance alone is well worth the price. I recommend this to anyone that wants a romantic date night. read more
1 month ago
Lali, you made my birthday so special. You have such an incredible personality. This location is absolutely gorgeous and the food was great. I opted for the house salad because I always choose a Caesar and it was so good with candied pecans. Cocktails were very good and our entrees were divine. I'd love to visit again. read more
1 month ago
6 days ago
Went out for what we thought would be a wonderful anniversary dinner. Drove 250 miles specifically for the event and must say, was very impressed with the atmosphere. When we explained that it was our anniversary, (the hostess didn't reed the notes) we were escorted down to what I'll call group seating. Not the cozy vibe that we were looking for. Dinner was fine but when we asked the waitress to box our leftovers, she brought back A box with everything dumped in the same box! And the worst part, gave it to us in a COMPOST BAG! Nearly a month later, A reoccurring charge shows up on my CC that I called to dispute! It was for missing our reservation. WHAT! I spoke with John the manager who said it was an oversight and would refund the charges. Three weeks later, still no correction to my account. My bank now closed my account due to fraud! Thanks John, Try harder! read more
13 days ago
Worth a trip to Shadowbrook! Had a very fun and much needed mom's night out. We enjoyed every moment of this amazing restaurant. From the tram ride down, to soaking up the woodsy vibes we loved our visit! It was so fun to people watch as well! Lots of families celebrating and a few awkward first dates happening all around our rowdy group of moms. We enjoyed all the yumminess, my favorite dish was the beet and burrata salad! So delish! read more
8 months ago
If we are going off of experience and scenery, Shadowbrook is five stars!! For starters they offer a shuttle service with cute retro cabs for free! When you arrive a cable car elevator takes you down to the restaurant. The restaurant is filled with history and there is an overall great vibe to it. The staff is also super kind and really help make the dinner a nice experience. As for the food, I wouldn't say it's amazing. They have a pretty limited menu and aren't accommodating to many substitutions. I had the Pasta Verano and it was nothing out of the ordinary. We also had both the salmon variations and felt like they had a pretty strong fishy taste (which I personally don't enjoy). As for dessert, we had the Jack Daniel's Mud Pie & the Chocolate Meltdown. Both were very good, but also hard to mess up. Overall I think its a great place to go if your looking to go on a little adventure and have a fun dinner experience! read more
This place has ita own vibe. It kind of has a stuck in the 70's feel in both look and menu. This is not a bad thing. Parked near the entrance and proceeded down about 8 flights of winding stairs to the actual entrance of the restaurant. You enter into a large active room with a bar. Gotta say the drinks were perfectly balanced and delicious. After a short wait ( we were early for our 7:30 reservation) we were led down one flight to a high ceilinged room with a huge stone fireplace. After being seated the service was exceptional and attentive. Overall we had a great time and enjoyed. Only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is that the food while ok was not stellar. It was OK. If the seasoning had been more on point this would be 5 stars. read more
It's been years since I've been to this restaurant. My girlfriends and I decided to come here to celebrate our friendship. When you arrive at the restaurant, you get to ride on a cable car that fits up to six people. It takes you to the main entrance to the restaurant. It's absolutely beautiful. It's definitely an experience. I love the ambiance, the vibe, the feel, everything about this restaurant. Very vintage like era feel to it. We started with their spinach salad, which was absolutely delish. They added thick pieces of bacon which were so good. For our entree, we ordered their braised angus beef short rib, osso buco, and black truffle gnocchi. All three dishes were delicious but my favorite was the braised angus beef short rib.....YUM! Now, the service....well let's just say it could have been better. It wasn't terrible but our waitress seemed like she wasn't having a good night (not really friendly). I don't normally complain about service because I understand it can be a little overwhelming at times for them, so I won't complain too much, but the service could have been a little more friendly. Would I come back again? Absolutely! read more
1 month ago
Came to visit a friend in Santa Clara, and more specifically, wanted to visit Shadowbrook restaurant. It did not disappoint! It was a wonderful experience. The food was delicious! I had the French onion soup and the Shadowbrook house salad. For dessert, the three of us split the Jack Daniels mudslide. It was so good! read more
14 days ago
4 months ago
7 days ago
We went near closing at 9pm, it's such a beautiful little restaurant with all the plants and water. The food was spectacular, our waiter started off great however when we got our food it's like he just disappeared, a busser had to refill our waters. And we unfortunately did not get a dessert menu. Hoping next time we go we will get a different waiter. read more
9 months ago
This restaurant offered not only good food but great service and a funicular ride to its entrance. The parking lot is located above the restaurant itself and guests either can take the scenic route down some winding stairs or take the funicular. We took the funicular down and after dinner walked the stairs back up to our car. It was a lot of fun doing both. Onto food, we had the harvest salad with steamed persimmons and Fuji apples and goat cheese. The mixed greens had some very wilted leaves which I pushed aside. Not a fan of steamed persimmons but I did enjoyed the beets. Our mains were beef stroganoff and osso bucco. Both were great! They are heavy dishes but very flavorful and filling. I already recommended this restaurant to family and friends. Definitely worth checking out. read more
4 months ago
This dinner was for the purpose of riding the cable car. And it was worth the trip to Capitola. The car can only fit 6 people at a time, carrying people from street level to the restaurant and back. It was a busy evening (8PM) so the line going to the restaurant was pretty long. I recommend going 20 earlier than reservation time to be able to make it on time. We were seated within 5 min of checking in. The host staff did a great job pacing and tracking tables. There was a nostalgia feeling to the restaurant. Inside had large windows with views of the water and houses across the way. Carpeted floors and Wooden tables and chairs. The drink menu was bigger than the dinner menu. We ordered a few drinks. I forget The name of the drink we ordered, but it had a flavor reminiscent of a Vietnamese dessert. Food ordered was the ahi carpaccio, black truffle gnocchi, half roasted chicken, and beef Wellington. The carpaccio had these fried shallots topping and a vinaigrette which again had a Vietnamese flavor. When the beef Wellington came out that looked like a pate chaud, Shadowbrook should be listed as American/Vietnamese cuisine. The gnocchi was creamy and pillowy. The half roasted chicken was super dry. The chicken was the only dish that was disappointing. Wait Staff were friendly and helpful. read more
great experience here on a Saturday afternoon in June! We were a party of 6 seated within a few mins with no reservations which was great (though I do recommend reserving in advance as it was packed). We sat in the patio. There is a formal dining area, patio deck and lower deck as well! The food was delicious and the server was sweet. They do have an elaborate kids menus / coloring book which was a plus! My only issue is that during late-lunchtime, they offer both the lunch menu and then the full dining menu... The issue was our party ordered from both menus and the folks who ordered from the full dining menu got their food about 20 minutes later! Apparently that food is made in a different kitchen or area? I think they should let folks know in advance that if you are ordering from the different menus, some entrees may arrive later. Also our appetizer salad & side of fries either arrived super late or just never showed so we canceled it. I think they just need to coordinate better with the different kitchens. Overall pleased- would return for dinner experience in the formal dining or lower deck by the water! read more
The Shadowbrook is truly an amazing restaurant with a cool history. It sits right on the Soquel Creek and was originally a log cabin turned summer home before it became a restaurant. It has a bunch of different rooms to sit in and very cool style. The shadowbrook embraces nature with its garden room and rooms with trees growing through them. They have the CUTEST funicular (cable car) you can ride up and down to the restaurant. They also have stairs that go through the gardens. My dad recommends taking the stairs down and the cable car up. They also have some cool old taxes that will pick you up and drive you there if you are close enough. The number is on the website. Our server Andrew was incredible. He went above and beyond at each step and truly embodies hospitality. He gave thoughtful recommendations and sold the items without it feeling pushy. I started with the Shadowbrook House salad (recommended by Andrew), and it was amazing. The flavors combined really well. My husband enjoyed the clam chowder, and my dad and his friend said the wedge salad was great. The salads are great to split as a starter. We didn't get them this time, but I do recommend the bacon wrapped prawns as well. For my entree, I got the lobster tail. I wanted it to melt in my mouth a little more than it did, but I still really liked it. Their mashed potatoes are incred. My husband got the black truffle gnocchi and added the filet mignon brochettes. My personal opinion is that this is the best item on the menu. The goat cheese bechamel is wildly good. My dad got the scallops as usual and enjoyed them. His friend got the salmon and said it was great. The Shadowbrook is a really cool restaurant, and I highly recommend checking it out. It is definitely upscale and the prices reflect that. For the dining areas I would recommend a reservation. They also have a great bar area that is first come first serve with a pizza oven. Super fun spot!! read more
I had seen so many Instagram reels about the historic tram ride that brings you from the top of the hill where parking is to the restaurant, and finally had a chance to dine here recently. The pictures of the inside of the restaurant make it seem a little stuffy, but it's really hard to do justice to how beautiful the restaurant is in photos. It's multitiered with numerous rooms and most have a lovely view of the greenery and water outside. Ambience is vibrant, social, and can be romantic as well. I assume they almost always have a full house. I think I didn't have high expectations for the food since I thought the main draw was the tram ride and ambience but we enjoyed everything that we ate. Our server seemed busy but he gave us really good recommendations about both food, entrées and wine. I don't always enjoy the wine that is recommended to me but both of the rats that he advised me to order for both perfect. We started off with the cream of artichoke soup. It was a vegetable forward flavor, personally we appreciated that it wasn't very creamy. Also had their refreshing fall harvest salad seems like they usually have specials. I had the sole fish which was pretty thick and very tender came on a small bed as sautéed spinach and a side of rice. My husband got the Lamb -it was a loin cut not chops and ate like a steak. We also liked that it came with the mushroom bread pudding since that seemed interesting and was very very good. I definitely recommend ordering the mushroom bread pudding as aside if it doesn't come with your entrée. We ended with a molten chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream, hard to go wrong with that choice. It was great. They do have some basic dress code rules, such as not wearing flip-flops. There's a pretty decent kids menu, but there's also signage about making sure your kids are well behaved which personally I found too intimidating to bring my kids. Haha. Overall, had a delicious meal and a fun time read more
9 months ago
I want to start by saying Bo hopefully spelled correctly was training and fantastic! We loved his energy and for him alone I'd give a five star review. We arrived and I wanted to ride down but the trolley wasn't coming. I called to double check if it would be ok to wait for it. No answer. I'm happy we walked down loved the walk it is very pretty and nice. If you're going to book and really want photos or videos I'd say go in the day time. It's very dark and romantic look inside. We made reservations in Pacifica the night before and these reservations at shadowbrook were for our actual anniversary. If I had to do it over again I would've switch the reservations out and did Shadowbrook the day before or even Saturday for lunch.. When we arrived, we checked in the gal that went to seat us didn't really greet us or say hello and where she sat us; I was immediately not thrilled because I had wanted to sit next to the water. I said this for my call. I called exactly 30 days before to make these reservations because you can only make them 30 days in advance . My other reservations, I made them about 45 days in advance. When you call to make reservations, the way they tell you about the cancellation fee is a little off putting. I ate many places where they have the cancellation fee, however it is said a little bit more tactful. From the very beginning when we were asked about the wine list and I said we do not drink my husband said he felt uncomfortable because Dimitri made him feel like he thought he was broke . We just choose not to drink and drive and our faith and relationship it's been a beautiful choice for us and it was our anniversary so that was offputting in the very beginning We didn't let that bother us too much, but Bo was extremely nice and checked on us constantly filling our drinks and asking if we needed anything. He smiled and was happy. There was a point when my husband asked for a different straw Dimitri the way he told my husband that the straw he had which was kind of a mixer. I traded my husband a straw I had however once in my life, I did waitressing and I would've just traded it out, especially for the entire experience They do offer photos for birthdays. It is complementary. My husband wanted one which I thought was sweet. The cost is two dollars. Very minimal. I did notice that after I gave my American Express card. It seemed things change. You never know who you're serving. Let me skip to the food if you come here, please get the bacon wrap shrimp It is so good. The photos definitely don't do it justice. It was both our favorites. We skipped soup and salad because I really wanted dessert. Bacon wrap shrimp 5-5 My husband ordered the chipotle Alfredo. He said the sauce was really really good with the chicken breast. He said the chicken breast was amazing. 5-5 I ordered the scallops. They were delicious. 5-5 I've been to many restaurants over the years everything from the low end to the very high end this one for me I would say is a 3.5 and honestly with Bo it became a five but I do have to include all the other stuff for future guest. For something romantic and more secluded, I would choose somewhere else. These tables are a little close together. It is a great experience. Would I eat here again? Yes, definitely, I would come here in the daytime with the girls or something. I would not come here for my anniversary again or my birthday. For two entrees one appetizer, one dessert one soda, one iced tea. The cost was $160 gave a $30 tip and hope Bo received it as he did the work. We did ride the trolley back up the best thing about it was the couple that rode with us. They were super sweet. They come here often and we actually walked down the stairs with them too sweet warm couple. If I brought my granddaughter here, I would definitely only want to do it in the daytime so that way she could view everything and see it. You don't truly get the experience at night time, read more
Food : 8/10 . Ambience : 11/10 Service :10 / 10 I mean the place has a funicular!! There is no place like Shadowbrook in the Bay Area. A historic business built into the side of a cliff going down to a creek / river. The food has always been solid and consistent. they do standard American fare and do it well. Their steak specials are always great. Where they shine the most is the location. Suggest walking through all the rooms to pick where you want to sit ( you will need to call ) . We hope to keep coming back ! read more
12 days ago
More info about Shadowbrook
1750 Wharf Rd
Capitola, CA 95010
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(831) 475-1511
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http://www.shadowbrook-capitola.com
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Ask the Community - Shadowbrook
For Easter brunch, is it buffet or menu?
What room is best to sit in and is it better to go at night or day?
Right before sunset
Best Closest hotels to restaurant?
I would suggest considering the Venetian in Capitola and booking a complimentary pickup in one of Shadowbrook's classic cabs.
Is the Rock Room the more casual one and does it take walk-ins?
The Rock Room bar and patio have a more casual dress code. You can get away with jeans and a collared shirt. Any of the other dining rooms you are going to want a minimum of business casual.
Is this restaurant family friendly we have a nine year old and a baby?
It seemed to be but not a place to let ur kids run around for sure. I saw some younger kids there. Very well behaved sat and played but didnt run around.
Does anyone know if they still have their famous orange cinnamon rolls?
Wheelchair accessible? How about Funicula? If so, do we have to mention that our reservation is accompanied by a handicap individual?
Shadow Brook restaurant is wheel chair accessible but the cable car is not due to the steep incline and limited space.
Do you need to book for the trolley ride to the restaurant?
No, the trolly ride is just a way to get down to the restaurant besides the stairs
If reservation is made for 9:30pm will the kitchen still be operating?
I don't know but you can ask when you call to make the reservation.
Can we bring our own cake for a special occasion?
Yes you can but there is a per person surcharge to do so. It's been awhile so can't remember if it's $5.00 or $10.00 each...
Do I need a reservation?
Yes, I would highly suggest a reservation unless you wanna wait quite a while to be seated you might be waiting also to take the Funicula to get down to the restaurant unless you take the stairs. There is often seating available in the bar terrace…
Does anyone know if kids are allowed to take the shuttle taxi? My son is 4 and would absolutely love it
Not 100% but wouldn't see why not. If he is in your party Family. There is nothing stating no kids allowed! They are very family friendly.
Is there a waitlist for reservations?
Reservations are made online and usually gets busy
Is there a kids menu?
Yes there is a kids menu. My son ordered the kids prime rib cut. It was a good portion.
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Shadowbrook - tradamerican - Updated August 2026
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