Perfect night out!…read more Seated right away at the bar on a friday night and enjoyed the mussels and fries (in the most decadent coconut lemongrass broth that blew my mind), the cesar (good!), and the tinned fish plate (tuna belly, to die for, sooo buttery and rich). The staff was nice and service was prtty quick. We also got martinis which were pretty good, but one of the weaker elements of an overall fantastic meal. So excited to come back next time I have somethign to celebrate :)

This place is...fine. For the price, the service and seafood portions felt quite lacking. When we…read morearrived we waited awhile until hostess came to ask if we had a reservation. Informed her no and asked the wait time. She said it would be around 15-20 minutes and then walked away without taking our name, so we just stood there awkwardly until she came back about 5 minutes and said a table was ready. The entire conversation with her had the attitude that we were an inconvenience. The time it took for us to have a waitress finally take our order and get our food was longer than expected for how busy the restaurant was. We got the bread, risotto with the added salmon (which the size for the price was a joke, smaller than a deck of cards) and another seafood dish. The bread was $8 for literally 2 slices of a sourdough loaf with no refills. The risotto was lovely, but all the work on the plates presentation cannot be enjoyed by the extremely dim lighting (easily an issue for those with any dark vision issues). The seafood dish was okay, but the seafood to butter beans ratio felt unfair for the price. During our time, we randomly had a new server who was originally bussing other tables(without any info and we couldn't see our original server just working on silverware prep). Overall, the price and attitude this place gives its customers is lacking. Rather pay over $100 at a place where I'm not being treated like il doing them a service with eating there. There are better places in town for the price. If you want to try it out, recommend going for the happy hour to not make as big of a dent if you're underwhelmed in the end.

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.

We went to Riva's Fish House on the Santa Cruz Wharf on May 9th and had a great experience. Our…read moreserver, Nathan B., was the standout of the night. My husband ordered the Fish and Chips and they were perfect, crispy on the outside, flaky and moist inside, easily a 10/10. I got the third‑pound cheeseburger with bacon and avocado on the side, and it was also delicious. What really made the visit memorable was the service. Right at the start, my husband let Nathan know that we both have an allium intolerance and garlic allergies. Nathan was upfront about the limitations of a small kitchen and the fact that they can't guarantee anything, which we appreciated. But he still went out of his way to check on things for us. He even came back to let my husband know the tartar sauce had yellow onion in it so he could choose something else. It was clear they were paying attention. Nathan was friendly, patient, and genuinely thoughtful. Dining out with allergies can be stressful, but he made it feel easy and comfortable. We also watched another waitress run after a family who had forgotten a sippy cup; just another example of how attentive the staff is. Overall, the food was great, but the service is what will bring us back.

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.

Everything was okay. We ate inside, the experience was okay. Nothing over the top. Servers were…read moreattentive., however also chatty with each other. I really didn't need know details of their relationships. Menu was ok - meal (breakfast) was fine, but not anything that couldn't be gotten at other cafes. Overall a fine experience, but not too sure it met the anticipating of eating somewhere with the long lines, which meant to me the possibility of an outstanding experience. But everything was great. It was fine next time. I think we'll try eating outside. Maybe it'll be a little bit different. Don't know.

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.

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!

We found the fish on the "Fish & Chips" to be unlike most places and quite a bit better. In…read moreparticular is was light and crispy vs the typical heavily battered usual. The chips were both a little overdone and not very crispy, but that was overshadowed by the fish. The crab bucatini was excellent as well. The views of the boats in the water were pleasant and made it worth making the reservation rather than just walking in. Service was good. It is a bit loud inside with all the hard surfaces reflecting the sounds of people talking.

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!

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.

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!

Amazing drinks and vibes. Get a reservation to ensure no wait time. Rotating bar is amazing as…read morewell. I come here every time I visit SC. 10/10

The rotating bar & all the tiki decor are nice. We were disappointed to see that the Mr. McKay…read more drink came in the zombie cup, not the one pictured, since we ordered based on the picture. The AC was super cold (had to go get a jacket). It's very nice on the water side of the rotation, but dark on the other side. The Drinks were slow coming out. The crab dip was amazing. The chips that came were super crispy and delicious. The triumph and disaster cocktail was good and strong. Overall decent experience, but need more light on the back side of the rotation and need to serve drinks in tiki cups, as pictured on the menu. I've been to tiki bars all over the US, and proper tiki cups can add to aesthetics/experience