Great Food, Great Service & a Manager Who Actually Says Hello!…read more Loved this place! My bride and I had a fantastic experience from the moment we walked in. This restaurant has an incredible indoor and outdoor space, a great menu, and an atmosphere that somehow manages to be both chill and professional. You'll find a wonderfully diverse crowd here, and everyone seems to fit right in. Now, let's talk about the food! I highly recommend the meatballs--they were fantastic! And the garlic bread? Fabulous. Honestly, I could have made a meal out of the bread alone, but I exercised some restraint...because I'm an adult. My bride ordered the hamburger, and she loved it. The salads were excellent, the bread was outstanding, and the dessert selection was enough to make someone suddenly forget they were "too full for dessert." Our server was incredible--attentive, friendly, and genuinely welcoming. And then, as if the experience couldn't get any better, the manager actually came out and welcomed us! You don't find that everywhere. That personal touch says a lot about how this place approaches hospitality. Everything was clean, the service was excellent, the food was delicious, and the ambiance made us want to hang around longer than we probably should have. One warning: Parking can be a bit of a challenge. But trust me, this is one of those places where you circle the parking lot a few times and say, "Lord, give me a parking space!" Yelp Elite verdict: Absolutely worth the hassle! Great food. Great people. Great atmosphere. Great service. And apparently, great managers who actually come out to meet their guests. My bride and I will definitely be back! #YelpElite #FoodieFind #DateNight #GreatFood #GreatService #Meatballs #GarlicBread #DessertLovers #RestaurantReview #WorthTheHassle #FoodAndFun #FiveStars

Really enjoyed our first visit to The Hideout! We had the fried chicken sandwich with sweet potato…read morefries and the prime rib. The sandwich was delicious, and the chipotle aioli was especially good--creamy, flavorful, and one of the better ones I've had. The sweet potato fries were crispy. My partner really enjoyed the prime rib, and the portion was large enough for leftovers. Service was quick, attentive, and friendly. We sat outside with our pups, which we appreciated. The only suggestion would be to update the patio layout a bit. Our table was directly across from the waiting area, so it felt like we had very little privacy while people waited. Other than that, we had a great experience and would definitely come back.

We stayed the Seacliff, came here for dinner, and was really impressed. It's also super dog…read morefriendly like the whole property. Our server Erica was on top of everything from the very start. Super friendly, honest, and made sure we were well taken care of. For food, we got the rib eye steak that was cooked to perfection with a side of garlic mashed potatoes that were addicting. We also tried the fish tacos (average) and the chicken wings (a little bit dry and overcooked). Not on the menu but we wanted a side of fries and that ended up being the best part of the meal. The kitchen's only open until 10 but the bar serves until 12 on a Friday so we didn't feel rushed at all. A variety of drinks on the menu and pretty good as well! Lots of dessert options too if you have a sweet tooth.

Had breakfast here for Labor Day Weekend. I enjoyed the brisket and grits, and the ambiance was…read morerelaxing. Beautiful koi fish and water features make this a great place to relax.

Great location beachfront Ample parking…read more Friendly, competent, patient waitstaff Outstanding bar selection Food is reliably good but failingly imaginative appetizers that are simply illogical in concept and delivery

Update. So sad. The lobster roll is no longer offered anymorwith just butter. Big disappointment…read more Tried to reach out to Venus but no contact info on their website. .

Everything was simply amazing! From the service, the comfortable atmosphere, to the incredible…read morefood. We indulged in delicious cocktails, 2 delicious appetizers: the stracciatella and foccia, and the peaches with prosciutto and Parmesan. They had the best Caesar salad we've ever had (better than the Zuni cafe even). We also enjoyed a pasta dish (beef dumplings in tomato sauce) and a Genovese and pistachio pesto pizza. We didn't really have room for dessert but had to try them anyway. The lemon curd with pistachio was divine as was the affogato. We will be back next time we are in Santa Cruz!

Good: - marg pizza -…read moretrenette bolognese - ravioli (wouldn't get it again cuz not my palate) - strachiatella Meh: - root vegetables Black cod was weird, like it seemed nice but we all thought the fish was too slimy, too...alive? Too recently slaughtered? But I mean, maybe we're just not cool enough to appreciate it lol.

First place we've experienced after a disappointing full day in Santa Cruz, finally found a place…read morethat was dog friendly. The Oak & Ale was worth the stop. The bartender was chill, the beer was delicious, the music was very psychedelic and our dog was welcome. Our vibe totally! And the beer was a reasonable price!!

Our fave bar. Cool vibe, pool table, great bar selection, great tenders…read moreThere's no food, tho, so plan accordingly

Parrish Pub Looking for a great place to refuel after a…read morehike at Nisene Marks? Stop by Parrish Pub! Great food all around, a Puppers Menu for your four-legged adventure buddy , and a family-friendly atmosphere where everyone is welcome! My personal favorite? The Filthy Freddy + a pint! The staff is fantastic, the food is great, and honestly... they're just friendly all around! Hike, eat, drink, repeat! Definitely worth the stop!

Soooo bad! I just spent $25 for the worst burger I've ever…read morehad in my life! I fed it to my dog. No Kidding! Dry bun with an overcooked paddy. No condiments no tomato or onion. Ordered the classic burger which says it comes with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle. I also added cheese & mushroom. No cheese on it. I think it was supposed to come with fries which I didn't get. I added a side of mash potato & veg which a girl came running out to give me when I was already driving off. Should have checked the order. Terrible! I called to let them know & the hostess or whomever answered the phone kept laughing about it like spending that much money on garbage is funny.

First things first, the cable car ride down was so cute. Cramped. But cute. The staff were so nice…read moreand accommodating. Definitely make reservations ahead of time! Now let's get to the food. I can only speak for what I ordered. My espresso martini made with tequila instead of vodka was UHMAZING! Best one I've had so far. The baked Brie was mouth watering, the crostinis were so good and crispy. And the top sirloin was perfectly cooked to medium rare. Loved every bit of it! And the cheesecake was good but I wasn't a fan of the peach compote. My friend loved her cosmo and her gnocchi. And she loved the peach compote. So it worked out for us. Will definitely be back next year!

If you're on the hunt for a truly captivating, breathtaking, and memorable dining experience, do…read moreyourself a favor and pay a visit to "Shadowbrook". Located in the beautiful Mediterranean-esque coastal city of Capitola, this unique and elaborate restaurant has been in operation dating back to 1947. Originally built as a log cabin, this place has gone through evolutionary changes over the decades while preserving the historical rooms (both inside and out) that can seat hundreds of guests at any given time. Located directly off of Wharf Rd and adjacent to the Soquel Creek, this place captivates the heart of Capitola and surrounding areas in every way possible. As far as getting here, you have the option of driving your personal vehicle while Shadowbrook offers a dedicated lot to park. And of course there is always Uber/Lyft. But if you want the ultimate experience by arriving here in style, I HIGHLY recommend booking a complimentary Shadowbrook shuttle. My lady and I were staying at the "Best Western Plus Capitola By-The-Sea Inn & Suites" (only 0.8 miles away) and one of the hotel staff called the restaurant to have us picked up at 5:30pm on Friday 9/4/2026. However, this isn't any old shuttle. Nope, we were picked up by a restored 1955 Checker Cab! Not only did our driver drop us off at the restaurant, but he also took us through some of the amazing views of Capitola! We felt like celebrities that were living in a fantasy world. When we arrived, we made a short walk to the entrance that eventually led us towards the red Shadowbrook cable car. This tram/gondola goes down a slanted track making its way through a dense, green hillside. Once we got to the primary entrance to the actual restaurant, everything was a breeze just in time for our 6:00pm reservation. I have to say, the attention to detail here is on a whole other level. The massive amount of foliage combined with the overall beauty and aesthetics of both the interior and exterior dining areas really prove that every seat here is a winner. We were fortunate to sit at the outdoor patio area which provided a serene view of Soquel Creek and all of its surroundings. Our server, Sean was absolutely fantastic. He brought out (2) food menus and a drink menu as well as warm ciabatta bread with whipped butter. As for their food selection, they carry a vast array of traditional upscale American cuisine. I ended up ordering a 6 oz. cut of their "Chateau Prime-Top Sirloin". This char-grilled Angus steak included potato gratin, Shiitake mushroom sautéed spinach, Baker's bacon, and topped with chef's butter. My lady went with their "Ricotta Ravioli" which included edamame puree, sugar snap peas, and topped crispy tarragon butter. I went with a refreshing "Coconut-Lavendar Lemonade" while she opted with a glass of the "Salmon Creek Merlot". Total time to receive our food after ordering was roughly 30 minutes. I was perfectly fine with that as this was a place worth admiring every single minute. When our entrées did arrive, everything was showcased and beautifully presented. As for my sirloin, this had the perfect 'char' while retaining all the juices (as I had requested it medium). The potato gratin was creamy with the addition of infused cheese. I particularly loved the bacon chunks that were part of the spinach. I also tried a few bites of her ravioli and that too was perfectly balanced with the creamy ricotta and edamame puree. All in all, both of our dishes were a 9/10. After we were done eating, our server Sean was gracious enough to even take a picture of my lady and I complete with the creek as the background. I will say that everything from the main dining room to the Rockroom Lounge to the Rooftop Terrace to the exterior dining spot where we ate, this place is a real gem. Reservations are strongly encouraged but not required. Hours at the Rockroom Lounge are from 12-10pm while main dining hours are from 2-8:30pm (with extended hours to 9:30pm on Fri/Sat). Whether you're here for date night, a birthday, anniversary, etc., this place is as good as it gets. Finally, with world class service, million dollar views, amazingly delectable food, and an experience that I will never forget, I am giving "Shadowbrook" restaurant in Capitola a perfect five star rating.

Service. Not good. Food. Half the things on the menu not available. So I got crappy mushrooms. See…read morepic for details. Ambience. Eh. I'll leave it at that. I wouldn't go back.

I've only been here a few times over the years and each time I visit, I remember how sweet of a…read morespot it is. Whether you're coming for drinks or food, you've got so many wonderful options. In addition to wine and beer, they also have cider and I believe, mead wine in a can (made from honey)! And for the non-alcohol crew, they've got you covered too. The aesthetic is just... cozy. There's a fireplace indoors and a fire pit outdoors. They have blankets and games, too. Like, cmon. Absolutely nailing the cozy vibe. The food menu is also great! As someone who eats gluten-free, there were plenty of options. I definitely recommend for the overall experience.

Nice little Cash Only dive bar. Great price for a shot of Don Julio 1942 - only $22. Most other…read moreplaces start around $30. If i come back to Soquel, I'll definitely come back.

Came here with a group of friends to watch the Warrior game. We wanted to hang out a neighborhood…read morebar with TV's - mission accomplished! Loved this place, and yes, ALL LOCALS. With that said, me and my out-of-townies felt welcomed. Folks would come by to talk about the college games that were also on. Overall, everything that we would've hoped for and more. Why?? Because the drinks were incredibly priced. Come to JJ's if you want to cool place to hang out with some good local folks with an unpretentious, fun vibe.

YES!!! A dive bar that doesn't feel too "divey"! Sir Froggy's Pub has a large center bar with a…read morepenny-infused countertop (cute detail) and great service (our female bartender told us her drink specialty is that she "makes all the drinks with love"! Teehee) The place is decently-sized and pretty clean; it's not too crowded; and it has a few TV screens playing sports games so the vibe was very light and lively. There was a pool table, though no one was playing it at the time I was there. The lighting was perfect for a bar (not bright like a hospital and not divey-dark). My gin and tonic was perfectly-made. It's a great local hangout bar.

Went in today for a pint of Guinness and was treated like pure crap, I usually head out towards…read moreMonterey or San Francisco for pubs, decide to come to this one and give it a try, awful service and the pour to my Guinness was absolutely disgusting, on top of the fact that it was completely out, she kept pouring it and switching cups in between.