Excellent service and Amazing food is a great combination but not always easy to find . Thats what I found when visiting Trestles on Christmas Eve. Walking in its very welcoming with great lighting and atmosphere. We checked in and were seated right away ... greeted and shown menus and specials. Asked about drinks and then had them moments later. Service was really well above par. Many times the service can be the difference between going some where once in a while ... versus some where you try and go as often as possible. This was it. A combination of excellent food and excellent customer service. Thanks Sara and other server for being so friendly and prompt. It just doesn't get better than that. We ordered appetizers and their Brussel Sprouts were out of this world. Simple yet complex and so very delicious. Then our meals followed. All of which seemed to arrive just in the perfect amount of time between drinks and appetizers. I ordered a 10 ounce steak that initially seemed so large and well plated that i'd never finish .... To scraping the plate clean and me being so full and happy. The guests with us doing the exact same. Thinking wow .... This is a very generous portion and by the end of it not saving any for home. It's just that delicious. Service : A Food Quality: A Portions: A Atmosphere : A Location : A Chance ill return: ABSOLUTELY read more

Trestles Restaurant - Brussel Sprout dish that was to die for. Would come and get this for lunch every day if I could. - New American Near Me - Capitola, California

Great food, great service. (85 characters minimum oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo)

Sorry, but this dining experience was so underwhelming I felt compelled to comment. A friend invited me out expecting a nice, sumptuous meal at what's marketed as an upscale restaurant. What we got instead was bland, uninspired, and overpriced food served in the same dark, awkward bowls for everything -- starters, entrées, and even dessert. Presentation matters, and this was more confusing than creative. Let's be clear: tiny portions in quirky dinnerware do not automatically equal gourmet cuisine. To make matters worse, moments after finishing dessert -- while we were still chatting -- a waitress came over and asked us to leave because they had another party waiting for the table. Not exactly the hospitality you'd expect at an "upscale" establishment. My suggestion: Capitola has plenty of restaurants that actually deliver on quality food and service. This isn't one of them. read more

Great evening at Trestles. Even with a small menu, they find a way to offer several options worth choosing. This time, we enjoyed the halibut, crab cake and tomato salad. Really appreciate the consciousness on the menu to gluten free and vegetarian options. Service was slow to get started but attentive once they processed that we were ready and not waiting for additional guests (we had to tell him 3 times. He seemed a bit distracted). Atmosphere is always noisy and warm and friendly. We will be back. read more

Trestles Restaurant - Menu - New American Near Me - Capitola, California

What a great place! It's more upscale for the area, which is great for special occasions. Our waiter was super knowledgeable and friendly. The food was pretty good - I wasn't amazed by my dish but no complaints either. Great date night spot! read more

Trestles Restaurant - Tomato salad - New American Near Me - Capitola, California

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I have always wanted to try this place, and finally got the chance to this weekend. I ordered food to go, I got the butter lettuce salad and the gnocchi. The gnocchi is to die for. It is hands down one of the best pastas I have ever had. The butter lettuce salad was great as well, but I definitely think I will try a different salad or appetizer next time. When I placed the togo order, the staff was super kind and helpful; the service is great! When I went to go pick it up, I got to glance around in the inside of the restaurant and it is stunning. This is a great place to get dinner or go on a date! Hands down the best restaurant in capitola! read more

Enjoyed the rustic yet upscale atmosphere and hearty recipes of great food, on a warm Saturday night. Quality ingredients, superb service and unique offerings combined to create a memorable meal that was relatively reasonable for the lux experience. Worth it. :) read more

We had another fabulous dinner. From the moment we walked in and were greeted by Cassidie through our time with our server Lucy we had the best time. The food is beyond delicious, the attention to detail in each dish and phase of service was tops! Can't wait to go again when in Capitola. read more

Trestles Restaurant - Brick chicken - New American Near Me - Capitola, California

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Great food and awesome cocktails in a neat little location in Capitola. We ate out on the porch and that added to the experience. We will be back! read more

We have been here before a few years back and were amazed at the food, every dish we tried was delicious. Went back a second time and had another great experience, only disappointment was the trumpet mushrooms with potato dish, had way fewer mushrooms than potatoes and flavor profile not great. But everything else, the tuna tartare tacos, hamachi crudo, panzanella salad, veggie pasta (one of our favorite dishes), wagyu special (trout roe beurre Blanc!), Pork belly, brick chicken, all solid. The halibut was small but the shrimp that came with it were delish. The kids loved the Mac and cheese and chicken tenders and fries, gourmet kids food. A great neighborhood place with delicious food and great service. read more

Outstanding seasonal food! We have been to Trestles three times and each time the menu had different offering, and all were delicious. The service was great! read more

We entered and were immediately greeted by the hostess and seated. She was very pleasant but could have been dressed a little more professionally. Bare belly and sneakers seemed off for a nice restaurant. Our server was very pleasant, although he seemed a little overwhelmed with the three tables he was working at the time. I ordered a dirty martini and Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts for an app. The martini wasn't dirty but was ok. The Brussels Sprouts were a bit over roasted but the sauce and peanuts were nice. The dish was not even warm. My entree, of the five available, was the Pork Milanese. Served over a black bean purée that was too thick. On top was a drizzle of lime crema, sliced jalapeños and sliced carrots with a side of two corn tortillas. The tortillas were very fresh and tasty. There were two small slices of jalapeños. I didn't get why the carrots were in the party. They were slightly blanched but too crunchy. They didn't make sense on the plate. My wife had the Italian Burger. A little greasy. Good flavor. The fries were killer. The wine was a short pour. Maybe 4-5 ounces, but a very good Zinfandel. Overall, the meal was meh. I do it at home for a fraction of the price. The ambiance was nice and it wasn't too crowded. What really nutted me up was the 3% surcharge on the bill. That drives me crazy. Hide the fricken 3% in the plate price, ya know?! Dadgum! Whatever. Overall, the food was so so. The service was so so. I'd probably not go back. read more

We've never been disappointed at Trestles. Food and service is always above and beyond expectations.

What a great find. The food was delicious and the service was great. We went here as visitors to Capitola. We shared the burrata appetizer which was very flavorful. We then had the Prime NY steak. So tender and cooked just right. The accompanying corn puree was yummy. Dessert was the way to end a great meal. Would definitely recommend. read more

Amazing entrees with elaborate flavors. Must go restaurant in the whole Bay Area. Strong drinks with good prices. read more

Trestles Restaurant - Green tomato's - New American Near Me - Capitola, California

The food here is amazing. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. Can't wait to be back!

We had such a lovely time here. We came for our anniversary and they even gave us complimentary glasses of champagne which made everything feel so much more special. The food was so delicious and every flavor was so fresh and bright. Entrees were delicious. A little on the small side for the price but the flavor is spot on! We also tried the starter brussel sprouts which were great! Definitely recommend for special occasions and the staff was incredibly kind. read more

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Busy little place in Capitola. We did street side parking out front. We made reservations and highly recommend because I can tell this place gets quite busy. It was very busy when we were there. We had late reservations not long before they closed, but they were out of a good portion of menu items at that point. Service was great even with it being busy. Food was very good and I would eat there again. read more

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Phenomenal food, great service, lovely restaurant. We shared the crispy pork belly appetizer, beet, arugula and burrata cheese salad, halibut special and the yummy house made pasta special. All were beautifully prepared and presented. We can't wait to go back! Capitola is lucky to have such a fantastic restaurant! read more

What a great meal! Took my mom and step-dad out for a duo mother and Father's Day special meal. Made a reservation and was seated promptly and they even gave my mom a long stem rose for Mother's Day! The only bummer to the night was we sat at 6:30 and they were already out of their special appetizers for the night. But no problem, so much other deliciousness to choose from. Everything was so fresh and delicious and presently beautifully. Such a special meal and would be back in an instant! read more

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Great new restaurant for us first time there. Will definitely go back drinks and food was awesome.

Trestles is the best ,don't settle for less I was searching for something great for a dinner with my mother. Trestles was the most popular both from search results and word of mouth. Book early, they fill up fast. Fortunately they have 20 or so spots that are designated to walk-ins. Butternut Squash Rigatoni - 4* Delicious rich sauce with a hint of lemon. The pasta was tender. Not sure if it is homemade? Pork Chop - 5* I had my reservations but was not disappointed. Sizable portion (close to 1lb). The crispy edges & bacon jus were an amazing pairing. The quince were so tender but would have liked more on my plate. Presentation was solid. You can't go wrong with the pork chop! Overall the best value in Capitola for your money. Quite possibly the best in the greater Santa Cruz area as well! I'd visit again to explore more of the menu! read more

Trestles Restaurant - Hearty Pork Chop cooked to perfection - New American Near Me - Capitola, California

Omg, the food was absolutely phenomenal. The pork belly was so crispy and everything together tasted amazing. I loved my steak, cooked perfectly and the creamed spinach was so delicious. Most definitely a I'll be back. read more

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One of the better meals you can have in capitola/soquel, worth a visit! Make reservations, especially if it's a nice beach day

Solid restaurant. We were a table of 6 and decided to share everything. From salads, tuna taco app, steaks, wine, gnocchi, to 2 different desserts. There's not a ton of really polished restaurants here so it was immediately a stand out. I honestly think this is the spot here if you're looking for a quality dinner with the full mix of new CA fare coupled with better service. I saw some outside seating that seemed like a good option with heat lamps and blankets. I absolutely would come back here. read more

Trestles Restaurant - Oysters...they were delicious. - New American Near Me - Capitola, California

Ok as for the 10 oz steak and the 16oz ribeye they were off the hook! Also tried the scallops, broccolini with a cheese sauce and the truffle fries were uber fresh!!! James and his friends were extremely friendly. We spent $300 without tip and it was so worth it. The quality of the food was delicious!! We are visiting from LA and we can't wait to get back! Ambiance was chill and casual, definitely left me wanting more. Another thing I loved was the sparkly white wine drink with vermouth!!! read more

I have had some of my best meals in Santa Cruz here. It's been a while since we've been since our family has grown but I am eager to return and try the latest menu. The service was always warm and friendly and the food is thoughtful and balanced. It's a cozy little place a little hidden in the Capitola village and well worth a full dining experience. read more

The food was decent, but not memorable. The staff was very young and inexperienced. I would likely not return.

Great atmosphere and conveniently located in the heart of Capitola. The food was fantastic as were the drinks. We had a party of 6 and they were able to accommodate us right away on a fairly busy evening. The fried chicken sandwich was tasty, the oysters were fresh, and the special of the night (halibut) was fantastic. The star of the evening was the chocolate mousse dessert though - I would go back just to have that again! read more

Great service, great food and a fun ambience. Go to place for fun groups. Big thumbs up!

Excellent service and very tasty food! We even got complimentary glasses of champagne for our anniversary when asked what we were celebrating. They go above and beyond here! Great attention to detail! Pricey though, considering we didn't order any proteins this particular evening. read more

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Bad experience with the bartender, that kind you don't forget the next day. He was not only almost mute but inattentive and impersonal. We were there for a short time. The stars I give was for the kitchen staff (they deserve more but the service we got at the bar reduced it overall). The check inside a glass was almost thrown at us, not even looking in our direction. Bad experience. Never going back. read more

Not a fan. Called to ask for earlier time than my reservation they didn't have it and I assumed that my reservation was canceled after they said no, instead they kept the reservation and charged me, no receipt no phone call no email. Very greedy. read more

Phenomenal food, great ambience, definitely a "must try". I promise you'll be hooked like me

Ate here for the first time last night and I absolutely loved it! Good food, good wine, good service! We got seating outside, which was just lovely, though I think sitting inside would be terrible (it was very loud and cramped inside). Def recommend grabbing a seat outside. I ordered the local halibut crudo, peach tartare, butter lettuces salad, a glass of the codorniu cava brut, and a glass of the torresella rose prosecco. All of my food was absolutely delicious. My fave was probz the peach tartare - def recommend ordering it! It's super fresh tasting and the combination of flavors (peach, edamame, jicama) with the wasabi nori chips were sooooooo good. The halibut crudo was so yummy too and fresh tasting - the watermelon mint sauce was absolutley delicious. However, usually crudo comes with something to eat the fish with like a cracker or something and this was just a bowl of fish lol. But we asked the waitress for maybe some more nori chips to eat it with, which she kindly got for us and didn't upcharge at all for it, which was appreciated. Def recommend asking for a couple nori chips with the order of halibut crudo. The butter lettuces salad was really good too. I really enjoyed the red wine vinaigrette on it - def very complimentary to the butter lettuces, shaved radish, pickled onions, cucumber, and sunflower seeds. I also had a bite of my date's order of smoked eggplant gnocchi, which was good and he absolutely loved it, but the creamy tomato sauce was a bit too rich for it to have been my meal! I'd recommend ordering a glass of the torresella rose prosecco over the codorniu cava brut if you're looking for bubbles by the glass. The rose prosecco was def much yummier than the cava brut. Sitting outside was also very lovely. We watched the sunset in the distance, there's a pretty magnolia tree right next to the restaurant, and just people watched over the little shops across the street. They also have heaters strategically placed kinda above and behind you, which keep you nice and warm while you eat your meal. I wouldn't want to eat inside however, because it was very loud and cramped. Outside was much nicer and I could easily hear my date talk next to me. Service was also great. Our waitress came by very timely for drinks, apps, and our entrees. Plus when I had an empty wine glass, I quickly got another glass of wine. And again, she was really awesome about getting us some nori chips to eat our crudo with for no extra charge. I'm def coming back here again! read more

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I live in Capitola, and this was the only restaurant in the entire village I had never visited. When I think of the time I wasted, I try not to be bitter. My wife and I decided to do an early dinner, and decided to try this place at around 5pm on a Wednesday night. The restaurant seemed empty, so I was a little frustrated when I was told we could only sit in the bar area if we didn't have reservations. I mean, the place seemed empty and Wednesday isn't exactly known as being the busiest restaurant day of the week. I was proven wrong in about 15 minutes when every table, including the bar area was completely filled. We placed our order, and the waiter suggested the Market Fish Tartare Tacos as a starter. I typically don't order appetizers, but man am I glad they suggested them. The fish (I don't recall which "market fish" they were using that day) was fresh, the sauces were amazing, and the "tortilla" (I am using the word loosely, because it was actually something more akin to a homemade cracker) was absolutely delightful. I wish I had analyzed them a little more, so I could tell you what went into them, but I wasn't expecting this to be memorable, and once they are in your mouth its too late to figure it out. I will have to order them again next time to know for sure. My main course was the Prime New York Steak, which came with a variety of sauces (smoked Sinatra sauce, heirloom tomatoes, horseradish creme fraiche, Calabrian bordelaise). I do some cooking of my own, and can make a pretty good bordelaise sauce, so I often try this when I see it in a restaurant to see who's is better, and to pick up tips for improving my own. It seemed weird having the variety of sauces, as they were all significantly different. But something about these all seemed to complement each other well. And, their bordelaise sauce was better than mine (damn them), and I couldn't even identify what made it better. This was just an unexpectedly wonderful meal. If you are considering this place, just go for it. I'm going back, just to try the same stuff again, but to savor it a little longer. But get a reservation first because the place fills up fast. read more

Trestles Restaurant - Prime New York Steak with four sauces. - New American Near Me - Capitola, California

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My wife ordered the pasta dish and it was delicious. The kongbao Brussels sprouts were delicious too. I like the atmosphere. But my Cesar salad was overly bitter and the salmon was over cooked. The cheesecake brulee cheesecake is not very flavorful. A mix bag. read more

We had such a wonderful evening at Trestles! The food and service were excellent. The restaurant is cozy and quiet. The Brussels sprouts are to die for! The desserts were so wonderful - so well balanced between textures and sweetness. We will definitely be back! read more

Date night. Kiddo had a sitter. My wife and I had reservations for 6:45pm, and we were dressed to the nines. We'd been to Trestles before, and the food was good, the vibe was neuvo-euro bistro, and we were looking forward to an amazing kid-free dinner. What we got was chaos, apathy, and total incompetence. We arrived at 6:45 on the dot to find a packed dining room and a couple of one-offs in the waiting area. Our first thought was "uh oh", but again, we had reservations, so we hoped for the best. We approached the barely-20 hostess, said hello and gave our name. She looked around uneasily and slowly stammered "yeahh... it'll be... 10 or 15 minutes". Despite the old Seinfeld bit about "I don't think you know what the reservation is for!" rattling around in my head, I completely understood they were completely slammed, and stuff happens. Regardless, we had a sitter at home and limited time, so we decided to try our luck at another restaurant. One problem -- the reservation cancellation fee. Yes, Trestles charges a Reservation Cancellation Fee of $20 PER PERSON, enforced by taking your credit card during booking. Slightly absurd, especially considering they obviously don't hesitate to fill your reserved table with the first available customer (thus this review!), but again, we understood. And we booked. But now that we were trying to LEAVE because our table wasn't ready as promised (and trust me, "10-15 minutes" would have been a MIRACLE considering the status of the diners and the chaos inside), we were rightly concerned about being charged $40 to NOT be sat at our table. So again we turned to the deer-in-headlights, barely-20 hostess, and let her know that we were short on time and would be going elsewhere, and to please make sure we're not charged. It was her blase, apathetic and uneasy response of "I'll try... to see... if I can... not have you charged...?" that took my wife and I aback. You'll try? Possibly? Okay...? "That answer doesn't exactly instill confidence..." I smiled, trying to remain pleasant and polite, all while the babysitter clock ticked louder and louder in our ears. "Yeah, I'm... sure... you'll be okay, I guess." she replied, nearly as disinterested as she was distracted. This went back and forth a couple of times, and we eventually had to ask her if we could speak to a supervisor to make sure we weren't charged for them not having our table ready (it had already been 15 minutes by this point), and the hostess again seemed so fantastically disinterested in helping us that my wife had to jump in and ask "can we PLEASE speak to someone who can give us a definitive answer". Hostess finally relented, with a thoroughly annoyed (and still disinterested) look on her face; I followed her to the bar area where another annoyed and apathetic employee -- apparently her bartending supervisor -- replied "What do you want? Why are you coming to me?" in an even more blase fashion than said hostess. I eventually told them to not worry about it, I'd file a dispute with my credit card company, and left. Look, I get it. They're busy. They're popular. Everybody loves them. We just want to make sure you don't take our $40 for you NOT honoring our reservation. It ain't rocket science. A simple sorry could have helped. All told, we spent roughly 18 minutes feeling extremely unwanted while we tried to get out of our unhonored reservation without being charged for the privilege. Incidentally, we hopped in the car and called CAFE CRUZ (about a mile away on 41th Ave, across from Home Depot) and a utterly cheerful hostess said YES, we'd LOVE to have you in 10 minutes! They were packed, too. But Cafe Cruz actually gave a damn. read more

Absolutely INCREDIBLE food! OMG! I am so impressed! The New York steak? Melted in my mouth! The pork belly and scallops appetizer? It was so delectable I ordered a 2nd serving! The tuna tartare tacos appetizer? Perfect and so flavorful with a hint of spicy. The pressed coffee was so rich and flavorful served with a thick cream. Make sure to stir the cream as not to miss all the delicious at the bottom! I savored every bite! Rate A+ read more