Vivas

Such a cute lil restaurant, service was great, the portions well worth it and the food was…read moredelicious ( the salsa, my opinion, green one was fab!) Highly recommend!

Food was amazing, service was great! We got our food served at our table pretty fast and Jose made…read moresure we could change some ingredients that we wanted in our meals! Definitely recommend the location and thank you Jose

Super burrito (chicken)

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Order counter

Taqueria Los Pericos

4.1(1.7k reviews)

0.9 mi

Food was fantastic! So authentic! Quick and kind service. While we were here 15 people came in…read morewithin the 20 minutes we were here. (Dinner time). The flavoring and quality of meat was perfect. The salsa on the tacos had just the right amount of kick! We're so bummed we don't live here but will absolutely be back! Free warm chips And a salsa bar Can't say enough great things about this place!

We had been coming here for years, and it was honestly one of our favorite Mexican food spots…read more Unfortunately, that changed after an experience a few months ago. I ordered an al pastor taco that came with a lot of lettuce. I ate it, and the next day I got extremely sick with what felt like the worst food poisoning I've ever experienced. It was bad enough that it honestly traumatized me from eating Mexican food altogether. And just to give you an idea of how bad the experience was--I love Mexican food, and I haven't eaten it at all since then. It took me months to even feel comfortable enough to leave this review. I really liked this place before, so I'm not saying this lightly. If you decide to go, I personally would avoid the al pastor tacos and anything that comes with their lettuce. I haven't gone back since.

Breakfast #1

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Outdoor seating

Taqueria La Katrina

4.0(220 reviews)

2.0 mi

This was my 2nd visit to this taqueria and it was even better than I remember. Guests will enjoy a…read moreself-serve taco bar with 4 salsas, fresh and picked vegetables along with some spicy jalapeños and onions you don't regularly see, and warm and salty self-serve tortillas. I sure did! Today, I tried the Baja Fish Taco in addition to a super burrito. Way too much more food for me, so I figured I'd start with the fish taco since they don't travel as well. At almost $8, I thought the taco was pricy until I saw it. The fish filet is so large you can barely close the taco at all! It ate much more like a tostada in that sense, the large fish been exaggerated by the generous portions of cabbage, creamy guacamole, and the spicy salsa. The fish was crispy, abundant, and well-seasoned and perfectly complemented by the supplied toppings. There were a few opportunities where toppings had gotten knocked off and there was space to add some of their other sauces, but this is a rare taqueria item I think was perfectly balanced on its own. I'd come back just for this. I still enjoyed, but was a little torn on the super burrito I got. I got a super carnitas burrito. The additional super toppings: guacamole, cheese, sour cream, and pico all added freshness or creaminess that helped add flavor and cut down on the richness of the meat. To their credit, there was LOTS of carnitas but in my opinion they were too salty and they took away from the overall balance of the burrito, particularly in meat-heavy bites. This was somewhat remedied by adding their creamy avocado salsa, their especially tangy tomatillo salsa, or getting a bite with some of the super toppings, but the carnitas were overall disappointing. But, this wasn't my first time here! Last time I was here I had an al pastor super burrito and the balance worked much better. That burrito on its own is a safe 4 stars. Combined with the Baja fish taco and the chips and salsas/toppings? That's an easy 5 stars for my favorite Mexican food in Santa Cruz. If you're still on the fence, try the asada super burrito or stick to the fish taco and you'll be VERY impressed.

My partner got sick after eating here. He had the enchiladas and baja fish tacos. He usually has a…read morebig appetite, but he could not finish his food.... On the drive home, he just felt nauseous and had an upset stomach all night. I didn't like their the salsas at all, but the warm chips were good. I had the coctel de camaron but it didn't come with any cucumber which I was disappointed with. food was also pricey.

Breakfast Bowl

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Nachos from Taqueria La Katrina

The Real Taco

4.4(170 reviews)

1.7 mi

Family-owned & operated

Outdoor seating

Veggie taco is fresh & awesome Quesabirria is wonderful…read more 3 crispy tacos is delicous -- Authentic real Mexican food we are picky eaters & LOVE LOVE LOVE THE REAL TACO!

Had lunch here today with the family…read more.. Pros- food was tasty. There were plenty of seats, both shaded and in the sun. Very dog friendly...including ours, there were 4 dogs in total. It's also in a cool location, several other eateries and drink spots to check out. We had 2 super burritos that were customized (one no sour cream, one no beans, both with 2 meats. The crispy beef tacos (fam favorite), and a fish taco (too spicy for me!), oh and chips and salsa. Cons- the super burritos were supposed to come with guacamole, but neither did. Didn't think about it until my son asked, but we were pretty much done eating at that point. We also had to pay for chips and salsa. Never a fan of that. The bag of chips and the salsa containers were also small. If you're going to charge, you should make it worth it for the customer(s). With tip, it was just over $70 bucks in total. Overall we all enjoyed our meal. Next time I'll look for the guacamole earlier, to make sure we get it! The location is near my son's place, so we will likely be back!

Fried quesadillas

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3 Crispy tacos...ground beef ,queso fresco, sour cream, lettuce,avocado and red salsa...

Copal

4.2(463 reviews)

1.6 mi

service was stellar, timing was terrific, & the food was fabulous. i will be coming backread more

Recently dined at Copal in Santa Cruz and WOW... Oaxacan food done right!…read more We tried the Taquitos, Quesadillas del Mercado, and Taco Plate--everything was packed with flavor and beautifully presented. The Quesadillas del Mercado were definitely a favorite! The decor is gorgeous, the atmosphere is fun and inviting, and the service was great. It's definitely a little on the pricey side, but honestly... worth the splurge! If you're in Santa Cruz and looking for something beyond the usual Mexican fare, put Copal on your foodie list!

Inside Dinning room

Tostada de Mole Amarillo ($16)

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Diet Coke ($4)

El Palomar

3.7(1.2k reviews)

0.9 mi

Bet place for drinks & food , where friends ,family get together …read more Also best for large parties takeout food , best steak asada, chicken skewers, red chile ( like chile verde) but cooked red chiles first time I tried very flavored, pork meat very tender and chile verde it's awesome tasty flavorful. To me it's one the best authentic Mexican food . Best customer service by waitress ,bar tender (Tim ) Kim , and Johaan E friendly, helpful as always all their staff goes above and beyond extra mile . I just stopped at the last minute to order large take out to have ready for next day to be picked up. Is always good to try different dishes . Thank you to the kitchen staff for cooking and made my day easy.

3.5 stars. Beans and rice lacked salt & flavor. Shredded chicken enchiladas and sopa were alright…read more I did enjoy the combo steak and prawn fajitas, however, very little protein. Their tortillas are fresh and chewy that was a plus. Service was slow on a Tuesday evening. They charge for salsa other than the complementary salsa roja.

Dining Room

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Coctel de Camarones

Taqueria Jalapeños

3.9(207 reviews)

1.1 mi

first and foremost i want to plea to the cooks : STOP ACCOMMODATING TO WHITE PEOPLES TASTES BUDS!!…read moreADD THAT SALT AND SPICE!! PLEASE!!! i truly do not want to say the quality is suffering from when i used to get them. I lived two blocks down and they were always my go-to. gen some of the best tacos in downtown santa cruz. ny partner got a carnitas burrito and the flavor was just lacking so much in the beans and rice. i added my fav green sauce to every bite which was upsetting bc i love that sauce and used more of it faster. ill still go whenever i need a good taco - unsure if they do taco tuesdays still but def a good time to try them out. their horchata is also one of my favs in town!!

My wife's been talking about this place since she lived in Santa Cruz in the 90's, fresh tortillas…read moremade in house, piping hot orders, tasty veggie burritos and also yes ones with meat! So we had to go to jalapeños on a recent trip there. Yep she was right! Also happy to see that this gem is still the way it was... Funky, authentic and absolutely perfectly prepared "California burritos, tacos etc... don't hesitate.

Store front

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CHANGE YOUR SIGN

Lupulo Craft Beer House

4.4(534 reviews)

1.1 mi

Always a favorite for us! New menu did not disappoint-great…read moresized portions and fresh, well seasoned and reasonable priced food. Beer selection always interesting-we came for the Double Dry Hopped Pliny from Russian River Brewing. Service was spot on, love the new booth seating in the back -great spot to watch the World Cup.

Great selection of beers. We ordered the abraxas stout and the blueberry peach cider. The stout was…read morespectacular - so smooth and chocolaty rich. The chicken tacos were well flavoured but were a bit dry. The shrimp was well cooked but the Cajun was so so salty. I think they accidentally double salted the dish. Sadly could not eat that sauce.

The tap selection

Tacos

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Non-Alc Cider

La gertrudeña

5.0(1 review)

1.1 mi

This food truck is a gem! They really know how to cook traditional Oaxacan food and gosh, it's…read moredelicious!! Big portions and better priced than the other Mexican food spots in the area. They are at the Capitola Mall on Fridays and in front of Boardwalk Bowl during weekends. They even do private events and catering. Can't wait to get their quesabirria next time! It's planned haha

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Taqueria Los Primos

4.1(173 reviews)

0.7 mi

It's a good little neighborhood taqueria. I've been here on 3 different occasions and the food was…read moregood, and the service is even better. The food tends to be quite spicy here so ask for "no salsa" on your tacos if you can't handle the heat. If you want a low key meal, this place is never busy. The menudo with pata was a bit too salty but it was still good. The portion was enough for 2 full meals for me so it was worth the price. I love coming here and just getting a super taco for a weekday lunch.

Most spots to eat in SC close by 8. We were the last customers at 9:40 pm on a Wednesday night…read more Another customer was turned away at 9:45 so get here by 9:30 to be sure. Inside was bright and clean with 3 TV's that showed the menu and 1 showing sports. They had a small dining area and had a good Mexican beer selection, Jarritos, and sodas in the refrigerators. Customer service was quick and friendly. I had the regular Al pastor burrito. It was good and even better when I added a touch of salt and lemon juice. The pastor was well cooked, crispy yet tender with rice and beans. The chili verde burrito was good too and had more flavor than the al pastor. The verde salsa tasted fresh with a touch of spice. It was my favorite. The jamaica tasted a bit weak but it was the end of the night. Los Primos is a solid 3 with perhaps a 4 rating when I try more menu items. I'd definitely hit up Los Primos again.

Menu from December 2025

California burrito-carne Asada

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Nopalitos Con Huevos

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15 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Wang C.

14 years ago

Ok first off I am a pig...don't judge me! Had the chicken Mole....oh my goodness. It was my introduction to my first really good Chicken Mole and oh boy was I impressed. Owner was laughing as the drool hit my shirt. He grabs a sample cup and says "here try this" It was his super green good chicken thing and it was terrific. After having those two terrific dishes I opted for boring. El Pastor Burrito (can never go wrong) So here comes this burrito wrapped in a green tortilla (I asked for it). I take one bite out of this burrito and think "could it be". I stop the salsa pouring and take another bite. All of a sudden the flavors hit me, marinated bbq el pastor cooked to perfection with correct amount of spices. My taste buds are announcing the drought is over, I have finally found a place in Santa Cruz that knows what they are doing.....as I swallow the food, I open my eyes and I am on my feet applauding my burrito as everyone is staring at me. I quickly took it to go. read more

Andrew P.

17 years ago

This restaurant is definitely a must. Not only do they offer organic foods, but they also offer many vegan options, which is great because their food is amazing! Although it is quite pricey, I would say it is worth what you pay. Your food is organic, fresh, and tasty! This restaurant is always clean and tidy, and the environment is nice and spunky most of the time. The employees are super nice and will answer any questions you have, and will even offer you a taste of something before you order it at times. p.s. totally agree with the last comment, that blonde cashier is very atractive, reminds me of that colombian singer. read more

Ben n.

18 years ago

Vivas is my new spot. I agree that if you are looking for authentic this may not be it. BUT... most other places you don't know where the hell you food has been or came from or how it was handled. It is refreshing to know that everything is super fresh and organic. You really can tell. I had to walk through the kitchen to use the restroom and it seemed really clean, you can also see right into the kitchen so you know there is no funny business going on. The staff there is really friendly (unlike every other mexican place around... * cough * cough *moreno's) read more

JamieLynn S.

17 years ago

I'm amazed this isn't getting better ratings! The ceviche is amazing, the best I've had in the US. Their new mango salsa, like the rest of their food, is fresh and tasty. I love the staff-- they always feel like they're friends of ours. Granted, I've only had the tacos and the ceviche-- But that's only because I can't not order ceviche when I go there. Did I mention they have good ceviche? read more

BRYAN S.

17 years ago

great food way better than jalapeños...the staff is very friendly and theres a beautiful blonde always smiling. i usually go on friday nites after work! the fish tacos are the best. flan is good too! muy rico amigo read more

Lucinda G.

10 years ago

Great place to eat. The service was great. The food was fresh and delicious. I'm not from here but the next time I'm in town I'm definitely stopping by again! read more

Ary A.

11 years ago

not as good as it was before, and found a hair in my food. Will have to see how it is next time I go.

Jamie M.

13 years ago

Mexican food with quality ingredients!!! They are always nice and yeah, the food rocks...

Aki L.

186

130

14 years ago

Maybe better for breakfast than dinner. That's the best thing I could say.

Dusty M.

14 years ago

Good clean food..always good..owners nice guy. What more can you ask for.

Genie L.

14 years ago

Delicious! Thank you for the organic ingredients and generous portions.

Miss T.

15 years ago

My mom loved this place. I thought is was just okay. Four stars.

Andrew T.

15 years ago

Chicken Mole! That is all I need to say!

Terra L.

15 years ago

Love the vegetarian quesadilla!!!

Jeff W.

18 years ago

Excellent Bisteca Ranchera!

Vivas - mexican - Updated September 2026

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We went there after long time. We ordered our usual spinach cheese pupusuas and veggie burrito…read more They did not have spinach and they told we can fo Loroco and Cheese and they told it is vegetarian, we took a chance and then I was looking up Loroco as i was not familiar with that and never tried it. Loroco is an edible, unopened flower bud from a Central American vine, and is a staple in Salvadoran cuisine, especially in pupusas. When the dish came it just tasted like spinach! Take a look at the pictures. Burritos was were i was disappointed, the gave a platter instead of Burrito, but they quickly complied to take it back wrapped it up in tortilla. But when we split rice and bean was on one side and vegetables on the other, which diluted the whole experience. We got another burrito to go, which was also folded wrong Wow I learnt how wrong way of folding a Burritos can bring this much difference. Also their Jalapenos were not having the kick. So this trip did not turn out well. So reducing a star. Hope next time they will earn it back. .

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I was surprised nothing had been posted yet for Taqueria Don Tacos in Seacliff, so I wanted to…read moreshare a quick review. I've already been a few times since they opened, and everything I've tried has been great! Carne asada, chicken, al pastor, and carnitas street tacos are awesome, and the burritos are really good too. I like that they add a little cabbage for extra crunch and texture with burrito I had. They also have chips with different salsas, including green salsa, hot/spicy salsa, and pico de gallo. It's a cool little spot to sit down, enjoy some good Mexican food, and watch World Cup Soccer. The staff is super friendly, the food is a welcome fresh upgrade taste of my usual go to places and they're open late after 9pm!

Visited here mid-June 2026. As with before, this restaurant location isn't doing sit-down dining…read morewith waiter service but rather we're to order at an electronic kiosk using a touch screen. I got a birria taco for $4.95 which tasted great and included chips and a couple salsas. Cheaper than Manuel's single tacos, but not served on a plate on a big bed of lettuce, and Manuel's packs gobs of meat, more meat in their taco and puts guacamole on top. Unfortunately it's unlikely I'll buy anything else as take-out burritos are $20, for about that price I can get a double item combo next door at Manuel's....Yet, I'll drop by for another taco or two for consumption on the beach to be sure.

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$40 for rotten food the carnitas burrito the meat was no good. The chicken tacos was no good were…read moresenior citizen so please refund David. And the cashier didn't care.

Good hot food. Service isn't super friendly and it's not waiter service but cleanish with good…read moreportions for my family of 5 with 3 kids 10-17. As a tourist I'd return as a good basic option to choose from but not at the top of my list. It was busy on a Friday night and it seemed like a diverse group of locals enjoyed it which I thought was a good sign

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This is a humble little spot in Santa Cruz. We tried two dishes: the super nachos, and the à la…read morecarte enchiladas. The super nachos were fantastic. The chips are thick and crispy. They loaded up with an immense amount of cheese. They add guacamole and sour cream, and most importantly they put a large amount of meat on there. It's more of that food than a single person can eat. The price point is $15 which seems fair. The à la carte enchiladas were not as good. The sauce has a slight tinge to it. And it was very little meat inside the enchiladas. There's usually enough parking out front for everybody, but if not, you can always park on the street. The gal working the front counter was very helpful and brought out our food, amazingly quickly.

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I recently moved and I miss my salsas taco bar!!!!! My tastebuds are sad!!!! My favorite is…read morebreakfast burritos served alllllll day!!!! Goes so good with the avocado salsa!! Juicey thick pieces of asada!!! And their Baja tacos are a must plus best beans I've ever had (beans are homemade and made with NO LARD!!! ) Miss you guys!!!!

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