9 minute read
Best of Food & Drink
by Weeklys
Winners
Acai Bowl
CAFÉ BRASIL
1410 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 429-1855, cafebrasil.us
RUNNERS-UP SAMBA ROCK ACAI CAFÉ, AMAZON JUICES
Appetizers
THE CROW’S NEST
2218 E. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, 476-4560, crowsnest-santacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP
SHADOWBROOK, VENUS SPIRITS COCKTAILS & KITCHEN – WESTSIDE
Bagel
BAGELRY
320 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, 429-8049; 1636 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, 425-8550; 4763 Soquel Drive, Soquel, 462-9888, bagelrysantacruz.com
RUNNER-UP FIREFLY CAFÉ
Bakery
THE BUTTERY
702 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 458-3020, butterybakery.com
RUNNERS-UP
GAYLE’S BAKERY, COMPANION BAKESHOP
Barbecue
APTOS ST. BBQ
8059 Aptos St., Aptos, 662-1721, aptosstbbq.com
RUNNERS-UP MISSION ST. BBQ, COLE’S BBQ
Bar Food
PARISH PUBLICK HOUSE
841 Almar Ave., Santa Cruz, 421-0507; 8017 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 708-2036, theparishpublick.com
RUNNERS-UP
VENUS SPIRITS COCKTAILS & KITCHEN –WESTSIDE, THE HIDEOUT
Bread
2341 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 252-2253; 7486 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 612-6655 companionbakeshop.com
RUNNERS-UP
GAYLE’S BAKERY, MANRESA BREAD
Breakfast
SANTA CRUZ
ZACHARY’S RESTAURANT
819 Pacific Ave. 427-0646, zacharyssantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP WALNUT AVENUE CAFÉ, HARBOR CAFÉ
APTOS / SOQUEL
RED APPLE CAFÉ
783 Rio Del Mar Blvd., Aptos, 685-1224, redappleaptos.com
RUNNERS-UP SILVER SPUR, SUNRISE CAFÉ
CAPITOLA
AVENUE CAFÉ
427 Capitola Ave. 515-7559
RUNNERS-UP GAYLE’S BAKERY, ZELDA’S ON THE BEACH
SCOTTS VALLEY/SLV
HEAVENLY ROADSIDE CAFÉ
1210 Mount Hermon Road, Scotts Valley, 335-1210, heavenlyroadsidecafe.com
RUNNERS-UP AUNTIE MAME’S, ROCKY’S CAFÉ
WATSONVILLE
COWBOY’S CORNER CAFÉ
946 Main St., 761-8996, cowboycornercafe.com
RUNNERS-UP RED APPLE CAFÉ, BEACH STREET CAFÉ
Brunch
HARBOR CAFÉ
535 7th Ave., Santa Cruz, 475-4948, harborcafesantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP THE VIEW AT CHAMINADE, CROW’S NEST
Burger
SANTA CRUZ
BURGER.
RUNNERS-UP BETTY BURGERS, JACK’S HAMBURGERS
APTOS/SOQUEL
BETTY BURGERS
415 Trout Gulch Road, Aptos, 612-6668, bettyburgers.com
RUNNERS-UP PARISH PUBLICK HOUSE, THE HIDEOUT
CAPITOLA
BETTY BURGERS
1000 41st Ave. 475-5901, bettyburgers.com
RUNNERS-UP
EAST END GASTROPUB, CARPO’S RESTAURANT
SCOTTS VALLEY/SLV
MALONE’S GRILLE
4402 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, 438-2244, malonesgrille.com
RUNNERS-UP
BRUNO’S BAR AND GRILL, TWO DOORS
WATSONVILLE
WOODEN NICKEL
1819 Freedom Blvd., Freedom, 724-2600
RUNNERS-UP
FAT BOY BURGERS AND GRILL, CALIFORNIA GRILL OF THE PAJARO VALLEY
Burrito
SANTA CRUZ
TACOS MORENO
1053 Water St.,429-6095
RUNNERS-UPTAQUERIA VALLARTA, TAQUERIA SANTA CRUZ
APTOS/SOQUEL
MANUEL’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT
261 Center Ave, Aptos, 688-0911, manuelsrestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP EL CHIPOTLE TAQUERIA AND RESTAURANT, TAQUERIA LOS GORDOS
CAPITOLA
TAQUERIA VALLARTA
893 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 464-7022, enjoytaqueriavallarta.com
RUNNERS-UP TACOS MORENO, MIJO’S TAQUERIA
SCOTTS VALLEY/SLV
TAQUERIA LOS GALLOS
18 Victor Square, Ste. A, Scotts Valley, 439-9803
RUNNERS-UP TAQUERIA VALLARTA, LA CHIMICHANGA CANTINA
WATSONVILLE
EL FRIJOLITO
11 Alexander St., 724-8823
RUNNERS-UP
SUPER TAQUERIA, RANCH MILK MARKET
Calamari
THE CROW’S NEST
2218 E. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, 476-4560, crowsnest-santacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP
CAFÉ CRUZ, WEST END TAP & KITCHEN
Caterer
BARBARA & COMPANY
2431 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-6051, barbara-company.com
RUNNERS-UP
FIVE STAR, BUSY BEE CAFÉ & CATERING
Cheap Eats
CHARLIE HONG KONG
1141 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-5664, charliehongkong.com
RUNNERS-UP
PRETTY GOOD ADVICE, SCRUMPTIOUS FISH AND CHIPS FOOD TRUCK
Cheese Selection
SHOPPER’S CORNER
622 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, 423-1696, shopperscorner.com
RUNNERS-UP
STAFF OF LIFE, CHEESE SHOP 831
Chinese Cuisine
CANTON
900 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 475-8751, cantonsantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP
PANDA INN, RED PEARL
Chocolatier
DONNELLY FINE CHOCOLATES
1509 Mission St, Santa Cruz, 458-4214
RUNNERS-UP
MACKENZIES CHOCOLATES, ASHBY CONFECTIONS
Clam Chowder
STAGNARO’S ON THE WHARF
59 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, 423-2180, stagnarobrothers.com
RUNNERS-UP THE CROW’S NEST, RIVA FISH HOUSE
Coffeehouse (INDEPENDENT)
CAT & CLOUD
3600 Portola Drive, Santa Cruz; 10 Parade St., Ste. A, Aptos
719 Swift St. Ste. 56, Santa Cruz Abbott Square, 725 Front St., Santa Cruz, catandcloud.com
RUNNERS-UP
VERVE, 11TH HOUR COFFEE
Cookies
PACIFIC COOKIE COMPANY
1203 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 429-6905, pacificcookie.com
RUNNERS-UP
CRUMBL, THE BUTTERY
Cupcakes
THE BUTTERY
702 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 458-3020, butterybakery.com
RUNNERS-UP
NOTHING BUNDT CAKE, BUTTERCUP CUPCAKES
Date Night Restaurant
SANTA CRUZ
OSWALD
121 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, 423-7427, oswaldrestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP
GABRIELLA CAFÉ, VIM DINING & DESSERTS
APTOS/SOQUEL
CAFÉ SPARROW
8042 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 688-6238, cafesparrow.com
RUNNERS-UP
MENTONE, THE HIDEOUT
CAPITOLA
SHADOWBROOK
1750 Wharf Road, Capitola, 475-1511, shadowbrook-capitola.com
RUNNERS-UP
TRESTLES RESTAURANT, CAFÉ CRUZ
SCOTTS VALLEY/SLV
RISTORANTE CASA NOSTRA
9217 Hwy. 9, Ben Lomond, 609-6132, ristorantecasanostra.com
RUNNERS-UP
SCOPAZZI’S, OTORO SUSHI
Watsonville
California Grill of the Pajaro Valley
40 Penny Lane, Watsonville
722-8052, californiagrillrestaurant.com
RUNNER-UP Cilantros, Jalisco Mexican Cuisine
Donut Shop
FERRELL’S DONUTS
2227 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 457-2760
RUNNER-UP
DUNLAP’S DONUTS, ALLBRIGHT’S DONUT SHOPPE
Falafel
ACHILLES BY THE SEA
1404 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, 621-2834, achillesrestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP
FALAFEL OF SANTA CRUZ, ZAMEEN
Food Event
GREEK FOOD FESTIVAL
Downtown Santa Cruz
RUNNERS-UP
CLAM CHOWDER COOK-OFF, GOURMET GRAZING ON THE GREEN
French Fries
BETTY BURGERS
1000 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 475-5901; 505 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-8190; 1222 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 600-7056, bettyburgers.com
RUNNERS-UP
WEST END TAP & KITCHEN, PARISH PUBLICK HOUSE
Frozen Yogurt
YOGURTLAND
1955 41st Ave Suite A4, Capitola, 462-3100 1487 Main St #102, Watsonville, 761-1500
RUNNERS-UP
TOP A LOT YOGURT,
Greek
NICK THE GREEK
1133 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, 431-6313, nickthegreek.com
RUNNERS-UP
ZAMEEN MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE, ACHILLES
Hawaiian Cuisine
PONO HAWAIIAN GRILL/ PONO KITCHEN & TAP
120 Union St., Santa Cruz, 621-7448 3744 Capitola Road, Capitola, 476-7458 ponohawaiian.com
RUNNERS-UP
HULA’S ISLAND GRILL, MAKAI ISLAND KITCHEN AND GROGGERY
Hot Dog
HAPPY DOG HOTDOGS
324 River St., Santa Cruz, 332-2057
RUNNERS-UP
LEFT COAST SAUSAGE WORX, TAYLOR’S HOT DOG STAND
Ice Cream
MARIANNE’S
1020 Ocean St., Santa Cruz, 458-1447; 218 State Park Drive, Aptos, 713-4746; 104 Stockton Ave., Capitola, 479-8888, mariannesicecream.com
RUNNERS-UP
PENNY ICE CREAMERY, MISSION HILL COFFEE & CREAMERY
Indian Cuisine
AMBROSIA INDIA BISTRO
207 Sea Ridge Road, Aptos, 685-0610; 6006 La Madrona Drive, #D, Scotts Valley, 713-5594, ambrosiaib.com
RUNNERS-UP ROYAL TAJ, NAMASTE INDIAN
Italian Cuisine
LILLIAN’S ITALIAN KITCHEN
1148 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 425-2288, lilliansitaliankitchen.com
RUNNERS-UP TRAMONTI, RISTORANTE ITALIANO
Juice Bar/ Smoothies
AMAZON JUICES
1066 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 854-2225, amazonjuices.us
RUNNERS-UP
CLEAN JUICE, JAMBA JUICE
Kid-Friendly Eatery
CARPO’S
2400 Porter St., Soquel, 476-6260, carposrestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP
BETTY BURGER, KIANTI’S PIZZA & PASTA BAR
Kombucha/ Probiotic (LOCAL)
LIVING SWELL
424 26th Ave., Santa Cruz, livingswellkombucha.com
RUNNER-UP
MELO MELO
Late-Night Eatery
THE CREPE PLACE
1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 429-6994, thecrepeplace.com
RUNNERS-UP
MANUEL’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT, CHARLIE HONG KONG
Mexican Cuisine
SANTA CRUZ
EL PALOMAR
1336 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 425-7575, elpalomarsantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP
COPAL, TAQUERIA LOS PERICOS
APTOS / SOQUEL
MANUEL’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT
261 Center Ave., Aptos, 688-4848, manuelsrestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP
TORTILLA FLATS, PALAPAS
CAPITOLA
TACOS MORENO
1053 Water St Santa Cruz, 429-6095
RUNNERS-UP
EL TORO BRAVO, TAQUERIA VALLARTA
SCOTTS VALLEY/SLV
MAYA MEXICAN RESTAURANT
3115 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, 438-7004, mayasv.com
RUNNERS-UP
TAQUERIA VALLARTA, LOS GALLOS
WATSONVILLE
CILANTROS
1934 Main St., Watsonville, 761-2161, elpalomarcilantros.com
RUNNERS-UP
JALISCO RESTAURANT, EL FRIJOLITO
Middle Eastern
LAILI
101 Cooper St., Santa Cruz, 423-4545, lailirestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP
ZAMEEN, MOZAIC
New Restaurant
VENUS BEACHSIDE
131 Esplanade, Aptos, 688-8917, venusspirits.com
RUNNERS-UP
ACHILLES BY THE SEA
Outdoor Dining
THE CROW’S NEST
2218 E. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, 476-4560, crowsnest-santacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP CAFÉ CRUZ, LAILI
Patio Dining
SANTA CRUZ
THE CROW’S NEST
2218 E. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, 476-4560, crowsnest-santacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP
LAILI, MAKAI ISLAND KITCHEN AND GROGGERY
APTOS / SOQUEL
BITTERSWEET BISTRO
787 Rio Del Mar Blvd., Aptos, 662-9799, bittersweetbistroaptos.com
RUNNERS-UP THE HIDEOUT, CAFÉ CRUZ
CAPITOLA
SHADOWBROOK
1750 Wharf Road, Capitola, 475-1511, shadowbrook-capitola.com
RUNNERS-UP
CAFÉ CRUZ, ZELDA’S ON THE BEACH
SCOTTS VALLEY/SLV
MALONE’S GRILLE
4402 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, 438-2244, malonesgrille.com
RUNNERS-UP
BRUNO’S BAR AND GRILL, FAULTLINE BREWING COMPANY
Watsonville
ELLA’S AT THE AIRPORT
100 Aviation Way, Watsonville, 728-3282, ellasinwatsonville.com
RUNNERS-UP CILANTROS, JALISCO RESTAURANT
Pizza
SANTA CRUZ
PIZZA MY HEART
1116 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-2511, pizzamyheart.com
RUNNERS-UP
WOODSTOCK’S PIZZA, PLEASURE PIZZA
WATSONVILLE
CASSIDY’S PIZZA
1400 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville, 724-2271, cassidyspizza.com
RUNNERS-UP
SLICE PROJECT, HUGO’S PIZZERIA
Restaurant
SANTA CRUZ
OSWALD RESTAURANT
121 Soquel Ave., 423-7427, oswaldrestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP
VIM, BANTAM
SOQUEL
HOME
3101 N. Main St., 431-6131, homesoquel.com
APTOS
RUNNERS-UP CAFÉ CRUZ, TORTILLA FLATS
THE HIDEOUT
9051 Soquel Drive, 688-5566, thehideoutaptos.com
RUNNERS-UP CAFÉ SPARROW, MENTONE
CAPITOLA
SHADOWBROOK
1750 Wharf Road, 475-1511, shadowbrook-capitola.com
RUNNERS-UP TRESTLES RESTAURANT, CAFÉ CRUZ
SAN LORENZO VALLEY
RISTORANTE CASA NOSTRA
9217 Hwy 9, Ben Lomond, 609-6132, ristorantecasanostra.com
SCOTTS VALLEY
RISTORANTE CASA NOSTRA
219 Mount Hermon Road, F, Scotts Valley, 225-0590, ristorantecasanostra.com
RUNNERS-UP
BRUNO’S BAR AND GRILL, OTORO SUSHI
The California Grill of the Pajaro Valley
WATSONVILLE
CALIFORNIA GRILL OF THE PAJARO VALLEY
40 Penny Lane, Watsonville, 722-8052, californiagrillrestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP ELLA’S AT THE AIRPORT, MIYUKI RESTAURANT
Salad
SOUL SALAD
7957 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 708-2106, soulsalad.com
RUNNERS-UP CARPO’S RESTAURANT, CAFÉ CRUZ
Sandwich
415 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, 515-7484, seabrightdeli.com
RUNNERS-UP
GARDEN LIQUOR AND DELI, ZOCCOLI’S
Seafood
SANTA CRUZ
RIVA FISH HOUSE
31 Municipal Wharf 429-1223, rivafishhouse.com
RUNNERS-UP
JOHNNY’S HARBORSIDE, STAGNARO’S ON THE WHARF
APTOS/SOQUEL
SCRUMPTIOUS FISH AND CHIPS FOOD TRUCK
651-9458, scrumptiousfc.com
RUNNERS-UP
CAFÉ SPARROW, VENUS BEACHSIDE
CAPITOLA
SHADOWBROOK
1750 Wharf Road
475-1511, shadowbrook-capitola.com
RUNNERS-UP
TRESTLES, PARADISE BEACH GRILLE
SCOTTS VALLEY/SLV
SCOPAZZIS
13300 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, 338-4444, scopazzisrestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP
SCRUMPTIOUS FISH AND CHIPS FOOD TRUCK, OTORO SUSHI
WATSONVILLE
THE FISH HOUSE
972 Main St., 728-3333
RUNNERS-UP HINDSIGHT CAFÉ, LA PERLA DEL PACIFICO
Soup
ERIK’S DELI
1664 Soquel Drive, Santa Cruz, 462-1919; 1475 41st Ave., Capitola, 475-4646, eriksdelicafe.com
RUNNERS-UP
CHARLIE HONG KONG, DHARMA’S RESTAURANT
Small Plates
BARCELONETA
1541 B Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 900-5222, eatbarceloneta.com
RUNNERS-UP
VENUS SPIRITS COCKTAILS & KITCHEN, VINOCRUZ
Steak
HINDQUARTER BAR & GRILLE
303 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-7770, thehindquarter.com
RUNNERS-UP
SHADOWBROOK, ALDERWOOD SANTA CRUZ
Sushi/Japanese
SANTA CRUZ
AKIRA SUSHI
1222 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 600-7093, akirasantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP MOBO, SHOGUN
APTOS/SOQUEL
SUSHI GARDEN APTOS
38 Rancho Del Mar, Aptos, 661-0721, sushi-garden.com
RUNNERS-UP: AKIRA SUSHI, WASABI SUSHI
CAPITOLA
SUSHI GARDEN
820 Bay Ave. #148, 464-9192, sushi-garden.com
RUNNERS-UP
GEISHA JAPANESE RESTAURANT AND TEA HOUSE, MIYAKO JAPANESE RESTAURANT
SCOTTS VALLEY/SLV
OTORO SUSHI
235 Mount Hermon Road, #G, Scotts Valley, 440-9040
RUNNER-UP
RUMBLE FISH
WATSONVILLE
MIYUKI
452 E. Lake Ave. 728-1620, miyukirestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP
IMURA, SUSHI GARDEN WATSONVILLE
Takeout
CHARLIE HONG KONG
1141 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-5664, charliehongkong.com
RUNNERS-UP
SCRUMPTIOUS FISH AND CHIPS FOOD TRAILER, REAL THAI KITCHEN
Taqueria
SANTA CRUZ
TAQUERIA VALLARTA
893 41st Ave. 464-7022, enjoytaqueriavallarta.com
RUNNERS-UP
TACOS MORENO, TAQUERIA SANTA CRUZ
APTOS/SOQUEL
TAQUERIA LOS GORDOS
7488 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 688-0911
RUNNERS-UP EL CHIPOTLE
CAPITOLA
TAQUERIA VALLARTA
893 41st Ave., 464-7022, taqueriavallartaonline.com
RUNNERS-UP
TACOS MORENOS, MIJOS TAQUERIA
SCOTTS VALLEY/SLV
LOS GALLOS TAQUERIA
235 Mount Hermon Road, #C, Scotts Valley, 439-9507
RUNNERS-UP
TAQUERIA VALLARTA, CHIMICHANGAS
WATSONVILLE
EL FRIJOLITO
11 Alexander St., 724-8823
RUNNERS-UP SUPER TAQUERIA, RANCH MILK MARKET
Tea House
HIDDEN PEAK
1541 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-4200, hiddenpeakteahouse.com
RUNNERS-UP SOUL SWEETS, TEA HOUSE SPA
Thai Cuisine
REAL THAI KITCHEN
1632 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, 427-2559, realthaisantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP SAWASDEE, SABIENG
Vegetarian
DHARMA’S
4250 Capitola Road, Capitola, 462-1717, dharmasrestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP PRETTY GOOD ADVICE, CAFÉ GRATITUDE
Winery
SOQUEL VINEYARDS
8063 Glen Haven Road, Soquel, 462-9045, soquelvineyards.com
RUNNERS-UP BARGETTO WINERY, STORRS WINERY
Wine List
SHADOWBROOK
1750 Wharf Road, Capitola, 475-1511, shadowbrook-capitola.com
RUNNERS-UP SOIF, VINOCRUZ
Wine Selection (RETAIL)
SHOPPER’S CORNER
622 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-1398, shopperscorner.com
RUNNERS-UP SOIF, VINOCRUZ
