The BREAKDOWN: My Top 5 Restaurants in Capitola CA!
Hello from Bri Steel, Broker/Realtor® & Owner of Live Love Santa Cruz!
Capitola is a small coastal town on the northern shore of Monterey Bay at home in Santa Cruz, California.
The seaside town is a popular destination for tourists and restaurateurs. There are plenty of things to do and places to eat, but it's also easy to end up at restaurants with beautiful facades and terrible food. After all, not all that glitters is gold on the Gold Coast.
I have taken a lot of time over the years to find the best restaurants in Capitola and thought it would be a good idea to share with you the 5 best restaurants in the area.
As always, I recommend you not just take my word for it but also read the reviews. Every restaurant on my list has 5-star ratings, both for food and service - no wonder one-time diners become regulars after one visit.
Now let us get to the list; I can not wait to share it with you!
Chef Nick Sherman, born and raised in Santa Cruz, decided to bet on himself and open his dream restaurant. The result is this fantastic restaurant that has enjoyed the community's support since it opened in 2021.
Trestles come from the Capitola Trestle building near the restaurant, making it easier to find when you are in the area.
Everything at Trestle is well thought out, from the extensive and carefully curated wine list to the fresh and seasonal produce to the care with which the staff sets tables and greets guests.
There is limited indoor and outdoor seating, and reservations are required; that's how popular the restaurant is. The atmosphere is very relaxed for an upscale restaurant, and somehow they manage to pull
this off seamlessly. The small space allows for a careful eye for detail, quality control, and a personalized customer experience. The open kitchen provides client transparency, nurtures customer loyalty, and gives the restaurant a homey, personal feel.
Give Trestles a try when you are in the Capitola Trestle area!
Our favorites: Crispy Pork Belly, Butternut Squash Rigatoni, Burrata Beet Salad, and Roasted Cauliflower.
Most popular: Llano Secco Porkchop, Ahi Tuna Sashimi, and Market Fish Tartare Tacos.
Specialty diet: Vegan and Vegetarian Gluten Free.
Special feature: Open kitchen and small restaurant ambiance.
Prepare yourselves for a complete experience at The Sadwobrook Restaurant because it engages all your senses and transports your mind to a relaxed atmosphere.
The Shadowbrook property dates back to 1930 when it was primarily a summer home. I'll give you a brief chronological summary of the long history, but with more than 50 years of being in business, I can't properly give the justice it deserves in this short post.
Here's a quick look at the building's long history:
In 1947, The Shadowbrook opened its doors to the public as "Romance Dining" with a maximum occupancy of 50 people. It has been expanded, repaired, and added to ever since.
In 1958, the cable car was added.
In 1972, the cupola and deck were repaired, and the furniture was replaced with antiques from the early days.
In 1978, the Garden Room Annex was connected to the main building, and the roof terrace was converted into a cocktail deck.
In 1980, the outdoor terrace was converted into a greenhouse, an extensive wine cellar, bakery, and additional kitchen were added, along with new plumbing and seismic retrofits.
In 1992, Shadowbrook Restaurant updated the hillside landscaping, waterfall, and patio pathways.
In 1994, the Redwood Room was added.
With over 50 years of history, Shadowbrook is one of the most unique restaurants in the Capitola area.
There are many whimsical dining areas, like the bar, inside by the massive fireplace, and a greenhouse, on the main floor. Outside, there's a patio and rooftop seating overlooking Soquel Creek. It does not matter where you dine; the staff is friendly and attentive, and you won't feel neglected in your area.
And now for the food!
The restaurant is a good example of California cuisine with a mix of fresh seafood, prime cuts of meat, warm home cooking, and modern variations on traditional dishes. The wine list is extensive, which is why there's a dedicated wine cellar. Ask the staff to help you pair wine with your meal for a comprehensive experience.
Try this quirky historic eatery, but make it a fun experience; after all, it was designed as a romantic destination!
Our favorites: Baked Brie, Osso Bucco, Seared Ahi, Blackened Shrimp Mac & Cheese.
Most popular: Black Truffle Gnocchi, Honey Glazed, Bone-In Pork Chop
Slow-Roasted Angus Prime Rib.
Specialty diet: Vegetarian, Vegan, and Gluten Free.
Special feature: Train cable car and complimentary pick up in their vintage cab cars.
in 1978, Gayle and Joe Ortiz decided to open a small bakery near Capitola, California. What started with ten menu items became an impressive menu five years later with over 500 different baked goods, an Italian Rosticceria, cozy eatery areas, a coffee shop, two cookbooks, and 180 employees.
Gayle's prides itself on cooking from scratch and using real ingredients in every dish. The pasta, sandwiches, and mayo are prime examples of their fresh daily creations,
Locals have embraced this place as a regular meeting spot for brunch, lunch, a quick coffee, or to catch up with friends. Tourists soon figured it out, and now it's a coveted battle in line between longtime customers and first-time visitors.
But do not be afraid of the long lines!
Gayles has developed a fun and fast service where you take a number and use the wait time to decide between the myriad of treats and dishes. Once you have collected your goodies, you can eat by the fire on the covered terrace, at the café or espresso bar, or take it to the beach for an impromptu picnic.
Our favorites: Carrot Cake, Teriyaki Salmon, Layered Polenta Casserole, Spaghetti & Meatballs, Organic Capitola Sourdough Sandwich, Old Fashioned Cinnamon Roll.
Most popular: Princess Cake, Old Fashioned Chocolate Cake, Lasagne, Bolognese, Italiano Ficelle, Bear Claw, Maple Pecan Crocodiles, Lemonade, Rotisserie Chicken Sandwich.
Specialty diet: Vegan and Vegetarian.
Special feature: Fun token system.
In the heart of Capitola is a family-run restaurant, Caruso's Tuscan Cuisine.
At Caruso's, you get the feel of an authentic Italian trattoria with simple ingredients, traditional recipes, and fresh flavors, just like Tuscan meals are meant to be served.
Capitola residents who have had the pleasure of traveling to Tuscany claim that the service and quality of the food are similar. The restaurant is small, like a regular trattoria, where waiters and diners compete for space. The menu is extensive. The ingredients are fresh. The music creates the perfect ambiance between family-loud and cozy, and the food is the heart and soul of the restaurant!
Carusos is the perfect blend of Italian chaotic and heartwarming!
Our favorites: Spaghetti Carbonara, Prosciutto E. Funghi, Bruschetta Camila, Insalata Di Spinaci and Insalata Cesare
Most popular: Salsiccia, Ravioli di Spinaci e Ricotta, Fettuccine Vodka and Gnocchi Al Forno
Specialty diet: Vegetarian
Special feature: Brick oven and daily specials
Mexican cuisine varies by region, but one thing unites all Mexicoare the tacos, quesadillas, salsa, guacamole and jarritos!
Chef Anthony Guajardo has put together a vibrant, flavorful, and colorful menu of the most popular recipes for tacos and quesadillas that you can find in any Mexican street taqueria.
Mijo's has managed to showcase authentic family recipes in a simple menu full of exquisite, fresh and traditional masterpieces that has locals and first-time diners lining up outside the doors to try them. It helps that the restaurant is located right on the beach, where you can take your meal to go and watch people brave the waves.
Our favorites: Shrimp Tacos, Shrimp Burritos, Tacos de Carnitas, Tacos al Pastor, Guacamole, Chips, and Salsa
Most popular: Bajas Fish Tacos, Mijos Tacos ,Hungos Tacos, Tinga Tacos, Quesadilla con Todo and Mijo Burrito
Specialty diet: Vegan and Vegetarian.
Special feature: Beachside and Jarritos!
Parting words!
The first thing they advise you to do when traveling is to ask a local where you are the best places to eat. Well, I am that local, and I just told you about the gems of Capitola Village!
Do not miss these eateries if you are passing through or live there and, for some reason but have never heard of them. Keep in mind that some may require you to make reservations in advance!
Enjoy your new culinary adventure!
At Live Love Santa Cruz we bring a fresh and innovative “boutique” approach to real estate in the Santa Cruz area. In the process, we make dreams come true.
Looking to sell? We will make your home SHINE. Listings like ours that are beautifully presented and professionally inspected sell faster and for more money.
Looking to buy? We help our clients write offers that WIN. We are competitors at heart and negotiators at work. We get results.
Call or email us to set up an appointment with our broker and owner, Bri Steel.
Bri Steel
Broker/Realtor® + Owner
Live Love Santa Cruz
831.200.6338
bri@livelovesantacruz.com
Bri Steel at the Live Love Santa Cruz office with her two mini Aussies Kiwi and Fiji.
