Soif is one of The 15 Best Places That Are Good for Special Occasions in Santa Cruz.

1. Soif

8.3
105 Walnut Ave (at Pacific Avenue), Santa Cruz, CA
Wine Bar · Downtown Santa Cruz · 22 tips and reviews

Julie S.Julie Scopazzi: Sign up for the classes. Amazing champagne tasting during the holidays.

Whitney S.Whitney Spagnola: Ask for Rachel. She is a GREAT server!

Lisa N.Lisa Ndukwe: AMAZING chocolate mousse!

Laili Restaurant is one of The 15 Best Places That Are Good for Special Occasions in Santa Cruz.

2. Laili Restaurant

8.7
101 Cooper St #B (btw Front and Pacific), Santa Cruz, CA
Mediterranean Restaurant · Downtown Santa Cruz · 44 tips and reviews

Sarah R.Sarah R: Get the roasted cauliflower or the trout. Good wine list. Excellent for allergies....they have a menu in the back with every single ingredient listed. Ask for it if you have allergies.

NmNm: Didn't like the chicken kabob .. Eggplant and parmesan on flatbread is recommended .. Great service .. Little pricey .. Crowded ..

NahidNahid: Get patio seating if available (gorgeous). Great food, prices in the $20-30 range for entrees.

Lillian's Italian Kitchen is one of The 15 Best Places That Are Good for Special Occasions in Santa Cruz.

3. Lillian's Italian Kitchen

8.6
1116 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
Italian Restaurant · Eastside · 30 tips and reviews

Melissa M.Melissa M: Call ahead. The wait can be long, but so worth it!! Prawns scampi and black truffle gnocchi were a hit! We ate here two nights in a row during our trip.

PaulinaPaulina: Get the black truffle gnocchi.

Lauren L.Lauren Langone: People talk about this place a lot, and it really lives up to the hype! Delicious and comforting Italian cuisine.

Rosie McCann's Irish Pub & Restaurant is one of The 15 Best Places That Are Good for Special Occasions in Santa Cruz.

4. Rosie McCann's Irish Pub & Restaurant

8.4
1220 Pacific Ave (at Walnut St), Santa Cruz, CA
Pub · Downtown Santa Cruz · 32 tips and reviews

Richard S.Richard Stewart: I went with the fish and chips this time. Nice and crispy! My wife had the lamb stew and the lamb was tender and the broth was delicious. Burgers and big, tasty and they have some great beers in tap

Eric J.Eric Jacobi: Emily. Is nice. Fun to talk to. Will joke. And has a great butt

ThreedukesThreedukes: Emily is a great waitress.

515 Kitchen & Cocktails is one of The 15 Best Places That Are Good for Special Occasions in Santa Cruz.

5. 515 Kitchen & Cocktails

8.2
515 Cedar St, Santa Cruz, CA
Lounge · Downtown Santa Cruz · 56 tips and reviews

Danielle O.Danielle Olsen: If your mind wanders, let it lead you here.....Quiet Village (one of the best cocktails on the menu).

ᴡ K.ᴡ Killam: Pretty decent happy hour, good service

Lauren L.Lauren Langone: Polenta Benedict is DELICIOUS!

The Penny Ice Creamery is one of The 15 Best Places That Are Good for Special Occasions in Santa Cruz.

6. The Penny Ice Creamery

8.8
913 Cedar St (at Locust St.), Santa Cruz, CA
Ice Cream Parlor · Downtown Santa Cruz · 75 tips and reviews

KylieKylie: My ice cream connoisseur friend says Penny is the best in the bay. Local ingredients, smooth and creamy consistency, and a constantly changing menu—what more could you ask for?

mikeymikey: Tuesday and Thursdays between 4 and 6, get a second single scoop for one penny

Ian H.Ian Hsu: Toasted marshmallow fluff topping is epic.

Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing is one of The 15 Best Places That Are Good for Special Occasions in Santa Cruz.

7. Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing

8.0
402 Ingalls St Ste 27 (btw Fair Ave and Swift Ave), Santa Cruz, CA
Brewery · Westside · 34 tips and reviews

Anton S.Anton Shuster: Awesome space. They've got a cute tap room with a brass tree in the middle. The new patio often has shows and food.

Sabina B.Sabina B.: Get the beer flight and sample all the goodness. If you're here during the colder months, get their ginger beer - it will not disappoint. The IPA is solid as well.

John G.John Gelbius: $3 brews during happy hour.

Oyunaa's Mongolian cuisine is one of The 15 Best Places That Are Good for Special Occasions in Santa Cruz.

8. Oyunaa's Mongolian cuisine

7.6
1209 Soquel Ave (Seabright Ave), Santa Cruz, CA
Mongolian Restaurant · Eastside · 10 tips and reviews

Sonia W.Sonia Wong: The lamb ribelletes are delicious! We also enjoyed the veggie dumplings and beef and noodle soup. Everything is handmade for you. The little wait is well worth it! Owners were great too.

Nick L.Nick Lachica: Lamb ribs are the best! Get there early because they'll sell out.

Alex P.Alex Price: Service was really slow, food came out randomly (only two out of five of our party had food in front of them at any one time) and portions are really small for what you pay for. Food was okay.

Crow's Nest Restaurant is one of The 15 Best Places That Are Good for Special Occasions in Santa Cruz.

9. Crow's Nest Restaurant

8.3
2218 E Cliff Dr (at 5th Ave), Santa Cruz, CA
American Restaurant · Eastside · 112 tips and reviews

David C.David Crowe Sr: The sunshine and beach. Heard the food and drinks aren't bad either. La palma is also near and good, plenty of choices in one place.

Irene K.Irene Kimmel: Sunsets are beautiful and during the holidays the sail boats in the harbor are decorated and make it very festive.

Anthony C.Anthony Cuevas: The view is priceless...

The Crepe Place is one of The 15 Best Places That Are Good for Special Occasions in Santa Cruz.

10. The Crepe Place

8.0
1134 Soquel Ave (between Seabright & Cayuga), Santa Cruz, CA
Creperie · Eastside · 41 tips and reviews

A B.A Ballesteros: Come here to enjoy the best Sunday brunch in town. The triple bypass crepe or chile relleno crepe are so savory good.

Yuri P.Yuri Parsons: order the crepe Alexander, it's super yummy

Lydia K.Lydia Klem: Great food, full bar and live music to boot! #win

Marini’s at the Wharf is one of The 15 Best Places That Are Good for Special Occasions in Santa Cruz.

11. Marini’s at the Wharf

8.5
55 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA
Dessert Shop · 2 tips and reviews

Mr. Tambourine ManMr. Tambourine Man: great espresso!!

Faryn S.Faryn Schneider: Great strawberry smoothies

La Posta is one of The 15 Best Places That Are Good for Special Occasions in Santa Cruz.

12. La Posta

7.6
538 Seabright Ave (btw Hall & Watson), Santa Cruz, CA
Italian Restaurant · Eastside · 7 tips and reviews

Judy H.Judy H: Great wine list, loved the watermelon and buratta starter. The counter is the way to go for an engaging evening.

Matt R.Matt Rodkey: Sit at the bar for great service and wonderful conversation.

Gabby H.Gabby H: House-made bread, salads are generous, pasta has good texture. (Hostess seated three new tables in green waiter’s section — didn’t work out well for us. He was great but in the weeds.)

Real Thai Kitchen is one of The 15 Best Places That Are Good for Special Occasions in Santa Cruz.

13. Real Thai Kitchen

7.9
1632 Seabright Ave (at Soquel Ave), Santa Cruz, CA
Thai Restaurant · Eastside · 12 tips and reviews

MatthiasMatthias: #thegreatamericantakeout : What I wasn‘t quite expecting was the heat... They are taking their spiciness serious! 🌶🔥👌🏼 WOW!! If you like it HOT, this is definitely a place to keep in mind! 👍🏼

Jeremy G.Jeremy Geiger: The name is accurate. This is one of the few Thai restaurants I the U.S. That my Thai wife will go to

Athonia C.Athonia Cappelli: Vegan options abound at the lunch buffet. Salad dressing has mayo but items like spicy tofu, green vegi curry & Tom Kha Tofu appear totally free of animal products. Spicy tofu is just that! Cha-chow!

Sabieng Thai Cuisine is one of The 15 Best Places That Are Good for Special Occasions in Santa Cruz.

14. Sabieng Thai Cuisine

8.3
1218 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA
Thai Restaurant · Westside · 15 tips and reviews

Greg M.Greg Monaghan: This is our go-to Thai restaurant whenever we are in, our around, Santa Cruz. Great food.

Beth K.Beth Kanter: The food is great here

James L.James Lee: They have a great lunch special

Woodstock's Pizza is one of The 15 Best Places That Are Good for Special Occasions in Santa Cruz.

15. Woodstock's Pizza

7.9
710 Front St (at Cooper St.), Santa Cruz, CA
Pizzeria · Downtown Santa Cruz · 43 tips and reviews

Rebecca T.Rebecca Tpuah: We shared half/half vegetarian and the all meat pizza. Both alright but not the best in town. Service was very good and i like that you can choose between white and wholemeal dough.

Growth H.Growth Hacker: Liter of beer...

McWishopMcWishop: Garlic bird...ke buena!!