Oswald is one of The 15 Best Romantic Places in Santa Cruz.

1. Oswald

8.7
121 Soquel Ave (at Front St.), Santa Cruz, CA
American Restaurant · Downtown Santa Cruz · 14 tips and reviews

Mimsie L.Mimsie Lemar: Sit at the bar... Great bar food. You want quiet and intimate get a table... Beautiful Santa Cruz Food!!!

Rick H.Rick Hartley: The burgers with blue cheese and caramelized onions are the best. Great cocktails too.

Tyler F.Tyler Fox: Delicious food and very legit portions! A great night out.

Crow's Nest Restaurant is one of The 15 Best Romantic Places in Santa Cruz.

2. Crow's Nest Restaurant

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

Aditi M.Aditi Modak: The view from the patio is amazing. Crab cakes and patrale sole was simply delicious. Nice place to go for a romantic evening

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.

Laili Restaurant is one of The 15 Best Romantic Places in Santa Cruz.

3. 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.

The Crepe Place is one of The 15 Best Romantic Places in Santa Cruz.

4. The Crepe Place

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

kaleb a.kaleb askew: A nice, intimate venue filled with wonderful Crepe aroma.

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

515 Kitchen & Cocktails is one of The 15 Best Romantic Places 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!

Lillian's Italian Kitchen is one of The 15 Best Romantic Places in Santa Cruz.

6. 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.

Soif is one of The 15 Best Romantic Places in Santa Cruz.

7. 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!

The Buttery is one of The 15 Best Romantic Places in Santa Cruz.

8. The Buttery

8.7
702 Soquel Ave (Branciforte Ave), Santa Cruz, CA
Bakery · Eastside · 47 tips and reviews

Nate C.Nate Calderon: The best in town! Carrot Cake, Devils Food Cake, Sandwiches, Salads, Mocha's & Croissants. The list goes on... Just an all around fantastic place to hang out at! The barista's know what they're doing!

Sarah W.Sarah Williams: Eggs Benedict. All you need to know.

Brenna G.Brenna G: Wow. Four staff standing behind the counter, no one waiting, and you won't help me until I walk across the store, take a number from your machine, and walk back to the counter?

La Posta is one of The 15 Best Romantic Places in Santa Cruz.

9. 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.)

Moe's Alley is one of The 15 Best Romantic Places in Santa Cruz.

10. Moe's Alley

8.6
1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz, CA
Dive Bar · 5 tips and reviews

Steph M.Steph M: The bands are great, bartenders...depends on the night.

Marina C.Marina Cazorla: Some great seats near the stage if you get here early.

RemezclaRemezcla: Join the Bay Area’s cumbia band, La Misa Negra and Flor De Caña for a Latin Double Bill Dance Party at Moe’s Alley in Santa Cruz on January 30, 2015. Read more.

Twin Lakes State Beach is one of The 15 Best Romantic Places in Santa Cruz.

11. Twin Lakes State Beach

9.2
East Cliff Dr (7th Ave), Santa Cruz, CA
Beach · 20 tips and reviews

Damian T.Damian Tompkin: One of my favorite beaches. Family friendly and good food right in the beach front.

USA TODAYUSA TODAY: Credit for stand-up paddle boarding here goes to local supermodel Marisa Miller who has her own line of boards. Perfect place for getting out on the water and some surf is easy enough for beginners. Read more.

Morgan C.Morgan C.: Beautiful spot for sunrise!

Oyunaa's Mongolian cuisine is one of The 15 Best Romantic Places in Santa Cruz.

12. 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.

Gabriella Cafe is one of The 15 Best Romantic Places in Santa Cruz.

13. Gabriella Cafe

7.4
910 Cedar St, Santa Cruz, CA
New American Restaurant · Downtown Santa Cruz · 12 tips and reviews

Diana C.Diana Cartwright: The TreS is a great lunch pick. Bonus on the pizzetta today-artichokes!

DuncanDuncan: Iced water is to die for.

DD: The brussels sprouts were very good.

Bantam is one of The 15 Best Romantic Places in Santa Cruz.

14. Bantam

8.0
1010 Fair Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
Pizzeria · Westside · 16 tips and reviews

Shannon M.Shannon Madison: Probably my favorite Santa Cruz restaurant. Great wine, great snacks (the olives are addictive!), great pizza

Jamie P.Jamie Pagels: What’s good: Chickpea farinata pizza with ricotta and rocket pesto, soppressata pizza with mozzarella and spicy honey

Sid B.Sid Boz: Great salads and pizza. Delicious beers on tap. Good vibe.

Jack O'Neill Lounge is one of The 15 Best Romantic Places in Santa Cruz.

15. Jack O'Neill Lounge

7.7
175 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA
Lounge · Westside · 8 tips and reviews

Odile R.Odile Roujol: Take the table outside looking at the peer. Enjoy the crab cake , the mussels, and the octopus.

Athonia C.Athonia Cappelli: Brazilian Samba trios play here on alternating Thursday & Saturday nights. Call in advance though to verify. Respect.

Aisha O.Aisha Owens: Live music on Thursday & Saturday nights!