1. 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
Randall Nacamuli: The ice creams are fabulous, current favorites are the mint w/ cacao nib, the caramel, and the raspberry rose sorbet. The Earl Grey bon bon is superb as well.
Jeff Bowen: Try the mint chocolate chip. It's made with actual mint leaves.
Christe Farm: This place has good ice cream but there fresh mint is fresh mint warn you, and so it isn't appealing to most including me.... But they do have a very special topping- 'burnt' marshmallow topping
8. Harbor Cafe
9.1
535 7th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
Café · 41 tips and reviews
Taylor Shepherd: Carnitas omelet is fantastic, along with the eggs Benedict. And you can't go wrong with bottomless mimosas on Fridays :)
Nick Piper: Bottomless mimosas Friday
Sondra Baca: Everything here is deeelish!! The Avocado Bene, Veggie scramble and Mimosa Fridays is the best. Plus the staff is great!
9. 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: 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.
Nm: Didn't like the chicken kabob .. Eggplant and parmesan on flatbread is recommended .. Great service .. Little pricey .. Crowded ..
Nahid: Get patio seating if available (gorgeous). Great food, prices in the $20-30 range for entrees.
11. Real Thai Kitchen
7.9
1632 Seabright Ave (at Soquel Ave), Santa Cruz, CA
Thai Restaurant · Eastside · 12 tips and reviews
Matthias: #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 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 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!
12. Bantam
8.0
1010 Fair Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
Pizzeria · Westside · 16 tips and reviews
Shannon Madison: Probably my favorite Santa Cruz restaurant. Great wine, great snacks (the olives are addictive!), great pizza
Jamie Pagels: What’s good: Chickpea farinata pizza with ricotta and rocket pesto, soppressata pizza with mozzarella and spicy honey
Sid Boz: Great salads and pizza. Delicious beers on tap. Good vibe.
13. La Posta
7.7
538 Seabright Ave (btw Hall & Watson), Santa Cruz, CA
Italian Restaurant · Eastside · 7 tips and reviews
Judy H: Great wine list, loved the watermelon and buratta starter. The counter is the way to go for an engaging evening.
Matt Rodkey: Sit at the bar for great service and wonderful conversation.
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.)