Harbor Cafe is one of The 13 Best Places for Southern Food in Santa Cruz.

1. Harbor Cafe

9.1
535 7th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
Café · 41 tips and reviews

Yujin C.Yujin Chung: The biscuits are unbelievably good. Get one or more.

Grant S.Grant Souza: The French toast and the biscuits and gravy were amazing. Definitely recommend this place to anyone. Also is dog friendly so that's a major plus

Taylor S.Taylor Shepherd: Carnitas omelet is fantastic, along with the eggs Benedict. And you can't go wrong with bottomless mimosas on Fridays :)

Cafe Iveta is one of The 13 Best Places for Southern Food in Santa Cruz.

2. Cafe Iveta

8.4
2125 Delaware Ave (at Swift St.), Santa Cruz, CA
Café · Westside · 26 tips and reviews

Lois S.Lois Sones: The Egg Biscuits are the perfect little breakfast - a few light bites, a tiny bit of cream cheese to keep it moist, and an incredible, tasty, slightly spicy biscuit - ahhhhh!

Barbara M.Barbara Matthews: The gluten-free scones are quite light & tasty. They also carry all their scone and biscuit mixes on-site. Perfect for the day after Thanksgiving!

Barbara M.Barbara Matthews: The spicy egg biscuit is one of our faves; we get it *without* the cream cheese dollop (& of course, no bacon). Yum!

515 Kitchen & Cocktails is one of The 13 Best Places for Southern Food in Santa Cruz.

3. 515 Kitchen & Cocktails

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

AnicaAnica: berry mojitos + biscuits with veggie sausage and gravy = brunch time heaven

Allen W.Allen Wagner: Thursday night after 11pm is fried chicken! It is delicious and worth getting here early for.

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

Cafe Limelight is one of The 13 Best Places for Southern Food in Santa Cruz.

4. Cafe Limelight

8.5
1016 Cedar St, Santa Cruz, CA
Sandwich Spot · Downtown Santa Cruz · 9 tips and reviews

Ruby A.Ruby Anaya: Get the soup and half sandwich combo with a glass of freshly brewed Sweet Tea.

TaylorTaylor: On the weekend you can get chicken gumbo...Quite delicious.

Cosmo S.Cosmo Shepherd: Literally everything is good here. The tomato basil soup is bomb.

Bantam is one of The 13 Best Places for Southern Food in Santa Cruz.

5. Bantam

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

mario a.mario anima: Woodfire pizza, fried chicken, and delicious cocktails

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

Oswald is one of The 13 Best Places for Southern Food in Santa Cruz.

6. 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.

Zachary's Restaurant is one of The 13 Best Places for Southern Food in Santa Cruz.

7. Zachary's Restaurant

8.3
819 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
Breakfast Spot · Downtown Santa Cruz · 60 tips and reviews

Zach T.Zach Travis: Chili and eggs...amazing combo and the corned beef hash is absolutely amazing. Also try the cornbread.

Alex L.Alex Long: Another plug for those sourdough pancakes: Light, thin, crispy edges, and made with sourdough starter. Delicious!

Rosi M.Rosi Miramontes: Potatoes excellent! Grilled cheese awesome! Sourdough pancakes delish! Great place good service :)

Aldo's Harbor Restaurant is one of The 13 Best Places for Southern Food in Santa Cruz.

8. Aldo's Harbor Restaurant

7.4
616 Atlantic Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
Breakfast Spot · Eastside · 39 tips and reviews

Food NetworkFood Network: Guy Fieri visits this restaurant by the sea to enjoy menu favorites like the mouthwatering Chicken a la King with Buttermilk Biscuits. Read more.

Alicia R.Alicia Rogers: Delicious breakfast! Sit outside along the Harbor with the heat lamps.

Alex F.Alex Fallow: Great outdoor atmosphere and good food, but extremely slow service.

Kuumbwa Jazz is one of The 13 Best Places for Southern Food in Santa Cruz.

9. Kuumbwa Jazz

8.0
320 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz, CA
Jazz and Blues Venue · Downtown Santa Cruz · 5 tips and reviews

joanne r.joanne reiter: Love love love this place. Fabulous jazz and food

Stevie P.Stevie P: Bar has reasonably good, reasonably priced red and white wine on tap.

Matt B.Matt Berardo: Unbelievable

Sabieng Thai Cuisine is one of The 13 Best Places for Southern Food in Santa Cruz.

10. 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

Laili Restaurant is one of The 13 Best Places for Southern Food in Santa Cruz.

11. Laili Restaurant

8.6
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.

Solaire Restaurant + Bar is one of The 13 Best Places for Southern Food in Santa Cruz.

12. Solaire Restaurant + Bar

7.3
611 Ocean St, Santa Cruz, CA
Restaurant · Central Santa Cruz · 6 tips and reviews

Matthias P.Matthias P.: Mai tai is delicious!!! Bourbon Bramble was excellent. Will be back!

David P.David Polzine: Wonderful food, and great service, in Santa Cruz, that never happens.

Steffen G.Steffen Gauss: Great food and service.

Crow's Nest Restaurant is one of The 13 Best Places for Southern Food in Santa Cruz.

13. 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...