Best Acai Bowl
Samba Rock Acai Café
Players from the Warriors come in to Samba Rock almost every day to get their all-organic superfood acai bowls made with nutritious Brazilian ingredients.- Ron Wilkerson, who owns Samba Rock with his wife, was a Hall of Fame professional BMX freestyle rider. Bike riders at Samba Rock are treated to indoor bike parking.
- This year is the restaurant’s 8th anniversary.
- They started a peanut butter acai bowl (called “Ayrton Senna” on the menu), which can be made with an extra scoop of peanut butter on top.
- All their bowls are named after famous Brazilians in history. ANDREA PATTON
Players from the Warriors come in to Samba Rock almost every day to get their all-organic superfood acai bowls made with nutritious Brazilian ingredients.
Best Breakfast Santa Cruz
Zachary’s Restaurant
- In 1985, UCSC grads Tom Watson and Cathy Kriege opened Zachary’s on a historic Pacific Avenue site as a way to stay in Santa Cruz.
- The building survived the 1989 earthquake after being yellow-tagged for a nail-biting six weeks.
- All of their bakery items are made in-house, including three kinds of bread, coffee cake, scones, muffins, hamburger buns and their famous jalapeno corn bread.
- Their eggs from Glaum Ranch are certified by the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), and all of their menu items are prepared trans-fat free.
- Their one-of-a-kind sourdough pancakes and Belgian waffles are made with sour-starter dating back to the Alaskan Gold Rush. Ask the staff for the story—it’s worth it. JUNE SMITH
In 1985, UCSC grads Tom Watson and Cathy Kriege opened Zachary’s on a historic Pacific Avenue site as a way to stay in Santa Cruz.
Best Brunch
Harbor Café
- A Santa Cruz favorite for 50 years, Harbor Café was established as a local hangout for sailors and fishermen, evolving over the years into its current family-friendly reputation.
- Dogs are welcome on the patio, where they get their own brunch menu, including dog brunch favorites Lucky’s peanut butter cookies and pig ears.
- The heavily garnished spicy bloody mary is a local favorite, but they also offer a variety of mimosa flavors such as cranberry, pineapple, lemonade, and classic orange.
- Every day of the week there is a daily special, and their menu features local ingredients and products whenever possible.
- For $5 on Wednesdays, you can get a basic breakfast (bacon is $2 extra), and happy hour lasts all day. AP
A Santa Cruz favorite for 50 years, Harbor Café was established as a local hangout for sailors and fishermen, evolving over the years into its current family-friendly reputation.
Best Cookie
Pacific Cookie Company
- Founded in 1980 by Larry and Shelly Pearson, with the goal of making the best, most affordable cookie in town.
- Fresh dough baked continuously throughout the day ensures a cookie straight from the oven.
- Cookies can be paired in-store with locally roasted coffee or Marianne’s ice cream, which is offered in 17 seasonal flavors.
- They also carry Mariposa Bakery’s artisan-crafted gluten-free, dairy-free and nut-free cookies.
- “Secret words” and giveaways can be found on Pacific Cookie Company’s Facebook page. JS
Founded in 1980 by Larry and Shelly Pearson, with the goal of making the best, most affordable cookie in town.
Best Cupcakes
Buttercup Cakes
- Jan Wilson’s family business encompasses three generations, including her daughter Carren and granddaughter Hannah.
- Buttercup’s cupcakes are made from local organic ingredients prepared with no artificial coloring or flavoring.
- Savory lunch or brunch items are ready at 8 a.m. with cupcakes available by 10 a.m.
- Besides their $4 cupcakes and $2 mini-cupcakes, their packaged frosting is sold by pre-order.
- Cake-decorating classes are held throughout the year. JS
Jan Wilson’s family business encompasses three generations, including her daughter Carren and granddaughter Hannah.
Best Sushi
Mobo Sushi
- Mobo’s slogan is “Mind Altering Sushi,” which, because food and the act of eating are psychoactive, is literally true. It might have something to do with the sake bombs, too.
- Their most popular sushi roll is the Crunch Dragon, and their most exotic is arguably the Fancy Rainbow Roll.
- “Mobo” is what Japanese boys in the 1920s who adopted Western clothes and ideals called themselves.
- Mobo is famous for its sake bomb dominos on Friday and Saturday nights, in which a row of sake glasses knock each other into mugs of beer, which guests with proper ID then get to drink for free. The current record is 151, and, really, it’s a game that everyone wins.
- There is a “roll your own” sushi option on the menu so guests can express their creativity and show exactly how they roll. ANDREW STEINGRUBE
Mobo’s slogan is “Mind Altering Sushi,” which, because food and the act of eating are psychoactive, is literally true. It might have something to do with the sake bombs, too.
Best Hawaiian Cuisine
Pono
- Pono is a Hawaiian word and guiding principle that means to live with good morality and overall goodness, not only in personal and community relationships, but also in being good stewards of the Aina (land), Kai (ocean) and Honua (earth.)
- Their food truck, Holopono, serves many special menu items that are not served in the restaurant. The truck can be found on Instagram and Twitter at Holoponosc.
- Pono has live music every night. Friday nights are Island Vibe Fridays, featuring classic Hawaiian sounds and sometimes hula dancing.
- Yes, they have delicious poke, but they also serve an authentic Hawaiian plate lunch menu, which includes family-recipe teriyaki sauce, their own slow-roasted pork, and lau lau (taro or banana leaf stuffed with kahlua pork and fish).
- Your friends will never know that you staycationed when you post pictures from their propped photo booth. AP
Pono is a Hawaiian word and guiding principle that means to live with good morality and overall goodness, not only in personal and community relationships, but also in being good stewards of the Aina (land), Kai (ocean) and Honua (earth.)
Best Mexican Cuisine — Watsonville
Cilantros Parrilla y Cantina
- The sope shells at Cilantros puff into a delicious pastry, unlike the more common flat cakes available elsewhere.
- They serve both family recipes—such as their famed aged skirt steak and homemade corn tortillas—and twists on contemporary favorites including ahi salad and a variety of fresh seafood.
- Bartenders whip up house specialties like el heffe, palomas and chavela, and Cilantros is known for its big tequila selection.
- Tuesday happy hours feature a live broadcast by KPIG with raffle prizes.
- There is mariachi music on Friday nights, and champagne brunch until 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. AP
The sope shells at Cilantros puff into a delicious pastry, unlike the more common flat cakes available elsewhere.
Best New Restaurant
Home
- Co-owner Brad Briske was opening chef for Main Street Garden, which was once located in this spot—giving special meaning to the new restaurant’s name.
- The dynamic menu changes daily, seasonally and according to what the local farmers markets are offering, but one thing is consistent: handmade pastas are made fresh every day.
- They are opening an outdoor patio in May near the garden, with the option of picnic-style seating on the grass. Also outside is a wood-fired pizza oven and, soon, a wood-fired grill.
- The menu always includes several small plate options for sharing so that guests can experience the bold flavor combinations for which Home is known.
- For $70 (and with a 24-hour reservation), diners can enjoy a nightly tasting menu served to small groups at a communal table in a side room of the restaurant. AP
Co-owner Brad Briske was opening chef for Main Street Garden, which was once located in this spot—giving special meaning to the new restaurant’s name.
Best Restaurant – Watsonville
Ella’s at the Airport
- Ella King opened her fine-dining restaurant in the terminal in 2015, after running Café Ella for seven years.
- The menu features sustainable seafood, grass-fed beef, and area wines.
- There is live jazz every Sunday night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Weekly brunch (9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) features some unusual items, like ricotta pancakes.
- A plan for five-course wine dinners is in the works. JS
Ella King opened her fine-dining restaurant in the terminal in 2015, after running Café Ella for seven years.
Acai Bowl
Samba Rock Acai Café
291 Water St., Santa Cruz,
458-2224
RUNNERS-UP Amazon Juice, Café Brasil
Appetizers
Crow’s Nest
2218 E. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, 476-4560, crowsnest-santacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Hula’s Island Grill, Shadowbrook Restaurant
Bagel
Bagelry
320 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, 429-8049;
1636 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, 425-8550;
4763 Soquel Drive, Soquel, 462-9888
RUNNERS-UP Bagel Café & Bakery, Main Street Bagels
Bakery
The Buttery
702 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 458-3020, butterybakery.com
RUNNERS-UP Companion Bakeshop, Gayle’s Bakery
Barbecue
Aptos St. BBQ
8059 Aptos St., Aptos, 662-1721, aptosstbbq.com
RUNNERS-UP Cole’s BBQ & Catering, Mission St. BBQ
Bar Food
515 Kitchen & Cocktails
| 515 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, 425-5051, 515santacruz.com |
RUNNERS-UP Crow’s Nest, Parish Publick House
Bread
Companion Bakeshop
2341 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 252-2253, campanionbakeshop.com
RUNNERS-UP The Buttery, Gayle’s Bakery
Breakfast
Santa Cruz
Zachary’s Restaurant
819 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 427-0646, zacharyssantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Harbor Café, Walnut Avenue Café
Aptos / Soquel
Red Apple Café
783 Rio Del Mar Blvd., Aptos, 685-1224, redappleaptos.com
RUNNERS-UP Silver Spur, Sunrise Café
Capitola
Gayle’s Bakery
504 Bay Ave., Capitola, 462-1200, gaylesbakery.com
RUNNERS-UP Avenue Café, Cliff Café
San Lorenzo
Auntie Mame’s
3103 Scotts Valley Dr., Scotts Valley, 438-1840
RUNNERS-UP Heavenly Roadside Café, Mollie’s Country Café
Watsonville
Red Apple Café
589 Auto Center Drive, Watsonville, 761-9551
RUNNERS-UP Café Ella, Cowboys Corner Café
Brunch
Harbor Café
535 7th Ave., Santa Cruz, 475-4948, harborcafesantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP 515 Kitchen & Cocktails, Chaminade
Burger
Santa Cruz
Betty Burgers
505 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-8190, bettyburgers.com
1222 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 600-7056
RUNNERS-UP burger., Jack’s Hamburgers
Aptos/Soquel
burger.
7941 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 662-2811, burgeraptos.com
RUNNERS-UP Carpo’s, The Hideout
Capitola
Betty Burgers
1000 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 475-5901, bettyburgers.com
RUNNERS-UP East End Gastropub, Paradise Beach Grille
San Lorenzo Valley
Malone’s Grille
4402 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, 438-2244, malonesgrille.com
RUNNERS-UP Cowboy Bar & Grill, Cremer House
Watsonville
Wooden Nickel
1819 Freedom Blvd., Freedom, 724-2600
RUNNERS-UP Ella’s at the Airport, Main Street Burgers
Burrito
Santa Cruz
Tacos Moreno
1053 Water St., Santa Cruz, 429-6095
RUNNERS-UP El Palomar, Taqueria Vallarta
Aptos/Soquel
Taqueria Los Gordos
7488 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 688-0911, taquerialosgordos.com
RUNNERS-UP El Chipotle, Manuel’s
Capitola
Tacos Moreno
1601 41st Ave.,Capitola, 464-8810
RUNNERS-UP El Toro Bravo, Taqueria Vallarta
San Lorenzo Valley
Los Gallos Taqueria
18 Victor Square, Ste. A, Scotts Valley, 439-9803
RUNNERS-UP Maya Mexican Restaurant, Taqueria Vallarta
Watsonville
El Frijolito
11 Alexander St., Watsonville, 724-8823
RUNNERS-UP Cilantros Parrilla y Cantina, Super Taqueria
Calamari
Crow’s Nest
2218 E Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, 476-4560, crowsnest-santacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Riva Fish House, West End Tap & Kitchen
Caterer
Local Harvest Catering
504A Front St., Santa Cruz, 818-8482, localharvestcatering.com
RUNNERS-UP Barbara & Co. Catering, Feast for a King Catering
Cheap Eats
Charlie Hong Kong
1141 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-5664, charliehongkong.com
RUNNERS-UP Carpo’s Restaurant, Taqueria Vallarta
Cheese Selection
New Leaf Community Markets
1101 Fair Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-1306
1134 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 425-1793
1210 41st Ave., Capitola, 479-7987
RUNNERS-UP Deluxe Foods, Staff of Life Market
Chinese
O’Mei
2316 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 425-8458, omeichow.com
RUNNERS-UP ABC Chinese Restaurant, Panda Inn
Chocolatier
Donnelly’s Chocolates
1509 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 458-4214, donnellychocolates.com
RUNNERS-UP Chocolate, Mackenzies Chocolates
Clam Chowder
Stagnaro Brothers
59 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, 423-2180, stagnarobros.com
RUNNERS-UP Crow’s Nest, Riva Fish House
Coffeehouse (Independent)
Verve Coffee Roasters
1540 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 600-7784
816 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 475-7776
104 Bronson St., Santa Cruz, 464-8141
vervecoffeeroasters.com
RUNNERS-UP Cat & Cloud, Lulu Carpenter’s
Cookies
Pacific Cookie Company
1203 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 429-6905, pacificcookie.com
RUNNERS-UP The Buttery, Gayle’s Bakery
Cupcakes
Buttercup Cakes & Farmhouse Frosting
1411 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 466-0373, farmhousefrosting.com
RUNNERS-UP The Buttery, Cutesy Cupcakes
Date Night Restaurant
Santa Cruz
Laili
101 Cooper St., Santa Cruz, 423-4545, lailirestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Crow’s Nest, Oswald
Aptos/Soquel
Bittersweet Bistro
787 Rio Del Mar Blvd., Aptos, 662-9799, bittersweetbistro.com
RUNNERS-UP Café Cruz, Café Sparrow, The Hideout
Capitola
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf Road, Capitola, 475-1511
RUNNERS-UP Bella Roma, Paradise Beach Grille
San Lorenzo
Cremer House
6256 Hwy. 9, Felton, 335-3976, cremerhouse.com
RUNNERS-UP Casa Nostra, Malone’s Grille
Watsonville
Ella’s at the Airport
100 Aviation Way., Watsonville, 728-3282, ellasinwatsonville.com
RUNNERS-UP California Grill, Cilantros Parrilla y Cantina
Deli
Zoccoli’s Deli
1534 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-1711, zoccolis.com
RUNNERS-UP Erik’s DeliCafe, Garden Deli
Desserts (Bakery)
The Buttery
702 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 458-3020, butterybakery.com
RUNNERS-UP Gayle’s Bakery, Kelly’s French Bakery
Desserts (Restaurant)
Bittersweet Bistro
787 Rio Del Mar Blvd., Aptos, 662-9799, bittersweetbistro.com
RUNNERS-UP Chocolate, Shadowbrook Restaurant
Donut Shop
Ferrell’s Donuts
| 2227 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 457-2760 |
RUNNERS-UP Allbright’s Donut Shoppe, Dunlap Donuts
Falafel
Falafel of Santa Cruz
1501 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 459-0486, falafelofsantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Falafel House, Zameen Mediterranean Cuisine
French Fries
Betty Burgers
1000 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 475-5901
505 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-8190
1222 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 600-7056
RUNNERS-UP burger., 515 Kitchen & Cocktails
Frozen Yogurt
Yogurtland
1955 41st Ave., Ste. A4, Capitola, 462-3100
2117 Mission St., Santa Cruz, yogurt-land.com
RUNNERS-UP Juicy Sweet, Top-A-Lot Yogurt
Greek
Vasili’s Greek Restaurant
1501A Mission St., Santa Cruz, 458-9808, vasilisgreekrestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Mozaic, Zameen Mediterranean Cuisine
Hawaiian Cuisine
Pono Hawaiian Grill
120 Union St., Santa Cruz, 426-7666, ponohawaiiangrill.com
RUNNERS-UP Aloha Island Grille, Hula’s Island Grill
Hot Dog
Gary’s Snappy Dogs
930 Almar Ave., Santa Cruz, 295-3610
RUNNERS-UP Happy Dog, Taylor Bros Hot Dogs
Ice Cream
Marianne’s
1020 Ocean St., Santa Cruz, 458-1447
218 State Park Drive, Aptos, 713-4746
RUNNERS-UP Mission Hill Creamery, Penny Ice Creamery
Indian Cuisine
Ambrosia India Bistro
207 Sea Ridge Road, Aptos, 685-0610, ambrosiaib.com
RUNNERS-UP Maharaja, Sitar Indian Cuisine
Italian Cuisine
Lillian’s Italian Kitchen
1148 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, 425-2288, lilliansitaliankitchen.com
RUNNERS-UP Ristorante Avanti, Ristorante Italiano
Juice Bar / Smoothies
New Leaf Community Markets
1101 Fair Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-1306
1134 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 425-1793
1210 41st Ave., Capitola, 479-7987
RUNNERS-UP Amazon Juices, Juicy Sweet
Kid-Friendly Eatery
Carpo’s
2400 Porter St., Soquel, 476-6260, carposrestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Kianti’s Pizza & Pasta Bar, East Side Eatery
Late-Night Eatery
Saturn Café
145 Laurel St., Santa Cruz, 429-8505, saturncafe.com
RUNNERS-UP Crepe Place, Santa Cruz Diner
Mediterranean Cuisine
Laili
101 Cooper St., Santa Cruz, 423-4545, lailiresteraunt.com
RUNNERS-UP Mozaic, Zameen Mediterranean Cuisine
Mexican Cuisine
Santa Cruz
El Palomar
1336 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 425-7575, elpalomarsantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Casa Rosita’s, El Jardín
Aptos / Soquel
Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant
261 Center Ave., Aptos, 688-4848, manuelsrestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Palapas Restaurant y Cantina, Tortilla Flats
Capitola
El Toro Bravo
123 Monterey Ave., Capitola, 480-7544
RUNNER-UP Margaritaville
San Lorenzo Valley
Maya Mexican Restaurant
3115 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, 438-7004
RUNNERS-UP Café Carlos, Los Gallos
Watsonville
Cilantros Parrilla y Cantina
1934 Main St., Watsonville, 761-2161, elpalomarcilantros.com
RUNNERS-UP El Frijolito, Jalisco Restaurant
Middle Eastern
Laili
101 Cooper St., Santa Cruz, 423-4545, lailirestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Mozaic, Zameen Mediterranean Cuisine
New Restaurant
Home
3101 N. Main, Soquel, 431-6131, homesoquel.com
RUNNERS-UP East End Gastropub, Ulterior
Patio Dining
Santa Cruz
Laili
101 Cooper St., Santa Cruz, 423-4545, lailirestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Crepe Place, Crow’s Nest
Aptos / Soquel
Bittersweet Bistro
787 Rio Del Mar Blvd., Aptos, 662-9799, bittersweetbistro.com
RUNNERS-UP Café Cruz, The Hideout
Capitola
Paradise Beach Grille
215 Esplanade, Capitola, 476-4900, paradisebeachgrille.com
RUNNERS-UP Shadowbrook Restaurant, Zelda’s on the Beach
San Lorenzo
Cremer House
6256 Hwy. 9, Felton, 335-3976, thecremerhouse.com
RUNNERS-UP Cowboy Bar & Grill, Malone’s Grille
Watsonville
Ella’s at the Airport
100 Aviation Way, Watsonville, 728-3282, ellasinwatsonville.com
RUNNERS-UP Cilantros Parrilla y Cantina, Jalisco Restaurant
Pizza
Santa Cruz
Pizza My Heart
1116 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-2511, pizzamyheart.com
RUNNERS-UP Pleasure Pizza, Woodstock’s Pizza
Aptos/Soquel
Pizza 1
253 Center Ave., Aptos, 684-110, pizza-1.com
RUNNERS-UP Mangiamo Pizza & Wine Bar, Showtime Pizza
Capitola
Pizza My Heart
2180 41st Ave., Capitola, 475-6000
209 Esplanade, Capitola, 475-5714,
pizzamyheart.com
RUNNERS-UP East End Gastropub, Pleasure Pizza
San Lorenzo
Redwood Pizzeria
6205 Hwy. 9, Felton, 335-1500, redwoodpizza.com
RUNNERS-UP Boulder Creek Pizza & Pub, Tony & Alba’s
Watsonville
Cassidy’s Pizza
1400 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville, 724-2271, cassidyspizza.net
RUNNERS-UP Big J’s Pizza, Ella’s at the Airport
Restaurant
Santa Cruz
Crow’s Nest
2218 E. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, 476-4560, crowsnestsantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Laili, Lillian’s Italian Kitchen, Oswald
Aptos/Soquel
Café Sparrow
8042 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 688-6238, cafesparrow.com
RUNNERS-UP Bittersweet Bistro, The Hideout
Capitola
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf Road, Capitola, 475-1511
RUNNERS-UP East End Gastropub, Paradise Beach Grille
San Lorenzo
Cremer House
6256 Hwy. 9, Felton, 335-3976, cremerhouse.com
RUNNERS-UP Casa Nostra, Scopazzi’s
Scotts Valley
Malone’s Grille
4402 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, 438-2244, malonesgrille.com
RUNNERS-UP Mint, Otoro Sushi
Soquel
Café Cruz
2621 41st Ave., Soquel, 476-3801, cafecruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Home, Tortilla Flats
Watsonville
Ella’s at the Airport
100 Aviation Way, Watsonville, 728-3282, ellasinwatsonville.com
RUNNERS-UP California Grill, Cilantros Parrilla y Cantina
Salad
Crow’s Nest
2218 E Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, 476-4560, crowsnest-santacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Carpo’s, Dharma’s
Sandwich
Zoccoli’s
1534 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-1711, zoccolis.com
RUNNERS-UP Garden Deli, Surf City Sandwich
Seafood
Santa Cruz
Stagnaro Bros.
59 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, 423-2180, stagnarobros.com
RUNNERS-UP Crow’s Nest, Riva Fish House
Aptos/Soquel
Café Rio
131 Esplanade, Aptos, 688-8917, caferioaptos.com
RUNNERS-UP Café Cruz, Palapas Restaurant & Cantina
Capitola
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf Road, 475-1511, shadowbrook-capitola.com
RUNNERS-UP Paradise Beach Grille, Zelda’s
San Lorenzo/Scotts Valley
Otoro
235 Mt. Hermon Road, #G, Scotts Valley, 440-9040
RUNNERS-UP Casa Nostra, Rumble Fish
Watsonville
Fish House Bar & Grill
972 Main St., Watsonville, 728-3333, fishhousewatsonville.com
RUNNERS-UP Ella’s at the Airport, La Perla del Pacifico
Small Plates
515 Kitchen & Cocktails
515 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, 425-5051, 515santacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Lúpulo Craft Beer House, Soif
Soup
Erik’s DeliCafé
1475 41st Ave., Capitola, 475-4646
1664 Soquel Drive, Santa Cruz, 462-1919
155 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz, 425-5353
RUNNERS-UP Betty’s Noodle House, New Leaf Community Markets
Steak
Hindquarter Bar & Grille
303 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-7770, thehindquarter.com
RUNNERS-UP Café Cruz, Shadowbrook Restaurant
Sushi/Japanese
Santa Cruz
Mobo
105 River St., Santa Cruz, 425-1700, mobosushirestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Akira, Shogun
Aptos/Soquel
Bittersweet Bistro
787 Rio Del Mar Blvd., Aptos, 662-9799, bittersweetbistro.com
Capitola
Sushi Garden
820 Bay Ave., #148, Capitola, 464-9192, sushi-garden.com
RUNNERS-UP Geisha Japanese Restaurant and Tea House, Takara
San Lorenzo
Otoro
235 Mt. Hermon Road, #G, Scotts Valley, 440-9040
RUNNERS-UP Rumble Fish, Sushi Garden
Watsonville
Miyuki Restaurant
452 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville, 728-1620
RUNNERS-UP Imura, Sushi Garden
Taqueria
Santa Cruz
Taqueria Vallarta
608 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 457-8226;
1121 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 426-7240, taqueriavallartaonline.com
RUNNERS-UP Taqueria Los Pericos, Tacos Moreno
Aptos/Soquel
Taqueria Los Gordos
7488 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 688-0911
RUNNERS-UP El Chipotle, Sofia’s
Capitola
Tacos Moreno
1601 41st Ave. W., Capitola, 464-8810
RUNNERS-UP Taqueria Tepeque, Taqueria Vallerta
San Lorenzo Valley
Los Gallos
243 Mt. Hermon Road #A, Scotts Valley, 439-9507
RUNNERS-UP Los Amigos, Salsa’s
Watsonville
El Frijolito
11 Alexander St., Watsonville, 724-8823
RUNNERS-UP Mi Tierra, Super Taqueria
Tea House
Hidden Peak
1541 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-4200, hiddenpeakteahouse.com
RUNNERS-UP Tea House Spa, Well Within Spa
Thai Cuisine
Sawasdee
101 Main St., Santa Cruz, 466-9009, sawasdeesoquel.com
RUNNERS-UP Real Thai, Sabieng
Vegetarian
Dharma’s
4250 Capitola Road, Capitola, 462-1717, dharmasrestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Café Gratitude, Saturn Café
Winery
Bargetto Winery
3535 N. Main St., Soquel, 475-2258, bargetto.com
RUNNERS-UP Alfaro’s Winery, MJA Vineyards
Wine List
Soif
105 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-2020, soifwine.com
RUNNERS-UP Oswald, Shadowbrook Restaurant
Wine Selection (Retail)
Shopper’s Corner
622 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-1398, shopperscorner.com
RUNNERS-UP New Leaf Community Markets, Soif
