Food & Drink

Pho-nomenal

In Watsonville, a deeply loved neighborhood spot is doing everything right, from soul-warming bowls of pho to scratch-made boba drinks to keep regulars coming back again and again.

Hot New Spot

Blue Lava Café brings French-inspired crepes, classic eggs Benedict, and locally sourced breakfasts to Capitola, taking over the former Sweet Peas space with a fresh, ocean-themed vibe.

Game of Life

A Santa Cruz Warriors game night delivers more than basketball—local food partnerships, community spirit, and a feel-good dining experience.

Cranberry & Clove

Demetria Estate’s 2023 Pantheon red delivers a sophisticated yet approachable blend, offering layers of cranberry, clove, and sour cherry in a wine made for both celebrations and quiet evenings.

For Shore

Cliffside Coffee occupies a rare locale—a postage-stamp-sized space next to storied Pleasure Point surf break and The Point Market.

Arrive and Thrive

Tucked into the historic Brookdale Lodge, Brookdale Diner channels classic midcentury Americana with a menu built on comfort and nostalgia.

Come and Get It

From buzzy brunch debuts to airport dining and free tastings, here’s a roundup of the food and drink projects shaping Santa Cruz County in 2026.

Cheesy Check

At d20 Pizza, Detroit-style pies meet board games and gastropub flair, creating a welcoming third space for Santa Cruz diners.

Exquisite Chard at Stonestreet

The 2022 Stonestreet Estate Chardonnay captures mountain-grown precision and balance, offering citrus blossom, white peach, and signature minerality.

Animal Instincts

Bad Animal—part bookstore, part wine bar, part restaurant—returns to in-house bistro cooking with chef Nick Hahn, bringing Parisian bistro flair and Santa Cruz soul to downtown.