Best Bread
Companion Bakeshop
Companion was founded in 2006 by self-taught baker Erin Lampel, opened its Westside location in 2010, and now has about 30 employees.- Lampel found her “companion” Jeremy in 2008. He is a coffee lover, business partner and co-manager, and also works full-time as a registered dietitian.
- Their most popular bread is their Light and Fluffy Super Sourdough; it sells out often and is also their largest loaf.
- The bakery offers workshops that teach homebakers how to make a variety of breads and pastries at home.
- Companion also prepares their own spreads—including hummus, cream cheese and avocado—and house-made preserved items such as marmalades, jams and quick-pickled radishes and beets. ANDREW STEINGRUBE
Companion was founded in 2006 by self-taught baker Erin Lampel, opened its Westside location in 2010, and now has about 30 employees.
Best Breakfast San Lorenzo/Scotts Valley
Mollie’s Country Café
- Mollie’s is a dog-friendly restaurant that encourages customers to bring their pups with them to the outside patio.
- Breakfast is served all day; they are most famous for “The Hungry One” breakfast that includes three pancakes; two eggs any style; a choice of bacon, sausage, or ham; and potatoes.
- The tri-tip-steak-and-egg breakfast is also very popular.
- There is an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet on Saturdays and Sundays.
- The popular Scotts Valley café supports many local charities and organizations. AS
Breakfast is served all day; they are most famous for “The Hungry One” breakfast that includes three pancakes; two eggs any style; a choice of bacon, sausage, or ham; and potatoes.
Best Burrito
Planet Fresh
- Planet Fresh offers not only traditional burritos like chicken, steak and pork, but also barbecue and Cajun-style burritos as well.
- In Spanish, the word “burrito” means “little donkey,” and there are multiple theories as to the exact origin of the food item and how it got its name.
- Their most outside-the-box burrito is the Pacific Rim ($8.75), which features fresh chicken breast with zucchini, corn, carrots, marinated shrimp, and fresh ginger teriyaki pineapple sauce.
- They recently started offering bottled beer.
- Besides burritos, Planet Fresh also offers quesadillas, tostadas, burrito bowls, nachos, and tubular, crispy rolled tacos. AS
In Spanish, the word “burrito” means “little donkey,” and there are multiple theories as to the exact origin of the food item and how it got its name.
Best Date Night Capitola
Shadowbrook
- If a couple in their 20s had their first date at Shadowbrook when it opened in 1947, they would now be in their 90s today (and hopefully still together).
- The owners of the Capitola fixture continue to modernize and renovate the restaurant’s one-of-a-kind atmosphere, staying current while retaining a classic feel.
- Shadowbrook offers complimentary shuttle service in an old-school taxi cab every night of the week within a three-mile radius.
- Many famous athletes and celebrities have dined at Shadowbrook over the years.
- Shadowbrook was originally one dining room with fewer than 10 tables, and now features seven dining rooms, three patios, and a bar and lounge. AS
The owners of the Capitola fixture continue to modernize and renovate the restaurant’s one-of-a-kind atmosphere, staying current while retaining a classic feel.
Best Deli
Zoccoli’s
- Zoccoli’s was opened in 1948 by two Italian immigrants, Robert and Augusta Zoccoli, in the same downtown location where the deli still resides.
- It is still operated by the Zoccoli family, now in its third generation of owners, making it one of the oldest family-run businesses in all of Santa Cruz.
- The deli also serves pastas—including spaghetti, lasagna, and ravioli—with homemade sauces that draw rave reviews from locals.
- Zoccoli’s uses a famous, authentic, and highly secret family recipe for tiramisu, a classic Italian dessert that is one of their most popular items.
- In Italian, “tiramisu” means to “pick me up”—which is literally what its mixture of espresso-soaked lady finger cookies, mascarpone cheese, eggs, sugar, and cocoa will do. AS
It is still operated by the Zoccoli family, now in its third generation of owners, making it one of the oldest family-run businesses in all of Santa Cruz.
Best Falafel
Falafel House
- Falafel House has been serving Middle Eastern food favorites at its current location for 21 years, and for 35 years total in Santa Cruz.
- Quick primer on a falafel wrap: it’s basically a vegetarian Middle Eastern sandwich in a pita featuring falafel balls—which are made of fried chickpeas and spices—along with tahini sauce and vegetables.
- Tahini sauce is a condiment made from sesame seeds that typically also contains garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and yogurt. Falafel House also makes a non-dairy tahini.
- Also on the menu is baba ganoush, which is not only fun to say, but also an eggplant dip flavored with tahini, garlic, yogurt, lemon juice, and special seasonings.
- In addition to their famous falafels, the longtime downtown spot also offers salads, veggie burgers, hamburgers, gyros and chicken shawarma. AS
Quick primer on a falafel wrap: it’s basically a vegetarian Middle Eastern sandwich in a pita featuring falafel balls—which are made of fried chickpeas and spices—along with tahini sauce and vegetables.
Best Greek
Vasili’s
- Vasili’s has been offering fresh and authentic Greek food at its Mission Street location since 1991.
- The most popular menu items are gyros and souvlaki plates (grilled meats, salad, rice, pita, and tzatziki), and they also offer gluten-free and vegan items as well.
- Their Saganaki dish is Kasseri cheese (similar to a softer parmesan) that is breaded and fried in butter (!), splashed with brandy (!!), and served literally flaming at the table (!!!).
- “Opa” is the Greek equivalent to the English “cheers” or “hooray,” and is a good word to use when enjoying their selection of wine and beer—or when you hear a glass break.
- Vasili’s offers a happy hour Monday through Thursday from 3-6 p.m., with half off all appetizers and $2 off wine and beer. Opa, indeed. AS
The most popular menu items are gyros and souvlaki plates (grilled meats, salad, rice, pita, and tzatziki), and they also offer gluten-free and vegan items as well.
Best New Restaurant
Sotola Bar & Grill
- Sotola was founded exactly one year ago by Adam and Ashley Bernardi.
- The restaurant’s name comes from a combination of Capitola and Soquel—two villages which back in 1929 flirted with the idea of merging townships.
- Chef Anthony Kresge once worked at the original India Joze restaurant.
- The cypress wood dining tables in the restaurant are handmade by Adam Bernardi.
- Sotola is perched over the confluence of two bodies of water—the Soquel Creek estuary and the Monterey Bay. CHRISTINA WATERS
The restaurant’s name comes from a combination of Capitola and Soquel—two villages which back in 1929 flirted with the idea of merging townships.
Best Pizza Watsonville
Cassidy’s Pizza
- Not much has changed in the décor or on the menu at Cassidy’s since it first opened in 1970—and loyal customers like it that way.
- This old-school pizza place is known for focusing on consistent quality rather than trends.
- They roll their own dough, shred their cheese, and cut fresh vegetables for their salad bar daily.
- Much of the staff has been with them for more than 10 years.
- Cassidy’s best-selling pizza is the classic combo. ANDREA PATTON
Not much has changed in the décor or on the menu at Cassidy’s since it first opened in 1970—and loyal customers like it that way.
Best Vegetarian
Dharma’s
- Menu rule of thumb: If it had a mother, Dharma’s does not serve it.
- Dharma’s is where vegan doubt goes to die: 95 percent of its vegetarian menu is actually vegan.
- For the first five years of its vibrant life, Dharma’s was called McDharma’s—melding its concept for fast food and the sanskrit word for virtue. Blind to the virtue side of things, McDonalds sued.
- The Dharma’s dining room is a cell-phone free zone. It’s a plant-lined refuge from your ever-terrifying Twitter feed, where the ancient art of real, face-to-face interaction can be practiced—possibly even with Kenny Loggins, one of Dharma’s celebrity followers.
- The ultimate comfort food for political times can be found here, in the form of, perhaps, the Big Cheese, Bo Thai, or, our editor’s favorite sandwich of all time, the Nuclear Bluff. MARIA GRUSAUSKAS
Acai Bowl
Samba Rock Acai Café
291 Water St., Santa Cruz, 458-2224
RUNNERS-UP Amazon Juices, Café Brasil
Appetizers
The Crow’s Nest
2218 E. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, 476-4560, crowsnest-santacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Hula’s Island Grill, West End Tap Room
Bagel
Bagelry
320 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, 429-8049;
1636 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, 425-8550;
4763 Soquel Drive, Soquel, 462-9888
RUNNERS-UP House of Bagels, Main Street Bagels
Bakery
Gayle’s Bakery
504 Bay Ave., Capitola, 462-1200, gaylesbakery.com
RUNNERS-UP The Buttery, The Farm
Barbecue
Aptos St. BBQ
8059 Aptos St., Aptos, 662-1721, aptosstbbq.com
RUNNERS-UP Cole’s BBQ & Catering, Mission St. BBQ
Bar Food
Parish Publick House
841 Almar Ave., Santa Cruz, 421-0507, thepartishpublick.com
RUNNERS-UP 515 Kitchen & Cocktails, The Crow’s Nest
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
Breakfast—Aptos / Soquel
Red Apple Café
783 Rio Del Mar Blvd., Aptos, 685-1224, redappleaptos.com
RUNNERS-UP Silver Spur, Sunrise Café
Breakfast—Capitola
Gayle’s Bakery
504 Bay Ave., Capitola, 462-1200, gaylesbakery.com
RUNNERS-UP Avenue Café, Cook House
Breakfast—San Lorenzo Valley
Mollie’s Country Café
219 Mt Hermon Rd F, Scotts Valley, 438-8313, molliescafe.com
RUNNERS-UP Auntie Mame’s, Heavenly Roadside Café
Breakfast—Watsonville
Red Apple Café
589 Auto Center Drive, Watsonville, 761-9551
RUNNERS-UP Beach Street Café, Cowboy’s Corner Café
Brunch
Harbor Café
535 7th Ave., Santa Cruz, 475-4948, harborcafesantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP The Buttery, 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
Burger—Aptos/Soquel
burger.
7941 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 662-2811, burgeraptos.com
RUNNERS-UP Carpo’s, Parish Publick House Aptos
Burger—Capitola
Betty Burgers
1000 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 475-5901, bettyburgers.com
RUNNERS-UP East End Gastropub, Paradise Beach Grille
Burger—San Lorenzo Valley
Malone’s Grille
4402 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, 438-2244, malonesgrille.com
RUNNERS-UP Cowboy Bar & Grill, Cremer House
Burger—Watsonville
Wooden Nickel
1819 Freedom Blvd., Freedom, 724-2600
RUNNERS-UP California Grill, Main Street Burgers
Burrito—Santa Cruz
Planet Fresh Burritos
1003 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, 423-9799
RUNNERS-UP Tacos Moreno, Taqueria Vallarta
Burrito—Aptos/Soquel
El Chipotle
4724 Soquel Drive, Soquel, 477-1048, elchipotletaqueria.weebly.com
RUNNERS-UP Manuel’s, Taqueria Los Gordos
Burrito—Capitola
Taqueria Vallarta
893 41st Ave.,Capitola, 464-7022
RUNNERS-UP El Toro Bravo, Tacos Moreno
Burrito—San Lorenzo Valley
Los Gallos Taqueria
18 Victor Square, Ste. A, Scotts Valley, 439-9803
RUNNERS-UP Maya Mexican Restaurant, Taqueria Vallarta
Burrito—Watsonville
Taqueria Mi Tierra
1471 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville, 722-2022, taqueriamitierra2.com/taqueria-mi-tierra.html
RUNNERS-UP D’La Colmena Market & Catering, El Frijolito Restaurant
Calamari
The Crow’s Nest
2218 E Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, 476-4560, crowsnest-santacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Johnny’s Harborside, Zelda’s
Caterer
Barbara & Company
2431 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-6051, barbara-company.com
RUNNERS-UP Affordable Chef Services, Mickey’s Catering
Cheap Eats
Jack’s Hamburgers
202 Lincoln St., Santa Cruz, 423-4421
RUNNERS-UP Charlie Hong Kong, El Palomar Taco Bar
Cheese Selection
Shopper’s Corner
622 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-1398, shopperscorner.com
RUNNERS-UP New Leaf Community Market, Deluxe Foods of Aptos
Chinese
Canton
900 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 475-8751, cantonsantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP ABC Chinese Restaurant, Shun Feng Restaurant
Chocolatier
Donnelly’s Chocolates
1509 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 458-4214, donnellychocolates.com
RUNNERS-UP Mackenzies Chocolates, Mutari Chocolate House and Factory
Clam Chowder
Stagnaro Brothers
59 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, 423-2180, stagnarobros.com
RUNNERS-UP The Crow’s Nest, Riva Fish House
Coffeehouse (Independent)
Lulu Carpenter’s
1545 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, lulucarpenters.com
RUNNERS-UP Coffeetopia, Santa Cruz Roasting Company
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 The Crow’s Nest, Oswald
Date Night Restaurant—Aptos/Soquel
Home
3101 N. Main St., 431-6131, homesoquel.com
RUNNERS-UP Bittersweet Bistro, Café Sparrow
Date Night Restaurant—Capitola
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf Road, Capitola, 475-1511
RUNNERS-UP Paradise Beach Grille, Sotola Bar & Grill
Date Night Restaurant—San Lorenzo
Cremer House
6256 Hwy. 9, Felton, 335-3976, thecremerhouse.com
RUNNERS-UP Casa Nostra, Malone’s Grille
Date Night Restaurant—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)
Chocolate
1522 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 427-9900, chocolatesantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Bittersweet Bistro, Shadowbrook Restaurant
Donut Shop
Ferrell’s Donuts
2227 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 457-2760
RUNNERS-UP Allbright’s Donut Shoppe, Dunlap Donuts
Falafel
Falafel House Downtown
113 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz, 459-9770, falafelhousesantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP AJ’s Chevron Mart & Car Wash, Falafel of Santa Cruz
Food Event
Greek Food Festival
Downtown Santa Cruz
RUNNERS-UP Clam Chowder Cook Off, Grazing on the Green
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 515 Kitchen & Cocktails, Carpo’s
Frozen Yogurt
Top-A-Lot Yogurt
738 Water St., Santa Cruz, 426-1375, topalot.com
RUNNERS-UP Cruz Creamery, Juicy Sweet
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 Old Fashioned Snappy Dogs
930 Almar Ave., Santa Cruz, 295-3610
RUNNERS-UP Happy Dog Hot 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
6006 La Madrona Dr., #D, Scotts Valley, 713-5594
RUNNERS-UP Mumbai Delights, 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, Staff of Life
Kid-Friendly Eatery
Carpo’s
2400 Porter St., Soquel, 476-6260, carposrestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Kianti’s Pizza & Pasta Bar, Woodstock Pizza
Late-Night Eatery
Saturn Café
145 Laurel St., Santa Cruz, 429-8505, saturncafe.com
RUNNERS-UP Charlie Hong Kong, Crepe Place
Mexican Cuisine—Santa Cruz
El Palomar
1336 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 425-7575, elpalomarsantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP El Jardín, Jaguar
Mexican Cuisine—Aptos / Soquel
Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant
261 Center Ave., Aptos, 688-4848, manuelsrestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Palapas Restaurant y Cantina, Tortilla Flats
Mexican Cuisine—Capitola
El Toro Bravo
123 Monterey Ave., Capitola, 480-7544
RUNNER-UP Casa Rosita’s, Margaritaville
Mexican Cuisine—San Lorenzo Valley
Maya Mexican Restaurant
3115 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, 438-7004
RUNNERS-UP Café Carlos, Los Gallos
Mexican Cuisine—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
Sotola Bar & Grill
231 Esplanade #102, Capitola, 854-2800, sotolabarandgrill.com
RUNNERS-UP Jaguar, Persephone
Patio Dining—Santa Cruz
Laili
101 Cooper St., Santa Cruz, 423-4545, lailirestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Crepe Place, The Crow’s Nest
Patio Dining—Aptos / Soquel
Café Cruz
2621 41st Ave., Soquel, 476-3801, cafecruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Bittersweet Bistro, The Hideout
Patio Dining—Capitola
Zelda’s on the Beach
203 Esplanade, Capitola, 475-4900, zeldasonthebeach.com
RUNNERS-UP Paradise Beach Grille, Shadowbrook
Patio Dining—San Lorenzo
Malone’s Grille
4402 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, 438-2244, malonesgrille.com
RUNNERS-UP Casa Nostra, Cowboy Bar & Grill
Patio Dining—Watsonville
Ella’s at the Airport
100 Aviation Way, Watsonville, 728-3282, ellasinwatsonville.com
RUNNERS-UP Appleton Grill, Cilantros Parrilla y Cantina
Pizza–Santa Cruz
Pizza My Heart
1116 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-2511, pizzamyheart.com
RUNNERS-UP Pleasure Pizza, Woodstock’s Pizza
Pizza–Aptos/Soquel
Village Host
4 Seascape Vlg., Aptos, 685-8646, villagehostpizza.com
RUNNERS-UP Pizza 1, Showtime Pizza
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
Pizza–San Lorenzo
Redwood Pizzeria
6205 Hwy. 9, Felton, 335-1500, redwoodpizza.com
RUNNERS-UP Boulder Creek Pizza & Pub, Tony & Alba’s
Pizza–Watsonville
Cassidy’s Pizza
1400 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville, 724-2271, cassidyspizza.net
RUNNERS-UP Big J’s Pizza, Corralitos Pizza
Restaurant—Santa Cruz
Akira Sushi
1222 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 600-7093, akirasantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP The Crow’s Nest, Laili, Oswald
Restaurant—Aptos/Soquel
Café Sparrow
8042 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 688-6238, cafesparrow.com
RUNNERS-UP Bittersweet Bistro, The Hideout
Restaurant—Capitola
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf Road, Capitola, 475-1511
RUNNERS-UP Paradise Beach Grille, Sotola Bar & Grill
Restaurant—San Lorenzo
Cowboy Bar & Grill
5447 Hwy. 9, Felton, 335-2330, feltoncowboy.com
RUNNERS-UP Casa Nostra, Cremer House
Restaurant—Scotts Valley
Malone’s Grille
4402 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, 438-2244, malonesgrille.com
RUNNERS-UP Jia Tella, Otoro Sushi
Restaurant—Soquel
Star of Siam
3005 Porter St., Soquel, 479-0366, starofsiamsoquel.net
RUNNERS-UP Cafe Cruz, Michael’s on Main
Restaurant—Watsonville
California Grill
6008, 40 Penny Lane, Watsonville, 722-8052, californiagrillrestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Ella’s at the Airport, Jalisco’s
Salad
The 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 The Crow’s Nest, Johnny’s Harborside
Seafood—Aptos/Soquel
Café Cruz
2621 41st Ave., Soquel, 476-3801, cafecruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Café Rio, Palapas Restaurant & Cantina
Seafood—Capitola
Paradise Beach Grille
215 Esplanade, Capitola, 476-4900, paradisebeachgrill.com
RUNNERS-UP Shadowbrook, Sotola Bar & Grill
Seafood—San Lorenzo/Scotts Valley
Otoro
235 Mt. Hermon Road, #G, Scotts Valley, 440-9040
RUNNERS-UP Malone’s Grille, Rumble Fish
Seafood—Watsonville
Fish House Bar & Grill
972 Main St., Watsonville, 728-3333, fishhousewatsonville.com
RUNNERS-UP California Grill, 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
222 Mt Hermon Rd J, Scotts Valley, 438-4646
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
Akira Sushi
1222 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 600-7093, akirasantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Mobo, Shogun
Sushi/Japanese—Aptos/Soquel
Akira Sushi
105 D Post Office Drive, Aptos, 708-2154, akiraaptos.com
Sushi/Japanese—Capitola
Sushi Garden
820 Bay Ave., #148, Capitola, 464-9192, sushi-garden.com
RUNNERS-UP Geisha Japanese Restaurant and Tea House, Takara
Sushi/Japanese—San Lorenzo
Otoro
235 Mt. Hermon Road, #G, Scotts Valley, 440-9040
RUNNERS-UP Rumble Fish, Sushi Garden
Sushi/Japanese—Watsonville
Imura
1994 Main St., Watsonville, 761-8799, imurasushi.com
RUNNERS-UP Miyuki, Sushi Qu
Taqueria—Santa Cruz
Tacos Moreno
1053 Water St., Santa Cruz, 429-6095
RUNNERS-UP Taqueria Los Pericos, Taqueria Vallarta
Taqueria—Aptos/Soquel
Taqueria Los Gordos
7488 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 688-0911
RUNNERS-UP El Chipotle, La Cabana
Taqueria—Capitola
Taqueria Vallarta
893 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 464-7022
RUNNERS-UP El Toro Bravo, Tacos Moreno, Tepeque
Taqueria—San Lorenzo Valley
Los Gallos
243 Mt. Hermon Road #A, Scotts Valley, 439-9507
RUNNERS-UP Maya, Taqueria Vallarta
Taqueria—Watsonville
El Frijolito
11 Alexander St., Watsonville, 724-8823
RUNNERS-UP Delicias Taqueria, Super Taqueria
Tea House
Hidden Peak
1541 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-4200, hiddenpeakteahouse.com
RUNNERS-UP Café Delmarette, Lulu Carpenter’s
Thai Cuisine
Sawasdee
101 Main St., Santa Cruz, 466-9009, sawasdeesoquel.com
5050 Soquel Drive, Soquel, 462-5051
RUNNERS-UP Real Thai Kitchen, 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 Family Vineyard & Winery, Storrs Winery & Vineyards
Wine List
Soif
105 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-2020, soifwine.com
RUNNERS-UP The Crow’s Nest, Shadowbrook Restaurant
Wine Selection (Retail)
Shopper’s Corner
622 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-1398, shopperscorner.com
RUNNERS-UP Deluxe Foods of Aptos, Soif
