Find out what readers voted as the best food and drink.
Best New Restaurant
Barceloneta
- The owners are married duo Brett and Elan Emerson.
- Indulge in the variety with your friends and family as Barceloneta specializes in shared plates and bite-sized snacks.
- Enjoy the food from the comfort of your home as this restaurant offers to-go services.
- Be sure to take a look at the array of Spanish wines to savor with your meal.
- Barceloneta makes reservations convenient. You can make a reservation online and select your time and preference of area to sit.
Denize Gallardo
Best Juice Bar/Smoothies
Amazon Juices
- Amazon Juices is brought to us by the same owners of Cafe Brasil in Santa Cruz.
- All juices are made from scratch, as Amazon Juices lives to fulfill their mission of serving “delicious, fresh, nutrient-rich fruit drinks and healthy food that help rejuvenate your mind and body.”
- The grand staple is the famous blended-fruit bowls that are so perfectly presented you can’t help but want to post about it on social media.
- Whether it is blended or freshly-pressed, there are additional add-ons and customizations available so you can personalize and cater to your needs.
- If you are short on time be sure to stop by and pick up a bottle ready to go.
Denize Gallardo
Best Date Night Restaurant (Watsonville)
Ella’s At the Airport
- Ella’s at the Airport is brought to you by Ella herself, who is also owner of Cafe Ella on E Lake Avenue in Watsonville.
- Enjoy fresh Italian and American cuisine while watching planes take off.
- Date night can be any night here, but if you are looking for more than just candlelight be sure to check out their jazz and event schedule online to take your visit to the next level.
- Begin your date at their bar while waiting for a table or reservation.
- Eat outside under the stars in their heated patio.
Denize Gallardo
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, Shadowbrook Restaurant
Bagel
Bagelry
320 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, 429-8049;
1636 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, 425-8550;
4763 Soquel Drive, Soquel, 462-9888, bagelrysantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Bagel Cafe, Main Street Bagel
Bakery
Gayle’s Bakery
504 Bay Ave., Capitola, 462-1200, gaylesbakery.com
RUNNERS-UP The Buttery, Companion Bakeshop
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;
8017 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 708-2036,
RUNNERS-UP 515 Kitchen & Cocktails, The Crow’s Nest
Bread
Companion Bakeshop
2341 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 252-2253;
7486 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 612-6655
RUNNERS-UP Gayle’s Bakery, Kelly’s French Bakery
Breakfast
Santa Cruz
Walnut Avenue Café
106 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz, 457-2307, walnutavenuecafe.com
RUNNERS-UP Harbor Café, Zachary’s Restaurant
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, The Cook House
Scotts Valley/SLV
Auntie Mame’s
3103 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, 438-1840, auntiemamescafe.co
RUNNERS-UP Heavenly Roadside Café, Rocky’s Café
Watsonville
Cowboy’s Corner Café
946 Main St., Watsonville, 761-8996, cowboycornercafe.com
RUNNERS-UP Beach Street Café, Red Apple Café
Brunch
Harbor Café
535 7th Ave., Santa Cruz, 475-4948, harborcafesantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Chaminade, The Crow’s Nest
Burger
Santa Cruz
Betty Burgers
505 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-8190;
1222 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 600-7056,
RUNNERS-UP burger., Jack’s Hamburgers,
Aptos/Soquel
burger.
7941 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 662-2811, burgerlovesbeer.com
RUNNERS-UP Carpo’s, Parish Publick House Aptos
Capitola
Betty Burgers
1000 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 475-5901, bettyburgers.com
RUNNERS-UP East End Gastropub, Paradise Beach Grille
Scotts Valley/SLV
Malone’s Grille
4402 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, 438-2244, malonesgrille.com
RUNNERS-UP Bruno’s Bar & Grill, Cremer House
Watsonville
Wooden Nickel
1819 Freedom Blvd., Freedom, 724-2600
RUNNERS-UP California Grill, Main Street Burger & Brew
Burrito
Santa Cruz
Tacos Moreno
1053 Water St., Santa Cruz, 429-6095
RUNNERS-UP Taqueria Vallarta, Taqueria Los Pericos
Aptos/Soquel
Taqueria Los Gordos
7488 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 688-0911
RUNNERS-UP El Chipotle, Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant
Capitola
Tacos Moreno
1601 41st Ave., Capitola, 464-8810
RUNNERS-UP Mijo’s Taqueria, Taqueria Vallarta
Scotts Valley/SLV
Los Gallos Taqueria
18 Victor Square Ste. A, Scotts Valley, 439-9803
RUNNERS-UP Habaneros Bar & Grill, Taqueria Vallarta
Watsonville
El Frijolito
11 Alexander St., Watsonville, 724-8823
RUNNERS-UP Cilantros Parrilla y Cantina, Ranch Milk
Calamari
The Crow’s Nest
2218 E Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, 476-4560, crowsnest-santacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Riva Fish House, West End Tap & Kitchen
Caterer
Barbara & Company
2431 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-6051, barbara-company.com
RUNNERS-UP Five Star, Local Harvest
Cheap Eats
Charlie Hong Kong
1141 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, 426-5664, charliehongkong.com
RUNNERS-UP El Palomar Taco Bar, Taqueria Vallarta
Cheese Selection
Shopper’s Corner
622 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-1398, shopperscorner.com
RUNNERS-UP New Leaf Community Market, Staff of Life
Chinese Cuisine
Canton
900 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 475-8751, cantonsantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Panda Inn, Shun Feng
Chocolatier
Donnelly’s Chocolates
1509 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 458-4214, donnellychocolates.com
RUNNERS-UP Ashby’s Confections, Mackenzies Chocolates
Clam Chowder
Stagnaro Brothers
59 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, 423-2180, stagnarobrothers.com
RUNNERS-UP The Crow’s Nest, Riva Fish House
Coffeehouse (Independent)
Cat & Cloud
3600 Portola Dr, Santa Cruz;
Abbott Square, 725 Front St., Santa Cruz, catandcloud.com
RUNNERS-UP Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting Co., Verve
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, Gayle’s Bakery
Date Night Restaurant
Santa Cruz
Laili
101 Cooper St., Santa Cruz, 423-4545, lailirestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Gabriella, Oswald
Aptos/Soquel
Cafe Cruz
2621 41st Ave., Soquel, 476-3801, cafecruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Home, Café Sparrow
Capitola
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf Road, Capitola, 475-1511, shadowbrook-capitola.com
RUNNERS-UP East End Gastropub, Paradise Beach Grille
Scotts Valley/SLV
Cremer House
6256 Hwy. 9, Felton, 335-3976, thecremerhouse.com
RUNNERS-UP Ristorante Casa Nostra, Malone’s Grille
Watsonville
Ella’s at the Airport
100 Aviation Way., Watsonville, 728-3282, ellasinwatsonville.com
RUNNER-UP California Grill, Cilantros Parrilla y Cantina
Deli
Zoccoli’s Deli
1534 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-1711, zoccolis.com
RUNNERS-UP Garden Deli,The Palm Deli
Desserts (Bakery)
Gayle’s Bakery
504 Bay Ave., Capitola, 462-1200, gaylesbakery.com
RUNNERS-UP The Buttery, Kelly’s French Bakery
Desserts (Restaurant)
Chocolate
1522 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 427-9900, chocolatesantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Bittersweet Bistro, Vim Dining & Desserts
Donut Shop
Ferrell’s Donuts
2227 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 457-2760
RUNNER-UP Allbright’s Donut Shoppe
Falafel
Zameen
851 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 713-5520, zameencuisine.com
RUNNERS-UP Falafel of Santa Cruz, Falafel House
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, bettyburgers.com
RUNNERS-UP Jack’s Hamburgers, West End Tap & Kitchen
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
Happy Dog Hot Dogs
324 River St., Santa Cruz, 332-3057
RUNNERS-UP Gary’s Old Fashioned Snappy Dogs, Taylor Bros Hot Dogs
Ice Cream
Marianne’s
1020 Ocean St., Santa Cruz, 458-1447;
218 State Park Drive, Aptos, 713-4746;
104 Stockton Ave., Capitola, 479-8888,
RUNNERS-UP Mission Hill Creamery, Penny Ice Creamery
Indian Cuisine
Ambrosia India Bistro
207 Sea Ridge Road, Aptos, 685-0610;
6006 La Madrona Dr., #D, Scotts Valley, 713-5594, ambrosiaib.com
RUNNERS-UP Mumbai Delights, Royal Taj
Italian Cuisine
Lillian’s Italian Kitchen
1148 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 425-2288, lilliansitaliankitchen.com
RUNNERS-UP La Posta, Ristorante Italiano
Juice Bar / Smoothies
Amazon Juices
1066 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 854-2225, amazonjuices.us
RUNNERS-UP New Leaf Community Markets, Staff of Life
Kid-Friendly Eatery
Carpo’s
2400 Porter St., Soquel, 476-6260, carposrestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Dharma’s Restaurant, Kianti’s Pizza & Pasta Bar
Kombucha/Probiotic (Local)
Corralitos Brewing Company
2536 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville, 728-2311, corralitosbrewingco.com
RUNNERS-UP La Vie, MeloMelo Kava Bar
Late-Night Eatery
Saturn Café
145 Laurel St., Santa Cruz, 429-8505, saturncafe.com
RUNNERS-UP 515 Kitchen & Cocktails, Crepe Place
Mexican Cuisine
Santa Cruz
El Palomar
1336 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 425-7575, elpalomarsantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Tacos Moreno, Taqueria Los Pericos
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, 476-1553, eltorobravorestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Margaritaville, Taqueria Vallarta
Scotts Valley/SLV
Maya Mexican Restaurant
3115 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, 438-7004, mayasv.com
RUNNERS-UP Los Gallos, Taqueria Vallarta
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
New Restaurant
Barceloneta
1541 B Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 900-5222, eatbarceloneta.com
RUNNERS-UP Pretty Good Advice, Vim Dining & Desserts
Patio Dining
Santa Cruz
Laili
101 Cooper St., Santa Cruz, 423-4545, lailirestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Crepe Place, The Crow’s Nest
Aptos / Soquel
Bittersweet Bistro
787 Rio Del Mar Blvd., Aptos, 662-9799, bittersweetbistro.com
RUNNERS-UP Cafe Cruz, Michael’s On Main
Capitola
Zelda’s On The Beach
203 Esplanade, Capitola, 475-4900, zeldasonthebeach.com
RUNNERS-UP Paradise Beach Grille, Shadowbrook Restaurant
Scotts Valley/SLV
Malone’s Grille
4402 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, 438-2244, malonesgrille.com
RUNNERS-UP Cowboy Bar & Grill, Ristorante Casa Nostra
Watsonville
Ella’s at the Airport
100 Aviation Way, Watsonville, 728-3282, ellasinwatsonville.com
RUNNERS-UP Beer Mule, Cilantros Parrilla y Cantina
Pizza
Santa Cruz
Pizza My Heart
1116 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-2511, pizzamyheart.com
RUNNERS-UP Bantam, Woodstock’s Pizza
Aptos/Soquel
Pizza 1
253 Center Ave., Aptos, 684-1110, pizza-1.com
RUNNERS-UP Mangiamo Pizza, Showtime Pizza
Capitola
Pizza My Heart
2180 41st Ave., Capitola, 475-6000;
209 Esplanade, Capitola, 475-5714,
pizzamyheart.com
RUNNERS-UP Pleasure Pizza, Village Host Pizza & Grill
Scotts Valley/SLV
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
RUNNERS-UP Corralitos Pizza, Pizzamia
Restaurant
Santa Cruz
Oswald
121 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-7427, oswaldrestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP The Crow’s Nest, Laili
Aptos/Soquel
Café Sparrow
8042 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 688-6238, cafesparrow.com
RUNNERS-UP Bittersweet Bistro, Persephone
Capitola
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf Road, Capitola, 475-1511, shadowbrook-capitola.com
RUNNERS-UP East End Gastropub, Paradise Beach Grille
San Lorenzo Valley
Cremer House
6256 Hwy. 9, Felton, 335-3976, thecremerhouse.com
RUNNERS-UP Ristorante Casa Nostra, Scopazzi’s
Scotts Valley
Malone’s Grille
4402 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, 438-2244, malonesgrille.com
RUNNERS-UP Bruno’s Bar and Grill, Jia Tella
Soquel
Home
3101 N. Main St., Soquel, 431-6131, homesoquel.com
RUNNERS-UP Cafe Cruz, Tortilla Flats
Watsonville
California Grill
40 Penny Lane, Watsonville, 722-8052, californiagrillrestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Cilantros Parrilla y Cantina, Ella’s at the Airport
Salad
The Crow’s Nest
2218 E Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, 476-4560, crowsnest-santacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Carpo’s, Dharma’s Restaurant
Sandwich
Zoccoli’s
1534 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-1711, zoccolis.com
RUNNERS-UP Garden Deli, Surf City Sandwich
Seafood
Santa Cruz
Stagnaro Brothers
59 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, 423-2180, stagnarobrothers.com
RUNNERS-UP Johnny’s Harborside, Riva Fish House
Aptos/Soquel
Café Rio
131 Esplanade, Aptos, 688-8917, caferioaptos.com
RUNNERS-UP Cafe Cruz, Café Sparrow
Capitola
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf Road, Capitola, 475-1511, shadowbrook-capitola.com
RUNNERS-UP Paradise Beach Grille, Zelda’s On The Beach
San Lorenzo/SLV
Scopazzi’s
13300 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, 338-6441, scopazzisrestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Malone’s Grill, Otoro Sushi
Watsonville
La Perla Del Pacifico
458 Main St., Watsonville, 724-0993, la-perla-del-pacifico-mexican-restaurant.business.site
RUNNERS-UP California Grill, Maricos El Nayarita
Small Plates
Barceloneta
1541 B Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 900-5222, eatbarceloneta.com
RUNNERS-UP 515 Kitchen & Cocktails, Lúpulo Craft Beer House
Soup
Staff of Life
1266 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-8632, staffoflifemarket.com
RUNNERS-UP Monster Pot, Zameen
Steak
Hindquarter Bar & Grille
303 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-7770, thehindquarter.com
RUNNERS-UP Alderwood, Shadowbrook Restaurant
Sushi/Japanese
Santa Cruz
Akira Sushi
1222 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 600-7093, akirasantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Mobo, Shogun
Aptos/Soquel
Akira Sushi
105 D Post Office Drive, Aptos, 708-2154, akiraaptos.com
Capitola
Sushi Garden
820 Bay Ave. #148, Capitola, 464-9192, sushi-garden.com
RUNNERS-UP Geisha Japanese Restaurant and Tea House, Naka Sushi
Scotts Valley/SLV
Otoro
235 Mt. Hermon Road #G, Scotts Valley, 440-9040
RUNNERS-UP Rumble Fish, Sushi Garden
Watsonville
Imura
1994 Main St., Watsonville, 761-8799, imurasushi.com
RUNNERS-UP Miyuki, Sushi Garden
Taqueria
Santa Cruz
Taqueria Vallarta
608 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 457-8226;
1221 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 426-7240,
RUNNERS-UP Tacos Moreno, Taqueria Los Pericos
Aptos/Soquel
Taqueria Los Gordos
7488 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 688-0911
RUNNERS-UP El Chipotle, Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant
Capitola
Taqueria Vallarta
893 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 464-7022
RUNNERS-UP Mijos Taqueria, Tacos Moreno
Scotts Valley/SLV
Los Gallos
243 Mt. Hermon Road #A, Scotts Valley, 439-9507
RUNNERS-UP Taqueria Los Amigos, Taqueria Vallarta
Watsonville
El Frijolito
11 Alexander St., Watsonville, 724-8823
RUNNERS-UP Ranch Milk, 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, sawasdeebythesea.com;
5050 Soquel Drive, Soquel, 462-5051, sawasdeesoquel.com
RUNNERS-UP Real Thai Kitchen, Sabieng
Vegetarian
Dharma’s
4250 Capitola Road, Capitola, 462-1717, dharmasrestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Café Gratitude, Saturn Café
Winery
Soquel Vineyards
8063 Glen Haven Road, Soquel, 462-9045, soquelvineyards.com
RUNNERS-UP Bargetto Winery, Beauregard Vineyards
Wine List
Soif
105 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-2020, soifwine.com
RUNNERS-UP Shadowbrook Restaurant, Vino Cruz
Wine Selection (Retail)
Shopper’s Corner
622 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-1398, shopperscorner.com
