Best Restaurants for Special Occasions in Santa Cruz
Price
- $40 and under
- $41 to $70
- $71 and over
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11 restaurants available nearby
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See what locals rave about
- RRoyVIPSan Francisco Bay Area •108 reviews5.0Dined 2 days agoThe food is great and the staff was super nice and helpful and even stepped over our dogs (who took up way to much space on the patio)More infoGabriella CafePrice: Very Expensive• Italian• Santa Cruz•4.7
- EEddieVIPSan Francisco Bay Area •13 reviews5.0Dined 3 days agoWe make a 75 mile round-trip from San Jose to Santa Cruz to eat dinner every Friday night. Been doing weekly since 2018 (pandemic disrupted the frequency but still did take out during that time). Our focus is on the desserts and our favorites are great - chocolate fantasy sundae, warm brownie, sin cake, truffles, Victoria hot chocolate with oat milk - these are chocolate artisan designs with more cacao emphasis than sugar and chocolate aficionados like us really enjoy it. Dinners are great as well - my longest go-to dish was Oaxaqueño Mo'le chicken plate - literally ate that dish for YEARS from 2018 to 2023. Then I 'discovered' their hand-rolled fettucine and salmon dishes - those are my new go-to dishes for 2023 onward. We are not drinkers so can't comment on the choices involving alcohol. Lastly, I read some of the more negative reviews here and respectfully disagree with most of them. The puzzling one is the recurring mention of 'dry' focaccia bread. We get that every week AND we were one of first to enjoy their switch to house-made focaccia bread. I do not find this to be dry at all - for me it's fresh and has just the right amount of moist texture. However, I understand others have different thresholds of dry. Regardless, this restaurant clearly is our favorite as we vote with our frequency of visits from San Jose for years.More infoChocolate the RestaurantPrice: Expensive• Californian• Santa Cruz•4.6
- EEthanOrange County •2 reviews4.0Dined 3 days agoService was excellent. We trusted the waiters opinion and he did not disappoint. Unfortunately, the noise was a bit distracting. The food was exiting- new flavor combination, almost a fusion of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean.More infoLailiPrice: Moderate• Mediterranean• Santa Cruz•4.7
- TTriciaSan Francisco Bay Area •2 reviews5.0Dined 3 days agoService was great. They were attentive & accommodating. The salad was divine, with a delicious avocado lemon dressing. We both ordered the salmon special & it was cooked perfectly! The chocolate dessert was yummy. We will definitely be returning!!!More infoOblòPrice: Expensive• Italian• Santa Cruz•4.7
- PPeterParis •2 reviews4.0Dined on 4 Jan 2025Always above average food and excellent service. Always our go to for a date night.More infoOswaldPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Santa Cruz•4.6
Discover best special occasions restaurants in Santa Cruz
Discover the ideal venues for celebrating special occasions in the charming locales of Santa Cruz, Capitola, and Aptos within the vibrant Santa Cruz Bay Area. Whether you are planning an intimate anniversary dinner, a festive birthday gathering, or any significant milestone, this selection of restaurants offers a variety of atmospheres and cuisines to ensure a memorable experience. Known for their exceptional service, creative menus, and inviting ambiances, these establishments have been consistently praised for making special occasions truly special. The dining scene here is diverse, reflecting a blend of casual elegance and culinary sophistication that caters to a range of tastes and preferences. Each restaurant in this carefully curated list not only meets but exceeds expectations with their dedication to quality and a warm, welcoming environment. Make your next celebration extraordinary by choosing from these top-rated dining destinations, where every meal becomes a cherished memory in the scenic heart of the Santa Cruz Bay Area.