Diners' Choice: Great for fine wines restaurants in Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

OpenTable

Updated 05 January 2025

Looking for restaurants with the most notable wine lists in Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

la Posta

4.8

4.8 (2344)

$30 and under

Italian

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Select from a menu that features dishes composed of locally sourced ingredients as well as house-made pastas, naturally leavened breads and pizzas from our brick oven.

Because we rely on the bounty of the Santa Cruz farming community, our menu changes frequently and features a wide array of specials. La Posta’s all-Italian wine list includes autochthonous varieties from small producers, by-the-glass and by the bottle.

La Posta adheres to the Monterey Bay Seafood Watch Program and is a certified City of Santa Cruz Green Business.

We are so thankful for the incredible support from our customers and community.

We will continue to adjust our service based upon best practices for keeping our staff and community safe.

Top review

cherylVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Everything was amazing as usual! All the pastas were perfect!

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Popular dish

Agnello

Sugo Italian Pasta Bar

4.8

4.8 (277)

$30 and under

Italian

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

A European concept-restaurant of traditional Italian cuisine; a modern and dynamic service, that allows customers to enjoy fresh, organic and authentic italian food through a selection of appetizer, panini, pizza and salads, and obviously our specialty: "Pasta".

Top review

Renee

Dined on 12 Jan 2025

Sugo continues to be an outstanding dining experience. My seafood stew was delicious - generous servings of shrimp, scallops, calamari in a delicious red sauce with just enough kick. lovely. Bread was delicious too. Good value; we have had too many expensive unsatisfying dishes at other restaurants. Sugo is our top dining choice. And we love the Italian staff!

Gabriella Cafe

4.7

4.7 (979)

$50 and over

Italian

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Zagat rated as "OUTSTANDING". Gabriella Cafe is a 50 seat, picturesque and romantic dining experience in downtown Santa Cruz.

Top review

RoyVIP

Dined 1 day ago

The 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)

Cafe Cruz Rosticceria & Bar

4.7

4.7 (2060)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Soquel

About the restaurant

Cafe Cruz is a popular and lively local restaurant. We offer casual/fine dining with a full bar, indoor and heated patio dining. Guests enjoy watching the "magic" created in our open copper-backed kitchen each night by our talented team of chefs. Notable features include many locally sourced foods, nightly sustainable seafood specials, and many creative salad and vegetable options. Our innovative pastas and sandwiches are always a hit.
Spit-Roasted meats are featured each night, cooked on a french Rotisol rotisserie. The lush garden room can seat larger parties of up to 35. Guests enjoy our warm friendly service, our many seating options, and exceptionally delicious food.

Top review

WilliamVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Excellent lunch experience at the high rise tables over a blackened chicken sandwich.

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4.7

4.7 (656)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Alderwood, under the culinary leadership of Executive Chef Mikey Adams, is dedicated to providing a dining experience that strikes a delicate balance between the comfort and warmth of home and the vibrancy of the downtown dining scene. Our mission is to offer our guests an exceptional and memorable meal that is deeply rooted in our commitment to fostering a genuine connection between our open kitchen and the local community. We welcome you to join us for an unforgettable culinary journey that celebrates the essence of togetherness and exceptional cuisine.

Top review

Robin

Dined 2 days ago

Fantastic creativity, attention to detail and interesting preparations.

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Popular dish

Steak Tartare

Oblò

4.7

4.7 (60)

$31 to $50

Italian

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Modern Italian cuisine with Californian influence, sit in our beautiful dining room or enjoy one of our amazing craft drinks in the comfort and cozy lounge bar area.
Our chef Andrea designed an innovative menu that perfect match with the list of cocktails craft from the Bar manager Keith Fox.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 2 days ago

Amazing as always. Long time fan of sugo. Both are always delicious. Consistent in quality and service.

Oswald

4.6

4.6 (1616)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Oswald is a contemporary American restaurant and bar that focuses on the abundance of delicious ingredients found on the central coast of California. Oswald features an eclectic, international wine list and an exciting, seasonal bar program. While the decor is spare and modern, the atmosphere is comfortable and relaxed. Oswald features new art shows every two months.

We do have first come tables available in the lounge as well as bar seats.
Come by and see if there is a table or seat for you.

Top review

Peter

Dined on 4 Jan 2025

Always above average food and excellent service. Always our go to for a date night.

Paradise Beach Grille

4.6

4.6 (43)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Capitola

About the restaurant

Paradise maximizes the beautiful beach location on Monterey Bay with an outdoor patio, views of the historic Venetian condominiums, and the ocean. We also feature an outdoor fireplace perfect for that cozy dinner or wine tasting. We have high top tables in the bar area for drinks or dining, as well as an attractive and spacious dining room. Customers enjoy the various casual venues yet an upscale flair with quality food, beverage, and service.

Top review

Tyler

Dined on 8 Jan 2025

Amazing setting and view! However, we were disappointed with the quality of the food - especially for the price. Would choose to try somewhere else next time.

Pete's Fish House

4.5

4.5 (43)

$31 to $50

Californian

Capitola

About the restaurant

A culinary celebration of California's coastal offerings, and a heartfelt tribute to the late Peter Orr. Founded by Sarah Orr and her mother Mary Ann Orr of Sunset Hospitality Group, Pete's Fish House embodies a deep-rooted passion for community and culinary excellence.

Named in honor of Sarah's father and mentor, this restaurant is more than just a dining experience—it's a reflection of cherished memories and Peter’s larger than life legacy. Sarah explains, "I have been looking for a way to honor him, and this feels like the right way to do that."

At Pete's Fish House, expect a menu that is inspired by the coastal waters and the bountiful local agriculture that Peter was deeply committed to, ensuring a true representation of our region's culinary heritage.

Top review

GilbertVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Always an excellent choice. Wild, hook+line caught, sustainable fish. Perfect combination of flavors in every dish. Don't miss the mussels and fries, and the clam pasta with a smoked clam sabayon - delish!

Sanderlings - Seascape Resort

3.9

3.9 (1297)

$31 to $50

Californian

Aptos

About the restaurant

Sanderlings Restaurant at Seascape Beach Resort offers elegant, casual dining with a spectacular ocean view from sunrise to sunset.

Top review

Bob

Dined 2 days ago

Enjoyed brunch on the patio and the wonderful view that comes with it. Was glad to see that the food and service are once again top notch! I strongly recommend Sanderlings for a really nice casual dining experience.

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