Top 15 Affordable Restaurants in Santa Cruz, CA

Tiffany Shieh Delicious! An unexpected traditional find in Santa Cruz. Friendly staff as well. We got spicy beef noodle soup, fish noodle soup, mapo tofu, cucumber salad, and eggplant + string beans. Portions were very generous, enough to take some to go. We reached the $88 limit and got free soup dumplings :)

Peter Pimblett First time visit to SC. This place has it all if you want friendly staff, a fantastic range of stuff on tap (never mind the fridges!) and delicious food. Don’t sleep on it; if you’re around give it a visit.

Brendan This nice little American style restaurant in Pleasure Point was worth going to. The restaurant here focuses on American dishes, like hamburgers, but also has other offerings like fish tacos (which were some of the best I’ve had in a long time). This restaurant is located right downtown and is nearby other little shops. If you’re in the area, are you looking for something to eat, this is a great place to stop. This restaurant also has a really good assortment of cocktails and beer on draft. The restaurant has a dedicated bar that you can sit at or you can sit outside and enjoy the weather. Everything was clean, well organized, and the outdoor seating has some shaded areas and some unshaded areas. The service was also really nice. They were fast and our food came out pretty quickly after we ordered.. I definitely recommend coming here if you’re in the area and are feeling like having a good hamburger, salad, or American dish.

Ron Mortenson We love this place. We prefer to sit upstairs and get the best view from a window seat. I think I’ve tried most everything on the menu and it’s all great. The house made chips are fantastic so be sure to get them. The smoked salmon is very tasty as well as the Ahi salad. Surprisingly they make a terrific burger. Of course there is always fish and chips and a bowl of chowder. Be sure to stop by. It’s a bit pricey but worth it .

Espino Elijah “Japs” So I really enjoyed their signature chicken sandwich. The chicken patty was very crunchy on the outside with a soft tender juicy inside. It wasn’t dry at all. I also loved how the vegetables they used weren’t wilted. Everything tasted fresh and crunchy which made the whole sandwich feel more satisfying. Overall it was a great restaurant with good people and a comfortable atmosphere. Definitely a place I’d come back to and recommend.

Monica Ifland Part of The Inn at Pasatiempo but very much a destination for locals! Great bar, varied menu and caring staff. Our server David, was worth coming back for alone! He was very attentive and accommodating to the fact that we were on our way to an event. Back Nine could not be any more convenient for an off and back on the highway! We just buzzed in for a quick salad and sat outside on a warm night. They did a great job creating this outdoor space with the inn’s porte cochere. The pear & Gorgonzola salad and the beet salad (with added grilled chicken) were great a large portions. Really was jealous of the burgers at the nearby tables!

Ahmad Mohammad Lovely experience dining here! Dina was super genuine, friendly, and accommodating. We really enjoyed chatting with her. Also, this was the only restaurant that was willing to accommodate our request for deep fried fish that werent "beer battered" the chef did a great job. Thank you all!

Luba Kharchenko Our recent dinner at Bantam restaurant in Santa Cruz was a delightful and memorable experience. From the moment we walked in, we were impressed by the trendy and cool vibe of the place. Even on a Tuesday night, the restaurant was packed with diners, which added to its lively atmosphere. To start, we ordered a salad that was loaded with fresh vegetables, including crisp pickled cauliflower and tender asparagus. The flavors were fantastic and left us eager to try more. We opted for two pizzas - one with peppery arugula and Brigita cheese and another with creamy ricotta cheese and roasted eggplant. Both were expertly baked, with thin crusts that had just the right amount of chewiness. For dessert, we indulged in Bantams famous booty pudding - a rich and decadent bread pudding that left us feeling fully satisfied. One highlight of our meal was how small but thoughtfully curated their menu is. We felt like every item on it was there for a reason, carefully chosen to showcase Bantams focus on fresh ingredients and bold flavors. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our dinner at Bantam and highly recommend it to anyone looking for an exceptional dining experience in Santa Cruz. We look forward to returning soon!

Mohit Goenka The appetizers and desserts were great. Staff was very friendly. We didnt enjoy the entrees so much but liked everything else.

G E Gabriella is a cozy, cute cafe with excellent food. Our lunch was delicious and generous. Service was a little mixed. I would have liked the bacon and roasted potatoes that could have come with my bun-free burger, but whether that was confusion on my part or our servers, I cant be completely sure.

Mary Freilich Love this place. Service is over the top. Bartender helped us find WNBA game not on regular ESPN. Menu seems to have gotten larger - plenty of options!! We found street parking on a Sunday in June but there is a lot nearby.

Zinzu Bobby A Wonderful Hideaway Spot for a perfect Chill Romantic Rendezvous especially after a fun filled challenging Stick Shift convertible sports Car zip zap curvy drive on Highway 17S. Many Thanks to Jaxson for being so Attentive during our visit there. The Lush Green valley Tree Top View with the Ocean Sunset in the background was just perfect. Cocktails, Cabernet Sauvignon and Fish Tacos while whispering sweet nothings to her shall be a memory to cherish. We truly appreciated the outdoor heaters and blankets to make the atmosphere really cozy. Chaminade is always great visit to enjoy their outdoor grounds and nearby fun filled Santa Cruz & Capitola.

Iulia Tuduce Cart The food is amazing! My husband and I had medium rare burgers and they were some of the best burgers we ever had so we went back to get more. This time, my husband tried the tomato soup with the grilled sandwich with cheese and bacon and it was very delicious. The sandwich had the perfect combination of softness and crunch. I also got french fries and they were very tasty.

Adam Vargyas I took my in-laws here for an anniversary dinner and loved it. I made a reservation, but really didn’t need one (Monday night). If you’re going on a night you expect it to be busier, I’d recommend marking one. Everyone at the table raved about their food (swordfish, salmon, ribeye, Cajun pasta and jam burger). The bar side of the restaurant is a little more casual and the dining room is a quieter, good vibes on both sides, depending on what you’re in the mood for.

Megan Marie Great Mexican food, very quick service and friendly staff. The portions are generous and food is cooked to order, served fresh and hot. Has indoor and some outdoor seating. Parking is somewhat difficult but its worth it! Highly recommend the tostadas and tacos. The chicken and carne asada are full of flavor tastes homemade, they also have a chips and salsa bar that is so good. 5 Stars!