Highest-rated restaurants with outdoor seating in Santa Cruz, according to Yelp
Highest-rated restaurants with outdoor seating in Santa Cruz, according to Yelp
Theres something special about taking in a meal while enjoying the air outside, and it could even contribute to your happiness, particularly if there are plants around. During the pandemic, having outdoor seating was a lifeline for many restaurants, allowing them to operate both takeaway and dine-in services.
Many also used the opportunity to show off their personality with decor and furniture that fit their vibe. Are you partial to a luxurious fake garden? Or are you more into lawn chairs and tiki vibes?
Globally, many people may have associated the outdoor dining experience with the cafes of European cities or street food stalls in Asia. Travelers and locals alike often spend hours sipping coffee and eating delicious and cheap food. In the U.S., outdoor seating can take the form of small tables, semi-private nooks, or communal-style seating for the masses, like at a beer garden. Key to a good outdoor table is shade from the sun and, in urban settings, walls or barriers that can cut down on fumes and noise from nearby car traffic.
Restaurants may also play up other perks—like having a great view. The coronavirus pandemic also increased demand for outdoor heaters so restaurants could keep serving meals outside in the colder seasons. All these adjustments have led to more Americans rediscovering the pleasures of dining al fresco, away from the noise inside.
While a good chunk of pandemic-era outside seating may have shrunk back since the return to "normal," many restaurants still have their prized patio tables ready for patrons. Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated restaurants with outdoor seating in Santa Cruz using data from Yelp. Rankings factor in the average rating and number of reviews. Keep reading to see if your favorite spot made the list.
#30. Firefly Tavern
- Rating: 4.5/5 (5 reviews)
- Address: 110 Walnut Ave Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#29. Arslans Turkish Street Food
- Rating: 4.5/5 (115 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 113 Walnut Ave Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Categories: Turkish, Vegetarian, Wraps
- Read more on Yelp
#28. Chubbs Chicken Sandwiches
- Rating: 4.5/5 (80 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 766 Chestnut St Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Categories: Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#27. Deke's Market - In Mah' Belly Deli
- Rating: 4.5/5 (62 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 334 7th Ave Santa Cruz, CA 95062
- Categories: Grocery, Delis, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#26. Raymond's Catering
- Rating: 4.5/5 (73 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1156 High St Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Categories: Mexican, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
#25. Los Viejones
- Rating: 4.5/5 (51 reviews)
- Address: 236 Ocean St Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Categories: Food Trucks, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp
#24. Carousel Cones
- Rating: 4.5/5 (9 reviews)
- Address: 400 Beach St Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Food Stands
- Read more on Yelp
#23. Hanloh Thai Food
- Rating: 4.5/5 (41 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1011 Cedar St Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Categories: Thai
- Read more on Yelp
#22. Achilles by the Sea
- Rating: 4.5/5 (216 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1404 Soquel Ave Santa Cruz, CA 95062
- Categories: Mediterranean, Greek
- Read more on Yelp
#21. NAHNA
- Rating: 4.5/5 (13 reviews)
- Address: 1520 Pacific Ave Ste 1 Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Categories: Eritrean
- Read more on Yelp
#20. Gary's Old Fashioned Snappy Dogs
- Rating: 4.5/5 (82 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: Sones Cellars 334 B Ingalls St Sones Cellars Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Categories: Hot Dogs, Street Vendors
- Read more on Yelp
#19. El Buen Taco
- Rating: 4.5/5 (54 reviews)
- Address: Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Categories: Tacos, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
#18. Mad Yolks
- Rating: 4.5/5 (257 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1411 Pacific Ave Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#17. Seabright Deli
- Rating: 4.5/5 (392 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 415 Seabright Ave Santa Cruz, CA 95062
- Categories: Sandwiches, Delis
- Read more on Yelp
#16. VIM Dining & Desserts
- Rating: 4.5/5 (187 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 2238 Mission St Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Categories: American (New), Cocktail Bars, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Evarista's Comal Restaurant
- Rating: 4.5/5 (154 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 21245 East Cliff Dr Unit A Santa Cruz, CA 95062
- Categories: American (New), Mexican, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#14. The Real Taco
- Rating: 5.0/5 (35 reviews)
- Address: 820 Swift St Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Categories: Food Trucks, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Sentinel Cafe
- Rating: 5.0/5 (5 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 877 Cedar St Ste 150 Cruzio Building Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Categories: Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Pana Food Truck
- Rating: 5.0/5 (177 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2738 Mission St Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Categories: Food Trucks, Venezuelan
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Mattia Pizza
- Rating: 5.0/5 (24 reviews)
- Address: Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Categories: Food Trucks, Pizza, Italian
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Far West Fungi
- Rating: 5.0/5 (44 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 224 Laurel St Ste A101 Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Categories: Specialty Food, Cafes, Organic Stores
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Mariposa Coffee Bar
- Rating: 5.0/5 (46 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1010 Pacific Ave Ste E Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Cuban, Vietnamese
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Happy Dog Hotdogs
- Rating: 5.0/5 (96 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 324 River St Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Categories: Street Vendors, Hot Dogs, Caterers
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Cosmic Pie
- Rating: 5.0/5 (5 reviews)
- Address: 820 Swift St Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Categories: Pizza, Pop-Up Restaurants
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Honey B Market
- Rating: 5.0/5 (22 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1005 Cedar St Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Categories: Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Chicken Foot
- Rating: 5.0/5 (7 reviews)
- Address: 110 Pearl Aly Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Categories: Ukrainian, Pop-Up Restaurants
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Sleight of Hand Pizza
- Rating: 5.0/5 (23 reviews)
- Address: Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Categories: Pizza, Caterers, Street Vendors
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Areperia 831
- Rating: 5.0/5 (5 reviews)
- Address: Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Categories: Caterers, Vegan
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Paradise Dogs
- Rating: 5.0/5 (22 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Categories: Hot Dogs, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Shockwave
- Rating: 5.0/5 (8 reviews)
- Address: Santa Cruz, CA 95073
- Categories: Food Trucks, Burgers
- Read more on Yelp
