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Highest-rated restaurants in Santa Cruz by diners
Highest-rated restaurants in Santa Cruz by diners
Humans are creatures of habit. We tend to stick to our morning routines, rewatch movies we've seen time and time again, and hit up the same tried-and-true restaurants when going out for a meal. In fact, 35% of Americans said they rarely, if ever, try a new restaurant they haven't been to before, and 5% say they never do, according to a survey of more than 2,600 diners from TouchBistro.
But those numbers look quite different when you focus on younger generations—56% of Gen Zers and 47% of millennials in the U.S. say they visit new restaurants once a month or more. When it comes to deciding which new restaurant to try, younger generations are also more likely to rely on online reviews, through sites like Yelp or Google or from social media. The TouchBistro survey found that 71% of Gen Zers and 72% of millennials have opted to try a new restaurant solely because of favorable reviews online.
Some of the best restaurants in your neck of the woods might be those established spots that customers have been visiting for decades, but some may be brand new. More than 10,000 new restaurants opened in 2023, up 5.7% from 2022, according to a report from BentoBox. The states that saw the most new restaurants open up in 2023 were Florida, Texas, California, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, but new locales are popping up all over the U.S.
To help you determine which spots—both new and long-standing—to try out, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated restaurants in Santa Cruz, according to Yelp reviews from diners as of January 2024. Only restaurants with at least 20 reviews were considered. Read on to find some inspiration for the next time you dine out.
Note: The photos in this article are stock images and do not necessarily reflect each restaurant listed.
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#30. Flower Bar
- Rating: 4.5/5 (59 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 912 Cedar St. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Flowers & Gifts, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
![](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/slide_desktop/s3/HRH37Y21_388.png)
#29. 四姐 Special Noodle
- Rating: 4.5/5 (451 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 415 Ocean St. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Noodles, Chinese
- Read more on Yelp
![](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/slide_desktop/s3/HRH90GUG_392.png)
#28. Beach Hut Deli
- Rating: 4.5/5 (109 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 381 Soquel Ave. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Delis, Salad, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
![](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/slide_desktop/s3/HRH30020Q_401.png)
#27. Deke's Market - In Mah' Belly Deli
- Rating: 4.5/5 (65 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 334 7th Ave. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Grocery, Delis, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
![](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/slide_desktop/s3/HRH12WRTY_378.png)
#26. Garden Liquors & Deli
- Rating: 4.5/5 (307 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1815 Soquel Drive Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Beer, Wine & Spirits, Delis, Turkish
- Read more on Yelp
![](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/slide_desktop/s3/HRH6TAJ9_405.png)
#25. Los Viejones
- Rating: 4.5/5 (67 reviews)
- Address: 236 Ocean St. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Food Trucks, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp
![](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/slide_desktop/s3/HRH14J72J_383.png)
#24. Iveta - Downtown
- Rating: 4.5/5 (61 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 545 Pacific Ave. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Italian, Desserts, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
![](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/slide_desktop/s3/HRH17R95M_380.png)
#23. Zameen At The Point
- Rating: 4.5/5 (223 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 851 41st Ave. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Mediterranean
- Read more on Yelp
![](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/slide_desktop/s3/HRH11P5DH_372.png)
#22. Sugo Italian Pasta Bar
- Rating: 4.5/5 (218 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1116 Soquel Ave. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Italian
- Read more on Yelp
![](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/slide_desktop/s3/HRH31OKR7_381.png)
#21. Namaste Grill & Bar
- Rating: 4.5/5 (62 reviews)
- Address: 303 Beach St. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Pizza, Indian, Diners
- Read more on Yelp
![](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/slide_desktop/s3/HRH29ONSU_386.png)
#20. Arslans Turkish Street Food
- Rating: 4.5/5 (146 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 113 Walnut Ave. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Turkish, Vegetarian, Wraps
- Read more on Yelp
![](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/slide_desktop/s3/HRH23KCBR_401.png)
#19. Honey B Market
- Rating: 4.5/5 (29 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1005 Cedar St. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
![](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/slide_desktop/s3/HRH21T3KH_414.png)
#18. Namaste Indian Cuisine
- Rating: 4.5/5 (138 reviews)
- Address: 1501 Mission St. A Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Indian
- Read more on Yelp
![](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/slide_desktop/s3/HRH19O136_379.png)
#17. Achilles by the Sea
- Rating: 4.5/5 (276 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1404 Soquel Ave. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Mediterranean, Greek
- Read more on Yelp
![](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/slide_desktop/s3/HRH7JJNF_389.png)
#16. Raymond's Catering
- Rating: 4.5/5 (73 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1156 High St. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Mexican, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
![](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/slide_desktop/s3/HRH1054PL_394.png)
#15. Hanloh Thai Food
- Rating: 4.5/5 (50 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1011 Cedar St. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Thai
- Read more on Yelp
![](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/slide_desktop/s3/HRH25A65H_385.png)
#14. 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, California
- Categories: Hot Dogs, Street Vendors
- Read more on Yelp
![](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/slide_desktop/s3/HRH8HVN6_388.png)
#13. Mad Yolks
- Rating: 4.5/5 (505 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1411 Pacific Ave. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
![](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/slide_desktop/s3/HRH28O96E_403.png)
#12. Mattia Pizza
- Rating: 4.5/5 (25 reviews)
- Address: Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Food Trucks, Pizza, Italian
- Read more on Yelp
![](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/slide_desktop/s3/HRH2YJOJ_380.png)
#11. Seabright Deli
- Rating: 4.5/5 (454 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 415 Seabright Ave. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Sandwiches, Delis
- Read more on Yelp
![](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/slide_desktop/s3/HRH13X9CA_376.png)
#10. El Buen Taco
- Rating: 4.5/5 (55 reviews)
- Address: Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Tacos, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
![](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/slide_desktop/s3/HRH13GAM_411.png)
#9. VIM Dining & Desserts
- Rating: 4.5/5 (211 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 2238 Mission St. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: New American, Cocktail Bars, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
![](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/slide_desktop/s3/HRH16IFMU_392.png)
#8. Evarista's Comal Restaurant
- Rating: 5.0/5 (191 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2-1245 East Cliff Drive Unit A Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: New American, Mexican, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
![](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/slide_desktop/s3/HRH481U4_379.png)
#7. The Real Taco
- Rating: 5.0/5 (64 reviews)
- Address: 1204 Mission St. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Food Trucks, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp
![](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/slide_desktop/s3/HRH2723FY_402.png)
#6. Pana Food Truck
- Rating: 5.0/5 (205 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2738 Mission St. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Food Trucks, Venezuelan
- Read more on Yelp
![](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/slide_desktop/s3/HRH18WJVT_384.png)
#5. Sampa Brazilian Kitchen
- Rating: 5.0/5 (45 reviews)
- Address: 841 North Branciforte Ave. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Latin American, Brazilian, Juice Bars & Smoothies
- Read more on Yelp
![](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/slide_desktop/s3/HRH2658BR_392.png)
#4. Mariposa Coffee Bar
- Rating: 5.0/5 (62 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1010 Pacific Ave. Ste East Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Cuban, Vietnamese
- Read more on Yelp
![](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/slide_desktop/s3/HRH22B3VW_407.png)
#3. Far West Fungi
- Rating: 5.0/5 (58 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 224 Laurel St. Ste A101 Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Specialty Food, Cafes, Organic Stores
- Read more on Yelp
![](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/slide_desktop/s3/HRH24EGZG_374.png)
#2. Happy Dog Hotdogs
- Rating: 5.0/5 (102 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 324 River St. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Street Vendors, Hot Dogs, Caterers
- Read more on Yelp
![](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/slide_desktop/s3/HRH5AGVA_413.png)
#1. Paradise Dogs
- Rating: 5.0/5 (22 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Hot Dogs, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Jaimie Etkin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 331 metros.