GOLD Bagelry
320 Cedar St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.8049.
1636 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.425.8550.
4763 Soquel Dr, Soquel. 831.462.9888.
Bagels are only half the story at this sleek, streamlined, no-fuss home of freshly made soups, salads, spreads and, yes, hyperdelicious bagels. The egg salad is legendary, as is the albacore, the hummus and the dazzling array of flavored and spiced cream cheese possibilities. The Duke--a voluptuous arrangement of cream cheese, apple butter and cashews on a raisin bagel--is the stuff of inexpensive fantasies. Friendly and easy to like, the Bagelry is a top spot to park yourself for a lunch date.
SILVER Noah's Bagels
1141 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.454.9555.
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Bakery
GOLD The Buttery
702 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.458.3020.
One of the favorite bakery/coffee places on the Eastside expanded itself last year into a pit-stop for full-on lunches and early dinners. The historic old Victorian now offers up fresh soups, salads, imaginative wraps and sandwiches--in addition to top quality espresso drinks--for on-the-spot noshing or carry-out. The famed zucchini muffin, lemon tarts and pecan sandie are still among the best sweet temptations available. But the poached egg breakfasts, Joe's Favorite Black Forest ham sandwich and Caesar salad lunches now have their own devoted followings.
SILVER Gayle's Bakery & Rosticceria
504 Bay Ave, Capitola. 831.462.1200.
BRONZE Kelly's Bakery
402 Ingalls St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.9059.
BRONZE Hindquarter Bar & Grille
303 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.426.7770.
Bar Food
GOLD Red Restaurant and Bar
200 Locust St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.1913.
SILVER 99 Bottles
110 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.459.9999.
BRONZE Seabright Brewery
519 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.426.2739.
Breakfast
GOLD Zachary's
819 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.427.0646.
SILVER Walnut Ave Cafe
106 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.457.2307.
BRONZE Café Brazil
1410 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.1855.
Burger
GOLD Jack's
202 Lincoln St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.4421.
SILVER Betty Burgers
505 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.8190.
BRONZE Saturn Café
145 Laurel St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.8505.
Burrito
GOLD Taqueria Vallarta
608 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.457.8226.
1101 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.471.2655.
893 41st Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.464.7022.
6272 Hwy 9, Felton. 831.335.4264.
SILVER Tacos Moreno
1053 Water St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.6095.
303 Beach St, Santa Cruz. 831.427.2200.
BRONZE Planet Fresh
1003 Cedar St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.9799.
Cheap Eats
GOLD Charlie Hong Kong
1141 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.426.5664.
Open daily from 11am to 11pm, this spicy treasure specializes in huge flavors for cheap prices. Singapore street food meets pan-Asian fusion in a menu full of rice bowls and noodle soups. A memorable tomato-tamarind sauce highlights the colossal pad thai, and the spicy ginger beef sandwich served on Kelly's French roll is a global gourmet triumph. Order your choice of dish, and then choose a topping from vegan to juicy, messy hoisin pork and teriyaki salmon. Megavalue in flavor intensity.
SILVER Taqueria Vallarta
608 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.457.8226.
1101 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.471.2655.
893 41st Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.464.7022.
BRONZE Palomar Taco Bar
1336 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.425.7575.
Chinese
GOLD O'Mei
2316 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.8458.
From its astute list of locally made wines to its small plate appetizers, O'mei continues to wow the taste buds, just as it's done for two decades. The sleek interior rewards adventurous fans of avant-garde Chinese cuisine with specialties ranging from plump red oil dumplings to a succulent ma po tofu. The Yuxian eggplant has changed lives, as had the tea-smoked sea bass and almost anything with black bean and garlic sauce. Desserts, such as the warm apple pastry, are outrageous and unexpected.
SILVER Little Shanghai
1010 Cedar St, Santa Cruz. 831.458.2460.
BRONZE Golden Buddha
4610 Soquel Dr, Soquel. 831.479.0788.
Coffeehouse
GOLD People's Coffee
1200 17th Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.464.2739.
Friendly vibes and a can-do attitude characterize this comfort zone for caffeine hounds at the corner of 17th and Brommer. Vibrant house-blend beans fuel every espresso drink, to be partnered by myriad muffins, plump quiches and a variety of organic soups and croissants. Big couches, WiFi nooks, a kid's play area and outdoor patio seating offer all-day seduction. A true neighborhood pit-stop.
SILVER Lulu's
1545 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.429.9804.
118 Cooper St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.5858.
BRONZE Caffe Pergolesi
418 Cedar St, Santa Cruz. 831.426.1775.
Comfort Food
GOLD Saturn Café
145 Laurel St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.8505.
For almost three decades this late-night, all-day vegetarian diner has been serving up instant comfort of the edible variety. The condiment-friendly menu is long on cheeses, salads, faux burgers, french fries and cheeses. Veggie corndogs, mac and cheese, fakin bacon BLTs and megasalads with vegan dressing all pair nicely with luscious ice cream desserts. Playful décor and rock & roll restrooms, plus inventive meat-free cuisine that caters to the munchies until 3am. Awesome.
SILVER Santa Cruz Diner
909 Ocean St, Santa Cruz. 831.426.7151.
BRONZE Gayle's Bakery & Rosticceria
504 Bay Ave, Capitola. 831.462.1200.
Deli
GOLD Zoccoli's
1534 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.1711.
Landmark downtown deli offers a touch of the last century loaded with flavor freshness. Specialty sandwiches like the legendary Mediterranean, the Castroville--big on marinated artichokes--and the meal-sized muffaletta all turn lunch into a community event. Every deli salad imaginable fills the menu along with a fresh soup each day. Italian pastas, candies and sauces add to the carry-out temptation. Mostly it's a treat just to step back into the past and enjoy a genuine, family-run atmosphere.
SILVER Erik's DeliCafé
1664 Soquel Dr, Santa Cruz. 831.462.1919.
155 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.425.5353.
222 Mt. Hermon Rd, Scotts Valley. 831.438.4646.
1074 Green Valley Rd, Watsonville. 831.724.7575.
BRONZE New Leaf Market
2351 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.426.1306.
1134 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.425.1793.
1210 41st Ave, Capitola. 831.479.7987.
13159 Central Ave, Boulder Creek. 831.338.7211.
6240 Hwy 9, Felton. 831.335.7322.
Desserts
GOLD The Buttery
702 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.458.3020.
SILVER Chocolate
1522 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.454.9547.
BRONZE Gayle's Bakery & Rosticceria
504 Bay Ave, Capitola. 831.462.1200.
Falafel
GOLD Falafel House
113 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.459.9770.
SILVER Falafel of Santa Cruz
1501 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.597.0486.
BRONZE Falafel Hut
309 Beach St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.0567.
Fast Food
GOLD Taco Bell
802 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.425.9113.
1405 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.9012.
SILVER Jack's
202 Lincoln St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.4421.
BRONZE Charlie Hong Kong
1141 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.426.5664.
French Fries
GOLD Jack's
202 Lincoln St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.4421.
SILVER Saturn Café
145 Laurel St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.8505.
BRONZE Betty Burgers
505 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.8190.
Ice Cream
GOLD Marianne's Ice Cream
1020 Ocean St, Santa Cruz. 831.458.1447.
SILVER Cold Stone Creamery
1129 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.7015.
BRONZE Polar Bear
1224 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.425.1108.
Indian
GOLD Royal Taj
270 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.427.2400.
SILVER Sitar
1133 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.427.3000.
BRONZE Malabar
1116 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.7906.
Innovative Menu
GOLD Café La Vie
429 Front St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.6746.
SILVER Malabar
1116 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.7906.
BRONZE Aqua Bleu
1108 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.6999.
Italian
GOLD Ristorante Italiano
555 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.458.2321
SILVER Ristorante Avanti
1711 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.427.0135.
BRONZE Kianti's
1100 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.469.4400.
Late-Night Eatery
GOLD Saturn Café
145 Laurel St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.8505.
SILVER Crepe Place
1134 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.426.6994.
BRONZE Santa Cruz Diner
909 Ocean St, Santa Cruz. 831.426.7151.
SILVER Storrs Winery
303 Potrero St, Santa Cruz. 831.458.5030.
BRONZE Bargetto Winery
3535 N. Main St, Soquel. 831.475.2258.
Mexican
GOLD El Palomar
1336 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.425.7575.
Gorgeous landmark location, festive Mexican menu--this full-service dining palace has it all. The tequila list is endless (don't miss the midori margaritas), while spicy lunch legends include the crisp sope, creamy chicken tostada and signature snapper tacos. Salmon with guajillo sauce, and classic red pozole are among the menu stars, especially served with an order of warm house-made corn tortillas. The bar scene is lively and the all-day taco arcade offers fresh burritos, quesadillas, tacos and endless salsa.
SILVER Little Tampico
2605 Main St, Soquel. 831.475.4700
BRONZE Tacos Moreno
1053 Water St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.6095.
303 Beach St, Santa Cruz. 831.427.2200.
Microbrewery
GOLD Seabright Brewery
519 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.426.2739.
SILVER Santa Cruz Mountain Brewery
402 Ingalls St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.4900.
BRONZE Peachwood's
555 Hwy 17, Santa Cruz. 831.426.6333.
Sushi
GOLD Mobo Sushi
105 S. River St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.1700.
SILVER Shogun
1123 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.469.4477.
BRONZE Takara
1800 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.457.8466.
Taqueria
GOLD Taqueria Vallarta
608 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.457.8226.
1101 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.471.2655.
893 41st Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.464.7022.
6272 Hwy 9, Felton. 831.335.4264.
SILVER Tacos Moreno
1053 Water St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.6095.
303 Beach St, Santa Cruz. 831.427.2200.
BRONZE Taqueria La Cabana
2332 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.7261.
Thai
GOLD Sabieng
1218 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.1200.
Reliable and welcoming, this Westside neighborhood treasure has delivered its weight in lemon grass and chiles over the years. Somehow there's always room at this incredibly popular pit-stop for spicy Thai specialties and zesty take-away. The fiery tom yum soup and sensuous bean thread noodle salads share the spotlight with a kaleidoscope of curries. Fresh, colorful entrees power-dial taste buds to a world of jasmine rice, coriander and garlic. It all works.
SILVER Thai House
353 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.458.3546.
BRONZE Pacific Thai
1319 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.420.1700.
