Best Seafood Restaurants in Santa Cruz

Cafe Cruz is the best. So many local restaurants have raised their prices considerably but Cafe Cruz has not. If they have raised their prices then it’s not enough to be noticeable. The food is consistently good and portions the same. It’s my go to place to take friends and/or family for a few decades.

Review for Pete’s Fish House Restaurant: I had the pleasure of dining at Pete’s Fish Restaurant yesterday, and it was an absolute delight! From the moment we walked in, the warm and welcoming atmosphere made us feel right at home. The menu offered a fantastic variety of fresh seafood options, and everything we tried was cooked to perfection. The fish was tender, flavorful, and clearly of the highest quality. The sides were equally impressive, complementing the dishes beautifully. The service was impeccable—friendly, attentive, and genuinely invested in ensuring we had a great experience. It’s rare to find a place where both the food and the service exceed expectations, but Pete’s managed to do just that. If you’re looking for a seafood spot that delivers on flavor, freshness, and hospitality, Pete’s Fish House Restaurant is a must-visit. I can’t wait to return and try more from their amazing menu! Highly recommended.

What a wonderful find! A cozy restaurant with friendly and superb service and delicious and bountiful food. I'm a fan, and frequent orderer of, calimari steaks--and this was the best I have ever had. We're going back!

We made reservations, which made selecting a good table by the window easier. The server promptly took our drinks orders so we could take advantage of the last few minutes of Happy Hour, which was kind. Three of us had the fesh halibut with a pineapple relish served on fragrant rice with a bed of lightly sautéed kale. The fish was well prepared and moist. We found the menu to offer a good selection of food, and the service and ambience were pleasant. I have stayed near the restaurant many times but never eaten here. I will be back!

It was elegant and good energy. Drink menu was creative and well executed and the food was really good. I think one knock I might have is that their menu was very limited (5 main entree options). It’d be nice to see a few more options, that’s all. Similarly the wine list was very limited which isn’t in line with the overall quality of the restaurant