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Gabriella Cafe, Santa Cruz, CA

Gabriella Cafe

4.7
4.7
978 Reviews
$50 and over
Italian

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 4 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Romantic
Zagat rated as "OUTSTANDING". Gabriella Cafe is a 50 seat, picturesque and romantic dining experience in downtown Santa Cruz.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Californian
  • Hours of Operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–2:30 pm Lunch Tue–Fri 11:00 am–2:15 pm Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (831) 457-1677
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Gema Cruz
  • Neighbourhood
    Santa Cruz
  • Cross Street
    Church Street
  • Parking details
    Parking Garages are very close
  • Entertainment
    Come listen to the acoustic jazz guitar on Thursdays and jazz vocals (no amp) on Fridays.
  • Additional
    Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Gender Neutral Restroom, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 978 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Best Overall

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Best Food

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Best Service

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Best Ambience

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Best Value

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Innovative

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Healthy

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Neighbourhood gem

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Great for fine wines

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Romantic

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Good for special occasions

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Gabriella Cafe in Santa Cruz is a charming spot with "delicious food" and a "lovely atmosphere." Ideal for brunch, lunch, or dinner, it offers a menu of fresh, thoughtfully crafted dishes inspired by local ingredients. While service is generally "attentive and joyful," some guests noted occasional delays.

978 Reviews
  1. Beth

    VIP

    San Francisco

    11 reviews

    4.0

    11 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The food and service were great! We shared the focaccia bread, the arugula salad and the mushroom ravioli with chicken apple sausage. All were excellent. I recommend this restaurant.

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  2. Liz

    Portland

    20 reviews

    5.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on December 8, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Beautiful meal. Each dish was delicious and nicely presented. Service was good and the atmosphere is lovely, good for groups or a romantic evening. Standouts are the roasted cauliflower and the salads. Fish and meat perfectly cooked. Highly recommended.

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  3. Melinda

    Palm Springs

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on December 4, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our whole dinner was delicious from the appetizers to the dessert.

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  4. Stacey

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 29, 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 3
    Arrived a few minutes early for our Thanksgiving reservation and were finally seated at a "temporary table" 30 minutes after our reservation time. Twenty minutes later moved to another table. Our requests from the prix fixe menu were taken and drinks were served. Thirty minutes later, our entrees (course 3) were brought out. We explained we had not yet received our 1st or 2nd courses. They apologized and 15 minutes later we received courses 1 and 2 together. The entrees they brought out were the originals they had tried to serve us earlier so dried out on top on scalding hot plates. First two course tasted great. Entrees and desserts were not great. An 18% tip was automatically added and no apologies provided. We so wanted to love this experience but it was definitely subpar. At least those 3 hours were spent with people we love.

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  5. adrianna

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 10, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great service and outstanding food! I also love the ambience. I highly a recommend Gabrielle café.

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  6. Robert

    Central Coast

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on October 31, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I recently dined at Gabriella Cafe in Santa Cruz and was impressed. The gnocchi, served with a spicy tomato sauce, sweet autumn squash, and generous slices of Parmigiano Reggiano, was melt-in-your-mouth perfection. The roasted Brussels sprouts with apple gastrique were crisp and caramelized, with just the right hint of sweetness. Gabriella Cafe nails locally inspired, thoughtfully crafted dishes—highly recommend!

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  7. Sandra

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on October 30, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Gabriella Cafe never disappoints! The food was excellent as always. I rarely go out for dinner, but if I do, Gabriella Cafe is the best and maybe only restaurant in Santa Cruz and maybe beyond.

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  8. Sandi

    VIP

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 28, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Visited during Restaurant Week. My duck confit was fantastic and my friend's risotto w/kombucha and veggies was perfect. Dessert of flourless chocolate cake and apple crisp were the also very good. We will return!

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  9. Dogan

    VIP

    San Francisco

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on October 27, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent food and service (despite it being restaurant week and therefore quite busy at prime time on a Saturday night): OpenTable reservation I had made somehow didn't take, but the hostess found us a table for two anyway! Food was great as ever (beat salads for both, pork shoulder, yellowfin tuna, choc torte and apple cobbler). We've been going to Gabriella for years and top quality has never wavered. Way to go, Paul and staff!

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  10. tricia

    Central Coast

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on October 27, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The food was excellent, of the highest quality and cooked to perfection.

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FAQs

Gabriella Cafe offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (831) 457-1677.

Gabriella Cafe is rated 4.7 stars by 978 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 4 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Gabriella Cafe

910 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Church Street
  • Neighbourhood
    Santa Cruz
  • Hours of Operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–2:30 pm Lunch Tue–Fri 11:00 am–2:15 pm Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Californian
  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Parking Garages are very close
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Gema Cruz
  • Entertainment
    Come listen to the acoustic jazz guitar on Thursdays and jazz vocals (no amp) on Fridays.
  • Additional
    Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Gender Neutral Restroom, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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