Mark C. Anderson

Pearl’s stunning cocktails anchor this week’s Dining column, with Valentine’s sips, floating feasts, and local Good Food Awards finalists rounding out the menu.

A Santa Cruz Warriors game night delivers more than basketball—local food partnerships, community spirit, and a feel-good dining experience.

Cliffside Coffee occupies a rare locale—a postage-stamp-sized space next to storied Pleasure Point surf break and The Point Market.

From buzzy brunch debuts to airport dining and free tastings, here’s a roundup of the food and drink projects shaping Santa Cruz County in 2026.

Bad Animal—part bookstore, part wine bar, part restaurant—returns to in-house bistro cooking with chef Nick Hahn, bringing Parisian bistro flair and Santa Cruz soul to downtown.

Other Brother Beer Co. has debuted its second location in Aptos Village with a strong roster of craft sours, IPAs, lagers and collaborative brews.

The Breakfast Club at Midtown, a buzz-worthy hit since its line-out-the-door debut in San Jose, is coming to Santa Cruz Downtown in 2026.

Downtown Santa Cruz is finding fresh momentum through food, drink, and community—from a thriving farmers market to pop-up taprooms and creative holiday markets.