Food & Drink

Firebird

Nashville Fire Chicken brings made-from-scratch hot chicken sandwiches, tenders and customizable heat to its new home inside the Capitola Mall food court.

Fruit Full

The Hilt Estate’s 2023 Chardonnay from the Santa Rita Hills offers ripe stone fruit, dried mango and toasty complexity, alongside local food and drink notes from Aptos.

Santa Cruz startup Goodles keeps widening its noodle kingdom with protein pastas, instant cups and a new Twirly Mac line—wrapped in the kind of names, packaging and playful branding that have helped it land on shelves nationwide.

A Taste of Japan

New Capitola shop Toriman Japanese Market pairs hard-to-find Japanese groceries with ready-to-eat favorites including yakitori, bento, miso soup, rice bowls and slow-simmered sukiyaki.

This Bird Flew

After a decade in California’s wine industry, Dan Murphy returned home to Columbia Falls, Montana, to launch White Raven Winery and make wines of his own.

Thai Game

Chef Nongluk Ritter brings recipes rooted in her childhood in Thailand to Poon Sup Thai Cuisine, the new Scotts Valley restaurant she owns with husband Myles Ritter.

Fusion Fantasy

The Scotts Valley Art, Wine & Beer Festival brings food, drink and a weekend of dog-friendly fun to Skypark, while new Filipino-Italian kitchen Osso adds another flavor to Scotts Valley.

Secret Identities

Hidden inside Grady’s Market, Casa Birria serves quesabirria, fish tacos, burgers, asada fries and playful birria creations at neighborhood-friendly prices.

Peak Dumplings

River Café owner Rabgee Kunchok brings the flavors of his Tibetan childhood to Santa Cruz with scratch-made momo dumplings, noodle soup and a welcoming community spirit.

Foamy Fun

Beer Thirty celebrates 12 years with a Soquel beer festival as its family of local taphouses expands with live music, poolside events and new dining plans.

Brothers Brew

Brothers Joel and Brayden Estby built 11th Hour Coffee into a Santa Cruz gathering place fueled by creative drinks, housemade food and community connection.