Dining Reviews

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.

Not Dead Yet

The Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project marks 50 years of protecting threatened coho salmon and steelhead with an Aug. 1 anniversary fundraiser in Watsonville.

Brighten Up

Seabright delivers stacked sandwiches, memorable pizza and strong coffee, while Bookie’s Pizza prepares for a larger downtown Santa Cruz location.

Down for Ups

The Hotel Bar debuts its food menu in downtown Santa Cruz, while Inoa Poke brings Hawaiian-style bowls and a local film series explores plant-based eating.

Flavor Savior

Mark C. Anderson visits Bad Animal in Santa Cruz, where Chef Nick Hahn’s market-driven menu turns seasonal appetizers into bold, shareable flavor experiences.

Village Foods debuts a new East Cliff Drive micro grocery and eatery with prepared meals, grab-and-go options and local goods, while Seabright and Harbor businesses look for creative ways to stay connected during the Murray Street Bridge closure.

Open the Taps

Steel Bonnet Brewing expands toward Salinas while its Scotts Valley outpost becomes an experimental hub, H&H Fresh Seafood opens on the Westside, and Toriman brings Japanese market and sake-tasting energy to the local dining scene.

Coast with the Most

Davenport Roadhouse gets a coastal refresh with chef Jessie Curran, formerly of State Bird Provisions, The Progress and The Anchovy Bar, while DIYine brings homemade pineapple wine, mead, beer and more to Santa Cruz.

We Have Liftoff

Woody’s at Watsonville Airport begins a casual soft opening in the former Ella’s space, with chef Tim Wood planning salads, sand dabs, steak, burgers and more.

Summer Swell

Santa Cruz summer arrives with wharf views, Stagnaro Bros. calamari, chowder, beer gardens, food trucks and a full slate of free live music from the Boardwalk to Capitola, Soquel and Scotts Valley.

Beat It, Meat!

The first Santa Cruz Vegan Chef Challenge brought nearly 30 local spots into a monthlong celebration of plant-based food, from vegan pasta and pub bites to sushi, crepes and beeteroni pizza.

Going Big

This week’s Santa Cruz dining column spotlights Switch Bakery & Bistro’s gluten-free comfort food, Bruno’s Bar & Grill’s towering Bloody Marys and bargain specials, plus beer industry insights and local food news.