Dining Reviews

Prepared meal trays with grilled chicken, pasta salad and sauce from Village Foods in Santa Cruz.

What it Takes

June 23, 2026

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.

Downtown Lowdown

Four new downtown Santa Cruz eateries are taking shape, from Luna’s Borikén Bites and India Gourmet at Abbott Square Market to Campus Burgers and The Breakfast Club on Pacific Avenue.

Super Tasty

The Cruz Room brings together award-winning pizza, milkshakes, live music and arcade energy in one of Santa Cruz’s most inventive new dining spots.

Haters Get Happy

From oysters to a standout passionfruit margarita, Mane Kitchen & Cocktails delivers bold flavors and high-energy hospitality in downtown Santa Cruz.

Cross Bay Yay

A quick Monterey getaway delivers oceanfront dining, spa indulgence and hidden coastal beauty at the Monterey Plaza Hotel.

Lots on Tap

From pizza deals at Watsonville’s Hangar to Beer Mule events and updates on Dharma’s, this week’s Santa Cruz dining scene is full of flavor and change.

Baby Food

From a tongue-in-cheek Wharf debut to new pizza and vinyl in Aptos, plus updates from Watsonville and beyond, here’s a fresh roundup of Santa Cruz County dining news.