Are you looking for a dining place to enjoy a romantic evening with your significant other? May be you are just looking for a quiet and intimate place to have meet your friends over supper?
Here, you have a list of the most romantic restaurants of Santa Cruz County. The options are absolutely different and you will certainly find something you will like whether it is a haven hidden in the mountains of Santa Cruz or an eating offering breath-taking views of the coast.
Soif Wine Bar & Merchants
If you would like to spend an evening in the centre of the downtown, you might be willing to visit Soif Wine Bar & Merchants which is just perfect no matter whether you are going to start your date here or finish it.
One of the major attractions of this beautiful eating is a large variety of local wines which can be composed with the cocktail delicacies from the restaurant’s menu. The choice of meal you can order here is pretty large starting with a rich board of cheese up to a sophisticated dish of meatballs made from lamb meat and cooked in the romesco sauce.
Note that some of the wines offered in this restaurant are available in the wine shop located next door, so if you really enjoy your drink, you can purchase an entire bottle of it and take it home.
Hollins House
In case you are looking for a place which will provide you with particularly picturesque scenery while you are dining, you should visit Hollins House. The location of this restaurant will allow you feel all the beauty of Monterey Bay as well as Santa Cruz. By the way, the restaurant itself is situated inside a historic building which is Pasatiempo Golf Club.
Hollins House has a quite long history as it was built in 1931. Today the restaurant is offering completely organic food to its visitors.
Hollins House is also a perfect place for people who appreciate a possibility of choosing among various cuisines. Certainly, it is also great if you and your date have different food preferences. The Chef of Hollins House John Paul Lechtenberg will create amazing dishes for you based on different cuisines as well as seasonal products provided by the local farmers. Some of the visitors’ most favourite dishes offered at Hollins House are Pappardelle Bolognese and Spanish octopus.
Pay your attention to the working days of this eatery as it regularly organises private events. If there are no changes in the working hours of the restaurant, it is open to guests from Tuesday to Saturday.
Gabriella Cafe
Providing you want your date to feel oneself like being at an eatery somewhere in the French countryside, you should invite him or her to Gabriella Cafe which is located in the downtown of Santa Cruz. Even though it is located in the centre, it is actually hidden on a rather quite street, so you will be able to have a very intimate experience dinning in this charming place.
The owner of Gabriella Cafe, Paul Cocking heavily relies on the local organic products, so this is the eatery where you can enjoy clean and healthy food.
Shadowbrook Restaurant
The locals call Shadowbrook Restaurant “romance in dining” and there is nothing surprising in it at all. The spot where the restaurant is located as well as the internal design of the place is simply magic. Here, you will have a beautiful view of Capitola Village. Reaching the location itself is a unique experience. You will have two options: either using a red cable car going through a magnificent garden of waterfalls and ferns or just stroll through it along the stream flowing right to the restaurant as there is a beautiful pond inside.
The internal design is creating special vibes which you will be not able to forget. There is a large stone hearth, aquariums and amazing trees which are growing right through the ceiling.
Of course you are curious now about the cuisine offered in this restaurant. Delicious steaks and local seafood for example Angus prime rib slowly roasted or sautéed sand dab are offered by Shadowbrook Restaurant.
Needless to say, this place is simply perfect for dates, anniversaries and small birthday parties. By the way, the restaurant has its own vintage taxicabs which you can use for going home.
Jack O’Nell Restaurant & Lounge
If you prefer to spend an evening with your date close to the beach, you might would like to visit Jack O’Nell Restaurant & Lounge. This restaurant is overlooking the Beach Boardwalk of Santa Cruz which is regarded to be one of the top surfing locations of the entire California coast.
Jack O’Nell Restaurant & Lounge will invite you into its retro dining rooms and will allow you to enjoy the best possible views of the Monterey Bay while consuming fresh local seafood.
Other romantic eateries of Santa Cruz worth your attention are Sanderling’s Restaurant overlooking the Monterey Bay and Cafe Cruz located in Soquel.