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My top 10 dinner spots in Santa Cruz, CA

My top 10 dinner spots in Santa Cruz, CA

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Created by Kai • Updated On: January 30, 2013

I love food. I can cook. I love going out to eat, but don't have a lot of money to spend on it so no $$$ restaurants on this list. Just good, unpretentious food in no particular order.

Pono Hawaiian Grill at The Reef Bar is one of My top 10 dinner spots in Santa Cruz, CA.

1. Pono Hawaiian Grill at The Reef Bar

120 Union St (Cedar street), Santa Cruz, CA
Hawaiian Restaurant · Downtown Santa Cruz · 59 tips and reviews
El Palomar is one of My top 10 dinner spots in Santa Cruz, CA.

2. El Palomar

7.8
1336 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
Mexican Restaurant · Downtown Santa Cruz · 58 tips and reviews

KaiKai: Best carne asada in town; also the best margaritas!

Charlie Hong Kong is one of My top 10 dinner spots in Santa Cruz, CA.

3. Charlie Hong Kong

8.6
1141 Soquel Ave (at Seabright Ave), Santa Cruz, CA
Noodle Restaurant · Eastside · 30 tips and reviews

KaiKai: My favorite fast food stop in town! Need something fast and healthy? Stop here for a noodle or rice bowl, or a salad.

Real Thai Kitchen is one of My top 10 dinner spots in Santa Cruz, CA.

4. Real Thai Kitchen

8.0
1632 Seabright Ave (at Soquel Ave), Santa Cruz, CA
Thai Restaurant · Eastside · 12 tips and reviews
Betty's Eat Inn is one of My top 10 dinner spots in Santa Cruz, CA.

5. Betty's Eat Inn

7.2
1222 Pacific Ave (at Walnut Ave.), Santa Cruz, CA
Diner · Downtown Santa Cruz · 22 tips and reviews
Mobo Sushi is one of My top 10 dinner spots in Santa Cruz, CA.

6. Mobo Sushi

7.5
105 S River St, Santa Cruz, CA
Sushi Restaurant · Downtown Santa Cruz · 23 tips and reviews

KaiKai: Death Star!

Saturn Cafe is one of My top 10 dinner spots in Santa Cruz, CA.

7. Saturn Cafe

145 Laurel St (Between Pacific & Front), Santa Cruz, CA
Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurant · Central Santa Cruz · 86 tips and reviews
The Crepe Place is one of My top 10 dinner spots in Santa Cruz, CA.

8. The Crepe Place

8.3
1134 Soquel Ave (between Seabright & Cayuga), Santa Cruz, CA
Creperie · Eastside · 41 tips and reviews
Surfrider Cafe is one of My top 10 dinner spots in Santa Cruz, CA.

9. Surfrider Cafe

429 Front St (at Cathcart St), Santa Cruz, CA
Burger Joint · Downtown Santa Cruz · 40 tips and reviews

KaiKai: Hands down, the best burger in town.

El Palomar is one of My top 10 dinner spots in Santa Cruz, CA.

10. El Palomar

7.8
1336 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
Mexican Restaurant · Downtown Santa Cruz · 58 tips and reviews

KaiKai: The best carne asada in town, without the full sit-down restaurant experience.

Takara Japanese Restaurant is one of My top 10 dinner spots in Santa Cruz, CA.

11. Takara Japanese Restaurant

3775 Capitola Rd (at 38th Ave.), Capitola, CA
Japanese Restaurant · 22 tips and reviews

KaiKai: The best sushi in town for the last 15+ years, I still prefer Takara over any sushi place in town even though they moved to Capitola.