/ Bars & Restaurants / By

13 Most Delicious Capitola Restaurants

Tucked next to Santa Cruz, Capitola is a relatively small town with a big-city feel. Among the many fantastic things to do in Capitola Village is eating at local restaurants. There are some world-class eateries, cafes, and wine bars here, and they offer great food that will make you and your family happy.

Whether you’re spending a relaxing weekend in California or just passing through for a beachside bite, Capitola Village is a food lover’s dream. From fresh pastries at cozy cafés to handcrafted pasta dishes and seaside margaritas, the culinary scene here is vibrant, varied, and oh-so-satisfying.

Many restaurants are accessible on foot from Capitola Beach, making it easy for customers to walk, sip, and savor without missing a beat. Whether you’re playing in the surf or shopping along the Esplanade, there’s always something delicious waiting around the next corner.

Want a taste of Capitola? Book your stay at one of our beautiful vacation homes where comfort meets convenience just steps from the area’s best dining options.

Locals and visitors alike strive to find those perfect spots where service shines and the food feels like a memory in the making. To help, we’ve compiled a list of the top places to eat in Capitola from ocean to table. Enjoy!

1. Britannia Arms of Capitola

Photo Credit: IsabellaO

Britannia Arms is a local chain with restaurants in San Jose, Monterrey, and Capitola. This pub and restaurant is a community staple, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

They have nights for karaoke, live entertainment, and trivia, too, making it an extra enticing place to grab dinner and then stay afterward for a round of drinks or two.

Their pub-style food is a crowd-pleaser, but they also go over the top of normal bars and serve full meals like juicy steaks, too.

2. Pono Hawaiian Kitchen and Tap

  • Website: ponokitchenandtap.com
  • Address: 3744 Capitola Rd
  • Opening hours: 11.30 am – 9 pm Monday / 11.30 am – 8 pm Wednesday – Sunday

Hawaiian food is always a delicious dining experience, whether you’re getting barbecue fast food or something a bit more handcrafted like the dishes at Pono.

If you’re unfamiliar with the Hawaiian language, Pono means “righteousness,” and it’s an apt descriptor for the food.

Here, you can find all your favorite Hawaiian flavors, including a wide assortment of poke bowls, with the lomi-lomi salmon a particular highlight. Pono also has tons of beer options from Maui and the mainland, as well as a selection of coffees.

3. Thai Basil

Photo Credit: jutamas
  • Website: thaibasilcapitola.square.site/home
  • Address: 210 Monterey Ave Suite 3
  • Opening hours: 12 pm – 7 pm Monday, Tuesday & Thursday / 12 pm – 8 pm Friday & Saturday / 12 pm – 6 pm Sunday

Craving authentic Thai food? While hopping on a plane to Thailand might be tempting, eating at Capitola’s Thai Basil is the next best thing. This family-owned and operated restaurant does homestyle cooking like no other.

For towering plates of Thai favorites like pad Thai, green curry, and veggie rolls, plus a few others you may not have heard of, your taste buds are in for a real treat at Thai Basil. This place can get busy, so it’s recommended to make reservations.

4. The Sand Bar

This seafood restaurant, located next to Paradise Beach Grille, offers an excellent food selection in a laid-back and breezy atmosphere. The Sand Bar is a great hangout place, but the dishes are good enough to come for a special occasion.

Here you can choose from burgers, salads, and fried dishes, depending on your mood. We highly recommend the Hawaiian teriyaki burger or the mahi-mahi sandwich.

5. Dharma’s Restaurant

Photo Credit: ajie kuncoro

If you’re looking for vegan or vegetarian food, you’ll want to check out Dharma’s. The entire menu is meat-free, so you can feel good about everything you order.

Dharma’s offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so feel free to go anytime during the day. Some notable dishes include the Brahma veggie burger, the vegetarian Dharma dog, and a BBQ bluff sandwich.

The rich flavors may trick you into thinking you’re eating meat, but it’s all vegetarian.

6. Zelda’s On the Beach

As the name suggests, Zelda’s is right on the beach, so you get the best views to accompany your meal. You can get even closer by opting for their outdoor seating. There’s something so satisfying about watching the waves crash into the sand while eating your favorite dish.

Zelda’s specializes in all kinds of seafood, from American to Italian to Mediterranean. You can get oysters on the half shell, sauteed mahi-mahi, or seafood fettuccine. There are also land-based meats and vegetarian dishes.

7. East End Gastropub

Photo Credit: Food is Love
  • Website: www.eastendpub.com
  • Address: 1501 41st Ave
  • Opening hours: 4 pm – 9 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday / 11 am – 3 pm & 4 pm – 9 pm Saturday / 11 am – 3 pm & 4 pm – 8 pm Sunday

Gastropubs have become pretty popular in recent years, and East End is one of the top spots in Capitola. The East End is the place to visit when you want to have a few drinks after work or visit with friends.

While you might come for the beer, you should stay for the food. The menu offers classic gastropub dishes, like pizzas loaded with topping and juicy burgers with French fries.

Weekends are also for brunch, featuring dishes like fried chicken, smoked salmon flatbreads, and brioche egg sandwiches.

8. Shadowbrook Restaurant

  • Website: www.shadowbrook-capitola.com
  • Address: 1750 Wharf Rd
  • Opening hours: 12 pm – 10 pm Friday – Sunday / 3.30 pm to 10 pm Monday – Thursday

Now we’re getting into the fancier side of the best restaurants in Capitola. Shadowbrook is located along Soquel Creek close to Capitola Wharf, and it’s a popular event spot, but it’s somewhat far away from the touristy hustle of Capitola Beach and the pier.

This place is the type of establishment where you can order a baked brie appetizer, a Pacific Rim salmon entree, a bottle of Bordeaux, and a Jack Daniel’s mud pie for dessert. Or, if you’re not into seafood, you can try the filet mignon or blackened prime rib. The top-notch service here is another allure.

Reservations are recommended if you plan to visit during peak dinner hours or are hoping for a spot on the coveted outdoor dining patio overlooking the river area. It’s an awesome view and a favorite for locals.

9. Gayle’s Bakery and Rosticceria

Photo Credit: The Food Group

One of the best things about the best Capitola restaurants is that they’re committed to locally sourced ingredients and sustainable cooking practices. Gayle’s takes these ideas to the next level by creating from-scratch menus one week at a time.

Every week it’s different, so you have to check the website often to see the pastries and treats in store. Gayle’s also offers blue plate dinners that regularly rotate, such as flank steak, pan-seared halibut, and chicken Marbella.

Gayle’s also has an excellent coffee bar. Who doesn’t want a strong, well-made cup of joe before strolling around Capitola village? The great food is just a bonus.

10. Pizza My Heart

This popular chain restaurant is cheesy by name and cheesy by nature. Expect specialty pies with unusual combinations such as the Big Sur with an incredible 40 cloves of garlic, or the Watsonville Apple, which combines pepperoni with green apple slices.

Meat-free diners will be glad to know that plant-based vegan pizzas are also now available for full-sized pies, and gluten-free crusts made from rice flour are also on the menu.

Capitola Village also has a location of this very same chain, so be sure to check which location is closest to you.

11. Paradise Beach Grille

Photo Credit: Alessio Orru
  • Website: www.paradisebeachgrille.com
  • Address: 215 Esplanade
  • Opening hours: 11 am – 9 pm Sunday – Thursday / 11 am – 10 pm Friday & Saturday

Soquel Creek runs up into Capitola from the bay, making it prime real estate for various restaurants. There are several top-tier choices between Stockton Ave and the bay, including Paradise Beach Grille.

Although the waterfront views are spectacular, you should also indulge in some fresh seafood. Expect classic coastal dishes like fresh oysters, fish tacos, coconut prawns, and linguini with clams.

Head for a stroll along nearby Capitola Beach after your meal to admire Monterey Bay views.

12. Trestles Restaurant

  • Website: trestlesrestaurant.com
  • Address: 316 Capitola Ave
  • Opening hours: 5 pm – 9 pm Wednesday – Friday / 4.30 pm – 9 pm Saturday & Sunday

While Shadowbrook offers traditional pomp and class with top-notch service, Trestles is focused on sustainability. It uses the freshest ingredients, sourced as locally as possible, and top-quality cooking methods to optimize flavor. So, you’re paying extra for the amazing work and passion that goes into each dish.

The menu changes regularly with the seasons, but you can expect to find unique dishes like ahi tuna carpaccio, tuna tartare tacos, roasted duck breast, and trumpet mushrooms. The wine and cocktail list is also extensive, so you’re sure to find something to drink with your meal.

Reservations are recommended if you plan to visit during peak dinner hours or for a special occasion.

13. Margaritaville

Photo Credit: VIAVAL TOURS

Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville is a classic from coast to coast. Everybody knows it by name. Here, you know you’ll be served cold drinks, great service, fresh food, and a fun atmosphere for parties.

Situated right on the water with a great view of brightly painted Capitola, we recommend sitting on the outdoor patio if the weather is right for it.

For those of drinking age, we highly recommend starting your meal with one of their signature margaritas. With so many flavors to choose from, you’re sure to find one to fit your mood. Food-wise, you can’t go wrong with any of their tacos or seafood plates. They’re always fresh and super flavorful.

Experience the Ambiance of Capitola’s Dining Scene

From laid-back beach bars to elegant date-night destinations with excellent service, Capitola’s dining scene invites you to slow down, soak it in, and truly discover what makes this coastal town so beloved. The variety, the views, and the warm hospitality make every meal an incredible experience.

Whether you’re craving fish tacos with a sunset view, rich pasta under twinkling lights, or flaky pastries with your morning latte, Capitola delivers on every front.

Book your stay at on of our charming vacation homes and make your foodie adventure part of an unforgettable coastal escape.