Diners' Choice: Healthy restaurants in Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall healthy cuisine in Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Suda

4.9

4.9 (391)

$31 to $50

American

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Pairing seasonal produce from local farmers with line caught fish and lean, hormone-free beef, the menu at Süda stays as fresh as the ingredients. With a variety of inventive dishes, including vegan and gluten free options, there is truly something for everyone.

The atmosphere at the bar is lively, while booths offer diners a more intimate experience making Süda the perfect place for a casual meal with friends or a night out with someone special. We are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner so you can enjoy fresh food whenever your heart desires.

Top review

Jennifer

Dined 2 days ago

Great service!! Jade is always amazing!! So have the carro and brussels sprouts with the cashew butter is back!!

la Posta

4.8

4.8 (2345)

$30 and under

Italian

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Select from a menu that features dishes composed of locally sourced ingredients as well as house-made pastas, naturally leavened breads and pizzas from our brick oven.

Because we rely on the bounty of the Santa Cruz farming community, our menu changes frequently and features a wide array of specials. La Posta’s all-Italian wine list includes autochthonous varieties from small producers, by-the-glass and by the bottle.

La Posta adheres to the Monterey Bay Seafood Watch Program and is a certified City of Santa Cruz Green Business.

We are so thankful for the incredible support from our customers and community.

We will continue to adjust our service based upon best practices for keeping our staff and community safe.

Top review

cherylVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Everything was amazing as usual! All the pastas were perfect!

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Popular dish

Agnello

Sugo Italian Pasta Bar

4.8

4.8 (277)

$30 and under

Italian

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

A European concept-restaurant of traditional Italian cuisine; a modern and dynamic service, that allows customers to enjoy fresh, organic and authentic italian food through a selection of appetizer, panini, pizza and salads, and obviously our specialty: "Pasta".

Top review

Renee

Dined on Jan 12, 2025

Sugo continues to be an outstanding dining experience. My seafood stew was delicious - generous servings of shrimp, scallops, calamari in a delicious red sauce with just enough kick. lovely. Bread was delicious too. Good value; we have had too many expensive unsatisfying dishes at other restaurants. Sugo is our top dining choice. And we love the Italian staff!

Jack O'Neill Restaurant & Lounge

4.7

4.7 (1980)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Jack O’Neill Restaurant and Lounge is Santa Cruz’s best new destination for coastal California cuisine. The approachable and family-friendly vibe at Jack O’Neill Restaurant and Lounge will welcome hotel guests and locals alike.

Top review

KatieVIP

Dined 3 days ago

I had a wonderful experience at Jack ONeill's Everyone treated me very kindly, from the moment I arrived and was met at the front desk by Jack, followed by Mia who settled me in to Tracey who took served me. Mia was so friendly and attentive. She was very positive and upbeat. Tracey was excellent server. She advised me when asked and made sure I received what I needed throughout the evening. I would return just to see them again. The food was excellent. I had the special, ahi, tuna dish that night. It was tasty and lovely to look at. I would recommend the restaurant and people who assisted me without question. The view was magnificent even as the sun settled.

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4.7

4.7 (979)

$50 and over

Italian

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Zagat rated as "OUTSTANDING". Gabriella Cafe is a 50 seat, picturesque and romantic dining experience in downtown Santa Cruz.

Top review

RoyVIP

Dined 2 days ago

The food is great and the staff was super nice and helpful and even stepped over our dogs (who took up way to much space on the patio)

Laili

4.7

4.7 (2868)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Laili is our expression of love through food and service. We offer a unique menu made up of fusion Afghani Mediterranean items that include kabobs, wraps, flatbreads, pastas, and spiced lamb and chicken dishes as well as delicious vegetarian options.

Laili Restaurant "BEST MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANT", Good Times 2023, Voted #1

Rich Mediterranean Flavors with a Unique Afghan Twist in the Heart of Downtown Santa Cruz.
Currently taking reservations for lunch and dinner, walk-ins welcome too.

Dine in our elegant, secluded, off street patio. Visit our website for event information.

Top review

Ethan

Dined 3 days ago

Service was excellent. We trusted the waiters opinion and he did not disappoint. Unfortunately, the noise was a bit distracting. The food was exiting- new flavor combination, almost a fusion of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean.

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4.7

4.7 (476)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

We named our restaurant Mozaic because we wanted to capture the diversity of flavors and culmination of authentic Mediterranean dishes that we offer. We bring together the best of Mediterranean recipes from Greece, Lebanon, Turkey and Sicily, emphasizing Middle Eastern influence.

Our menu is hand-crafted after years of experience in the restaurant business knowing what people like. We make every dish completely authentic, utilizing 100 years old techniques that have been passed down through generations to bring you incredible flavor. COME AND TASTE THE DIFFERENCE We seek only the best, local ingredients. We use high-quality meats, like our Australian lamb tenderloin and select only sustainable seafood. Our lavash comes from an authentic Persian bakery.

Everyone wants family. Mozaic is a warm and inviting atmosphere where everyone can feel at home. Come enjoy our incredible and lush atmosphere.

Top review

Kelly

Dined on Dec 25, 2024

Our party of 6 had an amazing Christmas Eve Dinner there, everything was spectacular and we will return someday soon !

Oswald

4.6

4.6 (1616)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Oswald is a contemporary American restaurant and bar that focuses on the abundance of delicious ingredients found on the central coast of California. Oswald features an eclectic, international wine list and an exciting, seasonal bar program. While the decor is spare and modern, the atmosphere is comfortable and relaxed. Oswald features new art shows every two months.

We do have first come tables available in the lounge as well as bar seats.
Come by and see if there is a table or seat for you.

Top review

Peter

Dined on Jan 4, 2025

Always above average food and excellent service. Always our go to for a date night.

Paradise Beach Grille

4.6

4.6 (43)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Capitola

About the restaurant

Paradise maximizes the beautiful beach location on Monterey Bay with an outdoor patio, views of the historic Venetian condominiums, and the ocean. We also feature an outdoor fireplace perfect for that cozy dinner or wine tasting. We have high top tables in the bar area for drinks or dining, as well as an attractive and spacious dining room. Customers enjoy the various casual venues yet an upscale flair with quality food, beverage, and service.

Top review

Tyler

Dined on Jan 8, 2025

Amazing setting and view! However, we were disappointed with the quality of the food - especially for the price. Would choose to try somewhere else next time.

Zelda's on the Beach

4.4

4.4 (556)

$30 and under

Californian

Capitola

About the restaurant

Zelda’s restaurant is in the heart of Capitola Village. We are located on the beach with spectacular views of the Monterey Bay and Capitola Wharf.

Zelda’s Restaurant has been serving local customers as well as others from all over the world for the past thirty years. We offer indoor and outdoor dining with a beachfront deck where you can literally reach and touch the warm sand of Capitola Beach.

Top review

DaveVIP

Dined on Jan 5, 2025

This is the breakfast spot to go to when you’re in Santa Cruz, would definitely come back here.

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