Hello dear
Welcome to Crow's Nest Restaurant
Nestled along the stunning coastline of Santa Cruz, Crow's Nest Restaurant offers a delightful dining experience with breathtaking views of the harbor and lighthouse. Known for its exquisite seafood, the menu showcases tantalizing appetizers like hotsmoked Pacific salmon and Dungeness crab cakes. Diners rave about the attentive service, particularly highlighting the exceptional Lily, who goes above and beyond to accommodate special requests. The ambiance seamlessly blends comfort with elegance, making it ideal for family outings or cozy dinners. Whether indulging in a savory clam chowder or the famed seafood risotto, every dish promises a memorable culinary journey at this cherished local gem.
Today's Suggestions
Explore the featured selections!
Dungeness Crab Cakes
Pinot Grigio, Bargetto
Cabernet Sauvignon, Daou, Paso Robles
Cabernet Sauvignon, Avalon
About
Crow's Nest Restaurant
Welcome to the Crow's Nest Restaurant, a culinary gem nestled along the stunning coastline of Santa Cruz, California. Perched at 2218 E Cliff Dr, this eatery offers not just a meal, but an experience that embraces the breathtaking views of the harbor and lighthouse, setting the perfect backdrop for your dining adventure. With a phone number to reach them at +1 831-476-4560, Crow's Nest is known for its warm hospitality, making it easy to see why patrons fall in love with this delightful spot.
The menu features an impressive array of appetizers, highlighting local seafood that shines in dishes like the Crab & Artichoke Dip, a delightful blend of blue crab, fresh artichoke hearts, and spinach enveloped in a creamy Bechamel sauce, perfect for sharing. For those seeking something more refined, the Ahi Ruby Rare offers a taste of the ocean with its sashimi tuna that is flawlessly seared, and the Prawn Martini stands out with succulent white shrimp drizzled in a tangy cocktail sauce alongside fresh lemon and avocado, setting your tastebuds alight.
As you delve deeper into the menu, the specialty salads are a must-try. The Blackened Chicken Salad boasts a perfect harmony of flavors, featuring blackened chicken, creamy Danish bleu cheese, and crispy bacon, magnificently dressed in raspberry vinaigrette. Meanwhile, the Prawn and Havarti Salad serves sautéed prawns over delicate mixed greens, surrounded by fresh strawberries and hazelnuts, a true celebration of California’s bountiful produce.
Crow's Nest Restaurant also takes pride in offering a unique experience with their individual salad bar, allowing you to create your own culinary masterpiece. Each visit promises a new sensation, whether you prefer the classic Crow's Nest Caesar Salad or the house salad, embellished with bay shrimp for a refreshing touch. Guests rave about the clam chowder, with its creamy richness heralding the restaurant's commitment to quality ingredients and flavors.
Beyond the food, the ambiance is equally remarkable. With glowing reviews underscoring the friendly service led by staff members like Lily, dining here feels like an embrace from a friend. Not only does she cater to unique requests with grace, but the entire team, including attentive servers like Matt, ensures your coffee is kept hot while you soak in the panoramic views. Feedback from visitors speaks volumes; whether it's a family outing, a romantic evening, or a casual breakfast, each customer leaves with cherished memories, often highlighted by the stunning views and a treasure chest of delights for the kids.
For a memorable experience where the flavors of their dishes are rivaled only by the picturesque scenery, Crow's Nest Restaurant is the place to be. It’s not just a meal; it’s an invitation to treat yourself to the best that Santa Cruz has to offer, with prices that reflect the quality without stretching your budget. Make sure to pay a visit during your next trip to the coast!
People talk
Our Guestbook
“ During this year's restaurant week I went with family and ordered from the prefix menu. Everything was great! We had a young child with us, and it was easy for the parents with a high chair provided and even a treasure chest treat at the end! ”
“ Lily at front of house is a freakin rockstar! She was super friendly and patient with me while helping me figure out a unique request. The restaurant is pretty cool, too. Nice views, good drinks and calamari. ”
“ A superb restaurant with lovely views of the harbor and lighthouse. Lily was my server and she did a terrific job. Very accommodating when I asked for surf n turf when it wasn't on the menu. Hats off to the chefs, the steak was phenomenal, highly recommend it. Prices are very reasonable for the location, ambience is just perfect, a great place to stop for dinner or lunch when you're in town. Be aware you do have to pay for parking though. ”
“ A great Monday morning breakfast at Crows Nest. An amazing view and yummy breakfast. I had eggs, sausage & potatoes and subbed french toast for my bread at a small upcharge. They have a great vanilla syrup. My partner had the all meat scramble and subbed a pancake. Coffee was kept hot by our server Matt and the view was incredible ”
“ Gluten free options marked on menu marked by 'G' on the menu. Server was great.... Had the seafood risotto and it was fabulous. Will go back!! ”
“ Always perfect spot to enjoy the ocean , harbor and sunsets. Service, dining and atmosphere in the upstairs deck is alway memorable. Great place to enjoy friends and business clients. ”
“ What a fun day to be at this restaurant yesterday. I will warn everyone that wants to sit in the patio to make sure you have a little bit of shade because it does get really hot. I wanted to go for their happy hour specials but my daughter doesn’t eat seafood so we compromised and had a great lunch! ”
“ This place is fantastic wonderful view fantastic food. customer service. Leila and the guy downstairs that looks like Keanu Reeves at the bar are fantastic people. It’s kind of vibes, food and drinks that you need on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. The calamari is great. The 4 stars is o my due to time to complete task during a not so busy day. Otherwise. The actual staff regardless if they’re helping you, are professional and chill. They can switch task to fit the need of the customer. Brilliant ”