Oswald Restaurant
A chic and elegant Santa Cruz dining spot known for creative American dishes, craft cocktails, and a lively atmosphere. Perfect for special occasions.
Highlights
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Oswald Restaurant
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A chic and elegant Santa Cruz dining spot known for creative American dishes, craft cocktails, and a lively atmosphere. Perfect for special occasions.
"The food is always delicious, inventive, and perfectly cooked, and it's one of the rare places in town with attentive, good service."
Book Ahead
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for weekend dining, as the restaurant is popular with locals.
Try Signature Dishes
Don't miss the seared ahi appetizer or the seafood risotto for a taste of California comfort food.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
American
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Inventive American Cuisine
Creative American dishes with a touch of California comfort food, featuring fresh ingredients and unique flavor combinations.
Exceptional Craft Cocktails
The bar is a standout feature, offering a creative selection of signature cocktails and modern classics.
Decadent Desserts
Indulge in delightful desserts like the renowned chocolate soufflé and almond torte.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Ahead
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for weekend dining, as the restaurant is popular with locals.
Try Signature Dishes
Don't miss the seared ahi appetizer or the seafood risotto for a taste of California comfort food.
Explore the Bar
The impressive bar is a highlight, offering creative concoctions like whiskey mixed with apple or tequila with celery.
Consider Off-Peak Hours
For a more relaxed experience, consider visiting during non-peak hours.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Ahead
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for weekend dining, as the restaurant is popular with locals.
Try Signature Dishes
Don't miss the seared ahi appetizer or the seafood risotto for a taste of California comfort food.
Explore the Bar
The impressive bar is a highlight, offering creative concoctions like whiskey mixed with apple or tequila with celery.
Consider Off-Peak Hours
For a more relaxed experience, consider visiting during non-peak hours.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Oswald Restaurant is lauded for its consistently delicious and inventive American cuisine, alongside exceptional service and a standout bar. Many diners rave about signature dishes and decadent desserts. However, some find the pricing to be high for the overall experience and ambiance, with a few specific dishes not meeting expectations for the cost.
"We've been coming here for years on date nights and consider it one of, if not the, absolute best restaurant(s) in Santa Cruz! The food is always delicious, inventive, and perfectly cooked, and it's one of the rare places in town with attentive, good service. There are very few ingredients I dislike in general, but if one of them crops up on the menu here, this is the one restaurant I'm eager and willing to try it anew, and I have yet to be disappointed. The desserts last week were especially, astoundingly good. Not sure about the reviewer who doesn't like pouring cream on chocolate souffle (???), but I highly recommend that and the almond torte!"
Kelsey Evans Detwiler
"Our first visit. Good cocktails: Smoked Maple & Walnut Old Fashioned, Cosmojito and a glass of Chardonnay.
Appetizer: Caesar Salad. Good with anchovies on top, but lacked acid. It was nothing out of the ordinary. I would expect more for $21.
Entrees:
Shishito Pesto Pasta was good but made with boxed pasta. For $43, we would expect the pasta to be freshly made.
Seared Scallops with Beet Risotto had a great balance of flavor, but not for $53. Scallops were done perfectly with great flavor. The beet risotto not at all resembled risotto. Risotto should be made with arborio rice and have a creamy texture. Instead, whichever rice they used, long grain possibly, was par cooked, not al dente.
Beef Lasagna was okay. I would've liked some cheese in between layers. Again, for $33, I would've expected more.
Lamb Shank was good, but Laili down the street does it better, for less. My husband was not impressed, in spite of its beautiful presentation.
Desserts: Bread Pudding & Vanilla Creme Brulee. Decent but not great.
The service was excellent. The ambiance was nice, but again, for the price, I would expect a bit more sophistication.
All four of us agreed that we will not be going back."
Kathy Escott
"Oswald is a fantastic dining spot. The fried chicken was great, with excellent seasoning that enhances its flavor. The chocolate soufflé is a standout dessert, although the chocolate tasted a bit artificial, overall it was good ending to the meal without being overly sweet."
Oneill Mclean
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, reservations are highly recommended, especially on weekends, as it's a popular spot with locals.
Popular choices include the seared ahi appetizer, seafood risotto, and the house-made beef lasagna. The burger is also a local favorite.
Information on specific dietary accommodations like vegetarian or vegan options is not readily available. It's best to call ahead or ask your server.
Oswald offers a modern, chic, and sophisticated setting with an open kitchen and a lively bar, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
According to one reviewer, Oswald does not typically do substitutions, which may be an issue for those with restricted diets.
Oswald is considered an upscale restaurant with prices that some reviewers feel are on the higher side for the experience.
The bar is a highlight, offering creative signature cocktails and modern classics. Wine selections are also extensive.
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Sophisticated yet unpretentious European-inspired California cooking is the order of the day at this intimate and stylish bistro, whose seasonal menu might include such items as seafood risotto or crispy duck breast in a pomegranate reduction sauce. The creative concoctions poured at the slick marble bar include whiskey mixed with apple and lemon juice or tequila with celery juice and lime.
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Oswald Restaurant is a stylish and sophisticated eatery in the heart of downtown Santa Cruz that has been serving California comfort food and craft cocktails since 1995. Minimalist décor allows for the restaurant’s exhibition kitchen to take center stage, along with the patrons, creating a lively, vibrant atmosphere in this upscale, urban eatery. A superb wait staff makes you feel right at home, and a lively bar adds to the convivial ambiance as you tuck into a menu that offers tried and tested signature dishes such as the seared ahi appetizer.
A guide to the best burgers in Santa Cruz County
When I polled my Instagram followers on their favorite burgers, Oswald’s burger ranked the highest. Now, I understand why the burger on this downtown Santa Cruz bistro’s menu is a local favorite, despite some surprises. For one, the popularity of smash burgers has made the thin patty the default on many menus, but here, a thick patty made from tender house-ground beef, cooked to the diner’s preferred temperature, with juices running into a fluffy homemade bun, made me fall in love with big patties all over again.
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If you’re looking for a fancier American restaurant in which to dine and perhaps will be the only time you wish to spend more on dining while you’re in Santa Cruz, California, the recommendation of Oswald’s is one for which you’ll be grateful. The cuisine is superb with entrees including, steak, lamb, roast duck, cod, trout, shrimp, lobster, crab and scallops to name a few. Their international wine list is second-to-none.
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Oswald, located in the heart of downtown Santa Cruz, is an elegant yet unpretentious dining destination. Known for its modern American cuisine, the menu features dishes like duck breast, New York strip steak, and a rotating selection of fresh seafood. The intimate, contemporary setting and attentive service make it a go-to spot for date nights, celebrations, or a sophisticated dinner out with friends.
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Oswald offers a short, sweet menu of brasserie satisfaction. Joining the list of appetizers, entrees and desserts (half dozen of each of each), is an eclectic selection of wines, short on California but long on France, Italy and German Rieslings. Armed with sophisticated spirits, the chic full bar in the front room expands Oswald’s libation appeal.
Dining on the farm / Chef, farmer, winemaker and diners come together in a totally organic experience
Guest Chef Damani Thomas of Oswald restaurant in Santa Cruz puts the finishing touch on the grilled eggplant with homemade ricotta cheese and cherry tomatoes for the Outstanding in the Field farm dinner and tour at High Ground Farm in Watsonville which featured a six course dinner and farm tour. Photo by Gina Gayle/The SF Chronicle.
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A downtown mainstay, Oswald is a city-savvy restaurant with a great bar and a localized version of California cuisine. Enjoy comforting fare such as house-made beef lasagna, market fish chowder, and fried chicken at dinner, and be sure to not to miss the rotating collection of local art. // 121 Soquel Ave., oswaldrestaurant.com
Dining in and around Santa Cruz? - California: Dining
My favorite restaurant in town is Oswald, closely followed by Ristorante Avanti and Gabriella Café. Neither Avanti nor Oswald have web sites (and they haven't hired me yet!), but I can tell you that all three are sustained by the local farmers markets. I know all the chefs, and they personally shop at the Wednesday market.
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Oswald Restaurant is one of the fancy restaurants in Santa Cruz, California. If you are looking for a place to eat in the city, this restaurant is one of the best places to visit. Some of the dishes on their menu include roast duck, shrimp, crab, lamb, lobster, scallops, trout, cod, and lots more.
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The Oswald Restaurant menu is a dynamic showcase of creative American entrées, a testament to the culinary team's dedication to innovation and passion. Each dish is thoughtfully curated, blending familiar flavors with unexpected twists. Yet, Oswald doesn't stop at just tantalizing your taste buds.
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The menu shines with house-made lasagna, a rich and savory layering. The homemade macaroni and cheese is a creamy blend of cheeses that envelops each macaroni with a velvety hug. The braised oxtail is served with garlic bread crumbs, adding a delightful crunch to the tender, flavor-packed meat.
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From fresh seafood entrées to fine meats, Oswald does everything well and tastefully. The presentations, decor and excellent wine list all add up to a memorable meal—and evening.
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For visitors planning a fancy date night during their stay in Santa Cruz, Oswald is an upscale seafood Santa Cruz restaurant that is guaranteed to please.
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- Rating: 3.9/5 (517 reviews)- Price level: $$- Address: 121 Soquel Ave. Santa Cruz, California - Categories: New American, Bars- Read more on Yelp
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