Diners' Choice: Kid-friendly restaurants in Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2026

Looking for the best restaurants that are kid friendly 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!

la Posta

4.8

4.8 (2534)

$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

OzgeGold

Dined 5 days ago

Second visit in one week — and once again, everything was absolutely fantastic. From the warm welcome to the food, service, and overall atmosphere, La Posta continues to be one of our favorite spots. Thank you again for such a lovely experience — we’ll definitely keep coming back.

Suda

4.8

4.8 (452)

$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

NatalieGold

Dined on May 25, 2026

The service is great, the drinks are so good and the food is delicious. It’s refreshing to find a place that can cater to families while still keeping the quality of cocktails and food, for a reasonable price!

Cafe Cruz Rosticceria & Bar

4.7

4.7 (2257)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Soquel

About the restaurant

Cafe Cruz is a popular and lively local restaurant. We offer casual/fine dining with a full bar, indoor and heated patio dining. Guests enjoy watching the "magic" created in our open copper-backed kitchen each night by our talented team of chefs. Notable features include many locally sourced foods, nightly sustainable seafood specials, and many creative salad and vegetable options. Our innovative pastas and sandwiches are always a hit.
Spit-Roasted meats are featured each night, cooked on a french Rotisol rotisserie. The lush garden room can seat larger parties of up to 35. Guests enjoy our warm friendly service, our many seating options, and exceptionally delicious food.

Top review

randal

Dined 1 day ago

Chris , a new waiter, was fantastic!!!!!!!!! He was attentive and knew the menu well!!

Sugo Italian Pasta Bar

4.7

4.7 (358)

$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

Laura

Dined on May 28, 2026

We always enjoy our time at Sugo. The dishes are incredibly delicious and the service is great, very attentive and knowledgeable. They also have great gluten free options.

Sanderlings - Seascape Resort

4.5

4.5 (1315)

$31 to $50

Californian

Aptos

About the restaurant

Sanderlings Restaurant at Seascape Beach Resort offers elegant, casual dining with a spectacular ocean view from sunrise to sunset.

Top review

MikeGold

Dined 5 days ago

Our brunch was excellent. The server was very attentive even though there was a big post wedding party there too.

Margaritaville, Capitola

4.5

4.5 (20)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Capitola

About the restaurant

Welcome to Margaritaville Capitola! Our restaurant has been welcoming guests to Capitola for over 30 years. In January 2015 the original owners sold the business to Sunset Hospitality Group, a Santa Cruz family owned and operated company. We completed a full remodel of the restaurant, reinvented the food and service and opened May 7, 2015.
The new Margaritaville is dedicated to serving made from scratch Mexican seafood in a first class casual environment. Our dog-friendly heated patio is a great place to enjoy Baja fish tacos and Crispy Calamari. In addition we take pride in serving a variety of handcrafted margaritas made with fresh juice and local produce.
Sunset Hospitality is grateful for the support of Capitola and looks forward to serving the community and visitors for years to come.

Top review

Darbee

Dined on May 21, 2026

Our waiter was fantastic, several times ensured we were warm enough, and made my boyfriend's birthday extra special with his attentive service and ice cream!

Paradise Beach Grille

4.5

4.5 (117)

$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

EnriqueGold

Dined 1 day ago

Delicious food and what an amazing view! A great experience

Chocolate the Restaurant

4.4

4.4 (195)

$31 to $50

Californian

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Now celebrating 25 years, Chocolate the Restaurant provides an attractive dining environment for couples on dates, friendly meetings, and special occasion meals. Dine outside on the heated garden patio. Celebrate special occasions with up to 25 guests in the private street-side party room. Maybe start with a Chocolate Martini or a Passion Fruit Margarita. Chef David Jackman's fresh baked pasta rosettes, slow-roasted meats, and delicious seasonal organic vegetable dishes are all a prelude to our many chocolaty desserts. Our wine list focuses on local and on Italian wines. Our cocktails are all made from scratch; often using locally distilled spirits, and always using fresh house-made mixers. We are at your service for dinner every night! Afternoon walk-up cafe' service Friday thru Sunday. . We are open for dinner every holiday except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Top review

EddieGold

Dined 6 days ago

5/29/26 Friday. Weekly dinner - miniloaf, fettuccine with pesto, chicken pie, chocolate ecstasy sundae, tiramisu, Victoria hot chocolate

Discover more

Popular dish

Gluten-Free Mini Loaf

Popular dish

Pasta Rosettes

Low Tide Bar and Grill - La Bahia Hotel & Spa

4.2

4.2 (84)

$30 and under

Californian

Santa Cruz

About the restaurant

Discover a casual refuge from the buzz of the Boardwalk that embraces to the laid-back Santa Cruz lifestyle. Soak in handcrafted cocktails and bold innovative fare as contemporary Pacific island-inspired starters and shareables transport you to an island-style retreat.

Top review

Carol

Dined 4 days ago

Food and drinks were excellent. The server was very helpful and agreed to pace our dishes, but the kitchen rushed them out, so they piled up a bit on the table. Nonetheless, a very good meal.

Zelda's on the Beach

4.0

4 (605)

$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

Himanshu

Dined on May 24, 2026

Very good experience as a family. Our server was very polite and a good host. Food and ambience made a trip worth it.

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