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Bustling room & bar with American entrees including steamed clams plus cocktails such as margaritas.
Hours
| Friday | 11 AM–9:30 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–9:30 PM |
| Sunday | 9 AM–9 PM |
| Monday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–9 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 106 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Phone: (831) 423-5271
Website: http://www.idealbarandgrill.com/
Menu Photos
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Related Web Results
Ideal Bar – Santa Cruz, CA
Located at the entrance to the historic Santa Cruz Wharf and steps to the beach, Ideal Bar & Grill has been the go-to spot for tasty food & delicious cocktails …
Ideal Bar & Grill (@idealbarsantacruz) · Santa Cruz, CA – Instagram
Since 1994, Ideal Bar & Grill has been a favorite amongst locals and visitors alike! · Beautiful day to grab a cocktail or coffee with a friend on the beach …
Ideal Bar & Grill | Santa Cruz CA – Facebook
Ideal Bar & Grill, Santa Cruz. 3640 likes · 50 talking about this · 21040 were here. Full service, family, fun restaurant located on Santa Cruz Main Beach.
Reviews
Hedieh YS
We sat outside with great views of the boardwalk and the pier. Can’t beat the view.
I had the spicy margarita.. and boy it was spicy! Different but good.
Calamari was fine. Not very flavorful. Appreciated though that it wasn’t so much batter you can’t taste the calamari
Our server asked us the same question four times. 🙂 I think he was distracted. The service was fine though.
… moreI had the spicy margarita.. and boy it was spicy! Different but good.
Calamari was fine. Not very flavorful. Appreciated though that it wasn’t so much batter you can’t taste the calamari
Our server asked us the same question four times. 🙂 I think he was distracted. The service was fine though.
Joann Berrones
Love this place the food and drinks are so delicious especially the spicy Margarita. You all have to try this. It’s so delicious. I had two of them
… morelydia hacklerlopez
Food was extremely fresh and delicious but it seemed like we waited a long time for it. The wait staff were friendly and engaged and paid attention to special request. The dining area was clean, well lit and close to the beach. We enjoyed our meal.
… moreStephen Hatfield
The tyranny of choice is prevalent, especially when just trying to grab dinner first thing after arriving in a new town on vacation. We walked around for a while, learning that 5pm Friday night in Santa Cruz right before Christmas feels a lot like Sunday night everywhere else. Why were all the shops closed? Why was the boardwalk lit up so fantastically, yet only to be populated by the similarly hapless as us? Was it too *early*? How can a loving God cause such agony?
We found no answers as we walked, despite how pleasant our stroll was. What we did find was Ideal bar and grill. I joked that we can stop here – it’s “ideal” so clearly we’ll find nothing better – but really there wasn’t much from the outside that struck me. But cute Christmas cocktails caught my wife’s curiosity and I was in no position to protest; in we went.
Much larger inside than I thought. Much more comfortable than I was expecting. Her Christmas cocktail was tasty, my margarita probably would have been if I remembered Milton’s Uncertainty (did I remember to order no salt?). Ceviche accompanied our cocktails and was absolutely fantastic. From all reports her Buddha salad was wonderful – I fully intended to try it myself yet my fork could never seem to stray from the horseradish salmon in front of me – it was marvelous! By that point I had drained my drink as carefully as I could, avoiding the Crystals That Do Not Belong the best I could, and I ordered a sour to follow. Tropic Sunset by Fruition Brewing company was one of the best I’ve ever had. It really topped off my dining. It was a rotating item though, sadly this will become yet another beer that I love so much though will probably never find again.
These are the fleeting moments though, aren’t they? Such wonderful dining experiences are not to be recreated and we should be careful not to try, but to make new ones.
So reader, if you’ve stuck with me this far, I encourage you to make a new one at Ideal.
… moreWe found no answers as we walked, despite how pleasant our stroll was. What we did find was Ideal bar and grill. I joked that we can stop here – it’s “ideal” so clearly we’ll find nothing better – but really there wasn’t much from the outside that struck me. But cute Christmas cocktails caught my wife’s curiosity and I was in no position to protest; in we went.
Much larger inside than I thought. Much more comfortable than I was expecting. Her Christmas cocktail was tasty, my margarita probably would have been if I remembered Milton’s Uncertainty (did I remember to order no salt?). Ceviche accompanied our cocktails and was absolutely fantastic. From all reports her Buddha salad was wonderful – I fully intended to try it myself yet my fork could never seem to stray from the horseradish salmon in front of me – it was marvelous! By that point I had drained my drink as carefully as I could, avoiding the Crystals That Do Not Belong the best I could, and I ordered a sour to follow. Tropic Sunset by Fruition Brewing company was one of the best I’ve ever had. It really topped off my dining. It was a rotating item though, sadly this will become yet another beer that I love so much though will probably never find again.
These are the fleeting moments though, aren’t they? Such wonderful dining experiences are not to be recreated and we should be careful not to try, but to make new ones.
So reader, if you’ve stuck with me this far, I encourage you to make a new one at Ideal.
Julie Marquez
Our server Winston was THE best. He attended to our every need. The food was delicious. I had a bowl of the clam chowder and it was quite a bowl!! My husband had the white fish on a bed is spinach and coconut rice. So good!!
… moreRajesh Iyer
It’s located right on the beach and you can find it quite easily as it leads to the walkway which gives you a nice panoramic view of the Santacruz shoreline. They offer 2 separate menus for lunch and dinner. It’s a pretty large restaurant and if they are full then can easily seat up 200 -250 pax. The seating on the outside should probably accommodate between 50 – 60 people and is perfect for enjoying a meal with a view of the sea. We had lunch and it was great. The staff is really chilled out, friendly and service is really good – worth the tip. I tried oysters for the first time with the horseradish dip and it was a slice of heaven. The menu has limited options for vegetarians mostly restricted to salads, sandwiches and wraps. But I guess people turn up here for the seafood and that they offer in plenty. They even agreed to tweak the dish for me replacing the blackened Ahi fish with the island sea bass and it was fantastic. And yes you have a good choice of beer, wine and cocktails and it would be a crime not to pair them with your food here. The main course portions are just the right size for one person which is great. But it is pricey- lunch and drinks for 3 set up back by 130 dollars roughly. But then anyone who sets foot inside knows this and is here for the good food, a nice view of the beach and the ambience. I am sure this place must be just buzzing in the evenings with the lights and that is something I wish I could have experienced. I highly recommend this place for the good food, friendly staff and good service – yes they actually listen to your requests. Cheers….
… moreFrank Irvin
Sitting either inside or out on the deck overlooking the water and the pier, its worth every minute. Good service with plenty of smiles from the hostess to the servers to the busboys. Prices are worth every bite. Would definitely come back.
… moreMichael H
The patio is a nice view of the ocean, this is the best thing about this place.
The food overall is very meh. The clam chowder is pretty good and likely the best thing on the menu.
Service took forever even though it wasn’t busy, I was refilling my own water and we had to hunt our person down for the bill.
… moreThe food overall is very meh. The clam chowder is pretty good and likely the best thing on the menu.
Service took forever even though it wasn’t busy, I was refilling my own water and we had to hunt our person down for the bill.
David Guenthardt
Great place right on Crowell Beach. Good options for sitting in sun or shade outside, or inside. Very friendly service, food came quickly as ordered. The seafood sampler came with a beer battered fish filet, 3 coconut shrimp and battered calamari. I exchanged the fries for rice, all very delicious! Perfect serving size for a lunch, didn’t leave hungry or stuffed. No wait during the week, but seems to be very busy on the weekends.
… moreErik Kolacek
We are a family of four, with two young boys and a special needs four year old. The service was outstanding! Our hostess was kind and helpful, and helped us store a mobility chair when we were seated. The waiter was very friendly and patient. And our food was simply delicious. Ideal Bar & Grill is 100 percent kid friendly, with a beautiful interior and a stunning view. 5 stars! We are definitely coming back.
… more