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Happening spot for creative American entrees in a modern setting with optional fixed-price menus.
Hours
| Friday | 12–2:30 PM, 5–9:30 PM |
| Saturday | 5–9:30 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 5–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 12–2:30 PM, 5–8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 12–2:30 PM, 5–8:30 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 121 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Phone: (831) 423-7427
Website: http://www.oswaldrestaurant.com/
Menu Photos
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OSWALD
Oswald Restaurant: California Comfort Food and Full bar in Downtown Santa Cruz.
Oswald | Downtown Santa Cruz, CA
Oswald. Bars • California / Continental • Fine Dining • Happy Hour • Lunch • Restaurants. Address. 121 Soquel Ave Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 423-7427. Get …
Oswald – Santa Cruz since 1995 (@oswaldrestaurant) – Instagram
✨ At Oswald Restaurant, every evening sets the … Santa Cruz, CA #OswaldRestaurant #TasteJourney #SantaCruzDining #FoodWithHeart #CaliforniaCuisine …
Reviews
Oneill Mclean
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.
… moreKathy Escott
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.
… moreAppetizer: 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.
Larissa Lorian
Busy night but really friendly, welcoming, attentive service at the bar. Loved my cocktail, the ahi tuna crostini was delicious and unique – with just the right balance of crunch, creaminess, perfectly seared ahi and the tartness of pickled onion. We had the crispy skin trout and it was so tender and crispy. Yum. But my favorite was the lightly sweet poached pear with slightly salty pistachio brittle and the goat cheese ice cream. I rarely order dessert but had to try, and it was just delightful. And then to see the chef/owner personally bring happy birthday treats to folks – wow. Just like what hospitality should be. Even the host checking in with us ON OUR WAY OUT – usually hosts just ignore you or give you like a half hearted “good night” without even looking up. Can’t wait to come back to Santa Cruz and back to this place.
… moreJake Byman
We loved Oswald. We had heard it referenced as a classic spot in Santa Cruz, so it had been on our list for a while. The burger was, easily, the best burger I’ve had in Santa Cruz.
They cooked it perfectly medium rare, and the add-ons to the burger were wonderful. The Dungeness crab was solid as well (though in my opinion a bit overpriced at $36 for the quantity).
Would definitely recommend as a whole!
… moreThey cooked it perfectly medium rare, and the add-ons to the burger were wonderful. The Dungeness crab was solid as well (though in my opinion a bit overpriced at $36 for the quantity).
Would definitely recommend as a whole!
Buddy Riley
Loved the food and drinks here. The cocktail selection is spot-on, and the bartender was super friendly. We ordered the lamb, mac and cheese, mushroom risotto, and flank steak, everything was really good. Would definitely come back, especially for our next date night.
… moreSebastian Little
Unlikely downtown Santa Cruz neighborhood gem, serving a variety of menu items from pub food to international fare with an emphasis of fresh flavors. Oswald is an open concept restaurant with the kitchen line cooks viable and within earshot of the dining area and the popular bar adjacent. The place gets a good crowd of diners and drinkers resulting in a pleasant atmosphere and cheerful chatter. The food is just damn good. The prices are maybe a bit higher than some nearby spots but it’s worth the splurge. Do not skip the deserts! Make a reservation or get there at opening.
… moreAmerican Angler
I had to pull an all-nighter because an old friend up in Santa Rosa needed this weird apparatus for catching raccoons and such, and the only one outside of Bakersfield was here in Santa Cruz! Well, I picked it up, and had time for a nice dinner before heading north.
After asking around it was apparent that the Oswald Restaurant was the go-to spot in Santa Cruz…so here I am, and all I can say is WOW! It was Amazing! ☆☆☆☆☆
… moreAfter asking around it was apparent that the Oswald Restaurant was the go-to spot in Santa Cruz…so here I am, and all I can say is WOW! It was Amazing! ☆☆☆☆☆
Daniel Silva
Overall, the food was very good and the staff very friendly. We had the crab and avocado appetizer, the fried chicken, and the oxtail tagliatelle. The fried chicken was good but unremarkable, the crab and avocado was quite good, and the tagliatelle was exceptional.
We also had a chocolate souffle for dessert and it was very delicious (the only complaint here is that it was served with an overly runny heavy cream)
Overall, had a very nice dinner but can’t help but feel like the prices don’t match the food/experience/ambiance. I felt overall like this place is quite overpriced.
… moreWe also had a chocolate souffle for dessert and it was very delicious (the only complaint here is that it was served with an overly runny heavy cream)
Overall, had a very nice dinner but can’t help but feel like the prices don’t match the food/experience/ambiance. I felt overall like this place is quite overpriced.
Ash Ster
Fine dining restaurant with delicious food, all the way! It’s a small restaurant in the downtown.
Reservations are highly recommended! Lot of locals eat here.
Service is ok, they are almost attentive!
Bar is the best feature!
Right next to the parking garage!
… moreReservations are highly recommended! Lot of locals eat here.
Service is ok, they are almost attentive!
Bar is the best feature!
Right next to the parking garage!
Lauren Ellis
Oswald is just amazing. I have been going for the past 12 or so years, and never received a bad dish. Do miss their days of changing menus and more Santa Cruz flair.
Their cocktails are heavenly- strong but delicious.
Highlights- burger, mac and cheese, and their new foccacia.
Bad reviews are quite frankly from people who frequent applebees and olive garden.
… moreTheir cocktails are heavenly- strong but delicious.
Highlights- burger, mac and cheese, and their new foccacia.
Bad reviews are quite frankly from people who frequent applebees and olive garden.