DAY VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
can be found within the county of Santa Cruz, and though it's just a small town with a population of about 3500, it's got some of the best bars and restaurants around located in the surrounding area of Aptos. If you're the type that enjoys checking out historic spots, you may want to take a look at the cemetery that's located at the corner of Downing Drive and Meadow Road. The earliest residents of the town are buried here. Below you'll find the best bars and restaurants that are located in and around the Day Valley zip code of 95003!
♦ Bittersweet Bistro ♦
Bittersweet Bistro is located in nearby Aptos, and though it's often packed with customers, it's worth fighting the crowds to get in! Note that it can be a bit loud, so if you're looking to have some intimate conversation, you may want to try to visit on a weekday during their slower hours. Their breakfasts are fantastic, and we also love their pizzas and appetizers! They've also got Bittersweet Express, the carryout side, which is a very cool little addition. Wonderful coffee too! You can find Bittersweet Bistro at 787 Rio Del Mar Boulevard.
♦ Cafe Sparrow Restaurant ♦
is one of the best places to dine in the entire Day Valley and Aptos area. Their menu offerings are nothing short of elegant. Listen to this: French toast with berries and ham. Crab benedict. Mediterranean chicken salad with avocadoes and marinated tomatoes. Encrusted chicken. Filet mignon. Surf and turf. Scallops! Need we go on? This wonderful little French bistro is the best of the best! You can find Cafe Sparrow Restaurant on Soquel Drive between Aptos Creek Road and Valencia Street!
♦ Britania Arms ♦
Britania Arms is one of our favorite pubs in all of California, and here in the Day Valley and Aptos area it really stands out above all the rest! They've got a charming fireplace area to enjoy during the cooler months, and a great outdoor area that you'll love when it's warm and breezy! You will definitely want to try all the pub favorites here, and the pizzas are fantastic too. We love the table kegs, and there's truly no better place to watch the game. Great roasted chicken too! Enough said. You can find Britania Arms on Soquel Drive near the intersection with Aptos Creek Road! Highly recommended!
♦ Manuel's Mexican Restaurant ♦
Manuel's Mexican Restaurant has been in business as long as we can remember, and we find ourselves there time and time again for the fresh chips and salsa, the cheesy enchiladas, and the flavorful tamales! They've got great drinks too, and wonderful service. They're also one of the places that stays open later in the area, which is a major plus for us. Oh, and don't forget to try the carne asada tacos! Those have got to be one of our favorites. You can find Manuel's Mexican Restaurant on Center Avenue between State Park Drive and Broadway.
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♦ Zameen Mediterranean Cuisine ♦
Zameen Mediterranean Cuisine is simply out of this world. We love this restaurant so much. They've got sweet potato fries with pomegranate walnut sauce, and though that's obviously not an entree, it's often the reason that we come in! It's that good! They have amazing gyros, wonderful flatbreads, and fantastic koubideh skewers. It's really the incredible homemade sauces that make everything so good, so make sure to try several while you're there. Check out Zameen Mediterranean Cuisine on Soquel Drive near Ledyard Way.
♦ Green Valley Grill ♦
Green Valley Grill is one of the greatest restaurants in the entire area, this one being located in nearby Watsonville. It's very upscale and elegant, and they have some of the best food that we have ever had. The calamari steak sandwich is highly recommended, and we love the salmon too. They've got excellent salads, very crisp and fresh, and a nice selection of wines as well. The thing that really makes it so superb is the friendly service. The staff really works hard to keep the customers happy, and that's what keeps us so loyal to this beautiful dining establishment. You can find Green Valley Grill on Penny Lane between South Green Valley Road and Aspen Way.
♦ Panda Inn Restaurant ♦
Panda Inn Restaurant is the best place to go for Chinese food in Aptos. The honey walnut shrimp is the reason that we're so addicted to it, but they've got lots of other items that are just as amazing. The sizzling rice soup is really noteworthy too. They've got a dish that includes minced scallops, shrimp, crab, and chicken, and we also love their Kung Pao Chicken and their General Tso's Chicken. Really great sweet and sour here too! You will be able to locate Panda Inn Restaurant on Rio Del Mar Boulevard near the intersection with Beach Drive!
♦ Bangkok West ♦
Bangkok West is of course a Thai restaurant, and though this one isn't one of the more upscale choices in the area, it is comfortable and cozy with high quality food. They've got a lunch buffet that we really enjoy, and it includes a pineapple curry that is simply irresistible. We also love the coconut soup. Very spicy food just the way you like it! The service can be a little bit hit or miss, but we say it's worth it for the food. You can find Bangkok West on Cabrillo College Drive near the intersection with Willowbrook Lane.
♦ Ma Maison Restaurant ♦
Ma Maison Restaurant is of course a charming French restaurant that offers up both romantic ambiance and incredible food. We love their salads and pates, and all of the entrees are excellent. What we really love the best is the high quality and personalized service. Really smart and helpful waitstaff that go the distance to make sure that your time there is an excellent one. We would highly recommend this restaurant for either lunch or dinner any day of the week. You can visit Ma Maison Restasurant on Soquel Drive between Valencia Avenue and Aptos Street.
♦ Au Midi ♦
Au Midi is another French restaurant that we've got to recommend, thsi one in Aptos. The desserts are probably our main reason for coming here, but the entire menu is superb. The offerings that they serve here are not the typical French fare, so if you're looking for something different, this is a great choice. Wonderful wine list too. Don't let the shopping center location put you off. As soon as you walk through the doors you'll forget where you are! Very authentic and charming atmosphere. You can find Au Midi on Soquel Drive between Aptos Rancho Road and Aptos Wharf Road.
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