RIO DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA
is just a small community in the county of Santa Cruz, with a population of less than 10,000. Most of the area consists of summer rentals and contemporary upscale homes, and if you visit the area you will most likely be traveling into nearby Aptos for your dining and shopping. On this page we'll share with you a few of our favorite restaurants and bars in nearby Aptos. Be sure to check out all these wonderful eateries and lounges when you are in the 95003 zip code, whether for business or pleasure!
♦ Bittersweet Bistro ♦
Bittersweet Bistro is one of the more expensive restaurants in the area, but it's also the one that's most worth your time and money! We simply love it here. They have the best waitstaff around that really pays close attention to make sure that you are having a wonderful time. It's romantic and nicely decorated here, and they give you nice large portions so you never leave hungry. We love the breakfast burritos made in the panini press, and you cannot come in here without getting their coffee. It's exquisite! You can find Bittersweet Bistro at 787 Rio Del Mar Boulevard. One of our highest recommendations ever!
♦ Cafe Sparrow Restaurant ♦
Cafe Sparrow Restaurant is a delightful French bistro where you can enjoy a brightly colored atmosphere, a wonderful wine list, and some truly delicious dinners. We're big fans of their prix fixe menu, and we also love their half price wine on Monday nights. This is a very nice place for those birthdays and special occasions such as Mother's Day or Father's Day. The Frenchman's Hangover is our favorite choice on Sunday mornings after a long Saturday night on the town! Be sure to try the scallops here too! The location of Cafe Sparrow Restaurant is on Soquel Drive between Aptos Creek Road and Valencia Street!
♦ Severino's Bar & Grill ♦
Severino's Bar & Grill is an excellent choice for both dining and drinking! We love their organic foods and their Californian selections, and the prime rib is one of our top choices too. They've got great live music here to keep you entertained during your visit, and that makes it more of a destination than most of the other bars in the area. The crowds here tend to be a little older and more sophisticated, so if you're trying to avoid the college crowds, this is a great spot to try. The location of Severino's Bar & Grill is on Old Dominion Court near the intersection with State Park Drive.
♦ Britania Arms ♦
Britania Arms is one of our favorite places to go for great pub food! This is the most authentic English pub that you're going to find in the Rio Del Mar/Aptos area, and if you're seeking a really noteworthy beer list, we can't think of a better place to go than this! It's very comfortable and relaxed, with a friendly staff that makes all the difference. We're absolutely certain that you're going to love it here just as much as we do. You'll be able to locate Britania Arms on Soquel Drive near the intersection with Aptos Creek Road. Very highly recommended!
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♦ Manuel's Mexican Restaurant ♦
If you're in the mood for some really out of this world Mexican food in the Rio Del Mar-Aptos area, we have got to recommend Manuel's Mexican Restaurant to you! We've been coming here for years, and we really love starting the night off with those great chips and salsa! Their refried beans are also the best that we have ever tasted, and their drinks are amazing too! We'd recommend the carne asada tacos and the enchiladas! Great tamales too, and they're open much later than most of the other restaurants in the area! You can find Manuel's Mexican Restaurant on Center Avenue between State Park Drive and Broadway.
♦ Sanderlings Restaurant at Seascape Resort ♦
Sanderlings Restaurant at Seascape Resort is one of the most upscale and contemporary dining choices in the Rio Del Mar and Aptos area. Despite that, the prices are very affordable, and the view is simply gorgeous! The Californian dishes are just so good here, particularly the seafood dishes, and the burgers are amazing too! Their buffet on Christmas Day is always a memorable experience too. You'll feel like you're dining in the beach house of a friend, rather than in a restaurant! We love that feeling. You will be able to find Sanderlings Restaurant at Seascape Resort at 1 Seascape Village. This is one of our highest recommendations!
♦ SmoQe BBQ & Wood Fired Pizza ♦
SmoQe BBQ & Wood Fired Pizza gets one of our highest recommendations because they have always served up one of the most delicious meals in town, in one of the most fun and relaxed atmospheres too! We love coming in with a big group of friends to enjoy their barbecued specialties and pizzas, and we would particularly recommend the pulled pork to you! It's really that good. We also recommend the quattro formagi, and anything is great with the chipotle ketchup on it! Yum! You can find SmoQe BBQ & Wood Fired Pizza on Soquel Drive near the intersection with Monroe Avenue!
♦ Panda Inn Restaurant ♦
Panda Inn Restaurant has captured our heart when it comes to great Asian and Chinese food in the Rio Del Mar area! Their shrimp specialties are our favorites on the menu, and since the food here has a distinctly Mandarin slant, everything is seasoned and spiced just perfectly. The lettuce cups are great, and we love the General Tso's Chicken here too. Gung Pao Chicken is out of this owrld1 The portions are nice and large too. The location of Panda Inn is on Rio Del Mar Boulevard near the intersection with Beach Drive! Very highly recommended!
♦ Au Midi ♦
Au Midi is all about delicious French food, and we cannot get enough of it! Don't let the shopping center location fool you. This is yet another instance where you should absolutely not judge a book by its cover, or a restaurant by its exterior! Just like those cozy little street cafes in France, this place keeps it simple and elegant, and you get to reap the rewards of it. This is a true gem, even if it is a bit more expensive than you'd expect for the location. Again, it's all about the food, and it is worth it! You can find Au Midi on Soquel Drive between Aptos Rancho Road and Aptos Wharf Road.
♦ Village Host Pizza & Grill ♦
Village Host Pizza & Grill is a really family friendly place to go, and it's also a nice spot for dates or outings with friends. They've got some of the best sandwiches around, including a hot turkey sandwich with cheese that's oven toasted, and their crisp pizza is just out of this world! The ambiance is very much like a sports bar, but unfortunately they lack the large number of televisions to actually catch the game! Still, we love it here. Always a good time any night of the week! The location of Village Host Pizza & Grill is at 4 Seascape Village! Very highly recommended!
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