kdm

My husband and I are driving down to Aptos for a weekend getaway. Can anyone recommend some places to eat good fish in that area? Normally we just go directly to Santa Cruz or down 101 to Carmel/Montery and bypass Aptos.

Thank you for any suggestions. Also, any good local coffee shops?

Catbert

The obvious choice is Cafe Rio which is right across from the beach. The views are great and the sunset was sublime, but I have to say the food was mediocre. What self respecting seafood restaurant dices calamari steak in squares and calls it calamari fritti? Where are the tasty tenticles?! I honestly think you'd be better off heading over to Capitola or Santa Cruz. It's not a long drive.

kdm

Thank you Catbert. I will put Cafe Rio on the "do not go to list". Have you heard of Cafe Sparrow? or Severino's?

Catbert

Sorry, I haven't been to either of those.

jtrandolph

Well, you know Santa Cruz and probably the Wharf. We used to like the Sea Cloud at the Wharf, but the ownere has changed it to "Olita's" with a more Mexican menu, I think, and we haven't tried that.

Severino's, I believe, is the restaurant in a Best Western Motel. We ate there once. Not memorable.

My suggestion for a good meal, seafood or no, would be Michael's on Main, in Soquel. Not inexpensive, but good food and atmosphere. I am sure they have a good fish dish.

christycruz

I've lived in Santa Cruz for ten years, and eat out a lot! There are plenty of wonderful restaurants in Aptos. Yes, Cafe Sparrow is an excellent restaurant. Bittersweet Bistro is also one of the best in the area. For breakfast, Red Apple Cafe is hard to beat. Trout Gulch Coffee & Tea (across the street from Cafe Sparrow) has a tea selection like I've never seen outside Paris, yet is very informal. I personally like Brittania Arms, and at night they have a fireplace going, but you have to like pub food.

cabovacation

I just love Cafe Sparrow! For some reason, I thought it had (sadly) closed. I hope that is not the case. Also, nearby is that lovely kind of combination place called Wisteria that sells French antiques, gifts, and is also a nursery.

kdm

Thank you for the responses. Next time, hopefully soon, we will go back for another weekend get away and try the recommended spots to eat. We stayed only one night at the Seascape with a nice view if the ocean. There was a nice little market / deli across the street, however the coffee shop was just so so. We ate there at resort for dinner, it was OK. So now I appreciate the feed back so we know where to do. I could not believe how nice the beach was to walk (husband jogs), though cold. Great little trek for "bay area" residents

Thx again.