Oswald

4.4 (1650)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

121 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

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Oswald

4.4

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Santa Cruz

Make a booking

2 people

8 Nov 2026

7:00 pm

Booked 12 times today

About this restaurant

Great for creative cocktails
Neighbourhood gem
Good for special occasions

Oswald is a contemporary American restaurant and bar that focuses on the abundance of delicious ingredients found on the central coast of California. Oswald features an eclectic, international wine list and an exciting, seasonal bar program. While the decor is spare and modern, the atmosphere is comfortable and relaxed. Oswald features new art shows every two months.

We do have first come tables available in the lounge as well as bar seats.
Come by and see if there is a table or seat for you.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Contemporary American
Hours of Operation
Lunch Wed–Sat 12:00–14:30 Dinner Tue 17:00–20:15 Wed, Thu 17:00–21:00 Fri, Sat 17:00–22:00
Phone number
(831) 423-7427
Website
http://oswaldrestaurant.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive Chef
Damani Thomas

Location
121 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Area
Santa Cruz
Cross street
Front
Parking Details
Oswald is located on the street level of a four story public parking garage with very reasonable rates.
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Oswald.

4.4

(1650)

4.4Food
4.4Service
4.4Ambience
3.9Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Innovative
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Hot spot
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Neighbourhood gem
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Good for special occasions

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Oswald delights with its "stellar service" and "marvelous food," creating a sublime dining experience. Highlights include "perfect flavorful gnocchi," "delicious rack of lamb," and creative cocktails like the specialty "The Richard." While some mention "higher prices," the "prix fixe is a great value." A Santa Cruz must-visit!

1,650 Reviews

S
Sue Gold
San Francisco Bay Area95 reviews
3.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
Food not great or even really good. Our friend said as she took first bite of overpriced chicken soup that she didn’t think it was as good as it used to be which we were happy to pay for. duck confit tasted like canned hoisin sauce was on it. We saw some friends who chatted at table and waitress did not slow down service at all so we got entree while still eating soup. Not good
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K
Kate
San Francisco Bay Area1 review
5.0
Dined on 29 October 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Another wonderful dinner at Oswald. Stellar service combined with marvelous food equals a sublime experience.
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S
Samantha
San Francisco Bay Area6 reviews
4.0
Dined on 25 October 2026
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Great food in a convenient location downtown. I'll be going back.
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S
Sikina
Washington, D.C. Area23 reviews
3.0
Dined on 23 October 2026
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
All was pretty good except the bar tender who was surprisingly unhelpful . Josh maybe? Blonde guy. Liked to sing falsetto (poorly, over great music from the kitchen) The bar was quiet. 5 people, all had full drinks at the time. I ordered a glass of wine and some bread and butter before a dinner reservation w colleagues. When the bread arrived I asked him what type of butter was served w it. It clearly wasn’t normal butter. He said he wasn’t sure. It might be cream cheese and chive but he didn’t know. Rather and offering to ask a colleague he just walked away and started chatting w another customer. Classic mediocre service. Felt like I was at a diner. Left a pretty bad taste in my mouth. Probably won’t go back.
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L
LeMel Gold
Los Angeles7 reviews
5.0
Dined on 15 October 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always an amazing experience!!! I introduced 2 new people to the restaurant and they enjoyed their time there as well!!
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T
Timothy Gold
San Francisco Bay Area24 reviews
5.0
Dined on 15 October 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent restaurant. Everything has just a little special twist. The Gnocchi with fish added was fantastic. The specialty cocktail "The Richard" has Mezcal with some unique additions.
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R
Ron
California Central Coast3 reviews
3.0
Dined on 15 October 2026
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 3
Food was mediocre and we were left by our waiter for over 30 min trying to order desert which was the only redeemable food.
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D
Danny
California Central Coast12 reviews
5.0
Dined on 14 October 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Mussels at the bar outstanding,as were the cocktails and bartender. Shared the lasagna, very tasty. Service was great all around.
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K
Keith
San Diego5 reviews
5.0
Dined on 7 October 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Tuesday night in at Oswald was awesome. Great service team. Food and drinks beyond compare. Prix Fixe is a great value. We had a fine time.
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K
Kerena
San Francisco Bay Area1 review
5.0
Dined on 27 September 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful experience, a Santa Cruz must! We had lasagna and Farro and fish, which was amazing
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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Contemporary American
Hours of Operation
Lunch Wed–Sat 12:00–14:30 Dinner Tue 17:00–20:15 Wed, Thu 17:00–21:00 Fri, Sat 17:00–22:00
Phone number
(831) 423-7427
Website
http://oswaldrestaurant.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive Chef
Damani Thomas

Location
121 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Area
Santa Cruz
Cross street
Front
Parking Details
Oswald is located on the street level of a four story public parking garage with very reasonable rates.
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

28 July 2026
New Saturday happy hour specials at Oswald
Oswald recently introduced Saturday-only happy hour specials, including $7 bar bites and discounted wine and draft beer. The specials run from 5 to 9:30 p.m. in the bar and lounge; dining-room guests can order them with a full dinner.
Published in Santa Cruz Sentinel

FAQs

Oswald pairs spare, modern decor with a comfortable, relaxed vibe; an open kitchen and adjacent bar give the compact dining room an energetic feel, while corner tables suit quieter, intimate meals.

Casual dress is the guide, light, comfortable clothing is appropriate and nothing formal is expected.

Guests commonly describe portions as generous, reviewers call out a healthy Dungeness crab appetizer and several entrées and sides as generous or satisfying.

Tuesday nights are a favorite, Oswald’s Tuesday night prix-fixe special (noted as a $40 caesar-and-steak-frites deal) is highlighted by guests as a great value and experience.

Yes, Oswald is frequently chosen for anniversaries and date nights, with guests praising intimate corner tables, attentive service and a calm, special-evening atmosphere.

Yes, families dine at Oswald regularly: guests describe bringing children (including a baby) and kids enjoying dishes like lasagna and a cheeseburger, with attentive service.

Oswald is at its calmest if you go early for dinner, around 5:30pm, while Friday evenings tend to be livelier and more bustling.

You may spot dogs, at least one guest mentioned bringing dogs who enjoyed the meat and chicken they brought along.

How FAQ content is generated

Make a booking

Oswald

4.4

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Santa Cruz

Make a booking

2 people

8 Nov 2026

7:00 pm

Booked 12 times today

Oswald

Make a booking

Oswald

Make a booking

About this restaurant

Additional information

Concierge
AI Beta

Menu

Reviews

Loved For

Review summary

Additional information

Featured in

New Saturday happy hour specials at Oswald

FAQs

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Oswald

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