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Oswald, Santa Cruz, CA

Oswald

4.6
4.6
1615 Reviews
$31 to $50
Contemporary American

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 3 times today
  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Great for happy hour
  • Neighborhood gem
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.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Wed–Sat 12:00 pm–2:30 pm Dinner Wed, Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (831) 423-7427
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Damani Thomas
  • Neighborhood
    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, Gender Neutral Restroom, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,615 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Best Overall

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Best Service

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Best Value

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Innovative

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Good for groups

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Healthy

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Hot spot

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Neighborhood gem

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Great for fine wines

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Romantic

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Good for special occasions

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Lively

  • Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Oswald offers a vibrant dining atmosphere with a large wine selection and "fantastic service." The menu features expertly crafted dishes by Chef Damani, with highlights including duck confit and halibut. Guests rave about the "amazing cocktails" and consistently great food. Oswald remains a top choice for special occasions and casual outings alike.

1,615 Reviews
  1. Charlie

    Orange County

    18 reviews

    4.0

    18 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    A very solid/reliable spot. My fries were fantastic. Sounds basic but a well executed french fry served in the right way is remarkably uncommon. My burger could have use a bit more mass on the patty and less on the bun but was overall good. My date had the scallops and she seemed to quite enjoy them. Cocktails here are solidly above average. We sat away from the bar and enjoyed a pleasant ambience; lively but not loud, so that we were able to have a conversation easily. For whatever accidental reason we just hadn't been there in a while. We'll be back.

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  2. Don

    San Francisco

    31 reviews

    5.0

    31 reviews

    Dined on December 15, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Tasty cocktails and savory food. Wait staff attentive and courteous. We have been twice in the last month. We will be back

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  3. Ruth

    Central Coast

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on December 15, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Oswald's is such a gem. Everyone is so nice and polite. Service from the hostess to the wait staff and assistants is excellent! The food is always done well. If there is ever any issue, it is corrected immediately and efficiently. The bartender really knows how to mix and add the right condiments. Knowing how to make a twist for a martini correctly and using the correct cherry for a Manhattan can make or break a cocktail for me. I do not drink often, so a cocktail made and presented correctly is a real treat. Cudos to the professionalism of the bartenders at Oswald's!

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  4. Brenda

    VIP

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 24, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We ordered off of the Happy Hour menu and had a number of delicious dishes; lasagne & salad, burger & fries, and Mac n’cheese. The Olive app was good too. Also the happy hour cocktails: Negroni & Orange/ pomegranate cocktail were delicious. Unfortunately the avocado toast wasn’t available, but we’ll be back. Our server Janet was great too!!

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  5. Tracy

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on November 17, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I have had my celebrations here for 30 years. I always love it.

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  6. Steven

    Portland

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 16, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food, lovely drinks, and wonderful staff. We had such a great night.

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  7. Ki

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 15, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This is a great dining option in downtown Santa Cruz. Excellent food and service, with a creative drinks bar.

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  8. Susan

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on November 13, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Oswald’s is always good. I just didn’t like what I ordered. The french fries are the best.

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  9. David

    VIP

    San Francisco

    17 reviews

    3.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on November 10, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    Good main dishes, but with significantly increased prices: sliced duck breast $45 and 3 scallops with a nice beet risotto $48; chicory salad $21.

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  10. LeMel

    VIP

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 10, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It’s always a pleasure to eat at a restaurant where the food experience is as if I were at home eating its comfort food with a classy atmosphere! LeMel

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FAQs

Oswald offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (831) 423-7427.

Oswald is rated 4.6 stars by 1615 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 3 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Oswald

121 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Front
  • Neighborhood
    Santa Cruz
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Wed–Sat 12:00 pm–2:30 pm Dinner Wed, Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Oswald is located on the street level of a four story public parking garage with very reasonable rates.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Damani Thomas
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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