Welcome to Johnny’s Harborside
At Johnny’s Harborside, the essence of culinary creativity meets a picturesque waterfront setting in Santa Cruz. This women-owned gem specializes in New American cuisine with an emphasis on fresh seafood, offering a delightful menu that includes everything from succulent crab cakes to mouth-watering fish tacos. The casual atmosphere, paired with attentive service, makes it a family-friendly dining option perfect for any occasion. With innovative dishes crafted from locally sourced ingredients and a commitment to sustainability, Johnny’s ensures an unforgettable experience for every guest. Their vibrant ambiance is matched only by the rich flavors that keep patrons coming back for more.
-
493 Lake Ave Santa Cruz, CA 95062 United States Hotline: (831) 479-3430
Welcome to Johnny’s Harborside, a vibrant gem nestled along the picturesque shores of Santa Cruz, CA. This delightful establishment melds New American cuisine with an emphasis on fresh seafood, offering an inviting sanctuary for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. Located at 493 Lake Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, Johnny’s provides a laid-back, casual atmosphere perfect for families, groups, and anyone seeking a delightful dining experience.
Upon entering, you’ll be embraced by a homey vibe that contradicts the artistic excellence woven throughout its menu. With a layout designed for comfort and accessibility, featuring gender-neutral restrooms and outdoor seating, Johnny’s is conscious of inclusivity and sustainability. The restaurant takes pride in offering a plethora of options, from vegan dishes to delectable seafood that highlights local catches.
One of the standout features of Johnny's is their rotating selection of fresh oysters, delivered straight from local sources. Guests rave about the unique appetizers, including the Crab Cakes with tartar sauce and microgreens, as well as the last-supper-worthy Clam Chowder, a hearty delight simmered to perfection. As one patron put it, “The chowder was so rich and delicious.” For a memorable twist, try the Blue Crab Stuffed Avocado or the Steak and Shrimp Skewers served over local garlic bread—a true culinary dream.
- Signature Dishes:
- Fish Tacos: Fried until golden and served with guacamole, marinated slaw, and cilantro lime aioli, these dynamic tacos have left many satisfied, echoing the sentiment of one diner who declared them “the best fish tacos I’ve ever had.”
- Fettuccine Alfredo: Witness the creamy perfection of this classic dish – a comfort food experience that resonates with the soul.
- Halibut Southwest Style: A poetic combination of flavors with polenta and sautéed vegetables to awaken your taste buds.
Johnny’s Harborside also acknowledges the little ones with a kid-friendly menu and offers special catering options for your events. Plus, with amenities like free Wi-Fi, happy hour specials, and spacious accommodations, it's no wonder guests appreciate the exceptional service and lively atmosphere.
Highlights include:
- Wheelchair accessibility
- Vegan options broaching sustainability
- Outdoor seating with stunning harbor views
- Dedicated parking and bike parking for convenience
Whether you’re after a casual brunch with friends or a family dinner filled with exquisite seafood, Johnny’s Harborside is a destination that marries quality and creativity, embodying the essence of coastal California dining. Come for the food, stay for the community, and savor the boundless flavors each dish embodies. You may just find yourself returning for seconds!
My wife and I stopped in here for lunch today. Everything was so freaking good! We started with clam chowder, Garlic bread and fried calamari. The chowder was so rich and delicious. Amazing. The bread was fresh and delicious as well. Fried calamari were perfect. Next she had the Fettuccine Alfredo and I had the fish tacos. The fish tacos were the best fish tacos I've ever had. I'll definitely order them again. The fettuccine was fresh and satisfying. So lovely. Our waiter was on it. He never let my glasses sit empty. I wish I asked for his name, but I have a feeling everyone who works there rocks. I highly recommend!
The ambiance at Johnny's is homey, which belies the excellence of the food. The service was friendly and attentive. We had halibut Southwest style with polenta and a nice sparkling wine. The polenta was a poem, the vegetables were sauteed tender-crisp, and the tomato coulee was nicely seasoned. Chocolate mousse for dessert rounded out a memorable lunch.
My wife loves eating here and getting her favorite dessert. Always fresh seafood dishes every night open..
A local restaurant with a groovy vibe. Fresh local seafood is their strong suit. Reasonable and plentiful. Service is friendly and attentive. We came for the fresh oysters, they ran out. Calamari could be cooked a bit more gently. But still good. Suggestion, offer sliced bread and butter for free. Most expect that. Drinks are good- champagne choices could be better.
We were craving fresh oysters and decided to try our luck at Johnny's. The oysters we ordered were fresh and delicious! We also ordered fried calamari and the batter was rather salty, but we were able to mitigate the saltiness with lemons. Our server was attentive and the food came quickly. It's a pretty spacious restaurant with tables that had window seats to look out to the water, so that was nice.
We ordered the daily special of raw oysters--absolutely delicious! We also tried the fresh halibut, brought in straight from the boat; it was perfectly cooked and tasted amazing. Their appetizers are always creative, and while the execution sometimes varies, they get high marks for originality. We don't frequent places that feel redundant, so this spot keeps us coming back. Service is consistently good, and the view of the harbor is spectacular, making it a fun place to enjoy beautiful summer days. The vibe is casual, with a lively bar full of regulars. For parking, there's a paid meter conveniently near the restaurant, with an additional machine at the far end of the larger lot. If you have some extra time, walk down the harbor on the other side to visit the lighthouse (see photos).
The main courses were amazing! Ernesto's Fisherman's Pasta: Clams, prawns, calamari, and bay scallops sauteed in a red sauce. Scallop and Prawn Rigatoni: Red onions, mushrooms, spinach, diced tomatoes, fresh oregano, and garlic then tossed in a porcini mushroom cream sauce and topped with parm. Amazing!!
Fresh oysters with horseradish sauce + vinaigrette + lemon juice sourced from H&H Seafood Market on the ground floor (restaurant upper floor.) I didn't see happy hour oyster specials but good value for $33 for a dozen!