Cafe Limelight is one of The 15 Best Places for Basil in Santa Cruz.

1. Cafe Limelight

8.5
1016 Cedar St, Santa Cruz, CA
Sandwich Spot · Downtown Santa Cruz · 9 tips and reviews

Cosmo S.Cosmo Shepherd: Literally everything is good here. The tomato basil soup is bomb.

TaylorTaylor: On the weekend you can get chicken gumbo...Quite delicious.

Ruby A.Ruby Anaya: Get the soup and half sandwich combo with a glass of freshly brewed Sweet Tea.

515 Kitchen & Cocktails is one of The 15 Best Places for Basil in Santa Cruz.

2. 515 Kitchen & Cocktails

8.2
515 Cedar St, Santa Cruz, CA
Lounge · Downtown Santa Cruz · 56 tips and reviews

Lee S.Lee Shallenberger: Basil @ Baker St. Is amazing. New favorite!

Gina G.Gina G: Love the Baron Gannes(?) drink. Muddled raspberries, basil and lemons served with sparkling h20.

Danielle O.Danielle Olsen: If your mind wanders, let it lead you here.....Quiet Village (one of the best cocktails on the menu).

Real Thai Kitchen is one of The 15 Best Places for Basil in Santa Cruz.

3. Real Thai Kitchen

7.9
1632 Seabright Ave (at Soquel Ave), Santa Cruz, CA
Thai Restaurant · Eastside · 12 tips and reviews

Kyle C.Kyle Channel: Spicy basil dish!

MatthiasMatthias: #thegreatamericantakeout : What I wasn‘t quite expecting was the heat... They are taking their spiciness serious! 🌶🔥👌🏼 WOW!! If you like it HOT, this is definitely a place to keep in mind! 👍🏼

Jeremy G.Jeremy Geiger: The name is accurate. This is one of the few Thai restaurants I the U.S. That my Thai wife will go to

Bagelry is one of The 15 Best Places for Basil in Santa Cruz.

4. Bagelry

8.0
320 Cedar St. (Birch Ln), Santa Cruz, CA
Bagel Shop · Downtown Santa Cruz · 22 tips and reviews

SarahSarah: I love their tomato basil bagel (I think it is?) I just know it bad tomato in it and it's so good.

Debra W.Debra Wareness: Best egg salad. Get it on a slug (AKA everything bagel) with sliced vine ripened tomatoes! A killer breakfast or lunch!

Johnny U.Johnny Urquijo: As of January 2013....they now accept VISA/MASTERCARD!!! No more ATM withdrawals!

Kianti's Pizza & Pasta Bar is one of The 15 Best Places for Basil in Santa Cruz.

5. Kianti's Pizza & Pasta Bar

7.7
1100 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
Italian Restaurant · Downtown Santa Cruz · 43 tips and reviews

Mewmiew B.Mewmiew Banchakorn: Make your own pasta with basil,mushroom and meatball are the good combination

Chris C.Chris Cromwell: Great spot in downtown Santa Cruz. Solid options for pizza. Staff puts on a great show a couple days a week 👍

William M.William Morris: go Friday and watch the pizza spin

Oswald is one of The 15 Best Places for Basil in Santa Cruz.

6. Oswald

8.7
121 Soquel Ave (at Front St.), Santa Cruz, CA
American Restaurant · Downtown Santa Cruz · 14 tips and reviews

Mimsie L.Mimsie Lemar: Sit at the bar... Great bar food. You want quiet and intimate get a table... Beautiful Santa Cruz Food!!!

Rick H.Rick Hartley: The burgers with blue cheese and caramelized onions are the best. Great cocktails too.

Tyler F.Tyler Fox: Delicious food and very legit portions! A great night out.

Sabieng Thai Cuisine is one of The 15 Best Places for Basil in Santa Cruz.

7. Sabieng Thai Cuisine

8.2
1218 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA
Thai Restaurant · Westside · 15 tips and reviews

Greg M.Greg Monaghan: This is our go-to Thai restaurant whenever we are in, our around, Santa Cruz. Great food.

Beth K.Beth Kanter: The food is great here

James L.James Lee: They have a great lunch special

Companion Bakeshop is one of The 15 Best Places for Basil in Santa Cruz.

8. Companion Bakeshop

8.8
2341 Mission, Santa Cruz, CA
Bakery · Westside · 21 tips and reviews

Athonia C.Athonia Cappelli: Try the gnarled up "Epi" everything bread sticks. Best baguette anywhere? Me say yes. Chocolate sourdough and the banana walnut breads both come highly recommended

Michael P.Michael Phillips: Blue Bottle coffee pour over bar!!!

Susan C.Susan Cannon: Brick oven pizzas Tuesdays between 4:30-6:30pm

Bantam is one of The 15 Best Places for Basil in Santa Cruz.

9. Bantam

8.0
1010 Fair Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
Pizzeria · Westside · 16 tips and reviews

Shannon M.Shannon Madison: Probably my favorite Santa Cruz restaurant. Great wine, great snacks (the olives are addictive!), great pizza

Jamie P.Jamie Pagels: What’s good: Chickpea farinata pizza with ricotta and rocket pesto, soppressata pizza with mozzarella and spicy honey

Sid B.Sid Boz: Great salads and pizza. Delicious beers on tap. Good vibe.

Dream Inn Santa Cruz is one of The 15 Best Places for Basil in Santa Cruz.

10. Dream Inn Santa Cruz

9.0
175 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA
Hotel · Westside · 40 tips and reviews

Tiara D.Tiara Delachevrotiere: Ocean front room is the best. You have views of the wharf & SC beach boardwalk. The Aquarius restaurant has great views and awesome food!

Detlev A.Detlev Artelt: Nice and perfect located hotel in Santa Cruz. Direct at the beach.

Jason R.Jason Rosenberg: Get a room facing the Ocean. Read more.

Harbor Cafe is one of The 15 Best Places for Basil in Santa Cruz.

11. Harbor Cafe

9.1
535 7th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
Café · 41 tips and reviews

Taylor S.Taylor Shepherd: Carnitas omelet is fantastic, along with the eggs Benedict. And you can't go wrong with bottomless mimosas on Fridays :)

Nick P.Nick Piper: Bottomless mimosas Friday

Sondra B.Sondra Baca: Everything here is deeelish!! The Avocado Bene, Veggie scramble and Mimosa Fridays is the best. Plus the staff is great!

Charlie Hong Kong is one of The 15 Best Places for Basil in Santa Cruz.

12. Charlie Hong Kong

8.5
1141 Soquel Ave (at Seabright Ave), Santa Cruz, CA
Noodle Restaurant · Eastside · 30 tips and reviews

KaiKai: My favorite fast food stop in town! Need something fast and healthy? Stop here for a noodle or rice bowl, or a salad.

Chris R.Chris Record: Great spot for vegan food!

Samantha B.Samantha Braga: The hoisin pork... Oh my. SO GOOD

Hyatt Place is one of The 15 Best Places for Basil in Santa Cruz.

13. Hyatt Place

7.7
Santa Cruz, CA
Hotel · Central Santa Cruz · 3 tips and reviews

Brian S.Brian Strauss: Extremely comfortable spacious rooms. Some with pullouts for kids. Modern feel. Nice pool and hot tub. Decent breakfast included. Great location close to boardwalk.

Beijing L.Beijing Lin: Every Hyatt in the world is the same and the great!

Curtis S.Curtis Shoung: Clean hotel. Clean heated pool for families.

Laili Restaurant is one of The 15 Best Places for Basil in Santa Cruz.

14. Laili Restaurant

8.7
101 Cooper St #B (btw Front and Pacific), Santa Cruz, CA
Mediterranean Restaurant · Downtown Santa Cruz · 44 tips and reviews

Sarah R.Sarah R: Get the roasted cauliflower or the trout. Good wine list. Excellent for allergies....they have a menu in the back with every single ingredient listed. Ask for it if you have allergies.

NmNm: Didn't like the chicken kabob .. Eggplant and parmesan on flatbread is recommended .. Great service .. Little pricey .. Crowded ..

NahidNahid: Get patio seating if available (gorgeous). Great food, prices in the $20-30 range for entrees.

La Posta is one of The 15 Best Places for Basil in Santa Cruz.

15. La Posta

7.7
538 Seabright Ave (btw Hall & Watson), Santa Cruz, CA
Italian Restaurant · Eastside · 7 tips and reviews

Judy H.Judy H: Great wine list, loved the watermelon and buratta starter. The counter is the way to go for an engaging evening.

Matt R.Matt Rodkey: Sit at the bar for great service and wonderful conversation.

Gabby H.Gabby H: House-made bread, salads are generous, pasta has good texture. (Hostess seated three new tables in green waiter’s section — didn’t work out well for us. He was great but in the weeds.)