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Ideal Bar & Grill, Santa Cruz, CA

Ideal Bar & Grill

4.2
4.2
304 Reviews
$30 and under
Californian

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 2 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Lively
  • Healthy
  • Neighbourhood gem
Fun, family friendly dining with a beautiful view of Santa Cruz Main beach and the Municipal Wharf! We offer out side seating on our sunny deck! Come down and try our award winning clam chowder today! Reservations are for our inside dining room only.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Californian, Seafood, American
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Thu 11:00–21:30 Sat 09:00–22:00 Sun 09:00–21:30 Bar Mon–Thu 11:00–21:30 Sat, Sun 09:00–22:00
  • Phone number
    (831) 423-5271
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Jesus Garcia
  • Private party facilities
    Our Beach Room can host up to 40 guests. The room features a private bar, views of the wharf, beach, and ocean. It also offers a small private patio (weather permitting) that extends the inside bar area, making it perfect for any event! We have hosted various events here from rehearsal dinners, business meetings, and wedding brunches to surprise birthday parties and charity events!
  • Area
    Santa Cruz
  • Cross Street
    Front Street
  • Parking details
    Parking is available on the Santa Cruz Wharf for an hourly rate and is just a short scenic walk to our location. There are also small metered lots across the street as well. We are walking distance to many near-by hotels.
  • Public transit
    The public bus stop is just across the street from Ideal Bar & Grill.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Wednesday Live Maine Lobster

    US$24.95 per person

    Multiple dates available
    Wednesdays' ONLY! All -day $24.95 LIVE MAINE LOBSTER
    Wednesday Live Maine Lobster photo

What 304 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.2
4.2 based on recent ratings
  • 4.1Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.2Ambience
  • 3.9Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Ideal Bar & Grill boasts a "great location" right by the Wharf, offering a "fun atmosphere" and "stunning views." Guests rave about the "delicious food" and "amazing service," making it a "100 percent kid-friendly" spot. The casual setting is perfect for families, with standout dishes like clam chowder and pulled pork.

304 Reviews
  1. Joan

    Central Coast

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We go to the Ideal on holidays and have done for years. Always friendly service, good food and good valiue

    Is this helpful?

  2. Linda

    San Francisco

    28 reviews

    5.0

    28 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    The turkey dish was excellent, the steak dish was also very good as well. We were pleased with the presentation and tastes of our dishes. Thank you.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Chris

    St. Louis

    3 reviews

    1.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 11 November 2024

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 2
    Horrible food, do not recommend. Save your money and go somewhere else.

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  4. Dee

    Sacramento

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on 21 September 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We made reservations, which made selecting a good table by the window easier. The server promptly took our drinks orders so we could take advantage of the last few minutes of Happy Hour, which was kind. Three of us had the fesh halibut with a pineapple relish served on fragrant rice with a bed of lightly sautéed kale. The fish was well prepared and moist. We found the menu to offer a good selection of food, and the service and ambience were pleasant. I have stayed near the restaurant many times but never eaten here. I will be back!

    Is this helpful?

  5. Marilyn

    Central Coast

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on 18 August 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The staff was incredible! Pulled pork on a bun was amazing.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Jen

    San Francisco

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 12 August 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Five dollars for a tiny side of guacamole :( but great clam chowder

    Is this helpful?

  7. Rolmol

    San Francisco

    10 reviews

    4.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on 22 June 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Decent beach spot. Food is C Minus It’s too bad that places like this don’t have to be good. They will always be busy. The food just needs more love.

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  8. Erik

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on 20 June 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We are a family of four, with two young boys and a special needs four year old. The service was outstanding! Our hostess was kind and helpful. The waiter was very friendly and patient. And our food was simply delicious. Ideal Bar & Grill is 100 percent kid friendly, with a beautiful interior and a stunning view. 5 stars! We are definitely coming back.

    Is this helpful?

  9. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 17 June 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great casual spot right at the corner of the beach and wharf. Food was good and reasonably priced given the portion sizes, quality, and ambiance. Hit the spot after a busy day at the beach and good kids meal options. Get the mile high mud pie--was HUGE and plenty for four people to share.

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  10. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 2 June 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Wonderful dining experience. The food was delicious and the service was great. Tanya was pleasant and attentive.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Ideal Bar & Grill using the Order Online button.

Ideal Bar & Grill is rated 4.2 stars by 304 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 2 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Ideal Bar & Grill

106 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Front Street
  • Area
    Santa Cruz
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Thu 11:00–21:30 Sat 09:00–22:00 Sun 09:00–21:30 Bar Mon–Thu 11:00–21:30 Sat, Sun 09:00–22:00
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Californian, Seafood, American
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Parking is available on the Santa Cruz Wharf for an hourly rate and is just a short scenic walk to our location. There are also small metered lots across the street as well. We are walking distance to many near-by hotels.
  • Public transit
    The public bus stop is just across the street from Ideal Bar & Grill.
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Jesus Garcia
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (831) 423-5271
  • Private party facilities
    Our Beach Room can host up to 40 guests. The room features a private bar, views of the wharf, beach, and ocean. It also offers a small private patio (weather permitting) that extends the inside bar area, making it perfect for any event! We have hosted various events here from rehearsal dinners, business meetings, and wedding brunches to surprise birthday parties and charity events!
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