Johnny's Harborside – Seafood
Perched along the water’s edge, Johnny’s Harborside captures the essence of coastal living with a breezy atmosphere where the scent of salt air mingles with the savory aroma of golden fried calamari and rich, velvety clam chowder. The kitchen balances the raw, briny snap of freshly shucked oysters with elevated comfort, offering everything from charred brussels sprouts and vibrant smoked beet salads to a perfectly seared halibut resting on a bed of sweet corn risotto. It is a sun-drenched sanctuary for seafood lovers, where a leisurely meal concludes with the bright, citrusy zing of a petite key lime pie.
493 Lake Avenue, Santa Cruz 95062 http://johnnysharborside.com/Rating: 4/5 (1 reviews)
Cuisine: Seafood
Price range: $$
Dietary options: dairy-free, gluten-free, halal, low-carb, nut-free, vegan, vegetarian, heart-healthy, low-sodium, mediterranean, paleo, pescatarian, plant-based, whole30, anti-inflammatory, atkins, dash-sodium-reduced, low-cholesterol, south-beach, aip, alkaline, carnivore, low-fodmap, renal, tlc, lectin-free, macrobiotic, slow-carb, sesame-free, soy-free
Diet fit at Johnny's Harborside
Dairy-Free at Johnny's Harborside
Johnny's Harborside in Santa Cruz has 3 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Smoked Beet and Kale Salad, Freshly Shucked Oysters and Fried Brussels Sprouts. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Gluten-Free at Johnny's Harborside
Johnny's Harborside in Santa Cruz has 3 gluten-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Smoked Beet and Kale Salad, Freshly Shucked Oysters and Fried Brussels Sprouts. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Halal at Johnny's Harborside
Johnny's Harborside in Santa Cruz has 7 halal-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Fried Calamari, Smoked Beet and Kale Salad and Freshly Shucked Oysters. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Low-Carb at Johnny's Harborside
Johnny's Harborside in Santa Cruz has 2 low-carb-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Fried Brussels Sprouts and Clam Chowder. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Nut-Free at Johnny's Harborside
Johnny's Harborside in Santa Cruz has 1 nut-free-tagged dish on its current menu, including Smoked Beet and Kale Salad. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegan at Johnny's Harborside
Johnny's Harborside in Santa Cruz has 3 vegan-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Smoked Beet and Kale Salad, Fried Brussels Sprouts and Local Beer. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegetarian at Johnny's Harborside
Johnny's Harborside in Santa Cruz has 4 vegetarian-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Smoked Beet and Kale Salad, Fried Brussels Sprouts and Local Beer. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Heart-Healthy at Johnny's Harborside
Johnny's Harborside in Santa Cruz has 1 heart-healthy-tagged dish on its current menu, including Smoked Beet and Kale Salad. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
How tags work: Dish-level menu analysis by Chefi's rule-based diet engine with AI assistance; nutrition values are estimated from ingredients unless marked verified. Allergen and certification claims are never inferred.
What to order at Johnny's Harborside
| Dish | Net carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Fried Calamari | 6 g | 15.5 g |
| Wine | 2.2 g | 11.7 g |
| Signature Caesar Salad | 58.4 g | 8.9 g |
| Smoked Beet and Kale Salad | 0 g | 5.3 g |
| Fish and Chips | 46.3 g | 5.3 g |
| Fried Brussels Sprouts | 16.6 g | 2.9 g |
| Clam Chowder | 3.1 g | 0.6 g |
| Freshly Shucked Oysters | 7.4 g | 0.1 g |
Nutrition values are estimated from ingredients.
Currently closed
Hours
- Wednesday
- 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM
- Thursday - Sunday
- 3:30 PM - 7:30 PM
What diners are saying
Celebrated for its high-quality seafood and elegant presentation, guests consistently praise the pleasant environment that enhances the overall dining experience. Reviewers highlight the professional and attentive service, noting that staff are particularly helpful with menu recommendations. Standout dishes include the fresh seafood selections which leave diners feeling satisfied and eager to return with friends.
Menu
Appetizers
- Freshly Shucked Oysters: Fresh local oysters Dietary tags: Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, Alkaline, AIP, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Fried Calamari: Crispy fried calamari Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Fried Brussels Sprouts: Crispy brussels sprouts Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, South-Beach, Renal, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Clam Chowder: Fresh, brothy, clam-full chowder Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
Salads
- Signature Caesar Salad: Romaine, caesar dressing, croutons Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Smoked Beet and Kale Salad: Smoked beets, kale Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, Low-Fodmap, Carnivore, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free, Soy Free, Sesame Free Available at: dinner, lunch
Main Courses
- Jeffery’s Double Cheeseburger: Double beef patties, cheese Available at: dinner, lunch
- Fish and Chips: Battered fish, fries Dietary tags: Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
- Grilled Halibut with Corn Risotto: Fresh halibut, corn risotto Available at: dinner, lunch
Desserts
- Petite Key Lime Pie: Key lime pie served in a mason jar Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory
Beverages
- Hand-crafted Cocktails: Assorted craft cocktails Dietary tags: Halal, Whole30, Paleo, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free
- Local Beer: Selection of local brews Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based
- Wine: Selection of wines
Frequently Asked Questions about Johnny's Harborside
- Is Johnny's Harborside dairy-free-friendly?
- Yes. Johnny's Harborside has 3 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Smoked Beet and Kale Salad, Freshly Shucked Oysters and Fried Brussels Sprouts.
- What can I eat at Johnny's Harborside on a dairy-free diet?
- Smoked Beet and Kale Salad, Freshly Shucked Oysters and Fried Brussels Sprouts carry the dairy-free tag, out of 3 tagged dishes on the current menu. Every dish's diet tags are listed in the menu.
- Does Johnny's Harborside have vegan options?
- Yes. 3 dishes are tagged vegan on the current menu, including Smoked Beet and Kale Salad and Fried Brussels Sprouts.
- Is Johnny's Harborside gluten-free?
- 3 dishes are tagged gluten-free on the current menu. Chefi never infers allergen tags from a dish name alone, but a tag is not a certification — confirm preparation with the restaurant if you have celiac disease or a severe sensitivity.
- What is the highest-protein dish at Johnny's Harborside?
- Fried Calamari, at roughly 15.5g of protein (estimated from ingredients).
Restaurants near Johnny's Harborside
- H&H Fresh Fish — Seafood
- The Crow's Nest — Seafood
- Harbor Café — Seafood
- Linda's Seabreeze Cafe — American
- Verve Coffee Roasters — American
- La Posta — Mexican
- Engfer Pizza Works — Italian
- Java Junction — American
- Windmill Café — American
- Bagelry — American
- Crepe Place — French
- Akira — Japanese
