The Crow's Nest – Seafood
Perched where the salt air meets a lively coastal energy, this spirited retreat invites guests to unwind amidst panoramic views and the enticing aroma of wood-fired crusts and fresh-shucked shells. The kitchen masterfully balances refined elegance with casual comfort, serving up everything from chilled tiers of briny oysters and ruby-rare ahi to golden, crisp calamari and their signature house-smoked salmon. It is a place where the vibrant snap of a prawn martini and the creamy indulgence of burrata crostini come together to create a quintessential seaside dining experience.
2218 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz CA 95062 https://crowsnest-santacruz.com/Rating: 4/5 (1 reviews)
Cuisine: Seafood
Price range: $$
Dietary options: high-protein, nut-free, low-carb, gluten-free, dairy-free, keto, halal, vegetarian, pescatarian, mediterranean, diabetic, whole30, paleo, heart-healthy, low-fat, sugar-free, anti-inflammatory, atkins, south-beach, clean-eating, high-fiber, low-fodmap, carnivore, raw-food, tlc, aip, volumetrics, detox, mayo-clinic, slow-carb, candida, lectin-free
Currently open
Hours
- Monday - Friday
- 7:30 AM - 2:30 PM
- Saturday
- 7:30 AM - 3:00 PM
- Sunday
- 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM
- Monday - Friday
- 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Saturday
- 4:30 PM - 10:00 PM
- Sunday
- 3:30 PM - 10:00 PM
What diners are saying
Guests rave about the savory, perfectly cooked appetizers and the knowledgeable staff who ensure a seamless dining experience. Celebrated for its relaxed vibe and reasonable pricing, the atmosphere is frequently praised for being both welcoming and unpretentious. Reviewers highlight the consistent quality of the menu and often note that the inviting environment makes it a top recommendation for a return visit.
Menu
Appetizers
- Dungeness Crab Cakes - $16.95: Over julienne spinach with lemon saffron aioli Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Buffalo Wings - $19.95: Meaty wings in spicy sauce, celery sticks, bleu cheese dressing Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Atkins
- Burrata Crostini - $19.95: Creamy Burrata cheese, candied pecans, apricot preserves, sea salt, toasted sourdough Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian
- Famous Smoked Salmon - $24.95: Alder wood fire hot-smoked salmon, wasabi mayonnaise Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Diabetic, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Candida, Lectin-Free
- Award-Winning Calamari - $24.95: Parmesan breading, deep-fried, lemon, cocktail and tartar sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Nachos - $22.95: Bean and cheese, jalapeños, olives, pico de gallo Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free, High-Fiber
- Prawn Martini - $22.95: Large white shrimp, cocktail sauce, avocado, lemon Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Diabetic, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach
- Ahi Ruby Rare - $26.95: Seared cajun-spiced sashimi tuna, soy sauce, wasabi Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Carb, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Diabetic, Low-Fat, Atkins, South-Beach, Raw-Food
- Pizza Caprese - $18.95: Fresh mozzarella, roma tomatoes, basil, hand stretched crust Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free
- Oysters on the Halfshell (Half Dozen) - $22.95: Fanny Bay, BC Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, Low-Fodmap, Carnivore, Raw-Food, TLC, AIP, Mayo-Clinic, Slow-Carb, Candida, Lectin-Free
Main Courses
- Fish and Choice (Regular) - $25.45: Hawaiian Mahi Mahi, panko crusted and fried, tartar, cocktail sauce, lemon Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Tempura Prawns - $29.95: Unique batter, rice pilaf, tartar, cocktail sauce, lemon Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Skirt Steak - $32.95: Balsamic marinade, sautéed onions, rice pilaf Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
- Alder Smoked Prime Rib - $36.95: Slow roasted, garlic mashed potatoes Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free
- Mocha-Rubbed Filet Mignon - $58.95: Porcini butter, roasted garlic mashed potatoes Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free
- Seafood Fettuccine - $35.95: Clams, fish, prawns, scallops, tomato vodka cream Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
Sandwiches & Burgers
- Chuckburger - $25.95: Half pound, lettuce, tomato, red onion Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
- French Dip - $24.95: Roast beef, au jus, sourdough baguette, caramelized onions, provolone, horseradish sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free
- Tuscan Chicken Sandwich - $26.95: Marinated breast, pesto aioli, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion Dietary tags: High-Protein
Salads
- Salmon Mango Salad - $35.95: Mixed greens, sesame vinaigrette, mango salsa, macadamia nuts Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Volumetrics, TLC, Detox, Mayo-Clinic
- Pear and Gorgonzola Salad - $17.95: Mixed greens, fresh pears, candied pecans, gorgonzola, zinfandel vinaigrette Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, High-Fiber, Volumetrics, Mayo-Clinic
- All You Can Eat Salad Bar - $22.95: Create your own masterpiece Dietary tags: High-Fiber, Volumetrics, Mayo-Clinic
Desserts
- Crow's Nest Cheesecake - $14.5: New York cheesecake with berry coulis Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Chocolate Mousse Pie - $14.5: Oreo cookie crust, chocolate mousse Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian
- Crème Brûlée - $14.5: Rich custard, caramelized top, whipped cream Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Lectin-Free
Beverages
- Espresso Martini - $15: Titos vodka, espresso liquor, espresso
- Crow's Nest Sailor Jerry Mai Tai - $14: Five rums and fresh fruit juices
- Red Bull Energy Drink - $6.15: Regular or sugar-free