Chocolate

Cute little place with privacy and a hideaway feeling in their outdoor seating. Creative and pretty presentation of drinks and dishes. Chocolate nuances everywhere, even in their cocktails. If you like chocolate, then obviously...

Mohit Goenka

The appetizers and desserts were great. Staff was very friendly. We didn't enjoy the entrees so much but liked everything else.

The Casual Googler

Went here thanks to a recommendation, and it was definitely worth it! The food was delicious and fresh, the staff were EXTREMELY friendly, and the place had nice music and a warm atmosphere. The name of this place is quite apt too, because the chocolate desserts were absolutely amazing.

Hend Samara

Back to this amazing place! We ordered the mousse chocolate cake with berries and it was so good! Laurie our server was such an amazing person! She recommended few things to us and all was perfection! She was friendly and cheerful and actually made me keen to try the cake by just describing its ingredients. Chocolate is always a fav spot! My mom loved it too!!

Ava Noroozi

Cocholate offers a fantastic Italian dining experience in Santa Cruz. Our server, Sheima, was exceptionally friendly and helpful with menu suggestions. The spiced salmon with black beans was delicious and perfectly seasoned. Don't skip their desserts—they are a perfect finish to a great meal. Highly recommended!

Sandy Glass

The cheese pots were very tasty and more than enough for two to share. The Hot Chocolates were simply delicious. The service was prompt, friendly, and attentive.

Elija Bandersnatch

They just about lost me at the name. I don’t really eat chocolate and I just assumed that considering their name is was gonna be slim pickins for my get together with old friends, but it was their choice, not mine. They seat us among the houseplants out front and I felt like a kid hiding from the adults perambulating on what used to be the Pacific Garden Mall. The locals bitch about how much has changed, but what I find amazing about Santa Cruz, is how many things have stayed the same. Some changes however are not bad and Chocolate Restaurant is one of those happy occasions! I get this chicken pie dish that is a revelation in the pie department. Completely different than I’m used to and one of the best meat pies I’ve ever had. The consistency is like a regular pot pie got together with a quiche and they had a love baby. I know, it’s hard to describe, but it’s good, even remarkable. My friends share a dessert that contains a lady finger and chocolate and looks positively obscene, I mean really. Add all this to the fact that the bathroom is in Bookshop Ssnta Cruz, which is like a dragon having to pass through a dragon hoard on its way to the rest room… your friends might wonder where you disappeared off to. The place ain’t cheap, but it’s fun and they obviously put a lot of thought into the menu and the experience. I wouldn’t put it on my weekly list, it’s too expensive, but I’d bring out of town guests and save it for special occasions.

Mike B.

Great place! Wife and I came here on a Wednesday night for a date. Not very busy and the outdoor patio was very nice. We just got desert and a few drinks and everything was amazing! Great service and great food. We had the chocolate martini and OMG it was good. I also had a chocolate mint mojito and it was great too. Very fresh ingredients! We will be back.

A Niklaus

Yuuuuuum!!! Talk about a naughty dinner! We had the artichoke cheese dip which comes with amazing fresh bread and no skimping on the artichoke hearts. Then we had the rolled cheese dish with a salad, also very rich but the salad was a good call with the dish; I wouldn’t recommend the same dish but labeled “for two”… I think I would have been all dairy’d out after that. The salad is a must. For desert we had the rose truffle which had delicious white chocolate and a very strong rose flavor. I love rose but its not something I would get twice. We also got the banana cream which was surprisingly light and airy and had an interesting texture but yummy crust. And ofc we had to get a hot chocolate. They call it hot chocolate but I think its closer to a drinking chocolate imo. I went for the sofia and it was a perfect complement to the entire night! Most people get the hot chocolates for desert but I sipped mine throughout and I thought it went well with our cheesy meal. Will definitely be going back and trying more of the deserts and drinks! The patio had a nice homey vibe and the host was really friendly and welcoming. Love this place and can’t wait to get back!

Karen Parkhouse

First time here, visiting Santa Cruz. Great vibe on the patio. Had the Chocolate Orange Pork, probably one of the best things I've ever eaten! Margarita was tasty too! I'm Gluten free and dairy free and there were lots of options to choose from.

Howard Finfer

Long time walker by-er, first time stopper-inner. Glad I did. Other reviews seemed accurate from my short visit. Service and ambience were beyond my expectations. QR menu on table. Water brought promptly. Soup was fantastic. Really into mushrooms lately. Looking at other tables and I'm stoked to go back and eat for real....

Sam Baba

We only had hot chocolate during our visit, but the outdoor heaters, music and hot chocolate was all perfect for a colder evening in Santa Cruz. Super cute spot and the food looked great, but I can’t comment on the taste.

M.A. EatsArt

Cute little place with privacy and a hideaway feeling in their outdoor seating. Creative and pretty presentation of drinks and dishes. Chocolate nuances everywhere, even in their cocktails. If you like chocolate, then obviously...

Hot chocolates are a must try. Their quiches are the best I have ever had and I had a lot lol. Food is always fresh and flavorful. You must stop if you are in town. You won’t regret it.

So so pleasantly surprised. The food, the vibe, and the desserts are so so delicious. We stumbled upon it and had to come back the next day.

I have eaten at this restaurant since I was an undergraduate, and after enjoying the food over the past weekend, I was better able to appreciate their maintenance of their high quality food. Their menu has stayed the same since 2013, but the entrees speak for themselves in terms of their consistency and excellence. Their desserts are also high quality and delicious. However, I found their starter menu to be somewhat disappointing when I visited this past weekend.

Salma Dixon

Hot chocolates are a must try. Their quiches are the best I have ever had and I had a lot lol. Food is always fresh and flavorful. You must stop if you are in town. You won’t regret it.

Philip Baker

I have eaten at this restaurant since I was an undergraduate, and after enjoying the food over the past weekend, I was better able to appreciate their maintenance of their high quality food. Their menu has stayed the same since 2013, but the entrees speak for themselves in terms of their consistency and excellence. Their desserts are also high quality and delicious. However, I found their starter menu to be somewhat disappointing when I visited this past weekend.

Great place for dinner in downtown Santa Cruz! I’m gluten free and found a lot of tasty options on the menu. The gluten free bread was soft and served warm. Definitely recommend!

Stopped in for impromptu dinner on a Tuesday. The restaurant is funky, wood paneled with carousel horses tastefully scattered about and Aztec-inspired art. Very 1970s vibe. BF ordered a margarita that was really good, tasted of freshly squeezed lime and actual tequila. Appetizer of sautéed snap peas was crisp and tasty, very simple but delicious. I had the polenta and cheese pie with two sauces, marinara and artichoke cheese. It came with a salad, which again was squeaky fresh and delicious. He had the spicy chocolate bbq pork, also with salad. The entrees were both disappointing. My artichoke-cheese “sauce” was globs of room temp shredded cheese mixed with chopped canned artichoke hearts. Inedible. The polenta pie was fine, as was the marinara. The pork was smothered in an undistinguished sauce, but the meat itself was powder dry and completely tasteless. Specialty hot chocolates were lush and unctuous. Kinda saved the experience after the bummer entrees.

We just had their hot drinks and desserts. They were pretty good. The hot chocolate was made with real chocolate and had rich flavors. The cake was also fresh. The outdoor sitting was very cute like a French bistro. The service was good but little bit slow.

Megan Cheek

Great place for dinner in downtown Santa Cruz! I’m gluten free and found a lot of tasty options on the menu. The gluten free bread was soft and served warm. Definitely recommend!

Jayne Williams

Stopped in for impromptu dinner on a Tuesday. The restaurant is funky, wood paneled with carousel horses tastefully scattered about and Aztec-inspired art. Very 1970s vibe. BF ordered a margarita that was really good, tasted of freshly squeezed lime and actual tequila. Appetizer of sautéed snap peas was crisp and tasty, very simple but delicious. I had the polenta and cheese pie with two sauces, marinara and artichoke cheese. It came with a salad, which again was squeaky fresh and delicious. He had the spicy chocolate bbq pork, also with salad. The entrees were both disappointing. My artichoke-cheese “sauce” was globs of room temp shredded cheese mixed with chopped canned artichoke hearts. Inedible. The polenta pie was fine, as was the marinara. The pork was smothered in an undistinguished sauce, but the meat itself was powder dry and completely tasteless. Specialty hot chocolates were lush and unctuous. Kinda saved the experience after the bummer entrees.

mediscover style

We just had their hot drinks and desserts. They were pretty good. The hot chocolate was made with real chocolate and had rich flavors. The cake was also fresh. The outdoor sitting was very cute like a French bistro. The service was good but little bit slow.

Rebecca R

Very unique small portions, creative drinks and a small relief from being in the city with the garden like outside seating. Bathroom shared with the bookstore next door and only paid parking near by.

I visited them a few weeks ago with a friend and our experience left us unimpressed. We started the night with their garlic cheese dip and a brussel sprout special. Then, we split a rotolo main with a side salad. FInally we ordered their dessert sampler for dessert. Even though nothing was terrible, even the service was good. Nothing stands out to make we want to come again, especially at their price point. I feel like they are trying to hard to be a jack of all trades restaurant, but they just aren't quite up to par in any area. All the food was about average, but the price was so high that I cannot recommend coming here for a serious meal. The dessert was the best course by far, but it was just chocolate. So, if you really like chocolate, I don't think you could have found a better guilty pleasure of a shop, but otherwise, if you just want a nice dinner, go elsewhere on Pacific, there are better options.

Brian Loos

I visited them a few weeks ago with a friend and our experience left us unimpressed. We started the night with their garlic cheese dip and a brussel sprout special. Then, we split a rotolo main with a side salad. FInally we ordered their dessert sampler for dessert. Even though nothing was terrible, even the service was good. Nothing stands out to make we want to come again, especially at their price point. I feel like they are trying to hard to be a jack of all trades restaurant, but they just aren't quite up to par in any area. All the food was about average, but the price was so high that I cannot recommend coming here for a serious meal. The dessert was the best course by far, but it was just chocolate. So, if you really like chocolate, I don't think you could have found a better guilty pleasure of a shop, but otherwise, if you just want a nice dinner, go elsewhere on Pacific, there are better options.

The hot chocolate was very watered down and very little flavor. The vanilla-passion fruit cheesecake is very salty because they put salted pistachios in the crust, which was never stated in the menu, and somehow undercooked. The "Dessert Orgy" had no good desserts at all. The whipped cream on the desserts was way too dense and had no taste. Everything was extremely overpriced as well. Genuinely, the best thing was the water. The service and setting was fine. Edit as response to owner: I normally never review restaurants so I am going out of my way for this one. Regardless of what nut is in the cheesecake, there was no mention of it in the menu, which is extremely lucky considering none of my party is allergic to nuts. It is also still salty, which is unacceptable for a cheesecake. As for the hot chocolate, the Swiss Miss hot chocolate that I was served at Hobee's is richer than what we were served. Again, the service and water were good but the desserts were not.

I’m honestly still shaken up writing this review. My family made a reservation here last night to celebrate my sisters birthday. We were a party of 8 plus my 15 month old daughter. We were seated inside and got comfortable, my daughter was in her stroller happy as a clam sitting next to my husband. We all ordered our food and drinks and not 10 minutes after we arrived our waiter came up to my daughter, sitting quietly smiling in her stroller and got down in her face and started by saying “Hi are you learning to talk?” And then proceeded to explain that she needed to be quiet because there are other customers. I think everyone at our table just froze completely confused on what prompted this as she was not being loud in the slightest. At this point we all look at each other and just leave. We are not going to support a business that shames children for simply existing. On top of that do not speak to my daughter as if she has done something wrong, if you have a problem you can talk to me directly. As we were all making our way out my mom checked in with the other tables around us to make sure we didn’t disturb anyone and all of the other patrons were equally as confused as us as to what the issue was, some even quite offended on our behalf. Since having this experience last night after just a quick scroll through here I can see that they are known for their lack of hospitality especially with children. It’s very sad to read the other experiences people have had to endure at this establishment so I hope that my experience can save someone else the disappointment at their complete lack of respect, customer service and human decency.

Corinne Marie

I’m honestly still shaken up writing this review. My family made a reservation here last night to celebrate my sisters birthday. We were a party of 8 plus my 15 month old daughter. We were seated inside and got comfortable, my daughter was in her stroller happy as a clam sitting next to my husband. We all ordered our food and drinks and not 10 minutes after we arrived our waiter came up to my daughter, sitting quietly smiling in her stroller and got down in her face and started by saying “Hi are you learning to talk?” And then proceeded to explain that she needed to be quiet because there are other customers. I think everyone at our table just froze completely confused on what prompted this as she was not being loud in the slightest. At this point we all look at each other and just leave. We are not going to support a business that shames children for simply existing. On top of that do not speak to my daughter as if she has done something wrong, if you have a problem you can talk to me directly. As we were all making our way out my mom checked in with the other tables around us to make sure we didn’t disturb anyone and all of the other patrons were equally as confused as us as to what the issue was, some even quite offended on our behalf. Since having this experience last night after just a quick scroll through here I can see that they are known for their lack of hospitality especially with children. It’s very sad to read the other experiences people have had to endure at this establishment so I hope that my experience can save someone else the disappointment at their complete lack of respect, customer service and human decency.