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Copal
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Santa Cruz

Copal

★★★★★ 4.5 · 100 reseñas

Copal brings the vibrant flavors of Oaxaca to Santa Cruz, offering an authentic culinary experience. As a Latino and women-owned establishment, we take pride in serving traditional dishes prepared with care. Our menu features Oaxacan specialties, including flavorful mole and othe...

Copal

Mexican · Santa Cruz

4.5 · 696 Bewertungen Google
www.copalrestaurant.com

Über Copal

Copal brings the vibrant flavors of Oaxaca to Santa Cruz, offering an authentic culinary experience. As a Latino and women-owned establishment, we take pride in serving traditional dishes prepared with care. Our menu features Oaxacan specialties, including flavorful mole and other regional favorites...

Copal brings the vibrant flavors of Oaxaca to Santa Cruz, offering an authentic culinary experience. As a Latino and women-owned establishment, we take pride in serving traditional dishes prepared with care. Our menu features Oaxacan specialties, including flavorful mole and other regional favorites, alongside a curated selection of mezcals, beers, and cocktails. Customers appreciate our fast and friendly service, with staff readily offering recommendations. Enjoy our inviting ambiance with options for outdoor seating, dine-in, takeout, or delivery. Whether for lunch or dinner, Copal promises a taste of Mexico that will transport you. Don't forget to save room for dessert!

Was Kunden über Copal sagen

Copal offers authentic Oaxacan cuisine with standouts like the mole negro, which customers rave about. The menu is extensive with vegetarian options. Service is attentive and the atmosphere is relaxed, especially on the patio.

Beliebte Gerichte

mole negro (7) Tlayuda (4) ceviche churros Oaxa salad memelitas

Ideal für

Paare Familien Gruppen Touristen

Tip: Make a reservation, especially on busy nights. The staff is knowledgeable and can help explain the menu and offer recommendations.

Services

🌳 Terrasse 🅿️ Parking 🚗 Delivery Accessible 🍽️ Déjeuner 🌙 Dîner 🥗 Vegetarian 🌱 Vegan Coffee
🎯 Casual 🛋️ Cozy Trendy 👔 Upscale 👨‍👩‍👧 Family 👥 Groups

Sehenswürdigkeiten in der Nähe

Trescony Park
A 453m

Trescony Park

parque

Details ansehen
Laurel Park
A 794m

Laurel Park

parque

Details ansehen
Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
A 896m

Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium

construcción

Details ansehen
Neary Lagoon Park
A 993m

Neary Lagoon Park

parque

Details ansehen

Daten von Wikidata

Entdecken Sie die Umgebung von Copal

Copal befindet sich in Santa Cruz, umgeben von kulturellen und historischen Sehenswürdigkeiten. Hier sind einige der bemerkenswertesten Orte in der Nähe.

Parks und Gärten

  • Trescony Park (A 453m) — park in Santa Cruz County, California, United States of America
  • Laurel Park (A 794m) — park in Santa Cruz County, California, United States of America
  • Neary Lagoon Park (A 993m) — park in Santa Cruz County, California, United States of America

Weitere Sehenswürdigkeiten

  • Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium (A 896m) — concert hall in Santa Cruz, California

Daten von Wikidata

Häufig gestellte Fragen zu Copal

Copal befindet sich in 1203 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, Santa Cruz.
In der Nähe von Copal finden Sie Sehenswürdigkeiten wie Trescony Park, Laurel Park, Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, Neary Lagoon Park.
Copal bietet mexican Küche.
Copal hat regelmäßige Öffnungszeiten. Aktuelle Zeiten finden Sie im Profil.
Copal bietet folgende Dienste: vor Ort essen, zum Mitnehmen, Lieferung.
Die am meisten empfohlenen Gerichte bei Copal laut Kundenbewertungen sind: mole negro, Tlayuda, ceviche, churros, Oaxa salad.
Copal ist ideal für Paare, Familien, Gruppen, Touristen.
Copal offers authentic Oaxacan cuisine with standouts like the mole negro, which customers rave about. The menu is extensive with vegetarian options. Service is attentive and the atmosphere is relaxed, especially on the patio.
Make a reservation, especially on busy nights. The staff is knowledgeable and can help explain the menu and offer recommendations.
696
Bewertungen

Bewertungen von Copal Santa Cruz

4.5
696
5★
71%
4★
18%
3★
5%
2★
3%
1★
3%
Bewertungen (100)
K
Kathryn Roberts

A new favorite, absolutely incredible and authentic Oaxaca food. Don’t skip the appetizer sampler, it has so many tasty things to try. Then we got two miles and the tlayuda and all were amazing. Ayuda could easily feed two. Great outdoor patio and very tasty cocktails. Great mezcal collection.

R
Rohita Darga

Copal is a restaurant that I seem to want to go back to time and time again. It's delectable food is made with a true passion for authentic Oaxacan food. The moles are deep and rich, their salsa perfectly spicy, their burritos massive. Everything hits the spot every single time. I got the mariposa cocktail this time and it was perfectly balanced.

R
ROSARIO ALVAREZ

Great Oaxacan cuisine in Santa Cruz. Not particularly care for red mole but this cook made it delicious and I was very pleased.

S
Samantha

I looked at the menu before going here. Didn't see anything that I was comfortable ordering as I was unaware of most of the menu options (other than basic staples). I wanted something authentic and different. Tried the mole combo and it was life changing. Absolutely incredible and I will not be able to experience it ever again unless I return here. Servers were FANTASTIC. answered all of my ignorant questions to properly help me select my mole. Even gave me a tasting of the sauces so I was happy with my meal. The cocktails were also crafted beautifully. 10000% reccomend this place.

J
Jaan Li

It is rare to meet a server who knows everything about the food. Íván M did us a solid, especially with the Cinco Sentidos Pechuga de Mole Poblano heritage mezcal, the Chamoy-rimmed agua de pepino, the mole, the grasshoppers, the torta con queso fresco, the flan, the walnut shaved ice. We will be back and you will be too. Gracias!!!!

S
S Khurana

The Chile relleno will change your life. The savory black beans paired with the garlicky white rice adds to the dish. Also the two bartenders are professional and personable

K
Kristin Quiroz Bayona

When I'm looking for a different style of Mexican food and a strong cocktail this is THE place. I love their taquitos and every dish I've tried is flavorful. I'm always looking for a fun bar and Copal's is one of my favorites. Their cocktails combine unique flavors and spirits and their is definitely alcohol in them. I can't stand paying $15+ for a drink that's mostly juice!

D
Daniela Garcia

This unique mexican spot did not let down. Walking in, you may struggle parking if you arrive before 4 pm, but the food attracts people with demanding tooth. At simple glance, it appears to be an oversold mexican place, but don't be fooled. Their cook is Oaxacan, and the food shows it. The aguas frescas taste fresh, their meat is juicy, the salsa is spicy and fresh made. Their beans are delicious and well seasoned. Wish I had pictures, but the food smelled and tasted so good our table tackeled it at first sight. Thank you for a delicious meal. We look forward to our next visit ...this will be a must add to itinerary stop.

M
Maren Lassner

Extraordinary! Deliciously fresh, authentic cuisine prepared and presented beautifully! Friendly, attentive staff and inviting patio vibe! Loved it!

J
Jaz

Great food and service. We shared the puerco mole negro and the carne asada taco plate and both were fantastic.

P
Priyanka

One of the best food experiences. Great food, friendly people.

P
P Zuñiga

1st time visiting! Wasn't sure what to expect, but was so pleasantly surprised with the quality & taste of the food. Our waitress was great, too. If ever in the area again, will definitely be stopping by.

C
Cardinal Construction Mel Dion

Truly Oaxacan flavors. The dark mole was outstanding and reminded me of my time in Oaxaca. If you want to be transported for a meal you MUST eat here. Thank you!

A
Ann Farrier

Terrific food. Friendly staff. Be sure to make reservations if going for dinner.

R
Ross Chun

Delicious dishes and great service! Really enjoyed the authentic Oaxacan cuisine here!

C
Cesar Manuel Zulaica Piñeyro

Fantastic Oaxacan food. Probably the best Mexican meal I've had in the greater Bay Area in years.

T
Tracy Vera

Mole was amazing! Ceviche was delish but could have been served with one more tostada, especially since there were four of us at the table, only served with three tostadas. Other dishes looked great and everyone was pleased.

L
Libby

Highly recommend. I ate the quesadilla and the molotes - both incredible! They know how to cook with masa and seem to make all their tortillas. Also a great place for vegetarians and gluten free folks as the menu has icons and several dishes for both.

c
courtney curtis

Great food and drinks, Great atmosphere and service. Worth trying this place.

J
Jennifer Adleman

God this place is sooooo good! Incredible mole.

N
Nanette Jacoboni

Food was amazing. Patio allows dogs but Pup wanted to go in the car. Sunlight could have been blocked by shades but was in our eye for only 10 minutes. Food was excellent which complemented the service. Tipped 20 percent even on drinks and tax.

T
Takeshi Young

I always drive by this place on the way to the beach, and finally had a chance to stop by am glad I did. Copal has some great traditional Oaxacan fare as well as Mexican favorites, all at an affordable price. The drinks here are great as well, including Oaxacan hot chocolate and a truly extensive selection of mezcals. Definitely one of my top choices for Mexican food in Santa Cruz.

L
Laura Nagel

Food and service are wonderful. Such a treat to go there. I particularly love the Oaxacan dishes.

T
Tanner Bryce Oertel

My visit at Copal restaurant was long overdue. My partner I went on a weekday evening, and we were seated promptly without a reservation. The food was excellent, specifically the mole Negro con puerco. I was nervous to try the dish, but the smoky flavors paid off in the end. Our only complaint was that the guacamole was served with the pit inside of it. I can’t think of any reason, world, or place in Mexico, that that would be acceptable. My partner ordered the enchiladas with pork, which were also delicious. The churros were also amazing.

B
B G

My wife and I recently visited this restaurant and chose to sit at the bar, where we were fortunate enough to be served by Andrew, the bartender. I overheard Andrew describing to another patron the kind of experience he hoped they would have—and let me tell you, he delivered. From start to finish, our experience was exceptional. The drinks were crafted with precision and care, and the mole tasting added a delightful, unique touch before we decided on our meal. The vibrant ambience, paired with the buzzing energy of a full house, made for an unforgettable evening. We’ll absolutely be returning—Andrew and the team truly made it special!

D
Daniel Jardine

We had some truly wonderful food here. Well cooked, perfectly seasoned and not smothered in cheese. This is our new favorite Mexican spot. Service was really friendly and the terrace is lovely, if a little loud with traffic noise.

K
Katherine Wilson

Wow, this place is the real deal. My friend and I came here for lunch. My friend who got one of the moles was immediately in love. She has a super sensitive sense of taste and smell, because she is a chef. I'm gluten free and vegan for medical reasons, and they have a huge menu to fit both needs!! The tacos, which is what I had, with vegan carne asada were super tasty, and the beans they came with are unbeatable. I would order more of those beans as a side! The guacamole was *delicious*. Their salsas are outstanding. The chef there is a woman, and we were informed that she wanted to bring her recipes from Oaxaca to her new residence, in Santa Cruz. We are LUCKY to be this woman's guests. The tortillas were handmade corn, and GORGEOUS. I felt like each recipe was a home recipe, safe for me to eat but also far more delicious than I could think up or make at home. My friend saw one of the larger dishes, go by and we both gasped. It looked like a baby dinosaur! If you haven't been there, ask your server how much you want to eat. Some of the dishes are huge and some are smaller, like the tacos (perfect for lunch, I thought). The food is so good there that you might be tempted by the desserts there as well. I have said restrictions, but someone else would probably go for it! Their servers are super nice too. I can't remember our server's name unfortunately, but we had really sweet young lady on Friday 3/21/25, so thank you!! She was communicative, attentive, sweet, and never said a mean word even though I asked her a couple times about something. Super nice. I definitely will keep this place in mind, even though I don't go out much, I love food, and their place is right down the street from my place. Thank you Copal!!

A
Anke Koelzer

Nice staff, nice atmosphere, great cocktails. We tried different dishes and even crickets. The cuisine is a bit different from usual Mexican, so it's a nice change. The food was very tasty.

G
Griselda Medina

I had a wonderful date night at this friendly-staffed restaurant. We shared the chilenos rellenos and esquite as an appetizer. The esquite was good, straightforward… it tasted just like the esquite I would buy from the elotero but with the toppings being a little on the excessive side in my opinion. BUT, we saved some corn and mixed it in with the rice that came with the chilles rellenos and refried beans and everything just came together. The chilles rellenos plate exceeded my expectations. The sauce on the chiles was delicious and had the perfect kick to it. I wondered if they had another salsa on the side for those who like their food more spicy, but I didn’t ask. The complimentary chips and salsa were tasty too and I appreciate having something crunchy on the side. I had a gin cocktail (Campanilla) and though the flavors in it were good, the alcohol taste was a little too strong. I hope to return again to try their mezcal and other dishes!

S
Stephen M

I recently visited Copal with a couple friends after a hike in the redwoods. Upon arriving, I was struck by the friendly and helpful nature of the waitstaff. The ambience was festive and sleek, abound with nods to Oaxaca. The food presentation was beautiful, with each dish expertly arranged. It was clear that care had been taken in the preparation of the food, and I was not disappointed when it came to the taste. Everything was delicious, with each bite offering a new burst of flavor. One minor drawback was the location of the patio. While it was pleasant to sit outside on a nice day, the passing traffic was just on the other side of the fence, which could be a bit distracting. However, this is a small issue in the grand scheme of things, and it didn't diminish my overall enjoyment of the meal. I would (and will!) definitely recommend Copal to others looking for a great dining experience!

D
Diane Zelman

Treated my UCSC student son and a couple of his friends to dinner. Everyone left very full and happy with their meals. Service was great. The boys insisted on trying the crispy grasshoppers as an experimental starter. I was happy starting with soup!

K
Kenyon Kluge

I like this place a lot. We had a Tlayuda which we split and still had leftovers. It was very good and fun to share.

J
Jason Chang

excellent food. their mole negro is bar none the best in the Bay Area. layers of flavors, refine.

R
Rasmus Fonseca

Awesome variety and so many vegetarian options. Outdoors was a little noisy but restaurant looked nice inside.

R
Ruby Zepeda

A authentic Oaxaca experience. Food here will not disappoint. Forgot to nap a pic of my chicken tamale. A freaken out of this world tamales.Memelitas appetizers are small and good.

V
Vincent Shea

Their carne asada tacos and Oaxacan shrimp salad were excellent, some of the best Oaxacan food we've had! Got the Azucena which was delicious for an NA cocktail

B
Brendan

Highly recommended sit down Mexican restaurant that specializes in Mezcal, Mezcal cocktails, and Mexican plates with Mole as well as traditional staples. If you like Mezcal or Mole Sauce or both, HIGHLY recommend you make the trip to visit this place. I’ve been passing by this place for years and never stopped. I’ll be stopping much more frequently now. They have outdoor and indoor seating, plenty of parking, clean restrooms, the tables are well distanced, they have a full bar with a TON of selections, and they have great service. Not only was everyone nice - but the service was incredibly fast. Food recommendations, I highly recommend the margarita and order it traditional with Mezcal. Mezcal has a Smokey flavor to it, so if you’re not into that, opt for tequila. Also, the taco plate was good. Their mole plates are renowned for the area and worth trying as well.

F
Forrest “The Nordic Reviewer” Bloxham

Best Oaxacan cuisine in the area, hands down!! These bartenders are very patient and helpful if your not quite sure what to drink. Try the mole!!! Its to die for. And the mezcal Paloma with there giant wedge of fresh grapefruit to garnish. O and the taquitoes😋 All very delicious

J
Janelle Riess

It is rare to find a restaurant where the food actually excites you and the meal is more than just ‘food’. Copal is one of those rare gems in which you are sad to be so full you can’t finish your entree. The drinks were very strong and the food was delicious. The kitchen knows what they are doing.

K
Kyle Basnett

We loved this place! I wish I went here sooner. The restaurant itself is very nicely decorated and has a fun and welcoming feeling. The staff were all very friendly and helpful. The coctails were good, and the food was amazing! We got the Torta and Mole burritos.

J
Jay K

The sweetest person helped us navigate the menu. We had to wait an hour for a table, but that gave us time to go to Safeway to pick up lactaid because you KNOW I was getting that Oaxan cheese. Tons of vegetarian options and tons of interesting non-alcoholic options (like not just diet coke!). Also if you've ever wanted to try grasshoppers----this is your chance!

C
Casey Nova

Unbelievably delicious drinks and food here! Loved the atmosphere and all the different mezcal cocktails.

M
Monica Montefiore

We had made a reservation, or so we thought. When we got to the restaurant , we realized we had made the reservation for the wrong night! The hostess was really kind and even though there was a 30-40 min wait for a table, she was able to find us some seats next to the bar. We ended up having the best evening! Our server, Andy was amazing, the food was delicious and unique, and the prices are really reasonable. Great atmosphere and interior design too! Highly recommend this place.

R
Randy Griggs

Such an awesome location. Very authentic with an extremely upscale experience with the food and the cocktails. Amazing Mezcal selections and truly unique recipes. The scratch made plates are excellent and transport me to a classic experience in a plaza south of the border

G
Gabriel Hernandez

The best Oaxacan food I've ever had. The food was excellent and the presentation was awesome! Ruby was our waitress and she was very friendly and gave excellent service! We'll definitely be back!

J
Jonathan Smith

I have been wanting to come to copal for a while now, I have heard really good things about it. They have a nice selection of cocktails and a few good beers on tap as well. I know they have a whole mezcal bar but I didn't do that today. The service was very fast and friendly, the food was delicious and felt home made and authentic. Definitely a spot that I will come back to. I came here around lunchtime on a Sunday. They were busy but we sat down right away and had 0 delays. 5 stars, good spot.

Y
Yotam Nahir

Literally favorite restaurant in Santa Cruz. Food is super good, generous portions, a bunch of cool drinks, and the service is super attentive! Almost always get the mole and one of the appetizers, especially the taquitos or molotes. Super good.

K
Kevin Renner

Fantastic Oaxacan cuisine. Definitely recommend getting any dish with their moles, as that's their specialty. Also suggest trying the chapulines, first place I had it, and now it's a must order when I visit. Good selection of drinks, including plenty of non alcoholic cocktails.

S
Sarah Brewer

Quite an impressive collection of Mezcal options. Great drinks, food and service. I dream of the mole nachos!

B
Bee Dub

Was looking for a nice spot while spending the day in Santa Cruz. We made the right pick! Copal had a super friendly and attentive staff. The food was delicious! The mole was great with a bit of sweetness. I really liked the salsa that came with the chips. I would definitely go again next time I am in the area. I loved the mythical rabbit logo!!! I was also super stoked that they had Sante Adarius on draft!

J
Jenarndt2

Truly authentic, Oaxacan cuisine!! I have wished for tlayudas, mole on tamales de platanos, and yes even chapulinas con limon. This place has it all. So much more than having " Mexican" cuisine. Whether you are an experienced Oaxacan cuisine expert or new to this style of food, this is a MUST try food for you and your family. Beautiful indoor and outdoor seating with nods to the art and culture of Oaxaca, Oaxaca México.

J
Jason Bryan

Great food, atmosphere, and service. Try the Tlayuda! It's like a Mexican pizza.

A
Ava Belgardo

Chepe was the most amazing server I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting, his attention to detail was phenomenal and his whit and personality really made the experience I had with my partner really worth while I will be coming back just for him

R
Rick S

Great service and food. The Mole Coloradito was amazing. Everything was high quality. Tlayuda was huge! My son enjoyed the oaxacan tacos.

R
Rana Ghana

Beautiful restaurant! Everything about it is fantastic and my family was very happy to dine there with me. Highly recommend it.

M
Maggie Alonso

This restaurant proudly presents a variety of authentic Mexican dishes and drinks, they serve perfect portions of what you order, not fillers, love the ambiance, the service and reasonable prices.

R
Ray Alan

We got there at 4:00 p.m. on a Saturday and the team was very helpful to have a seated very quickly without a reservation. Lalo was our exceptional waiter who took the time to explain things in detail and to give great recommendations. My only complaint is that I thought the salsa was kind of bland and it could have more spice and zing to it. For me personally chips and salsa is what I live for in Mexican restaurants. Would never distract me from going back because it was a very great experience with tasty food, delicious margaritas, and a professional team that made the experience great.

J
James Kennedy

I'll be back and can't wait. You'd expect a great bday, check. Great food, check. But the staff was incredible and knows the menu and made great recommendations including food, drinks and mescal. Great dinner. Waiter said they have spicy Mexican hot chocolate for their weekend brunch. 😋

S
Sempervirens

Was passing through Santa Cruz on our way back to SJ in need of an upscale Father's Day destination. Great service, delicious flavours and tasty mezcals. Really enjoyed the Tlayuda plate and the estafado moles.

C
Carl O'Neil

The Tlayuda was good, huge and filling. The Mole was exceptional our favorite was the red. The grasshoppers were fun to try once but not something I'll ever crave. 😆 Great margaritas.

S
S S

Really amazing food. Can get super busy and servers are kinda slow. Need to wave them down. But I would joyfully eat here again. And again.

Kayla Garnet Rose PhD
Kayla Garnet Rose PhD

Wow, outstanding! We got there at the end of happy hour - highly recommend the nachos! I had the Oaxa salad with shrimp - huge! Delicious! Hubby enjoyed the Tlayuda, which again was huge! We'll be feasting on left overs, for sure. He also enjoyed the flan.

Wyatt Duke
Wyatt Duke

My meemaw is a chile relleno Connoisseur, after scouring all of the land I decided to take her to copal! And let me tell you folks it was not a disappointment, meemaw rates this 5/5 stars and loves the service/ atmosphere. If it's a beautiful day I would suggest the patio to relax. Will come back for sure

A.F.
A.F.

The food is delicious and the homemade corn tortillas are killer. Great service, even with only one server and one hostess working the whole restaurant on a busy day!

Marie Rygaard
Marie Rygaard

Awesome food! One of the better restaurants I've tried I quite some time. Mole was amazing, paloma was amazing, and churros were amazing. Can't wait to come back!

Jacob Sampson
Jacob Sampson

Had a great dinner here before a concert. They serve chips and salsa which is always a welcome appetizer. We added guacamole which was normal. The crickets were a fun addition and tasted like sunflower seeds. The enchilada mole was so good. The mole was robust with a hint of sweet. The portion size was perfect for one. I felt satisfied after the meal and not stuffed or taking home a ton of left overs.

Jose Cisneros
Jose Cisneros

The staff here deserves a huge KUDOS! They were so attentive and the service was quick for a weekend. Our server was knowledgeable and provided tips for eating the Tlayuda. Great food taste and presentation throughout the night.

Allison Fletcher
Allison Fletcher

Fantastic and unique cocktails, relaxed vibes and incredible food! The Tlayuda was incredible and the mole negro was deliciously complex and hearty. So glad we came! Great prices too!

Tracey Phan
Tracey Phan

Mole negro was excellent. Would recommend getting it since it is prepared over 3 days. Wearing outside is very physically comfortable, but is quite loud due to the nearby traffic. Parking is available after 5 on some spots and it is clearly marked. Overall service and food was great

R. E. X. (IG: #bushidobites)
R. E. X. (IG: #bushidobites)

A nice take on Oaxacan regional cuisine. We started with the Guacamole apetizer. It was chunky and a bit spicy. I ordered the Mole Negro (sweet, chocolatey, smoky) with stewed pork leg, some of the other dishes at the table included Chicken enchiladas with Mole Rojo (sweet, chocolatey, tomato flavor) in addition to Chile Rellenos. They had a very wide selection of cocktails, mocktails, and Mezcal flights in addition to beers and tequilas. Alot of their menu is based around Mole. They have about 4 different types. We finished the meal with coffee and flan, although the flan left me feeling like there was more to be desired. It was a little more firm than usual and relatively small. Other than that, this meal was an overall success and made me want to return again soon. Their menu included some regional favorites (like a Tlayuda, a large tostada) and kept me interested in what they have in store for the future. Custom logo ice cubes were a nice touch, and so were homemade tortillas.

Ashwin Mudigonda
Ashwin Mudigonda

What an experience! Copal is all that Mexican food strives to be in the US, but falls flat and tries too hard doing so. From its cute logo, to its selection of mezcals, to its expansive and well thought of menu (with vegetarian options), and its execution, Copal does not let down! This is a 6/5 restaurant that - mark my words - will make it big one day! The guac and chips were a delight, both, in quality and quantity. In an era where everyone is scrimping and serving the the bare minimum, Copal actually feeds your stomach and your soul! I ordered the mole negro, and was instantly floored by the complex flavors salsa dancing on my tongue - chocolate, cumin, chilis,...The tortillas were next level. This is the stuff they probably serve in Heaven's canteen if God were a Latin. It was a party that I didn't want to end. And so I ordered the flan, which didn't disappoint either. The mezcal collection, while expansive, was not informative. Simply having the names did not help me make a decision, and the flight I chose wasn't up to the cut. Either way, I would happily make the trip from the Bay Area down to Copal just to bury my face in the mole again!

S Y
S Y

Super delicious, authentic, Oaxacan food. Reminded me and my husband of the time we spent traveling through Mexico, especially near to the Oaxaca region. The mole negro is a must and has a really amazing flavor profile. It would be a disservice not to try their authentic dishes and to order from the Americanized side of their menu.

Charlie Cowell
Charlie Cowell

This place is great. A different style of Mexican food that was a welcome change. Great cocktails too. We had vegetarian mole and it was great and filling. Definitely worth the price. Also had a few tequila cocktails that were strong and not too sweet.

Fei Yu
Fei Yu

Authentic Oaxacan cuisine. Fast and friendly service. Everything was a hit but would especially recommend the mole. Their chicken was tender and fell off the bone! Server was very kind and showed us a platter of different salsas which we loved! Chips were crisp. Ceviche was fresh. Would recommend making a reservation ahead of time because we waited an hour for dinner on a weeknight...

Mauricio Vazquez (Something Witty)
Mauricio Vazquez (Something Witty)

Excellent Oaxacan cuisine in Santa Cruz. We always seem to drive by this place. Looks nice, we love Oaxacan food, and so tonight we finally tried it. The food is excellent. We got the Tlayuda, taco plate, and the kids quesadilla with horchata. Solid flavors across the board. So good. We got it to-go, but after seeing the interior, we’ll be back to dine in shortly.

Rosa Heschke
Rosa Heschke

This was an authentic place for Oaxacan food! My husband and I have been to Oaxaca, MX and this food tasted just like what we had when we were there. Every time my husband and I go out to a Mexican restaurant they only have the usual popular celebrity brands of tequila and Mezcal which are not additive free or authentic. This place lived up to their standards and had several choices of quality mezcal and tequila which we were very impressed by (this made for delicious, fresh, tasting drinks!) If you don’t know, the state of Oaxaca is known for making Mezcal. My husband had the tlayuda with steak. My sister and I shared the mole dish! It was PERFECT! Then chicken was tender and fell right off the bone. Not to sound cliche, but you could actually taste all of the notes, spices, and ingredients in the mole We also shared ceviche and guacamole and they tasted so fresh. Our server was very nice too. I believe his name was Jose or Jesus. He was also from Oaxaca and gave us some history on the owners of the restaurant which was really cool to learn. No wonder they know their stuff! Highly recommend! We are from Southern CA. If we lived closer this would be a weekly visit!

Dorothea CopeckNolan
Dorothea CopeckNolan

Fun and fantastic! So delicious! Make a reservation in case of a busy night but two can usually fit in. We liked dining on the enclosed patio. Drinks are terrific, best margarita ever. Plentiful portions and the mole was perfection.

Marisol Arnold
Marisol Arnold

What a great place and great traditional Oaxacan food. The food was delish, menu can be a little hard to understand but the staff is great about explaining and recommendations. We had 3 sharable appetizers, grass hoppers, ceviche and Tlayuda. I'm not a regular Mezcal drinker but wanted to drink their cocktails, the Mariposa was delish...the smokiness of the Mezcal reminded me of Bourbon. For dinner we had the black chicken mole, chicken tamale with black mole, chicken and vegetarian quesdilla, all were delish. I would recommend reservations as they are usually packed. We will be back again.

V
Viri De la O

Best mole !!! Really good Mexican food! We will go back , make your reservation because is a popular place ! I think they can work more in the service, 🙄

L
Larry Narachi

The food was delicious....especially the dark mole with chicken. Our server kept promising to do things but took his time to chat with other staff and didn't deal with us right away (more water....a place setting...etc) I will be back for the mole

P
Paul Bacon

Good Mexican place that is a nice contrast to all the great Taquerias in Santa Cruz. Hand made corn tortillas and several choices of mole that gave this place a different level of authenticity.

D
D. Land

High quality Mexican cuisine. Would recommend to try their guacamole with chips and the Churros.

K
Kate Gross-Whitaker

Great food but service was quite slow. Mole was great. Lots of vegetarian and gluten-free options.

E
Eric Newell

Glad that this place exists — had a great meal and service was solid. Mole negro and drinks were especially delicious!

V
Veronika Rigo

Nice drinks, huge portions. We ordered 3 mains for 3 people and weren't able to finish at all.

T
Terence Chan

Pretty good dining experience. The tlayuda is a must-have, they've done it up to basically eat like a thin crust pizza instead of the traditional snack size. If you do order it, you'll want to order some additional meat sides to get enough protein though. Really colourful decor. Friendly but slow service

R
Rebecca Lindsey

Returned from Oaxaca in early April. I’d for sure eat here again! Was seated inside at a 4 top with an inside reservation. The table was in a cross breeze. We asked to move and when a table became available we were moved. Thank you.

Harshal Patel
Harshal Patel

Stumbled across this place as we were going to another Taqueria down the road. Hidden Gem honestly! The food and drinks were amazing, and fairly priced as well. The service great, and the staff were very knowledgeable about the cuisine. Overall: 8.3 - Food: 9.2/10 - Service: 8.6/10 - Ambiance: 7.2/ 10

James C
James C

Nice clean place near the beach. The food had an authentic flavor. The nachos were stacked. The memelitas are excellent. We very much enjoyed the taste of everything. BUT when the food was served it wasn't hot. To be fair it wasn't ice cold. It just didn't have that served right when it was ready type of heat. Service was good and the environment was casual.

KC C
KC C

My cousin recommended this place for dinner and it didn’t disappoint. When we walked in, there was a wait of 3-4 parties and I heard someone say it was an hour wait. Thankfully we had reservations, which we were seated promptly for. There’s outdoor patio seating in the front, a small patio in the back, bar seating and then the actual dining room. The place is pretty big and it was pretty packed. That’s always a good sign. The drink menu was quite extensive; they have a full bar but have specialty cocktails as well. Between the four of us, we had at least 6-7 dif ones. The food was really delish. The quality was good, tastes yummy and quantity was perfect (not too much, not too little). Our group had four entrees, shared a dessert, two glasses of wine, a mezcal tasting flight and six cocktails for just $220 pre tip. Not bad! Service was really good but unfortunately I didn’t get our waitresses name. Parking was easy; there’s a private lot but also lots of street parking. I’d definitely go back!

D
Dylan Citrin Cummins

Pretty good food, ok space, good service. Not sure I'll return, price for what I got seemed out of balance. A couple ribs w mole sauce (good) and rice for 25 bucks plus tax and tip. Other plates were a little flat. Maybe we got them on an off night. 85 dollars without drinks.

N
Neal Langerman

Server was borderline surly. Mole sauce tasted burnt and ribs were fair. Overall I was less Than impressed. Not going back seems correct choice.

A
Antara Mukherjee Trillingsgaard

The service can improve by leaps and bounds. We were asked to wait for a table as we didn’t have a reservation so that’s fair. We were told 20 minutes and it took more than 40! The cleaning of the table apparently took good “5 plus then some minutes”. Honestly there were quite a few empty tables so not sure who they were reserved for as no one came while we dined. Anyway the food was good but not extraordinary. Many dishes with mole which is unique and refreshing. Our nachos must have been sitting for a while as they were a bit soggy and the carne asada taco was too salty. The shrimp taco was very nice. The beans and rice were also delicious. All in all go there for the food and book in advance.

L
Luke (xlxcrossing)

The reviews on here seem to be very content with mediocrity. That's the best you'll get with $32 here which is what I paid for "quesadillas". I put that in quotes because they were basically horribly low quality soft tacos and were not grilled, the meat just fell out on my plate constantly. The meat inside was sub par under-seasoned asada chopped into small bits and irresponsibly tossed into the tortilla with some cheese and a basil leaf(?) . I think the tortilla was corn but it fell apart immediately while eating it and the flavor of the entire entree was just bland and uninspiring, no specific flavor from the meat that made me feel I was even eating meat. It wasn't bad tasting but this left nothing but black beans to lean on in regards to reviewing my order. That was $21. The other $3 was for a 2nd cup of chips, yes cup, it is small and you only get 1 free cup. Ordering more and you pay $3.....shameless cash grab. The last 2 points to make were the first things I noticed before the meal. One was they give you small glasses that are literally one gulp of water before you have to refill them. I had to ask for a full sized glass to drink out of. A really embarrassing approach to give a bourbon glass to drink water out of. The other was the "house made" salsa. It tasted like watered down tostitos salsa. When I asked for other stuff I got a red chili salsa that was tangy and watery like Hernandez brand-ish and a small thing of straight up chili oil. When I mixed all 3 together it actually tasted like restaurant quality salsa but no care goes into their salsa's with a flavor profile or spicyness. Our waitress was young, nice and peppy but the rest of the staff mostly just wandered through the restaurant repeatedly. Overall the food was digestible but so extremely uninspired and forgettable and after tip I walked away paying $32. For me it's clear that the owner/operator is selling a physical experience as oppose to quality food. Maybe other stuff tastes better but I'm judging a very easy dish sanely. If you are like me and think meat should be flavorful and yummy and have a basic pallet I would say go with any taqueria over this place. You'll pay less than $15 for a burrito which is half the bill. They want to sell you the physicality of the restaurant (they have a merch rack?) as oppose to amazing food. If you prefer to just throw your wallet down, order expensive food and drinks and have nice tables and walls then you will probably enjoy eating here.

M
Manuel Preciado

Mediocre Latin Food.... Tortillas were cold and it had more cabbage than asada. Sorry but just another hipster Latin food spot. I heard their Mole is good so I hope they prove me wrong next time.

V
Vishal Shah

Service/Atmosphere: The only well executed part is the interior design and lighting. The place definitely gives off inviting vibes. Had to ask 2-3x to get a bartenders attention for directions to the bathroom while they were 5 feet from me. I'm not quiet or small. They were continually putting table drinks down right in front of me when the whole bar was wide open. I was not bothered by the drinks, but was concerned from a food safety perspective. What if I was sick and coughed on the drinks by accident?Those contaminated drinks would be served to guests at other tables. Food: Ordered enchiladas with mole. Food was seasoned well, but was almost room temperature by the time it got to me. Chips and salsa were actually portioned for one person to eat which was refreshing. Salsa was thin and watery with the mildest spice level I've ever tasted in a salsa. The flavor was ok, but I've had better at my local taqueria.

m
miguel chang

I give it 2 stars because the facilities are nice. The quality of the food is the lowest 👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻. I had never been so disappointed in trying Mexican food. ♨️🚫

i
itsallgooddm1 Maldonado

Free onsite parking, full bar, inside & outside sitting. Service was okay, food was not something I'd seek out twice. For a margo or nachos at the bar, why not, for dinner there are better choices nearby.

C
Cyrus

BE CAREFUL WITH BEING OVERCHARGED! They charged me more than the tip I wrote down. I have proof of what I authorized, and I already disputed it. I left a smaller tip because the service was bad, but they ended up charging me based on their 20% suggestion instead. I will be following this up to the end to understand how this happened and why I was overcharged!!!

B
Blue Sky

I was visiting Santa Cruz and I ordered a plate of ceviche and A plate of Chicken. I got food poisoning from the ceviche. I called them and asked them for a refund and they texted me back and told me the ceviche was tested and tasted before being served and sent me a link for a $25 gift card. I would never eat there again and I’m not from Santa Cruz so that was ridiculous that they would’ve offer me that I specifically asked for a refund. When I did call back and let them know that I wanted a refund and not a $25 gift card. They did not respond even though I called three times and left three messages with several employees. I believe the Health Department should check this place out and shut it down for lack of sanitary conditions

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1203 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

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Copal
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Highlights

Hoch bewertet
4.5/5 Sterne
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Viele Bewertungen
696 Bewertungen
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Moderater Preis
Preisniveau
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mexican
Küchenart

Dienstleistungen

🍽️ Mittagessen
🍾 Abendessen
Kaffee
🍰 Desserts
🥗 Vegetarische Optionen
🌱 Vegane Optionen
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Restaurant-Infos

Status
Vom Inhaber verifiziert
🕐 Horario Hoy
11:30AM-8:30PM
Bewertung
4.5/5
💬 Bewertungen
696
💰 Preisniveau
$$
⏱️ Typischer Besuch
People typically spend 1-2 hours here
📞 Telefon
+1 831-201-4418
🌐 Webseite
www.copalrestaurant.com
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🅿️ Parkplatz
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