La comelona de Luisa

Sandy Glass

Beautiful views of the ocean from this restaurant's location. We dined during Santa Cruz Restaurant Week. The menu had 3 delicious choices for each of the 3 courses. It was a good value for the $55 cost. Of course the cocktails were delicious since they are made from Venus gins and the other spirits they distill as well. The service was spot-on, attentive but not intrusive.

Thao Ha

Love this place. They have great cocktails and a huge gin selection. The cocktail menu is updated every season with new limited seasonal themed drinks. I've been there for happy hour as well as restaurant week. The steak was cooked perfectly and all the appetizers were delicious. Their chocolate torte was densely decadent and not my favorite, had other flavors listed but was just overwhelmingly chocolate.

Mj Stearns - Your Local Santa Cruz Realtor

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ What a charming spot! I recently visited Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen Beachside in Aptos, and I was thoroughly impressed. Although I have been to their location on the Westside in Santa Cruz, this new spot, situated in the Aptos Flats right across from Rio Del Mar Beach, has its own delightful charm. The atmosphere is inviting, and the drinks and food were exceptional. Our server was attentive and ensured everything came out quickly, which I really appreciated. I started with the Frozen Paloma Libra, which was not only delicious but beautifully presented. For appetizers, we shared the calamari and the Crispy Brussels Sprouts—both were fantastic! For my main course, I ordered the burger, and it did not disappoint; it was incredibly tasty. Overall, I had a wonderful experience and will definitely be back! Highly recommend checking this place out if you’re in the area!

Monica Ifland

Sat outside on a foggy evening under warm heat lamps. It was lovely sitting outside. Well protected from any breeze. Service was great. Drinks are some of the best tasting in county. We had the curry soup to start. Delicious. Meaty fish and chips that were crispy without being greasy. Calamari sandwich with Old Bay chips! We will definitely be returning.

Krista Herring

The goat cheese raviolis are amazing! As is the market salad and the Miso Salmon. Best cocktails in town. Our faves are the Golden Ticket, the Laura Palmer, and the Blush Negroni. Staff is super friendly. Everything is run really well, and we always enjoy our time here!

Alejandro Blanco

One of our favorite restaurants to visit in the Santa Cruz county area! Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen - Beachside (there is Beachside, in Aptos, and Westside, west of Santa Cruz), located in Rio del Mar village, is a great place to go for fresh oysters and a gorgeous sunset. Enjoy the cool evening air on their patio, or take a seat at their bar and sip one of their delicious cocktails while you take in the view! Their friendly staff are very attentive and helpful! The music selection can hit the soul, a wave of nostalgia sets in as you enjoy some of their fluffy focaccia bread with salty butter. The environment is very relaxed and chill, especially as the ocean waves crash just outside, seen through the big windows of this awesome place. Bring your friends, or even better, make it a romantic night for two. As they always have a great selection of oysters and drinks, from wine to cocktails, it would be a night you and your partner will not forget! Venus will treat you right!

Maggie Gorini

Would recommend, absolutely. If you are rolling in on a Saturday night try to get reservations (they had a lot of walk-ins). Came here with three friends and we shared the Brussels sprouts (perfect char) fries and crab cakes (crab forward and mellow). I ordered the From the Sea (sea bass with a mix of tomato/broccolini/mushroom/calamari). That was delicious. They sat us in the bar area on high tops, which was nice because at that height you can see the beach better. They have a tasty frozen Paloma, which I would get again! Pictured is the mini size. I then got the Venus Lilikoi, which is a strong, pleasantly aromatic, tangy cocktail. Thank you, Dave, for the good service. Clean modern aesthetic overall and the women’s bathroom was well kept.

Izadela Meza

Noel served us and she was awesome , fast and picked the best appetizers. And drinks for us . Prices are great and food was even better

Such a beautiful restaurant right by the ocean! I got the salmon with coconut rice and it was amazing. The drinks were slightly over priced but all very good. The parking was plentiful for me because we chose to have a later dinner, but because it’s across the street from the beach, I can imagine parking would be difficult in the day or early evening

Nice place by the beach for a dinner or cocktail. Not a large draft beer selection but does have a full bar for cocktails. A little loud for my hard-of-hearing self

Joe Armstrong

Nice place by the beach for a dinner or cocktail. Not a large draft beer selection but does have a full bar for cocktails. A little loud for my hard-of-hearing self

Mackenzie Amato

Such a beautiful restaurant right by the ocean! I got the salmon with coconut rice and it was amazing. The drinks were slightly over priced but all very good. The parking was plentiful for me because we chose to have a later dinner, but because it’s across the street from the beach, I can imagine parking would be difficult in the day or early evening

Erick Day

I sat at the bar. The food selection was great and very good quality. The drinks were great and their bourbon and rye they distill were very good in an old fashion.

Mary Robinson

A group of 6 of us came in with no reservation. They were able to seat us fairly quickly the food was soo good, anddd our server Noelle was A-MAZ-ING!! Her recommendations were spot on, she was very attentive, but more over, her infectious personality won all 6 of us over!! She really made us feel welcome and like we were old friends!!! Noelle, thank you for making the 1st night of our vacation awesome, fun and memorable!! We will be back!!!

Update 9/2023 Post remodel, which has definitely improved the decor although the downside is that it’s now REALLY loud in there - hence the 3 stars for atmosphere. Have been here twice since the remodel, and overall the food is still quite good. Not sure where the hush puppies went though, serious oversight removing them. Minor quibbles would be, the ‘fish tacos’ would be more aptly described as ‘fish and chips but with kimchi and a tortilla instead of chips’. I like kimchi, but if you are going to advertise “Taco’bout it Wednesday’ fish tacos you really should not place a short square piece of deep fried fish on a bed of kimchi and a tortilla and call it a fish taco ESPECIALLY since there’s no description of the fish taco on the menu. That being said, give the price points it’s a good deal at $10, certainly more cost effective than the fish and chips version of the same price of fish. So far so good. The cocktails are quite good as would be expected from there second outpost, although a little variable. A friend and I each had the white Negroni and one was significantly, incorrectly, sweeter than the other. Overall high marks for the food, the halibut fish and chips was really good. There was a steak dish that the cut of meat was not very good, even though it was medium rare it was really tough. But that was the only disappointment of the night. Oh yeah, what people say about the hush puppies, it’s true…

Porschephilia

Update 9/2023 Post remodel, which has definitely improved the decor although the downside is that it’s now REALLY loud in there - hence the 3 stars for atmosphere. Have been here twice since the remodel, and overall the food is still quite good. Not sure where the hush puppies went though, serious oversight removing them. Minor quibbles would be, the ‘fish tacos’ would be more aptly described as ‘fish and chips but with kimchi and a tortilla instead of chips’. I like kimchi, but if you are going to advertise “Taco’bout it Wednesday’ fish tacos you really should not place a short square piece of deep fried fish on a bed of kimchi and a tortilla and call it a fish taco ESPECIALLY since there’s no description of the fish taco on the menu. That being said, give the price points it’s a good deal at $10, certainly more cost effective than the fish and chips version of the same price of fish. So far so good. The cocktails are quite good as would be expected from there second outpost, although a little variable. A friend and I each had the white Negroni and one was significantly, incorrectly, sweeter than the other. Overall high marks for the food, the halibut fish and chips was really good. There was a steak dish that the cut of meat was not very good, even though it was medium rare it was really tough. But that was the only disappointment of the night. Oh yeah, what people say about the hush puppies, it’s true…

Bar was great. The Martini Martinez was excellent. Reception was pleasant. Service was great at first but trailed off as the restaurant gained guests. Cleared our starter plates with our utensils but didn't replace them. The food was very good. A large New York steak, perfectly cooked. Large fish and chips was also really good. The end was disappointing, having to wait 10 minutes for our desert order. Out of drinks and water, finally they bring out the chocolate tort but we were done. Please box this and bring the check. Another 5+ minutes goes by. Finally the waitress comes by and we ask for our dessert box and the check. The patio was full but the dining room was only half full. I'd go back for the food and cocktails. Maybe the service will improve.

Michael Weisert

Bar was great. The Martini Martinez was excellent. Reception was pleasant. Service was great at first but trailed off as the restaurant gained guests. Cleared our starter plates with our utensils but didn't replace them. The food was very good. A large New York steak, perfectly cooked. Large fish and chips was also really good. The end was disappointing, having to wait 10 minutes for our desert order. Out of drinks and water, finally they bring out the chocolate tort but we were done. Please box this and bring the check. Another 5+ minutes goes by. Finally the waitress comes by and we ask for our dessert box and the check. The patio was full but the dining room was only half full. I'd go back for the food and cocktails. Maybe the service will improve.

Ended up leaving without my dinner. It took forever then steak was underdone just wanted them to put it back on for two minutes then it never came back. They were going to make a new one but it took so long I was over it. Drinks were a ten. They did take the dinner off the bill of course and the waitress comped our drinks. She was nice.

It was our first time. We got there just before Happy Hour ended so we got french fries (they were great french fries), chips and french onion dip (more horseradish than onion-y, but would still recommend), and clam chowder (you can skip their version). Piping hot french fries with ketchup and mayo, AND a cocktail? Yes, please! However, while good, the Watermelon Cooler cocktail (mint infused venus vodka, watermelon juice, hibiscus tea, lemon, simple syrup, tajin) wasn't what I was looking for. It was approachable, but boring. I was looking for something exciting and sophisticated. But my hubby's gin and tonic was pretty top tier (they make their own gin and tonic). The cocktails and snacks were way better than the dinner itself. We shared the Caesar salad (it had some old, brown, rotting lettuce in it - a total turn-off) and the tagliatelle with prawns. We thought it was unique because of the Fruition IPA, but it had too many additional bitter components with the preserved lemon and arugula. At least the pasta wasn't mushy and the prawns were cooked well. We were surprised by how big the portions were. The clam chowder was $10 (HH price) and served in a big bowl with two spoons. It had plenty of chopped clams, but the potatoes needed more cooking time. Service at the bar was excellent and it's right across from the beach. They also have a nice outdoor patio. But I'm not sure if we'll be back because the drinks and dinner were pricey, but mediocre.

Georgina Otvos

Ended up leaving without my dinner. It took forever then steak was underdone just wanted them to put it back on for two minutes then it never came back. They were going to make a new one but it took so long I was over it. Drinks were a ten. They did take the dinner off the bill of course and the waitress comped our drinks. She was nice.

We ordered two dozen of oysters last night for dinner and they were not as good and tasty as they should have, also for what they cost us. When you eat oysters they should leave a fresh and ocean flavor in your mouth, but these didn’t and we think it’s because they didn’t have the typical brine, saltiness and freshness that oysters have probably from cleaning them too much and taking away the natural sea salt from the ocean. First we ordered the smaller kind and then the medium size that tasted more creamy. Also, we would have preferred natural lemon slices rather than passed through the grill, and the green cucumber sauce didn’t really go with oysters, it’s too plain and I don’t think it combines well with an oyster taste.

Elizabeth Salvador Harsh

We ordered two dozen of oysters last night for dinner and they were not as good and tasty as they should have, also for what they cost us. When you eat oysters they should leave a fresh and ocean flavor in your mouth, but these didn’t and we think it’s because they didn’t have the typical brine, saltiness and freshness that oysters have probably from cleaning them too much and taking away the natural sea salt from the ocean. First we ordered the smaller kind and then the medium size that tasted more creamy. Also, we would have preferred natural lemon slices rather than passed through the grill, and the green cucumber sauce didn’t really go with oysters, it’s too plain and I don’t think it combines well with an oyster taste.

Food was terrible! Clam chowder watery and filled with potatoes not clams should call it potato soup not clam chowder! Shrimp cocktail inedible yellow in color and tastes like rubber and sanitizer I in this place one year and it’ll be done and hopefully somebody will take over that knows how to cook and take care of their customers. It has a cafeteria style background. You can’t even hear yourself talking to your party because you’re hearing all the other tables around you.

Rachel Cisneros

Food was terrible! Clam chowder watery and filled with potatoes not clams should call it potato soup not clam chowder! Shrimp cocktail inedible yellow in color and tastes like rubber and sanitizer I in this place one year and it’ll be done and hopefully somebody will take over that knows how to cook and take care of their customers. It has a cafeteria style background. You can’t even hear yourself talking to your party because you’re hearing all the other tables around you.

Came here to celebrate my birthday. Was told it would be a 40 min wait (which is fine). Waited over an hour and Went to check in about the wait to the host who said there’s been tables available for a while, it “slipped his mind” to notify us. Didn’t get an apology. Told the waitress how it ruined the night for us. Still no apology. Also found a hair in my fries. Edit: was offered a dessert. However, we don’t like sweets and told the waitress this

Amazing cocktails but we ordered Brussels sprouts that were terrible! Both under and overcooked. I told the server they were bad and she handed us the check before even clearing the table with the uneaten sprouts ..we won’t return

The pizza was awful… it was cold and tough… we waited an hour for the pizza too… we should have sent it back but we were so hungry that we ate some of it even though it was overcooked yet cold… The drinks were good and the bartender was friendly… I would have loved to leave a higher review, but I just can’t.

Nancy B

Amazing cocktails but we ordered Brussels sprouts that were terrible! Both under and overcooked. I told the server they were bad and she handed us the check before even clearing the table with the uneaten sprouts ..we won’t return

Daisy s

Came here to celebrate my birthday. Was told it would be a 40 min wait (which is fine). Waited over an hour and Went to check in about the wait to the host who said there’s been tables available for a while, it “slipped his mind” to notify us. Didn’t get an apology. Told the waitress how it ruined the night for us. Still no apology. Also found a hair in my fries. Edit: was offered a dessert. However, we don’t like sweets and told the waitress this