Oswald Restaurant - Santa Cruz (CA)

5 /5 Jake Byman: We loved Oswald. We had heard it referenced as a classic spot in Santa Cruz, so it had been on our list for a while. The burger was, easily, the best burger Ive had in Santa Cruz. They cooked it perfectly medium rare, and the add-ons to the burger were wonderful. The Dungeness crab was solid as well (though in my opinion a bit overpriced at $36 for the quantity). Would definitely recommend as a whole!

5 /5 Jason Hutchings: Oswald’s never misses. The burger is absolutely bomb andperfectly cooked, juicy, and packed with flavor. The skirt steak is just as impressive: tender, well-seasoned, and cooked exactly right. You can really tell they care about quality and execution. Great food, great vibes, and consistently solid every time. Definitely a go-to spot.

3 /5 Kathy Escott: Our first visit. Good cocktails: Smoked Maple & Walnut Old Fashioned, Cosmojito and a glass of Chardonnay. Appetizer: Caesar Salad. Good with anchovies on top, but lacked acid. It was nothing out of the ordinary. I would expect more for $21. Entrees: Shishito Pesto Pasta was good but made with boxed pasta. For $43, we would expect the pasta to be freshly made. Seared Scallops with Beet Risotto had a great balance of flavor, but not for $53. Scallops were done perfectly with great flavor. The beet risotto not at all resembled risotto. Risotto should be made with arborio rice and have a creamy texture. Instead, whichever rice they used, long grain possibly, was par cooked, not al dente. Beef Lasagna was okay. I wouldve liked some cheese in between layers. Again, for $33, I wouldve expected more. Lamb Shank was good, but Laili down the street does it better, for less. My husband was not impressed, in spite of its beautiful presentation. Desserts: Bread Pudding & Vanilla Creme Brulee. Decent but not great. The service was excellent. The ambiance was nice, but again, for the price, I would expect a bit more sophistication. All four of us agreed that we will not be going back.

5 /5 Oneill Mclean: Oswald is a fantastic dining spot. The fried chicken was great, with excellent seasoning that enhances its flavor. The chocolate soufflé is a standout dessert, although the chocolate tasted a bit artificial, overall it was good ending to the meal without being overly sweet.

5 /5 Sebastian Little: Unlikely downtown Santa Cruz neighborhood gem, serving a variety of menu items from pub food to international fare with an emphasis of fresh flavors. Oswald is an open concept restaurant with the kitchen line cooks viable and within earshot of the dining area and the popular bar adjacent. The place gets a good crowd of diners and drinkers resulting in a pleasant atmosphere and cheerful chatter. The food is just damn good. The prices are maybe a bit higher than some nearby spots but it’s worth the splurge. Do not skip the deserts! Make a reservation or get there at opening.