Dolphin Restaurant

Welcome to Dolphin Restaurant, a seafood haven located on the picturesque Santa Cruz Wharf in California. This charming eatery offers a delightful mix of Seafood, Breakfast & Brunch, and New American cuisine, making it a favorite spot for locals and tourists alike.

At Dolphin Restaurant, you can expect a range of amenities including Takeout, Reservations, Vegan Options, Outdoor Seating, and even Wi-Fi, catering to the needs of every diner. Whether you're looking for a casual dining experience or a place to unwind with friends and family, Dolphin Restaurant has got you covered.

Indulge in their breakfast favorites, such as French Toast, Eggs, Potatoes, and a variety of omelettes and benedicts that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. If you're in the mood for something more substantial, their seafood specialties like Crab Cakes, Shrimp Scampi, and Blackened Swordfish are absolute must-tries.

With rave reviews from satisfied customers praising their clam chowder bread bowls, seafood platters, and fish n chips, Dolphin Restaurant has established itself as a go-to destination for seafood lovers. The restaurant's prime location at the end of the pier offers stunning ocean views, adding to the overall dining experience.

As a food reviewer of Restaurant World, I can confidently say that Dolphin Restaurant truly delivers on both taste and ambiance. The dedication to quality ingredients and expert preparation shines through in every dish, ensuring a memorable dining experience for all who visit.

Dolphin Restaurant Menu

Location

Address: 71 Municipal Wharf Ste A Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Phone: (831) 426-5830

đź•“ Work Hours
MON 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
TUE 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
WED 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
THU 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
FRI 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
SAT 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
SUN 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Business info

  • Offers Takeout
    Yes
  • Reservations
    No
  • Vegan Options
    Yes
  • Accepts Credit Cards
    Yes
  • Accepts Apple Pay
    No
  • Outdoor Seating
    Yes
  • Casual
    Yes
  • Moderate Noise
    Yes
  • Good for Groups
    Yes
  • Good For Kids
    Yes
  • Good for Lunch
    Yes
  • Street Parking
    Yes
  • Beer & Wine Only
    Yes
  • Gender-neutral restrooms
    Yes
  • Offers Catering
    No
  • Wi-Fi
    No
  • Happy Hour
    No
  • Dogs Not Allowed
    No
  • TV
    No
  • Bike Parking
    Yes

Last Reviews

  • Author: Rain M.

    26 March 2024

    My favorite clam chowder in town! It's a MUST do every time I'm in town! Whether you order from the counter or dine in, it's consistently delicious every time. The sourdough bread bowl is soft and chewy, the chowder is perfect! We also love to get the seafood platter that comes with fried fish, calamari, shrimp, and the best part... fresh scallops!

  • Author: Nick G.

    11 February 2024

    This is the best restaurant on the wharf by a milestone! The unfortunate situation we came across today was the restaurant has been closed for a while now due to the ocean rising and damaging the restaurant! I hope it opens back up soon but this is by far the best place to come get clam chowder bread bowls from! The service is always great and they get through the line fairly quickly with their outstanding service!

  • Author: Cecilia M.

    24 January 2024

    Dolphin Restaurant is one amongst several restaurants here on the Santa Cruz Wharf boasting fantastic views of the ocean, beach and boardwalk. However, it has the prize location of being at the very end of the pier and having the largest patio space. I think a lot of people who walk all the way to the end of the pier will get drawn in to stop here and enjoy a bowl of clam chowder to mark the visit. Warning that there are a LOT of wild birds here (obviously since it's off water) but if you're not a fan of birds, the indoor dining room is very small. So either arrive early to snag a table, or be prepared to wait for one. The inside feels like a nautical shack -- very homey and diner-like. Service is friendly enough, but limited as the 2 servers were covering the entire indoor and outdoor areas. Be prepared to wait -- but hopefully you've grabbed a table with a great view. The food is fair. Good portions and seafood shone the best here. We had a bowl of clam chowder (YUM!), side green salad (ok), seafood skewers (served with hollandaise) with garlic fries (we noticed the boardwalk had a lot of garlic fries vendors and felt like we needed to try), and a seafood pasta. As mentioned early, the seafood was the best things: the clam choweder, and the seafood in the skewers and pasta tasted fresh and well seasoned. The pasta sauce was very heavy and a bit oily -- wasn't a huge fan. But the pasta itself was ok. The garlic fries was a highlight as well. They are thick -- crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. With a pile of minced garlic on top.

  • Author: john h.

    04 January 2024

    The wharf was damaged on 12/28/23. "It's not uncommon for us to lose pilings. It's uncommon to lose two or three of them in a row. And that's why the floor is compromised," Dolphin Restaurant owner Mark Gilbert said. "This building was built in 1963. Some of those pilings have lasted their life and a little bit more."

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