Main Street Garden & Cafe is located in downtown Soquel, CA and serves California - Italian cuisine inspired by local and seasonal ingredients. We use vegetables, herbs, eggs, and flowers harvested from our onsite garden.
"We went for lunch. We sat on the garden patio. Our lunch experience was great, we had great food, the atmosphere was relaxing even with our 2 year old. She was busy visiting the garden and the chickens in the lower vegetable garden. The food was very tasty and the portion were right on, not too much and not too little. We enjoyed the bruchettas for appetizer. Our main course were pork and the day special salmon in Italian crepe. This was delicious and very flavorful. The dessert was not to my taste (chocolate cake and Marionberry sauce), I found it dry and my husband did not find the strong dark chocolate flavor he was looking for. Overall, we spend 2 hours for lunch and loved every minute of it."
Dined on 6/16/2013
2002
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, kid-friendly
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"We've dined here several times now and introduced several friends to the restaurant. It has Italian/California fusion cooking with emphasis on fresh local ingredients. Limited choice of food and wine; a few things done well rather than trying to do it all, flexible attitude and reasonable prices."
Dined on 6/13/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Nice restaurant. Very cordial staff. Small excellent wine list. Good parking across the street!! Very pricey for what you receive on your plate. If you are hungry, its gonna cost you."
Dined on 6/07/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"We stumbled upon this restaurant, recommended by a local we met at a nearby farm. We were thrilled. The food was fresh, delicious, current and interesting. The service was warm and friendly...efficient too. We were a party of six and the waitress even pointed out that my dad had mistakenly tipped twice. We will go back. Next time I'd like to try the outdoor garden area. It looks inviting, like being in someone's backyard. A gem."
Dined on 5/10/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Lovely patio with view of garden where they grow some of their food. Everything from salads to dessert had delightful flavors. Will definitely be a repeat visitor."
Dined on 6/02/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, great for brunch, great for lunch, special occasion
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"Great food, very high quality, delicately seasoned and paired well with wine choices. Make reservations, has become quite popular under new ownership."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, notable wine list, neighborhood gem, hot spot, special occasion
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"Staff very friendly, attentive and knowledgeable about menu; owner stopped at our table (and others) to say hello. Menu changes every day, fresh ingredients (from their own garden and local farms). Delicious, well-prepared, nicely presented. My husband and I shared the bruschetta appetizer (unique), pizza (perfect crust, wood-fired), pork ragu papardelle (super fresh pasta), and panna cotta for dessert (just small enough to top off a satisfying meal). We brought our own wine, corkage $15, very reasonable. We will dine here again for sure, and we'll pick up gift certificates for our friends and family as birthdays / anniversaries come around."
Dined on 5/24/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Everything this restaurant makes is divine. The model of local sustainable food and beer / wine is awesome. Every meal I've had here is outstanding. The service is awesome. In fact the only place in Santa Cruz county I've dined where they actually know what restaurant service should be. Totally recommend Main Street Garden & Cafe."
Dined on 5/15/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"It was a wonderful experience to be at the Main Street Cafe for Mother's Day. The garden was beautiful, the food fresh and lovely. The wait staff was cheerful, welcoming and competent. I would return."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, scenic view, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"This is a very charming restaurant with delicious food. I will return again! The food choices are too complex for children, however my child was able to order pasta with butter and cheese sauce."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, romantic, scenic view, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"We habe tried this restaurant twice with pretty much the same results each time. The food is very fresh and the menu is unique. The wait for each course is excruciatingly long. I know they are being made to order, but still much too slow. The portions are French sized and the price tag reflects that influence, but I was underwhelmed at the end result."
Dined on 7/22/2012
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"The fries are to die for! Our food was delicious. The service could be a little friendlier and more attentive. All in all, do not miss an opportunity to try this neighborhood gem."
Dined on 04/25/2013
2003
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"We visited for the first time last Friday night and were so satisfied with the excellent food, fresh produce, creative appetizers, simple yet lovely little arrangements of garden-grown flowers on our table, we tried to come back for lunch the next day. Alas, not to be had on a Saturday. The servers were helpful, friendly and knowledgeable, as was the owner, who came by to be sure everything was to our liking. We agreed we hadn't eaten such excellent fare in a long time. A definite and delicious dining experience! Thank you."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"The Cream of Asparagus soup was delicious. The best entree was the Halibut--yummy. They were very accommodating of my gluten-free needs. The garden is beautiful and the menu reflects the fresh veggies and herbs straight out of their garden."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"This is truly a great restaurant. They pay careful attention to details and to the quality of their ingredients (they grow many of their own greens and vegetables). We have eaten here several times and have always thoroughly enjoyed the experience (afterwards, we actually ended up having glowing conversation about the exceptional food food and overall experience).
Both the inside and outdoor areas of this restaurant are intimate, peacefully pleasant, and tastefully presented. We highly recommend Main Street Garden and Cafe; it is definitely the kind of place you will want to return to."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"Found this great restaurant when our son took us for a special occasion. We have been back with friends many times. Never been disappointed. Outstanding food and just a fun low key dining treasure!"
Dined on 04/20/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
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"A neighborhood garden restaurant that keeps getting better and better. The new owners have made a real Italian-California local gem here in Santa Cruz County. Everything goes more and more smoothly each time we return, a sign of true professional restaurant management and passion for the profession of serving excellent food. Thanks!"
Dined on 04/06/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"one of our favorites. not a fan of the wine list but everything else about it shines. I highly recommend this over any other restaurants in the area."
Dined on 03/27/2013
2002
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"I dined at Main Street Cafe and Garden with a group of friends during a recent visit to Santa Cruz. The food was great. Locovores take note! This restaurant has a huge garden in the back and makes good use of the herbs and veggies in the dishes. Nice service, simply furnished, but the food is really creative and the star of the show."
Dined on 03/22/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"I really want to like this place as we can walk there but it just cant seem to put it all together. The soup was bland the kale salad was outstanding, my gnocchi with cauliflower was very good but my wife's pesto pasta was cold and not that good. Our friends split the squid ink pasta and neither was thrilled. Service is good and the location and setting are nice but ultimately it is the food that matters and it is just not consistent."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2010
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"You won't hear the door or the ring of a microwave here! The dishes follow the excellent principle that you only need four fresh ingredients for a fabulous dish.Menu changes seasonally , so there is plenty of variety each time you go. Each dish is prepared with such care and attention , it will make this your most visited restaurant ."
Dined on 03/03/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"Fantastic little local restaurant. The food has always been amazing, the menu changes all the time. It's on a quiet residential street that really brings this restaurant a lot of character."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"The service and atmosphere of Main Street, including direct service by the owner Mauro, were excellent. Mauro even took direct charge of a billing mistake, which he himself corrected. My meal was excellent utilizing fresh, young kale from their own garden to enhance both a warm salad and a chicken dish. My friend thought that his carrot soup was great, but the linguine could have been more flavorful and seasoned. The wine bottles were quite affordable and good, and their express coffee welcome and equally delicious. I certainly plan to take others to this fine restaurant, which is located where the previous Salmon Poacher used to be."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"Owners both came by our table to make sure everything was to our liking. Hubby loved the homemade salami and cheese plate appetizer. Pizzas coming out to other tables looked great; we will be back. Would have been really romantic if the lights were lowered."
Dined on 02/13/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"This restaurant is on a quiet road, there is parking close-by. The restaurant has an outdoor oven and they make pizzas. They have various meat and fish and poultry selections. The menu choices are small but rotate. The food is fresh, healthy and good to eat. It's definite great for organic food lovers. They buy local as much as they can, including wine. The staff is efficient and sweet. In the warmer weather they have a big outdoor area."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2004
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem
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"Awesome find in Santa Cruz on Soquel. Neighborhood restaurant with an emphasis on organic, local, sustainable approach to their menu. Attentive and knowledgeable staff. Reasonable prices for wonderful, delicious portions. Highly recommend their Salumi Appetizer. Had a lovely dinner, perfect for a date. I will definitely be coming back."
Dined on 02/13/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Main Street Garden & Cafe