Ideal Bar & Grill

106 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, United States
$$$ Bar & grill
(2771 Reviews)

Welcome to Ideal Bar & Grill, a premier dining destination nestled at 106 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. This charming bar & grill invites you into a world of culinary delights, with a menu that effortlessly fuses classic American favorites with fresh, local ingredients. Whether you're unwinding after a day at the beach or catching up with friends over drinks, your experience here promises to be unforgettable.

The atmosphere at Ideal Bar & Grill is vibrant and inviting, with seating options both indoors and out, allowing you to soak in the stunning views of the nearby pier and ocean. You can choose to enjoy your meal in the sun on the spacious deck or in the breezy interior that boasts a clean and contemporary decor. The friendly staff is always ready to ensure your dining experience is delightful, as reflected in the glowing reviews from previous patrons.

If you're a fan of hearty, flavorful dishes, you’re in for a treat. Start your meal off with the Fried Calamari, perfectly golden and served alongside zesty lemon, cocktail, and tartar sauce for just $21.95. For a lighter bite, don’t miss the Chips & Salsa, a fresh and scrumptious pairing priced at $8.95. For something a bit more decadent, the Roasted Garlic & Brie comes beautifully presented with fresh fruit, fig jam, and a sliced baguette for $16.95, making it a must-try!

The main dishes are equally impressive. Many guests rave about the generous portions, which are perfect for sharing. The Steak Salad and Garlic Fries have garnered great praise for their robust flavors—the garlic fries especially are a local favorite. Meanwhile, seafood lovers will be in heaven with the Seafood Sampler, featuring beer-battered fish, coconut shrimp, and calamari, perfectly accompanied by your choice of fries or rice.

Beverages at Ideal Bar & Grill reflect the local flavors, with a solid selection of beers and wines. Sip on a Santa Cruz Mountains IPA or treat yourself to a glass of local Ryder Pinot Noir for just $12.00. And for those with a sweet tooth, the Taylor Tawny Port is a delightful finish to your meal at only $12.00.

Ideal Bar & Grill not only highlights the rich culinary scene of Santa Cruz but also offers a picturesque dining experience. Take it from Frank Irvin: “Good service with plenty of smiles from the hostess to the servers.” If you're looking for a welcoming spot to enjoy fantastic food, stunning views, and an ambiance that captures the essence of coastal California, look no further than Ideal Bar & Grill.

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
On-site services available
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Serves great coffee
Has karaoke
Good for watching sport
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves food
Serves food at bar
Serves happy-hour drinks
Serves happy-hour food
Serves healthy options
Serves late-night food
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Popular with university students
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Has kids' menu
Parking
Paid parking lot
Paid street parking
Pets
Dogs allowed outside
Openings Hours
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Monday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Saturday

9:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Sunday

9:00 AM - 9:00 PM

2771 Reviews
Andy Bullock

24 Sep 2025

Stumbled on this place while taking a brief rest from driving. Shared a Steak salad, garlic fries and nachos between 4 of us and we couldn't manage to finish it. The food was very good and obviously the portions were huge. Staff were pleasant and plentiful. Very good considering its location by the pier.

Frank Irvin

12 Sep 2025

Sitting either inside or out on the deck overlooking the water and the pier, its worth every minute. Good service with plenty of smiles from the hostess to the servers to the busboys. Prices are worth every bite. Would definitely come back.

lydia hacklerlopez

26 Aug 2025

Food was extremely fresh and delicious but it seemed like we waited a long time for it. The wait staff were friendly and engaged and paid attention to special request. The dining area was clean, well lit and close to the beach. We enjoyed our meal.

David Guenthardt

01 Jul 2025

Great place right on Crowell Beach. Good options for sitting in sun or shade outside, or inside. Very friendly service, food came quickly as ordered. The seafood sampler came with a beer battered fish filet, 3 coconut shrimp and battered calamari. I exchanged the fries for rice, all very delicious! Perfect serving size for a lunch, didn’t leave hungry or stuffed. No wait during the week, but seems to be very busy on the weekends.

Rajesh Iyer

13 Jun 2025

It’s located right on the beach and you can find it quite easily as it leads to the walkway which gives you a nice panoramic view of the Santacruz shoreline. They offer 2 separate menus for lunch and dinner. It’s a pretty large restaurant and if they are full then can easily seat up 200 -250 pax. The seating on the outside should probably accommodate between 50 - 60 people and is perfect for enjoying a meal with a view of the sea. We had lunch and it was great. The staff is really chilled out, friendly and service is really good - worth the tip. I tried oysters for the first time with the horseradish dip and it was a slice of heaven. The menu has limited options for vegetarians mostly restricted to salads, sandwiches and wraps. But I guess people turn up here for the seafood and that they offer in plenty. They even agreed to tweak the dish for me replacing the blackened Ahi fish with the island sea bass and it was fantastic. And yes you have a good choice of beer, wine and cocktails and it would be a crime not to pair them with your food here. The main course portions are just the right size for one person which is great. But it is pricey- lunch and drinks for 3 set up back by 130 dollars roughly. But then anyone who sets foot inside knows this and is here for the good food, a nice view of the beach and the ambience. I am sure this place must be just buzzing in the evenings with the lights and that is something I wish I could have experienced. I highly recommend this place for the good food, friendly staff and good service - yes they actually listen to your requests. Cheers….

Julie Marquez

11 Jun 2025

Our server Winston was THE best. He attended to our every need. The food was delicious. I had a bowl of the clam chowder and it was quite a bowl!! My husband had the white fish on a bed is spinach and coconut rice. So good!!

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