Recognized by locals as one of the top restaurants in Aptos and Santa Cruz County, Bittersweet Bistro offers an American Bistro Cuisine style dinner menu with Mediterranean influences. Outstanding dessert menu and an award-winning wine list are served in a casual, relaxed atmosphere. Lunch and dinner served currently on the heated, outdoor patio.
Cozy bistro offering Mediterranean-inspired American cuisine, a dog-friendly patio & a bar with TVs. Based on 495 reviews, the restaurant has received a rating of 4.3 stars. Price $$
✔️ Dine-in ✔️ Curbside pickup ✔️ No delivery
Address:
787 Rio Del Mar Blvd, Aptos, CA 95003
Phone: (831) 662-9799
Social Profile: 
Hours
| Friday | 2–9 PM |
| Saturday | 2–9 PM |
| Sunday | 2–9 PM |
| Monday
(Labor Day)
|
Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 2–9 PM |
| Thursday | 2–9 PM |
Menu
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Photo Gallery
Order and Reservations
Reservations: bittersweetbistro.com
Reviews
Karl
What can I say but “Wow”, this place is really great. It is one of my favorite places to eat for multiple reasons – I would come much more often in fact, if I lived closer than San Jose.
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Amy Dahlberg
Came on a Thursday evening and was seated right away. We chose to sit in the bar area so we could watch a game on the TVs. Had a few cocktails that were very good. I really enjoyed the chicken piccata. A little pricey, but it was a very lovely meal.
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Nina V
The patio dining was beautiful. The service was very friendly. The food was very nicely presented. With the exception of the crusted Brie, everything was delicious. This restaurant was a nice treat after staying indoors due to the California fires and smoke.
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Randy W
Service is usually good and there are some good dishes on the menu (Seafood Puttanesca, short Ribs, Salmon, Ahi Salad). I used to come here more often when their prices were comparable to the quality of the food. Over the past years they have steadily increased their prices to the point that the food is just not worth the bill. The last time I ate there I noticed that the price of the Calamari appetizer had increased to $23.50. After you add tax and tip, that’s almost a $30 appetizer. I was in the mood for calamari so I ordered it anyways. When it arrived at the table I was surprised to see that the portion had decreased in size. A meager portion arrived on a small plate. The Calamari itself is nothing to rave about either, just your everyday run of the mill calamari. For that price they could at least give a reasonably sized portion since it’s simply an average tasting calamari.
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Rafael Morataya
I never had a Calamari salad and was delicious, the Hawaiian & the Italian pizzas was yummy as well; plus they allow dogs on the patio and offer menu for them, my dog ate all.
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sharon diamante
I used to eat here two to three times a month and have stopped due to their pricing. Not only have their prices have gone up substantially. Also during Covid they added an additional surcharge on their bill, I understood at the time but they continued charging this surcharge in 2022 and might still be charging it I don’t know since I no longer eat there:(
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Tung Vo
While we had great service and the atmosphere was wonderful, the food was subpar. The most disappointing part was the dessert. We had a great expectations given other reviews, but the recommended banana bread pudding was just a blob of mess.
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Pam Coolidge
Above excellent food and presentation! They offer small plates on many entrees. Beautiful patio with cozy heaters and lighting. Staff is personable and very accommodating! Do not leave without sharing a dessert! One of the best in Santa Cruz County by far.
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Micah Arnold
Their service is slowly going downhill ruining the experience for a higher end restaurant. This use to be the place that we went to, but one of the staff members is very slow at the bar (I leave if he is working).
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Kat Paine
Wonderful, pet friendly patio and great service and food.
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