Lunch Menu
Fresh Catch and Harbor Classics: The Food Menu at Johnny's Harborside
Santa Cruz sits right on the water, and Johnny's Harborside cooks like it. Raw bar. Daily catch. A burger that holds its own next to the seafood. This is the menu for anyone who wants a real harbor meal at 493 Lake Ave.
A note on our menus: what you see pictured changes often. We build this menu around the freshest ingredients available from local land and sea, season by season. Here you will see our menu update live as we give you the freshest ingredients of the season.
The Raw Bar
Our oyster selection rotates daily, split between everyday picks and premium selections, served the classic way: hot sauce, lemon, mignonette. If you're new to raw bar, ask your server which oysters are running that day; they'll tell you straight whether it's a briny day or a sweeter one.
Appetizers and Salads
Our starters lean into what's fresh that week, from buttermilk-fried calamari to steamed PEI mussels in a saffron citrus broth. Our clam chowder is made in-house, potato and bacon forward, the way a harbor chowder should be. Salads range from a classic Caesar to a Cobb loaded with chicken, bacon, and blue cheese, with add-ons like grilled shrimp or a fried egg if you want to build it into a full meal.
Simply Fish
Our Simply Fish plate changes with what's coming off the boats, alongside standing options like local king salmon and local halibut. Every fish is finished the same way: fingerlings, leeks, thyme, and a citrus beurre blanc. This is the dish to order if you want to taste Santa Cruz on a plate without any distractions.
Sandwiches
From a classic cheeseburger to a lobster roll to a tempura Dungeness crab sandwich, our sandwich list covers a wide range without overcomplicating anything. Most can be customized with an extra egg, bacon, avocado, or a swap to a lettuce wrap for guests eating lighter.
Good to Know
What's actually local? King salmon and halibut are sourced locally. Produce follows the season from land, seafood follows the season from the water. Ask your server what's freshest that day.
Do you take reservations? Recommended for dinner, especially on weekends and during summer tourist season.
Is there gluten-free or dairy-free available? Several dishes can be adjusted. Ask your server before ordering.
What should a first-timer order? The lobster roll and the tempura Dungeness crab sandwich are the two most requested.
Is the raw bar safe if I have a medical condition? Consuming raw or undercooked meat, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness, particularly for guests with certain medical conditions. Everything is cooked to order, and we're happy to prepare dishes to your specifications on request.
Johnny's Harborside
493 Lake Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
johnysharborside.com
