Vim Dining & Desserts
2238 Mission St, Santa Cruz CA 95060
$$
New American
Recommended
New
Editor's Pick
Outdoor Seating
Vim Dining & Desserts is a restaurant located in Santa Cruz, California, at 2238 Mission St. The establishment offers a variety of dishes, including burgers, sandwiches, salads, and desserts. They also serve a selection of craft beers and wines.
The interior of Vim Dining & Desserts is modern and sleek, with a mix of booth and table seating available. The restaurant features an open kitchen concept, allowing diners to see their food being prepared.
In addition to their food and drink offerings, Vim Dining & Desserts also hosts various events throughout the year, including wine tastings and live music performances.
Reservations
Business Info
- Address: 2238 Mission St, Santa Cruz CA 95060
- Cross Street: Fair Ave
- Location: Santa Cruz County
- Cuisine: American | California | Desserts | New American |
- Cost: | Inexpensive
- Category: Upscale Casual
- Star Rating:
- Reservations: Required
- Dress Code: Casual Elegant
- Meals Served: Dinner |
- Parking: Street | Private Lot |
- Payment Options: VISA | Amex | MasterCard | Discover |
- Corkage Fee: 15.00 | Corkage fee will be applied on a per bottle basis.
- Website: https://www.vimsantacruz.com/
- Phone: (831) 515-7033
- Features: Full Bar, Organic Ingredients, Outdoor Seating, Tasting Menu, Happy Hours, Healthy Options, Farm-to-table,
- Occasion: Romantic Dining, Business Dining, Meet for a Drink, Special Occasion, Vegetarian, Date Night,
Photos
Business Hours
Reservations Available
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- Closed
- Thursday
- Closed
- Friday
- Closed
- Saturday
- Closed
- Sunday
- Closed
Customer Reviews & Ratings
4.76 out of 5 stars based on 1280 votes
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jan 24, 2022
Mark C.
VIM is one of our few GO TO restaurants. The owners and wait staff and food and place we seem to always meet friends and share our VIM experience with others are all reasons we love VIM. Whether inside or out, our experience is always one we can’t wait to go back and enjoy.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jan 15, 2022
Wayne C.
We were thrilled to find a restaurant of this caliber in S. Cruz!!!
Dishes are innovative, delicious and presented with justified pride.
We’ll be back and we’ll also make sure our friends know about VIM.
THANK YOU for making the birthday dining so special!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jan 06, 2022
Frank K.
Great food and service, we'll be back for sure!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jun 26, 2020
Bruce L.
We love the food! It is homey, delicious and very upscale comfort food. The people who work there are young and vibrant and fabulous. The chef is all of that and more! Thank you for being here to open up, again. We will be back, again and again!
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 5/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 8/10
Feb 12, 2022
andy t.
Food was amazing, sadly the service and attention was lacking. 20 minutes to get a drink, 45 to get appetizer. I love their food as it is consistently amazing but they need to work on the service....hope last night was a one off and things get better.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 03, 2020
Margaret H.
Always love the food and the people of Vim.
It is very noisy in the outside eating area because of 4 lanes of traffic on Mission St. but that is not something they can do anything about and the food and the staff more than make it worth being there.
Thank you for hanging in there with us during the pandemic. It can't be easy.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jun 29, 2021
Dean M.
Such awesome people and awesome food thank you once again Jessica Eric and Ashley and all of their employees involved and thank you for sticking it out during Covid and surviving It was great to support you during that time
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jun 27, 2022
Marion B.
We’ve always had awesome meals at Vim. This visit continued that with a wonderful meal.
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 7/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 7/10
Oct 30, 2021
Angelique S.
Our waiter was lovely. I appreciated that the tables were spread far apart for safety. The room has high ceilings which makes for too much echo. It was hard to hear my husband, even with no one near us.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
Feb 28, 2022
Hope K.
Great food- thank you!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 16, 2022
Victoria G.
Awesome place!!!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 30, 2021
John D.
VIM is hands-down the best restaurant in all of Santa Cruz County and beats everything in Monterey and Santa Clara counties as well.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 27, 2020
Kelly C.
It was one of best dining experiences I have had in Santa Cruz for over a decade. The food was fresh, unique and delicious. We were treated with celebratory charm for our anniversary. It's a gem that hasn't had its parallel since Bittersweet opened on the west side over 20 years ago.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
May 01, 2022
Janet B.
Excellent food and great service.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 16, 2022
Julia A.
Vim is one of the many jewels of Santa Cruz. The chef is a master of flavor, combining different flavors in balanced and intriguing dishes. We couldn’t have enjoyed our meals more!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 8/10
Apr 11, 2021
Elaine T.
Our group of 5 had amazing meals and will recommend this place to other friends and definitely return. The servers were knowledgeable, friendly, professional. The space appeared very clean yet vibrant and inviting.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 28, 2021
STEVEN G.
I don't know how they do it. Each dish was a stand alone 10 and yet we had one dish after another. In Santa Cruz we're happy if a part of the meal is outstanding. Vim succeeded in making each and every portion from the appetizer to the main course to the dessert outstanding. And absolute oral explosion of flavor. Such a wonderful experience.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 8/10
Jun 26, 2021
Larry J.
Everything was great as usual.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 15, 2021
Barbara K.
Outstanding service, food and ambiance. Our new favorite restaurant in Santa Cruz
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 09, 2022
Jon B.
The best meals and service we’ve ever had a restaurant! Highly recommend to anyone.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 21, 2021
Carol M.
We had a wonderful experience dining at Vim . The service was great. The food was unique and delicious.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 02, 2021
Janet R.
Enjoyed a wonderful meal at VIM last night. Both mains, chicken breast and pork tenderloin were perfectly cooked, with wonderful Fall sides to accompany them. It was a birthday dinner and Eric phoned ahead to make sure the birthday girl had no food allergies so they could prepare a small birthday treat and boy was it! A combination of chocolate and raspberry to swoon over. Excellent service and charming ambiance. Highly recommended.
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 1/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 11, 2021
Christina J.
Overall wonderful! There was no music inside which was kind of weird. The server never came to check to see how the food was-luckily it was excellent and we had no complaints. It was obvious the other 2 servers were picking up some of his slack which is actually very impressive on their part. When we had dined previously the service was excellent. We will definitely be back.
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 9/10
Jul 16, 2022
Nick G.
It was our fourth time there and my girlfriend's choice for her birthday dinner.
They celebrated her with custom menus and a free dessert treat.
Although the food was delicious as always, we both did get quite sick the following day (me to the point of being bedridden.)
We had skipped lunch & did share a few plates @ VIM, so I suspect (but can't prove) we ingested something that caused the illness.
However, I feel it'd be irresponsible to post on a public website that our dining experience gave us both food poisoning.
But me may wait a while before returning.
Business Response:
Hello Nick, Thank you for your feedback. We're really sorry that you didn't feel well following your visit. We take food safety very seriously and take stringent precautions to ensure the quality of the food we put out. On the day that you dined with us we had just prepped everything fresh (we discard all of the previous weeks food on Saturday) and we taste every dish that we prepare. None of our staff that tasted the food or any other customers (that we know of) have experienced adverse effects. There is a slightly higher risk with shellfish such as scallops since they are processed at an outside facility and we can only control what happens once they arrive here but we do check them for freshness and refuse or discard any that do not meet our standards. There is also a possibility that norovirus could be a culprit as it is very contagious and can be communally aquired. Thank you again for reaching out to us with your concern, we will be extra cautious and triple check all of our food storage temps. We hope you are both feeling better and are willing to give us another try in the future. Best wishes, Jesikah and Erik- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 9/10
May 05, 2022
Linda C.
Always great.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jan 08, 2022
Carole S.
We had a fantastic dinner at Vim on Wednesday night. Isa was our server-she was very knowledgeable about each of the dishes. The passion fruit tart was out of this world.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 03, 2020
Nancy G.
Our server was exceptional; a true professional who knew exactly how often to visit our table, was knowledgeable about the food and drink pairings, and was friendly and accommodating.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 20, 2021
angelique s.
Such a great meal! Everything was delicious and we had a great birthday dinner celebration!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 06, 2020
Amy G.
Every bite was delicious. I’ve only ever had amazing food & cocktails at VIM. Love everything about it from the staff to the service to the delicious food and cocktails.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 06, 2021
Micah B.
Excellent Overall. Great food service and ambience. Looking forward to coming back for Sunday Brunch!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jan 14, 2022
Juan D.
Great !!!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 08, 2020
Rinley D.
One of top 5 restaurants in Monterey bay area. The food is exceptional. The short ribs and the pork loin were as great. Brighten is a very helpful and friendly server.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 12, 2020
Brise T.
We had a delicious meal with good service on the small outdoor dining patio.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 18, 2021
renwick c.
We ordered cocktails and and appetizers first, but the appetizers came out at the same time as the cocktails
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
May 14, 2022
Dean M.
Amazing , can’t say enough about VIM feels like home with way better food
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jan 03, 2022
Mark J.
Happy New Year … Thank you VIM for making ours delicious!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 08, 2022
Julia D.
Always a treat to eat at Vim - food, service, all top notch. Only reason for lower score on ambience is the starkness, due, I’m guessing, to Covid protocols, for which I applaud you.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 26, 2020
Jacqueline V.
Really lovely all around! I'd say the only thing I would suggest is to dim the lights a bit inside, it's so bright!!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 03, 2021
Carolyn K.
Our first visit was a wonderful experience. The atmosphere was pleasant, and the food was delicious! I look forward to returning again in the future!
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
Oct 22, 2020
Krista H.
The meal was delicious and portions were quite generous. Loved my brown butter chicken and the creamy potatoes & sautéed kale. The pork was served with a baked bread pudding that tasted like Thanksgiving stuffing and was out of this world delicious! Desserts were fantastic as well!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 25, 2022
Deborah L.
Fabulous food! Delicious drinks. I can’t afford to come often, but saving up for next time!
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 8/10
Aug 03, 2020
Dan I.
Excellent food as always, not cheap, but good quality and nice presentation. Ambiance leaves a bit to be desired, but mainly because of the pandemic, distancing and the inability to be with friends. Overall, a great restaurant and worth experiencing.
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
Jul 04, 2020
Dave Y.
Loved the place. Food and service was excellent! All very fresh and seasonal
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 22, 2021
Neil B.
One of the best restaurants in the county, Jesika is remarkably creative at the helm, creating just all sorts of fantastic delicious goodies for your mouth! Great bar too, you gotta try it!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 02, 2021
Claire W.
We had such a wonderful time. The food was amazing and the service was excellent. I overheard the table next to us giving our waiter a hard time because the dish they wanted to order was not available anymore. I thought the waiter handled it well and want to remind everyone out there that the restaurant industry has been through hell this last year. Be kind. Be thankful and I highly recommend eating at Vim!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 31, 2021
Jay M.
Great food, great service!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 03, 2020
Timothy S.
Vim Dining & Desserts is one of my all-time favorite spots to eat in Santa Cruz. The staff is friendly and enthusiastic and the food is amazing. The menu rotates regularly and I have never had a dish that wasn't excellent. The desserts are a high point, and the wine, beer, and cocktail pairings for each menu item are spot-on. 11/10 I highly recommend.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 22, 2021
Henry S.
VIM is one of the best, and most innovative, restaurants in Santa Cruz.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 04, 2022
Mary C.
Always an amazing experience. Their desserts are the star of the show.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 22, 2021
Heather D.
The food, the specialty drinks and the staff were all first class all the way. What a truly wonderful dining experience.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 04, 2021
Amy and Roger A.
Fabulous meal with flavors blended in new and innovative ways. Choices to make everyone thrilled with their meal. The creamy polenta and shrimp and beet salad were standout favorites. Definitely save room for the dessert! Peach cheesecake and butterscotch pot de creme topped off our meal. Well worth the drive!!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 05, 2022
Trish P.
Vim was fantastic! The cocktails, Brussel sprout appetizer, black garlic steak, ahi were all delicious. Wine pairings were spot on and finished with bread pudding and port.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 6/10
- Value: 9/10
Aug 28, 2021
Dawn D.
We ate out on the patio. The atmosphere was lovely, but the noise of the traffic on Mission was awful! The cocktails, food, and dessert were delicious!! So fresh and inventive.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 06, 2020
Johnny E.
Our favorite place in Santa Cruz. The menu is limited at this time, but we are okay with that, we were just glad we got to dine in. Thank you again VIM!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 23, 2020
Jane M.
Service, food, drinks were all excellent. Loved the personalized menus for our birthdays, our waiter was excellent and the complimentary birthday cupcakes were delicious. Thank you for making our birthdays so special!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 10/10
Jun 25, 2021
Cheryl M.
The food is always interesting and delicious!!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 07, 2022
Robin M.
They are always outstanding. My favorite restaurant in Santa Cruz. Great on all levels.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 17, 2020
Gail R.
The food was absolutely delicious!!! Can't praise the chief highly enough. The service fantastic. We were comfortable outside with the heaters and felt safe in these Covid times.
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 7/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 9/10
Mar 06, 2021
Rose C.
The food was amazing, and so beautifully presented. I wish I had taken a picture of my plate. Each bite was incredible, the combination of herbs and spices in the lamb spiced meatballs was absolutely delectable, with greens and cucumber adding the perfect texture to my meal. The portion size was perfect.
The only thing I would add is the music was not that conducive to enjoying a fine dining meal and conversation. The waiter was slightly lacking in a warm/welcoming sense, although certainly kind enough.
Hands down a most delicious meal from sight to palate
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 30, 2021
John J.
We had a terrific time and our waiter was very personable. The food and his personable service warranted the 20% tip. The personalized birthday menu was an unexpected treat as was the candle on the incredibly rich ( good) cupcake as best I can describe it. WRT parking we did have a little uncertainty where to park and where the actual entry door was located. And yes, we were sober upon arrival. Old but sober!
We had a terrific experience overall. The manna much.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 05, 2021
Morgan L.
Great food & great service!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 23, 2021
Amy G.
Definitely the best restaurant in Santa Cruz!!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 0/10
Sep 13, 2020
Bob C.
Very satisfying experience start to finish. In this time of COVID, the ventilation made us feel safe inside, and the patio outside is a nice option as well. Entrees were lovely, quite creative but not overly trendy, well prepared and presented, good portions. Dessert was heavenly- raspberry tiramisu. Service was very good. Nice selection of wines and draft beers. Highly recommended.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 17, 2020
Nanci L.
What a lovely place! We felt very welcomed and pampered for our special, anniversary dinner! The service was professional and the food was excellent!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 09, 2020
Jennifer T.
Our first time dining at VIM and we will be back!! Incredible food with such a beautiful blend of flavors and the service was impeccable. We felt very safe with all of the precautions in place. Definitely will be supporting this gem on the Westside.
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
Jun 14, 2021
Kristina M.
Wonderful food and ambience, gorgeous presentation. Desserts are a necessity here even for those who generally avoid them, but all the food is delicious. Service was attentive and effective, though our server was trying a bit too hard to impress. We love this place and like to support it as there is nothing else in Santa Cruz quite like it.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 6/10
Sep 07, 2020
Jessica C.
Been to Vim for dinner many times, but this was my first brunch there. It was amazing! Blood orange mimosa, burrata toast, and the lemon almond cupcake more than met my expectations. Can't wait for next time!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jun 25, 2022
Madelyn M.
Exquisite food, outstanding service. We'll be back!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 04, 2020
devin b.
great experience especially considering the circumstances (corona times)
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 04, 2021
Penelope H.
A lovely meal.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
Apr 08, 2022
Lee S.
***WE LOVE the food at VIMs*** !
*It's always so fresh & in-season & DELICIOUS !
*It's also really creative & really interesting !
*It's always a fun evening out !
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
May 19, 2022
Anne F.
As always, a creative menu and great food
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 9/10
Mar 28, 2021
Chad M.
Awesome joint. We'll def be back.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 9/10
Jun 25, 2020
Ryan B.
Always fantastic food and service! I was sad to see more people are not out and supporting you and our local business. Hope it picks up for you all soon.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 10, 2020
Steve B.
Excellent food and even that much more in the dessert category. Highly recommend this establishment. Staff was very welcoming and engaging. Will be nice when things get back to normal and it’s buzzing with life.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 20, 2020
David I.
Jesikah and her crew provide an unparalleled level of excellence every single time we go. Her brilliant blending of flavors and textures is stunning. Every course was an event in itself, and the combination delicious.
Great service, it starts at the top.
Love love
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jan 08, 2022
Nancy Z.
It is, always, lovely to go to Vim.
Every drink and sauce I have had, has had it's own unique combination of flavors.
The flavors are, always, exciting.
The staff are very gracious and well-trained.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
May 20, 2022
Manny S.
Hi we loved everything. Thank you so much for the great food and service. My wife was very happy.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
May 12, 2021
David H.
As usual, VIM provides a unique and amazing dining experience. We had Mother's Day Brunch and the Pre Fixe was delicious.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 15, 2021
margaret e.
over the top. we consider VIM to be the best in Santa Cruz. it is ours for sure
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 31, 2022
Cody M.
Delicious meals perfectly portioned and the best desserts ever, thanks for the happy bday wishes on the menus
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 8/10
Oct 22, 2021
James S.
Our patio server (Isa???) was excellent.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 9/10
Jan 10, 2022
Todd W.
Our visit was very rewarding. Our waiter was very informative and helpful.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 24, 2020
Jane P.
Our wait-staff was excellent. This place is a gem.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 20, 2021
Stan W.
Always the best. We have become regulars. Pricy and not much on ambiance,
but terrific food and service.
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 8/10
Jun 15, 2021
Farid Z.
Pretty great experience and restaurant.
Overall food, and cocktails we're great.
I really liked our waiter and the deserts we're A+
We sat outside and the ambiance was perfect.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 15, 2022
Pamela S.
 Tonight I went back to VIM. It’s a wonderful restaurant down towards the end of Mission. I brought a friend that I knew would be willing to split their dinner with me as I would split mine with her! The food is so good there I can’t stand not trying whatever it is you’re ordering- So I make sure I only go with people who like to share!
We started by sharing the chili brussels sprouts with cashew cream. It was so yummy, creamy, crunchy and Brussel sproutie yet spicy. We were both enthralled with the taste.
We then both ordered salads. It was a salad with butter leaf lettuce with apples, dried cranberries, blue cheese and these crunchy spiced things (pepitas)that were really fun to eat. The dressing amount was perfect.  I was glad we got two because there was not enough to share and anyway I wouldn’t have wanted to!
For dinner my friend had a pork tenderloin with mint chimichurri and delicata squash and I ordered the butternut squash curry. I wasn’t too excited about the pork tenderloin because I’m not a big fan of mint but it was excellent! I am a great fan of Delicada squash and altogether it was Scrumptious!. I’m so glad I made her share!
The butternut squash curry was really good with a side of cilantro mint hummus. We both liked it a lot!. It came with garlic naan that was warm and fresh and good.
So good! 
Then came desert. VIM has such good desserts. Period. Here we made a mistake in the choosing. They had something on the menu called chocolate chip cookie dough stack. My friend wanted that bad. I was celebrating an anniversary and wanted the vim chocolate cake which has strawberry jam and malted cream cheese icing. So of course we got both and shared. The mistake was in having so much chocolatey dessert. They had passion fruit tart and Brûlée banana cream cheese cake. I think either one of these fruit desserts would’ve contrasted better than the two chocolate items.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 15, 2021
page a.
Hi ,
We LOVED our Vim experience!!! The only thing we aren’t excited about is the popcorn instead of bread or some other appetizer. Popcorn is not a good dinner date food. It gets in your teeth and it’s weird to watch someone eat popcorn in front of you :) I think , it would be cool if there was some other food ti start and maybe an unusual one! Bread is great but for all of us gluten sensitive or diets popcorn is a great alternative. Just not at dinner. Ok That is my 2 cents.. Vims rocks!!!!
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 9/10
Jul 03, 2021
David I.
As ALWAYS, food and service were outstanding. Jesikah and staff deliver a wonderful blend of flavors and textures to the table.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 6/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 04, 2021
Tom H.
The best meal in our three-day weekend in Santa Cruz, by far. Service was wonderful, and funny, food was truly impressive (I'm a chef by trade, so I know a little bit about it), all in all quite enjoyable. I've seen Turkish Eggs go by as videos and recipes but it was the first time I tried them. Adding them to my repertoire, for sure. Only distractor was the traffic noise, but what are you gonna do. Will definitely be back.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jun 17, 2022
Susan F.
I don't usually say OMG, but OMG. Vim may be the best restaurant in Santa Cruz County and the service was over-the-top!
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 7/10
Jan 22, 2022
Virginia C.
We ended up having a lovely birthday meal.
Suggestion: Update menu on web to allow for range of actual options, or suggest calling ahead to learn what is actually on offer on a given night.
Given the world, I understand a limited menu, but then you have to allow for customer preferences, allergies, and things they can't eat.
Our server made is all work out with flexibility and charm. We spent more than we wanted to and had a fabulous meal. Just something to consider....
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 9/10
Jan 18, 2022
Leslie K.
Excellent food, attentive service, spotlessly clean, and thorough attention to Covid protocols. We will return!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 8/10
Jun 14, 2022
Samantha F.
Very good!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jan 26, 2022
alicia s.
Vim is hands down our FAVORITE restaurant!!! From the personal touches (printed menu saying happy birthday for my hubby) to the waitress remembering our favorite table, it's the BEST! And the desserts and food are out of this WORLD!!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 01, 2021
Kathleen G.
Fantastic meal amazing service! Can't wait to return!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 11, 2022
Beth L.
The food was unique and delicious and the service was friendly and efficient. We paired the suggested wines with our entrees which was great. We enjoyed our evening so much!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 11, 2021
Jessa S.
We had a wonderful anniversary dinner here . The server was knowledgeable , and attentive . The ambiance was lovely and warm on the patio . The highlight of the experience was the dinner and dessert
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 26, 2020
Roberta L.
Our family had a fabulous experience @ Vim to celebrate my husband's birthday! We will definitely return for more special occasions in the future. Thank you!
Roberta Lipson
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
May 07, 2022
CONSTANCE K.
Service was excellent, and it's exciting to have a restaurant in Santa Cruz serve just delicious food. The brussels sprouts were amazing! We had the chocolate chip cake dessert and that was our least favorite. The bottom chocolate layer was too granular and the flavor was lacking. Even so, this is my new favorite restaurant!