Stagnaro Bros

If I could give 3.5 stars I would. This was a solid place but not necessarily knock your socks off. Seafood cioppino was pretty good and the scallop/​prawn rigatoni was a nice surprise. Very friendly service with a great view of the ocean since its situated at the end of the pier. Add some better craft beer and wine and I could see spending a few hours here.
Whoops — almost forgot! The clam chowder was shiplap!!! I ordered some to take home to rub on my face tonight.

I would not recommend this restaurant. The food was not very good. We had to return our fish n’ chips because the fish smelled very bad. The coleslaw on the plate was awful. We will not be going back.

Tried this place for the first time, sat upstairs and had an incredible view of the ocean. Our waiter was great, professional and attentive but not too much. Had 2 apps, crab and shrimp cocktail and a fried combo plate. Both were very good. Lunch was a Crab Louie salad, fish and chips, a chicken pesto sandwich and salmon. Everyone loved it. The Stagnaro IPA was even really good, throw in some sourdough and it was perfect. Can’t wait to go back.

I love this place ! I ride my bike and order their delicious clam chowder and eat on the wharf and watch the waves … !! Need I say more?

On ¹²⁄₃₀ I had the best birthday experience here! I had my entire pack of family come in and we all enjoyed a wonderful meal. I had the lobster which was beyond amazing and my boyfriend had muscles and clams which were divine! We had a table of 11 and our waiter was so great. He took all my dads jokes like a champ. The bar guy was really great too, my dad could stop talking about how cool he was haha. The ambiance was great, the food was even better and the birthday night was amazing.

We ordered calamari and it wasn’t that great. We were expecting the calamari to be great since its a seafood restaurant but it didn’t even taste like calamari at all. The food wasn’t chewy like a typical calamari. The service was great though!

Had a fantastic lunch here New Year’s Day. Reasonable prices for what you get, dishes were about 10 – 20 which included a cup of chowder and two sides. Everything tasted very fresh and clean and the staff was very friendly, almost everyone wished us a happy new year. The Bloody Mary and oysters were fantastic. My new go to spot when I’m in SC!

Wait staff as always wonderful.
BUT restaurant and «fresh fish» sold st Stagnaros feature *** FARMED FISH FROM CHINA !!! FARMED Prawns from India. **** What kind of «food» do you think they feed fish in China or India??
Who would (knowingly) eat trash fish from a county known for poisoning Chinese babies with tainted milk and American dogs and cats with chemical laced «food,»
This is disgusting for a local fish business on Santa Cruz wharf. City should cancel their wharf lease for selling this shoddy potentially toxic or tainted Chinese and Indian farmed (possibly sewsge farmed) products.
Order fish and chips, you get CHINESE TILAPIA!!! Straight from their canals crawling with who knows what.
Is it really that much cheaper?
Shame on you. STAGNAROS. your fisherman ancestors are turning over in their graves.
ON SANTA CRUZ WHARF, SELL ONLY Local fish or Hawaii fish or Alaskan or North American including Canadian seafood caught by fishermen ethnically and with our great standards for cleanliness and food safety.

This a great place. We have been here twice in the past month. First time was on a Friday afternoon at the end of October. We were able to sit our side and enjoy the view as well as the food. We were just in time for the happy hour so we took the advantage of well priced drinks (beer and wine). Food — we had clam chowder, char broiled sea bass and hmm don’t remember but hubby really liked it. All dishes were flavorful and really good. Staff was super nice and very attentive without beeing nosy or overbearing. Today was trip #2. We sat by the bar and opted for beer and sandwiches. I had seared ahi tuna and husband decided to go for squid stake sandwich. Plus beer. Both sandwiches were very good, arrived pretty fast and husband really liked the coleslaw his sandwich came with.
Last but not least, prices are very reasonable. You are in a touristy area, at a place with a great view and you are able to have a delicious meal without paying and arm and a leg.
We will definitely be back!

This review is just for the bar. We came in on a late Sunday morning specifically for Bloody Marys. We were greeted by Bill, the bartender. We had some great small-​talk — Bill is a genuinely nice guy and really good at his job! The Bloody Marys were awesome– just enough spice, and loved the accoutrements (big celery stalk, 2 olives, 2 shrimp, and a lime wedge). Price is a little steep at $ 10 each, but what do you expect on the touristy Santa Cruz wharf. We will definitely return next time we are in Santa Cruz, especially if Bill is working!

Today’s mission was crystal clear we were a few days into our vacation when we arrived in Santa Cruz and still haven’t sampled one of nature’s sweetest rewards, the almighty «Dungeness Crab». In my opinion there isn’t a finer decapod crustacean on the planet and we are exactly where this magisterial of the sea thrives, California to Alaska it would be sacrilegious not to indulge in this epic delicacy when traveling the west coast.
Lucky for us we found ourself on the Municipal Pier and I’m staring at Stagnaro Brother Seafood Market and the glass front display is filled with an abundance of fresh caught seafood and in this mix is the infamous Dungeness Crab so fresh it was still blowing bubbles from its thorax, it wasn’t going to get any better than this. Now I’ve enjoyed these ten legged treasures of the ocean up and down the coast in some of the finest restaurants or from the simplest outdoor ocean-​side market with a makeshift wooden bar, the results are the same. If your facing the seafood market to the immediate left is the entrance to Stagnaro’s Seafood Restaurant (it’s air conditioned and this part of California is experiencing a Mid-​September influx of humidity and temperatures in the mid 80’s) so this was going to be the perfect storm in a weird sorta way.
As we entered the restaurant we were greeted by the hostess and we requested a booth with a view, she had no issue finding us the perfect seat and our server was at the table before we even settled in, which was okay by us, it was time for a drink. So it’s mid afternoon not wanting a meal we ordered (1) Dungeness Crab (Market Price $ 25) to share and (1) cup of chowder came with it so we made it (2) cups. Before I forget the service is exceptional here –okay enough of that back to the food — Our drinks arrived and unfortunately so did the «faux clam chowder» we each took at taste at the same time looked up at each other and both said «yuck» and we both pushed it aside in sync I think I said OMG I hope this is not the prelude to «our crab» making it appeared that we had already taken ownership of it. As our server approach to tell us how great care is taken in the preparation of the crab like it was some thousand dollar an ounce caviar she noticed the two full cups of something they were trying to sell as clam chowder (okay let’s deal with this right now before the crab arrives) this chowder was nothing more than Campbell’s Cream of Celery Soup with Milk added to it if there was one minced clam in the liquid concoction I would be surprised. We were hoping the same lack of attention wasn’t given to «our crab». Without hesitation our server told us there would be no charge for the chowder and that she apologized and she admitted it was horrible maybe worst.
The next time we saw our server she was carrying a platter that was almost as big as her smile, it was apparent she was very proud to serve up this special feast. As she distributed our bibs, steel claw crackers, and drawn butter she sat this magnificent masterfully perfectly prepared sectioned crab, with the purest white sweet lumps of crab down in front of us. I know the presentation dropped both our jaws our server simply said «Enjoy» and left us alone so we could indulge in this magical moment…(This Crab was Outstanding). If you’re thinking eating whole crab is a mess this proves it doesn’t need to be. Although I wore the bib it really wasn’t necessary the crab was clean and sectioned exposing the giant lumps of crab I actually never used the cracker except for the end of the claw.
So if it wasn’t for the chowder there is not a doubt this could of been a five star experience (please don’t confuse the experience with the restaurant the experience was the crab but I’m reviewing the restaurant). Sorry Stagnaro Brothers I’m sure you’re disappointed and disagree with my 3 stars but that’s a solid rating I recommend this place and I would definitely return.
The manager should taste what is being offered — and the chef who opened the can of chowder should be reevaluated. But OMG the crab was heavenly…

I ate here last night. It’s a busy walk up seafood stand with loads of fresh fish.
I had some prawns, ceviche and clam chowder. The clam chowder was ok but didn’t blow me away. The prawns were very fresh. They were plump and had a nice crunch when I bit into them. The ceviche was seriously good!
I’m not a huge ceviche guy but I may have gone through a conversion last night. The ceviche was a great mix of tomato, cilantro a seafood. It was fresh, colorful, light and at the same time satisfying. Definitely worth another trip. Thanks!

Well. Where to start? Always lead with something positive. I was in the area with some time to kill and decided to enjoy the ocean views on the pier. Yes, I know it is tourist hell down there. But I figured for $ 16 there must be some merit to the food? Read on.
Our waiter was «Dave». Nice guy. Friendly. He took our order. I had the fried calamari dinner. It was a generous portion of… breaded, fried, calamari. It also came with fries, coleslaw, and cup of clam chowder. After we placed the order the chowder was brought quickly. Service was actually very good throughout the meal. Good job, Dave.
The chowder was overly salty wallpaper paste. It was thick and pasty with random pieces of potato and what I hope were clams. Could have been chicken for all I know. The main «course» followed fairly quickly. Everything was hot. The calamari itself was good. Not chewy, or tough. The breading had a nice crunch. But the breading was also totally bland and tasteless. There was essentially no seasoning. The cocktail sauce was weak and was more like a syrup. The tarter sauce was «ok». The coleslaw was fairly disgusting. It tasted old and flavorless. I don’t know if the owners actually taste the food once in awhile, but maybe they should. But then again with the droves of tourists at their door every day they probably don’t need too. It does not look they are too dependent on locals or repeat customers. Thank goodness for that, eh?

Can’t go to Santa Cruz without getting clam chowder. I think it’s still the best anywhere, my humble totally biased opinion.

Beautiful view while seated. The clam chowder was yummy, but the sampler plate was not at all impressive. Was just glad to have a wall outlet by our table haha.

This is my second favorite place to come to for clam chowder bread bowls. (Old fisherman’s grotto in Monterey is my fav)
Today I was a little taken back by the clam chowder, it wasn’t as flavorful and the top of the bread bowl wasn’t as bready, if that makes sense. We also weren’t served with bread and butter after sitting down while the tables surrounding us did get served with bread and butter.
Also upon walking upstairs to see if they had any outside seating available (we always sit outside upstairs, beautiful view) we were told they are not serving food outside, okay fine. We then asked for a table inside upstairs and they said they can’t seat us upstairs at the moment because all the tables that are available are for a party of 5 or more, there was about 5 tables open and this place wasn’t super busy at the time. Why couldn’t they just let us sit at one of those tables? So we walked downstairs and were seated immediately. Our waiter was extremely friendly and attentive.
Kids burger was huge, that was a plus! :)

Screw this place.
There are plenty of other good seafood restaurants around here.
When they say they are going to set you on the phone and your whole family trucks it over there only to find out that they lied, it’s disappointing to say the least.

This little gem is tucked away deep down the wharf, but in exchange for traveling down a little extra is a great view, and locals fishing by right outside your window! Stagnaro Bros actually has two parts, an actual restaurant and an outside to-​go booth. I believe the piña colada smoothies are only available through the to-​go side, as it wasn’t on the menu inside the restaurant.
For food, me and my friends all got clam chowder in a bread bowl and the sampler plate to share. Additionally, there was complimentary bread and butter… which came out fresh and hot, yum! The clam chowder was delicious. Came out within 5 minutes and it was one of the best clam chowder I had. It was the right consistency and did not lack in flavor. The sampler plate was definitely. a sampler. There was only 2 pieces of fried shrimp but plenty of clam strips and calamari.
Overall, I enjoyed this place and would return. Shoutout to the best staff ever! I had a female emergency and Carol, our waitress, and the hostesses went beyond of their way to help ! Thank you!

Stagnaro Bros must be doing something right, they have been on the wharf since 1937. Walking along the pier I wanted to enjoy something I might have order long ago, this seemed like the ideal place to rekindle a faint food memory. I think I might have eaten here when I was a very young girl. If I did, I had fish and chips, or a crab cocktail. I’m sure I liked them then.
Linda and I were not hungry enough to go inside this restaurant and order a full meal. Instead, we both decided on a crab cocktail from the fish counter. I opted for a small and really did not expect much for only $ 5.00, the container looked really small. I was wrong the cup was chock-​full of fresh sweet crab. There was barely any room to add the cocktail sauce. I’m sure I could not get as much meat from a whole crab.
The only disadvantage to a take away meal is to find a bench to sit on and enjoy it. We found a place to sit, I ate ever shred of crab in my cup and treated a begging gull to the oyster crackers that came with the cocktail.

I’ve been recommend to come here several times and I’ve had it bookmarked for too long!
Stagnaro Bros is an Old School seafood restaurant…
Today the Wife & I were the youngest couple, with babies in tow and several «older» couples began filling up the place.
The hostess accommodated us in a nice spot since we brought a baby and toddler.
After ordering Calamari for a starter… which is a must, I was browsing the menu, I decided to ask the waitress what I should get. She recommend a few dishes, but the first was Lala’s Medley… ok, sounds great. The Wife ordered the Salmon. Big Baby got the Kids Chicken Tenders w/​fries, and apple sauce.
Of coarse, we both got a cup of the Clam Chowder. AMAZING!!!
Well balanced, thick, creamy without being rich, good spice and very little potato! Yummy!!! A must try!!!
The Calamari was fantastic! Fresh and not oily! I hate soggy rubbery Calamari!
The Lala’s Medley was Superb!!!
A great mix of shell fish. clams, mussels and prawns. One thing, the sauce was very simple, were the freshness of the shell fish was the focal point and not polluted with garlic & wine! Bravo to the Chef!!!
The Kids Chicken Tenders & Fries were yummy! Yes I sample the kids food!
Not saturated in oil, but crisp!
One thing. Nine of our seafood dish came with lemon? I/​We wondered why? Sometime you want that fresh squeeze of citrus. You know?!?