BAD ANIMAL
A Santa Cruz gem blending a bookstore with innovative Thai cuisine and a curated wine list. Browse literary treasures while savoring exquisite dishes.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
BAD ANIMAL
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A Santa Cruz gem blending a bookstore with innovative Thai cuisine and a curated wine list. Browse literary treasures while savoring exquisite dishes.
"An incredible gem in Santa Cruz, this place is a MUST stop whether you are a local or a tourist!"
Visit during off-peak hours
Avoid wait times between dishes by visiting during less busy periods.
Sample wines
Try different wines before selecting to ensure the perfect match for your meal.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Thai / New American / Wine Bar
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Unique Bookstore & Restaurant Fusion
Browse rare books while enjoying innovative Thai cuisine and fine wines. A truly unique Santa Cruz experience.
Innovative Thai Cuisine
Experience complex, creative, and delicious Thai dishes that go beyond the ordinary. Vegan options are divine!
Curated Wine Selection
Discover unique natural and conventional wines, with knowledgeable staff to help you find the perfect pairing.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Visit during off-peak hours
Avoid wait times between dishes by visiting during less busy periods.
Sample wines
Try different wines before selecting to ensure the perfect match for your meal.
Explore small plates
Be adventurous and try small plates with higher price points for exceptional tastes.
Browse while you wait
Enjoy perusing the bookstore's collection while waiting for your food to arrive.
Tips
from all over the internet
Visit during off-peak hours
Avoid wait times between dishes by visiting during less busy periods.
Sample wines
Try different wines before selecting to ensure the perfect match for your meal.
Explore small plates
Be adventurous and try small plates with higher price points for exceptional tastes.
Browse while you wait
Enjoy perusing the bookstore's collection while waiting for your food to arrive.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
BAD ANIMAL is hailed as an incredible gem in Santa Cruz, praised for its unique fusion of a bookstore and a restaurant with exceptional Thai cuisine and a curated wine list. Diners rave about the innovative flavors, especially the vegan options, and the charming ambiance. However, some patrons have noted potential issues with wait times and portion sizes, and one reviewer mentioned an unwillingness to accommodate a child's meal.
"THIS PLACE IS INCREDIBLE. Books. Food. Wine.
What an incredible gem in Santa Cruz, and such fantastic food- which is saying something because Santa Cruz has great quality food (all the places I went to).
Andrew, the owner, has really created a unique space, it's a vast collection of books, art- gives almost a cafe vibe- but instead with a fine dining food experience.
I'm definitely coming back.
The food- incredible, service just wonderful- the people lovely. Definitely NOT your typical bookstore. Can't wait to visit again.
This place is a MUST stop whether you are a local or a tourist traveling through.
And now to the food chef they've collaborated with. As a strict veggie person, I always have to be careful about cross contamination during preparation, ingredients, etc. They took such care, but their VEGAN ITEMS WERE DIVINE. MUST TRY Drink recommendations on point, thanks to Hayden!
I can't remember all the items we had- pretty much all the veggie options on the menu- from apps, to main course, to dessert. EVERYTHING WAS SPECTACULAR.
Come ready to spend a couple hours in the place, but even if you have just a bit of time, it's worth popping in.
Thank you all - Andrew, Hayden, Chef, and all of staff for an incredible experience!
PS. I enjoyed the food and space so much I forgot to take pictures- so I have a pic of their tote bag! ;)"
Mayuri Bhandari
"Great book selection, awesome food, and ambience. Still unsure why there’s a disco ball and no one is dancing but me though. See you soon- hope to see some more variety in sweet moves."
Arielle Kincaid
"The Bad Animal bookstore rates way up there, having left with a novelette by one of my favorite authors of all time Rebecca West and my granddaughter left, with of all topics, Death and Greek Mythology. I'm into Bookstores: including my favorite Clio's Bookstore & Bar in Oakland and quite a few recently in Paris, Budapest and The Berkshires in Massachusetts. Bad Animal is a very classy and well endowed book lovers dream on practically a side street in Santa Cruz.
Why I had not, up until today discovered it, probably because I kept walking by on a Monday or Tuesday, hmm.
It would have been nice to try their wine bar and from what I heard, astonishing Thai food in such a beautiful dining space. But there will be other chances now that I know what's there. My only desire would be for a few more seating options in order to actually read a book and or converse with other literati."
Lawrence Marcus
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
BAD ANIMAL features innovative Thai cuisine and New American dishes, with a focus on seasonal ingredients. The chef-in-residence rotates, so the menu can vary.
Yes, the unique concept allows you to explore the bookstore's collection while enjoying your wine and meal.
The restaurant is considered upscale, with small plates and entrees reflecting fine dining quality.
Yes, BAD ANIMAL offers a significant number of delicious vegan dishes, with many items being fully vegan without sad substitutions.
While the food is wonderful, service can be slow, so it's best suited for those with time to savor the experience.
Yes, BAD ANIMAL has a killer natural wine list and offers unique options, with staff knowledgeable to help you choose.
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By day, Bad Animal mostly sells rare and used books, but, at 5 pm, it morphs into a wine bar and restaurant, where you're encouraged to order a glass of wine while browsing the stacks. The menu depends on who is the current Culinary Artist in residence, a position that rotates every year or so. Previous artists, local up-and-coming chefs who typically plan to open their own restaurants when they move on, have showcased Italian and Thai cuisine.
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Both a bookstore and a restaurant, it has very cool hipster vibes. The food options include wine with very fancy snacks, dinner and brunch. Be prepared to hang with the cool kids and maybe wear something slightly ironic.
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Always a treat to stop by Bad Animal, and not just for books. Rita and I took an early dinner in her favorite corner banquette—it’s everybody’s favorite spot at this chic literary salon.
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Bad Animal, a literary-themed bar, also celebrates local ingredients. Their “Garden Gimlet” uses seasonal herbs from nearby farms, creating a drink that’s as fresh as it is flavorful.
This has been posted before, but why is the food in Santa Cruz so bad? Recommendations) : santacruz
Their menu sounded intriguing, and I hear they now have the chef from La Posta. Plus that Indian food kiosk on Pacific is great. I wouldn't say the food is terrible here.
Highest-rated Fine Dining Restaurants in Santa Cruz by Diners
- Rating: 4.4/5 (111 reviews)- Price level: $$$- Address: 1011 Cedar St. Santa Cruz, California - Categories: Used Bookstore, Wine Bars, New American- Read more on Yelp
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