Why Locals Love Geisha Japanese Restaurant and Tea House
Nestled on the second floor at 200 Monterey Ave in Capitola, Geisha Japanese Restaurant and Tea House is a delightful culinary gem that elevates the traditional Japanese dining experience. Specializing in authentic Japanese cuisine with an impressive sushi and tea house offering, this cozy spot passionately serves flavors that transport you to the heart of Japan.
The menu at Geisha is thoughtfully curated, balancing classic favourites with innovative vegan and vegetarian options that are truly a standout in the region. From the enticing Beef Teriyaki, where succulent, tender beef is glazed in a perfectly balanced teriyaki sauce and served alongside your choice of brown or white rice, to the delicately battered and fried Tempura Soft Shell Crab and Tempura Calamari, every dish bursts with texture and umami-rich layers. Vegan diners are invited to indulge in the Tofu, Portabella, & Vegetable Teriyaki, an all-day vegan delight, and the House Organic Green Salad paired with a range of vibrant dressings like creamy sesame and ginger vinaigrette.
Geisha’s sushi offerings have won praise across the board, with the Little Mermaid and various creative gunkan rolls receiving rave reviews for their fresh, artful presentation and complex flavor profiles. Particularly impressive is their dedication to vegan sushi—an often overlooked niche—with innovative, flavourful options that invite you to discover a new side of Japanese cuisine without any “vegan tax,” making it both an affordable and indulgent choice.
The dining atmosphere leans towards intimate and understated. Accents like cherry blossoms inside set a gently elegant mood, though some visitors have noted a quieter ambiance that might feel a bit subdued. The service is warm and attentive, with staff like Ray going above and beyond to create memorable experiences—especially for special occasions like date nights.
Overall, Geisha Japanese Restaurant and Tea House is a welcoming haven for lovers of authentic Japanese fare, particularly for those seeking inventive sushi and thoughtfully prepared vegan dishes. Whether you crave expertly prepared sashimi, crispy tempura, or a comforting teriyaki plate, Geisha invites you to savor the refined tastes of Japan in the scenic town of Capitola.
Contact: +1 831-464-3328
See the Space & Food
What Makes This Place Friendly
- No-contact delivery
- Delivery
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
- Fast service
- Great tea selection
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Comfort food
- Healthy options
- Organic dishes
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegan options
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Gender-neutral toilets
- Toilet
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
- Casual
- Cosy
- Trendy
- Family friendly
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
- Transgender safe space
- Accepts reservations
- Cheques
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
- Free of charge street parking
- Free parking lot
Real Reviews from the Community
- Mar 11, 2026
A Japanese restaurant that takes reservations in Santa Cruz!! Great ambiance (cherry blossoms inside). Very good food, I had katsu and sashimi and both were good. My wife had some rolls and those were also very good. Definitely recommend if you're looking for a Japanese restaurant to try.
- Feb 22, 2026
Truly amazing vegan sushi! One of the best on the west coast in my opinion and I’ve had a lot of vegan sushi across California + Oregon. They really dedicated a good chunk of the menu for creative options that are flavourful and affordable. You won’t see the common and unnecessary “vegan tax” here, it allows you to splurge to try more rolls! Highly recommended.
- Feb 21, 2026
We had some of the best sushi we’ve ever had here! The restaurant lacked in ambiance for sure… dead silent with no music, stuffy, dirty windows. And service was spotty. But the food more than made up for it and we will definitely be back!
- Feb 18, 2026
Wow blown away by this tiny spot I almost missed!! Such amazing vegan and vegetarian options not typical for a sushi spot, very cool and creative ideas Loved everything about it and our server Ray went above and beyond to ensure we had a special time for our first date night out in 2 years! Will for sure be coming back anytime I find myself in this area! Do yourself a favor and check it out!
- Jan 24, 2026
This place is awesome. Superb! The staff is great. The food is amazing. I suggest trying the Little Mermaid or one of the other Gunkan Rolls. Absolutely fantastic. Go here if your in the area, although I’ve driven about 30 miles to eat here. Worth It!
- Jan 16, 2026
This restaurant has the best selection of vegan sushi I have ever encountered. Everything I tried was delicious. Thank you for offering variety and creativity in your vegetarian offerings.
- Dec 29, 2025
I have lived in Santa Clara California for 18 years since I married an American, before I lived in Kauai where I learned to appreciate Japanese culture and food. That's why whenever I can I choose start with edamame, miso soup, then sushi, sashimi, tempura, salmon or a classic bento box . Many weekends we go to different areas of the bay, Capitola is one of my favorites, especially in summer. We go to this restaurant for dinner, the atmosphere is incredible. They have many tables inside a very spacious room, there are always nice people, I love the decoration the quality of the food is excellent and the prices are very reasonable . They have vegetarian options and a good tea selection. The staff is friendly, professional the service is fast. I highly recommend this place for a fun moment with great food.
- Dec 18, 2025
My wife and I gave this place a shot for our anniversary and loved it! The staff was very friendly and the sushi was tasty. I definitely enjoyed the sashimi more than the rolls, but one of the basil rolls were surprisingly delicious. This is the only sushi place I have ever been to that had something actually spicy. You gotta try the Satan sauce if you are crazy about hot food!
