20 Best Cafes in Santa Cruz

11th Hour Coffee Coffee & Tea • $
1001 Center St #1, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Goat Cheese Arugula Toast
Original Avocado Toast
The Breakfast Biscuit
Simple Avocado Toast
Avocado Toast Tribe
Salted Caramel Latte
Breakfast Burrito
Honey Bee Latte
Yogurt Bowl
Croissant

“11th hour coffee is the best in town! Small batch quality direct trade coffee roasted with love. Happy to support a local growing business in the community.“

4.2 Good239 Reviews
Linda’s Seabreeze Café Cafe • $
542 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Chicken Apple Sausage & Eggs
Orange Poppy Seed Pancakes
Pancake or Waffle Combo
Bacon Omelette Potatoes
Huevos Rancheros Plate
Crisp Bacon and Cheese
Mickey Mouse Pancake
Oats-Cornmeal Waffle
French Toast Combo
Blueberry Pancakes

“Every time we drive over from San Jose we eat there.“

4.7 Superb129 Reviews
Steamer Lane Supply Cafe • $
644-670 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Breakfast Quesadilla
Salmon Poke Bowl
Breakfast Tacos
Break-A-Dilla
Drip Coffee
Kimchi Dog
Fish Tacos
Chileques

“Great tacos and great view🏄‍♀️“

4.6 Superb108 Reviews
Flower Bar Cafe • $$
912 Cedar St, Santa Cruz

“Had flowers delivered to my mother in law and she was blown away by the arrangement delivered. I'm not local to Santa Cruz so I was really trusting the images on the website when I chose this shop. Her excitement about the arrangement was worth every penny. Thank you Flower Bar for making such a great arrangement and delivering it to my hard working mother in law. She deserves the recognition and I couldn't have done it without Flower Bar! 10/10 would recommend.“

4.5 Superb77 Reviews
Roxa Hammock Cafe Cafe • $
110 Cooper St Suite 100g On abbot square in breezeway, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Piper's Calling
Almond Butter
Golden Reishi
Femme Surreal
Wander Lust
Love Potion
Acai Bowl
Açaí
Druid

“Love this place!“

4.2 Good104 Reviews
Samba Rock Acai Cafe Cafe • $
291 Water St, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Amazon Bowl in Santa Cruz to Go
Da Silva from Bahia to Go
Ayrton Senna Acai Bowl
Topped with Granola
Coconut Flakes
Carmen Miranda
Da Silva
Samba

“So yummy, very refreshing also addicting.“

4.5 Superb44 Reviews
Ivéta Westside Cafe • $
2125 Delaware Ave, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Homemade Soup of the Day
Spicy Vegan Sandwich
Breakfast Burrito
Drip Coffee
Croissants
Scone

“Great scone mixes - even my BIL now likes scones! Very fast delivery (I live out of state) for mixes. The Lemon Curd is delicious - on top of scones or licked off of a spoon.“

4.3 Superb50 Reviews
The Walnut Avenue Cafe Breakfast • $
106 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Belgian Waffle with Grilled Bananas and Walnuts
Waffles with Sauted Bananas and Whipped Cream
Grilled Banana and Walnut French Toast
Huevos Rancheros Con Carnitas
Blackened Ahi Benedict
French Toast Breakfast
Toast and Homefries
Huevos Mexicanos
Grain Pancakes
Eggs Benedict

“Great food, atmosphere all the waiters are nice. Great location.“

4.5 Superb158 Reviews
Cafe Delmarette Cafe • $
1126 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Grilled Cheese with Rosemary Apple
Breakfast Sandwich
Strawberry Scone
Avocado Toast
Granola Bowl
Bla Sandwich
Scones

“My Favorite place downtown❣️❣️❣️ Best Scones I’ve ever had!!! Super sweet staff💜 and breakfast sandwiches that keep you coming back every day😁“

4.2 Good48 Reviews
Windmill Cafe Cafe • $
21231 E Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Sautéed Veggie Croissant Sandwich with Bacon
Chai and Bagel with Cream Cheese and Herbs
Grilled Goat Cheese & Smoked Salmon
Gluten Free French Toast
Goat Cheese on Toast
Special Vegan Sauce
Goat Cheese Bagel
Breakfast Tacos
Scrambled Eggs
Tofu Scramble

“I was in town with my daughter for college visits and came across this restaurant in Santa Cruz via google maps. We went on a Sunday morning and were seated immediately after ordering, and the food arrived very quickly. We ordered vegan versions of a couple of their menu items and they were VERY good. Lots of flavor, not heavy sitting. We liked it so much we went back the following morning for breakfast before we took off to another state for another college visit. There were still more vegan items I would have liked to try on their menu. Definitely recommend this quaint little restaurant. Vegan friendly, but also good choices for omnis too.“

4 Good66 Reviews
Far West Fungi Vegetarian cafe and deli • $
224 Laurel St Suite A101, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Nashville Hot Fried Lions Mane Sandwiches
Vegetarian Mushroom Mufaletta
Mushroom Mushroom Burger
Truffle Grilled Cheese

“This place has a 100% vegetarian/vegan menu (despite what the store description says??)! Everything is sooo delicious. I recommend the vegan crab cake and hot fried lion's mane sandwich! The interior is decorated very nicely which creates a relaxing atmosphere. It makes for a great place to chill and hang out. Updated from previous review on 2025-03-18“

4.7 Superb62 Reviews
Ultramat Laundromat Cafe Cafe • $$
501 Laurel St, Santa Cruz

“No complaints! Nice and clean, washed and dried a huge load of clothes for less than $10 including detergent in just over an hour. They have a restroom for customers and lots of tables to sit and work or read or whatever. No parking lot, but free street parking is easy enough to find nearby.“

4.4 Superb20 Reviews
The Midway American • $$
1209 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Lemon Poppyseed Pancakes

“A great place to eat, shop, and walk around. It’s also home of the Diversity Center, Santa Cruz County’s LGBTQ+ Center.“

4.6 Superb67 Reviews
Lulu Carpenter's Westside Cafe • $
930 Almar Ave, Santa Cruz

“My wife and I noticed this place the other day and decided to try it. We were not disappointed! The tall guy behind the counter was super friendly and quick! We got a delicious coconut cream latte, cappuccino and he even made a little pup cup for my dog! 10/10 We will definitely be “

4.1 Good14 Reviews
Lulus Midtown Coffee & Tea • $
925 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Breakfast Sausage Burrito
Bagel with Cream Cheese
Muffins Scones
Iced Latte
Burritos

“The ladies here are running an old school drive-thru with no automated intercom system but that's what makes it so charming. They'll run out and take your order and run back in and make it. Everything is freshly made .It's true that it can get really busy with all the drive-thru customers, but I walk up and I'll always get service with a smile. And the drip coffee is amazing! Support your local businesses!“

3.7 Good46 Reviews
Food Lounge Cafe • $
1001 Center St, Santa Cruz

“Great spot to fill with Ukuleles!“

5 Superb1 Reviews
Cowell Coffee Shop Cafe • $
11 Cowell Service Rd, Santa Cruz

“I actually really enjoy the new “for the people's” Cowell coffee shop. Now they have free fruits and veggies that you can juice in the very new juicer. Besides that it's basically the same as it was. They also have “slug kitchen sessions” where they teach you to make tasty food.“

5 Superb1 Reviews
Pacific Point Market & Cafe Coffee & Tea • $
302 Pacific Ave C, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Cali Burrito - Breakfast
Chorizo and Egg Burrito
Chilaquiles Rancheros
Breakfast Quesadilla
Breakfast Burrito
Breakfast Burritos
Pancakes
Chips

“Huge portions, great menu options, tasty food, super friendly staff, fast service, great prices (esp. for downtown Santa Cruz), great coffee. Great location a few minutes walk from the pier with lots of outdoor seating Open at 6am, too. Amazing breakfast burritos!“

3.5 Good92 Reviews
The Picnic Basket Cafe • $
125 Beach St, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Breakfast Burrito with Bacon & Avocado & Verve Coffee & Cream
Roasted Turkey Sandwich
Turkey Avocado Sandwich
El Salchichero Hot Dog
Chicken Salad Sandwich
Picnic Basket Reuben
The Beet Sandwich
Frittata Panini
Egg Salad
Sorbet

“BEST paninis and coffee I've had and in a super foodie!!!! ❤ I would eat all meals here!!!!“

3.5 Good104 Reviews
Java Junction Cafe • $
2222 E Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Breakfast Bagel
Latte Freeze
Mocha Latte

“Went to Santa Cruz on vacation and decided to find a local coffee place to grab a latte and oh my goodness. I got a creme brulee mocha and it was the most delicious drink I've had in so long. The whipped cream was amazing as well. Steamed to just the right temp where I could drink it right away, so it was gone way too fast. Thanks for the delicious drink!!“

3.4 Good30 Reviews

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