10 Best Juice Bars & Smoothies in Santa Cruz

“I’ve been to this restaurant three times and highly recommend it. It is so nice to see this local building on the corner of N. Branciforte and Water street finally have a restaurant that has more than a chance of thriving.

The waitstaff are very engaging and open and go the extra mile to make sure your dining experience is the best.

Try the Feijoada if you want the authentic Brazilian experience. Very, very good

And what about the great Brazilian National hot sauce made fresh. It’s made from the Malagueta pepper, a Brazilian pepper that is married with olive oil. So good but the recipe is a secret?“

“Cool Kava bar, friendly staff and patrons. Nice to find a cool place like this when visiting in town!“

“The people who served us are amazing, super nice. The atmosphere felt so welcoming and the place is so authentic. If you are looking for a non-blended original fresh Açai, this is the place. Moreover, the tacos and burritos are EXCEPTIONAL. Truly recommend ordering the shrimp burrito and the quesabirrias with carne asada. THANK YOU! ❤️“

“Wandered in on a whim, knowing I have wanted to visit, and was SO pleasantly surprised. Very relaxed but lively environment, the owner runs the cash register and makes the dumplings!Which, by the way, were some of the best I’ve had. I ordered the beef Momo dumplings, and they were served with a spicy red sauce, and a side salad with grated carrot and lemon dressing.The dumplings were savory and spiced to perfection. Every ingredient in the meat mix came through uniquely and beautifully. The salad dressing was so bright and delicious that I wanted to drink it, and the spicy red sauce added the perfect extra kick to the dumplings, if you like spice like me, you would definitely enjoy. Got the whole plate for $13 (including tax).I thoroughly enjoyed my experience, and I didn’t even get to the drink menu. But based on the reactions of other customers who got drinks while I was there, their drink menu is also very satisfactory. Highly recommend!“

“This is my favorite coffee spot in Santa Cruz county. Peoples coffee has a Friendly staff and great atmosphere. The baristas here won’t let you down.“

“I used to work here, and almost everyone is hard working and friendly. Except for Amanda(? Dirty blonde ponytail?), I hope that supervisor got fired or reported for employee abuse. My coworker and I quit because she made us both cry. I think about that girl sometimes and I wish I had been braver and reported her to our manager (Maria?) I hope that horrible abuser is gone, that’d make the place a 5 star.“

“5-Star Review for Mary at Cruz Creamery, Santa Cruz, CA

I had the absolute pleasure of visiting Cruz Creamery in Santa Cruz, and I must say, the experience was elevated to an entirely new level thanks to Mary. From the moment I walked in, Mary greeted me with a warm, genuine smile that instantly made me feel welcome. Her positive energy was infectious, and it was clear that she takes immense pride in providing top-tier customer service.

What stood out most was her attention to detail and willingness to go above and beyond to ensure I had the best experience possible. She took the time to patiently explain the different flavors, offered thoughtful recommendations based on my preferences, and even let me sample a few options before I made my final decision. I truly appreciated how she made me feel like a valued customer rather than just another order in line.

Mary’s knowledge of the menu and her passion for her job were evident in every interaction. She was attentive, efficient, and incredibly friendly throughout my visit, making sure that I had a great experience. In a world where good customer service can sometimes feel rare, Mary truly stands out as a shining example of what exceptional service looks like.

Thanks to Mary’s outstanding hospitality, Cruz Creamery has earned a loyal customer. I’ll definitely be coming back and recommending this place to friends and family — not just for the delicious ice cream, but for the incredible service from Mary. She’s a gem, and Cruz Creamery is lucky to have her!“

“Really good food and coffee here. I had the turkey cranberry sandwich and it was very good. We also got the strawberry smoothie which hit the spot. The stars of the show might just be the flavored coffees. Snickers mocha and the Milky Way mocha were so good. We are coming back for sure. And the inside is very clean and spacious. There is also an outside patio. Plenty of parking. I highly recommend this spot.“

“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!!“