The ambiance is pleasant with a laid-back vibe. The food is decent and works if you need a quick breakfast, but it doesn't leave a lasting impression. I was surprised by the limited egg options, as they only serve scrambled eggs. The mocha definitely tasted like it was made using Hershey's syrup.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 1
Regina N
I really wanted to love this place; it gets 5 stars for cute quirky atmosphere yet the food was pretty disappointing. I ordered avocado toast with a side of sausage; the sausage tasted like Jimmy Dean sausage, and the bread seemed like really basic grocery store sourdough. The lox bagel my friend ordered also seemed like it was directly from Safeway. Actually, I think I would have gotten a more gourmet sandwich from Safeway. With such wonderful bakeries and food stores in the area it would’ve been awesome if they were using locally sourced sourdough, bagels and sausage! The food came out on a piece of wax paper in a plastic red basket. Using regular plates would have made a difference along with using better quality, locally sourced food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Simone Angela Winkler
The Windmill Cafe is one of my local go-tos. I have dietary restrictions, and they always have at least three vegan+gluten-free pastries, with is extremely rare. I love that these pastries aren't greasy!! I also love the soups—most of them are gluten free, many are also vegan, and if they have meat, there's usually no dairy. The other menu options are also along these lines. Plus there are smoothies and coffee!
I often run here and make the Windmill Cafe my pitstop on a longer route.
Thank you so much to the owners and staff from a local Santa Cruz fan!
Dietary restrictions: Vegan & gluten free both
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegan, Pastries
Sharon Medler
Had the most DELICIOUS Salmon with veggies!!!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Robert B.
Nice place to grab a cup of coffee!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anusha Paramesvaran
Great brunch or breakfast spot. Plenty of gluten free and organic options. Great ambiance!! We enjoyed our beautiful breakfast with coffee! Such a great vibe! They even have a vegetable garden in the back!
Dietary restrictions: Gluten Free and Organic
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: French Toast, Potatoes, Avocado, Tofu Scramble, Scrambled Eggs, Gluten Free French Toast, Drip Coffee
ehpril leach
Cute spot but food isn’t good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 3
Tarraccas Obremski
Fortuitously found this cozy little cafe on the first day on my vacation back in my home town after nearly 40 years and it really captures the chill, down-to-earth vibe of the Santa Cruz I grew up in. Dined outside, very pleasant atmosphere surrounded by trees and flowers, shielded from the road. Food was fresh and delicious, many wheat-free options. Owner and staff were super cool. We came back for breakfast several times while visiting.
Dietary restrictions: Many gluten-free foods. Gluten-free baked goods available on display.
Parking: Ample parking, a rare thing in the city.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Scrambled Eggs, Sandwich
damagedtoad todd f.
Very nice and quaint place I love coming here! The butter is awesome! Lots of food choices!
Parking: Space is limited
Kid-friendliness: Kids welcome
Wheelchair accessibility: Yes
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chai and Bagel with Cream Cheese and Herbs, French Toast, Sautéed Veggie Croissant Sandwich with Bacon, Potatoes, Noodle Bowl, Tempeh Bacon, Avocado, Tofu Scramble, Scrambled Eggs, Gluten Free French Toast, Vegan, Drip Coffee, Croissant, Grilled Goat Cheese & Smoked Salmon, Sandwich, Pastries, Lox, Goat Cheese Bagel, Breakfast Tacos
Shiri Gradek
I love their food. So delicious and fresh. I ordered a bagel with salmon (lox) and there were fresh herbs and edible flowers sprinkled on top. They grow the herbs themselves on the property.
Staff is really nice, but maybe not flexible with menu.
My only sad critique is that their coffee needs a major overhaul. The drip coffee was so weak. I tried to remedy it, by adding a shot of espresso to it, which didn't it improve it much. There are so many amazing coffee places in town that they can easily get consultation on how to improve their coffee drinks.
I wIll definitely return for breakfast and brunch, but will bring my own coffee.
Wonderful spot off the beaten path - perfect for those with dietary restrictions!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Caitlin Klaper
A lovely meal and location! Staff was friendly -- it's an order and sit place with seating both in and outside. Lots of options for various dietary needs.
Geina Tharp
Sooo good! If you're gluten free, this place is must. I had the gf french toast (ahhmazing) and the impossible sausage (also fantastic). Sooo many gf bakery items. Great place!! Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: French Toast, Pastries
Sydnie Smith
Windmill Cafe is a quaint little spot with a cute outdoor seating area. Our food was delicious. The menu includes many gluten free and vegan options. The staff was friendly enough, but it is somewhat a self service place. The food is delivered to your table, but you have to get your own condiments and bus your table when you are done. I recommend Windmill Cafe for a quick bite in a casual atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Aisha Jamila Shah
Really yummy vegan food at an affordable price. Arrived on a Saturday and the wait for the food took a good while, but it was delicious!
The ambiance is pleasant with a laid-back vibe. The food is decent and works if you need a quick breakfast, but it doesn't leave a lasting impression. I was surprised by the limited egg options, as they only serve scrambled eggs. The mocha definitely tasted like it was made using Hershey's syrup.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 1
I really wanted to love this place; it gets 5 stars for cute quirky atmosphere yet the food was pretty disappointing. I ordered avocado toast with a side of sausage; the sausage tasted like Jimmy Dean sausage, and the bread seemed like really basic grocery store sourdough. The lox bagel my friend ordered also seemed like it was directly from Safeway. Actually, I think I would have gotten a more gourmet sandwich from Safeway. With such wonderful bakeries and food stores in the area it would’ve been awesome if they were using locally sourced sourdough, bagels and sausage! The food came out on a piece of wax paper in a plastic red basket. Using regular plates would have made a difference along with using better quality, locally sourced food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
The Windmill Cafe is one of my local go-tos. I have dietary restrictions, and they always have at least three vegan+gluten-free pastries, with is extremely rare. I love that these pastries aren't greasy!! I also love the soups—most of them are gluten free, many are also vegan, and if they have meat, there's usually no dairy. The other menu options are also along these lines. Plus there are smoothies and coffee!
I often run here and make the Windmill Cafe my pitstop on a longer route.
Thank you so much to the owners and staff from a local Santa Cruz fan!
Dietary restrictions: Vegan & gluten free both
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegan, Pastries
Had the most DELICIOUS Salmon with veggies!!!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nice place to grab a cup of coffee!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great brunch or breakfast spot. Plenty of gluten free and organic options. Great ambiance!! We enjoyed our beautiful breakfast with coffee! Such a great vibe! They even have a vegetable garden in the back!
Dietary restrictions: Gluten Free and Organic
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: French Toast, Potatoes, Avocado, Tofu Scramble, Scrambled Eggs, Gluten Free French Toast, Drip Coffee
Cute spot but food isn’t good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 3
Fortuitously found this cozy little cafe on the first day on my vacation back in my home town after nearly 40 years and it really captures the chill, down-to-earth vibe of the Santa Cruz I grew up in. Dined outside, very pleasant atmosphere surrounded by trees and flowers, shielded from the road. Food was fresh and delicious, many wheat-free options. Owner and staff were super cool. We came back for breakfast several times while visiting.
Dietary restrictions: Many gluten-free foods. Gluten-free baked goods available on display.
Parking: Ample parking, a rare thing in the city.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Scrambled Eggs, Sandwich
Very nice and quaint place I love coming here! The butter is awesome! Lots of food choices!
Parking: Space is limited
Kid-friendliness: Kids welcome
Wheelchair accessibility: Yes
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chai and Bagel with Cream Cheese and Herbs, French Toast, Sautéed Veggie Croissant Sandwich with Bacon, Potatoes, Noodle Bowl, Tempeh Bacon, Avocado, Tofu Scramble, Scrambled Eggs, Gluten Free French Toast, Vegan, Drip Coffee, Croissant, Grilled Goat Cheese & Smoked Salmon, Sandwich, Pastries, Lox, Goat Cheese Bagel, Breakfast Tacos
I love their food. So delicious and fresh. I ordered a bagel with salmon (lox) and there were fresh herbs and edible flowers sprinkled on top. They grow the herbs themselves on the property.
Staff is really nice, but maybe not flexible with menu.
My only sad critique is that their coffee needs a major overhaul. The drip coffee was so weak. I tried to remedy it, by adding a shot of espresso to it, which didn't it improve it much. There are so many amazing coffee places in town that they can easily get consultation on how to improve their coffee drinks.
I wIll definitely return for breakfast and brunch, but will bring my own coffee.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Sandwich
Restaurantji Recommends
Wonderful spot off the beaten path - perfect for those with dietary restrictions!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A lovely meal and location! Staff was friendly -- it's an order and sit place with seating both in and outside. Lots of options for various dietary needs.
Sooo good! If you're gluten free, this place is must. I had the gf french toast (ahhmazing) and the impossible sausage (also fantastic). Sooo many gf bakery items. Great place!! Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: French Toast, Pastries
Windmill Cafe is a quaint little spot with a cute outdoor seating area. Our food was delicious. The menu includes many gluten free and vegan options. The staff was friendly enough, but it is somewhat a self service place. The food is delivered to your table, but you have to get your own condiments and bus your table when you are done. I recommend Windmill Cafe for a quick bite in a casual atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Really yummy vegan food at an affordable price. Arrived on a Saturday and the wait for the food took a good while, but it was delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Potatoes, Tempeh Bacon, Tofu Scramble, Vegan
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