10 Cafes In Santa Cruz, California - Up For Some Quick Bites

1. Linda's Seabreeze Cafe

Open to serve you from breakfast until lunchtime, enjoy the friendly, neighborhood atmosphere in this cute diner packed with regular customers. Start your day with a serving of omelet, pancakes, a homemade cinnamon roll, and slices of fresh fruits while sipping a freshly squeezed orange juice. Make sure to make a call if you want to try their specials for it actually change daily. If you’re used to eating breakfast late and reach the place with a long queue outside, just prepare yourself to have a brunch for it’s definitely worth the wait of staying outdoor while sipping coffee waiting for your table.

Linda's Seabreeze Cafe

Address: 542 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, USA

Website: Linda’s Seabreeze Cafe

Opening hours: Monday - Saturday (6am - 2pm) | Sunday (7am - 1pm)

Average price for two: 11 - 30 USD

2. Walnut Avenue Cafe

Expect to wait for your table during weekend brunch for this diner is popular among locals and tourists alike. Take delight in the sweet flavor of Belgian waffles, French toast, and pancakes while sipping a cup of great coffee or hot tea served by the wait staffers who were so friendly and helpful. If you are out for lunch and the weather permits, choose for the outside seating and indulge in the wide array of sandwiches, burgers, and salads while experiencing the casual environment in Downtown Santa Cruz. Don’t forget to order your drinks in the long list of beverages that includes lattes and fresh fruit juices or ask your server about the current wine selection.

Walnut Avenue Cafe

Address: 106 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA

Website: Walnut Avenue Cafe

Opening hours: Monday - Friday (7am - 3pm) | Saturday - Sunday (8am - 4pm)

Average price for two: 11 - 30 USD

3. Kelly's French Bakery

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Prepare your taste buds for a delicious treat at Kelly’s that offers a wide variety of dishes perfect for any time of the day. So much more than sweet pastries and desserts, you can enjoy egg dishes, lattes and brewed coffee for breakfast. Take advantage of the sunny patio for dining outside after ordering a sandwich, soup, and salad for lunch with a green smoothie or a wine by the glass to wash it down. If you are already stuffed for dinner, make sure to have a room for dessert when stopping by to pick up some sweets or ask for to-go freshly baked goods for a late snack treat.

Kelly's French Bakery

Address: 402 Ingalls St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA

Website: Kelly’s French Bakery

Opening hours: Monday - Sunday (7am - 7pm)

4. Harbor Cafe

Satiate yourself with a fresh and tasty breakfast burrito and the theme of the day such the Bloody Mary in this festive place with indoor and outdoor seating and very accommodating staff. Avoid going on weekends for the place is so popular with locals and a recommended place for breakfast among travelers. Opt for some tuna melts, burgers or tacos if you are up for lunch and partner it with a soup and a Caesar salad. Take your dog for a walk and award him with lamb jerky treats and other food listed on the dog menu while you are indulging on your own servings.

Harbor Cafe

Address: 535 7th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, USA

Website: Harbor Cafe

Opening hours: Monday - Friday (8am - 2pm) | Saturday - Sunday (8am - 1:30pm)

Average price for two: 11 - 30 USD

5. The Picnic Basket

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Watch the people doing their thing or enjoy the view of the water in Santa Cruz Pier while having a burrito or frittata panini for breakfast in the outdoor seating of this cafe. Make sure to order brewed coffee during rainy days or order a tea with a generous bag that will allow at least one refill. If you arrive after breakfast, take delight of the excellent salad and Reuben sandwich for lunch with light local beer on tap. If you are planning on a walk on the wharf with your four-legged friend, make sure to stop here for a meal or good-to-go treat.

The Picnic Basket

Address: 125 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA

Website: The Picnic Basket

Opening hours: Monday - Sunday (7am - 4pm)

Average price for two: Under 10 USD

6. Cafe Brasil

If you’re up for some Brazilian flair, look for this little yet colorful cafe serving delicious meals for breakfast and lunch. Enjoy a serving of bean and sausage dish with rice or have a light breakfast like a little subtlety egg Benedict and a fantastic cup of coffee. If you’re with kids, don’t forget to order Acai Bowl which is perfect for dessert or for take-out that you can have in the nearby playground if the place gets too crowded. Expect to wait a bit for the place is so popular among locals so consider yourself very lucky if you get a parking place in their minuscule lot.

Cafe Brasil

Address: 1410 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA

Website: Cafe Brasil

Opening hours: Monday - Sunday (8am - 3pm)

Average price for two: 11 - 30 USD

7. Saturn Cafe

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Offering traditional American meals from breakfast till dinner with a vegetarian twist, start eating healthy and enjoy the menu in Saturn Cafe that features local and organic ingredients. People with special diets will surely love veggie burgers with a bun made in soft multigrain brioche and completed with super-fresh lettuce and tomato. Partner it up with a milkshake or local brews probiotic drinks before digging in the vegan ice cream for a complete meal without the guilt feeling. Meet the coolest people serving with a wide smile and make sure to try their happy hour specials before leaving Santa Cruz.

Saturn Cafe

Address: 145 Laurel St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA

Website: Saturn Cafe

Opening hours: Monday - Sunday (9am - 12am)

Average price for two: 11 - 30 USD

8. Verve Coffee Roasters

Have your daily caffeine fix in this coffee shop that serves the best Cappucino, Gilbraltar’s, and quick bites from morning till noon. Enjoy the aroma of the locally roasted and exceptionally rich flavor of the coffee while admiring the modern and open setting of the place with a walk-up coffee bar and a custom-made barista machine. Complete a serving of coffee with freshly-baked pastries that you can enjoy in between small mouthfuls. If you need some space to catch up with work and you don’t mind some chatter, you can conduct your work here while sipping a cup of delish lattes.

Verve Coffee Roasters

Address: 104 Bronson St Ste 19, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, USA

Website: Verve Coffee Roasters

Opening hours: Monday - Sunday (6am - 5pm)

9. Silver Spur

Stuffed yourself with a satisfying breakfast from the wide array of deliciousness in Silver Spur before starting the day of exploring Santa Cruz. A good substitute for toast, make sure to have few heavenly cinnamon rolls together with a fluffy Mexican omelet and sizable sausage patty over a cup of coffee. Lunch specials vary every day so make sure to check it on the menu with additional homemade muffins, soups, and desserts. If you don’t have time for a sit-down meal or just don’t feel like cooking, place your order for to-go sandwiches and salads to enjoy later with friends and loved ones.

Silver Spur

Address: 2650 Soquel Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95065, USA

Website: Silver Spur

Opening hours: Monday - Saturday (6am - 3pm)

Average price for two: 11 - 30 USD

10. Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting Co

Sit outside on the small patio and watch the bizarre Santa Cruz world go by while breathing in the aroma floating in the air from this coffee shop. Promising a bean for everyone, treat yourself with a unique and bold coffee brewed to perfection just for you. Enjoy the great service of knowledgeable crew and baristas with their fun way of setting out individual orders. Make sure to grab a bite of their pastries such as the local organic vegan cookies and don’t forget to buy a few pounds to take home for you will surely crave for another shot of caffeine after leaving Santa Cruz.

Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting Co

Address: 1330 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA

Website: Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting Co

Opening hours: Monday - Thursday (6am - 10pm) | Friday (6am - 11pm) | Saturday - Sunday (6:30am - 11pm)

Great options to fuel up anytime of the day

Whether you are a coffee lover or just looking for a heavy breakfast meal to kick start the day before exploring this city on central California’s coast, you will surely love the welcoming ambiance in these cafes in Santa Cruz. Give in to the aromatic coffee brews while digging in the freshly-baked bread in your American breakfast or drop by for dinner to end the day before heading back to your comfy cabin accommodation. If you’re famished in the middle of your tour, look no further for these places are just around the corner to make your day.