Guidebook for Santa Cruz
Food Scene
Excellent menu using fresh, local produce and protein, and a wide selection of interesting beers. Get the wild-caught salmon when in season. Reservations recommended.
125 locals recommend
West End Tap and Kitchen
334 Ingalls StExcellent menu using fresh, local produce and protein, and a wide selection of interesting beers. Get the wild-caught salmon when in season. Reservations recommended.
Bantam
1010 Fair AveDelicious flatbreads and other locally-sourced salads and appetizers.
Fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Great breakfasts, no lines (usually). Sweet servers.
11 locals recommend
Pizzeria Avanti
1711 Mission StFresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Great breakfasts, no lines (usually). Sweet servers.
The spot to go to on the Westside for breakfast/lunch. Fantastic smoothies and acai bowls. All egg dishes are delicious. If you're here for lunch the fish sandwich is awesome! Expect a long wait.
79 locals recommend
Cafe Brasil
1410 Mission StThe spot to go to on the Westside for breakfast/lunch. Fantastic smoothies and acai bowls. All egg dishes are delicious. If you're here for lunch the fish sandwich is awesome! Expect a long wait.
Besides amazing pastries, you'll find a pretty good selection of items to cover breakfast and lunch. Expect long lines.
98 locals recommend
Kelly's French Bakery
402 Ingalls StBesides amazing pastries, you'll find a pretty good selection of items to cover breakfast and lunch. Expect long lines.
Known for their coffee and scones, but limited breakfast items are tasty, too.
25 locals recommend
Café Iveta
2125 Delaware AveKnown for their coffee and scones, but limited breakfast items are tasty, too.
Coffee, butter-rich pastries and cookies. Wonderful, fresh-baked loaves of bread. No actual breakfast service but sometimes they have quiche.
64 locals recommend
Companion Bakeshop Westside Santa Cruz
2341 Mission StCoffee, butter-rich pastries and cookies. Wonderful, fresh-baked loaves of bread. No actual breakfast service but sometimes they have quiche.
Located in a run-down strip mall but the food is pretty good. Shrimp and fish tacos are my favorite, and the burritos are hearty. Beverages are from the fridge, no ice. Sports playing on small TV.
12 locals recommend
Taqueria La Cabaña
2332 Mission StLocated in a run-down strip mall but the food is pretty good. Shrimp and fish tacos are my favorite, and the burritos are hearty. Beverages are from the fridge, no ice. Sports playing on small TV.
Chocolate cupcakes and cheese Danishes are dreamy. Sandwiches available (we usually order the egg salad or tuna salad).
19 locals recommend
Emily's Good Things To Eat
1129 Mission StChocolate cupcakes and cheese Danishes are dreamy. Sandwiches available (we usually order the egg salad or tuna salad).
A little more formal than West End but sometimes you'll be seated at a communal table. If you love fries, the thrice-cooked fries are to-die-for. Menu relies on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
32 locals recommend
Assembly
1108 Pacific AvenueA little more formal than West End but sometimes you'll be seated at a communal table. If you love fries, the thrice-cooked fries are to-die-for. Menu relies on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
Delicious Mediterranean food in an elegant setting. We always leave full and satisfied.
104 locals recommend
Laili
101 Cooper StDelicious Mediterranean food in an elegant setting. We always leave full and satisfied.
A tad expensive, but serves top quality vegan and vegetarian dishes. Don't be surprised if a table of monks walk in! If miso soup is in season, get it. Interesting smoothies and desserts, too.
39 locals recommend
Cafe Gratitude
103 Lincoln StA tad expensive, but serves top quality vegan and vegetarian dishes. Don't be surprised if a table of monks walk in! If miso soup is in season, get it. Interesting smoothies and desserts, too.
There are lots of pizza places in Santa Cruz, but we really enjoy sitting outdoors here and the pizza is delicious!
19 locals recommend
Kiantis Pizza & Pasta Bar
1100 Pacific AveThere are lots of pizza places in Santa Cruz, but we really enjoy sitting outdoors here and the pizza is delicious!
Essentials
Shop without worry: everything is organic. If you're looking for gluten-free, non-GMO, or fair-trade, they have lots of those items, too. The deli, soups and sushi are excellent.
248 locals recommend
New Leaf Community Markets
1101 Fair AveShop without worry: everything is organic. If you're looking for gluten-free, non-GMO, or fair-trade, they have lots of those items, too. The deli, soups and sushi are excellent.
Everything Else
Pacific Cookie Company
303 Potrero StJust go. Follow your nose. Addictive.
Shopping
Om Gallery
1201 Pacific AveBeautiful, colorful items for your home.
Cool pieces from local artists, from jewelry to prints to handbags to ceramics. For the hard-to-find person, you'll find something unique here.
9 locals recommend
Artisans & agency
1368 Pacific AveCool pieces from local artists, from jewelry to prints to handbags to ceramics. For the hard-to-find person, you'll find something unique here.