Food scene
A favorite breakfast restaurant and close by. Can have a wait on the weekends if you aren’t there early.
102 locals recommend
Harbor Café
535 7th AveA favorite breakfast restaurant and close by. Can have a wait on the weekends if you aren’t there early.
Crows Nest is great for casual (upstairs) or a little less casual downstairs. (Remember it is Santa Cruz, no ties needed). They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. No reservations for upstairs dining. Outside decks overlook the harbor and ocean!
276 locals recommend
Crow's Nest Restaurant
2218 E Cliff DrCrows Nest is great for casual (upstairs) or a little less casual downstairs. (Remember it is Santa Cruz, no ties needed). They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. No reservations for upstairs dining. Outside decks overlook the harbor and ocean!
One of our favorite Mexican restaurants for sit down or take out. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Beach volleyball and beach front!
35 locals recommend
Cafe El Palomar
2222 E Cliff DrOne of our favorite Mexican restaurants for sit down or take out. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Beach volleyball and beach front!
Cafe Cruz has a great outdoor patio and wonderful food. Inside seating is a good option too. Might want reservations if you go on the weekend.
88 locals recommend
Café Cruz
2621 41st AveCafe Cruz has a great outdoor patio and wonderful food. Inside seating is a good option too. Might want reservations if you go on the weekend.
A local favorite for coffee. House coffee is an Americano. Located close by on 17th.
13 locals recommend
Peoples Coffee
1200 17th AveA local favorite for coffee. House coffee is an Americano. Located close by on 17th.
Great local coffee spot. They also make bagel sandwiches and have pastries. Close to the studio!
44 locals recommend
Coffeetopia
3701 Portola DrGreat local coffee spot. They also make bagel sandwiches and have pastries. Close to the studio!
Unique restaurant where you can walk down through the gardens or ride a cable car that takes you from the street level to the restaurant. The Shadowbrook sits on the river in Capitola and if you call they provide a free ride there and back in a vintage car.
205 locals recommend
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf RdUnique restaurant where you can walk down through the gardens or ride a cable car that takes you from the street level to the restaurant. The Shadowbrook sits on the river in Capitola and if you call they provide a free ride there and back in a vintage car.
While Cafe Sparrow is further away it is a very intimate dinner setting with amazing food. A local favorite for a special occasion.
76 locals recommend
Café Sparrow
8042 Soquel DrWhile Cafe Sparrow is further away it is a very intimate dinner setting with amazing food. A local favorite for a special occasion.