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Catherine Chicotka

Best Breakfast and Brunch Spots in Santa Cruz

April 3, 2023 This post may contain affiliate links, which means that at no extra cost to you if you buy from one of the product links, I’ll earn a small commission which helps this site run. See full disclosure here.

I love starting my day with a delicious and healthy breakfast, and one of the things I miss most about Santa Cruz is all the great dining options. Santa Cruz is a very active and healthy community and has great access to fresh fruits and vegetables. You can head to the Farmer’s Market to get your own locally grown produce for home or enjoy it at a restaurant with breakfast. I love that so many restaurants offer healthy breakfasts that include fruit or vegetarian and vegan options.

And sometimes it’s nice to enjoy a speciality mimosa, bottomless mimosas, or a Bloody Mary! So I’ve put together a list of the best breakfast and brunch spots in Santa Cruz. Check out these great things to do in Santa Cruz for after brunch activities!

Best Breakfast in Santa Cruz | Best Brunch in Santa Cruz | Linda's Seabreeze Cafe | Santa Cruz Travel Guide | Catherine Chicotka

Linda’s Seabreeze Cafe

Address: 542 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Hours: Monday – Tuesday, Thursday – Saturday 8:00 – 2:00; Sunday 8:00 – 1:00; Closed Wednesday

Linda’s Seabreeze Cafe is a very popular breakfast/brunch spot with delicious food, great service, and an outdoor dining area to enjoy that Santa Cruz weather. Definitely try the fresh squeezed orange juice!

Harbor Cafe

Address: 535 Seventh Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Hours: Thursday – Monday 9:00 – 1:30ish

This is another one of our favorite breakfast/brunch spots that’s also very popular with locals. And with bottomless mimosas on Fridays!

Zachary’s

Address: 819 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 7:00 – 2:30; Closed Mondays

Located right in Downtown Santa Cruz, Zachary’s is a local favorite for breakfast and brunch. You really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.

Aldo’s Bakery, Cafe, & Harborside Restaurant

Address: 790 Mariner Park Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Hours: Monday – Friday 10:00 – 2:00; Saturday – Sunday 8:00 – 3:00

Take in the views of the Santa Cruz Harbor while you brunch with a delicious Hibiscus Mimosa! Aldo’s was featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.

Best Breakfast in Santa Cruz | Best Brunch in Santa Cruz | Ideal Bar and Grill | Santa Cruz Travel Guide | Catherine Chicotka

Ideal Bar & Grill

Address: 106 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Hours: Monday – Thursday 11:00 – 9:00; Friday 11:00 – 9:30; Saturday 10:00 – 9:30; Sunday 10:00 – 9:00

The Ideal Bar & Grill is a perfect place to start your day in Santa Cruz. It’s located right at the entrance to the Wharf and offers a great selection of healthy and delicious options, some items with a unique twist to them!

Samba Rock Acai Cafe

Address: 291 Water St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 9:00 – 3:00; Friday – Sunday 9:00 – 4:00; Closed Tuesdays

I love a good açaí bowl, and Samba Rock Acai Cafe offers a great selection of options to completely customize your bowl!

Cat and Cloud

There are multiple locations with different hours for Cat and Cloud – Westside, Eastside, Downtown, and Aptos. The breakfast burrito from the Westside Location is one of my absolute favorites!

Spankys Cafe

Address: 9520 Hwy 9, Ben Lomond, CA 95005

Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 8:00 – 2:00; Closed Mondays

Head into the mountains to experience a different side of Santa Cruz. Enjoy a delicious breakfast among the trees and take in the mountain town charm.

Avenue Cafe

Address: 427 Capitola Ave, Capitola, CA 95010

Hours: Thursday – Monday 7:30 – 2:00

Have a quaint breakfast at the Avenue Cafe in Capitola. Afterwards, head to the beach, walk down the Soquel Creek River Walk, or do some shopping in Downtown Capitola. This is a popular spot so there can be a long wait.

Auntie Mames

Address: 3103 Scotts Valley Dr, Scotts Valley, CA 95066

Hours: Monday – Sunday 7:00 – 2:00

Head to Auntie Mames for some delicious home style cooking. The outdoor patio draws your attention with bright, colorful umbrellas.

Best Breakfast in Santa Cruz | Best Brunch in Santa Cruz | Whale City Bakery Davenport | Santa Cruz Travel Guide | Catherine Chicotka

Whale City Bakery

Address: 490 CA-1, Davenport, CA 95017

Hours: Monday – Wednesday 6:30am – 3pm; Thursday – Friday 6:30am – 8pm; Saturday – Sunday 6:30am – 7pm

Head North out of Santa Cruz to Davenport to enjoy breakfast at the Whale City Bakery. Along with a great selection of items at the bakery, they offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Walnut Ave Cafe

Address: 106 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 – 3:00; Saturday – Sunday 8:00 – 4:00

Located in the heart of Downtown Santa Cruz, Walnut Ave Cafe is another one of my absolute favorite breakfast spots in Santa Cruz. It’s a very popular spot so the wait times can be long, especially on the weekends, but it’s worth the wait! I’ve heard the Ahi Benedict is amazing, but I have not tried it.

Cafe Brasil

Address: 1410 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Hours: Monday – Sunday 8:00 – 3:00

Cafe Brasil is a must try when in Santa Cruz. It features authentic Brazilian recipes adding a pinch of Santa Cruz to them. They also offer a selection of acai bowls, juices, and shakes (the acai bowls are perfection).

Heavenly Roadside Cafe

Address: 1210 Mt Hermon Rd, Scotts Valley, CA 95066

Hours: Monday – Sunday 7:30 – 2:00

Go to Heavenly Roadside Cafe in Scotts Valley for a delicious breakfast in one of the most peaceful and beautiful outdoor patios.

The Crepe Place Patio

Address: 1134 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Hours: Monday – Thursday 11:30 – 8:00; Friday 11:30 – 9:00; Saturday 10:00 – 9:00; Sunday 10:00 – 8:00

The Crepe Place Patio offers a wide selection of vegan and vegetarian options for plant based eaters. The outdoor patio is a beautiful place to relax and escape the bustle of Santa Cruz.

East End Gastropub

Address: 1501 41st Ave Suite I, Capitola, CA 95010

Hours: Monday – Friday 4:00pm – 9:00pm; Saturday 10:00 – 3:00 and 4:00 – 9:00; Sunday 10:00 – 3:00 and 4:00 – 8:00

You’ll find great food and excellent service in the beautifully chic and modern East End Gastropub.

Best Breakfast in Santa Cruz | Best Brunch in Santa Cruz | Jack O'Neill Restaurant and Lounge | Santa Cruz Travel Guide | Catherine Chicotka

Jack O’Neill Restaurant and Lounge

Address: 175 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Hours: Monday – Sunday 7:00am – 2:00pm – Breakfast served until 11:00am, Brunch served until 11:00am – 2:00pm

The Jack O’Neill Restaurant and Lounge is a perfect place to grab breakfast with a view. Dining in the restaurant offers views of Cowell Beach, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the Wharf, and the Monterey Bay. If you’re staying next door at the Dream Inn, you can order room service from the Jack O’Neill Restaurant and Lounge and enjoy your breakfast from your private balcony.

Crow’s Nest

Address: 2218 E Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Hours: Monday – Thursday 7:30am – 9:00pm; Friday – Saturday 7:30am – 11:00pm; Sunday 7:30am – 9:30pm

The Crow’s Nest has beautiful views of the Santa Cruz Harbor and the Walton Lighthouse. It’s a great restaurant for any meal

The Buttery Bakery

Address: 702 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Hours: Cafe Hours Monday – Sunday 7:00 – 2:00; Bakery Hours Monday – Sunday 7:00 – 5:00

A friend recommended I try this restaurant and I haven’t been able to yet. But the food looks amazing and I’m definitely heading here on my next visit!

 

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April 3, 2023 Filed Under: California Tagged With: Breakfast, Brunch, Northern California, Santa Cruz

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About Me

Catherine Chicotka

I’m a Lake Tahoe based outdoor adventurer, photographer, and travel writer. I’m also obsessed with fashion!

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