12 Best Breakfast Spots in Santa Cruz, CA

Because Santa Cruz is a beachside city, most people would assume that it’s an excellent place for high-quality seafood restaurants (and they’d be right). However, Santa Cruz — which lies south of San Francisco — is a culinary hotspot for more than just fish and shrimp dishes. It’s also a haven for the best breakfast locales on the California coast.

So, if you’re into waking up early and scarfing down some French toast, eggs Benedict, or waffles, you’ve come to the right city. Let’s dive into the top Santa Cruz breakfast restaurants.

If you prefer to start your days a little later, check out our recommendations for the best brunches in Santa Cruz.

1. The Crepe Place 

Photo by shutterstock.com/Vladislav Noseek

Get your fill of sweet or savory crepes at The Crepe Place. They’ve been serving crepes to Santa Cruz residents and visitors since the 1970s. Although no longer in their tiny original location, they moved only to be able to serve more customers as word spread about their delicious crepes. Now housed in a beautiful Victorian home, the welcoming and eclectic ambiance is as special as the food itself.

During the day, The Crepe Place is the perfect place to sit back with a filling breakfast in their peaceful garden. At night though, live music tends to fill the rooms as people hit the bar and make for a lively night out. Though made famous by their crepes, their menu now offers a wide variety of breakfast plates, salads, and desserts to choose from.

2. Mad Yolks

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As the name suggests, this is the spot to go if you want a variety of egg dishes to choose from. The craft and creativity that has gone into crafting this delicious menu are seriously unique. While they’re well known for their long list of egg sandwiches, if you want to try something different, the Dirty Tots are pure gluttony.

Not only does Mad Yolks deliver great food, but they also serve up great vibes. This is the perfect place to go with a group of friends for a casual brunch. Plus, they’re adamant about serving only the freshest ingredients so you can rest easy knowing that what you eat is locally sourced.

3. The Bagelry

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The Bagelry actually has three locations surrounding Santa Cruz: one in Santa Cruz proper, another in Seabright, and the third in Soquel. That gives you three chances to try one of these freshly made bagels. Trust us, after one, you’ll be wishing there was a fourth location near you back home!

Made from scratch each day, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better bagel. Pop in for a bagel sandwich to start your day right or order a dozen to have at your vacation rental during your trip to Santa Cruz. That way you can enjoy slow mornings enjoying your rental while still eating a great, local breakfast.

4. Cafe Brasil

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Kicking things off is an exotic location that works well for breakfast, brunch, or lunch. Cafe Brasil has been in California for over 25 years, helping residents and tourists wake up in the best way possible.

Because this is a Brazilian restaurant, you’re sure to tickle your tastebuds with delicious offerings like a Brazilian omelet (complete with chicken and mozzarella cheese), beef a cavalo (two eggs over a sizzling steak), or a crab meat frittata.

If you’re in the mood for something traditional, the cafe still has you covered since you can get practically any combination of eggs, meat, potatoes, and vegetables. Be sure to come back for lunch, too, as the churrasco sandwich is fantastic.

5. Harbor Cafe

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So far, we’ve mostly seen breakfast diners that specialize in standard morning fare. If you want to kick things up a notch, the Harbor Cafe offers some classier versions of the classic hits. Plus, the place is well-known for its killer seafood and tableside views, so you’re getting an elegant culinary experience.

Some notable items from the menu include their breakfast burrito (stuffed with avocado, salsa, and hash browns), huevos rancheros, carnitas omelet, and tofu scramble. If you have a sweet tooth, we highly recommend the Nutella French toast or the churro-style Belgian waffle. Both dishes are enough to give your dentist a heart attack.

6. Linda’s Seabreeze Cafe

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One of the best reasons to go out for breakfast is to eat at a nice little restaurant that feels like a part of home. Linda’s Seabreeze Cafe by the boardwalk is one of those local spots that makes you want to come in every morning, even if it’s just for a side of granola.

The menu here isn’t extensive, but the chefs make everything with a dash of love. Better yet, if you’re vegetarian, you can sample plenty of items, including the Florentine omelet, the Hearts Ahoy burrito, or the tofu curry. Even if you’re not a vegetarian, these dishes rock and are worth waking up early for.

7. The Picnic Basket

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Technically speaking, the Picnic Basket — which is located near Santa Cruz Wharf — is more of a lunch restaurant, but the breakfast specials are pretty tasty as well. The menu is lean, but that just means that everything is a winner. We highly recommend the breakfast burrito or the frittata panini. Otherwise, the place serves lighter fare like a homemade yogurt parfait, a scone, or a ham and cheese croissant.

Then, when you’re ready for lunch, be sure to come back and try one of the Picnic Basket’s signature sandwiches. Of course, you can’t go wrong with the Reuben, but we also like their grilled cheese or ham and blue brie baguette. The place also serves ice cream for those hot Santa Cruz afternoons.

8. Santa Cruz Diner

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Since we featured the Capitola Diner, it’s only fitting that we also recommend the Santa Cruz Diner. According to the owners, this place is where the East Coast meets Asian fusion, which is odd considering the restaurant is on the West Coast. Despite this culture clash, the dishes here are eclectic and delicious.

Some of our favorite breakfast options include the country scramble, the breakfast quesadilla, or the avocado eggs Benedict. You can also try some incredible omelets, such as the Monterrey (with avocado, Monterey jack cheese, and mushroom) or the Hawaiian omelet (ham, pineapple, and jack cheese). Finally, if you want something slightly different but still familiar, the potato pancakes are also pretty yummy.

9. The Walnut Ave Cafe

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As you can see, there are quite a few cafes in Santa Cruz that specialize in breakfast dishes. According to the Walnut Ave Cafe in Downtown Santa Cruz, the egg is king (at least, based on its mascot). It’s easy to see why the owners revere the incredible edible egg, considering that the restaurant offers a wide array of scrambles to suit any mood.

Another running theme of Santa Cruz breakfast spots is the addition of Mexican dishes to the menu of American classics. Here, you can sample chilaquiles (tortilla chips with eggs and sauce), huevos rancheros, and a chorizo and egg scramble. We also recommend coming for brunch if you’re in town on the weekend.

10. Windmill Cafe

Photo Credit: Windmill Cafe Santa Cruz via Facebook

As with other breakfast-friendly restaurants, the Windmill Cafe is only open for morning and afternoon meals. However, this place is more of a vibe than an eatery. Yes, you can buy breakfast foods, but it’s not a diner, and the menu is pretty limited. Still, you come to the Windmill to catch up on the town gossip or to see some old friends — not to get stuffed to the gills.

This place focuses on locally sourced ingredients and vegetarian-friendly options. Some highlights include tofu tacos, a ‘tofurrito’, and a tofu scramble. You can also get vegan bacon if you love the taste but want to avoid the calories, as well as gluten-free options. Once lunchtime arrives, the Windmill becomes an Asian restaurant with noodle dishes and stir fry.

11. Zachary’s Restaurant

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Brunch has become much more popular in recent years as younger generations love the idea of eating breakfast foods with friends in the late morning and early afternoon. Zachary’s is an excellent brunch spot, but be sure to come hungry as the portions are generous.

Some highlights from the menu include the “Mike’s Mess” (with eggs, bacon, mushrooms, and home fries mixed together), the corned beef hash and eggs, or the pesto scramble if you’re feeling fancy. Zachary’s also has avocado frittata and tofu scrambles for those who prefer a healthy brunch menu.

12. The Crow’s Nest

Perched in a prime location by the harbor, this iconic Santa Cruz spot has been feeding loyal patrons for over 50 years. The breakfast menu features all the classics including an egg-heavy section named “Omelettes and Scrambles,” plus specialties such as Mexican chilaquiles and a hearty crabcake Benedicts.

If all that wasn’t enough, the panoramic views of the lighthouse, wharf, and harbor are worth a visit alone!

Get Your Day Started Right at These Santa Cruz Breakfast Spots

Book your stay in Santa Cruz to Happy Harbor

Santa Cruz is one of the best places for breakfast lovers on the California map. Whether you’re looking for light bites or hearty fare to get your morning started right, you’ll have no trouble finding it here.

Don’t forget to book your Santa Cruz vacation rental so you can get your breakfast to go and enjoy it in the comfort of your condo or beach house.