The Lower Westside of Santa Cruz has a wealth of experiences to offer: multiple top notch coffee shops, breweries, wineries, restaurants, and more.
Here are some of our favorites – scroll down to the end to see them mapped out.
Coffee Shops & Bakeries
The Verve
1010 Fair Ave.
The most well known Santa Cruz coffee roaster. Now with locations in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Palo Alto, and even Japan. The coffee runs on the light roast side, where the flavors of the bean varietals are prominent. Also serves some pastries. Trendy, hip interior.
11th Hour Coffee
402 Ingalls St.
Another well known roaster in town, you’ll find more crowd pleaser coffees here, along with great pastries and some light food fare. Great outdoor seating in the Swift Street Courtyard. Currently Saket’s favorite.
Cat & the Cloud
719 Swift St.
Across the street from the Swift Street Courtyard, this is another hip coffee shop with lighter roast coffee, but also a more extensive food/brunch menu. Good interior and exterior seating. This roaster has locations in Downtown Santa Cruz and the East side.
Lulu Carpenter’s on Mission
1723 Mission St.
The only place on the Westside where you can get a decent bagel in the morning. Some lighter food fare like breakfast sandwiches, toasts, burritos, and pastries are offered here as well. This is Saket’s go-to stop when he just wants a coffee & a bagel without feeling like he’s in an chic Instagram ad.
Companion Bake Shop
2341 Mission St.
A Santa Cruz institution – one of the best bakeries in town. Bread forward with a small variety of pastries. Heads up – you won’t find danishes or bearclaws here. Think galettes, almond croissants, savory pinwheels, kougin amann, etc. They have started a more expanded lunch menu here, and a retail area with charcuterie and cheeses. Great place to stop & fill a picnic basket on the way to the beach.
Manresa Bread
330 Ingalls St.
Manresa Bread has strong pedigree – this is a spinout of the in-house baker at Manresa, a three star Michelin restaurant by Chef David Kinch in Los Gatos (now closed). This cozy bakery outpost opened recently here on the Westside. Bread forward with a small but excellent curation of pastries.
Restaurants
Vim Dining & Desserts
2238 Mission St.
Chrissy’s favorite place for a nice dinner on the Westside. Typically great menu construction, rotates seasonally. Dessert program is among best in the city. A few outdoor tables in addition to a casual interior, or sit at the bar and do cocktails & desserts.
Bantam
1010 Fair Ave.
A longtime Westside institution – wood fired pizzas, well curated menu with Italian and California essentials. Excellent food, great evening vibes. Great date night spot.
Steamer Lane Supply
644-670 W Cliff Dr.
Location, location location: the only eatery within sight of the Lighthouse at the world famous Steamer Lane and Cowell’s Beach. Great light lunch fare or afternoon cafe; plus some pastries, coffee, and drinks. Outdoor seating only at some picnic tables or walk across West Cliff to see the surfers. Nice outing for kids.
Venus Spirits & Dining
200 High Rd.
Chrissy’s goto spot for her Mom’s Brunch or Dinner – this restaurant has upscale comfort food, great share plates, and cocktails built upon the on-site distillery (specializes in gin and whiskey). Nice, relaxed vibes – spacious inside seating and some patio spots too.
Namaste Indian Cuisine
1501 Mission St.
One of the only quality Indian places in town – the food here is legit. It’s a more traditional white tablecloth type Indian place, and is on the more expensive side, but if you’re craving Indian it won’t disappoint. Recently opened.
At Thai Recipe
2106A Mission St.
A reliable, usually solid, no frills Thai restaurant that we often do carryout from. Excellent curries and noodle dishes (but surprisingly skip the Pad Thai).
Cafe Brasil
1410 Mission St.
There is always a big line out the door here on weekends – Cafe Brasil serves up authentic Brazilian fare with spectacular fruit laden acai bowls. Great brunch / lunch spot.
Drinks
Humble Sea Brewing Company
820 Swift St.
Arguably Santa Cruz’s most famous brewery now – exploded in popularity during the pandemic. Famous for their “foggy” (aka, hazy) IPAs the brewmasters here keep barrels small so are frequently trying to new styles and experiments. They are beginning to get nationwide attention – has also opened up locations in Pacifica, Alameda, San Francisco, and have a pop up on the Santa Cruz Wharf too. Large amount of outdoor seating and usually a food struck or two.
The Apero Club
402 Ingalls St. Unit #29
Bohemian vibes, cozy atmosphere, this chic hangout specializes in natural wines.
Venus Spirits
200 High Rd.
As mentioned earlier, great cocktail program and spirit tastings. Specializing in gin, whiskey, aquavit.
Copal
1203 Mission St.
If you like mezcal and tequila, then check out this Oaxacan place for a huge array of options plus great moles and Oaxacan cuisine.
Markets
Westside Farmer’s Market
2738 Mission St.
Every Saturday from 9am to 1pm, a large farmer’s market takes place on the Westside. In addition to fruit and vegetable stalls, you’ll find fresh fish catch, meat & game, some food stalls, flower bar, coffee, an incredible French bakery with a cornucopia of savory and sweet offerings, and live music. It’s a tradition for me to take my kids here each Saturday, where they enjoy a fresh pupusa and agua fresca.
New Leaf Community Markets
1101 Fair Ave.
Closest thing the Westside has to a Whole Foods. It’s not a large grocery store, but has high quality offerings. Juice & Smoothie bar, Coffee bar, Salad Bar, and Cold/Hot food bar as well. Extensive selection of single-up beers and cheese.
Swift Street Courtyard
402 Ingalls St.
One of the stars of the Westside – this is a great place to meander through and explore. All within about a 1 minute walk you will find:
- 2 great coffee shops
- 2 breweries
- 7 wine tasting rooms
- Butchershop
- Bakery
- Izakaya-style Japanese gastropub
- Candy store featuring local treats
- Food truck or two
- Stylish retail for gifts, surf shop
El Salchichero
402 Ingalls St.
A friendly butcher shop located in the Swift Street Courtyard – a goto for harder to find meats (i.e., guanciale) or just super high quality homemade sausages.
Treats
Marianne’s Ice Cream Scoop Shop
1201 Fair Ave.
A Santa Cruz institution, Marianne’s ice cream opened a parlour to accompany it’s ice cream factory. Here you’ll find a huge variety of ice creams from Marianne’s, as well as the two other ice cream brands in the family, Polar Bear and Treat.