If there’s one thing that boosts my mood like nothing else, it’s going to a coffee shop. And if I add a pastry to that, it will make my day. I always tease my family that there is nothing a good coffee and pastry can’t heal. Going to a local coffee shop and drinking my favorite cup of joe is almost a ritual; it is the moment I let go of everything else in life and focus on the aroma, taste, and feel of where I am. It is my way of returning to being present and enjoying what’s happening around me.

My passion for coffee and pastries has taken me to almost all the coffee shops in Santa Cruz. I pride myself on knowing which places are new, which ones have seen better days, and which ones have the friendliest people to help you. I see my coffee shop adventures as treats or sometimes as excuses to get out of a funk. I will sometimes announce, “Ok, that’s it, I need my coffee/pastry fix.” And off I go, out to heal my soul.

Since I’m always visiting local coffee shops, I decided to write a list here that will evolve and change and is far from being set in stone—a place where I will share my pictures (yes, these are all pictures I took) and experiences in coffee shops around Santa Cruz. I should say Santa Cruz County since my adventures take me from Capitola to Felton, Scotts Valley to Aptos, and all over.

Disclaimer: I’m by no means a coffee connoisseur. I don’t like sweet drinks, so I stick to the basics—I just love a good ol’ latte (regular milk and all). If I’m feeling adventurous, I’ll go for a cappuccino. While I can’t give you in-depth coffee analysis, I’m here to share my love for these local spots.

The first post, part 1, will list coffee shops in Santa Cruz. Stay tuned for part two, where I will list my favorite spots in Soquel, Aptos, Watsonville, Scotts Valley, and Felton.

 

Companion Bakeshop

Iced latte and bacon egg galette at Companion Bakeshop

Pastries at Companion Bakeshop

 

Oh, Companion, you hold a special place in my heart. Your delicious pastries and sandwiches are to die for. I’m all about savory pastries, and sometimes it takes effort to find places that go beyond the usual croissants. So when Companion wowed me with their pinwheel and savory seasonal galettes, my heart skipped a beat. ❤️

 

Their coffee is excellent, too, making the perfect combo. They’ve been my number-one spot for a while now! And don’t miss out on their bread—it’s absolutely delicious. My family loves the “Light & Fluffy” and the “Picnic.” Do you Want to go beyond eating their goodies and make your own? Companion offers baking classes too.

 

Everyone at Companion is super friendly, and I’ve never had any issues or moods there. Rain or shine, these guys are ready to welcome you with a broad smile and make your day a tad happier with whatever you decide to get from them.

 

Cat & Cloud

Latte at Cat & Cloud Coffee in Santa Cruz

Latte and avocado toast at Cat & Cloud Coffee in Santa Cruz

 

I love Cat & Cloud and have been to all their locations. Their coffee is always excellent, and the staff is incredibly friendly. Their pastries, avocado toast, and seasonal toast are simply delicious. A special shout-out to their coconut cream iced tea—it’s superb.

 

They recently changed their supplier for pastries, and now Manresa Bread delivers yummy goods to their locations. I can’t remember the exact name of what I had – which is the perfect excuse to go back there – it was some sort of a spinach kale swirl. Well, ask for the spinach something round thingy, and they will probably know. You are welcome. 🙂

 

If you plan to sit down and work or people-watch, be aware that these guys are usually busy. So don’t fret if it takes a minute to find a spot; it will be worth it. 😊

 

Cooffeetopia

Oh, Coffeetopia. I’ve been coming here for years, and it’s one of my go-to spots. Their latte is perfect, and my obsession here is the tuna bagel. It’s a must-try!

Peculiar fact: sometimes, the outcome of your coffee will be glitchy if the staff is under pressure or under the spell of mean customers, so do yourself and everyone else a favor and be nice and don’t jinx these friendly people behind the counter.

Curious fact: there used to be a bank at the Portola location, so the vault is still there, and it looks pretty cool. So you know where to go whenever you feel like sipping coffee or working inside a vault.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zizzo’s Coffeehouse

Amy, Eli, and their staff make you feel right at home at Zizzo’s—they’re welcoming and super nice. The coffee here is on point, and they offer some tasty food options too. My favorites are the quiches (any of them!) and the brownies.

Zizzo’s has a sofa in the back and some cozy chairs, too, so grab your coffee, claim a comfy chair, and enjoy the nice ambiance. Their playlists are always great, which makes the mood even better.

You will find lots of locals here, including my fellow Jazzercise peps – I teach Jazzercise, and this is a spot we often gather after class. So shout out to Zizzo’s for not turning their nose (literally) on sweaty customers. 😊

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Verve

Latte and pastry at Verve Coffee Roasters in Santa Cruz

Latte at Verve Coffee Roasters in Santa Cruz

 

Verve is a Santa Cruz classic, and you’ll often see a line during prime time! From moms with their toddlers to surfers, grandparents to skateboarders, and everything in between, Verve is a place where all sorts of people come together. If you’re in a hurry, you can order ahead, but if you can, take your time and enjoy the atmosphere and great vibe (all their locations are great).

Their iced latte is my favorite—I don’t know what sorcery they use, but their iced latte game is fantastic. They also have delicious pastries, sandwiches, and avocado toast. A special mention to their iced Moroccan mint tea, which is super refreshing and tasty.

Verve has multiple locations, each with a relaxed and welcoming feel. If you are going to Verve to work, be aware that sometimes getting a table is challenging but not impossible. It is a mix of timing and luck, so stay strong.

 

11th Hour Coffee

Latte at 11th Hour Coffee

Latte and avocado toast at 11th Hour Coffee

 

11th Hour is another excellent option for all coffee lovers. Are you downtown for something? Great excuse to head to 11th Hour. They are usually busy, so be patient or order ahead. But again, ordering ahead defeats the purpose of engaging with people and taking in the great vibe of this place. Your day won’t derail completely if you take your time and enjoy the process. The staff is super friendly, and the coffee and food are worth the wait.

My go-to order here is a latte (hot or iced) with avocado toast or, if I’m really hungry, the brunch bowl. 11th Hour recently revamped their spot, and it looks fantastic. Here, it can also be challenging to get a table, but hey, I have a feeling that most great coffee shops are busy, right? So be patient or introduce yourself to someone and ask to share a table. 😉

 

Mariposa Coffee Bar

Mariposa stole my heart from the get-go. I followed them on Instagram while they were preparing to open, and the idea of Cuban and Vietnamese-inspired options got me super excited!

 

They have fantastic coffee, and their food is beyond tasty—it’s all vegetarian, too. I even gave up my usual latte to try their Vietnamese coffee, Café Muối (coffee with sea salt cheese foam), and it was mind-blowing. Their puffy pastries and Cubanos are also amazing.

 

You can see the owners’ creativity all around, from the decor to the menu and playlist. This place screams good vibes. There’s no Wi-Fi here, which I love. So forget technology, sit down, enjoy the atmosphere, read a book, or do nothing. Yes, you read that right, give yourself time to enjoy your coffee and nothing else. You can thank me later.

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Exploring the best coffee shops in Santa Cruz has been such a fun adventure for me. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, these spots are a must if you’re looking for great coffee and pastries. But my coffee journey doesn’t stop here! Stay tuned for my next list, where I’ll share some of my favorite hidden gems in Aptos, Watsonville, Scotts Valley, and more. There’s so much more to discover, and I can’t wait to take you along for the ride!