7 minute read
» FARMERS MARKETS
by Weeklys
«Cat & Cloud’s roasting philosophy strays from the brighter, more acidic lighter roasts that tend to be favored by the specialty coffee industry to darker roasts, which they view as more approachable for the average coffee drinker.
Coffeetopia
1723 Mission St, Santa Cruz, 831.425.6583; 3701 Portola Drive, Santa Cruz, 831.477.1940; 1443 Capitola Rd, Santa Cruz, 831.476.5488, coffeetopia.com Counter service where the baristas really care about the basics: making you the coffee drink you want. Espresso is the focal point of its many drinks.
Java Junction
519 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz, 831.423.5282; 580 S. River St, Santa Cruz, 831.426.2128, javajunctioncoffee.com Roasting the highest quality organic and fair trade coffee and espresso beans, Java Junction is the perfect pick-me-up for your morning commute, or a place to sit and chat with friends.
Mr. Toots
231 Esplanade, Capitola, 831.475.3679
The locals’ favorite in Capitola Village offers stellar coffee drinks, a soothing seaside view and the increasingly rare coffee house staple: acoustic music.
Hidden Peak Teahouse
1541-C Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, 831.423.4200, hiddenpeakteahouse.com A downtown retreat, this serene teahouse offers the finest in organic teas, gung fu tea service and terrific gifts—all made with precise, patient skill.
Lulu Carpenter’s
1545 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, 831.429.9804; 911 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, 475.3679, lulucarpenters.com A Santa Cruz tradition with classic coffeehouse ambience, Lulu’s is comfortable and well-run. A full kitchen at the downtown location and relationships with coffee growers keep the quality of products high.
Surf City Coffee
6006 La Madrona Drive, Scotts Valley, 831.430.9112, surfcitycoffee.com Surf City knows what is needed in a good coffeehouse. Two things: coffee done right and ambience done right.
Verve Coffee Roasters
1540 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, 831.600.7784; 816 41st Ave, Santa Cruz, 831.475.7776; 104 Bronson St. #19, Santa Cruz, 831.471.8469,1010 Fair Ave, Santa Cruz, 831.431.6547, vervecoffee.com On the cutting edge of coffee culture—sourcing, roasting and brewing—Verve coffee houses are modern, light-filled meccas that maintain the highest standards.
PUBS
East End Gastropub
1501 41st Ave, Capitola, 831.475.8010, eastendpub.com Craft beer, wine, wood-fired pizza and a seasonal menu of small plates and entrées make this East Side sibling of West End Tap & Kitchen a refined neighborhood standby.
Parish Publick House
841 Almar Ave, Santa Cruz, 831.421.0507, 8017 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 831.708.2036, theparishpublick.com What’s not to like about The Parish? It’s a lively neighborhood bar with rotating taps, delicious pub fare and full-on atmosphere. The Aptos location has patio seating.
Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing
402 Ingalls St, #27, Santa Cruz, 831.425.4900, scmbrew.com This taproom and beer garden features handcrafted, organic microbrews.
Seabright Social
519 Seabright Ave. #107, Santa Cruz, 831.426.2739, seabrightsocial.com With home-brewed beers and a diverse selection of pub food, the Seabright community has found a gathering place in this neighborhood hangout. »
FARMERS MARKETS
Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College
Open year-round, rain or shine, from 8am-noon on Saturdays. 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos, montereybayfarmers.org
Downtown Santa Cruz Farmers Market
Fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts, seafood, honey, flowers, and chocolate are all available. Open 1-6pm on Wednesdays at Lincoln and Cedar streets in Santa Cruz. Visit facebook.com/santacruzfarmersmarket and santacruzfarmersmarket.org.
Felton Farmers Market
Open 1-6pm on Tuesdays. Fresh fruit, vegetables and food. 120 Russell Ave, Felton. Visit facebook.com/santacruzfarmersmarket and santacruzfarmersmarket.org.
Live Oak Farmers Market
Open 9am-1pm on Sundays. Local organic fruit, vegetables, flowers, and prepared food. East Cliff Shopping Center at 15th Avenue and East Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz. Visit facebook.com/santacruzfarmersmarket and santacruzfarmersmarket.org.
Westside Farmers Market
Open 9am-1pm on Saturdays, year-round, rain or shine. Fresh fruit and vegetables, flowers and locally prepared foods. Western Drive and Mission Street Extension in Santa Cruz. Visit facebook.com/ santacruzfarmersmarket and santacruzfarmersmarket.org.
Scotts Valley Farmers Market
Open 9am-1pm on Saturdays, year-round. Fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers. Scotts Valley Square off Mount Hermon Road. Visit facebook. com/santacruzfarmersmarket and santacruzfarmersmarket.org.
UCSC Farm and Garden
Fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers. 1156 High St, Santa Cruz, 831.459.3240. casfs.ucsc.edu
Twigs Taphouse
110 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz, 831.915.8715
New taphouse at the former location of 99 Bottles.
SEAFOOD
Cafe Rio
131 Esplanade, Aptos, 831.688.8917, caferioaptos.com Cafe Rio features a variety of seafood and steak for a delicious and picturesque beachfront dining experience at Rio Del Mar. Friendly service and delectable desserts are hallmarks. The sailors know best. This is one of the region’s premier seafood restaurants, located at the Harbor. The fresh fish selections are posted on a large board, and if fish isn’t your thing, the French Dip sandwich or anything else on the menu is a safe bet.
Stagnaro Bros.
59 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, 831.423.2180, stagnarobros.com There isn’t a bad dish in the house coming out of this expert kitchen, and the upstairs bar has some of the best views on the wharf. A feel-good eatery with a large selection of fresh seafood, steaks and pasta.
Dolphin Restaurant
71A Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, 831.426.5830
The end of the wharf is an attractive location for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A rustic, beachy environment to enjoy with the family, with beautiful views of Monterey Bay.
Firefish Grill
25 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, 831.423.5300, firefishgrill.net Firefish Grill is downright memorable. It specializes in fresh, traditional seafood, steaks and homemade pasta dishes served California-cuisine style at very reasonable prices. Ocean views from every seat.
Gilda’s
37 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, 831.423.2010, gildas-restaurant.com An old-timey Wharf tradition, the large menu will please everyone in the family. The prices for daily specials are unbeatable. Did we mention the ocean views?
Jack O’Neill Restaurant
175 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, 831460-5012, jackoneillrestaurant.com Featuring a menu of modern coastal cuisine with a warm, vintage atmosphere that celebrates the spirit of its namesake, this Dream Innadjacent restaurant is also known for its stunning views.
Johnny’s Harborside
ECLECTIC
Brown Ranch Marketplace
3555 Clares St, Capitola, 831.464.3555
From Cajun to Mexican to Chinese, Japanese and Trader Joe’s, you won’t go hungry while shopping at this family-owned center.
Charlie Hong Kong
1141 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, 831.426.5664, charliehongkong.com Continually voted Best Meal For A Deal in GT’s annual readers’ poll, this counter-service eatery wins points for its “organic Asian street food.” Scrumptious organic veggies and savory meats, plus noodle and rice bowls that are vegan-based.
Chocolate
1522 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, 831.427.9900, chocolatesantacruz.com A unique downtown eatery and a farm-to-table kitchen that serves fresh salads, fine sandwiches, eclectic entrées, and of course, chocolate desserts. Chocolate-based chicken mole is the house specialty.
Deke’s Market
334 7th Ave, Santa Cruz, 831.476.5897, dekesmarket.com Classic market with goods for any occasion and a delightful deli serving juicy chicken and tri-tip fresh every day. Sandwiches are among the best around. They’ll even toast the bread.
Melinda’s Gluten Free Bakery
1420 41st Ave, Capitola, 831.316.5081, melindasbakery.com Everything is made in house at this gluten-free and peanut-free bakery. Take out or take a table at this small treasure. Savory and sweet treats.
Roux Dat
118 Cooper St, Unit B, Santa Cruz, 831.888.6500, rouxdatcajuncreole.com Family-run Roux Dat serves classic Cajun Creole with a selection of bold flavors and N’awlins favorites. The hot sauce selection will appeal to any palate’s tolerance for heat and adventure.
Surf City Sandwich
4101 Soquel Drive, Soquel, 831.346.6952, surfcitysandwich.com This modern sandwich spot serves creative comfort food with ingredients such as ginger ahi filet, smoked pork shoulder and grass-fed rare roast beef. Salads, beer and more.
Sushi Market Sprouts
300 7th Ave, Santa Cruz, 831.465.1177 Great Japanese food to go—from sushi to daifuku. Pre-order if you want something particular. The Japanese gifts are an enjoyable part of the attraction.
ETHNIC
Ambrosia India Bistro
207 Sea Ridge Rd, Aptos, 831.685.0610; 6006-D La Madrona Drive, Scotts Valley, 831.713.5594, ambrosiaib.com There are two Santa Cruz County locations at which to enjoy the skillfully created Indian artisan dishes prepared with fresh ingredients and exotic spices.
Cafe Brasil
1410 Mission St, Santa Cruz, 831.429.1855, cafebrasil.us The line for Cafe Brasil’s tasty brunch goes all over the lawn on Sunday mornings, and it’s no wonder why. The high-protein dishes, loaded with fruits and vegetables, are a great way to start the day—no matter what you did Saturday night.
Copal
1203 Mission St, Santa Cruz, 831.201.4418, copalrestaurant.com Copal offers authentic Oaxacan food, drink, and culture.
Oyunaa’s Mongolian Cuisine
1209 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, 831.469.9900, oyunaas.com Oyunaa serves up traditional fare from her native Mongolia, including steamed or fried dumplings, hearty soups and Eurasian salads. Everything is prepared fresh and is handmade daily.
Pearl of the Ocean
736 Water St, Santa Cruz, 831.457.2350
Owner Ayoma Wilen takes her food so seriously she gets spiritual about it. Wilen buys produce from farmers markets and serves Sri Lankan family recipes in one of the happiest restaurants anywhere.
Royal Taj India Cuisine
270 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, 831.427.2400, royaltajsc.com Fresh traditional Indian cuisine at affordable prices. Open for lunch and dinner. Try the lunch buffet.
Samba Rock Acai Café
291 Water St, Santa Cruz, 831.458.2224, facebook.com/ SambaRockAcaiCafe For a chill spot to refresh and relax, cruise to Samba Rock—bicycle parking is free indoors. All menu items are original recipes of the owner at this casual, counter-service café.
Veg on the Edge
726 Front St, Santa Cruz, 831.423.3000, vegontheedge.com This popular restaurant serves up vegan West African-influenced dishes and American staples.
