Lillian's Italian Kitchen is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Santa Cruz.

1. Lillian's Italian Kitchen

8.3
1116 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
Italian Restaurant · Eastside · 30 tips and reviews

Elisabeth S.Elisabeth Sporleder: Leave your cell # & browse Gateways; the wait tends to be shorter than estimated. Food is amazing and authentic.

Krista L.Krista Leitzke: The black truffle stuffed gnocchi with Gorgonzola sauce and filet mignon!! Also great fresh fettuccine

PaulinaPaulina: Get the black truffle gnocchi.

Verve Coffee Roasters is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Santa Cruz.

2. Verve Coffee Roasters

8.9
1010 Fair Ave (at Ingalls St), Santa Cruz, CA
Coffee Shop · Westside · 14 tips and reviews

Priyanka L.Priyanka L: Ahmazing coffee and people! Unique tea to try next time I come!

MegMeg: Nice indoor and outdoor spaces. Tasty cold brew

Wael H.Wael Hazzazi: Avocado toast with poached eggs 👌🏼

Verve Coffee Roasters is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Santa Cruz.

3. Verve Coffee Roasters

9.4
104 Bronson St #19 (at Hall St), Santa Cruz, CA
Coffee Shop · Eastside · 31 tips and reviews

Paul M.Paul Mederos: Cold brew is divine on a nice day. Lively, vivid, and smoothly balanced... props to the roaster!

Juan G.Juan Gomez: Order the one and one. One espresso and one macchiato on the same saucer

Elizabeth L.Elizabeth Larsen: This location is intimate but has great "at the source"feel.

Cafe Brasil is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Santa Cruz.

4. Cafe Brasil

9.0
1410 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA
Brazilian Restaurant · Westside · 64 tips and reviews

Richard R.Richard Revilla: Great choice for breakfast. Authentic Brasilian dishes and parking in the rear.

maggieanticsmaggieantics: Avocado a cavalo with TOFU! You get some melted cheese AND zucchini that is marinated in the same deliciousness as the tofu. Add an acai smoothie and you're in nutrients heaven.

ᴡ M.ᴡ Montero: This restaurant reminds me of the LEGO Movie, because everything is awesome.

Taqueria Los Pericos is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Santa Cruz.

5. Taqueria Los Pericos

8.7
139 Water St (at River St.), Santa Cruz, CA
Burrito Restaurant · Downtown Santa Cruz · 35 tips and reviews

Em L.Em Lazer-Walker: Legit SoCal-style Mexican food. Tacos, burritos, everything was great (they even have a California / asada french fry burrito!). Killer salsa bar too.

Q D.Q Dahling: Get the "Breakfast burrito" chorizo, beans, eggs and salsa---nothing better than that

Marvin H.Marvin Hodgson: Burritos and Carne Asada plate were wonderful. Best I've had in a long time! Great local spot!

Harbor Cafe is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Santa Cruz.

6. Harbor Cafe

9.1
535 7th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
Café · 41 tips and reviews

Damian B.Damian Bayona: If there's a line, sit at the outside bar area for immediate food and drink service. The breakfast croissant is a must try 👌🏻

Nick P.Nick Piper: Bottomless mimosas Friday

Sondra B.Sondra Baca: Everything here is deeelish!! The Avocado Bene, Veggie scramble and Mimosa Fridays is the best. Plus the staff is great!

The Penny Ice Creamery is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Santa Cruz.

7. The Penny Ice Creamery

8.9
913 Cedar St (at Locust St.), Santa Cruz, CA
Ice Cream Parlor · Downtown Santa Cruz · 75 tips and reviews

cnelson ︻.cnelson ︻╦╤─: The line moves fast and it's worth the wait.

mikeymikey: Tuesday and Thursdays between 4 and 6, get a second single scoop for one penny

Ian H.Ian Hsu: Toasted marshmallow fluff topping is epic.

Mission Street Barbecue is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Santa Cruz.

8. Mission Street Barbecue

8.6
1618 Mission St (btwn Olive & Bay St), Santa Cruz, CA
BBQ Joint · Westside · 28 tips and reviews

Jana T.Jana Taylor: Everything is great here! Portions are large and sauces are tasty. Live Blues music every evening.

Randy G.Randy G: They just opened and have a smaller menu with a variety of BBQ sandwiches, 1/4 chicken and St. Louis Ribs. The full menu is coming soon.

Nicholas J.Nicholas Javier: The ribs are hearty and meaty, and the sauce is more than just fire - it's well crafted and flavorful. Pricing is a bit much, but service is excellent and swift.

The Buttery is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Santa Cruz.

9. The Buttery

8.7
702 Soquel Ave (Branciforte Ave), Santa Cruz, CA
Bakery · Eastside · 47 tips and reviews

Lauren T.Lauren Tomlinson: The mocha is delicious! It tastes very real, like it's made with dark chocolate.

Sarah W.Sarah Williams: Eggs Benedict. All you need to know.

Brenna G.Brenna G: Wow. Four staff standing behind the counter, no one waiting, and you won't help me until I walk across the store, take a number from your machine, and walk back to the counter?

Laili Restaurant is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Santa Cruz.

10. Laili Restaurant

8.6
101 Cooper St #B (btw Front and Pacific), Santa Cruz, CA
Mediterranean Restaurant · Downtown Santa Cruz · 44 tips and reviews

Nico P.Nico Pitney: Grilled chicken flatbread is out of this world. Moroccan beet salad also great.

NmNm: Didn't like the chicken kabob .. Eggplant and parmesan on flatbread is recommended .. Great service .. Little pricey .. Crowded ..

NahidNahid: Get patio seating if available (gorgeous). Great food, prices in the $20-30 range for entrees.

Real Thai Kitchen is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Santa Cruz.

11. Real Thai Kitchen

8.2
1632 Seabright Ave (at Soquel Ave), Santa Cruz, CA
Thai Restaurant · Eastside · 12 tips and reviews

MatthiasMatthias: #thegreatamericantakeout : What I wasn‘t quite expecting was the heat... They are taking their spiciness serious! 🌶🔥👌🏼 WOW!! If you like it HOT, this is definitely a place to keep in mind! 👍🏼

Jeremy G.Jeremy Geiger: The name is accurate. This is one of the few Thai restaurants I the U.S. That my Thai wife will go to

Athonia C.Athonia Cappelli: Vegan options abound at the lunch buffet. Salad dressing has mayo but items like spicy tofu, green vegi curry & Tom Kha Tofu appear totally free of animal products. Spicy tofu is just that! Cha-chow!

The Abbey Coffee, Art & Music Lounge is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Santa Cruz.

12. The Abbey Coffee, Art & Music Lounge

9.2
350 Mission St (at Highland Ave), Santa Cruz, CA
Coffee Shop · Westside · 25 tips and reviews

Shaina P.Shaina Prasad: Love this locals spot! Baristas are great, local artwork even more amazing

Aleks K.Aleks Kozak: Sit down and enjoy the coziness. Read a book, even if it's your MacBook... or your neighbor's. :)

Vab MediaVab Media: Free wi-fi! Lots of room! Beautiful out and in! What's not to like?

El Palomar Restaurant is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Santa Cruz.

13. El Palomar Restaurant

7.7
1336 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
Mexican Restaurant · Downtown Santa Cruz · 58 tips and reviews

Matthew G.Matthew Gutierrez: Authentic Santa Cruz Hot Spot!

Cyndi S.Cyndi Smith: Being from Texas, I've been searching for a *LONG* time for decent Mexican food in California... These guys do a great job! And their margaritas are wonderful.

Mitchell S.Mitchell Slep: Daily happy hour 5 to 9 at the Taco Bar

Zoccoli's Deli is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Santa Cruz.

14. Zoccoli's Deli

8.2
1534 Pacific Ave (btwn Front & Cooper), Santa Cruz, CA
Deli · Downtown Santa Cruz · 38 tips and reviews

Erin S.Erin Sheehan: I really enjoyed the 'Santa Cruzer' vegetarian sandwich. It was excellent but I would definitely recommend asking (upon ordering) that avocado be added :)

Adam K.Adam Kalsey: Don't let the large crowd turn you off. They work quick here.

André E.André Elias: Every day I try a new sandwich and they're all so good! But the New Yorker is still my favorite. ;)

Marianne's Ice Cream is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Santa Cruz.

15. Marianne's Ice Cream

9.1
1020 Ocean St (Ocean St), Santa Cruz, CA
Ice Cream Parlor · Eastside · 82 tips and reviews

Krishna S.Krishna Shrinivas: Kahlua crunch is awesome. Junior double is huge!!! butter brickle is smooth. The ice creams are thick, not too sweet. The ones with nuts are nutty. Tip the servers. They are great.

Rob H.Rob Hapner: 10-20, yum

Miss Courtney G.Miss Courtney G: Don't forget to get a number