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

1. The Abbey Coffee, Art & Music Lounge

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

Marissa C.Marissa C: Great place for working .. lots of space and very chill

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. :)

Akira is one of The 15 Best Casual Places in Santa Cruz.

2. Akira

8.1
1222 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, Santa Cruz, CA
Sushi Restaurant · Eastside · 25 tips and reviews

Hexxy S.Hexxy Spex: The sparkling sake is the best cold sake I've ever had. A little fruity and reasonable during their happy hours. Go during happy hour. Cheap small plates, chill vibe, delicious and funky sushi.

Jen K.Jen K: The Shrine veggie roll - yum!

Jacob C.Jacob Carlson: Squid salad is delicious and a steal for $5.

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

3. Verve Coffee Roasters

9.1
1540 Pacific Ave (at Front St), Santa Cruz, CA
Coffee Shop · Downtown Santa Cruz · 127 tips and reviews

Allen R.Allen Romero: Come for the dope coffee beans. Stay for the chill vibe. You'll love Verve!

cami j.cami j.: bright, sunny, gorgeous shop, knowledgeable, helpful baristas, delicious coffee.

Chris H.Chris Heilmann: WiFi password is streetlevel. don't be a dick though and buy their stuff first. excellent coffee.

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

4. 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 👌🏼

Zachary's Restaurant is one of The 15 Best Casual Places in Santa Cruz.

5. Zachary's Restaurant

8.3
819 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
Breakfast Spot · Downtown Santa Cruz · 60 tips and reviews

JamesJames: Relaxed atmosphere and some great breakfasts.

Stephen P.Stephen Peaslee: Try the brunch specials. You won't be disappointed. Delicious and huge portions. I really like the ambiance here

Rosi M.Rosi Miramontes: Potatoes excellent! Grilled cheese awesome! Sourdough pancakes delish! Great place good service :)

515 Kitchen & Cocktails is one of The 15 Best Casual Places in Santa Cruz.

6. 515 Kitchen & Cocktails

8.2
515 Cedar St, Santa Cruz, CA
Lounge · Downtown Santa Cruz · 56 tips and reviews

ThreedukesThreedukes: Delicious food. Excellent drinks. Chill vibe. Lousy service, but all goods make up for this one bad.

Leonardo D.Leonardo De La Rocha: Friendly, casual, full of Santa Cruz locals. Their Aviation gin cocktail impressed as did the fingerling potatoes, and the lamb kabobs. Opt for a stoop at the bar for lively banter with the waitstaff.

Michael D.Michael Dacquisto III: 55 cocktail is AMAZING. Best cucumber mojito I've ever had!

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

7. 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!

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

8. 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!

Charlie Hong Kong is one of The 15 Best Casual Places in Santa Cruz.

9. Charlie Hong Kong

8.5
1141 Soquel Ave (at Seabright Ave), Santa Cruz, CA
Noodle Restaurant · Eastside · 30 tips and reviews

Polina L.Polina L: Peanut sauce noodles with some tofu! Yum!

Chris R.Chris Record: Great spot for vegan food!

Samantha B.Samantha Braga: The hoisin pork... Oh my. SO GOOD

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

10. 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.

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

11. Cafe Brasil

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

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.

Rodolfo C.Rodolfo Castellanos: Can't go wrong with an Acai bowl and avocado a cavalo

Crow's Nest Restaurant is one of The 15 Best Casual Places in Santa Cruz.

12. Crow's Nest Restaurant

8.3
2218 E Cliff Dr (at 5th Ave), Santa Cruz, CA
American Restaurant · Eastside · 112 tips and reviews

Barry S.Barry Shaffer: Great location and relaxed atmosphere. Calamari and Smoked salmon apps are excellent but the Alderwood Smoked prime rib was absolutely amazing, honestly the best I've ever had.

Sandra C.Sandra Cifo: Fairly priced and great service and views. The food upstairs is just ok. Not bad. But the surroundings are nice to walk around, chill and breath in

Andrea N.Andrea Nelson: Great happy hour and an amazing view. We saw a whale while nibbling on crab martini. Kinda slow service but well worth the wait.

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

13. 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.

Seabright State Beach is one of The 15 Best Casual Places in Santa Cruz.

14. Seabright State Beach

9.3
Seabright Ave (East Cliff Dr), Santa Cruz, CA
Beach · Eastside · 32 tips and reviews

Amy L.Amy Leigh: Great beach to chill and relax

Taylor D.Taylor Danecoyote: Slacklines at the volleyball courts are perfect on a sunny afternoon

Jamie W.Jamie Williams: Easy to get to, always friendly people everywhere! Parking can be tricky but don't give up- good spots come often!

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

15. The Buttery

8.8
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?