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

1. Verve Coffee Roasters

8.9
1540 Pacific Ave (at Front St), Santa Cruz, CA
Coffee Shop · Downtown Santa Cruz · 127 tips and reviews

Stephanie H.Stephanie Hartono: Top notch, just perfect espresso.

Yuriy L.Yuriy Lipatov: Perfect cup of cappuccino. You may also by beans, though the price starts from $14, which is a bit pricy in my opinion.

Allison Y.Allison Yu: Great iced lattes and they have Manresa (Michelin rated Los Gatos restaurant) pastries!

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

2. The Buttery

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

Nate C.Nate Calderon: The best in town! Carrot Cake, Devils Food Cake, Sandwiches, Salads, Mocha's & Croissants. The list goes on... Just an all around fantastic place to hang out at! The barista's know what they're doing!

LexLex: They make mochas with their own special chocolate; Highly recommended! Also, they have the best cheesecake around.

Greg W.Greg Woodhouse: I had a macaroon and mocha (they were delicious), but there is just so much to choose from here. Highly recommended.

Verve Coffee Roasters is one of The 15 Best Places for Espresso 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

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

Bosie M.Bosie Moncrieff: Really nice lattes.

Keri G.Keri Garel: Outstanding coffee. Try the whiskey syrup in your latte.

11th Hour Coffee is one of The 15 Best Places for Espresso in Santa Cruz.

4. 11th Hour Coffee

8.8
1001 Center St, Santa Cruz, CA
Coffee Shop · Downtown Santa Cruz · 6 tips and reviews

Andrew W.Andrew Ward: Love the capuchino here! Friendly, new cafe just off of downtown. Spacious inside, and nice outside seating area too

Tobias S.Tobias Schmidt: Decent espresso drinks, weak cold brew!

Shannon M.Shannon Madison: These guys are the best roasters in Santa Cruz and their latte art is on fleeke!

Lulu Carpenter's is one of The 15 Best Places for Espresso in Santa Cruz.

5. Lulu Carpenter's

7.7
1545 Pacific Ave (at Front St), Santa Cruz, CA
Coffee Shop · Downtown Santa Cruz · 37 tips and reviews

William M.William Morris: wonderful lattes...

CandiceCandice: Loved the atmosphere. Not a lot of options for food and my latte was just OK. Gluten free options available.

Samantha B.Samantha Braga: **There is WiFi** Great atmosphere, skilled and hospitable baristas, yummy food, GREAT COFFEE. If you're feeling experimental go ahead and try a pistachio latte. It won't disappoint.

Companion Bakeshop is one of The 15 Best Places for Espresso in Santa Cruz.

6. Companion Bakeshop

8.7
2341 Mission, Santa Cruz, CA
Bakery · Westside · 21 tips and reviews

Andrew W.Andrew Ward: Blue Bottle coffee and great baked goods as well as artisan breads baked on premises. I had a cappuccino and salted fudge cookie (they were out of coconut macaroons, alas)

MatthiasMatthias: Finding bread like this in the states makes my German, bread-loving heart jump in circles! 🤤👌🏼 What a great start into a Sunday with a walnut loaf and a latte to go from Companion.

Hatice U.Hatice U.: Gibraltar coffee and blueberry lemon pie are great together; I can die for them!!

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

7. The Abbey Coffee, Art & Music Lounge

9.1
350 Mission St (at Highland Ave), Santa Cruz, CA
Coffee Shop · Westside · 25 tips and reviews

Marc A.Marc Alexander: Dancing Goat: Coffee with 2 shots of espresso!

Andrew W.Andrew Ward: I usually order a cappuccino or Gibraltar. Love the comfortable, shaggy-chic decor. Check out the courtyard for an ultra peaceful experience. If they served Champagne I might never leave!

Stephen G.Stephen Greenwood: Get a Costa Rican French press.. only 2.50 for a great cup of coffee

Marini’s at the Wharf is one of The 15 Best Places for Espresso in Santa Cruz.

8. Marini’s at the Wharf

8.4
55 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA
Dessert Shop · 2 tips and reviews

Mr. Tambourine ManMr. Tambourine Man: great espresso!!

Faryn S.Faryn Schneider: Great strawberry smoothies

Cafe Limelight is one of The 15 Best Places for Espresso in Santa Cruz.

9. Cafe Limelight

8.3
1016 Cedar St, Santa Cruz, CA
Sandwich Spot · Downtown Santa Cruz · 9 tips and reviews

Giuseppe T.Giuseppe Taibi: Everything is really good here, including espresso coffee :)

Marina O.Marina Orton: Amazing paninis, but also hummus and iced tea!

Cosmo S.Cosmo Shepherd: Literally everything is good here. The tomato basil soup is bomb.

The Picnic Basket is one of The 15 Best Places for Espresso in Santa Cruz.

10. The Picnic Basket

7.9
125 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA
Restaurant · 48 tips and reviews

Dru B.Dru Bramlett: Affogato was amazing here!

Alicia T.Alicia Tan: Banh mi & affogato. Delish

Jackie R.Jackie Rubinstein: Organic and tasty sandwiches! Try the chicken sandwich

Lulus Midtown is one of The 15 Best Places for Espresso in Santa Cruz.

11. Lulus Midtown

7.9
911 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
Coffee Shop · Eastside · 9 tips and reviews

Sean D.Sean Deehan: Way better iced lattes than starbys

Barbara M.Barbara Matthews: Such a dog-friendly establishment! They have complimentary treats for your pooch, so be sure to share the love as you pick up your coffee drink!

Tobias S.Tobias Schmidt: Surprisingly decent drip coffee.

Cafe Iveta is one of The 15 Best Places for Espresso in Santa Cruz.

12. Cafe Iveta

8.1
2125 Delaware Ave (at Swift St.), Santa Cruz, CA
Café · Westside · 26 tips and reviews

Josef C.Josef Chrpa: Fabulous cappuccino and cosy ambience! Try breakfast burrito.

Barbara M.Barbara Matthews: The gluten-free scones are quite light & tasty. They also carry all their scone and biscuit mixes on-site. Perfect for the day after Thanksgiving!

Neha W.Neha W: They have clotted cream to take your scone enjoyment to the next level.

Abbott Square Market is one of The 15 Best Places for Espresso in Santa Cruz.

13. Abbott Square Market

7.6
725 Front St, Santa Cruz, CA
Food Court · Downtown Santa Cruz · 1 tip

Nim G.Nim Gat: Pizza, espresso, wine, vegetarian

Mission Hill Creamery is one of The 15 Best Places for Espresso in Santa Cruz.

14. Mission Hill Creamery

8.0
1101 Pacific Ave (Cathcart), Santa Cruz, CA
Ice Cream Parlor · Downtown Santa Cruz · 26 tips and reviews

Stephanie W.Stephanie Wu: Affogato is delicious!

David K.David Kumec: Pebble beach food and wine. Mini sugar cone with buttermilk roasted strawberry ice cream.

Spencer S.Spencer Schoeben: quite good ice cream. fun vibe too. love the salted caramel.

Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting Company is one of The 15 Best Places for Espresso in Santa Cruz.

15. Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting Company

7.3
1330 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
Coffee Shop · Downtown Santa Cruz · 25 tips and reviews

Athonia C.Athonia Cappelli: Could brewed Coffee w/chocolate & almond milk. This is their WMD (weapon of mocha destruction). ☕️🍫

Mark S.Mark Sturn: Excellent Caramel Frappe - great flavor without being overly sweet.

Misha B.Misha Birman: Bathroom code 1812