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

HeatherHeather: Most amazing latte ever! Great staff, super nice, friendly, and helpful! :) a must when visiting Santa Cruz

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 Drinks 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.

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

3. 11th Hour Coffee

8.7
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!

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

4. Verve Coffee Roasters

9.5
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.

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

6. Companion Bakeshop

8.8
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.

Athonia C.Athonia Cappelli: Try the gnarled up "Epi" everything bread sticks. Best baguette anywhere? Me say yes. Chocolate sourdough and the banana walnut breads both come highly recommended

The Abbey Coffee, Art & Music Lounge is one of The 15 Best Places for Espresso Drinks 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

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!

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?

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

8. Cafe Iveta

8.2
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.

Mel B.Mel Baltazar: The mint + lime spritzer is a -GREAT- refreshing drink on a hot summer day. Highly recommended.

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

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

9. Lulus Midtown

8.1
911 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
Coffee Shop · Eastside · 9 tips and reviews

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

Alan H.Alan Hawrylyshen: Get a frequent customer card. Free beverage every 10.

Tobias S.Tobias Schmidt: Surprisingly decent drip coffee.

Peet's Coffee & Tea is one of The 15 Best Places for Espresso Drinks in Santa Cruz.

10. Peet's Coffee & Tea

7.1
1409 Pacific Avenue,, Santa Cruz, CA
Coffee Shop · Downtown Santa Cruz · 6 tips and reviews

Barbara M.Barbara Matthews: Their Havana cappuccino is a less sweet, nicely cinnamon alternative to Starbucks holiday spice latte

Debra W.Debra Wareness: The Havana Cappuccino is fantastic. Can't find it at ANY other coffee shop!

Brian F.Brian Ferrin: Iced tea. Peets should wise up and drop everything else from the menu, especially the coffee.

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

11. Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting Company

7.2
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). ☕️🍫

Jiunwei C.Jiunwei Chen: Try some of their fantastic coffee at the Brew Bar! Best for those who like their coffee black!

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

New Leaf Community Market is one of The 15 Best Places for Espresso Drinks in Santa Cruz.

12. New Leaf Community Market

8.6
1134 Pacific Ave (at Soquel Ave.), Santa Cruz, CA
Grocery Store · Downtown Santa Cruz · 9 tips and reviews

Day Lynn B.Day Lynn Bernstein-Freeman: Gotta try their chai (can get a cup of it at the juice bar) at least once. Super spicy-dont forget to add milk-and not for the faint at heart, but extremely good. How chai SHOULD be!

Stephen G.Stephen Greenwood: Get the raw basil tomato salad dressing. Mmmmm

Morgan C.Morgan C.: Wonderful place; cool staff.

Vino Locale is one of The 15 Best Places for Espresso Drinks in Santa Cruz.

13. Vino Locale

8.3
55 Municipal Wharf Ste B, Santa Cruz, CA
Wine Bar · 5 tips and reviews

Scott C.Scott Camp IV: Best bar in the world!

Athonia C.Athonia Cappelli: Join the xfinity wifi here using certificate from wifi.xfinity.com

Jodi M.Jodi Massey: Great service! Fabulous selection!

New Leaf Community Market is one of The 15 Best Places for Espresso Drinks in Santa Cruz.

14. New Leaf Community Market

8.7
1101 Fair Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
Grocery Store · Westside · 19 tips and reviews

Roxy L.Roxy Lo: The green gardens juice drink is delicious and probably counts as your daily intake of veggies!

Athonia C.Athonia Cappelli: Order your custom fresh squeezed juice like this: carrot, beet, extra ginger. The drink is ½ ginger! Wha-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow💥‼️

Sokenbicha TeaSokenbicha Tea: New Leaf Market has a list of gluten-free items to help you maintain your sustainable lifestyle and shop comfortably.

Laili Restaurant is one of The 15 Best Places for Espresso Drinks in Santa Cruz.

15. Laili Restaurant

8.7
101 Cooper St #B (btw Front and Pacific), Santa Cruz, CA
Mediterranean Restaurant · Downtown Santa Cruz · 44 tips and reviews

Sarah R.Sarah R: Get the roasted cauliflower or the trout. Good wine list. Excellent for allergies....they have a menu in the back with every single ingredient listed. Ask for it if you have allergies.

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.