Harbor Café image

Harbor Café

Restaurant Bar Breakfast restaurant Brunch restaurant

The nautical theme & relaxing outdoor patio continue the laid-back vibe at this American diner. People often mention Harbor, Cafe, breakfast, great, good, wait, Santa, Cruz, Great, experience,


Address

535 7th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Website

www.harborcafesantacruz.com

Contact

(831) 475-4948

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (1.1K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Thursday: 9 AM to 1:30 PM
  • Friday: 9 AM to 1:30 PM
  • Saturday: 9 AM to 2 PM
  • Sunday: 9 AM to 2 PM
  • Monday: 9 AM to 1:30 PM
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: Closed

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: Harbor (13) Cafe (11) breakfast (11) great (7) good (7) wait (6) Santa (6) Cruz (6) Great (6) experience (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 MJ Stearns - Your Local Real Estate E. 2 years ago on Google
    Harbor Cafe is a great brunch / lunch location. It’s a tiny little spot on 7th Ave near the Harbor. They don’t take reservations and are on a first come first serve basis. They are only open Thursday - Monday from 9-2pm but definitely worth the wait. They have great Bloody Mary’s with lots of goodies to snack on while you drink on a little skewer. The breakfast burrito is my go to if I am having breakfast or brunch. If I go later and end up having lunch, they usually have great specials, or I get the fish tacos. Also, I love that they serve Verve coffee, a delicious local coffee roaster. Get here early and be prepared to wait and enjoy!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Cris V. 2 years ago on Google
    One of the best option for breakfast, brunch and lunch around Santa Cruz. Great food, great serve and nice atmosphere. Plan ahead to go there and be ready for a little wait, even more during weekends but it worth the waiting. I went there sundar around 11:30 and I waited 10 min to get a table. I highly recommend a visit.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Eric M. 1 year ago on Google
    Tried Harbor Cafe in Santa Cruz. Looked promising. I got their meaty omelette with sausage and my wife got their chilaquiles. Overall, it was good. We were both filled with what we got. Highlight for me was their made from scratch biscuit! That was the best biscuit I’ve had! If only they made them a little bigger!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Donnie M. 10 months ago on Google
    Great find! Food is spot on. Simple, fresh and delicious. Dog friendly which is a big win!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Richard F. 2 years ago on Google
    You know it's a great place if there is a wait with free coffee refills. They also text you when the table is ready. The food was very tasty. Had their crown jewel dish Cali Croissant and open faced sando. They also had latkas fried in peanut oil as a special. Great experience!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 angelica r. 1 year ago on Google
    Great brunch/ breakfast place . They have good quality dripping coffee. Great service . Casual / country ambience , fair price and parking in lot. The food coming out of the kitchen was well prepared and presented . Iwe had the california croissant and the chorus waffles. Conveniently located near the shoreline . I enjoyed my visit and highly recommend this place.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Emily H. 1 year ago on Google
    Good vibes!! :) Excellent customer service! Food was delicious! I got the Carnitas Omelette! The apple juice was the best I ever had!! Yummy! 🤤 You gotta try it. So fresh! Thank you!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Maya Eden M. 2 years ago on Google
    Totally let down by my experience here. Went for a spontaneous breakfast out and eager for french toast I decided to go for it. But my French toast was basically toasted bread with syrup. Minimum egg dredge that seemed to only be on one side. My partners buiscut and gravy with a side order of sausage was decent. But his drink took nearly 45 minutes to get, despite others after him getting drinks from the same window. Our waitress came across pushy and rude as well. I totally understand it was decently busy there, I don't blame for that. But the pressure to "order quickly" almost as soon we were seated was rude. As well as wanting us to pay and leave quickly, despite giving others around us more hospitality. Wanted to like this place with so many other good review! But sadly our experience was not that.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Jose R. 2 years ago on Google
    We ate here for breakfast on a trip we made to Santa Cruz. Extremely popular (waited 20 minutes just to speak to someone). When we we're finally seated liked the decor food was good not great. Might pass on this place next time.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Preston H. 1 year ago on Google
    Harbor Cafe in Santa Cruz is a hidden gem that never fails to impress. This charming and inviting cafe offers a delightful dining experience that deserves high praise. As soon as you step inside Harbor Cafe, you're greeted with a warm and friendly atmosphere. The attentive staff goes above and beyond to ensure you feel welcomed and well taken care of throughout your visit. Now, let's talk about the food. The menu at Harbor Cafe is a true culinary delight. Whether you're stopping by for a scrumptious breakfast, a hearty lunch, or a satisfying dinner, each dish is carefully crafted and bursting with incredible flavors. The breakfast options are a standout, with fluffy pancakes, mouthwatering omelettes, and perfectly cooked eggs that leave you craving more. The lunch and dinner offerings are equally impressive, featuring a variety of fresh salads, flavorful sandwiches, and enticing entrees. Harbor Cafe prides itself on using high-quality ingredients, and you can truly taste the difference. Every bite is a testament to their commitment to excellence in the culinary arts. In addition to the exceptional food, Harbor Cafe offers a cozy and welcoming ambiance. Whether you choose to sit inside the cozy interior or enjoy your meal on the charming outdoor patio, you'll find yourself immersed in a delightful dining environment. The portion sizes at Harbor Cafe are generous, ensuring you leave feeling satisfied and content. And don't forget to save room for dessert! Their homemade treats are the perfect ending to a fantastic meal. Overall, Harbor Cafe is a culinary treasure in Santa Cruz. With its superb food, attentive service, and inviting atmosphere, it's a must-visit for food enthusiasts and those seeking a memorable dining experience. Whether you're a local or a traveler, make sure to add Harbor Cafe to your list of top-notch dining destinations. You'll be delighted by what this hidden gem has to offer.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Amy W. 11 months ago on Google
    I love Avocado Eggs Benedict, Hollandaise souce and Hass Brown is Awesome great taste nice taxture. Near opposite TWIN LAKES PARK and Pretty good Service from Staffs here. Will back here again. I waited for q about 15 minutes. Great restaurant for Breakfast Recommend,
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Daniella X. 9 months ago on Google
    We arrived Harbor Café at 12:00 pm and waited for around 35 mins. This is a highly-rated brunch spot! We ordered: ▫️ Cheese and bacon potato pancakes: The cheese was generously served! It was so satisfying, and the portion was quite large, so my friends and I shared it. ▫️ Chicken sausage omelette: This was good too! The sausage was fried to perfection, and it tasted amazing rolled up in the egg! The service is also very nice !
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kali L. 9 months ago on Google
    Wow what a spot. Best breakfast around. Fair prices for the huge portions you get. A little bit of a wait, but definitely worth it! Highly recommend going! We got burritos, the frittata, and Nutella French toast. All of it was amazing.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Livier C. 1 year ago on Google
    Very cute café! They have seasonal specials!! But if you want to sit outside bring your sunglasses and maybe a sweater! But the service and location is amazing. Parking a little tricky but overall, well.

  • 5/5 Sonia Sarangdhar L. 11 months ago on Google
    Food delicious and a couple unexpected items on there. Recommend the polenta benny and a table waffle. Good drink selection for both alc and NA! Plenty of outdoor seating and dogs allowed! No ressies though but you can take drinks over to the waiting area

  • 5/5 Kelly E. 6 months ago on Google
    We ended up here after a disaster of trying to find a breakfast spot this morning. First, the staff? OUT OF THIS WORLD. It was our sons’ 10th birthday and they brought him a churro waffle with a candle…we didn’t even order a waffle 🥹 they were so incredibly sweet to our 3 year old, food came out hot and quickly, drinks were made to perfection. I have no idea who got this group of people together, but we loved it here and our experience.

  • 5/5 Briana M. 7 months ago on Google
    We love the Harbor Cafe! We try to go there every time we end up in Santa Cruz. The eggs Benedict are my favorite. Atmosphere is beach’s vibes with lots of outside seating. Unless you get there really early, there is usually a little bit of a wait. But worth it!

  • 5/5 Gabriela Osuna L. 6 months ago on Google
    Very delicius food, I was so hungry, that I forgot to take pics of the breakfast, but the egg benedicts was so good, I mean, excelent, the frut perfect... Excelent attention.


Call (831) 475-4948 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Pets
    • ✓️ Dogs allowed
    • ✓️ Dogs allowed outside
  • Parking
    • ✓️ Free parking lot
    • ✓️ Free street parking
    • ✓️ Somewhat difficult to find a space
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Hard liquor
    • ✓️ Comfort food
    • ✓️ Healthy options
    • ✓️ Happy hour drinks
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Breakfast
    • ✓️ Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Brunch
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Breakfast
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Takeout
    • ✓️ Delivery
    • ✓️ Curbside pickup
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating

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