Generous portions, good coffee, and exceptional service -- exactly what you hope to find on vacation. We were hunting for a solid breakfast spot and honestly weren't sure from the outside. But the moment we walked in to a warm welcome and were seated right away, we knew we'd picked the right place. My grandson -- who can be a bit high‑energy -- was treated like a little gentleman. Seeing him enjoy himself let me actually relax and enjoy my own breakfast: a massive plate of French toast so good I couldn't even finish it. Linda's Sea Breeze Café is the kind of place that wins you over fast. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a great start to their day. read more

Linda's Seabreeze Cafe - Mickey Mouse pancakes - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Tried this place out for the first time since it had so many good reviews but in all honesty, I don't get the hype. We got there about 10 am and had a bit of a wait with people continuously arriving so it's clearly popular. You write your name down and request inside or out or first available. It was a bit chilly so we opted for inside. We were seated after about 20 minutes. It's pretty small inside so the addition of the picnic tables outside is a plus. We all ordered different items, sausage and eggs, bacon and eggs and blueberry pancakes. The egg breakfasts came with a side of either toast, a pumpkin muffin or a cinnamon roll. We ordered a muffin and a roll. The food arrived fairly quickly which was good because after a 2 hour drive we were ready to grub. The egg breakfasts were pretty average in taste and portion. The blueberry pancakes however were good a good size and came with 3. I did think the pumpkin muffin was fire and my bf said the cinnamon roll was excellent so maybe it's their baked goods that are part of what makes this place so popular? I didn't think the amount of food we got was that much of a value as it was a $60 breakfast. Other downsides for me was the parking situation which is common in SC. We found a spot about 2 blocks away. Also, the bathroom is outside and in dire need of a makeover. Lastly, they don't take cards. It's cash or check only. WTH? I haven't seen a restaurant take checks since I was a kid so that's been a minute, lol. Overall I can't really see myself returning other than to get the pumpkin muffin or cinnamon roll. Maybe I just need to try something different. read more

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Tl;dr ok for brunch. I came with my friends after fishing and it was decently busy on a Saturday morning. There is no parking lot so you have to find street parking nearby. We ended up ordering mostly from the specials menu and here are my thoughts: - chorizo scramble: chorizo was fine. Some of us liked the chorizo and others didn't lol. The scramble was pretty wet because of the spinach. - Mendocino scramble: lots and lots of basil in the scramble and it was quite tasty. The sundried tomatoes were a bit sweet and the portobello was cut to be nice and small bite sizes. It was lighter in flavor but I prefer that to being overly sweet - corned beef hash: was dry but tasty. The texture was very nice - eggs Benedict: "mid" lol. It was fine but there was nothing special about it. The English muffin was well toasted though - soup: today was clam chowder! Lots of clams and other ingredients but somehow did not taste the way we expected it to. On the starchier side too - cinnamon rolls: lots of hype and i think it's worth. The texture was kind of like a cuffing with lots of walnuts hiding inside. It can be a little bit dry but it comes with some butter too so that helps a lot I can imagine that the parking situation can get really annoying when it gets busier but it was fine for today. The service was great! A+ :) Would I come back? Yes. For the cinnamon roll. I dont actually like scrambled eggs so I would try something else next time read more

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Solid experience here! We came on a Sunday morning, and were worried about the wait. We wrote our names in the book, and ended up waiting ~20 minutes, which wasn't too bad. The service was great; everyone was very friendly and gave us great recommendations. The food itself was definitely quite solid, particularly the orange juice and the cinnamon roll. The huevos rancheros were delicious as well. I wasn't a huge fan of the eggs benedict, but the dish was by no means bad. Is it the best breakfast I've ever had? No, but it certainly was a solid experience as a whole. Overall would recommend! read more

Linda's Seabreeze Cafe - Eggs Benedict - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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A fantastic little breakfast spot with friendly staff, unique menu options and great gear! We bought a couple of their sweatshirts and they had beautiful colors. Try the artichoke omelette! read more

I had lunch at Linda's Sea Breeze Cafe today, and it's such a cute place with a classic American diner feel. Parking can be a little tricky when it's busy, but we luckily found a spot on a nearby street. We were seated right away, and our server was a very friendly lady who took great care of us. We ordered the cheeseburger and the calamari steak, both of which were pretty good! I also tried the cinnamon roll it was okay, though I think I would have preferred a bit more icing. It's nothing too fancy, just solid food in a nice atmosphere. Our total was about $60 including tip. I'd definitely go back to try more of the menu next time! BTW coffee is good. read more

Basic breakfast spot. Decent coffee and really good service. The breakfast itself was just OK. Nothing to write home about but nothing bad. Like any breakfast spot there's always a line. But they have a lot of tables outside and some inside. So the wait is kind of short. Also, parking is hard to come by. read more

Overall , fun place to stop for either breakfast or lunch , with seating both inside and out. The portions are good for you usually see these days and always fresh The staff is friendly and helpful with a surely Santa Cruz vibe. Parking is on the street and sometimes can be a change and note they only take cash or check , NO credit cards. Try it out and let us know what you think read more

A friend had an appointment in Santa Cruz and asked if I'd go with her. I agreed -- on the condition that we get breakfast afterward. After some Yelp searching, we landed on Linda's Seabreeze Café. It's definitely a hole-in-the-wall kind of place with very limited indoor seating. They do have outdoor seating, but it was too cold for that the day we went. I'd heard they're known for their cinnamon rolls, and while I wasn't impressed at first glance, one bite completely changed my mind -- they absolutely lived up to the hype. Delicious and hard to stop eating. We had to sign in, and even though it was very early with hardly anyone there, we were asked to wait outside in the cold for about 10 minutes, which felt a little unnecessary. The server who greeted us had a lot of personality and energy (he asked my name a few times even though it was written down and we were the only ones waiting). Once seated, we were placed at a small two-top right by the kitchen, which felt a bit awkward. That said, the food was good, and the place itself is small but cute with a very Santa Cruz vibe. Two things to note: they don't serve alcohol (which is really just a me problem, lol), and they're cash-only -- thankfully my friend always carries some. Overall, a solid breakfast stop, especially if you're there for the cinnamon rolls. read more

Linda's Seabreeze Cafe - Mushroom omelette - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Great homemade cinnamon rolls! Had the oatmeal with the works, fruit and the cinnamon roll. Did not leave hungry. Husband had the eggs, ham steak and fruit. Delicious! Place is adorable, staff are friendly and helpful. Stop by here every time we're in town. read more

Honestly don't even know where to start with this place cute spot inside Ana outdoor seating, and you can bring your fur babies. The food was delicious I cleaned my whole plate and the waffle was kind of flat but delicious . They seemed very busy but they all worked together as a team. They make fresh cinnamon rolls that just melt in your mouth and full of flavor. I will be back next time around for them fresh cinnamon rolls read more

Linda's Seabreeze Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Had breakfast with my son before leaving him in Santa Cruz to start life as a Slug! Pros- the staff were super friendly and helpful. The food was fresh and made pretty quickly. I loaded up on veggies and fruit cause I'm a mom and I know my son.... Will leave it at that! They were super accommodating on my modifications! Oh, portions are fairly large too. Cons- this place is popular! Depending on when you go, you could be waiting a long time to get seated. This place is cash only, so you'll want to be prepared! There is an ATM, but it's better to have cash before you go there. All in all, super happy with our meal and experience. I would honestly have been plenty stuffed had I just ordered their cinnamon muffin (OMG, soft and tasty!), a bowl of strawberries, and a glass of milk. The other options are very good though, so bring someone who likes to share! read more

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What a breath of fresh air ~ a breakfast/lunch spot close to the water and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. This is the kinda spot I feel locals and tourists know about ~ there is a walk-up/add-your-name-to-the-waitlist clipboard vibe..but in all honesty, they turn the tables over pretty fast. We arrived mid-morning and parked in a little lot kitty corner to the restaurant. We added our name to the list and they asked if a table is ready, if it mattered indoors/outdoors. After about 15 minutes or less, we had a table indoors by the window with a high chair. Wait times may vary, this was just our experience :) Wow, what a delicious menu. Homemade morning cinnamon rolls, blueberry muffins...yum yum yum! I was feeling more of a lunch moment and ordered a tuna melt with cup of clam chowder. Other orders included traditional breakfasts, kiddo pancakes, and my husband went with an artichoke omelet (the Castroville). I felt like since we were in Santa Cruz, artichokes and seafood had to be on the top of our lists. Linda's is the type of spot you just appreciate. The coffee mugs that get refilled, the kind waitstaff, the fun people watching, and honestly, really just excellent & comforting food. The tuna melt was one of the best I've had in quite sometime ~ with tomato and sweet pickles, chef's kiss. The table conversation was more quiet than usual, with the whole party truly enjoying the food, fun, homey atmosphere. I snagged a taste of the breakfast potatoes and pancake..fantastic. Fair pricing, close to downtown (the boardwalk), if you have a long wait walking distance to a coffee spot/other places..just know ya may have to wait. read more

Linda's Seabreeze Cafe - Tuna Melt with cup of clam chowder - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Huge portions, the food was very tasty. It was packed! Would definitely return. A bit pricey but you won't leave hungry. Its cash only, if I can recall correctly. read more

The service was quick, I did do a to go order because it was packed inside and out this spot is amazing for its cinnamon rolls. But I did order an orange juice to go and my cup was like 3/4 full so that was irritating. Make sure you bring cash or are willing to pay atm fees. Great cozy spot for breakfast brunch and lunch . Only open till 2 though read more

Linda's Seabreeze Cafe - Orange juice to go with - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Simple, quaint, stellar Santa Cruz establishment. For the breakfast lovers, this spot is for you. For the ones that prefer lunch instead, just come after 11am and you're good. MASSIVE portions, great food and flavor. Can't say enough good things. Get there early I f you want to make sure you can snag one of the many specials - they're fantastic, and popular! So they go quickly on a Saturday morning. Highly recommend the Combo Pancake platter (comes with two pancakes, bacon, and a plate of eggs), any of their omelettes, and the tuna melt is great. I got the side salad with the sandwich which was a meal in itself. Come hungry! Important notes - Cash only (they have an ATM), so don't come slinging a credit card or Apple Pay. They also don't take reservations, but the tables turnover quickly and they have both inside and outside seating (which is heated!). read more

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Food was great .... We ordered scrambled egg (very fluffy), cinnamon rolls (not too sweet!), coffee & french toasts (came in very thick 6 slices for one order). Bathroom was very clean & service was as good as the food. There was indoor service & patio dining available. Glad we came in at around 9 am. By the time we left past10 am, there was a long queue of people waiting to be seated. Cash or check is the only acceptable form of payment for the meal. I would have ordered more if they accepted credit cards. read more

Came here with my family during a trip to Santa Cruz looking for a cozy breakfast/brunch spot before exploring the beaches and parks. Thai place did not disappoint! They have a great menu with various options, great portions, the food is cooked well and tastes great. I ordered the "lil' smokies sausage scramble" and got the cinnamon roll as my side. Both were delicious definitely recommend the cinnamon roll with a nice cup of hot coffee! The restaurant is cozy, welcoming, and feels exactly like the kind of cafe you'd expect in Santa Cruz by the beach. They had outdoor seating as well but we sat inside. It was busy when we came but we got sat quickly. The staff were nice and attentive, added to the experience. The cafe has a sense of community where I'm sure they get a lot of regulars but are welcoming to visitors. Would come again if in the area! read more

Linda's Seabreeze Cafe - Lil smokies sausage scramble Cinnamon roll - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Nice service and ability to sit out or in, I sat outside it was a beautiful day so might as well. Huge portions, I had a blueberry special with a side of bacon and didn't finish it. Note they only accept cash, there's an ATM inside but come prepared. The outside sitting is basically a parking lot converted to a sitting area with picnic benches which is nice if you're into it read more

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This restaurant had a amazing hardy breakfast-the omelette was very fluffy with fresh ingredients. The potatoes were cooked perfectly. Thankfully there was no wait and the waitresses and waiters were all so friendly and helpful with the menu. You also got a tasty cinnamon roll bed with your meal as an option instead of toast, highly recommend the roll. Definitely a cute and tasty spot to add to your list read more

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This is usually our first stop in Santa Cruz before we hit the boardwalk. Their specials change but these are what we have tried so far: 1. Eggs benedict - 10/10 for the hollandaise sauce 2. Huevos Rancheros 3. Special Waffles with fresh fruits From their menu: 1. Tuna Melt 2. Mickey Mouse pancakes Staff are friendly, attentive and are just happy to be there. We love going here! For the most part they have ample parking, but also street parking is available. Restroom is clean and well-stocked. They only accept cash or checks but an ATM is available inside. There is always a wait when we go here but it's always worth it. Bask in the sun while waiting or eating al fresco! Can't wait to go back here! read more

Great food. Amazing service! I've lived and worked in the area for years and have never been here until now! Highly recommend!! Portions were huge. Only criticism would be the cash or check only policy...but obviously everything else outweighs this. We'll definitely be back, with cash in hand. read more

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Such a delightful place for brunch! Went here before going to the boardwalk and we only waited 10'mins for a party of 4. There's ample outdoor seating but we opted for indoor. Service was so friendly and quick. Our food was delicious and servings were generous. Can't complain about anything read more

Simple diner with many vegetarian options. My omelette and potatoes were well made, but at ~$20 an omelette, I expected either more on quality or quantity. Drip coffee that I ordered was decent. The service was nice. The diner felt comfortable. read more

Linda's Seabreeze Cafe - Florentine omelette - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Great Breakfast!!! Very reasonable prices. Love it!!! Support this local business!!!

Had a great breakfast here today. Was able to get seated right away. All servers were very friendly and helpful - made you feel welcome and well taken care of. It's a small place with seating for maybe 30 people indoors and several more outside. They had specials and we ordered the cornbeef hash - which was a sizable portion. We had the two eggs and ordered with fruit and added a cinnamon roll. The roll came out nice and hot - very good! And it's a good sharing size with a meal. They kept the coffee cups filled and had alternative milk- which I love. Parking is on the street and we didn't have a problem finding anything. Would 100% come back. read more

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Had a great time here, from food to service, everything was great. We ordered buttermilk waffle (side) with a salmon plate that had fresh caught salmon, 2 eggs, a walnut cinnamon roll, and french fries. The waffle was a bit soft, personally I like crispy edges, but otherwise very light and fluffy. The salmon was very well cooked and had a nice crispy top. The eggs were the same as everywhere, so can't comment much - same with fries. The walnut cinnamon roll was delicious and didn't have an overwhelming cinnamon taste. Coffee was great and we also had fresh squeezed orange juice before our meal, which was also wonderful. This restaurant only takes cash/check so please keep that in mind before hand (we had to go to the nearest atm while we waited). Our server was kind and helpful and checked in on us a lot. There's decent inside and outside space with it not feeling too cramped or getting too noisy. Would love to come back here again! read more

Linda's Seabreeze Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

We'll be back! What a pleasant breakfast we had. Saturday morning, drive over from the valley, fog breaking and the sun peeking through. Parking was easy at 8:15. We were immediately greeted at the door, "Table for two?". And we were promptly seated. I'm not sure what the building was before it was a cafe, but it was nicely arranged, making efficient use of the available space. While we were perusing the menu, a server came by and pointed out the hand-written specials board he had brought over and propped up on a nearby table. How quaint! We decided on the special waffles (corn something, with fruit and yogurt) and the orange-poppyseed pancakes. Both were a treat for these old folks who enjoy the off-the-beaten-path food selections. The egg topper was perfectly prepared, and the apricot jam was yummy. So much to love about this place (location, service, and selection). Couple things to note: * Cash (or check) is king! Kids, that's the paper stuff that you exchange for goods and services. Says, "In God we trust" on it. * Street parking only. Start looking when you're a block away. See you there! read more

Worth the wait. The Tofu curry I ordered was delicious, and really, an inventive dish that not only tastes great, but because of some of the nuts and other ingredients, has a pleasing texture as well. Very nice service as well. Definitely recommended. Has comfortable outdoor seating as well. read more

Linda's Seabreeze Cafe - Tofu curry breakfast - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Linda's Seabreeze Cafe is a great local spot in Santa Cruz! Cash only, but they do have an ATM inside if you forgot to get some before heading over. No reservations but when you arrive you can put your name on the paper mist and preference for inside vs. patio seating. Plenty of parking on the street and a parking lot in the back. Loved how accessible it was! We really enjoyed their specials and ordered the chicken apple sausage and eggs and the Cajun scramble. One of the best things is being able to order a cinnamon roll instead of toast! Love the homemade cinnamon rolls and just how buttery and flavorful they are. Truly a great little spot with tasty food! Also, try their house hot sauce. Tasty! read more

Linda's Seabreeze Cafe - Menu - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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My two sisters and I went there today with high hopes, we left fairly disappointed. The Pros: food portions were very generous, food was fresh and looked appealing. The Cons: the food was basically tasteless. My sister and I ordered the Tex's deluxe turkey grilled sandwich. It came with cheese, turkey, bacon, a sliced tomato and alfalfa sprouts. It had no Mayo or sauce of any kind so it was very bland, we both ended up adding salt and pepper. Thank god my other sister had ranch dressing she was willing to share to put on the sandwich. The fries came looking great but they weren't hot and again tasteless. My other sister ordered a turkey bacon club. It was fine except the bread was very dry and it fell apart. The ice tea had to come from a powdered mix, it was horrible. The service was slow and if you eat inside be prepared for lots of loud noise. The customer noise was loud but the kitchen noise was louder. Clean silverware being dumped into storage containers, along with the usual kitchen noises. When the server came over to ask how everything tasted I shrugged my shoulders and said it was "fine". His response was oh good, I am glad you liked it. All in all I, nor my sisters were impressed and would not come back. read more

I can see why this place is so busy. The scramble was delicious. It was part of the daily specials, so idk if they have it everyday. The home fries were also full of flavor and very tender. I did not take a picture of the cinnamon roll, but it was AMAZING! We sat outside because the inside is pretty small, but luckily it wasn't too good. My only complain is that the waitress seemed to be in a bad mood, so she was not very helpful. read more

Linda's Seabreeze Cafe - Hot link sausage scramble - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

I visited Linda's Seabreeze Cafe during my day trip to Santa Cruz. The staff were very friendly and even turned on the heater for us during a cold morning. Food came out pretty quick and had generous portions. I order the waffle combo as well as a side of home fries. Our food was well seasoned. Cleaned up my plate and left me very full. I don't eat breakfast but it's definitely worth waking up for! Definitely have to come back so I can try more of the menu. read more

Fast seating and service for 930 am brunch on Sunday for 3! There is a nearby ATM if you dont have cash or check as they only take those for payment. All servers and staff were super friendly except for one. Food was great portions were huge! We were so full with our shared 2 omlettes we had to take their famous cinnamon roll home! Hot chocolate was so good. read more

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The 4.5 yelp star average for over 1.4k reviews don't lie! Linda's has been on my radar since I've been a UCSC alumni and I finally made it here for a birthday brunch with my hubz and baby boy many years post-grad. From the start the service was 5 stars! We were offered a spacious corner round table that accommodated our little family, a variety of tasty menu options and specials (even vegan ones), and I got a complimentary birthday cinnamon roll, which was one of the best I've had and it didn't even have frosting! It had all the warm, cinnamon-y, buttery yumminess that I crave. The corned beef hash and eggs were amazing and they even had a tasty vegan option (tofu curry scramble and potatoes) with the stamp of approval from hubz. Our server even brought out house-made hot sauce, a nice touch. Ambiance is like you're in a cozy open home and they have ample patio seating. I wish they were closer to me - I'd be there every day! I still regret not taking some cinnamon rolls home with me. read more

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Lindsay was our server and she was super awesome with all the options in the menu and the great service!!! We came for the corned beef hash and opted for the homemade cinnamon roooowwwwllls!! Outstanding recipe that I was blown away. I had a nice Indian Tea with whole milk and the combo cinnamon roll made it an amazing experience! Super cool spot and the ambience is family oriented and set up for private meals as well! Highly recommend this place when you are near Santa Cruz for breakfast or lun read more

My wife and I went here with our granddaughter who is a student at UCSC. It is a popular neighborhood diner for breakfast and lunch. Because of its popularity we had to wait about twenty minutes for seating on a first come first served basis. The restroom is accessible by exiting and going to the back. It has the atmosphere of a typical small diner. Specials were on a white board that was taken from table to table. We asked about eggs Benedict but it only available weekends. Food was acceptable but not outstanding. Prices were on the high side for what was served. read more

The restaurant has a new owner, but it is still the GOAT. I was at Linda's in August 2024 and enjoyed a breakfast of corned beef hash and eggs with a cinnamon roll on the side. It was delicious. Service is still excellent and we love the ambiance. If there is a line, there is a good reason! Best breakfast in Santa Cruz. read more

In Santa Cruz for the weekend having a hard time looking for brunch spots that were not too busy we ended up getting in line at Linda's Seabreeze Cafe. The wait was around 20min, street parking was chill. Once inside it was busy and a bit cramped service was moving and our waiter actually forgot to take my order he was so busy. (We had a party of 6) after a laugh he ended up getting me taken care of and brought our food out together. Food was delicious and portions were decent. Only downside is they don't take card. read more

This was a busy little place, but definitely worth the wait. I had the Popeye omelette and potatoes. The spinach was fresh and the eggs were really good. My kids also enjoyed the french toast and pancakes. Definitely recommend! read more