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    Sunrise Cafe

    4.1 (286 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 2:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Sunrise Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    SUNRISE CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Sunrise Cafe

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    Broken yolk with corned beef & hash
    Brendon N.

    When I say I've been coming to Sunrise Cafe for a long time, I'm not over-exaggerating. I used to come here every Sunday with my grandma growing up--this was my spot! Not to date myself, but that's in the range of ~30 years ago. We had a usual booth, usual orders, and we saw the same waitstaff and cooks every week. This was a tradition I looked forward to all week long, since it was one of the only times I got to eat breakfast out at a restaurant regularly. While I live up in The Peninsula now, my parents are still down in Aptos. It was long overdue, but I had been telling my wife for years when we'd drive by the story of how I used to go there, and she'd always suggest that we go back one day. Well friends, that day finally came! On a recent trip to visit my folks and a childhood friend, we decided to take a family outing to Sunrise Cafe on Sunday morning for a good ol' nostalgic breakfast. PARKING: There is both street parking, and a dedicated lot in the back. Since the main entrance is located right on Soquel, I definitely recommend using the back for a more private and safe parking option. They also have an entrance in the back so you don't have to walk all the way around! SEATING: You check in towards the front end of the counter, where the register is. Since we came on a Sunday, it was full when we got there. There's a counter with eight (8) seats, as well as a half dozen or so booths on the left as you come in the front, and some other seating on the right. It did appear as if they shortened the tables, as they didn't reach out to the end of the booth seats. We ended up having to wait around 10 minutes, which wasn't too bad. DRINKS: They have a lot of the standards you'd expect to find at a cafe. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, juice (apple, orange, grapefruit, cranberry), soda (Coke products), iced tea, and mimosas ($6.50!). A few of us ordered coffee--good, not epic. The OJ is from concentrate, otherwise I would have ordered a glass. FOOD: A nice 3-page menu of breakfast and lunch options. Many of the standards, with combos of eggs and breakfast meats (bacon, sausage, ham, Linguisa, chicken apple sausage). There's a list of scrambles, omelets, eggs Benedict, and "Solar Delights" which has corned beef & hash, country fried steak, and a tofu veggie dish. For lunch they have a variety of sandwiches (hot & cold), burgers, and salads. We went for breakfast, and between the four of us we ordered: Sunrise Special (2 eggs, 2 strips of bacon, home fries & toast or biscuit), French toast, corned beef & hash, and the Western Scramble (Corralitos jalapeño sausage, onion, topped with 2 scrambled eggs, chili beans & cheddar cheese). The food was all solid. The corned beef was chunky and seemed fresher than "from the can". The French toast looked tasty, and my dad said he liked it. My mom enjoyed her Sunrise Special, as a standard cafe breakfast. I ordered the Western Scramble and it was pretty wild; a huge mound of hearty deliciousness. It was enough food that I was able to take some of it, plus half a biscuit home and enjoy it for another breakfast a few days later. The potatoes were one of my favorite things growing up, so I do wish I had ordered a side, or something that allowed me to enjoy them on their own. OVERALL: This was a great nostalgia meal, and I'm super glad I came back. We found out that they changed ownership around four (4) years ago, so while it's not quite the exact same place, it's pretty darn close. I appreciate the friendly and hardworking staff, and will definitely come back on a future visit home! IG: @bbnem.eats

    Menu
    Meeta A.

    What an amazing place. Stopped during a road trip at this all day breakfast kind of place and did not regret. The service was great, the place had a very homely and cozy vibe. Ordered veggie omelette- lived upto its name - so many veggies, cheese, only got egg whites, came with hash browns and choice of toast, delicious and healthy! Friend got Sunny scramble - that was amazing too kind of spanish flavoured with hot sauce, avocado, sour cream, absolutely delicious. Dont think and just go!

    Front entrance.
    John C.

    A solid breakfast place just minutes from Santa Cruz and Capitola. I had the eggs and hash browns, and would happily go back next time I am in the area.

    Alex K.

    Such a cute spot for brunch! The atmosphere was warm and inviting, the food was absolutely delicious, and the staff couldn't have been more lovely. Everything we ordered was flavorful and beautifully presented -- definitely a 10/10 experience. Highly recommend for a weekend brunch or a casual catch-up with friends!

    Waffles Combo w/o bacon (I'm pescatarian)
    Esperanza e.

    IT WAS DELICIOUS! Best Waffles in Santa Cruz county! So buttery and so delicious. The service was amazing I love the owners and the waitresses they were so kind and so attentive.

    Tofu Veggie
    Hannah W.

    If I was a local, I'd be a regular here at Sunrise Cafe. I enjoyed my meal and my family enjoyed theirs as well; even converted my little sister to eggs benedict! I ordered: - Tofu Veggie + Turkey: Oh my gosh, it was delicious. Tofu was amazing along with the turkey I asked to be added. Great amount of seasoning and cubed into a pleasant size. Potatoes were immaculate to taste and texture, and I'm picky about my potato texture. Soft yet crispy, yum! The hint of mushroom and tomato was appreciated. The restaurant is in a nice location with reasonable parking in the back, there's even benches outside near a walking area if you want to take your food to go and perhaps have a little picnic. Staff was welcoming and attentive. Thank you!

    The nice bar that was quite full

    What a wonderful diner! Great service, caring staff, great food. Surprise brunch with the family to celebrate a birthday and I was not disappointed. I had the special 'Polenta del Sol' - a unique twist on a classic Benedict - polenta and poached eggs on a bed of sautéed spinach and mushrooms. The spinach and mushrooms tasted just right and the polenta and eggs were delish. Really worth it - 8.5/10. The French toast was very nice - not a strong 'eggy' smell or taste with some butter and syrup 8.5/10. The veggie omelette was large; could do with a little more flavor in the veggies and the potatoes on side but still a 7/10. The staff was particularly attentive in refilling the coffee, including the one decaf in our group. Orange mimosa was refreshing - would have loved it in a glass flute and not the plastic one. Will def go back again with others too. Bonus - street parking is a breeze.

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    1 year ago

    Solid sandwich. Soft bun good flavor. Get napkins it's gooey but was good! I got the chicken w buffalo sauce.

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    8 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Very good food. Great service. Went there 3 days in a row. Will definitly go back. Had Country fried steak twice. Yummy

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    1 year ago

    Fabulous omelette, sausage and warm service. Good coffee! First time but not our last!

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    1 year ago

    Family-owned, really great attentive staff, wonderful breakfasts, parking in back. Highly recommend.

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    Shadowbrook

    Shadowbrook

    4.3(6.3k reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$$

    I've been here twice for our "dating anniversary" One was when my boyfriend and I were both…read moreunderage and young and the other one was she we were older. We were treated the same both times. Glad to see that both adults and so called "kids" are treated thw same no matter what :) Vibe 10/10: It's so pretty!!! The first time I learned about this place, I wanted to go for the pictures. There's a little trolley that you can ride down to the front of the door, or you can walk the stairs. It's somewhat hidden, so it feels so... I don't know how to explain it. The restaurant is below where the parking lot it. I honestly can go on and on about the vibes of this place. The lighting is warm, so many plants too!! Service 10/10: As someone who has worked in the food industry, you always have a line that you say to every single customer. My boyfriend and I joked about jow the server was going down every new table saying the same thing. It was definitely a treat to hear. After the servers gets to know us, I notice that they definitely starts talking on a more personal level. My boyfriend is also on his little "wine craze" so he asked the server to recommend something. He loved what was recommended. Food 9/10: Personally for me, the food wasn't something to go crazy for. It's definitely more of a place where you can talk to each other and sit for dates. Food was still so good though! I can eat that damn mashed potatoes forever though!

    Oh no! This used to be one of our absolute favorite places to eat, which makes this review…read moreespecially difficult to write. After more than 20 years of visiting this magical place, something has definitely changed. New chef? New menu? Whatever the reason, the food is simply not what it used to be. The atmosphere is still wonderful, and the employees remain fantastic. Unfortunately, our food was undercooked, lacked flavor, and was very disappointing. We actually left hungry, and honestly a little sad, because we have so many great memories of dining here over the years. The restaurant also seems busier than we have ever seen it, which is great for business, but I can't help wondering whether the quality and freshness of the food have suffered as a result. This was once a place we could count on for consistently fresh, high-quality meals. We truly hope this was just an off night and that the food returns to the standard that made this place so special for so many years. For longtime customers like us, this was such a disappointment.

    Photos
    Shadowbrook - Greenhouse interior

    Greenhouse interior

    Shadowbrook - Spinach Salad

    Spinach Salad

    Shadowbrook - Chicken Parmigiano

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    Cafe Cruz - Linguini Cruz w/ added skirt steak

    Cafe Cruz

    4.0(1.1k reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    I stopped by Caffe Cruise and had a half roasted chicken with black rice and black beans, along…read morewith a separate dish called Linguine Cruise, which I added "prawns" to. Now, I say "prawns" because apparently there was a little seafood identity crisis happening -- they were actually shrimp! Outside of that little prawn/shrimp confusion, everything was exceptionally good. The roasted chicken was delicious, the black rice was really good, but those black beans were FIIIIRRREEE! They had this amazing smoky flavor that I absolutely loved. Seriously, those beans were ridiculously good. The Linguine Cruise was also excellent, and even though my "prawns" turned out to be shrimp, they were still damn good! The restaurant itself is huge, clean, and has plenty of seating, with a killer bar that I really liked. The atmosphere was comfortable and welcoming, and the staff were super friendly, funny, and genuinely enjoyable to deal with. Overall, I really liked this place. Great food, good portions, cool atmosphere, friendly people, and some seriously fire black beans. I'd absolutely go back!

    We visited with family, a group of eight, and had a reservation. Even though the restaurant was…read morepacked and lively, it never felt overly loud, making it easy to enjoy conversation. The exterior doesn't do the restaurant justice. Inside, the dining room and patios are beautifully decorated, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. There's plenty of space for both small and mid-sized groups. The food was fabulous! We started with the calamari, which was honestly some of the best I've ever had, perfectly cooked and full of flavor. We also ordered the seasonal Caprese (tomato stack) salad, which was incredibly fresh with a wonderful combination of flavors. Even the complimentary bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar stood out. The balsamic was so good I forgot to ask what brand they use so I could buy some for home! Our server was friendly, attentive, and helpful. When I ordered the fettuccine with steak, she thoughtfully confirmed whether I wanted the Gorgonzola Alfredo or the traditional Alfredo sauce. I chose the traditional Alfredo, and it was absolutely perfect. I shared it with my daughter, so the photo shows about half of the original portion. Everyone at our table loved their meals. The rotisserie chicken received rave reviews as well, although I forgot to take a photo. If the weather is nice, don't miss the outdoor patios. There's a table for six near the fireplace that looked especially inviting. I wanted to take a picture, but I couldn't get the angle without including other diners in the frame. I also tried the watermelon martini, which was refreshing and delicious, and the wine pours were generous. If you're in Aptos, this restaurant is absolutely worth a visit. We'll definitely be back.

    Photos
    Cafe Cruz
    Cafe Cruz - Seafood Bouillabaisse

    Seafood Bouillabaisse

    Cafe Cruz - Patio view

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    Patio view

    The Water Street Grill - complimentary fried mash potatoes

    The Water Street Grill

    4.1(841 reviews)
    3.5 mi
    $$

    My family had dinner here for the 1st time. not only was our food really good but the staff was…read moreextremely nice, attentive & accommodating. We came from San Francisco & spent the day at the boardwalk. It was dinner time & we didn't know where to eat & majority of places closed at 9pm. However, based off good reviews we found this place nearby. We weren't sure if they would allow us to dine in since we arrived pretty late around 8:40pm. Luckily, the waitresses didn't hesitate to seat our party of 6. (3 hungry kids & 3 adults) We ordered the: -Garlic New York Steak- medium rare & it was so good. Cooked perfectly & topped with roasted garlic. Mixed in the garlic herb butter with the mashed potatoes. It was delish! - Mac & cheese: we ordered a large & it was really yummy & enough for all of us to share. - Tiramisu: I was excited to order this and it did not disappoint. I'm always on the hunt for a good piece of tiramisu, as it's hard to find especially infused with rum. Not only was the flavor & texture perfect, it was paired with whip cream sprinkled with cocoa powder & strawberries. Such a tasty combination. Also, I'd like to give a special shout out to our waitress & chef for being so accommodating to us. They stayed open way after closing time & didnt rush us. For one of our entrees, as we cut the steak, we accidentally dropped 1/2 of it. Since it was our fault we weren't going to ask for another steak. However, when our waitress found out, she asked the chef to make another one. Surprisingly, they were very generous to give us an entire new plate. We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner and will be sure to dine here again during our next visits!

    The water street grill was a nice little hole in the wall. It is quite small but in a cozy way…read morerather than cramped. The service was excellent and the servers make sure you are well taken care of all the way through. However, some of the food items were hit or miss. We started off with the calamari appetiser which for 18 dollars was a bit disappointing. It was greasy and a bit chewy, lacking flavor as well. Then we ordered our mains which were the garlic steak with asparagus and mashed potatoes and the new york with prawns, asparagus, and roasted potatoes. The new york was beautifully cooked however the garlic steak was slightly overcooked yet still marinated wonderfully. The mashed potatoes were really good but the roasted potatoes were rather gummy and a bit lukewarm. The asparagus were some of the best we've ever had. We also ordered a side of garlic bread with mozzarella but it was more akin to a ciabatta bun with shredded cheese on top. Overall some of the food was incredible, and some was lacking, but the service was amazing.

    Photos
    The Water Street Grill - Pretty restaurant

    Pretty restaurant

    The Water Street Grill - New York Steak and Shrimp

    New York Steak and Shrimp

    The Water Street Grill - Skirt Steak Dinner

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    Skirt Steak Dinner

    Pretty Good Advice - Tofu Banh Mi was whatevs

    Pretty Good Advice

    4.6(515 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Delicious every time! I'm rarely disappointed by anything I've tried at Pretty Good Advice! Huge…read morefan of the Blue Cheese Salad and the chia is marvelous! They usually remember me by name and it's great service!

    I don't normally write reviews, but when things don't go well I feel people need to know what…read moretranspired here. My girlfriend ordered a breakfast sandwich a that we were going to share. The counter service female was very nice and helpful. The sandwich was very good and we've eaten there many times in the past. When we both sat down to eat we noticed that our sandwich hadn't been cut in half. My girlfriend went back to the counter and asked a male kitchen employee behind the counter if he could cut our sandwich in half. The sandwich was completely wrapped in paper and we did not unwrap it at all prior to asking for it to be cut. His response was extremely rude and nasty. He claimed that it was already contaminated despite the fact that it was still completely wrapped in paper. He acted like we were putting him out by us asking him to simply cut the sandwich in half. He accused my girlfriend of "contaminating" the sandwich (in his words) just by touching it despite the fact that it was handled by 2 people before we even touched it. Basically, it was his scolding condescending tone that totally turned us off to ever visiting this place again. It only takes one lazy a--hole employee to ruin a great dining experience.

    Photos
    Pretty Good Advice - Order station

    Order station

    Pretty Good Advice - House Cut Potato Fries

    House Cut Potato Fries

    Pretty Good Advice - Arnold Palmer

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    Arnold Palmer

    The Hideout - Daily Special: Tomato Artichoke Bisque

    The Hideout

    4.2(845 reviews)
    3.7 mi
    $$

    Great Food, Great Service & a Manager Who Actually Says Hello!…read more Loved this place! My bride and I had a fantastic experience from the moment we walked in. This restaurant has an incredible indoor and outdoor space, a great menu, and an atmosphere that somehow manages to be both chill and professional. You'll find a wonderfully diverse crowd here, and everyone seems to fit right in. Now, let's talk about the food! I highly recommend the meatballs--they were fantastic! And the garlic bread? Fabulous. Honestly, I could have made a meal out of the bread alone, but I exercised some restraint...because I'm an adult. My bride ordered the hamburger, and she loved it. The salads were excellent, the bread was outstanding, and the dessert selection was enough to make someone suddenly forget they were "too full for dessert." Our server was incredible--attentive, friendly, and genuinely welcoming. And then, as if the experience couldn't get any better, the manager actually came out and welcomed us! You don't find that everywhere. That personal touch says a lot about how this place approaches hospitality. Everything was clean, the service was excellent, the food was delicious, and the ambiance made us want to hang around longer than we probably should have. One warning: Parking can be a bit of a challenge. But trust me, this is one of those places where you circle the parking lot a few times and say, "Lord, give me a parking space!" Yelp Elite verdict: Absolutely worth the hassle! Great food. Great people. Great atmosphere. Great service. And apparently, great managers who actually come out to meet their guests. My bride and I will definitely be back! #YelpElite #FoodieFind #DateNight #GreatFood #GreatService #Meatballs #GarlicBread #DessertLovers #RestaurantReview #WorthTheHassle #FoodAndFun #FiveStars

    Really enjoyed our first visit to The Hideout! We had the fried chicken sandwich with sweet potato…read morefries and the prime rib. The sandwich was delicious, and the chipotle aioli was especially good--creamy, flavorful, and one of the better ones I've had. The sweet potato fries were crispy. My partner really enjoyed the prime rib, and the portion was large enough for leftovers. Service was quick, attentive, and friendly. We sat outside with our pups, which we appreciated. The only suggestion would be to update the patio layout a bit. Our table was directly across from the waiting area, so it felt like we had very little privacy while people waited. Other than that, we had a great experience and would definitely come back.

    Photos
    The Hideout - Indoor dining area

    Indoor dining area

    The Hideout - Fried Artichoke Hearts App ($15)

    Fried Artichoke Hearts App ($15)

    The Hideout - Brussels w/ Bacon ($18)

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    Brussels w/ Bacon ($18)

    Betty Burgers - Chicken | Garlic Fries

    Betty Burgers

    3.8(1.5k reviews)
    3.2 mi
    $$

    I've eaten at this Betty Burgers many times because the food is usually good. It's not the best…read moreburger in Santa Cruz but it's a decent and I want to support the businesses affected by the road closure. This visit was a little disappointing. The burgers seemed sloppier than usual and just weren't as good as they've been in the past. What really bothered me, though, was the 3.95% credit/debit card service charge. I didn't notice it until after I had already paid because the only explanation was printed at the bottom of the receipt. If you're going to charge customers an extra fee for using a card, that should be made very clear before they order so they have the option to pay cash. Between the food that wasn't up to par and an added processing fee, this visit just wasn't worth it. I don't mind paying for good food but I don't like feeling nickel-and-dimed over an extra charge that wasn't obvious before ordering. Transparency goes a long way.

    We stopped by for some take-out to bring with us to our beach picnic. They were having a FIFA watch…read moreparty at that time so customers were enjoying their food while watching Spain and Argentina play. I ordered the Point Grinder which is a burger with bacon, sauteed mushrooms, bleu cheese and green onion and it was a great combination! The only reason why I'm giving a 4/5 stars is because my patty was still very red instead of a standard well-done. My friends and I also ordered one side each and tried garlic fries, sweet potato fries and onion rings and all were delicious. Garlic fries were seasoned well and had lots of garlic, sweet potato was slightly thick cut and soft and yummerz and the onion rings wasn't just batter, it had thick slices of onion! Their ranch was also creamy and aromatic! Parking could be difficult on a busy day! 9/10 would recommend!

    Photos
    Betty Burgers - Inside

    Inside

    Betty Burgers - Chicken | Garlic Fries

    Chicken | Garlic Fries

    Betty Burgers - The Duke Burger

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    The Duke Burger

    Sunrise Cafe - tradamerican - Updated August 2026

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