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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?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    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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    13 years ago

    reasonable prices friendly staff and good food. ecommend for breakfast and lunch.

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    Harbor Cafe - Spicy Machaca

    Harbor Cafe

    4.4(1.7k reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $$

    You know the spot is good when it also becomes your family's go-to spot…read more I recommend Harbor Cafe to everyone. Not only does it have my favorite breakfast burrito, but the staff are all so so so nice. It is the perfect ambiance - casual, fun, just incredible vibes. Everything I've ever ordered has been divine. We live about an hour away but always make a trip out for brunch.

    Yelp Elite Review: Where the Coffee Is Bold & the Stories Are Even Better…read more Some restaurants serve breakfast. This place serves breakfast with a side of Santa Cruz history. This spot has been around for years, and when my boys were younger, we would come here after a day at the beach. It has gone through a few owners over the years, but the improvements they've made are awesome. The place still has that classic beach-town chill--lots of laughter, good food, and people enjoying life. Parking? Let's just say Santa Cruz and parking have never exactly been best friends. But once you get inside, you have the choice of indoor or outdoor seating, and it's worth the effort. One of my favorite things about this place is the history. For years, a group of local fishermen have been coming here. Two of them are still regulars, sitting around telling fish stories. And if you know fishermen, you know those stories have probably gotten a little bigger every year. My wife and I split the all-meat omelette, and it was delicious. They also do a fantastic job with the hash browns--crispy, hearty, and exactly what you want with breakfast. The coffee deserves its own paragraph. Bold, flavorful, and strong enough to make you believe you can conquer the day. Our server was wonderful. She has worked here since graduating from high school, and you could tell she genuinely cared about taking care of people. Friendly, positive, helpful, and the kind of service that makes you want to come back. There's a wonderful selection of food, but honestly, part of the experience is simply being there. You can almost feel the decades of stories in the walls--families, fishermen, beach days, laughter, and countless cups of coffee. This isn't just a place to grab breakfast. It's a place where Santa Cruz history is still being served--one omelette, one cup of coffee, and one slightly exaggerated fish story at a time. Yelp Elite approved! #YelpElite #SantaCruzEats #SantaCruz #BreakfastInSantaCruz #BeachTownVibes #SantaCruzFoodie #Breakfast #Omelette #HashBrowns #Coffee #LocalFavorites #CaliforniaEats #FoodAndMemories

    Photos
    Harbor Cafe - The open kitchen area

    The open kitchen area

    Harbor Cafe - Carnitas omelet

    Carnitas omelet

    Harbor Cafe - The outdoor seating

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    The outdoor seating

    Linda's Seabreeze Cafe - Huevos Rancheros

    Linda's Seabreeze Cafe

    4.5(1.6k reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$

    The cinnamon rolls are what draw a lot of people to this restaurant, and I would be one of them…read more Also their granola is even better than what I make, and there's enough to eat there and take some home for another meal to boot. I would rate this one right up there with the Walnut Street Cafe, which is excellent.

    Tried this place out for the first time since it had so many good reviews but in all honesty, I…read moredon'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.

    Photos
    Linda's Seabreeze Cafe - Merch

    Merch

    Linda's Seabreeze Cafe - Homemade biscuits and country gravy

    Homemade biscuits and country gravy

    Linda's Seabreeze Cafe - Cinnamon roll

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    Cinnamon roll

    Crow's Nest Restaurant - Enchiladas

    Crow's Nest Restaurant

    3.4(2.7k reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $$$

    Have reviewed this before years back and remains a go to. This review is of the front outdoor patio…read moreupstairs. Food: 4 Atmosphere: 4.5 Service: 5 Cost to worth it rating: 3 Return worthiness: yes Highlights: - Wes: our server was on top of it, friendly, cheerful and so kind to us on a very emotional day. Very much appreciated and such a genuine young soul. - Atmosphere: right on the beach with upstairs and downstairs dining rooms and patios. - Calamari: not your traditional crispy crunchy version but I loved the seasoning in the breading and the tenderness of the calamari rings. 4.5 stars - Fish sandwich: enjoyed the soft focaccia bread and the tender grilled fish filet. 4 stars - Cocktails: long menu for those who like fruity vacation type drinks or just a beer or wine. Midlights: - Different menu on the patio which is limited and more casual the the restaurant downstairs with a full meal. That's fine but good to know. Lowlights: - Can't make reservations on the patio so it's a bit of a craps shoot whether you can get a seat especially on a weekend. - Cover fee of $5 per person for upstairs early on a Saturday night was unexpected though live musicians were cool.

    Pros: location, views cocktails, French fries. Some of the other basic menu items, salad bar, poke,…read morenachos. Friendly staff. Happy hour, comedy nights. Cons: Price of appetizers, overall food quality is not great based on the price. Burger was over cooked (if the cook can't do it to medium don't offer levels of doneness). Calamari was like a plate of mush. Go back to a classic plate of Golden fried rings and legs. Fish and choice was over fried and honestly battered fried fish is far superior to breaded make the switch. Cup of chowder 12.95?? Come on.. added surcharges etc. No prices listed on drink menu. Good Beer on tap and in bottle was somewhat limited.

    Photos
    Crow's Nest Restaurant - The upstairs bar and restaurant

    The upstairs bar and restaurant

    Crow's Nest Restaurant - Crab & shrimp omelette

    Crab & shrimp omelette

    Crow's Nest Restaurant - View Walton Lighthouse

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    View Walton Lighthouse

    Johnny's Harborside - The broth alone is a flavor bomb, with fresh halibut, stone clams, mussels, rock shrimp, and plenty of Dungeness crab, and garlic bread.

    Johnny's Harborside

    3.6(1.5k reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Wheelchair accessible

    I will give this great place a 5 star rating is because the food is amazing! I stopped in to get…read moresome great food. I asked for a burger (they are amazing) and a side of fries. I asked to get a small portion of fries and salad like I usually do (they would split the portion so it's smaller for each) and the chef/manager denied it. I spoke to him mentioning how this has not been an issue over the past year I have been coming here. The guy asked me to sit down at a table with him to explain portion sizes and the guy had slurred speech and an extremely strong smear of liquor radiating from him. I asked if he is on the clock and he said I will be in a few minutes. Doesn't seem like a good idea to be wasted at work. This guy has created some very good tasting foods (hence why I like to return) and the prices are reasonable. The owner is a super sweet gal and you can tell she's pouring her heart and soul into this spot. It has a perfect view of the harbor while you enjoy some good eats. Even though this guy was wasted today, it won't detour me from returning for the 5 star food flavors! He later came to my table as I am indulging in a burger that explodes with flavor and apologized for being brash. I shook his hand and told him there are no hard feelings. I complimented him on his menu, flavors of the foods, and told him we will still be coming in. Do come check this place out as you'll will leave impressed by the food if you know what good food tastes like.

    We had a staycation in Scotts Valley, found this place and made my trip fantastic! We ordered 6…read moreoysters, Pan-roasted halibut, and Dungeness Crab Bucatini. All are above expectations. Price is affordable and it's the best value with great service and food. Ambiance is great it's playing World Cup and my dog enjoys seeing other dogs, they allow interior seating with dog too! If I have to pick one, I highly recommend Dungeness Crab Bucatini, they are generous with the crab meat. I'll definitely come again when I'm in the area :)

    Photos
    Johnny's Harborside - Bonito crudo taco, blue corn tortilla made with smoked marrow fat, marinated mango, salsa, diablo verde, oranges

    Bonito crudo taco, blue corn tortilla made with smoked marrow fat, marinated mango, salsa, diablo verde, oranges

    Johnny's Harborside - Fresh Oysters

    Fresh Oysters

    Johnny's Harborside - Filet Mignon Bone Marrow Taco!!! Delish!

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    Filet Mignon Bone Marrow Taco!!! Delish!

    Sunrise Cafe - tradamerican - Updated September 2026

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