Lillian's Italian Kitchen is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Santa Cruz.

1. Lillian's Italian Kitchen

8.6
1116 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
Italian Restaurant · Eastside · 30 tips and reviews

Elisabeth S.Elisabeth Sporleder: Leave your cell # & browse Gateways; the wait tends to be shorter than estimated. Food is amazing and authentic.

Melissa M.Melissa M: Call ahead. The wait can be long, but so worth it!! Prawns scampi and black truffle gnocchi were a hit! We ate here two nights in a row during our trip.

PaulinaPaulina: Get the black truffle gnocchi.

Verve Coffee Roasters is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Santa Cruz.

2. Verve Coffee Roasters

8.8
1010 Fair Ave (at Ingalls St), Santa Cruz, CA
Coffee Shop · Westside · 14 tips and reviews

Paul M.Paul Mederos: Gorgeous space with some of the best espresso, pour overs, and cold brews you can imagine.

MegMeg: Nice indoor and outdoor spaces. Tasty cold brew

Wael H.Wael Hazzazi: Avocado toast with poached eggs 👌🏼

Verve Coffee Roasters is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Santa Cruz.

3. Verve Coffee Roasters

9.4
104 Bronson St #19 (at Hall St), Santa Cruz, CA
Coffee Shop · Eastside · 31 tips and reviews

Ed R.Ed Rooth: Nitrogen infused cold coffee on tap. Yum.

Juan G.Juan Gomez: Order the one and one. One espresso and one macchiato on the same saucer

Elizabeth L.Elizabeth Larsen: This location is intimate but has great "at the source"feel.

Cafe Brasil is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Santa Cruz.

4. Cafe Brasil

9.0
1410 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA
Brazilian Restaurant · Westside · 64 tips and reviews

Richard R.Richard Revilla: Great choice for breakfast. Authentic Brasilian dishes and parking in the rear.

Maria S.Maria Simbirsky: Don't worry about the wait. Pass the time with friends while sipping smoothies and coffee on the patio.

ᴡ M.ᴡ Montero: This restaurant reminds me of the LEGO Movie, because everything is awesome.

Taqueria Los Pericos is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Santa Cruz.

5. Taqueria Los Pericos

8.7
139 Water St (at River St.), Santa Cruz, CA
Burrito Restaurant · Downtown Santa Cruz · 35 tips and reviews

NadineNadine: Tacos pericos with bbq pork. Soooo good. Amazing guacamole. Locals coming in and out constantly.

Q D.Q Dahling: Get the "Breakfast burrito" chorizo, beans, eggs and salsa---nothing better than that

Marvin H.Marvin Hodgson: Burritos and Carne Asada plate were wonderful. Best I've had in a long time! Great local spot!

Harbor Cafe is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Santa Cruz.

6. Harbor Cafe

9.1
535 7th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
Café · 41 tips and reviews

Taylor S.Taylor Shepherd: Carnitas omelet is fantastic, along with the eggs Benedict. And you can't go wrong with bottomless mimosas on Fridays :)

Nick P.Nick Piper: Bottomless mimosas Friday

Sondra B.Sondra Baca: Everything here is deeelish!! The Avocado Bene, Veggie scramble and Mimosa Fridays is the best. Plus the staff is great!

The Penny Ice Creamery is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Santa Cruz.

7. The Penny Ice Creamery

8.8
913 Cedar St (at Locust St.), Santa Cruz, CA
Ice Cream Parlor · Downtown Santa Cruz · 75 tips and reviews

KylieKylie: My ice cream connoisseur friend says Penny is the best in the bay. Local ingredients, smooth and creamy consistency, and a constantly changing menu—what more could you ask for?

mikeymikey: Tuesday and Thursdays between 4 and 6, get a second single scoop for one penny

Ian H.Ian Hsu: Toasted marshmallow fluff topping is epic.

Mission Street Barbecue is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Santa Cruz.

8. Mission Street Barbecue

8.6
1618 Mission St (btwn Olive & Bay St), Santa Cruz, CA
BBQ Joint · Westside · 28 tips and reviews

Sally W.Sally Wallace: Everything was a wow even the sides. Our favorites were the brisket juicy, tender, flavorful; Tri tip seasoned to perfection and ribs.

Randy G.Randy G: They just opened and have a smaller menu with a variety of BBQ sandwiches, 1/4 chicken and St. Louis Ribs. The full menu is coming soon.

Nicholas J.Nicholas Javier: The ribs are hearty and meaty, and the sauce is more than just fire - it's well crafted and flavorful. Pricing is a bit much, but service is excellent and swift.

The Buttery is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Santa Cruz.

9. 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!

Sarah W.Sarah Williams: Eggs Benedict. All you need to know.

Brenna G.Brenna G: Wow. Four staff standing behind the counter, no one waiting, and you won't help me until I walk across the store, take a number from your machine, and walk back to the counter?

Laili Restaurant is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Santa Cruz.

10. 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.

Real Thai Kitchen is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Santa Cruz.

11. Real Thai Kitchen

7.9
1632 Seabright Ave (at Soquel Ave), Santa Cruz, CA
Thai Restaurant · Eastside · 12 tips and reviews

MatthiasMatthias: #thegreatamericantakeout : What I wasn‘t quite expecting was the heat... They are taking their spiciness serious! 🌶🔥👌🏼 WOW!! If you like it HOT, this is definitely a place to keep in mind! 👍🏼

Jeremy G.Jeremy Geiger: The name is accurate. This is one of the few Thai restaurants I the U.S. That my Thai wife will go to

Athonia C.Athonia Cappelli: Vegan options abound at the lunch buffet. Salad dressing has mayo but items like spicy tofu, green vegi curry & Tom Kha Tofu appear totally free of animal products. Spicy tofu is just that! Cha-chow!

The Abbey Coffee, Art & Music Lounge is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Santa Cruz.

12. 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?

Marianne's Ice Cream is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Santa Cruz.

13. Marianne's Ice Cream

9.1
1020 Ocean St (Ocean St), Santa Cruz, CA
Ice Cream Parlor · Eastside · 82 tips and reviews

Jason K.Jason Kumagai: The butter brickle is awesome! Brought back memories of Thrifty's!

Rob H.Rob Hapner: 10-20, yum

Miss Courtney G.Miss Courtney G: Don't forget to get a number

Shun Feng Restaurant is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Santa Cruz.

14. Shun Feng Restaurant

7.8
420 River St (highway 1), Santa Cruz, CA
Chinese Restaurant · Central Santa Cruz · 7 tips and reviews

Bart T.Bart Teeuwisse: Most authentic Chinese restaurant in town.

Athonia C.Athonia Cappelli: vegans: this is a veg friendly menu. They have mock chicken which is desirable because it's got more protein than tofu.. Try the eggplant curries🌶 or chow fun rice noodles‼️ ask for Singapore style!

Ryan R.Ryan Renard: The pot stickers are fantastic...

Zoccoli's Deli is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Santa Cruz.

15. Zoccoli's Deli

8.0
1534 Pacific Ave (btwn Front & Cooper), Santa Cruz, CA
Deli · Downtown Santa Cruz · 38 tips and reviews

YegorYegor: Take the breakfast sandwich prior to moving for a perfect coffee to a next door Verve.

Adam K.Adam Kalsey: Don't let the large crowd turn you off. They work quick here.

André E.André Elias: Every day I try a new sandwich and they're all so good! But the New Yorker is still my favorite. ;)