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

1. Lillian's Italian Kitchen

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

ᴡ M.ᴡ Miller: Caprese salad is a must order. Best creamy mozzarella!

Krista L.Krista Leitzke: The black truffle stuffed gnocchi with Gorgonzola sauce and filet mignon!! Also great fresh fettuccine

Stacey~MarieStacey~Marie: The garlic mozarella bread is the real deal!!!

Lúpulo Craft Beer House is one of The 15 Best Places for Cheese in Santa Cruz.

2. Lúpulo Craft Beer House

8.8
233 Cathcart St (Cedar), Santa Cruz, CA
Bar · Downtown Santa Cruz · 22 tips and reviews

Allie R.Allie R: Beer and salads were delish! The squash empanadas and sand which we had weren't great, too much cheese and not much else

Emily B.Emily B: Delicious arugula goat cheese strawberry salad!

MatthiasMatthias: I liked this place a lot. I was welcomed very friendly, the food recommendation (torta with extra cheese) was spot on and the beer selection rotates frequently... 👌🏼 Absolutely fun place! 😁

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

3. Zoccoli's Deli

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

Glenn B.Glenn Barker: The BLT with a Blast (fresh avocado & Swiss cheese) is one of the best sandwiches I've ever had!

Ben R.Ben Richardson: Excellent food. The Meatball Italiano and the Chicken Parmesan Sandwich are delicious.

ᴡ K.ᴡ Killam: Chicken parm <3

Parish Publick House is one of The 15 Best Places for Cheese in Santa Cruz.

4. Parish Publick House

8.2
841 Almar Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
Dive Bar · Westside · 25 tips and reviews

Peter H.Peter Harkins: Philly cheese steak, sub cheese for Irish cheddar.....hangover helper is great

ScottScott: Add the cheddar and jalapenos to that side door burger for something great.

Colleen C.Colleen Carey: Irish cheddar burger ... noms ;)

The Picnic Basket is one of The 15 Best Places for Cheese in Santa Cruz.

5. The Picnic Basket

7.9
125 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA
Restaurant · 48 tips and reviews

Tasting TableTasting Table: Eschew deep-fried Twinkies from the Boardwalk in favor of a sandwich here. Roasted sweet potato, goat cheese and olive tapenade on a baguette is a favorite; order a locally made beer to go with it: Read more.

Rob A.Rob Anthony: Bacon baguette with cheddar, sliced apple, caramelized onions and spinach, and their generously seeded (sesame, sunflower and pumpkin) side salad. Deeeeeelicious!

Anna J.Anna James: Delicious sandwiches; roasted chicken with sundried tomatoes,kale pesto, and bacon with cheddar, apple,caramelized onions, both are yummy.

Bagelry is one of The 15 Best Places for Cheese in Santa Cruz.

6. Bagelry

8.0
320 Cedar St. (Birch Ln), Santa Cruz, CA
Bagel Shop · Downtown Santa Cruz · 22 tips and reviews

Laura D.Laura Davidson: I like the fandango with cheddar melty on top. The scrambagels are good too. Nice staff, quick service.

PhabiPhabi: The scrambagel with cheddar cheese and turkey on whole wheat sesame, delish!

Ruby A.Ruby Anaya: Best bagels I've ever had, period. Whenever I come back home to Santa Cruz I try to stop here. Get the Pink Flamingo on a Pesto Bagel! Other favorite spreads include: Tuna Salad and Cheese Louise.

Zachary's Restaurant is one of The 15 Best Places for Cheese in Santa Cruz.

7. Zachary's Restaurant

8.3
819 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
Breakfast Spot · Downtown Santa Cruz · 60 tips and reviews

Toby M.Toby Morning: The best damn breakfast spot in the the US. The home fries are incredible, I add cheddar cheese with sour cream to mines, yummy!!

Toby M.Toby Morning: Try the homefries with Cheddar cheese and sour cream

Johnny U.Johnny Urquijo: Order the pepper bacon and Bleu cheese burger!! AMAZING!!

Mission Street Barbecue is one of The 15 Best Places for Cheese 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

Sarah R.Sarah R: They have live music. I get the berry Bleu salad and top it with brisket.

Shannon C.Shannon Clark: The burnt ends are excellent so likely is the brisket as well. The ribs are ok but perhaps too much sauce for my taste. Their Mac and cheese is intense (not from a box for kids but made for adults)

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.

Trader Joe's is one of The 15 Best Places for Cheese in Santa Cruz.

9. Trader Joe's

8.6
700 Front St (at Soquel Ave), Santa Cruz, CA
Grocery Store · Downtown Santa Cruz · 7 tips and reviews

Russell X.Russell Xavier: Exquisite cheese selection.. oh yes..

TD B.TD Brat: Stock up on cheese and wine

SarahSarah: THE place to get snacks of all kinds. Check out their daily free sample. It's usually freaking delicious and grab the corresponding recipie card for it!

Pizza My Heart is one of The 15 Best Places for Cheese in Santa Cruz.

10. Pizza My Heart

8.2
1116 Pacific Ave (at Lincoln St), Santa Cruz, CA
Pizzeria · Downtown Santa Cruz · 44 tips and reviews

Matthew S.Matthew Swinnerton: Pizza My Heart - Santa Cruz: This place is awesome. Can't go wrong with the just cheese, but if you want to get a little adventurous try the Maui Wowie or the D'Lex Chicken & Bacon. (47 seconds ago) [ Read more.

Juliana N.Juliana Naranjo: BIG SUR - our favorite, by far! Also, the figgy piggy, pepperoni and the cheese (nothing simple or plain about it either) slice were all scrumptious!

Cristina B.Cristina B.: Get the Gilroy only if you LOVE copious amounts of whole cloves of garlic in your pizza. If you do-it's amazing!

Cafe Limelight is one of The 15 Best Places for Cheese in Santa Cruz.

11. Cafe Limelight

8.5
1016 Cedar St, Santa Cruz, CA
Sandwich Spot · Downtown Santa Cruz · 9 tips and reviews

Trisha L.Trisha Liu: Get the turkey, brie, pesto panino: cafe specialty... yum!!

Cosmo S.Cosmo Shepherd: Literally everything is good here. The tomato basil soup is bomb.

Ruby A.Ruby Anaya: Get the soup and half sandwich combo with a glass of freshly brewed Sweet Tea.

Oswald is one of The 15 Best Places for Cheese in Santa Cruz.

12. Oswald

8.7
121 Soquel Ave (at Front St.), Santa Cruz, CA
American Restaurant · Downtown Santa Cruz · 14 tips and reviews

Rick H.Rick Hartley: The burgers with blue cheese and caramelized onions are the best. Great cocktails too.

Max B.Max Blue 🚴🍔: The roasted duck with spätzle is ah-mazing! Very nice location and service

Tyler F.Tyler Fox: Delicious food and very legit portions! A great night out.

The Walnut Avenue Cafe is one of The 15 Best Places for Cheese in Santa Cruz.

13. The Walnut Avenue Cafe

8.5
106 Walnut Ave (at Pacific Ave.), Santa Cruz, CA
Café · Downtown Santa Cruz · 62 tips and reviews

Mark S.Mark S: Chrizo,Onion and Cheese Scramble with Homefries - Amazing

Trisha L.Trisha Liu: Oh. Em. Gee. Café Cristo. Layer turkey, ham and cheese between fluffy French toast, add cranberry sauce. Divine!

M. Zafer Y.M. Zafer Yahşi: Scrambled Eggs were great, service was super. Staff is so kindly. A great place for breakfast.

Rosie McCann's Irish Pub & Restaurant is one of The 15 Best Places for Cheese in Santa Cruz.

14. Rosie McCann's Irish Pub & Restaurant

8.4
1220 Pacific Ave (at Walnut St), Santa Cruz, CA
Pub · Downtown Santa Cruz · 32 tips and reviews

Tina W.Tina Warvi: Banger's & Mash!!! The Cheese Platter appetizer is so friggin' tasty!!

Sean D.Sean Domino: Blue cheese burger was excellent.

Brian B.Brian Britton: The lamb stew is delicious. Also, anything with their Guinness gravy won't disappoint.

515 Kitchen & Cocktails is one of The 15 Best Places for Cheese in Santa Cruz.

15. 515 Kitchen & Cocktails

8.2
515 Cedar St, Santa Cruz, CA
Lounge · Downtown Santa Cruz · 56 tips and reviews

Steph M.Steph M: The crab cakes were too hard, the hummus too bland. The cocktails were good; so was the bruschetta and cheese plate.

Kris V.Kris Vera-Phillips: Try the Baked Orchiette - #kvpinmybelly - #Pasta heaven in #SantaCruz with Gorgonzola cream sauce. YUM!

Tajvia W.Tajvia Willis: Great infused drinks and incredible food. It's definitely worth a visit.