Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection is one of The 15 Best Trendy Places in Santa Cruz.

1. Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

8.7
611 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, CA
Hotel · Central Santa Cruz · 14 tips and reviews

Kellie C.Kellie Cox: Great hotel with a hip vibe!

Justin S.Justin Sullivan: Stylish and cool. The motel you used to stay in as a kid, but better.

Megan M.Megan Masters: This hotel mergers old school motel with hip convenience. It's taking Santa Cruz to a new level of swank.

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

2. Verve Coffee Roasters

9.0
1540 Pacific Ave (at Front St), Santa Cruz, CA
Coffee Shop · Downtown Santa Cruz · 127 tips and reviews

Raymond P.Raymond Peck: Trendy third wave coffee shop. Good coffee and a very pretty interior with huge windows for people watching.

cami j.cami j.: bright, sunny, gorgeous shop, knowledgeable, helpful baristas, delicious coffee.

Chris H.Chris Heilmann: WiFi password is streetlevel. don't be a dick though and buy their stuff first. excellent coffee.

Verve Coffee Roasters is one of The 15 Best Trendy 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

Paul M.Paul Mederos: Cold brew is divine on a nice day. Lively, vivid, and smoothly balanced... props to the roaster!

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.

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

4. Harbor Cafe

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

whitney b.whitney b: Worth the hype (and the wait). Gluten free options available. The polenta Benedict is amazing!

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!

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

5. Cafe Brasil

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

Carolina R.Carolina Revilla: Had the beef a cavalier, was delicious. I recommend this dish. The bacon is also great. Awesome breakfast spot. Parking in the back.

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

maggieanticsmaggieantics: Avocado a cavalo with TOFU! You get some melted cheese AND zucchini that is marinated in the same deliciousness as the tofu. Add an acai smoothie and you're in nutrients heaven.

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

6. 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

Scott H.Scott H: Toasted marshmallow fluff add-on!!! All of their flavors are great and not super trendy for the sake of weirdness.

Taylor D.Taylor Danecoyote: Strawberry ice cream was delicious and their cones are very tasteful

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

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

7. The Abbey Coffee, Art & Music Lounge

9.1
350 Mission St (at Highland Ave), Santa Cruz, CA
Coffee Shop · Westside · 25 tips and reviews

Caleb W.Caleb Winters: Great place to study or work. Lots of space and outlets. Wifi password is elsalvador

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?

West End Tap & Kitchen is one of The 15 Best Trendy Places in Santa Cruz.

8. West End Tap & Kitchen

8.0
334 Ingalls St Ste D, Santa Cruz, CA
Gastropub · Westside · 32 tips and reviews

Hai L.Hai Li: Beautiful venue. The entire restaurant was converted from a warehouse. Super hip! Order the beer tastings and calamari.

Lydia K.Lydia Klem: Great food and Great beer! The squash blossom appetizer is delicious.

Brian S.Brian Strauss: Excellent calamari with jalapeños. Loved the Peter's Lager on the patio.

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

9. Laili Restaurant

8.7
101 Cooper St #B (btw Front and Pacific), Santa Cruz, CA
Mediterranean Restaurant · Downtown Santa Cruz · 44 tips and reviews

Virgi R.Virgi R.: The pomegranate eggplant are a must try. Good selection of beers & wines. The staff is lovely and helpful.

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.

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

10. The Buttery

8.7
702 Soquel Ave (Branciforte Ave), Santa Cruz, CA
Bakery · Eastside · 47 tips and reviews

Vihang M.Vihang Mehta: Great sandwiches and amazing bread and baked goods. Didn’t get to try any of the cakes but they looked extremely tempting.

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?

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

11. 515 Kitchen & Cocktails

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

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

ᴡ K.ᴡ Killam: Pretty decent happy hour, good service

Lauren L.Lauren Langone: Polenta Benedict is DELICIOUS!

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

12. Marianne's Ice Cream

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

Krishna S.Krishna Shrinivas: Kahlua crunch is awesome. Junior double is huge!!! butter brickle is smooth. The ice creams are thick, not too sweet. The ones with nuts are nutty. Tip the servers. They are great.

Rob H.Rob Hapner: 10-20, yum

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

Cafe Iveta is one of The 15 Best Trendy Places in Santa Cruz.

13. Cafe Iveta

8.2
2125 Delaware Ave (at Swift St.), Santa Cruz, CA
Café · Westside · 26 tips and reviews

Barbara M.Barbara Matthews: The spicy egg biscuit is one of our faves; we get it *without* the cream cheese dollop (& of course, no bacon). Yum!

Neha W.Neha W: They have clotted cream to take your scone enjoyment to the next level.

Barbara M.Barbara Matthews: The gluten- free scones are light and tasty. You won

Mobo Sushi is one of The 15 Best Trendy Places in Santa Cruz.

14. Mobo Sushi

8.0
105 S River St, Santa Cruz, CA
Sushi Restaurant · Downtown Santa Cruz · 23 tips and reviews

Kara M.Kara McCain: Dragon Crunch roll is a meal all by itself.

MCMC: The avalanche is sweet!

KaiKai: Death Star!

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

15. 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.

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

Mimsie L.Mimsie Lemar: Sit at the bar... Great bar food. You want quiet and intimate get a table... Beautiful Santa Cruz Food!!!