The Walnut Avenue Cafe
Café, Breakfast Spot, and American Restaurant$$$$
Downtown Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz
"... Top it off with an walnut and bananas waffles for a great start to your day. Bring a..."(2 Tips)
"Amazing Seared Ahi Benedict...and excellent service!"(4 Tips)
"The banana and walnut French toast is spectacular."(2 Tips)
"Nice downtown atmosphere & good service."(5 Tips)
61 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- breakfast food
- waffles
- brunch food
- great value
- huevos rancheros
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- Shannon spottedSeptember 16, 2015The shrimp and tomatoes Benedict is delicious! Top it off with an walnut and bananas waffles for a great start to your day. Bring a friend along to try more dishes. Free wifi: 22bottles
Vegans can order green chili scramble made with tofu. It's pretty good & compares to Saturn or Dharmas in terms of flavor. Have them hold the milk if you order coffee. They bring it automatically.
Ask for Martha's table. She is the best on figuring out what you need especially when you haven't fully awake.
Elise RiceMarch 25, 2012Awesome place to have breakfast and lunch in Santa Cruz. Eggs Benedict is bomb! Ask to have Brittany as your waitress she's awesome! :)
Alex PriceOctober 17, 2015Walnut and banana waffles were heavenly. Ambiance was outstandingly relaxing. Great place.
Glenn RoizSeptember 3, 2021Great staff. Mediterranean Chicken sandwich is my go to. Our #1 choice to meet friends for breakfast/lunch. Always good.
We haven't lived in California for over eight years — but we still come back for the Blackened Ahi Benedict!
carla borsoiAugust 18, 2012This is a dog friendly spot with a separate menu for your pup. There are five outdoor tables for seating. Menu is vegetarian friendly to boot!
John KoenigApril 20, 2011I second the awesome chilaquiles, suggest ordering them with the shredded pork and extra salsa on the side, YUM!
- Keith WilsonDecember 13, 2011Coffee while you wait outside and amazing scrambles. Order your home fries "extra crispy" and you won't be disappointed.
Konstantin ZobovJuly 20, 2019Overrated. Wait time: instead of 15-20 announced time we got inside in 45m! Had Ati Tuna breakfast - everything is completely over fried (pic the ‘house fries’ attached).Simply no other places around.
Most amazing potatoes ever. Amazing service, amazing food. Always!
Morgan C.October 6, 2011Shrimp Eggs Benedict is awesome, the coffee is horribly bitter, and the staff is absolutely wonderful!
Oh. Em. Gee. Café Cristo. Layer turkey, ham and cheese between fluffy French toast, add cranberry sauce. Divine!
Ashley BanksJuly 3, 2010Substitute tofu for any of the scrambles. I ordered one with pesto, tomatoes, and spinach. AMAZING! The portions are big enough to share.
The veggie melt is delicious. I'm a meat eater and I have been back once a week to eat it!
This place is great! Excellent staff! Request Lidia when you go!
MCNovember 20, 2010Huevos Rancheros Con Carnitas or Belgian Waffle with strawberries (when in season)- The chilaquiles are super yummy. Ask for some of their fresh salsa too!
ThreedukesJanuary 21, 2013This is not a get-in/get-out place. Come here for a while, relax, and with no rush...
John G.May 24, 2010Seconding the banana and walnut French toast. I think I've died and gone to walnutty heaven.- Ken DuganJune 12, 2010Long wait for table, long wait for food. Food is good but there are a number of places out there just as good, but with shorter wait. Pricey too. Nice downtown atmosphere & good service. Bitter coffee
- Ken DuganJune 14, 2010On a weekday line was much shorter. However still long wait for food. Recomend the California Burger. Warning: Complementry coffee is no longer completementry once you bring your coffee to the table.
ChristinaJune 24, 2013I am so happy I found this place on Foursquare! I love the ambiance it smells fantastic in here. Nice and busy but not packed, right off the beaten path, but not super far away from everything.
Ann Marie BNovember 9, 2014Great - albeit busy - brunch. Not vegetarian, but very veg-friendly (you can make any scramble with tofu, for instance). Decent portions that won't leave you hungry & endless coffee refills.
I love this place so much. Friendly servers, delicious food. I love the breakfasts. If I lived closer, like I used to, I'd be there several times a week!
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The Walnut Avenue Cafe
106 Walnut Ave (at Pacific Ave.)
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
United States
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
United States
Open until 4:00 PM (Show more)
- Mon–Fri
- 7:00 AM–3:00 PM
- Sat–Sun
- 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
(831) 457-2307
Features
Reservations
No
Credit Cards
Yes
Wi-Fi
No
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Food & Drink
Menus
Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch
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- 4.9
"Really busy at lunch - but a great open seating area. Sandwiches are big. Enjoy. Anyplace else to eat is an up hill walk from here."
Justin Sullivan - 8.1
"The gluten-free scones are quite light & tasty. They also carry all their scone and biscuit mixes on-site. Perfect for the day after Thanksgiving!"
Barbara Matthews - 8.9
"Love this coffee shop. Delicious, rich espresso drinks. Tip: I avoid ordering the baked goods here. Have seen some flies going in and out of the pastries."
Steven Wakuu
Places people like to go after The Walnut Avenue Cafe
- 8.4
"Fun to go to once in awhile. The Big Dipper is the best; also have a fun summer concert series for free. However, unless you have children, there are many more worthy places to spend your time in S.C."
TravelMuse - 9.3
"Enormous bookstore offering books and periodicals aplenty alongside a well curated selection of fiction and non-fiction staff favourites."
Wilson Favre-Delerue - 8.9
"The ice cream is made with local ingredients, and while the selection is small the flavors are varied and unique. You can even get toppings!"
Derrick Yu
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