- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 6 am - 10 pm
Fri 6 am - 11 pm
Sat 6:30 am - 11 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage, Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
103 reviews for Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting
Review Highlights
-
"Home to one of the first ever single drip brew bars." In 18 reviews -
"...the most incredible amount of fair trade coffee I have seen..." In 5 reviews -
"I cherish every sip of a good cup." In 2 reviews
Loading...
103 reviews in English
-
Review from Sean B.
Decent. I tend to love Philz and like Peet's (positive bias for cute Peet's barista on the Alameda in San Jose), I'm ambivalent about Coffee Bean and Starbucks. Want to find an indy shop I like as much as Intelligentcia in Silverlake, LA but no such luck.
I do like this one more than The Abbey because it doesn't have quite the annoying hipster vibe. The coffee is nice and the servers friendly. Probably my favorite in Santa Cruz. -
Review from Omar R.
Inglewood, CA
2/20/2012
I normally rate coffee shops based on quality of coffee and the work environment provided (the main reasons I go to a coffee shop at least). I'd do 4 1/2 if I could, I like seeing more AC plugs.
The coffee is great, and they provide some plugs for computers. Check to make sure an outlet is available if that's you're main reason for visiting. The barista was very knowledgeable and helped me choose a great light roast. -
Review from Meg T.
2/10/2012
Me: Do you think they'll yell at me if I order a frappuccino?
The honey: I dunno. Probably not wise.
Me: But I want a frappuccino.
@ the front counter
Me: One iced vanilla frappe please.
Barista: You mean a frappuccino?
And it was seriously frappe good. Half of the thing equaled a large Starbucks, or even a large and a half. OMFG. Marry me.
Only downside was their key coded bathroom had no paper. I mean none. Not even a roll holder to show they ever had paper. I've been in nicer campground bathrooms.
4 stars for your excellent drink. 1 for your icky bathroom.Listed in: Community Coffee
-
Review from Justin C.
Santa Cruz, CA
5/19/2012
Really rude guy served me burnt nasty coffee
-
Review from Randy S.
Bend, OR
5/15/2012
I went here with family, found the chocolate blues breaker coffee and fell in love. I love mocha, here was mocha coffee without adding additional chocolate. Do not get me wrong the addition of chocolate with theobromine in it ( a cousin of caffeine) does wonders for the energy level. I still mail order coffee from them, but only one type - chocolate.
-
Review from Stephanie L.
Milpitas, CA
2/1/2012 5 Check-ins Here
When you walk into Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting you're hit with the aroma of fresh brewed coffee. I love getting coffee from here because they have many different flavors and the prices are more reasonable than Starbucks across the street. They also have fresh sandwiches, salads and pastries that look really good and El Palomar's is right next door.
They offer free wifi so I often come here to do homework if I'm too lazy to take a bus up to campus.Listed in: Santa Cruz Eats
-
Review from Nathan T.
1/31/2012 1 Check-in Here
One of my favorite coffee houses. Love the pour over coffee and large selection of estate beans.
The decor needs a serious update. The wooden booths are a bit rough looking. All about the coffee though.Listed in: Best Coffee Shops
-
Review from Jeromy G.
Hercules, CA
3/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
Good Hot Chocolate.
-
Review from brian k.
Santa Cruz, CA
11/3/2011
Awesome
One of the many great coffee places in Santa Cruz. Their differentiating factor is their quality beans which you can purchase and their location.
The heart of darkness and their general espresso blend are delicious.
Their location is perfect for people watching. We all know Santa Cruz has a myriad of interesting people downtown. You can sit here in peace and watch drama ensue. You can watch tin foil man, the cat man, the crazy guy who thinks he is a wizard, or any of the regulars. These guys are great fun to watch. -
Review from Bob K.
Scotts Valley, CA
3/21/2012
I've written some negative reviews lately, and thought, what are the places I like?
Well, while my negative reviews tend to be long due to the comedy or errors made at bad places, a good place is just that...GOOD! Excellent even.
You can't go wrong here. They've got enough staff to handle the tasks at hand, 2 registers, multiple people dealing with coffee, drinks, food, beans, and a fresh coffee bar, where you order the type of coffee you want, brewed up fresh.
Mmmm....it's just the best!
Their beans kick buttt, and was all I drank for years, just lately I don't live so close and I find Trader Joe's Sumatran coffee as adequate, but not as good as here.
My fav coffees are the Fair Trade Sumatran, the Peruvian, and I also like the concept of Fair Trade, not trying to screw these already impoverished peoples.
I saw a special on it once, where a family in Nicaraqua was now able to have beans with their totillas and not just salt, as well as they were able to buy a donkey to carry the 100 lbs bags of coffee to market, instead of on their backs.
And you think you got it bad?
Free internet, a taco bar and restaurant next door, the Palomar, which I also love, but will review separately perhaps, except to say, I'd rate them a 4. -
Review from Chris M.
San Jose, CA
8/25/2011 4 Check-ins Here
I miss Santa Cruz ALMOST as much as I miss this place.
Best drip coffee hands down. Happy hour is cool too.
Not the best for the Triple Half-Calf Breve Light Foam Latte drinkers.
You'll probably just get laughed at. And rightfully so. You want a $5 flavored milk, go across the street.
The bathroom issue: Yes- it's true. They don't have a bathroom, but it's downtown Santa Cruz, the whole place is a toilet. Would you let the people on Pacific Avenue use your bathroom? Thought not... -
Review from Chris O.
2/2/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Coffee and Tea just as good as the chains around, try it out if you want to support a local biz. The individual fresh drip thing was cool too.
-
Review from Angelina D.
Ben Lomond, CA
2/20/2012
Great coffee and treats. The fresh hot coffee smell will smack you right in the face when you walk in and you'll be catapulted to awesomeness! We buy a pound of the Santa Cruz Dark ground every week, Stop in for a quick cup and a vegan donut...epic :)
-
Review from Lauren L.
Santa Cruz, CA
2/19/2012
Oh, coffee. How I love you so.
I come here a couple times a week, and they pretty much always remember my name (Ego boost!) and a couple baristas will ask what drink I'm ordering as soon as I walk in the door, before I even get to the ordering counter! That way I can get in and out as quickly as possible.
The only issue I've had with their drinks in when I order a Nonfat White Mocha (chai?) sometimes they will misread the tag and forget the white chocolate. They always offer to remake it for free, but it's delicious either way.
Probably the best thing about the SC Coffee Roasters is they don't over sweeten their drinks. Starbucks makes anything that's not JUST coffee taste like syrup. -
Review from Allister D.
Sunnyvale, CA
This cafe shop is pretty cool looking and their variety is nice. First off, the layout is really spacious! It doesn't really have that coffee shop feel and the temp is a bit stuffy. I noticed their fresh pastries in display and their wide arrangements of coffees! I ordered the 16 oz. Dark Santa Cruz drip which was packed with a XXX-BOLD taste. This had a smoky flavor which was very acidic in a way too. The texture is thick and black than a mother f*cker HAHAH. Pretty good strong coffee to me.
Service was really cool here, and the barista knew his stuff about the coffee. The do the pour-over for their coffees. Great place!
I will come back for more! -
Review from Davey R.
5/31/2011
Really amazing coffee. Expansive space with reading rooms and junctions into different businesses, one of which was a bar.
Folkloric. Legendary. -
Review from John Z.
Dublin, CA
5/30/2011
How is Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting not a solid 4-star rated coffee shop? They quite possibly have the best iced coffee that I've ever tasted - if not the best, then right up their with my ultimate favorite Peet's. The blend used for today's iced coffee was a dark variation on a french roast that looked as dark and sweet as molasses cascaded over the mountains of ice cubes in my cup.
SCCR also has a learning center and plenty of seating for their guests. How can they afford such a large pad in downtown Santa Cruz? At any rate, they have the poshiest and most spacious coffee shop pad that I've been to the Bay Area.
The only dig on SCCR could be that their wide open space could detract from the ambiance of the experience. Instead of having a cozy conversation lounge feel, SCCR has more of a student union building group study session feel. Also, the associate that took my order was a bit frosty and would have expected a little more friendliness.
However, these are two minor items in comparison to the most important factor - SCCR has incredible coffee! -
Review from Tammie W.
Scotts Valley, CA
8/10/2011
I am always for supporting the local business. And when a Groupon came up for the Roasting Company, I decided to make a return visit to see how things were these days.
Their coffee and beans are good and strong, and the selection is great. They have free trade organic blends and offer a nice assortment of food items for sale. There is plenty of seating both inside and out and I like the fact they have local music on occasion.
However, someone needs to seriously train their barristas. I know at one time, the employees were put through a rather extensive training program, but that hasn't been evident in the last few times I've gone there. The coffee drinks have been poorly made and the service is slow. The employees seem a bit "distracted" and on a recent visit, one barrista spent 5 minutes chatting up a friend on the line while 6 people stood behind waiting to place orders. -
Review from Sarai R.
Lemoore, CA
1/10/2012
Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting is a Award Winning coffee shop that has been in service since 1978. All drinks are made to an extent of freshness. There enviorment is so peaceful and is a great place to be with friends. The people who work there are very kind and glad to help you. This place is well taken care of and offer a lot of sitting. One of the many great things is that It is located Downtown Santa Cruz, the place to hangout.
-
Review from kim n.
11/2/2011
My new local bagel joint carries the coffee here. Im not sure which beans they're currently using (ill research) but the iced coffee and lattes are nice and strong, good richness and the bitterness is nice. I moved away from an area that had Blue Bottle, Ritual, Equator and a few other good coffee options to an unknown area. So it's good to see this stuff is solid
-
Review from Jeff M.
Antelope, CA
12/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Santa Cruz Organic Dark is all I need to say....THE BEST
-
Review from Ann L.
3/22/2011
We ended up in Downtown Santa Cruz and went to Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting. B. likes espresso so he got it, he paid $2 total. I think they do latte art but didn't get one.
I saw they sell Starz Cupcakes from Capitola $3.25 - guy working there likes them. - I didn't try any, but liked the looks of them.
Organic donuts from People's in Berkeley $2.25 ea - didn't try.
Live music on Fri & Sat - they have a piano.
Lot of tables & counters to sit & relax. -
Review from christina t.
San Jose, CA
3/22/2011
I REALLY really wanted to like Santa Cruz CR. I really DID...... but I don't. The barristas are rude. The drinks are inconsistent. The espresso is often overpacked and makes the drink taste like coffee mud. I'm all for local businesses but... they need to taste good.
Ever see the South Park episode when whore-bucks moves into town and threatens to close down Tweeks dad's place... Tweek's dad is all upset until he tastes the other coffee and it is like 1million times better than Tweek's cuz his tastes like monkey droppings??? Yea, kinda like that... -
Review from Tracy T.
5/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
Big open spaced coffee shop with many places to sit down and study. However, the lighting is terrible if you're anywhere but that "showcase" looking room with the desks for laptops and fluorescent lighting. The house coffee is strong and cheap $1.95. You should try the single brewed cups they have. I sometimes feel that there are TOO many coffee options! I get a little overwhelmed.
Also, the noise level in here can get pretty high at times. So if you're hardcore studying, I recommend you bring noise-canceling earbuds/headphones. -
Review from Ina V.
Brooklyn, NY
1/25/2011
I fell in love with their coffee (their regular blend) when I first arrived to Santa Cruz in September. Their youthful staff were always a pleasure to order from and such a delight. I always got coffee to go when I was in a rush and it was no muss, no fuss.
So why only 3 stars?
A new pretentious barista with the glasses wearing barista t-shirt served me the last time I was there. When I ordered, he acted like I was an idiot. Honestly, it's not what he said but how he said it---like a little snot. But the other younger folks who actually make the espresso and brew the coffee are still sweet as can be. I still adore them. But I have to say, I'm less likely to go to the place if I know that little pretentious guy is going to be there. I'm not the only one who has experienced this. This has happened to another friend of mine who was visiting from out of town. When she didn't know where to order from, he was so rude and dismissive, acting as if she should have known where to order from.
If you go there, and this happens to you, please put him in his place. You'll be serving justice to the rest of the customers. -
Review from Elise G.
I liked the fresh, drip coffee, made to order.
-
Review from John S.
10/3/2011
Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting company is a prime example of how local coffee should be done. I personally prefer a coffee shop that looks real cozy and doesn't look brand new, but I can't dock them for being clean and nice as this post is all about the coffee. There selection of beans is almost unrivaled, boasting single origins like Tanzanian peaberry, Celebes Kalossi, Kenya AA, and Indian Malabar. Not only do they provide a vast array of coffee, but they have the most incredible amount of fair trade coffee I have seen out of a local roaster, and I must say they are very fairly priced. Some of the coffee looked as if it had been roasted a bit dark for my taste, but I generally enjoy lighter roasting on almost all coffee's. I have not tried the beans I have purchased yet so I can't comment on the taste, but if my findings are different than my expectations I will surely update my review.
In terms of the coffee I did try. The espresso was quite good, and had a wonderful crema. The flavor was rich like chocolate, but missed a sharpness or what you might consider brightness. The front of my tongue wasn't getting any actions, but the body was full, and it had a wonderful finish. Although it was missing that sharpness, it was still one of the better espresso's I have had. I also tried a drip Sumatra, which was a hand poured melitta. I always give props to places that hand pour there melitta, but the coffee itself was much like the espresso. It was better than drip coffee at many other coffee shops, and it had a great body and wonderful finish, but it lacked a certain brightness I have come to love in coffee. I personally prefer lighter roasted coffee that engages the front of your tongue, but that's just my opinion, and everything I had was truly a exceptional, but I wouldn't say it's the best coffee I ever had.
Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting company stands out as one of the best roasting companies I have ever been too, and I highly suggest it to anyone that loves coffee. -
Review from catalina r.
San Jose, CA
12/9/2010 1 Check-in Here
Good spot for free wifi in Santa Cruz. Don't drink Too much coffee because they don't have a bathroom, as someone else said, how is that possible on a place selling diuretics drinks? is that even legal?? business with no bathroom?? u have to sneak in the restaurant Next door and pretend you are there otherwise they wont give you the key, and leave your computer alone or take it with you and come back..not fun!
I like that room/office in the middle to connect my laptop and work, the rest of the place is not very attractive for me.
I agree with most people, they are not friendly at all, and one day I went there and tell them I was Colombian and wanted to try some good Colombian coffee and they looked at me like I was asking something strange.
I am sure there are better places around, just like the free wifiComment from Sarah A. of Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting 12/10/2010
Just wanted to let everyone know we are re-openning our… More » -
Review from Ravena F.
7/6/2008
Aw, good old Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting company. This is one of the few places on the strip I still recognize from my days during my first year of undergrad. Not surprised at all to see this place still thriving.
- Home to one of the first ever single drip brew bars.
- They use fair trade beans that are actually better than many unfairly traded beans.
- Friendly baristas who typically pull a neat espresso & know how to make the really orgasmic foam for a cappuccino
- I can always make a quick meal out of their enormous bagels. (Today's lunch was garlic-onion bagel w/ olive-garlic cheese spread . . . totally worth the bad breath that followed - though my husband my disagree!)
Doesn't quite have the ambience of some of the other old standby coffee-shops in Santa Cruz, although I do enjoy the prime outdoor seating, for the world-class people watching that is a serious sport in this city. -
Review from Vicky T.
Updated - 7/25/2008
Up'd a star for their soy chai....
So two reasons to go
1) brew bar
2) soy chai
but still get it to go :-D1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
11/25/2006
I am extremely picky about my coffee (thank you dad) so if I pay 4.50 for a double vanilla soy… Read more »
-
-
Review from Edward B.
Los Angeles, CA
11/13/2007
They make some strong fucking coffee!!!! Seriously!!! I think they called it 'rocket fuel' when I lived there...
It's a really nice place to get your caffeine on... Not much of a lounging spot.
What's really nice is if you order some Premium Coffee.... They'll drip it fresh for you! Always a plus!
Btw, It's a Madhouse at nighttime on the Weekends! -
Review from Berg W.
San Jose, CA
Updated - 7/17/2008
It's hilarious to me how people are picking Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting apart. I went here recently to pick up my favorite beans, Malabar, and they delivered as usual.
Here's what they focus on doing: providing a consistently perfect variety of coffee. If you can't appreciate that, then you aren't their target customer.
If you want to come in here and chill with the street kids and vagrants, then you have a problem beyond having to poop or pee, when there are no bathrooms. Get your coffee and get out...for the best experience.
Another note: if you are a chai or tea drinker, don't you dare rate this place on that. Read the sign. You know what you are getting yourself into.
If you love coffee, and especially unique strong drip coffee, then this should be a stop on your coffee pilgrimage. If you can appreciate great regional varieties roasted to varying degrees, depending on their natural character, this is your place to buy beans.
If you want your double decaf soy white mocha, you should just go to Starbucks, because they invented that horrible style of "Italian" coffee to begin with.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
1/18/2008
Are you kidding me? Best coffee I've had in my life. I used to work there, and I hated it. In fact… Read more »
-
-
Review from Evelina E.
Berkeley, CA
7/27/2010 3 Check-ins Here
The only reason I give it four stars is because their coffee is THAT GOOD. Otherwise, the service has been friendly one time of the many I've come in, the layout and menu are pretty confusing, and there's hardly good seating.
But seriously, this place makes some fantastic joe. Also have good bagels, but not at 7AM. -
Review from Jessica h.
San Francisco, CA
7/8/2010
Coffee- although they roast their own, its not good. Their espresso drinks are even worse...why is everything so overly sweet?
Service -horrible. They're not very friendly, and sometimes rude. Also don't seem like they know much about coffee.
Ambiance- Not much. It feels very white-trashy, it's always cold in here, and there are never any seats available! also, NO bathroom! for a place that whips up diuretics such as coffee+tea...are you serious?? JANKY.
Wifi- free, which I appreciate..but pointless to come & use if the coffee's not even good.
With so many good coffee roasters in Santa Cruz: The Verve, Lulu's @ the Octagon, The Abbey, it's pointless to come here. The Starbucks across the street tastes better if you're desperate. -
Review from Karl H.
Santa Cruz, CA
Updated - 9/10/2010 5 Check-ins Here
So, I came back to see what has changed. The coffee was better than before, but honestly it's not as good as other places in Santa Cruz/Capitola. It used to be the place for coffee. Now I would rather buy their beans at the local store than go to their location and hang out.
They are still directing people to the public bathroom which I had hoped they had changed. Let's hope that the owner's fix this.2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
-
7/16/2010
This is an updated review for SC Roasting Company. I recently posted a 1 star review here. I… Read more »
-
-
Review from Erica J.
Omaha, NE
9/7/2011
americanos are what i judge coffee by - it's easy to tell good from bad. the americano from santa cruz coffee made me swear at first sip - it was that good! i'm sure their pourover drip coffees are good, too.
also, bonus points for offering delicious vegan pastries. -
Review from Bryan F.
Los Angeles, CA
1/28/2009
My weekend jaunt to Santa Cruz forced me to confront racial injustice. No, I did not attend a class in UCSC, instead I walked around this grody disgusting wanna-be Surf City populated by coked-up children of failed liberal parenting.
The amount of threat posed to my safety by these roving bands of wiggers led me to discover that while decent minority-dominated cities like Inglewood are described as 'inner city', the white hippie trash of this dump are considered 'progressive'. Leave it to NorCal to ruin a California beach city.
I tried to separate my opinion of this dreary city from my experience here at SCCR. Unfortunately, the place is a popular hang-out for the perpetually confused locals. SCCR is an earnest do-gooder coffee establishment with a separate fair-trade menu. The dessert sucks of course, and the mocha chai sounded exotic enough, but I guess the two flavors shouldn't be blended together.
In retrospect, it was the local gremlins who patronized the place that bumped my rating of this place by one more star. As a person of color, I never felt so superior in a roomful of white people. -
Review from shannon m.
Santa Cruz, CA
10/16/2011
This is the coffee shop I come to most often. It's in the heart of Santa Cruz, do it's great for people-watching. They have free wifi, which is nice, and the drinks are great. Desserts here are always tasty, too! Very good baristas can be found here, which I really appreciate.
-
Review from Mike L.
Santa Cruz, CA
Updated - 1/21/2012
they have corrected the problem I stated before so 5 stars now.Best coffee anywhere!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
3/28/2011
Best selection of coffee in town. Many are organic and Free Trade. Staff is wonderful and if you go… Read more »
-
-
Review from Jen G.
San Gabriel Valley, CA
2/27/2008
Years ago this used to be my favorite coffee house in Santa Cruz. It's still a cool place, but now the drinks seem to be somewhat less consistent than before.
This place has a nice patio where you can sit out and be mellow while watching the action on Pacific. The inside seating seems hard to come by, and the free wifi wasn't a lure for me since I could never find an open place to sit inside.
I also must warn anyone even contemplating the vegan spring rolls -- don't do it!
The iced espresso drinks are my new favorites at the Santa Cruz Roasting Company -- but sometimes in the evening it's just nice to sit and sip on a good latte.
