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Welcome to Zachary’s Restaurant

At Zachary’s Restaurant, breakfast and brunch come alive in a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere. Established in 1985, this Santa Cruz gem offers a delightful array of homemade dishes, from their renowned sourdough pancakes to a variety of unique sandwiches. The menu caters to all appetites, featuring vegan and vegetarian options alongside hearty classics. Guests rave about the house-baked goods, which elevate every meal, while attentive service ensures a memorable dining experience. With outdoor seating and a casual ambiance, Zachary’s is not just a restaurant but a beloved community spot where food lovers can savor creative flavors in a friendly setting.

LOCATIONS

If you find yourself in Santa Cruz, California, a visit to Zachary’s Restaurant is a must for breakfast or brunch lovers. Nestled at 819 Pacific Ave, this American eatery has been delighting locals and tourists alike since 1985. Famous for its homemade offerings and vibrant atmosphere, Zachary’s not only serves traditional favorites but elevates them to new heights with unique twists and freshly baked goods.

Atmosphere and Ambiance

Upon entering Zachary’s, you’ll be greeted by a classic diner vibe with a sprinkle of California casualness. The bustling sound of laughter and conversation fills the air, creating a warm and inviting environment that is perfect for groups or families. Their outdoor seating allows you to enjoy Santa Cruz's beautiful weather, while Dogs are welcome to join your party. The restaurant is equipped with gender-neutral restrooms and even offers Wi-Fi, accommodating various needs of today’s diners.

A Culinary Journey

What truly sets Zachary’s apart is their commitment to quality. From the moment you take a bite, you can taste the care that goes into each dish. The restaurant offers an array of vegan and vegetarian options, ensuring everyone has something tantalizing to savor. Diners rave about their homemade breads, including the oatmeal molasses bread and sourdough pancakes, which are simply heavenly. For those seeking heartiness, the Mike’s Mess and classic corned beef hash come highly recommended and reflect the core of their breakfast ethos.

  • Burgers: With choices like the Pepper Bacon & Cheese Burger and the Catalina Veggie Burger, there’s something for every palate.
  • Salads: Fresh and vibrant, the Greek Salad and Spinach Salad provide refreshing counterparts to their hearty offerings.
  • Soups: Their chowder and chili are perfect side options that warm the spirit.

The combination of quality ingredients and innovative recipes has won over many fans, with customers like John D. declaring it their favorite breakfast spot in years. The service, while occasionally busy, is friendly and attentive, ensuring an overall pleasant dining experience.

Conclusion

In summary, Zachary’s Restaurant stands as a beloved breakfast hub in Santa Cruz that combines tradition with creativity. With its rich menu, homemade specialties, and welcoming atmosphere, it’s easy to see why this establishment has survived the test of time. Whether you’re indulging in their famous pancakes or enjoying a light salad with a unique dressing, each dish is crafted to leave you satisfied and eager to return. So come for the food, stay for the friendly ambiance, and leave with a full stomach and happy heart.

START YOUR REVIEW OF Zachary’s Restaurant
John D.
John D.

Zach to the Future You know, despite the lies Yelp tells, I really don't think breakfast is my #1 most reviewed category. I don't feel we even go out to breakfast that much, but evidently, the proof is in the pudding. =/ For me these days, in order to go out to breakfast, it has to offer something special beyond the usual Omelette du fromage, benedicts, and pancakes. Like take for example, Zachary's. They've got longevity (ca. 1985), an interesting menu with unique items, and they bake their own bread and baked goods! How can any self-respecting foodie say no to this place. Well. I have to say it was everything we expected and then some. Hands down my favorite breakfast in the past I don't know how many years. The eggs were cooked perfectly, the housemade bread goodies (e.g., muffin, coffee cake, bread) were all fantastic, and the service was superlative. If you top all that with very reasonable prices then you've got yourself a winner. 'Nuff said.

Samuel C.
Samuel C.

Alright here's the deal - Zach's Breakfast Sandwich was slammin, gigantic and full of flavor. We wouldn't order the waffle again, they would be better if it was crispy on the outside. Ambiance is classic diner style, spaced out tables and friendly service. This place deserves 4 stars and nothing more

Andre M.
Andre M.

Is is the number one spot in Santa Cruz with the best pancakes. There sourdough pancakes that have a great taste and texture. Wish they were a bit bigger for the price and consistent as you'll get smaller ones and sometimes medium ones. Service is a hit or miss in terms of them refilling your water, but staff are nice.

Christine W.
Christine W.

Metered street parking in front of restaurant. We were fortunate to arrive right before the rush and was seated right away. Service was good. The table was a little rickety and I spilled my water, someone was there right away to clean up the spill, give me a new water and fix the table! I had the corn beef hash which was a good size and came with the oatmeal molasses bread as a choice that was very good. Def would return to try something else.

Craig Y.
Craig Y.

At the time of review they only had a 4.1 which is shocking! Maybe you don't think it's quite a 5 but WAY BETTER than 4.1. I love this place. In my top 10 overall for brunch. FOOD: Everything was so good! The corned beef hash was among the best I've ever had. Real corned beef (not out of a can) AND tasty. Made even better with awesome home fried potatoes. They cook eggs correctly here which believe it or not is a thing. Also ordered the spicy scramble which was delicious. And even the toast was great! SERVICE: Good but could've been slightly more attentive. Water ran out twice without refill. But it was so busy and hectic I understand. Very nice people and portion sizes were great! Responsive when asked. COST: Super reasonable especially for both the quality and the quantity!

Joley B.
Joley B.

On a Tuesday morning in early October I took a stroll to the downtown area of Santa Cruz and found myself at Zachary's restaurant for breakfast. It was a nice morning walk and I had read that their breakfasts were pretty good. I went to a Mike's Mess with a size of jalapeno cornbread and another side of the oatmeal molasses bread. The portions were huge, and ended up taking some of it home - because it was that good! It was quiet and there weren't many patrons in there at this time of year/day/hour - so it was nice to have a quiet breakfast. The staff were pleasant and let me enjoy my meal checking on occasionally to see if I needed anything. I'm definitely glad I stopped in, because it turned out to be a great meal. It's a great place to stop in if you're ever in the area.

Christine N.
Christine N.

Zachary's was great and I'd totally go again. It's classic, homemade, breakfast goodness. There was a short line around noon on a Saturday, but it moved quickly. We got seats at the bar. Everyone was really friendly. They bake all their own bread, muffins, coffee cake, etc. I got their breakfast sandwich and it's made with huge chunks of fresh avocado, yummy chipotle sauce, and their homemade oatmeal molasses bread, which was nutty, hearty, and super solid. The sandwich was huge. I was also craving chili so I got a cup. It was meaty with big chunks of steak, but was served lukewarm (temperature-wise), unfortunately. Tips: Get the salsa of the day. It was verde when we went and was very, very, very good! And bring change for the parking meters.

Francie M.
Francie M.

Best brunch in Santa Cruz! I only go out to brunch if there's some unusual or unique flavors offered - beyond what I can make at home. Zachary's offers classic breakfast options like eggs and pancakes, but the pancakes/waffles/toast/coffeecake is all made in house with sourdough, none of that bisquik shit. They also offer dishes such as tofu scrambles for the vegans and artichoke frittata for egg lovers that want to switch it up. It's hard to go wrong with anything you order here. Logistics: - indoor and outdoor seating - it's a happening business so put your name on the paper waitlist at the front door and expect to wait a bit, but service is fast. Not a place linger so that other diners can get the experience! - limited street parking nearby but there are a few paid lots and garages within a 10 min walk - vegan, vegetarian, and a few gluten free options available (if you get home fries instead of toast)

Melissa R.
Melissa R.

Great brunch spot! We tried the breakfast burger, Mike's mess, and tofu mess. I'm glad there are vegetarian options on the menu. The tofu scramble really wowed me. Plus their home fries are always delicious. Gender neutral bathrooms available :)