Far West Fungi

Had an amazing grilled cheese mushroom sandwich with tomato jam. Food went far beyond expectations; it’s obvious that the owners / chef / staff are very passionate about mushrooms and fungi because the meal was completely unique and delicious. The staff was also very nice. I highly recommend dropping by here to see the store and enjoy some of the excellent and creative food options.

an amazing, creative, farm-to-form experience! I had the nashville hot fried lion's mane sandwich and the seasonal mushroom house salad (with delicious vegan feta!) and loved them both. the staff then offered us some free samples (happy hour) of a mushroom taco and a ceviche. The taco was ridiculously good and the ceviche was hands down the best vegetarian ceviche I have ever tried. the staff was very friendly and welcoming. would absolutely come back.

These guys are on it..could be a little more solid on their knowledge, but pretty good. Selections are good variety. Dried, fresh, Jerky..not bad

I love this place. they have many fungi menu! Must try it! The menu changes every season, so I want to visit often. I liked the soup and the bakery. The mushroom jelly was a bit of a challenge. Do you want to try it bravely? You can check out their Instagram for special menu information.

⭐⭐ I really like West Fungi as a store—great mushroom tinctures and powders—and I often recommend it to friends and family visiting Santa Cruz. But today’s lunch was a big disappointment. I ordered soup, mushroom ceviche, tea, and kombucha and paid $37 + tip. The portions were shockingly small: less than about 4 tablespoons of soup and less than 2 tablespoons of ceviche, with lots of crackers. I mentioned it on the spot because I’ve had the soup here before and it was served in a bowl with about a cup’s worth, not a few spoonfuls. I want to keep supporting this place, but the value didn’t match the price today.

Love the variety of mushrooms that Far West Fungi offer to the masses. As a plant-based eater, mushrooms become a focal point of my diet to incorporate textured variety in my meals. I love the options of fresh and dried mushrooms here as well as their hot menu offerings. There isn't a whole lot of space inside to actually dine in, so you're better off grabbing it to-go and taking it somewhere to enjoy. On a cold fall day, I went for a side of their Vegan Gumbo ($8) which incorporates their famed mushrooms along with vegan sausage and veggies in a spicy stew. Rice is included in the side but no greens unless you order a full bowl. I quite enjoyed the gumbo although I found it a bit on the saltier side. Still, the option is fantastic and I would order again if I'm downtown. I am curious to try their other items including their fried mushroom burger someday. I will definitely be back to consume more mushroom goodness.

Had lunch at Far West Fungi today. Gluten free options were limited, by the person taking my order modified the salad to make it gluten free. He put together a tasty bowl of mushrooms with garlic and onions - delicious! My husband enjoyed the risotto balls and empanada

I would rate the employees working here 100+ stars. Patience, attention to details, and super helpful on all inquires to ensure you have a delightful experience. I ended up ordering the Nashville sandwich and it was delicious. The place is chill and ambience is inviting. I am coming back!

Super cool local mushroom shop with a very extensive selection! The staff is tremendously helpful in advising on the different mushrooms including their flavors and preparation methods. I walked out with 6 different kinds of fresh mushrooms, some packages of dried ones and some mushroom based desserts. Also got lunch there -- all the dishes were delicious and compare favorably against both the best vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes I have had at other restaurants. Definitely going to be back when they have fresh lobster mushrooms in stock. Unfortunately I had apparently missed a good window of them which happened a few months earlier.

Heard good things about this spot and was excited to check it out. Store is pretty small but they have a good variety of mushroom products. Definitely a unique and fun store! I got the caprese truffle grilled cheese and mushroom empanada. Both were fantastic! Loved the basil pesto on the grilled cheese and the tomato jam it came with. Mushroom empanada had good amount of meaty mushrooms inside, though the outer crust could've been a little crispier. I tried some of my friends' crab cake sandos, mushroom chowder, and mushroom risotto but none of them stood out that much to me. Service was also a bit slow, my friends waited quite a long time for their entrees. However, the employees gave two of my friends free candycap cookies for the wait, which was very kind of them!

it's amazing that this place has such a large variety of mushrooms, probably the largest variety of mushrooms and mushroom related things I've seen ever. I have a friend who makes a lot of terrariums and plant related things so he bought some spores here to try and grow them in his little ecosystems. they also sell mushrooms that you can grow in the bag such as oyster mushroom, shiitake mushrooms, Rishi, etc. they sell tinctures and gummy's with mushrooms that help boost cognitive ability. Not the type that would have psychoactive affects but more beneficial for your mental health or something. They also have a bunch of mushroom related foods like the grilled cheese is supposed to be really good. They even have ice cream made with candy cap mushrooms. if you're visiting Santa Cruz, I would highly recommend visiting this little mushroom store. You can get some cool gifts for yourself and others... Mushrooms are becoming a really big deal and I believe that they are the future. I know that they have a lot of research done out there on mushroom teas helping with relaxation and jitter free caffeine like properties, so I would give it a try.

I get reishi tea and reishi gummies. I get them to help with sleep. For me they work. I've also had a couple of their sandwiches which are delicious. The variety of fresh mushrooms is amazing

Love that I can get quality mushrooms! Even candy caps for a sweet treat. Ice cream favorite. Grow mushrooms at home and have a fun experience with the kiddos!

Came for lunch, had to park around corner due to no visible parking. Quick and easy ordering. The place is aesthetically appealing and very clean. I ordered their Lions Mane Nashville Hot Chik'n and Spruce Juice. Both were excellent. I will be back to try other menu options. Price: $20

Food: If you love mushrooms then you gotta go here. Food was cooked to perfection and made with love. You can taste the quality ingredients that went into the dishes. The lions mane crab cake sando tasted like there was crab in it, the buns were soft, and with each bite you wanted more. The risotto bites were made with porcini mushrooms, and the breading had a nice little crunch to it. The cold brew reishi tea was the perfect compliment to wash it all down. Ambiance: Beautiful store front with a cute little shop inside. The staff were very friendly and the orders came quick. Any mushroom question were asked they had an answer with health benefits. Parking: Street parking only so it is limited but didn't turn us away. I always see them at the farmers market and I'm a sucker for lions mane, so I had to give their brick and mortar a try. No complaints one bit.

Cute little shop we passed by strolling in downtown Santa Cruz. The shop itself has a vintage old-timey feel and faces onto the quiet street, which is such a vibe! There is an infinite amount of mushroom products ranging from cooking, to medicinal, to clothing, to hot foods they make fresh once you order! The cashiers were very friendly and knowledgeable about the products. The empanadas were crispy and fragrant so we ordered another one for the road! The grilled cheese was delectable and came with a side of dip similar to a sweet sun-dried tomato spread, which we were pleasantly surprised by. Would recommend to locals looking to enhance their mushroom dishes at home, and even tourists wanting to try some local SC funghi!

* Extremely kind, friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful staff * Atmosphere/Ambiance was great! Such a cool little spot with unique items * The fried mushroom sandwich pictured was really good - very close to a chicken texture according to a friend who eats meat * Vegan and vegetarian options available * Food is a bit pricey but it still very good nonetheless * Wouldn't say I crave the food again but would for sure stop by if I was nearby

What a gem! Stopped by here for lunch on a chilly day and was so glad they had their mushroom chowder. The chowder is hearty, packed with flavor, with a little kick and a ton of comfort. We also tried the mushroom burger and the mushroom Mufaletta. I didn't like the burger that much since it had that fake meat taste. The mushroom Mufaletta however was also fantastic! I also loved that the food came out piping hot and not just luke warm. Overall, would highly recommend stopping in here for a quick meal. For those who are curious, I didn't miss meat at all! I'll have to try their drinks and desserts next time!

Love the variety of mushrooms that Far West Fungi offer to the masses. As a plant-based eater, mushrooms become a focal point of my diet to incorporate textured variety in my meals. I love the options of fresh and dried mushrooms here as well as their hot menu offerings. There isn't a whole lot of space inside to actually dine in, so you're better off grabbing it to-go and taking it somewhere to enjoy. On a cold fall day, I went for a side of their Vegan Gumbo ($8) which incorporates their famed mushrooms along with vegan sausage and veggies in a spicy stew. Rice is included in the side but no greens unless you order a full bowl. I quite enjoyed the gumbo although I found it a bit on the saltier side. Still, the option is fantastic and I would order again if I'm downtown. I am curious to try their other items including their fried mushroom burger someday. I will definitely be back to consume more mushroom goodness.

I went there on a Saturday and it was surprisingly empty- they had great options adn the employee was very knowledgeable about the options and how to use the mushrooms. I usually go to their farmers market locations but this time i was in the area so I went. It's on the corner and there is only street parking which is metered so don't forget to pay! Such good options I love this place- I am a forever fan

We have this store in the SF ferry building - but it doesn't;t serve food. This is a Santa Cruz HIDDEN GEM!! There is a small counter for dining in. They mostly sell mushrooms and mushroom spices, but they do have a small menu. We ordered one of the mushroom pastries (lots of mushroom filling in a flaky crust, served piping hot), and the real star of the show: the truffle grilled cheese with mushrooms. Even the bread was flecked with truffle. I asked the gal to make sure it was extra toasted (don't you hate when you get a grilled cheese and the cheese is not fully melted? - it really ruins my day), She did as requested and it was perfection!!! It is a grilled cheese that will be tough to beat in my mind. I wish the ferry building would step up and offer some food to eat!!

Cool spot with all the different types of mushroom products you would ever want and need. From grow kits, tinctures, gummies, and whole mushrooms your heart could desire. They even have a large menu with mushroom empanadas, Mac and cheese, and a mushroom burger right along with a cookie and some cheesecake (just to name a few.) The staff is very friendly and approachable, listening to your needs. The shop is smaller but still cute and easy to move about in. Cute decorations everywhere of posters, shirts and tote bags you can purchase as well. I highly recommend checking this place out!

This place is so cool! I've been obsessed with mushrooms lately and when I found out there was a store in Santa Cruz I had to check it out. We have purchased their products at farmers markets before but it was fun to check out their brick and mortar location. They have fresh mushrooms for sale, various mushroom products, and food items featuring mushrooms. We spent a while just looking at the different products and mushrooms they had on display. We didn't get a chance to try the food items but we will definitely be back. We purchased a variety pack to try out all of the different types of mushrooms they offered. It was reasonably priced and the staff member who helped us recommended the best way to cook them. We also purchased a Lion's Mane grow at home kit ($25). It was super easy to set up and we had our first harvest within 3 weeks! Super easy to grow/maintain. Definitely a fun little project for mushroom lovers.

Cute little store with plenty of options. It was amazing how it was filled with so much variety of mushrooms. Parking is only street parking, so you will have to look for a space. There's also great options of food all mushroom based, so it was really fun for us to try. However, there isn't much space for sitting, so I would not recommend dining in if you're planning to go with alot of people.

Far West Fungi in Santa Cruz sells cookbooks, merchandise, and of course a plethora of actual mushrooms in the shop, a huge variety to choose from. It smells soooo good in there, as it's an eatery too, with a small bar seating area for dining in, and lotsa good stuff. Imagine all of your favorite dishes all in one place (grilled cheese sandwich, loco moco, empanada, soup, etc.), uniquely prepared with mushroom theme and ingredients! I got the truffle grilled cheese and mushroom empanada. You already know I love my El Porteno champinones.. but the grilled cheese was out of this world delicious, so savory and buttery, made with a mushroom butter truffle mix and so much melted cheese oozing out of the sandwich. Who knew fungus could taste so good! There were three workers and barely any customers on a Saturday afternoon, so service was instant, and the staff were friendly. Also, street parking was easy right around the corner (pay the meter with coins or ParkMobile app).

Cutest lil shop that perfectly defines Santa Cruz! Mushroomssss...all things mushrooms: from fresh, to grilled, to packed into ice cream & cheesecake! After trying most of the dishes, we realized that there was nothing especially outstanding about the food - you're sure to find just as good of a grilled cheese or empanada elsewhere. But, definitely need to highlight how unique this place is! I mean, where else can you buy mushroom ice cream? On that note though, I couldn't taste any hints of mushroom in the ice cream - it tasted more like a butter pecan flavor. Nonetheless, such a fun experience! The service here was super fast and the interior of the space is decorated with such a cottage core ambiance. Plus, now I can check mushroom cheesecake & ice cream off my list of wild food combos I've tried!

I took my husband for his birthday here since we love mushrooms and mushroom hunting. The prices are reasonable and there are a lot of fun dishes to try here. I haven't seen such a store anywhere else in California. Definitely a must see/must shop store if you're in the area.

We purchased a couple of mushroom starter kits along with a variety of mushroom packages. This place has a genuinely appealing vibe--clean, super trendy, and filled with cool mushroom gear, stickers, grow kits, sauces, and more. The staff member who assisted us was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. I highly recommend this spot if you're looking for specific mushrooms that you wouldn't typically find in a regular grocery store.

I've been here before and loved the store atmosphere. It was a cute little shop, everything mushroom! It's such a great place to stop by to get cute gifts or if you love eating mushroom, you'll definitely love the shop. They have a small diner area with food which I enjoyed. I wouldn't say they were amazing but it was good for what I was expecting. The empanada, jambalaya, and cold sandwich we're a 4/5 star but the grilled cheese was a 4.5/5. I had their grilled cheese in December with Swiss Guyere cheese which was a 5/5 for sure. It was the best grilled cheese I've ever had. I'm sad to see it go but good things always come to an end eventually. They didn't change their menu for 2 years so they said they wanted to change it. Hopefully it comes back sometime. As I said before, the food wasn't the best but the entire shop was just great. A lovely experience and great staff. So nice! We came in a 4:30 in a decent size group and they were so kind still. I understand it can be upsetting to get customers close to closing time. I want to thank them for their patience and service!

I came to Santa Cruz for mushroom foraging and was happy to find a mushroom shop in the area! We were unfortunately unable to find any mushrooms in the forest but we were able to purchase some here. I wasn't sure which to buy and didn't even know where to start on preparing them but the staff was very helpful on giving recommendations based on the dish I was planning. We ended up buying a LOT: a pound of tree oyster mushrooms, truffle mayonnaise, tree oyster mushroom jerky, candy cap caramels, and lions mane nut butter. ALL very tasty and unique flavors. They also serve a few hot food items and we ordered a truffle grilled cheese and mushroom lentil soup which were both incredibly delicious especially the grilled cheese! Unfortunately they don't have any space inside or outside to sit and eat so you'll have to eat it from your car, or you can walk about 15 min to the beach for a picnic.

Heard about this spot from a popular Santa Cruz blogger. Happened to be downtown Santa Cruz during their mushroom month (January) and had to stop by! It's a few blocks away from most of the shops and on a side street, but it was a beautiful day so I didn't mind the walk. They had a large selection of mushrooms and mushroom/truffle products. A lot of the products I had seen in other stores before, but some of them were new to me. There were lot of unique mushrooms you wouldn't find in a regular grocery store, so that was cool. They also had a small menu of mushroom food items. I ordered the Chanterelle rustico pastry. Unfortunately there was no seating in or outside so I had to eat it while standing up...not the easiest item to eat because it was large, flaky and messy. Overall it was pretty good! It wasn't warmed all the way through so I had a few bites that were cold, but the rest was nice and toasty. I was happy to check it out and see what the shop was all about, I would go back if I was in the neighborhood and happened to be making a mushroom meal that required some of the unique mushrooms they sell.

I went in today looking for Porcini powder and a small gift. Zoë was absolutely wonderful! Super kind and helpful! I will definitely be back for a lunch day!!! Thanks again!

Obnoxiously cute store. Great selection of mushrooms, wonderful food, friendly staff. A Santa Cruz favorite.

we stopped by here after spending an afternoon at santa cruz beach boardwalk (it's about a 10-minute walk). absolutely LOVED my experience here. to begin, the store interior is so charming. at the center, there is a register and a lovely selection of mushrooms as well as a menu with mushroom food options. on both sides, there is an abundance of mushroom-themed items including tote bags, towels, spices, and more. service is also extremely kind and patient and gives good food recommendations! below are my thoughts on a few of the items on the menu we sampled: el porteno mushroom empanada (7.5/10): loved the crispy exterior and the mushroom filling was delicious vegan mushroom gumbo (7/10): i'm not usually the biggest fan of gumbo but i quite enjoyed this vegan twist on gumbo. the flavors were delicious and the mushrooms were great, of course caprese truffle grilled cheese (10/10): so SO good--the grilled cheese was definitely the highlight of the items we tried! it's warm and perfectly toasted, the cheese is gooey, the mushrooms are yummy, and the ingredients mesh together perfectly candycap mushroom ice cream (9/10): wasn't sure what to expect but the ice cream tasted great and was definitely super unique. it was definitely on the sweet side (kind of like butterscotch) and didn't taste much like mushrooms, but i still enjoyed it candycap mushroom cheesecake (1/10): the cheesecake we got had mold on it, which wasn't super great huckleberry cheesecake (7/10): a lovely little cheesecake that was perfectly sweet and fruity at the same time all in all, if you are in the santa cruz area, i would highly, highly recommend stopping by this hidden gem to sample their mushroom dishes/desserts or simply to browse through the cute selection of items they have!

This place is so cool. I bought mushroom grow kits for my niece and nephew as a fun project. They also have grown/harvested mushrooms that you can't find at grocery stores like lions mane. Super delicious!!

I popped into Far West Fungi right before they were closing up for the evening. The staff were super friendly and accommodating despite my late arrival. I ordered a head of lion's mane and some mushroom tea to go. I also ordered a tasty mushroom empanada and some kombucha. Everything was delicious. Although i took everything to go, they do have a bar where one can sit and dine in. Maybe next time! I will definitely be back!

Amazing concept! I love the friendly service & vibe! I had the sweet dream tea & truffle grilled cheese. After this meal, I felt so relaxed & mellow!

Wowza, what a gem! Their vegan options are sooo yummy and ALL THE MUSHROOMS!!! Go to there!

Mushroom lovers-rejoice! Cute little store that sells: 1. interesting types of fresh and frozen mushrooms 2. T shirts, stationary 3. Freshly made mushroom sandwiches and fruit juice Food: Ordered mushroom gumbo and truffle grilled cheese sandwich. These were yummy. Service: Super nice staff who were patient and friendly with all of my questions Ambiance: Cute but only has like 6 seats at the eating bar for dine-in, or you can choose take-out Parking: My only gripe-hard to find parking. Found metered parking 3 blocks away-$2.25/hr

If you love mushrooms you will love this place. Delicious soups and campanadas. Very knowledgeable staff who are passionate about the subject and happy to share their knowledge. They have a window counter and a second one that wraps around the ordering area. Perfectly comfortable and easy to get seated. Love this place!

Delicious empanada, to enjoy in a relaxed atmosphere with friendly service Great store stocked with lots of mushrooms and gifts. Great addition to our downtown!

Very cool shop! It was my first time visiting a mushroom shop. I tried the truffle grilled cheese and the risotto bites with red pepper marinara, and it was so good! I am looking forward to coming back and trying the other menu items. Great customer service! Highly recommended to come check this place out if you are in Santa Cruz.

LOVE THIS PLACE!!! I wish they can open up more of these cafes near the area. The food is AMAZING, the shop is super fun to tour, the people are super NICE. Honestly nothing bad I can say! Only wish there was more of these places! You can buy fresh exotic mushrooms there, mushroom based dishes, drinks, desserts, powders, etc. I use my mushroom powders on the daily to brew tea and I'm addicted!! More people should learn about the benefits of mushrooms! Parking wise I was able to find some street parking, but this is definitely a hole in the wall!

Amazing food and staff.! We had the burger and the grilled cheese. This was the highlight of our trip in Santa Cruz.

I've died and gone to mushroom heaven. I love mushrooms and this place did not disappoint. They have a small (but fantastic) menu of lunch items. I had the mushroom toast and it was AWESOME. Also tried the mushroom coffee. That was great as well (the coffee flavor kind of trumped the mushroom flavor but good nonetheless). They also had fresh mushrooms for sale along with various mushroom products. I bought some shiitake jerky and it was delicious. Prices were reasonable. Metered street parking.

My brother and I were hiking all day and wanted some mushrooms for a stir-fry. We were a minute after closing and they were nice enough to let me in and buy some lionsmane which made our dinner top-notch. The service was excellent and it felt very cool inside with such a wide selection of mushrooms.

So delicious! I keep coming back every time I visit Santa Cruz because it's so yummy! Good quality, nice staff, clean, and so so yummmmmy!

The mushroom loco moco and empanada were delicious! Staff was friendly and helpful. A hidden gem in downtown.

Cool place! They had an amazing collection of fresh and dried mushrooms. The staff were very friendly and helpful.

Beautiful fresh mushrooms. Mushroom growing kits. Books on mushrooms. Mushroom empanada (damn so good). Mushroom tshirts and cards. Everything mushroom. It's just fun and a delight to come in here. Find some parking on the street and walk in to be entertained by a mushroom lovers paradise.

Mind blowing selection of mushrooms! AND hot, delicious, brilliantly umami food! 10/10 would recommend. My only regret is that I live 3 hours away.

Got the coolest shiitake mushroom mini farm for my son. Surprised at the fresh produce which included fiddlehead ferns, sea beans, and black truffle! Cool stuff like tinctures, powders, and ready made desserts. Will come back soon to try some food since we came right before closing.

Lots of exotic mushrooms to purchase, but the price match their exoticness. Had a lobster mushroom chowder which was rather disappointing. The stew had lots of potato and mushroom bits, but the whole thing was rather heavily spiced (with Tabasco I think). I like Tabasco but it overpowered the mushroom so much that I don't know what a lobster mushroom taste like! There was a hint of something mushroom in there, and that was it. Hope they make dishes that highlight the flavor of mushrooms next time.

Great food, quick line. I only went to a food tent but it was amazing. I really liked the cheesecake and the tacos.

fun stop for good mushrooms the u can't usually find unless you forage or grow em yourself. cute in store items like grow kits and mushroom themed decor and merch. has yummy mushroom based hot food :) I got the nashville hot sandwich and it was yummy but slightly pricey. Id come here again and i recommend stopping in at least once if you're a mushroom lover in santa cruz.

So glad I checked out this store!! The truffle grilled cheese was delicious, and the employees were super helpful with answering my many mushroom questions. It was really cool to see the wide variety of products available as well as all the fresh and dried mushrooms, and I'll definitely be coming back in the future!

Mushrooms are like candy to my partner. So of course this place was a must in our mini trip. Not just him, i started falling in love with this place! They had so many varieties, fresh, dried, or powdered. The fresh ones were so plump and beautiful. You can see the pride that goes into the farming of these. They also had fresh genuine wasabi! Wasabi roots! Here! We were so tempted to buy one of their mushroom growing kits. They were all boxed nicely with great info on how to care for them. Another thing we loved was the mushroom jerkies. So flavorful! The staff gave us some samples, and we were hooked. We grabbed a couple bags of it plus the ice cream. Staff was so knowledgeable and friendly! Learned so much about mushroom farming, and wasabi planting, that you don't really find online. This shop is truly built around passion