Zachary's Restaurant

Classic breakfast spot. The pancakes were better than expected. The Pesto Scramble veggie was solid. The House Potatoes had crisp edges, lightly seasoned, and held up without getting soggy. The rest of our party said the food was good but nothing to rave over. Overall— Zachary’s delivers a dependable breakfast. The service was friendly and attentive.

If you're driving down Pacific Street and you see a crowd in front of a building, you may well be in front of Zachary's. Long time a Santa Cruz fixture, Zachary's has been serving delicious food for breakfast and lunch for 40 years. Their reputation has spread far and wide, hence the crowds of locals and tourists on the sidewalk, waiting patiently for delicious food and hometown service. Enjoy the Santa Cruz vibe and enjoy delicious food from Zachary's soon.

I loved the vegetarian options I loved the vegetarian options, clearly customizing options. Food was awesome, great bread, and very filling, where I was able to share 2 entrees for three and had leftovers, which I made into to-go. A lot of family came for breakfast, and it was nice to see families enjoying the meal. Service was also good. clearly customizing options. Food was awesome, great bread and very filling where I was able to share 2 entrees for three and had leftovers which I made it to-go. Lot of family came for breakfast and nice to see families enjoining the meal. Service was also good

A local type place with good coffee and freshly made foods. We had steak & eggs featuring a nice ribeye steak perfectly cooked to order but unfortunately covered in BBQ sauce. Also corned beef hash freshly made. Slightly chewy, hand chopped meat, crispy potatoes and sweet peppers. Not that pasty mush that comes out of a can. Crispy breakfast potatoes, a daily rotation of coffee cakes. The coffee is obviously a local roasted product and was very fresh and delicious. I arrived fully caffeinated so opted for a cup of decaf and was shocked at how delicious it was.

My wife and I came from Canada to Santa Cruz for our 10 year. We found Zachary’s the second day of our trip and ate there everyday after that. Amazing people making amazing food. Easy 5 star all around and I can’t imagine who wouldn’t give this joint a 5. Food is crazy good and the staff so welcoming. Thank you Zachary’s for a great experience. Get a litre of mimosa.

Trinity was great! Such a personable person that kept us laughing the entire time. Every one’s hospitality was great loving and like eating at families. Such a memorable experience. And the food was great! We will definitely be back!

No joke, 10/10 place seriously. Probably one of if not the best breakfast sandwiches i’ve had, super well seasoned even the bread was good. Servers were super nice and atmosphere was very classic. Would recommend. Mimosas were good too.

We went into this place because they had made from scratch recipes and it’s my boyfriend’s name. I ALREADY HAVE IT SAVED TO COME BACK!!!! The bread was so delicious and soft, the tuna salad sandwich was the FRESHEST tasting tuna salad I have ever had, and it was piled high with tuna. He got the corn beef hash with eggs which was delicious as well. We do not live here but I promise, we will be back.

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.

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!

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.

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

If you're coming here, get the sourdough pancakes. They are fantastic! Alas, after coming here quite a few times going forward I'm only going to do take out if I am really craving it because it's not worth dealing with the waiters. Maybe because it's just been my boyfriend and I, but the service has always been sub par. The nail in the coffin was having the same middle age brunette white lady (usually wears a jacket) waitress annoyingly ask us 'what do you need?' When she had not checked in with us at all to the point we were going to get up and find a waiter to get us our bill. Yet she was super kind, friendly, chatting, and checking in with the table right next to us. May I also state, this waitress has done this to us before. Other waiters have kinda not been super present, but have checked in enough so we aren't waiting for over 5-10 minutes to find them at a time when the place isn't even busy. The lack of service is to the point I'd rather just pay at a counter and pick the food up myself. It's a shame cause it's a great little small business, but I also don't like being treated by a rude waitress is upset I'm there to eat.

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.

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.

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 :)

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)

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.

Go here almost every Sunday outstanding every time :) service is to die for, super professional, super clean, food is consistent and despite the wait it's quick to sit and quick to get served every-time. More restaurants should be like Zachary's

Great food, service was outstanding and the price was very reasonable. We sat outdoors and the waiter kept coffee filled and was very attentive

Great variety of food. As many shared already - they make their breads from scratch, which were really good. They allow you to substitute too - egg whites for example. Coffee is good and they have non dairy milks which I always appreciate. Place is fairly big with parking in the back. They serve the martinelli apple cider and champagne. The potatoes are different from most home style potatoes - flavored with turmeric. Quick good service. They are on top of keeping our coffee and water full. We will be back with our next visit.

Classic American faire' and very well done too! There's a bit of a wait on the weekends but staff is amazing and goes as fast as possible to get people in and out. The coffee here comes in hot and your cup is always full. I got Zach's Old Fashioned and it was delicious! Creamy gooey herb roll with home fries. And they happily take requests to omit certain ingredients without an attitude. Gotta love that! There's Vegan and vegetarian options on the menu for non meat eaters. The space is pretty big and they fill it up. No frills on the decor. It's about good food and good company.

One of my favorite breakfast places of all time. It has those classics plus a little Zachary's flares like coffee cake, chili, and salsa. The waitstaff is so nice and attentive- you can tell they all really hustle and I feel like they genuinely like working there. I pretty always get Zachary's mess which is eggs Benedict on their homemade biscuits covered in white gravy with huge bacon chunks. So filling and good! The breakfast potatoes are also on point as big sliced Yukon gold potatoes. They used to drizzle green onions on top, but the last 3-4 times, my did not have it. I recommend getting there when they open and us can get super busy on a weekend passed 9:30. We are usually in and out in like 20-25 minutes. It is sometimes freezing in the restaurant because the front doors usually wide open and so is the back door so it just feels very open and airy. If you are prone to getting chilly, wear your coat. My boyfriend got the chili and it was pretty good- nice flavor and big chunks of meat. It's on Pacific Ave so parking is rough sometimes and, I can never understand this, but the meters downtown are coin-only rather than taking cards. It's 25 cents for 7 minutes so you may need a lot of quarters but I've asked the staff for quarters before and they always oblige.

Went here on a Sunday at noon and we got so lucky because it wasn't busy at all! This place is situated in downtown Santa Cruz. Plenty of paid street parking, just download the ParkMobile app if you don't have coins because they WILL ticket cars. I saw cars getting ticketed while we were walking. We were promptly greeted and seated when we walked in. The menu is pretty extensive but I really wanted to try the tofu scramble. In the menu it's called "tofu mess," it's a vegetarian tofu dish with mushrooms, crispy potatoes, sour cream, green onions, and tomatoes, it was SO good. My hubby had the "basic breakfast" with the 10 oz steak and he enjoyed it as well. It came with their own steak sauce. Service was friendly and the ambiance reminds me of a nice mom and pop diner. The staff were friendly and service was quick. We're really glad we came here and I will definitely be back for that tofu mess!

Street parking. Bring coins or pay using the app. Don't leave anything valuable in the car. Sunday at 1030 and there was no wait for a table of 6. It's nice that they don't pack in the tables. There is a nice distance between the tables. I got the pancake breakfast. I wanted to try the sourdough pancakes. I really enjoyed them and would order that again. It's not hash browns so my son didn't really eat his potatoes. They were just different, not bad. The salsa was a little spicy for him so we scraped it off. Maybe a warning that it could be spicy so we can ask to put it on the side.

Zachary's is comforting, hearty, and wonderful overall. My partner and I stopped here right as they opened, and right as we woke up, so we weren't expecting to be wow-ed! The layout of this restaurant is lovely - the bricks and vintage decor tie it together. Pancakes were fantastic!

Good spot in town for breakfast and brunch. This is my second time here after few years and everything is the same ! We came at 9:30 and there was already bunch of people waiting but the turn over was fast. Services were great although they are busy. We've got orders quick and coffee refilled very often. Big portions. My favorite is the old fashioned and Corn beef hash & egg. They are very tasty.

Came here after my half marathon 2 weeks ago and I was in need of some good food! My family decided to come here, it was a Sunday around 11:30am and we waited about 30 mins for a table of 6. The staff were nice, the food was good, and the restaurant was clean however their bathroom was not. There are two gender neutral bathrooms and one of them was out of seat covers/toilet paper and the other one was kind of dirty. We had to park 3 blocks away which was roughy for me after my run but would be on otherwise. Overall my experience here was ok.

Ordered pesto mushroom omelette and hummus vegetarian sandwich. Both were pretty good. Pesto mushroom stuff was kinda oily but tasty. We took it with fruit cups and they were pretty good.

Got the mikes mess it was incredible the coffee got a lot of refills I am a big fan of this place it does get very crowded though and we went on a Sunday for brunch and there was about a 30 minute wait (well worth it) so keep that in mind

This breakfast location had food that was very good with a unique flare! The breakfast sandwich may be the best sandwhich that I had ever had for breakfast as the added hash brings the flavor over the top! Love this local spot in downtown

Today I decided to go to Zachary's with a friend. I really like the stained glass that they have around the restaurant, I thought they were pretty cool. The waitress was kind and quick to attend us. And took our food order once she realized we were ready which I always appreciate. I got 'Zach's "old fashioned"' and it was pretty tasty. The waitress also offered us veggie chili that she accidentally rung up. It didn't take for the food to be out, granted it didn't seem super busy. Overall it was a solid experience, with pretty good brunch food.

We shared the pancake breakfast between two people & it was a decent size for the price! I like how the dish was savory and sweet. In terms of the service, they weren't very nice on the phone but were nice in person.

After living here for nearly four years, I finally got a chance to get up early on a weekday with my team to try out Zachary's. They are a local breakfast hot spot that gets lines out the door on weekends, so I was ready to see what the hype was about. I went with The Basic Tofu with a couple of add-ons to really amp up my scramble. They recommended I go this route instead of ordering "The Tofu Mess" since they aren't able to do substitutions. My scramble was nicely seasoned and prepared and came with a slice of oat-molasses bread as their vegan friendly option. They even brought out a small amount of vegan butter for me to use as spread which was a really nice touch! Their attention to detail when it comes to plant-based diners like myself was very welcomed. Overall, great breakfast at an established Santa Cruz staple made this one an easy 5-stars for me.

Came in early to beat the line because this place gets full pretty quick. Today me and my family ordered: The special omelette of the day Chili and eggs Junior mess Sourdough waffle Hot chocolate Blueberry cream cheese coffee cake The food was pretty good! Fair prices and fresh flavor. The sourdough waffle left a lot to be desired. The blueberry cream cheese coffee cake was very moist and delicious! The hot chocolate is very rich in a good way of you're in the mood for a sweet drink. The only thing I was thrown off by was the jalapeño corn bread. It's definitely an acquired taste. One that I didn't enjoy too much. I can see other people liking it but it definitely wasn't for me. I was expecting sweet cornbread with some heat from the jalapeño but instead it's not sweet at all. Kinda bland and tastes like spices with onion in it. Overall had a good experience. The restaurant is clean and the servers are nice. They get busy fast!

Zachary's was a great introduction to the delicious cuisine Santa Cruz has to offer. The food was not only delicious, but also had a farm-to-table feel to it being so close to the agricultural area surrounding Santa Cruz. Whether you're from the LA area like myself or anywhere else in the world, I recommend visiting and trying for yourself, and taste the quality and freshness unlike anywhere in the city.

I visited from out of town with a large-ish (7) group of friends and there was a long line despite pouring rain that day. We waited about 45 minutes and got seated at a corner booth that fit us well. A few of my friends ordered the Mess which was so much food that none of them could finish it. I got the pancake breakfast with sausage and eggs over medium and it was cooked perfectly. The pancakes came with syrup on the side but you can add on maple syrup for an additional price. The sourdough pancakes had more flavor and bite than your typical diner pancakes. Overall, I wouldn't wait in the rain for 45 minutes again to eat here, but Zachary's is a solid diner to check out if you're craving classic American breakfast foods.

This place really exceeded my expectations!:) food was great! Pancakes can be bigger but they sure were delicious! Good coffee! We were sat fairly quick for being a Sunday and busy morning, our sever was really friendly and helpful for being our first time. Great place to have a peaceful and delicious breakfast

Great spot for breakfast! We did get there early - 8:30am and was immediately seated. The way the restaurant is set up makes it feel very post-covid. Tables are at least 6ft apart, which is nice to have space and feels less crowded or noisy. Ice tea was great - their own special blend. I got a make-your-own three egg omelette and it was HUGE. They do a fabulous job stuffing it. I swapped toast for fruit. The coffee cake is daily - today was blueberry and was very moist. Artichoke frittata was very similar to a quiche without crust but also good. Service was great! Would return and great overall value.

Everytime friends or family visit Santa Cruz, I take them to Zachary's and you know what? Never disappoints. The best thing on the menu BY far is the home fries, so make sure to get something with that in it. I usually get the breakfast sandwich and replace the bacon for avocado. To be honest, I have never actually gotten anything besides the breakfast sandwich. If it ain't broke, right?? Comes with an orange. The staff is always very polite. Good ambiance. Just if you're going on a weekend, get there early! Big lines usually on weekends, but once you take a bite, you'll see why.

This is a very popular breakfast place. There's usually a long line outside on weekends. We lucked out today and only waited a few minutes. I had the Zachary breakfast burger with 2 eggs over easy, bacon and their housemade oatmeal molasses toast. The hamburger patty was a bit thin but overall it was a delicious combo of flavors. It also came with a side of their special barbecue sauce. The home fries potatoes were also delicious with crunchy bits .

We came for a meal at Zachary's while we were in town to tour UCSC. Everyone loved their meals. We will be back!

Food was delicious, and we ordered and it was ready in less than 10 minutes, they were very quick and attentive, lovely place would highly recommend.

Hubby loved the sourdough pancakes and the service was amazing. He also loved the house maple syrup. Delicious. We also talked to one of the servers and they said it's been around since 1985. I had the basic scramble with tofu and I thought it needed a bit more seasoning. I mean the tofu itself. I loved, loved, loved their home fries. Cute little spot.

wr usually go to dolphin on the wharf but its closed so needed to find a new breakfast place while the cat is being serviced - santa cruz subaru recommended Zackary's - great customer service &, really good breakfast - will definately return

We tried this spot as a recommendation from a friend after we stayed overnight for a wedding and wanted breakfast before heading home. There were people sitting outside and waiting which I always take to mean it's a good place! Great little beachy hang out feel type of place. Everyone is smiling and the staff is super happy and cheerful. I ordered Zach's old fashioned and it was delicious! So much food, I took most of it home. The poached eggs were yummy, maybe a little runny but still wonderful. The cream sauce was so flavorful and the home fries are so unique and scrumptious! The coffee was flowing and I'm so glad we gave it a try! Would definitely return.

This is an old school, throwback place with a vibe you would expect in Santa Cruz, I love it. It seems most of the time we are there for breakfast and I have never been let down. The staff is always friendly, making sure your coffee is full and everything is good. It is my go-to when in Santa Cruz!

Everything was amazing, from the service to the food. Top notch! Fresh baked goods were still warm. We will be back! Thank you!

Best spot in town for a real homemade style breakfast Special omelette spinach pepper bacon and Jarlsberg Swiss with house made, world famous oatmeal molasses toast, spuds and always always always always and always a side of best salsa around miguel's salsa de arbo. Run don't walk. Everything on this menu is made with great care and love and you can tell. The staff is also awesome and amazing. That's all.

Food was great, service good, I had the eggs Benedict breakfast with chicken apple sausage, and sourdough toast-big portions: they have dunks grove real maple syrup for a pretty penny-

I've gone to Zachary's on so many occasions for breakfast and brunch and I love it! Their home-fries are so bomb!! The service is always really good, I have always had kind waitresses. There is often a wait though, but it goes by fast. The place itself looks old-school and comforting. I no longer live in Santa Cruz but I do miss this place!

I love Zachary's. Been going there for 20+ years. My go-to is the artichoke frittata, half potatoes, half fruit, with their homemade bread. Hubby loves the Mike's mess and the tuna sandwich, which is fresh tuna, not canned. My son loves the pancakes. You can't go wrong here, folks. Amazing.

This place did NOT disappoint! The food was hot and tasty, the drinks were delightfully abundant! The staff was attentive and fun! Would come back every morning if I could!

We enjoyed this welcoming local gem on our visit to the area. Nice open and warm space. Food portions were plenty with good flavors. Coffee was satisfying. Service was attentive. Pancakes were light and extra tasty with maple syrup. Nice place to observe locals and visitors and appreciate the hospitality of the city.

Exactly the seaside town diner vibes we unexpectedly stumbled upon. Definitely try anything with the oatmeal molasses toast, and the sourdough started pancakes (or waffles), which are so chewy. Fresh potatoes, avocado, and bacon. Warm and fast service. They even have daily coffee cakes that we did not get a chance to try. We got here right when they opened and the diners here looked like regulars, with their coffee and newspapers in hand :) Loved it and will come back! Street parking available (limited but definitely open in the early morning).

Taking kiddos to the Boardwalk, but in search of breakfast first. Hubs read the reviews and we decided to give it a try. Lots of people waiting when we arrived, but we were seated within 10 minutes. Our server was friendly and food arrived quickly once our orders placed. Big menu to choose from. Decided on the following: 1) Steak and eggs - steak was flavorful and hubs enjoyed the fluffy eggs. He ate the whole thing up. 2) Corned beef hash - dad liked it. 3) Buttermilk muffins - kiddo wasn't too hungry and wanted something small. These arrived warm and moist on the inside. 4) Artichoke frittata - at first it didn't look like much but it was very filling. Goof flavor to the frittata as well. Really liked the oatmeal molasses toast - reminiscent of raisin toast without the raisins. 5) Breakfast sandwich - so filling! Great portions and everything was very good. Would definitelyreturn when in the area again.

One of my new favorite spots! Yes there's a line but there's stores next door to kill time (and the wait isn't too long either) My favorite is the breakfast sandwich with a fresh juice. I've tried what my friends get when we go and their food is also great. I try to go here whenever I'm in town for brunch