Lulu Carpenter's

4.1 ( 554 reviews )
Checking... 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM See Hours
$1–10
1545 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, United States
Lulu Carpenter's, a charming coffee shop nestled at 1545 Pacific Ave in Santa Cruz, has garnered a warm embrace from the local community. With a menu brimming with enticing breakfast options, such as their Bacon Wrapped Egg and Breakfast Burrito, the café offers a satisfying start to your day. Customers rave about the hearty flavors, with many highlighting the friendly atmosphere and ample seating—especially during busy university sessions. The café's coffee and tea selections also receive high praise. Patrons appreciate the expert baristas who craft delicious drinks, with unique offerings like the rose & cardamom latte. Though some have noted a desire for darker roast coffee, the vibrant outdoor patio enhances the overall experience, making it a beloved spot to relax. Vegan options are available for beverages, though food choices tend to lean toward dairy and eggs. Despite this, the enticing selection of baked goods—ranging from muffins to croissants—ensures there's something for everyone. Customers like Isis Cano emphasize the delightful décor, which contributes to a welcoming ambiance perfect for sipping coffee or enjoying a quick breakfast. Overall, Lulu Carpenter's captures the essence of community and quality, making it a must-visit for both locals and travelers in Santa Cruz. Whether you're seeking great coffee or a bite to eat, this café is sure to satisfy your cravings.

Amenities and More

  • Accessibility
    • Has wheelchair-accessible car park
    • Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
    • Has wheelchair-accessible seating
    • Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
  • Service options
    • Has outdoor seating
    • Offers delivery
    • Offers takeaway
    • Serves dine-in
  • Highlights
    • Serves great coffee
    • Serves great dessert
    • Has great tea selection
    • Has live performances
  • Popular for
    • Popular for breakfast
    • Popular for lunch
    • Good for solo dining
    • Good for working on laptop
  • Offerings
    • Serves coffee
    • Serves comfort food
    • Serves late-night food
    • Quick bite
  • Dining options
    • Serves breakfast
    • Serves brunch
    • Serves lunch
    • Serves dessert
    • Has seating
  • Amenities
    • Has toilet
    • Has Wi-Fi
  • Atmosphere
    • Casual
    • Cosy
    • Historic
    • Trendy
  • Crowd
    • Popular with tourists
    • Popular with university students
  • Planning
    • Doesn't accept reservations
  • Payments
    • Accepts credit cards
    • Accepts NFC mobile payments
  • Pets
    • Dogs allowed

Reviews For Lulu Carpenter's

Bennet Yee
May 9,2025
We only had their tea on this visit. Which was fine. On a previous visit I had their latte. I think it's pretty good, but Verve across the street and 11th hour a block away are pretty good too. Lulu definitely had more seating than Verve and the atmosphere felt more welcoming.
Douglas Myers
May 8,2025
We had a very good breakfast burrito and iced tea. I only wish they served a dark roast coffee! Nice atmosphere and outdoor patio area was a plus! Friendly staff at the counter was nice too!
Bronxbomber4ever
Apr 27,2025
I come for the beans and get a free drink. Love it. Beans are fresh and flavorful. Would be nice to put roast dates on the bags though.
Isis Cano
Apr 9,2025
Love this place! The service was friendly, and the barista was knowledgeable about what’s in each drink when I asked. The decor and atmosphere is very cute and nice for cupe of coffee. We got the rose & cardamom latte and the golden hour latte, and the coconut almond stone and the mochi sesame muffin. Everything was so delicious! Can’t wait to come back next time in Santa Cruz!
tara ntula
Mar 28,2025
though i am not a fan of the food here, the espresso drinks and coffee are of the best in the Bar Area, in fact, i would make an excuse to drive to Santa Cruz from San Francisco just to have a hemp milk latte or "hempaccino". excellent downtown SC cafe with indoor and outdoor seating. Vegan options for the drinks including Rice, Soy, Almond, or Hemp milks. The food in not the most vegan friendly as most is sweet and has eggs and dairy, usually they have something vegan, but not always as it is dependent on the daily stock. Finding a seat inside on a cool day can be a challenge once UCSC begins sessions as it becomes full of laptops, and as much i enjoy using mine, i wish they would have a laptop free area as some people with laptops will stay for hours taking up space for two, though usually you can find one in front or in the back outdoor patio area as there tend to not be laptops in these areas due to the lack of plugs and screen glare.
Harsh Sharma
Mar 17,2025
They have whiskey latte! Bourbon is added but heated , no alcohol left only the taste! Pretty interesting drink and tastes amazing too. A must try for coffee people.
Maddy Ballew
Feb 21,2025
Fun place to grab coffee with friends and study / chat. Ive never had a bad experience with the food or the staff :) 10/10 one of my fav places to hang out downtown with friends
Maranda Starks
Feb 5,2025
Lulu Carpenter's is a lovely spot to grab breakfast or brunch. They have so many options both sweet and savory to choose from. If you haven't tried the bacon wrapped egg yet you really should. They serve all the classic cafe coffee and tea options, and from my experience they are made very well. The staff are mostly very friendly but not always. The inside dining is still closed but they have some tables and chairs out front for customers. I highly recommend stopping in next time you're in downtown Santa Cruz.

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