Where to Dine With Your Dog in Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz has at least six dog-friendly restaurants with outdoor patios, from Zoccoli's Deli on Pacific Avenue downtown to Woodstock's Pizza near the Boardwalk and Harbor Cafe by the Santa Cruz Harbor. All six allow leashed dogs at outdoor tables, and hours range from Zoccoli's 8 AM opening to Woodstock's Pizza staying open past midnight.

Already picturing weekend patio brunches with your dog?

If Santa Cruz's dog-friendly dining scene has you thinking about calling it home, you can start close to the action: near downtown and the Westside, or near the Harbor where Harbor Cafe sits.

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Restaurant

Address

Hours

Known for

Crepe Place

1134 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Mon-Fri 11am-10pm, Sat-Sun 10am-10pm

Sweet and savory crepes, garden patio, live music

Gabriella Cafe

910 Cedar St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Lunch Tue-Fri 11am-2:15pm, Dinner Tue-Sat 5-9pm, Brunch Sat-Sun 10am-2:30pm

Mediterranean and Italian-inspired dinners, enclosed patio

Walnut Avenue Cafe

106 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Mon-Fri 8am-3pm, Sat-Sun 8am-4pm

Breakfast and brunch, dog treat menu on the patio

Zoccoli's Deli

1534 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Mon-Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 10am-6pm

Italian deli sandwiches, downtown patio seating

Harbor Cafe

535 7th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Wed-Mon 8am-2pm, closed Tuesdays

Brunch spot near the Santa Cruz Harbor

Woodstock's Pizza

710 Front St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Sun-Thu 11am-12am, Fri-Sat 11am-1am

Pizza and craft beer, heated dog-friendly patio with fire pit

Santa Cruz's outdoor dining culture makes it easy to bring a dog along, whether you're downtown, on the Westside, or near the harbor. Here's what to expect at six patios around the city.

Crepe Place

Crepe Place is a creperie and bar at 1134 Soquel Ave, about a mile east of downtown Santa Cruz, known for its garden patio and live music stage. Dogs are welcome on the patio, where guests can order sweet and savory crepes, egg breakfasts, and homemade soups.
  • Address: 1134 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
  • Hours: Monday-Friday 11am-10pm, Saturday-Sunday 10am-10pm
  • Phone: (831) 429-6994
  • Distance from downtown Santa Cruz: about 1 mile east on Soquel Ave

Gabriella Cafe

Gabriella Cafe is a Mediterranean and Italian-inspired restaurant at 910 Cedar St in downtown Santa Cruz, open since 1992. Its small enclosed patio is pet-friendly, and the menu leans toward fresh pasta, seasonal produce, and weekend brunch.
  • Address: 910 Cedar St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
  • Hours: Lunch Tue-Fri 11am-2:15pm, Dinner Tue-Sat 5pm-9pm, Brunch Sat-Sun 10am-2:30pm
  • Phone: (831) 457-1677
  • Distance from downtown Santa Cruz: in downtown, one block from Bookshop Santa Cruz

Walnut Ave Cafe

Walnut Avenue Cafe, at 106 Walnut Ave in downtown Santa Cruz, has served breakfast and brunch since 1994. Dogs are welcome on the outdoor patio and can order from a dedicated dog menu of treats while owners work through classic breakfast plates and sandwiches.
  • Address: 106 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
  • Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-3pm, Saturday-Sunday 8am-4pm
  • Phone: (831) 457-2307
  • Distance from downtown Santa Cruz: in downtown

Zoccoli's Deli

Zoccoli's Deli, family-owned since 1948, sits at 1534 Pacific Ave in downtown Santa Cruz. Its outdoor patio welcomes dogs, and the deli is best known for made-to-order Italian sandwiches like the Castroville Italian, plus house-made soups and salads.
  • Address: 1534 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
  • Hours: Monday-Saturday 8am-6pm, Sunday 10am-6pm
  • Phone: (831) 423-1711
  • Distance from downtown Santa Cruz: in downtown, on Pacific Ave

Harbor Cafe

Harbor Cafe, at 535 7th Ave near the Santa Cruz Harbor, has served breakfast and brunch for over 60 years. Its outdoor patio is dog-friendly, and the cafe is known for its Cali Benedict and Bloody Marys, with easy access to the Harbor and nearby Twin Lakes State Beach.
  • Address: 535 7th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
  • Hours: Wednesday-Monday 8am-2pm, closed Tuesdays
  • Phone: (831) 475-4948
  • Distance from downtown Santa Cruz: about 2 miles east, near the Santa Cruz Harbor

Woodstock's Pizza

Woodstock's Pizza, at 710 Front St near the Boardwalk, serves pizza, salads, and 16 taps of craft beer on a heated, dog-friendly patio with a fire pit. It's a popular spot for groups and regularly hosts trivia and pint nights.
  • Address: 710 Front St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
  • Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11am-12am, Friday-Saturday 11am-1am
  • Phone: (831) 427-4444
  • Distance from downtown Santa Cruz: a few blocks from downtown, near the Boardwalk

Explore Your Santa Cruz Home

Santa Cruz's downtown and coastal neighborhoods combine walkable, pet-friendly dining with easy beach access. If you're considering making Santa Cruz home, EF Homes can help you find a property that fits your lifestyle, and the EF Homes team is available to answer questions about specific neighborhoods. For more local pet-friendly spots, see our guide to local breweries in Santa Cruz.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Santa Cruz restaurants allow dogs on the patio?

Crepe Place, Gabriella Cafe, Walnut Avenue Cafe, Zoccoli's Deli, Harbor Cafe, and Woodstock's Pizza all have outdoor patios that welcome leashed dogs, spanning downtown Santa Cruz, the area near the Boardwalk, and the Santa Cruz Harbor.

What are the hours for dog-friendly restaurants in Santa Cruz?

Hours vary by restaurant. Zoccoli's Deli and Walnut Avenue Cafe open earliest at 8 AM, Harbor Cafe closes by 2 PM, and Woodstock's Pizza stays open latest, until midnight or 1 AM on weekends.

Are there dog-friendly restaurants near downtown Santa Cruz?

Yes. Gabriella Cafe, Walnut Avenue Cafe, and Zoccoli's Deli are all within downtown Santa Cruz, while Crepe Place and Woodstock's Pizza are within about a mile.

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