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831-427-9583
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103 Lincoln St (at Pacific Ave), Santa Cruz, California, USA, 95060
Part of a collection of restaurants specializing in vegan raw and cooked cuisines. Uses produce from the owners' farm. As of Nov 2016 no longer uses honey. Open Mon-Thu 11:00am-9:00pm, Fri-Sat 11:00am-10:00pm.
Category: Vegan, American, Organic, Raw, Beer/Wine, Take-out
Reviews (22)
First Review by KamrynWilliams
Contributions +11
cafe gratitude? more like cafe attitude - Edit
If this app would let me I'd give this place a one star review.
Cafe gratitude of Santa Cruz California needs to change their name to cafe attitude.
Day I went 4/19/17 at 6 pm left at 6:18 and was served my Samantha M. The rudest waitress I've met. How much money I spent getting treated like shit 17.17.
So when I first got there she seated everyone except for me (there were tons of seats) and then got mad at me when I asked if I could choose a seat since she was pretending to clean a counter while I was waiting. She kept sighing when I didn't know what to order then when I got my food and was going to ask for more tortillas but she dropped my plate on the table and turned around fast to get away from me. So I go up to the front to ask the gentleman for tortillas and she gets up from relaxing at a table with another employee with tons of attitude because I asked for tortillas. Then she was giving me a look at the register when she was adding it to my tab. So when she dropped my tortilla holder on the table and I saw her treat the other customers nicely I got offended and started crying because I felt like it was because they were white and she thought they would tip so she was kissing their ass but treating me like shit because I'm hispanic? When it was time to pay she asked if I needed change and I said yes and then she sighed and walked away super fast then dropped my receipt holder on the table and walked away.
I'll never be going to this restraunt again because I was having a really hard week and I don't need to pay a server to treat me bad to at a place that's about gratitude. I think she should be reprimanded or just fired since she made me feel that uncomfortable. I'll be leaving this review everywhere and when I do go to a cafe gratitude it will be 6 hours away in LA so I can get good service.
The food was good.
Pros: good vegan food
Cons: worst service.
Contributions +33
Good Food - Edit
The food was very good and the portions were enough for lunch but not too much. The three stars is because the service was very slow and lunch was expensive. With tip it was over $40 for lunch. We have been traveling through California eating at vegan restaurants. The food was compatible to the other restaurants but the price was much higher.
Pros: Good Food, Reasonable portion sizes.
Cons: Price, Slow Service
Contributions +350
Glad I visited again - Edit
I had lunch today at Cafe Gratitude and really enjoyed it. I haven't been for some time and noticed that the menu has some changes from the last time I came.
I had the Amore Sandwich and it was really, really good. Cashew cheese with pesto and balsamic reduction on locally made bakery bread. It was great and I enjoyed the side salad that came with it. At $12, the price seemed reasonable to me.
I tasted my friend's Whole Bowl and it was also really good and I might choose it the next time I visit. It seemed like a lot of food.
The waitress was attentive but gave us space as we took our time enjoying our meal and talking.
I'm definitely going to come back again soon.
Pros: Good choices, Tasty food, Comfortable surroundings
Contributions +50
Bit to pricey - Edit
$20+ per person to eat a meal. Amazing tasting food, great atmosphere and friendly staff. I would recommend going here only if you can afford it as I have never left feeling full (this goes for others I have gone with or spoken with). I feel like I always regret coming here when I randomly do (because of the money and small portions). Haven't been though since June 2016.
Updated from previous review on 2015-06-01
Pros: great tasting food , yummy deserts!!, friendly staff/manager
Cons: PRICES , SMALL PORTIONS, feel like I'm getting robbed
1 Response
erbavore9 03 Nov 2016 - Perhaps the owners have looked at the reviews and changed their quantity of food. i'm a big man at 220 pounds, and it over stuffed me. I had the poleta cakes and mushroom gravy sauce.
Contributions +118
Nice Food - Edit
I was impressed with everything about the place.
Luckily I came after the lunch rush as there were over 40 people in the restaurant when i arrived. Only 2 tables had not eaten.
I did read the reviews and was hesitant to go due to many complaining about small portions. For me, this wasn't the case. Actually, it was too much food and I have a HUGE appetite.
The quality of the service was excellent, and the food was even better. I thought I found the best restaurant in town until I ate at the Malabar in the evening.
Pros: Quality of Food, Quantity of Food, Taste!
Cons: It was a little pricy
Contributions +39
One of the better CG - Edit
This used to be my least favorite. Now I love this location. The spices are valanced and the staff is fun.
Pros: All vegan not sure why it is labeled Vegetatian.
2 Responses
Conniemm 12 Nov 2016 - Cafe Gratitude is labeled vegetarian on Happy Cow because they used honey in a couple of their drinks. It looks like they no longer do so I will ask to have the listing updated.
Conniemm 12 Nov 2016 - I now see that the change was already made!
Contributions +19
Very delicious food - Edit
I haven't done any background research about the restaurant or the owners, as others here did, but the food is really yummy and delicious. The service was also super nice.
Contributions +15
great and original vegan food - Edit
Food and drinks were all very original and very tasty. Read someone's review about small portions; well let's just say I would't want to be (in) his/her shoes... Portions were big enough varying to huge... Loved it! Drinks were on the expensive side though. Would definitely recommend.
Contributions +48
Delicious - Edit
a nice atmosphere; in love the ceasar salad with cashew cheese dressing, fresh juices and smoothies, almond milk and cakes and desserts.
Pros: vegan, glutenfree
Contributions +82
Delicious vegan food, nice staff - Edit
We ate here as a family last summer before our move out of state. The food was incredible. My husband had the BLT sandwich,I had the taco plate, which they very nicely changed to accommodate my inability for spicy foods, and my son had the pad thai.Everyone raved about what they had ordered.My tacos were incredible,fresh, zesty and really delicious.We tried the ginger lemonade which was terrific and very surprising. The desserts were heavenly. Husband got the strawberry cake, son got the key lime pie and I got the apricot torte. They were all outstanding. Prices are a bit stiff, but I have yet to meet good vegan food that wasn't expensive. Don't mind spending the money as cooking vegan has given me a new appreciation for the incredible amount of time spent producing this labor intensive food.Highly recommend this restaurant and the sister one in San Francisco, Gracias Madre.
Pros: Food was delicious, Staff was friendly and helpful, Atmosphere was calming
Cons: Portions could have been larger
Fabulous Restaurant - Edit
Friendly staff, remarkable food, great prices and incredible desserts. Will be searching out their other locations in Berkeley and Los Angeles.
Contributions +44
good - Edit
I stopped here for a few mins to pick up a smoothie and desert, Its not quite up to the standards of the LA locations and I have to say I had had pieces of something hard in my smoothie, I think they must have put a dates pip in by mistake.. But the smoothie was actually really good other than that..
Pros: tasty, great staff , good location
Cons: not the best vibe
Contributions +14
Great Food AND Service - Edit
This has to be one of the best dining experience I've ever had. 1st of all - we were greeted by someone at the counter was more than multitasking but yet still had a very friendly disposition and was able to give us menus and told us to choose our table. Our waiter Mark was as perfect as a waiter can be..
The food (cleverly titled with positive affirmations) was sublime, clever, tasty and ohhhhhh so fresh. If anyone had an experience less than five stars I would pay for them to go back myself - that's how much I believe in this place. I wish them many years of great and healthy success.
Pros: healthy, fresh organic vegan food, clean restaurant and bathroom, friendly happy environment
Cons: none
Contributions +26
yum!! - Edit
Just enjoying my breakfast take out. As always the order was ready when promised and everything tastes wonderful! I am Peace, I am Home!
Pros: amazing value, outstanding quality, informed staff
Contributions +180
Great food; Great People - Edit
Try the home style potatoes with the spicy cashew "cheese" sauce, oh, and the BLT - amazing. If you're looking for something a bit more healthy, try the beans, rice and kale. I love this place.
Pros: Great food, Healthy food
Cons: Slightly pricy, Somewhat difficult to get to (if not downtown)
Contributions +63
Well Worth The Drive - Edit
I have always heard wonderful things about this location but never made the time to drive over the Santa Cruz mountain until now... wish I had no waited! The food was delicious, atmosphere very welcoming, and the staff very happy. Will be making this trip again soon. And just. So happens to be a farmer's market next door.
Pros: Very Reasonably Priced, Options, Large Portions
Cons: Limited Street Parking
Contributions +77
Rude service - Edit
This place has really rude staff with high ambitions. We ordered two tacos and the waitress heard me very well, but she bring just 1 dish without apologies. Even more she said to my husband: "She can shares her food with you". Black bean tacos were truly heavy and greasy. I can't recommend this place and will be avoid it next time in Santa Cruz.
Cons: Rude staff, Heavy and greasy dishes
Contributions +20
Best vegan in town - Edit
It's been described as "pricey", but it has high quality organic food and an interesting selection of raw dishes. It's menu is creative and portions are large, so given the prices of other good restaurants in the area I would say the cost of eating here is fair. Also it has a dish that is "FREE" for anyone who can't afford it. This may seem like a cultural gimmick for proudly progressive Santa Cruz but i saw a man come in and say he couldnt afford the menu and asked for the free meal. He was treated with dignity and just like any customer. I've eaten here 10 - 12 times and have always been pleased.
Pros: Creative, All vegan, Local produce
Contributions +19
My favorite place to eat... - Edit
I absolutely love the food here. Everything I have had has been excellent. I usually go at lunch time and like to go with someone who will split a meal with me. The portion sizes are on the large size. My favorite are the tacos, they are off the menu now but done as a special from time to time. All the desserts are fantastic so save room or get one to go. I have had a lemon honey drink there that was excellent but I ususally just drink water with my meals. Everything is vagan so I don't have to inquire about anything on the menu and it is all fresh, organic food! The staff is friendly and the place is very welcoming. Might seem expensive but price for quality works out pretty well.
Pros: fresh, organic, delicious, friendly staff, nice atmosphere
Cons: ? large servings, parking
Contributions +1462
Too expensive, food not worth it - Edit
My husband and I have been to the Cafe Gratitude in Berkley a few years ago and recently went back while were in Santa Cruz.
I had remembered liking the food from our first time there, but all my husband could remember was it being expensive. After visiting again I tend to be more on my husband's side. The food was decent and I liked everything we got, but for the prices I would have liked to get a LOT more food and top notch quality. I understand high prices with raw items because of the time they take to prepare, but my husband's sandwich (he got the BLT with coconut 'bacon') served with a small salad was $12! I think that's a ripoff.
I got the raw enchilada with sprouted seed filling, spicy mole, cashew sour cream and scallions served with a spicy Mexican coleslaw and salad. It was pretty dang good but, again, for $14 I don't think it was worth it at all. ONE enchilada, a cheap coleslaw and then mixed greens with a dressing filling up almost half my plate? I don't think so.
ALSO the service was horrible and they were out of half of the things on their menu. So, even though their food is good and they are 100% vegan I can really only give them a 3/5. I honestly wouldn't go there again if I had another option, and there are so many better options in Santa Cruz and Berkley!
Pros: All vegan, Raw
Cons: Expensive, Food isn't good, Terrible service
Contributions +16
Only 100% Vegan Choice in the area - Edit
not sure why this is listed at Vegetarian because it a mecca for Vegans who just want to eat in a restaurant without having to navigate and tear apart a menu. This place has a reputation for being cultish but I have never experienced any weird vibe. The food and drinks are delicious, a bit pricey but such a treat. Staff is friendly, bring our kids here, drive from san jose a few times a month to eat here. Its a blessing to have in the community.
Pros: 100% Vegan, friendly staff, delicious food
Cons: pricey
Contributions +27
Don't waste your time!!!! - Edit
I was so excited to find out that we had a new vegan restaurant in SC. I came in about a week or two ago, and it was a terrible experience. The food is overpriced for what they give you. I ordered a raw "pizza"- it was a very small piece of "dough" with a white creamy blob on one side and a red blob on the other. It tasted exactly like cheap bruschetta in a very sickingly way. The "pizza" was very small, smaller than a CD, and it cost ~10. They put a "salad" on the side (spinach with almost no dressing). They never got us our water even though we asked three times. The waiters did not pay us any attention which was odd since there were a few of them and its a very small place. The cooks forgot to make my "pizza" so we waited about 45 minutes for our food!! My friend said her food was "ok", nothing to come back for.
Terrible service and terrible food. I'll stick with Saturn Cafe and Dharmas!
Pros: All vegan
Cons: Small portion, Bad service, Not delicious
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