About the Place
Welcome to 11th Hour Coffee, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Santa Cruz (1001 Center St #1, Santa Cruz, CA 95060). This enchanting coffee shop blends a cozy atmosphere with a touch of natural beauty, making it an ideal spot for both relaxation and productivity. With its lush greenery and ample seating, it's no wonder patrons feel as if they're seated in a serene forest, embracing the warmth of the natural light streaming through the skylights.
The reviews speak for themselves. Customer Jojo Huang describes the shop as "beautiful," highlighting the kind and helpful staff who serve up delicious coffee that beckons visitors to linger longer—whether it's with a friend or absorbed in a good book. Similarly, Ben praises the unique drink offerings, particularly the honey bee latte, a delightful concoction that balances sweetness with the fragrant notes of honey and lavender, creating a truly memorable coffee experience.
Meanwhile, coffee enthusiasts like Sonya Hu call 11th Hour Coffee one of her favorite cafes in the Bay Area. Her admiration for the "nutty, rich, and smooth" coffee is echoed by others who revel in the robust flavors and extensive selection of beans available for purchase to enjoy at home. Don’t overlook the culinary offerings—Debbie Hernandez’s visit reveals the charm of their freshly baked scones, particularly the cheddar cheese scone, paired perfectly with a golden chai or iced matcha latte, perfectly crafted to elevate the experience even further.
At 11th Hour Coffee, every visit is marked by the friendly atmosphere and the aromatic embrace of freshly brewed coffee, making it a destination worth returning to. Whether you're seeking a cozy nook to work or a vibrant spot to unwind with friends, this café resonates with warmth and community spirit—it's not just about coffee; it's about creating memorable moments.
“ A beautiful coffee shop with plenty of plants and seating. The staff were all kind and helpful and the coffee was delicious. Would definitely come back for a hang out with a friend or a book! ”
“ Coffee shop with delicious and interesting drinks and a really cool atmosphere. The inside feels like you're sitting in a little forest with all the plants and natural light coming through the skylights. It's a great place to hang out and relax or get some work done. I got the honey bee latte and it was sweet and smooth with a subtle amount of honey and lavender. I'd definitely come back Drinks: 8/10 Service: 8/10 Atmosphere: 9/10 Value: 8/10 ”
“ One of my favorite cafes in the Bay Area! This Santa Cruz staple features amazing coffee, stellar food, great vibes, and a super friendly team. I dropped by for brunch during a weekend beach trip, and I was blown away by how good everything was. The coffee is fantastic — nutty, rich, and smooth — and they have a great selection of beans you can take home to try. I love the plain taste of espresso, so I loved their cappuccino (closely followed by the latte), but they also have a bunch of other fun drinks for those who would rather not get hit with a strong taste of coffee. Their raspberry mocha has an exceptional raspberry flavor that goes wonderfully with the chocolate and slight notes of coffee in the background. The matcha was sweet but quite tasty and refreshing, especially when iced. The food was somehow even more impressive than their drinks. We tried a smattering of dishes, including the tomato galette, brunch bowl, and loaded avocado toast. The galette was outstanding — the combo of buttery, flakey pastry with the salty cheese, herbaceous and nutty pesto, and juicy, perfectly roasted tomatoes was completely unbeatable. The larger, entree-style dishes were just as impressive. I loved the loaded avocado toast, which featured a very generous helping of avocado, two perfectly poached eggs, greens, and chili oil over a springy, flavorful slice of focaccia. The egg yolks were perfectly runny, the micro greens offered a lovely pop of freshness, and the chili oil really helped bring the whole dish together. It wasn’t particularly spicy, but had a great umami and deeply savory flavor — I’d honestly love to have double or triple the amount of chili crisp. The bread wasn’t my favorite focaccia in the world, but it served as a wonderful vessel for everything else. I also loved the brunch bowl, which was a hearty and delicious combo of quinoa, greens, watermelon radish, tomatoes, avocado, walnuts, and a poached egg. Every element clearly added something to the dish — I loved the crunch from the walnuts and radish, pop of freshness from the veggies, nuttiness and heft from the quinoa, and creaminess from the runny egg yolk and avocado. It was also served with a lovely creamy lemon dressing, which helped bind together and brighten up the whole dish. To top off an already amazing food and beverage experience, the space is also wonderful. It’s quite spacious inside, but this spot is so popular that it often fills up. They have a large garden patio in the back with extra seating, although that tends to get pretty crowded too. If you manage to snag a spot, though, it’s a really cozy place to settle down for a bit. The staff is super friendly, helpful, and efficient. It often takes a little bit to get food orders since the kitchen can get a bit backed up, but it’s more than understandable given how many people frequent this place, and it’s more than worth the wait. ”
“ We were greeted by the friendliest clerk taking our order. Unfortunately, we arrived after the kitchen was closed hence our options were a bit limited. We indulged ourselves in a couple scones,the plain and the cheddar cheese, both we great. The drinks, a golden chai and a matcha latte over ice were made to perfection. This is my second visit. I can't wait to come back again. ”