11th Hour Coffee

11th Hour Coffee

1001 Center St #1, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, United States

+1 831-322-4599

Cafe, Coffee shop, Coffee store, Coffee wholesaler
(1150)
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About This Place

Nestled in the heart of Santa Cruz, 11th Hour Coffee stands out as a vibrant and inviting destination for coffee lovers and casual hangouts alike. This unique spot expertly blends the roles of a café, coffee shop, coffee store, and wholesaler, creating a welcoming haven where both community connection and exceptional coffee take center stage.

Step inside 11th Hour Coffee and you’re instantly enveloped in a lush, plant-filled sanctuary bathed in natural light pouring through charming skylights, evoking the calming essence of a hidden forest retreat. This thoughtfully curated atmosphere invites you to linger—whether you’re looking to work, read, or catch up with friends, the space offers plenty of comfortable seating both indoors and out.

The coffee itself is nothing short of extraordinary. Customers rave about the rich, nutty, and smooth flavors that define their espresso-based drinks, such as the beautifully balanced Flat White But, the silky and aromatic Cortado, and the creatively comforting Mushroom Mocha with Oat Milk. For those seeking something refreshing, the Matcha Lemonade and Cold Brew provide vibrant, invigorating options that perfectly complement the café’s ethos of quality and creativity.

Beyond coffee, 11th Hour Coffee’s menu is a treasure trove of well-crafted bites and brunch favorites. Savor the fresh, creamy richness of the Burrata Toast or the tangy savoriness of the Goat Cheese Arugula Toast, each piece of toast a perfect companion to a steaming cup of their specialty blend. Brunch lovers will appreciate hearty choices like the generous Protein Bowl or the flavor-packed Breakfast Burrito, each dish bursting with fresh ingredients and thoughtful combinations that make every bite memorable. Sweet tooth? The bakery selection including flaky Croissants and tender Scones offers a delightful balance of buttery indulgence and delicate sweetness.

Customer testimonials underline the quality and warmth that make 11th Hour Coffee a beloved local institution. Jojo Huang praises the inviting green-filled space and helpful team, describing it as a perfect spot to unwind with a friend or a book. Jeanine Cowan highlights the generous portions and rich flavors of dishes like the savory egg plate with potatoes and black beans, alongside excellent baked goods. Meanwhile, Sonya Hu hails it as one of her favorite Bay Area cafés, noting the impeccable coffee and friendly atmosphere—a place that’s clearly crafted with care and community in mind.

Whether you’re a Santa Cruz local or just passing through, 11th Hour Coffee offers more than just a caffeine fix—it’s a place to savor thoughtful flavors, soak in serene vibes, and connect with a welcoming vibe that feels truly one of a kind. This café is a must-visit for anyone seeking a compelling blend of exceptional coffee, inventive menu options, and a calming, inspired environment.

Service options
Outdoor seating Delivery On-site services Takeaway Dine-in
Highlights
Fast service Great coffee Great tea selection Live performances
Popular for
Breakfast Lunch Solo dining Good for working on laptop
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seating Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Cocktails Coffee Healthy options Quick bite Spirits Vegan options Vegetarian options Wine
Dining options
Breakfast Brunch Lunch Dessert Seating Table service
Amenities
Toilet Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual Cosy Trendy
Crowd
Groups LGBTQ+ friendly Tourists Transgender safe space University students
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Parking
Free of charge street parking Free parking lot Paid street parking

Opening Hours

  • Monday
    07:00 AM - 07:30 PM
  • Tuesday
    07:00 AM - 07:30 PM
  • Wednesday
    07:00 AM - 02:00 PM
  • Thursday
    Closed
  • Friday
    07:00 AM - 07:30 PM
  • Saturday
    07:00 AM - 07:30 PM
  • Sunday
    07:00 AM - 07:30 PM

Map & Directions

Visitor Reviews

  • Jojo Huang
    3 week ago

    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!

  • Jeanine Cowan
    3 week ago

    I get their Santa Cruz Fog with oat milk. It's good. I often get the yogurt bowl which is tasty. Today I got a egg dish with potatoes, black beans and Wichita cheese. Wow, the flavors were amazing and it was a generous serving. The baked goods are always excellent. It's a good atmosphere with both inside and outside seating. The service is good as well.

  • Sonya Hu
    1 month ago

    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.

  • Ben
    2 month ago

    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

  • Abigail Sage
    3 month ago

    11th hour has great coffee and a really cool cafe! there’s tons of seating and the outdoor area is really nice & a chill atmosphere. recommend if you’re in the santa cruz area and want a place to hangout with friends or do online work.

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