It's good to be back! Cafe Brasil was the first restaurant I ever visited when I was in Santa Cruz and it remains a comforting meal every time. I'm glad I was able to come back again and the food was delicious as ever. I ordered the Feijoada Completa, which I believe is a necessary at any Brazilian restaurant. I would definitely recommend this dish and it's easily shareable. It is a black bean stew with sausages and includes a plate of rice, farofa, slices of orange, and sautéed greens. Farofa is a traditional Brazilian side dish and is made from toasted cassava flour. It's so good and adds a unique flavor and crunchy texture to the dish. Don't forget the hot sauce as well if you want to add some spice to your meal. It packs a nice kick! We sat at the front patio with our dogs and it was a nice day! The service was friendly and attentive, thanks for the great meal! read more

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Super groovy down to earth place with real hand made, homemade food. Lots of options, nice staff, chill environment. Very very limited parking behind restaurant. Loved the polenta; highly authentic. Banana pancakes are special. Sausage, eggs, potatoes - all really good. read more

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My daughter and I had a horrible experience when we visited. I already detailed it in google reviews. Today I found this in an article about knowing when to leave a restaurant. It listed a few reasons and this was one of them. When I read this it immediately called to mind the worst experience I ever had in a restaurant and that was here at Cafe Brasil. I truly wish I had walked out instead of staying there. I guess I didn't want to embarrass my daughter who had been so excited to take me there. I made complaints to three people in the cafe and also later spoke to the owner. The response I got inside the cafe was cold, resentful and beyond rude. It was hostile. The reaction I got from the owner was that he clearly did not believe me. Or rather, he did not want to believe me and chose not to believe me. Like I would make up such a horrible experience. Like I had nothing better to do than imagine these events. He should have believed me because it DID HAPPEN. We were treated like dirt by staff members. It was witnessed and talked about by all servers present. No one stepped in to help or got involved to find out. So shame on him for making excuses and not being accountable. Had he apologized and just believed me, the experience would have shifted and it would not have become the worst memory I have of eating a meal out. I would have respected and accepted an apology. Shame on him for dismissing me and not offering the most basic thing a person can do. This is what I saw in the article on when to leave a restaurant: The staff is argumentative. Do I believe that the customer is always right? No, because to err is human. However, excuses, sarcastic comments, or argumentative staff may indicate you're not in a professional environment--and potentially in a hostile one. - Exactly what happened to me. read more

Ordered to very generous meals from cafe basil. The food was amazing and their drip was so good we took some to go. This place is very authentic and I highly recommend it to anyone who is in the area. The service is great, the hostess got us in almost immediately even though it was packed. The cafe tables are closely together but there's a patio that looked spacious too. Will be returning especially for the salt fish read more

Cafe Brasil - Delicious food - Brazilian Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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I took out breakfast on a Saturday morning. Seems like, the place will get busy only after 11. Seems there is no online or phone reservation. We need to stop in front to put name in the list. Beef a cavala was my favorite item here. Acai smoothie was delicious and tasted healthy. Banana Pancake was good as well. 3 pancake is enough for 2 people. read more

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Friendly staffs as always but maybe because there are too many açaí berries bowl everywhere now which makes theirs not as appealing nor special anymore. Food is a bit on the savory side but all authentic~ read more

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Visiting family out here and wanted a solid lunch/brunch spot, but didn't feel like the usual brunch food. Came across Cafe Brasil and had to try it since I've had authentic Brazilian food before and loved it. It's a small, cozy spot just off the busy main road. Parking's a bit tricky, but manageable. We were seated quickly and the servers were friendly and helpful with recommendations, which was great because the menu is huge. I went with a beef plate to stay in the Brazilian spirit and ordered the acebolado (with onions?). The rice, beans, and farofa were all excellent, and the flavors worked really well together. It also comes with fries on the side, which were crispy and hard to complain about. The main dish was tri-tip topped with a mountain of sautéed sweet onions, green onions, and tomato. The veggies were really well done, almost like a light stir fry that brought out both sweetness and texture. That said, the steak itself was a bit underwhelming. I was expecting something comparable to a traditional, fatty picanha. The tri-tip was decent but slightly overcooked, with no real sear or crust. With how robust everything else was, it felt like it needed that richer, fattier beef flavor to balance things out. Still, it was a big, satisfying meal that came out quickly and was priced very reasonably for the portion. The overall food scene in Santa Cruz seems to be a bit... one note? But this was a solid entry and great way to start out the trip. read more

Cafe Brasil - Beef - Acebolado - Brazilian Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Apparently this place has been here for 30+ years and I've never noticed it! They close at 3pm every day so make sure to come with enough time! Everyone was super nice and the place itself is so cute (it's a small house)! We got everything pictured. The muquecas was my favorite! Portions are pretty big and a lot of meat is included. Also the hot sauce pairs great with everything. My only complaint is that the caju juice was a bit watered-down and was around $10 (most of the drinks are $10+!). But the fruit they use IS unique to popular Brazilian juices. Overall, great southern Brazilian food and in a good location! Try the food if you're in the area! read more

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There were two young people at the front greeting guests. There were plenty of seats available for two, but we had to wait while one of them greeted their family, while the other just stood there. Once we were finally seated, the two waiters (POC- possibly the owners?) were very sweet and welcoming. The coffee was delicious. The steak was good but could've used more seasoning, and the potatoes were tasty. Overall, a nice spot with great coffee and friendly service once seated. read more

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*You must put your name physically on their tablet and double-check that it went through. We waitedlisted through Yelp on our phone and were informed that they don't accept that; however, since we waited 40 minutes, they'll let us in this time. Cafe Brasil was on our try list, but whenever we came, the lines were always too long. This time we came at 10AM on a Monday, so the wait time was shorter. They're a small, busy restaurant with a homey vibe. We ordered once we were seated. I ordered the Beef A Cavalo since it was recommended by a few people who waited with us. Beef A Cavalo comes with rice, eggs, beans, tomatos, farofa, and a salad or fries. The beef was well-cooked and paired well with the balanced side dishes. They have a small private parking lot as well as street parking nearby. read more

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Unfortunately Cafe Brasil was just average. When my friends and I were in Santa Cruz we decided to stop by Cafe Brasil for a quick lunch and ordered their black coffee and Beef Stroganoff. The black coffee was incredibly watered down and weak and the Beef stroganoff tasted like Cream of tomato soup with some pieces of beef mixed in and thinly sliced potato crisps. Nothing had depth of flavor and all just tasted quite bland and while edible was not delicious. All in all it was a quick stop on our way to Santa cruz beach boardwalk and it served its purpose, but sadly I would not come back. read more

Cafe Brasil - Beef stroganoff - Brazilian Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

THE BEST!! I always come here with my girlfriend, they have the friendliest staff & the best breakfast in Santa Cruz. I love getting the portobello mushroom plate and I ask for the hot sauce which is really spicy and yummy. I also love the ice blended watermelon juice. They offer a lot of different fresh juices. One my favorite breakfast spots read more

Cafe Brasil - Portabella Breakfast - Brazilian Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

I was looking forward to coming back. Service is friendly and fast. Food: Chicken delight: 3/5 the chicken was a bit dry. Beef is better. Churrasco: 5/5 daughter enjoyed this Beef a cavalo: 4/5 hubby liked it. Bacahoada: 4/5 the cod was a bit dry but overall the dish was very flavorful. Mango juice: 4/5 a bit sweet and thick Passion fruit juice: 5/5 nice and tart Plantains: 4/5 could be fried/cooked longer so they are softer. read more

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Came by for breakfast and was very excited for my açaí bowl! I came with some friends and they got banana pancakes and the beef stroganoff. All of which were super tasty! We parked in the side street cause there wasn't space but it wasn't a far walk. Can't wait to come back! read more

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While it looks like a small random place when driving in Santa Cruz, this place is truly a hidden gem. My friend suggested we come here and promised that I'd enjoy it so I took him at his word. There was plenty of vegetarian options which was fantastic and I wanted to try something more traditionally Brazilian as opposed to my normal egg whites with vegetables. We ended up ordering the plantains which had this tasty tamarind sauce, bread which we couldn't stop eating, and I had the vegetarian Orfeu Negro which was genuinely the best way to eat black beans and eggs. The spices used for the black beans was so tasty and there was just the right amount of gravy. I can't say enough good things about this place. read more

Cafe Brasil - Fried Plantain (5) - Brazilian Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

WOW. Surprisingly amazing. This place is not just everyone-friendly (meat, vegetarian, vegan, booze or juice) but it's got great homemade flavors with unique and quality ingredients - not to mention the whole staff works together to take care of people and they're all very friendly. We had the portobello egg/polenta dish and the regular 2-egg bacon breakfast, plus a detox juice! They also have an amazing homemade hot sauce I told them they should sell. I hope this place is still here the next time I come into town! read more

Quality/Quantity - Met our very good local friends here who have never tried this place. After a huge late breakfast, my wife and I decided to just split a lunch. And of course, we wanted to try their signature entree. Beef - A Cavalo - Overall an interesting and good dish. Might be my first experience with this dish. Also got fries with it. Freshly fried and so good. More would have been better, lol. Americano Press Sandwich - Our friends loved this. They are light eaters also, but finished all of it. They also ended up splitting their entree. I believe they did that for our benefit so we can just split the check 50/50; I felt bad. A juice bar is also available. Next time we will come when we are hungrier. Atmosphere - Decent size location, especially if you count all the outdoor seating. Love the colors and decor, see pictures. Open 7 days a week from 8am to 3pm. Small private parking lot, very easy to miss. Plus it was on a very busy road, so signal early to let the aggressive drivers behind you know. Service - Overall good. The only exception was that we needed a separate receipt for one of our orders due to an expense account, which they were not able to do. They can do up to 3 split checks though, but that may not fly with an expense account. Price - $47+ tip; reasonably priced. Owner Comment - Congrats on your success since 1991. read more

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First time trying the brunch here, and I really enjoyed it! There were so many choices and a great variety of both breakfast and lunch dishes. My favorite was the moqueca--the seafood was very fresh, the fish was tender, and the sauce was rich and flavorful. It went perfectly with the rice. A couple of things could be improved: the mango juice was too sweet and tasted like it had too much added sugar, and the chicken was a little dry Overall, I really enjoyed the variety and quality of the food. There was plenty to choose from, and I'd definitely come back for brunch! read more

After a long wait been years this place still is smacking the little yellow house still so good and good service the food is amazing . Too much too choose from from fresh fruit açaí bowl to smoothies and there dishes are great come by when you're in the area read more

Cafe Brasil - Avocado a Cavalo - Brazilian Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Having spent a summer in Brasil years ago, I still love any opportunity I can get to have some food to take me back to that summer. We were in Santa Cruz recently so I was excited to check this place out! It seems like a popular place, we had about a 20 minute wait around lunchtime on a Sunday so it wasn't too bad. It has a laid back, mom and pop kind of feel with colors and decor that made me feel like I was back in Brasil! We started off with coxhina, I got feijoada, my wife got the fish muqueca, and the kiddo got a banana pancake. The coxinha were five mini coxinha, which made it good for sharing and were tasty. The feijoada was great as well (though I wish there was a little more rice with it), my wife enjoyed the muqueca, and the banana pancakes were huge! We also got a maracuja (passion fruit) shake which was very good. Bonus points that they have Antarctica guarana, which is the sign of a legit Brasilian place to me! Would love to come back the next time we are in town, the only reason why I'm not giving 5 stars is because it is a little pricey... especially for the shake ($12.95!). read more

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I've been coming here since I was a kid and can't believe I haven't written a review yet! The food here is sooo good, especially their fresh juices and smoothies. Both brunch and lunch options are bomb, and they serve brunch until 3. Service is great, vibes are great. Just join the yelp waitlist ahead of time because it gets crowded esp on weekends! A must try in SC! read more

Cafe Brasil - Brazilian Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Oh my gawd the food! Plenty of vegetarian options and so much flavor! I have Portuguese blood in me and some of the flavors felt like home. The staff is super friendly as well. A MUST if you're in the area. read more

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The food was super good, I had their chicken dish and it was so flavorful and the portion was great. The staff is super nice and welcoming, they know exactly what to recommend. The place is just a sweet spot in Santa Cruz that very much matches the vibe! We were a party of 7 with 2 vegetarians and we all left very pleased and happy read more

Love coming here everytime I come to Santa Cruz. Im sure there are other good breakfast spots but Cafe Brasil is always what we're craving. The drinks are amazing and food is delicious. My toddler loved her smoothie and bacon. I'm obsessed with the portobello mushrooms here it pairs so well with the eggs and polenta. I dont think we've ever gotten a bad dish here. Planning our next trip to Santa Cruz, maybe for lunch next time. read more

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I was in Santa Cruz, so I had to visit the most authentic Brazilian restaurant in the Bay! For my appetizer, I ordered the Coxinhas de Galinha, crispy on the outside, yet soft and creamy on the inside, filled with shredded chicken. The flavors of garlic and onions really stood out, making them absolutely delicious. I loved them! For my main dish, I had the Seafood Moqueca, a rich and flavorful seafood stew with shrimp and fish. The creamy coconut milk blended perfectly with the vegetables, creating a comforting, well-balanced dish. The seafood was incredibly tender, and the white rice and farofa (toasted cassava flour) made the perfect pairing, adding texture and depth to every bite. My server, Calque, was very attentive, ensuring a great dining experience. As for the ambiance, it was relaxed and inviting, with Brazilian rhythms playing in the background, making it feel even more special. Definitely a spot worth visiting! read more

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Went here on a Saturday during Labor Day weekend. Make sure you put yourself on the waitlist before arriving. It's a long wait but definitely worth it. The food portion is a great size and the food was delicious. I think the layout was basic and one of the rare places that puts all the taxes into the price read more

Cafe Brasil - Brazilian Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Great food and nice environment. I'll definitely be returning! I wish I could try everything on the menu, but the feijoada was so delicious that I didn't even have room for dessert. read more

A little gem in Santa Cruz! We are new to discover Brazilian cuisine but so far, so great! The service is excellent, the team will help understand the menu, recommend dishes and tell you background on the cuisine. My highlight though... the smoothies! Just amazing!! Try this place but get there early, its a popular spot and since its very small, you may have to wait. read more

Cute breakfast/brunchy spot in Santa Cruz. The menu here is hugeeee and there's both indoor and outdoor seating. There was quite a bit of a wait but we were able to put ourselves on the waitlist online. I liked the banana pancake. It was super fluffy and kinda big for each pancake. There was a lot of bananas in each pancake. (This was Saurav's fav thing) The omelette was also quite tasty. Frances was supposed to be potatoes and cheese and I added ham to it. The potatoes were definitely an interesting addition but it was quite yummy. The omlette was definitely a bit too salty but overall egg was fluffy and they didn't skimp on any ingredients so it was pretty good. I also liked the side of fruits it came with. All the fruit here were quite fresh and well ripened (except the papaya). The watermelon juice was super fresh and tasty. I got used to other places adding additional sugar in watermelon juice but this place just blended real watermelons read more

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Everything here was spectacular from the moment we walked in. We were seated promptly, greeted warmly, and our food arrived quickly. Every dish was absolutely delicious with each bite better than the last. The coffee was strong and rich (true Brazilian style) and the iced tea packed just as much flavor. It really makes you realize how watered down and ripped off you're getting with those drinks everywhere else! Service was friendly and welcoming, and our orders were steak and eggs, banana pancakes, and the Santa Cruz omelette. Not a single bite was left behind to take home. We've been coming here for nearly 30 years, and somehow it still impresses us every time. Kudos! Or should I say, parabéns! read more

What an amazing spot in Santa Cruz!! Menu I've yet to see elsewhere and the food was so good, portions perfect. Location is also super convenient and cute. There's no parking lot but I had no problem finding street parking. The service got better but when I first went in I said I had a friend who had gotten a table for 3 and they kept saying no they didn't and insisted I just get a table myself. I was really confused bc my friend was texting me that they were there, but then the staff came back to me and said check the corner and then my friend was indeed sitting there with a table set for 3 so that was a bit confusing lol read more

My brother and I visited the Cafe Brasil over the weekend. What a delightful experience! The service was superb and the food was varied, delicious and reasonable. So, if you are cruising Mission Street some morn, stop on by and enjoy not only the food, but the atmosphere is so inviting and comfortable. read more

Breakfast was plentiful. Large portions. the Bread was so soft abd delicious. I had the mexicano omelette and I dont know what they do to those black beans but they were fantastic! read more

Good food. Wanted a little something different in Santa Cruz so we found this place. Good hearty food, tasty açaí bowls. Server was polite and fun. The ambiance I feel it was really busy but we sat outside in the warm sun. Great times read more

Breakfast is delicious and service is great! Only issue: it's very easy to miss the parking lot.

I'm literally obsessed with the drinks here and I'm glad they have other dairy/milk alternatives because i certainly didn't want whole milk in my smoothie. Speechless ... these smoothies taste so fresh and so good and the fruit is just sweet and juicy. They are pricey when you add a non dairy milk and togo- as they charge extra to take to-go and if you use a different milk which is odd but everything is 5-stars, so much I came back two days in a row for a smoothie. I've met a few locals over time and they've always talked this place up and I'm glad I randomly had to give a presentation five minutes away because I just so happen to be right by it when I had time for a quick lunch in Santa Cruz. Highly recommend any smoothie. 10/10 Now the food, crab and spinach mozzarella omelette~ Wowwwwww! I started eating this in the car and I couldnt stop and the bread was so soft and fresh, I could tell it was freshly baked with a special Brazilian touch. Ask for the hot sauce to accompany your potatoes, I mixed it with ketchup and it added the perfect amount of heat + added another flavor profile to the dish. Also the potatoes were a nice surprise as I had no idea it came with it. I added hot sauce sparingly on the omelette with each bite because the cashier did say it was too spicy for him. It is a pretty big portion and worth the cost as well. I ate half and ate the other half the next day, so it lasted. I def recommend dipping the bread in the hollandaise which was super fresh, you could tell they made it to order and it was really warm and they were not stingy at all with it like some places barely put any on your eggs. The place is super colorful and tropical and all around 5/5 service, everyone smiles, super welcoming and everyone is so nice and helpful. I can't wait to return. read more

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I had a lovely experience at Café Brazil in Santa Cruz Today. The food was absolutely delicious, and the customer service was so thoughtful. I especially loved their bar and the acai bowls. The owner is a real Brazilian, and as a woman who moved to California from São Paulo, it's such a beautiful thing to see that authentic culture embedded in the flavor. I'll definitely be back! Bjs read more

My wife's opinion: I went there expecting a real açaí bowl, especially because this is a Brazilian restaurant. I understand it may not be exactly the same as in Brazil, but what they serve here is very far from real açaí. It doesn't taste like açaí at all. Selling this as "açaí" is misleading. People who have never had real açaí may think this is what it's supposed to be, and it isn't. As a Brazilian, I found this very disappointing and honestly felt misled. read more

Had a wonderful time at Cafe Brasil with my friends for brunch om the weekend. We went around lunch and there was no wait for a party of 3. I am not familiar the menu but the workers were very patient and kind when explaining and making recommendations regarding their dishes. We ordered the mixed Maquecas and the Feijoada Completa. Both disges were pretty good but I liked the feijoaea more and would recommend it! The only reason why not 5 star is simply bc I wasn't blown awa by the food or anything but that may be more of a personal taste preference. Definitely still wortha try for anybody reading! read more

Cafe Brasil - Brazilian Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

For every visit to Santa Cruz, Cafe Brasil is a must visit for me. I have been visiting this place for more than a decade and the food and service is consistently good. I used to come for only the Acai bowls(best one yet), but overtime I have learned to love their meals. They have a wide variety, but my favorite is the la Madeira( beef with a side of mushroom cooked in Madeira wine sauce) the meat is flavorful and the combination of the sauce, rice, beef and farofa is the perfect combo. Healthy, delicious and nicely portioned. The salad is a great addition to my meal and I especially love eating the heart of palms with their italian dressing. Their acai bowl is a must! The private parking is tiny and cramped, I recommend parking in the residential area and walking there. The indoor and outdoor seating is small as well so the wait time is shorter if you come at an odd time. read more

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