Windmill Cafe

We have become regulars here since earlier in the pandemic. Love that everything is outside and appreciate that the staff. This place has so many tasty vegetarian options; I want to try them all but go back to my regulars - I quite often crave their breakfast burrito and tempeh bacon avocado sandwiches

Extremely rude owner - who kicks out her customers…

It was raining out so I asked if I could sit inside. Ordered breakfast and coffee. After less than 15 min *while still eating*, I was asked to leave because “they don’t like people inside too long because of covid”? !? In 2023? I can appreciate some lingering sensitivity but a double masked business owner who doesn’t want people in her own business probably shouldn’t remain in business.

There are too many good coffee shops in Santa Cruz to waste your time on this one.

Service was terrible, people were rude, smoothie was warm, small water glasses. Don’t go here

For a friend since they deleted his comment

Cute small cafe, good comfort good and very friendly and nice service.
The outside patio is very cozy and has lots of seating.
Small parking lot is also available.

Nice little garden patio and dog friendly. Good latte. Otherwise, not so good. Raw French toast. Tasteless morning scramble and very small portion. Cold toast. They don't offer or bring water. Slow service. Wish I had better things to say but definitely not worth $55 for 3 almost inedible small plates of food.

My husband and I are regulars here. There are vegetarian options including soups made from scratch without premade stock (great for those with food allergies/sensitivities!) the coffee/tea is great, cute outdoor seating area. Wish they would go back to the pre-pandemic hours until 3pm as we often want to go there just at or around 2-2: 30 when they’re closing. Highly recommend.

Very cute café that's in a historic building right by Twin Lakes Beach! Tons of gluten free and vegan / vegetarian options for those that want them and overall just fresh and tasty. Fair prices too! Asian stir fry was excellent with tempeh (wild salmon available as well) and the breakfast scramble with greens was good - I think it would be even better with cheese added on top (will do that next time). Cappuccino was good and strong!

I was Very excited to find this café, with so many gluten-free and vegetarian options, however, that was short-lived… I took too big of a bite of my sandwich, and started choking on it. I was standing outside the bathroom, coughing because there was someone in there, I’m getting sort of an evil eye from the kitchen staff. I was able to dislodge Most of this, when in the bathroom, but I came out and was still coughing a bit and helped myself to some water and was scolded and told basically to leave the restaurant what was I doing coughing when they were trying to be so careful, all of them masked and the cashier, in some sort of plexiglass bubble. When I explained that I was choking, I was told to cover my mouth when I cough. Seriously? It could’ve turned into a medical emergency and you’re kicking me out and yelling at me for coughing. I don’t know what kind of paranoia has set into this place, but I wouldn’t recommend eating there!

Thought this place was mindful / organic but judging off the nasty pasteurized, and overpriced orange juice I received its definitely not. I could get better orange juice at a Gas station What a joke

My absolute favorite breakfast place in town. Food is great. Gluten-free options. Delicious lattes. Lovely patio. Delightful owner & staff.

This place is awesome. Great quality food, as far as organic non gmo. My kids had the French toast with REAL mapel syrup, no HFC syrup, loved it. I had the grilled sandwich with salmon and goat cheese, loved it. The portions are not huge, but the price is very reasonable.

Great little place. Glad I chose it.
You order and then they got a patio and you get to have your meal alfresco!

Celiac friendly (gluten free). Wonderful service, darling atmosphere! We LOVED the potatoes and gf French toast. Everything was delicious, good portions, and the attentive and thoughtful customer service was A+. 10/10 highly recommend. Bummed we're not local or we would be regulars.

My favorite brunch spot in Santa Cruz by far! Always friendly service, great coffee and tea, yummy smoothies, awesome food and the best gluten free choices anywhere! Especially their muffins!

Was kind of grungy. And was supposed to be gluten free but was not. Or maybe just got cross contaminated. I have celiac and was sick after eating there.all day and night. Not cool.
I will say that if you are NOT celiac, the French toast is good. And they do make a great vanilla latte.

Scrambled eggs with fresh greens from the garden in the back was delicious. Plenty of gluten free options such as waffles, toast, bagels, homemade pastries, and soups. Will definitely be coming here again.

Cool patio area, but if you serve me a miniscule amount of eggs on my scramble it doesn't matter how nice the patio is.

I have to say I was really surprised at how little eggs were on the plate, I get eggs are hard to come by buuut if your going to serve me a thimble of eggs just don't have them on the menu.

For normal food this place is OK, but for vegan and/or gluten free food this place is amazing.

The gluten free + vegan muffins, brownies, cakes etc.are the best we have ever had. Most of the other places the gluten free + vegan muffins taste like sawdust, but for this place the gluten free + vegan muffins taste as close to the normal ones as possible.

Their gluten free + vegan mexican chocolate cake is to die for, and that is speaking as someone who is not gluten free nor vegan and thus has access to a wider variety of cakes.

This is our go to place whenever we come to Santa Cruz and is in our list of favorite places.