Owl's Nest

541 Porter-Kresge Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, United States
+1 831-459-1934
$$$ Cafe
(54 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Welcome to Owl's Nest, the hidden gem of the Kresge/Porter area at the University of California, Santa Cruz. This inviting café offers a cozy atmosphere perfect for students and locals alike who seek quality food and a place to unwind. Despite its tucked-away location, the buzz surrounding Owl's Nest is undeniable, often drawing in crowds during peak hours.

At Owl's Nest, you'll discover a lovely array of culinary delights that cater to various preferences. The menu features notable options, including their sensational vegan burritos that fans like Megan Marie rave about. If you're in the mood for something heartier, the chicken pesto sandwich is a must-try, praised by Pasha as his favorite choice. Their French fries are considered among the best on campus—a perfect sidekick to any meal!

For those seeking a healthier start to the day, Owl's Nest offers a breakfast bowl that will make your mornings brighter. You can also indulge in a build-your-own bowl option for lunch—imagine choosing your grain, two scrumptious mains, and a medley of vibrant toppings that pack a flavorful punch. Andy Ng shared his joy of crafting his own bowl, thoughtfully selecting cauliflower and mushrooms packed with taste and nutrients, making it a satisfying yet guilt-free meal.

When you walk into Owl's Nest, you're met with a friendly vibe that encourages lingering over your meal. With grab-and-go foods and a variety of caffeinated and non-caffeinated beverages, this café seamlessly blends convenience with quality dining. Even during busy periods, like what Emily D noted with the long lines, the patience pays off as you find yourself savoring delicious snacks at decent prices.

So, whether you're a UCSC student cramming for exams or a Santa Cruz local looking for a delightful café experience, Owl's Nest is waiting to serve you. It's not just a place to grab a bite; it's a community hub where flavor and nourishment intersect.

Service options
Outdoor seating
Takeaway
Dine-in
Delivery
Highlights
Great coffee
Popular for
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining
Good for working on laptop
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Offerings
Coffee
Comfort food
Healthy options
Quick bite
Vegan options
Vegetarian options
Dining options
Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Dessert
Seating
Table service
Amenities
Toilet
Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Groups
University students
Planning
Usually a wait
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

08:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Tuesday

08:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Wednesday

08:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Thursday

08:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Friday

08:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Saturday

Closed

Sunday

Closed

54 Reviews
Emily D

18 Sep 2025

Long lines at peak hours, but delicious snacks at decent prices. Takes quite a while to get your food, too, for a fast-service cafe. But good quality, and one of the better cafes on campus.

Megan Marie

22 Aug 2025

Owls nest is hidden in the Kresge/Porter area. Food is good, I love the vegan burritos! Sometimes a long line..

Pasha

16 Jul 2025

Decent food, can use meal equivalencies. Chicken pesto is my favourite sandwich. French fries best on campus. One meal can get you a sodapop, fries and chicken tenders, good value.

Asia Perpetua Anderson

05 Jun 2025

This adorable spot has you covered if you're looking for a breakfast bowl before 10:30 am or any type of yummy bowl after. They make smoothies here and ask types of caffeinated and un caffeinated beverages. Plus, there's grab and go foods and drinks.

Andy Ng

03 Jun 2025

Love that UCSC has a brand new plant-based cafe offering with the ability to build your own bowls, both for breakfast or lunch. The process is simple - select a grain, two mains, a hearty scoop, four sides, and as many toppings and dressings as you’d like. I went with the $16 BYO Bowl with cauliflower and mushrooms as my mains, and it was packed with flavor and nutrients. Loved the ability to really customize your bowl to your liking. I also appreciated how the staff went out of their way to help me identify which items were fully vegan. They have a QR code to scan with an ingredients list, but I’d recommend them adding a little icon on their digital menu to indicate what items are vegan, gf, nut-free etc. to make it easier for customers. This is an excellent addition to campus and I hope that they last for a while.

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