I adore Cafe Ivéta, a gourmet European-style cafe and market featuring fresh, simple food using the highest quality ingredients they can find. The attention to quality shows; the food is amazing. There’s something for everyone: a changing array of freshly baked sweet and savory goods, various egg dishes including breakfast tacos, soups, salads, and sandwiches. Top it off with a rich Lavazza espresso drink, freshly made lemonade, even a glass of champagne or an Aperol spritz!
My go-tos are the bacon avocado toast or the ham and cheese sandwich with thinly shaved proscuitto cotto and a house-made dijon vinaigrette. The gourmet European-style influence is especially evident in the ham sandwich. It’s hard to find real proscuitto cotto, and the sandwich reminds me of sunny autumn afternoons on a sidewalk cafe in Milan.
Their scones are next-level as well, somehow moist and crumbly at the same time. They were even featured in the first “O List” from Oprah’s magazine. Best of all, they sell their scone mix in their market, so you can pick up a bag of scone mix to experience a taste of Ivéta at home.
Cafe Ivéta is unobtrusively tucked into an industrial building on Santa Cruz’s Westside between Swift St. and Swanton Blvd. Don’t let the industrial street fool you … the space both inside and out is lovely and quiet. It’s a nice spot to sit and relax over a meal. As a bonus, you’re just an easy stroll from there to the back entrance of Natural Bridges State Park or to drive over to Wilder Ranch to hike Englesman’s Loop.
Cafe Ivèta is open from 8AM -3PM seven days a week. You can order online for pickup or local delivery by clicking here. 2125 Delaware Ave. Santa Cruz 831-423-5149.