Cafe Gratitude at 103 Lincoln Street, Santa Cruz, California.

I cannot say enough good about this place. I had the sushi rice bowl and it was the most satisfying and delicious meal I've had eating out in a long time. Even the drip coffee was so full of flavor and perfect! My girlfriend had a blt with cheese covered potatoes, all vegan, which was AMAZING too!

PSA: This restaurant is NOT part of the Cafe Gratitude chain that is now based in southern California. It used to be part of the chain when it first opened, but just like all of the other Bay Area locations, it was "closed" due to employee lawsuits. This location was sold off and is now privately owned, but the name stuck. The owners have clearly tried to imitate the chain restaurants by keeping the same font and designing the menu with the same funky names. But the menu is clearly not the same as what you will find at the southern California locations, which I have heard rave reviews about. But all of this was only part of the problem. I am really giving them a low rating because the food is just not good. I'm not vegan by any stretch, but I do enjoy eating vegan food from time to time because it's usually very flavorful and exotic. This was not the case here. Most of the food my party ordered was very bland and tasteless. Have you heard of using spices? The food could have all tasted so much better. My girlfriend had a BLT with coconut bacon, and it basically ruined her stomach for the rest of the day. No idea how they make that but I would not recommend. And watch out for the cauliflower wings, they're so spicy that they're basically inedible. I'm not really sure how this establishment has the current ratings it has because it was simply not good. I will probably never return.

Fantastic vegan food and friendly service. Will definitely go back.

Amazing menu, organic, fresh, prepared with skill and love. Super healthful and delicious dishes, drinks and desserts. Go there whether your vegan or not. Great service, cool ambience.

The mushroom soup was amazing. A good combination of flavors. I also love the cute themed menu they have. You order an emotion and when they bring it out they say you are that emotion. So if you order "powerful" they bring you your plate and say "you are powerful." It's a unique experience and this is one of the first places I'd bring my friends visiting Santa Cruz to check it out.