Pretty Good Advice
A Santa Cruz gem offering creative vegetarian and vegan dishes crafted by a former Michelin chef, using fresh, farm-sourced ingredients.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Pretty Good Advice
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A Santa Cruz gem offering creative vegetarian and vegan dishes crafted by a former Michelin chef, using fresh, farm-sourced ingredients.
"This place does NOT disappoint. Vegan/Veggie or not, you must check this out."
Ask for Staff Recommendations
Let knowledgeable staff members like Employee Nico guide you to personalized recommendations.
Visit During Off-Peak Hours
Avoid crowds and enjoy a more relaxed dining experience by visiting during less busy times.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Vegetarian / Vegan
Price
Mid-range
Phone
(831) 309-2805
Address
1319 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Creative Vegetarian & Vegan Delights
Indulge in inventive plant-based dishes like Brussels sprouts and unique sandwiches. A haven for vegans and vegetarians alike.
Former Michelin Chef's Culinary Expertise
Experience high-quality taste crafted by a former Michelin chef using the freshest ingredients from his own farm.
Cozy Atmosphere with Quirky Charm
Enjoy a relaxed, cool vibe enhanced by friendly staff and unique touches like quirky bathroom art.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Ask for Staff Recommendations
Let knowledgeable staff members like Employee Nico guide you to personalized recommendations.
Visit During Off-Peak Hours
Avoid crowds and enjoy a more relaxed dining experience by visiting during less busy times.
Explore Both Locations
Check out both Santa Cruz locations for potentially different menu offerings and unique experiences.
Savor the Fries
Don't miss the French fries, often described as great and even extraordinary, with unique sauce options.
Tips
from all over the internet
Ask for Staff Recommendations
Let knowledgeable staff members like Employee Nico guide you to personalized recommendations.
Visit During Off-Peak Hours
Avoid crowds and enjoy a more relaxed dining experience by visiting during less busy times.
Explore Both Locations
Check out both Santa Cruz locations for potentially different menu offerings and unique experiences.
Savor the Fries
Don't miss the French fries, often described as great and even extraordinary, with unique sauce options.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Pretty Good Advice is celebrated for its creative and delicious vegetarian and vegan offerings, with many praising the high quality of ingredients and the expertise of a former Michelin chef. Diners love the inventive sandwiches, tasty fries, and friendly service. While most reviews are overwhelmingly positive, one customer reported an unpleasant experience with a hair found in their food, though this appears to be an isolated incident.
"BOMB Vegan spot, Fresh, and they make their own oats, sauces, etc.
Would love to try more. A lot of vegan spots use preservative vegan products, but this place is created by a former Michelin chef I believe, and you can taste it for sure.
the Brussels are DIVINE. The overnight oats extremely Tasty, the Sandwiches and salad so good- I wanted to try more!
I hope to have a place like THIS in Los Angeles. And this place I believe has a smaller menu, they have another location I'd love to try next time I'm in Santa Cruz. This place does NOT disappoint.
Vegan/Veggie or not, you must check this out.
Also huge shoutout to Employee Nico who made the experience great- it was an overall fantastic experience.
Quality taste, fast service, and kind people!"
Mayuri Bhandari
"Fantastic find in downtown Santa Cruz serving vegetarian and vegan food. The staff was so kind and helpful. The food was very tasty and they serve a great variety. We truly enjoyed it. They even offer vegan churros."
Simone Harms
"So many options! I had the tofu banh mi and it was fantastic. The only change inwould do is to spread the insides even so that one gets the same even taste. In my sandwich it was tofu on one side and carrots and other veggies in the other. Still tasted great! There is not much of seating inside here but there are couple of them out on the street that was cute! Very friendly and welcoming service."
Jags Krishnamurthy
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Pretty Good Advice is primarily a vegetarian restaurant with many vegan options available, including vegan burgers and sandwiches.
Diners rave about the Final Meltdown sandwich, Brussels sprouts, overnight oats, and the crispy French fries with unique sauces.
Yes, there are a few outdoor seating options available on the street, perfect for a casual meal.
The restaurant is run by a former Michelin chef who uses fresh ingredients, many sourced from his own farm in the Santa Cruz mountains.
Yes, Pretty Good Advice is noted as a great place for gluten-free meals, with vegetarian burger options adaptable for gluten-free diets.
Yes, Pretty Good Advice offers takeout options, and you can also order through delivery services like GrubHub.
Mentioned in
Featured in these publications
Guide to Vegetarian Eats Around Santa Cruz County
Tucked away in the quaint town of Soquel is Pretty Good Advice (and now right on Pacific Avenue in Downtown Santa Cruz), an innovative vegetarian take-out spot where you can find culinary delights that won’t break the bank. The creative menu at PGA features all-day breakfast sandwiches and plant-based burgers that are finger-licking good!. Chow down on the Pesto Fresco, a greens-filled breakfast sandwich, or the California Ranch Burger, whose fermented-black-bean-patty pairs perfectly with PGA’s burger sauce.
Delightful Things to Do in Santa Cruz, California
The breakfast sandwiches at Pretty Good Advice are so epic that we didn’t even realize it was a vegetarian restaurant until after we ate every last crumb. This hip Pacific Ave eatery is the brainchild of renowned chef Matt McNamara, and the menu features delicious ingredients from McNamara’s farm in the Santa Cruz mountains. We chowed down on the Final Meltdown, Tom’s Bright Eye Surprise, and a roasted carrot soup special, and everything was heavenly.
Gluten free restaurants in Santa Cruz
Pretty Good Advice is without a doubt our absolute favorite place to grab a gluten free meal in the Santa Cruz area. Pretty Good Advice is a vegetarian burger restaurant that sells vegetarian versions of classic fast food items such as cheeseburgers and fried chicken sandwiches. Their food is indulgent, flavorful, and all around delicious.
A guide to Santa Cruz dining
A worthwhile vegetarian spot, Pretty Good Advice touts two locations in the general area. Stop in for great salads and fun sides like seared delicata squash or kumquat chia pudding. The sandwiches are surprisingly filling and the vegan burgers are delicious.
A Guide to Santa Cruz Dining
Hyper-local, fast-casual dining spot run by not one, but four renowned chefs. The ever-evolving menu items are all made in house, from scratch. Gather on the sunny patio or grab something to go.
Where to eat in Santa Cruz
A vegetarian cheeseburger from Pretty Good Advice at its new downtown Santa Cruz location. Elena Kadvany/The Chronicle. A wall mural at Pretty Good Advice in downtown Santa Cruz.
Highest-rated Restaurants in Santa Cruz by Diners
- Rating: 4.5/5 (45 reviews)- Price level: $$- Address: 1319 Pacific Ave. Santa Cruz, California - Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Burgers, Sandwiches- Read more on Yelp
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit