Lupulo Craft Beer House
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Lupulo Craft Beer House

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A laid-back downtown Santa Cruz spot renowned for its vast selection of craft beers and Spanish-Mexican inspired tapas and bar fare.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Lupulo Craft Beer House

Lupulo Craft Beer House

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A laid-back downtown Santa Cruz spot renowned for its vast selection of craft beers and Spanish-Mexican inspired tapas and bar fare.

"Experience an amazing beer selection and flavorful food with a welcoming vibe at this craft beer house."

TIP

Visit During Off-Peak Hours

To avoid crowds, especially on weekends or holidays, consider visiting during less busy times.

Explore Unique Menu Items

Don't miss out on signature dishes like Vegan Tacos or Mexican Grilled Cheese Sandwiches for a taste of their Spanish-Mexican fusion.

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Quick Facts

Open·Closes 9PM

Cuisine

Gastropub, Spanish, Mexican

Price

Mid-range

Phone

(831) 454-8306

Address

233 Cathcart St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA

Insta-Factor

Medium

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Extensive Craft Beer Selection

Extensive Craft Beer Selection

Discover a curated list of domestic and international craft beers, with a strong focus on California breweries. Staff are knowledgeable and ready to guide you.

Brewery Roundup: Santa Cruz County's Best in BrewWhere to eat in Santa Cruz
Spanish & Mexican Fusion Fare

Spanish & Mexican Fusion Fare

Indulge in flavorful dishes like vegan tacos, cochinita pibil tacos, and empanadas. Ingredients are fresh and seasonal, influenced by Spanish and Mexican cuisines.

Brewery Roundup: Santa Cruz County's Best in BrewGoogle Review
Dog-Friendly Atmosphere

Dog-Friendly Atmosphere

Enjoy the laid-back vibe with your furry friends! Lupulo offers a welcoming outdoor patio, making it a great spot for a relaxed outing with pets.

A Yorkie's Guide to Visiting Dog-Friendly Santa Cruz, CA 2025Google Review
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Visit During Off-Peak Hours

To avoid crowds, especially on weekends or holidays, consider visiting during less busy times.

Explore Unique Menu Items

Don't miss out on signature dishes like Vegan Tacos or Mexican Grilled Cheese Sandwiches for a taste of their Spanish-Mexican fusion.

Ask Staff for Beer Recommendations

The friendly and knowledgeable staff are passionate about beer and can help you find the perfect brew.

Consider the Empanadas

These savory pastries, like the chicken tinga or veggie options, are a popular and tasty choice.

Tips

from all over the internet

Visit During Off-Peak Hours

To avoid crowds, especially on weekends or holidays, consider visiting during less busy times.

Explore Unique Menu Items

Don't miss out on signature dishes like Vegan Tacos or Mexican Grilled Cheese Sandwiches for a taste of their Spanish-Mexican fusion.

Ask Staff for Beer Recommendations

The friendly and knowledgeable staff are passionate about beer and can help you find the perfect brew.

Consider the Empanadas

These savory pastries, like the chicken tinga or veggie options, are a popular and tasty choice.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Lupulo Craft Beer House is praised for its exceptional craft beer selection and friendly staff who offer great recommendations. The Spanish-Mexican-influenced food is generally well-received, with tacos and empanadas being highlights, though some find it average compared to other options. The laid-back atmosphere and dog-friendly patio add to its appeal as a community hub.

"Stumbled onto this place while visiting Santa Cruz. Pleasantly surprised, excellent selection of beer, and our food was very good (Vegan tacos and Mexican grilled cheese sandwich). Nice ambience, very kick back and unpretentious, and did I say an excellent selection of beer? What’s more the staff were very cool and super friendly."

John Maurer

"We got the cochinita pibil tacos and green goddess salad. Both were delicious and we didn't have to wait long. The staff is very friendly. My husband enjoys their beer selection and I was happy they had non alcoholic beer options. Another bonus is they are dog friendly. Awesome spot! Will be back!"

Amy Hunter

"Great brewhouse in downtown Santa Cruz. It is is a great location with outside seating. In summer time you can sit under the sun. The square is very expansive and airy. They have may different brews and a menu for some bites. A pint is about $8. You order everything at the bar and they serve you at the table. Tried multiple brews and fingerlings which are small potatoes with an aioli sauce."

Shahram Mehraban

What People Like

Extensive craft beer list
Knowledgeable and friendly staff
Dog-friendly patio

What People Dislike

Food sometimes considered average

Frequently Asked Questions

Lupulo boasts an extensive selection of domestic and international craft beers, with a strong emphasis on California breweries. They have 16 rotating taps and over 100 bottled options, including non-alcoholic and gluten-free choices.

Brewery Roundup: Santa Cruz County's Best in BrewThe Ultimate Guide to the Best Microbreweries in Santa Cruz County10 Top Taprooms & Microbreweries in Santa Cruz+2

Yes, Lupulo is dog-friendly! They have a welcoming outdoor patio where you can relax with your pets.

A Yorkie's Guide to Visiting Dog-Friendly Santa Cruz, CA 2025Google Review

Popular choices include vegan tacos, cochinita pibil tacos, empanadas, and the Mexican grilled cheese sandwich. They also offer tapas and salads.

Brewery Roundup: Santa Cruz County's Best in BrewGoogle Review+1

Yes, all bottled beers are available for purchase to enjoy in-house or to take home with you.

10 Top Taprooms & Microbreweries in Santa CruzSanta Cruz Craft Breweries & Taprooms

The atmosphere is described as laid-back, chill, unpretentious, and festive, with fun art on the walls and varied music.

A Yorkie's Guide to Visiting Dog-Friendly Santa Cruz, CA 2025Google Review+1

Yes, they offer non-alcoholic beer options, ensuring everyone can find a drink they enjoy.

Brewery Roundup: Santa Cruz County's Best in BrewGoogle Review

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Visit Santa Cruz County

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To further pay homage to their roots in Spain and Mexico, co-owners Noëlle Antolin and Stuyvie Bearns Esteva created a menu with these influences. The nearby downtown Santa Cruz farmers market enables them to use fresh, seasonal ingredients for selections including tapas, hearty tortas, and salads. Lúpulo invites customers to “come for the beer and stay for the food.” The venue’s rotating draft beers includes selections from across the world, and Lúpulo has an extensive bottled beer selection including non-alcoholic and gluten-free options.

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Seb Frey, Silicon Valley + Bay Area REALTOR

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Microbreweries in Santa Cruz County

Lúpulo Craft Beer House, located in downtown Santa Cruz, has established itself as a significant destination in the local craft beer scene. This establishment has been a community hub for over five years, offering a unique and seasonal menu that pairs perfectly with their impressive selection of curated beers, wines, and ciders. They feature a constantly rotating selection of 16 small-production beers on tap and over 100 bottles, focusing on locally-sourced products and inspired by Mediterranean and Latin-American cuisines.

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Another great beer place is Lupulo, and it also has a great menu, so if you actually aren’t there for beer, it’s OK. The Rizada Salad takes kale to another level with the spot-on contrasting flavor of sharp cheddar, plus beets, toasted almonds and a “dark lemon vinaigrette.” I’m wondering if it is “dark” because of the addition of Bragg Liquid Aminos, which is my personal secret ingredient in any kale salad ensemble.

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10 Top Taprooms & Microbreweries in Santa Cruz

Spanish for ‘hops’, Lúpulo offers an extensive and ever-changing selection of bottled and on-tap beers and their knowledgeable staff can offer guidance as well as in-depth information on each ale available. Lúpulo’s kitchen serves seasonal Spanish-inspired tapas, perfect for sharing with friends and pairing with one (or more) of their rare beers. All bottled beers are available for purchase to go or enjoy in-house.

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santacruz.com

Santa Cruz Craft Breweries & Taprooms

Lupulo, which is Spanish for "hops", serves up a diverse array of craft brews with 16 constantly rotating taps and over a hundred bottles to take home or try on premise. Their tapas-inspired seasonal menu ensures you'll linger. During a recent expansion, which more than doubled their space, a shuffle board and piano were added, enhancing the already festive atmosphere.

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There is a rotating draft selection of eighteen brews available at any given time, as well as hundreds of square feet of fridges packed with perfectly chilled bottles. The food, furthermore, is on point. Avocado toast drizzled with balsamic and loaded with pickled onions is especially good, although the loaded tacos will probably pair better with most of the beer.

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California Travel

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Lupulo Craft Beer House is located in downtown Santa Cruz about a block off Pacific Ave. Lupulo has a collection of bottled beers as well as 18 beers on tap including IPAs, sours, dark and light ales, and at least one cider. The menu features dishes inspired by Spanish tapas bars and Belgian beer cafés, using fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients.

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The San Francisco Chronicle

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Santa Cruz takes craft beer very seriously, and Lúpulo is proof. Beer nerds come here to get hard-to-find items like those from Private Press, a Santa Cruz brewery whose beers are available only to its club members. There’s also an uncommonly strong selection of imported draft beers like Belgian saison and German doppelbock.

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Located in downtown Santa Cruz (right next to Hula’s and 515 Kitchen), here you can find a wide selection of beers on tap or go for a bottle to try in house or take home with you!. Pair a great brew with a tasty tapa off their delicious menu of options and you won’t want to leave!

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A Yorkie's Guide to Visiting Dog-Friendly Santa Cruz, CA 2025

Lúpolo Craft Beer House (233 Cathcart St) – This casual, unpretentious bar known for domestic and international craft beers has an inviting dog-friendly outdoor patio with wooden benches, tables, umbrellas, AND blankets. I sure like keeping my paws warm on a chilly evening.

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Lúpulo is Spanish for hops and you can certainly find some tasty hops here!. Lúpulo offers 16 beers and ciders on tap and the menu changes daily. From the more familiar IPAs to the more exotic sours, there’s something here for everyone, including the non-beer drinkers.

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Their claim to fame is being able to acquire “hard-to-get beers” for their loyal beer sipping patrons. The atmosphere is casual and you can enjoy lunch, dinner and brunch paired with your favorite beer buzz. The Market inside Abbott Square.

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Also in downtown Santa Cruz, Lupulo Craft Beer House is a destination for discerning craft beer fans. The 16 rotating taps hosts sours, farmhouse ales, and ciders. Check their website for the latest list.

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On the food front, they serve brilliant cheese sandwiches, quinoa salad, goat cheese, and seasonal fruits. The food here is so tasty that the chef has won many awards.

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Lupulo Craft Beer House (2026) – Best of TikTok, Instagram & Reddit Food Guide