We haven't been to Lillians in a couple of years, and the quality has declined. We ordered bread…read morewith tapenade to start. While the tapenade was good, the bread seemed like tough grocery store bread. My husband's chicken was so dry, he had trouble chewing it. I ordered the salmon on risotto special. While the salmon was tasty, the risotto was sitting in a pool of olive oil. We were very disappointed.

The food hit the spot. I had the chicken Parmesan on a bed of rigatoni noodles and marinara. It was…read moredelicious. The service was very friendly. I was seated right away. I thought it was going to be a wait because the place was packed. The table service was very friendly and always timely. She checked backed on me more than just taking the initial order. Since the place was packed it was pretty loud inside. You could still hear the piano music in the background. Next time I am back in town, I will definitely recommend Lillian's for a dinner for the team I work with. I know they will enjoy it as much as I did.

My family and I make our way up to Santa Cruz once a year, and have an annual dinner over at…read moreTramonti. I look forward to having the Gnocchi Tricolore all 364 days of the year that I don't get to eat it. The outdoor patio is a great area, with a fan for warm evenings and space heaters for cooler nights. Although Tramonti lacks a kid's menu, the staff is accommodating to children, offering to adjust portion size of pizza and pasta dishes.

Ok definitely a date spot. The lights were dimmed, the vibe was very romantic. But definitely still…read morecan take family here as well as bigger groups. We made a reservation ahead of time because we saw that it can get a bit busy for dinner. But as soon as we got there, we were seated immediately. The staff were very knowledgeable and warm to us. We ordered the lasagna and fettuccine and we shared it. The portion sizes are huge! But definitely worth the money. One of my new favorite Italian spots to go to when I'm out in the area.

An amazing hidden GEM!!! I and my husband are locals and gratefully discovered Sugo just a number…read moreof months ago. Everything wev'e had there was so so great!! Veal milanese was exceptional! Recently I had the spinach salad! I could go back there everyday for that salad!!! So delish!! I had the Carbonara and my husband had the Bolognese Pasta! So flavorful!! As a native New Yorker I especially loved their cannolli's. The best I've had here! The owner is the real deal!!! Oh just for you to know.....the portions are extremely huge!! You'll need to take some home! Also enjoy their dog friendly outdoor patio! The only thing I would suggest is that they should fix their website....since you can't log onto it...and allow the newest menu to come up on there!! Oh also...please advertise your wonderful place and meals on sall of ocial media! All the best and thank you for bringing great food into the neighborhood!!!

If you're in Santa Cruz and love authentic Italian food, you have to try Sugo Italian Pasta Bar…read more This place is such a hidden gem. I had the spaghetti carbonara and it was absolutely delicious--rich, flavorful, and clearly made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. They have a lunch special where you can add a salad for just $3 more, and it's so worth it. The cucumbers and tomatoes were incredibly fresh and tasted amazing. To top it off, I had the tiramisu for dessert and it did not disappoint--perfectly balanced and so satisfying. The atmosphere really makes you feel like you've stepped into a true Italian restaurant. When I walked in, I could hear people speaking Italian, which made the whole experience feel even more authentic. The staff were also wonderful--my server was kind, attentive, and gave great recommendations. Overall, everything about this place was amazing. I highly recommend it if you're in the Santa Cruz area!

Lago di Como was a very pleasant surprise. We had high expectations from friends' experiences and…read morereviews and the restaurant did not disappoint. It was a super busy Saturday evening so they're forgiven for a half hour wait for our 7:30 reso. Food was fantastic and the wait staff did their very best to take care of everyone. We'll be back!

We were celebrating two birthdays and the waiter was excellent!…read more The food was perfectly timed and tasted great! Yummy wines too! We sat in the sunroom, which was nice and quiet.

A Culinary Gem: Simply Authentic ​If you are looking for a…read moredining experience that feels like a warm embrace from an Italian grandmother, this charming spot is an absolute must-visit. From the moment you walk through the door, the intimate atmosphere sets the stage for a meal that is clearly crafted with love and tradition. ​The commitment to quality here is unmistakable. Because everything is cooked from scratch, the flavors have a vibrancy that you simply won't find in larger, commercial establishments. ​You can taste the freshness of the ingredients in every sauce and handmade pasta. The seasonings are spot-on--bold enough to be memorable, yet refined enough to let the natural ingredients shine. The food is simply ah-mazing! ​What truly elevates this restaurant is the attentive and friendly service. The staff treats every guest with a level of care that makes you feel like a regular on your very first visit. If you are craving authentic Italian, look no further. This isn't just a meal; it's a reminder of why we fall in love with great food in the first place. Highly recommended!

Our best kept secret. Such an underrated gem that I feel no one knows about! The calamari is always…read morea hit. My two favorite dishes are the spaghetti alla carbonara and carbonara lasagna! Their portions are easily shareable between 2. Both times I've been here, the restaurant has been empty! Service is great. I love grabbing a seat on the patio and enjoying the lovely Santa Cruz air.

Was looking for a sweet bite, I noticed as I walked in the door, displayed up top the counter were…read more3 types of dessert, but the Lemon tart really caught my eye. I was greeted immediately by Miss Darlene, who is the sweetest. Amazing customer service. She sat us down at the perfect table near the window. She recommended the Lemoncello mule since I mentioned that I really love lemon. And for the second drink, I had to try the Hibiscus Fiz. The restaurant was quiet since it was early in the evening, not quite yet dinner time. Dinner menu was on the table, good menu selection- I'll definitely be coming back to try the ribeye. Drinks were so pretty looking and easy to sip. The lemon tart was perfectly sweet and the berries gave it a fresh taste.

This is a great little restaurant with excellent food, friendly service, and a cozy atmosphere. We…read morestarted with a wine flight, which was a good deal and came with some nice nuts, fruit, and cheese. I got the chipotle chicken salad as my main dish, which was bursting with flavor, with very fresh and crisp Romaine. My wife got the fish tacos, which she enjoyed. We finished with one of the best tiramisu I've ever had! Overall, a very enjoyable meal -- highly recommended!

The food was very mediocre at best lowkey highkey did not satisfy our craving. The service was very…read morenot great. We were hardly checked on and our drinks took 10 mins to come. All while other tables seemed to get faster service. Wouldn't really come back considering it's also really pricey.

We were wandering around downtown to find an outdoor spot to eat and found Kianti's. The outdoor…read morespace has a lot of heaters and heat lamps to keep you warm at night while you people watch. Downtown Santa Cruz on a Saturday night is very entertaining. Lol We ordered the 10" Ragin Veggie pizza, without the jalapenos and added roasted chicken. Perfection! The service was excellent. Definitely on our list to visit again.

Nine of us came Saturday night for my Friends birthday. The…read morefood was excellent. We had pastas, fresh homemade noodles, the flatiron steak was to die for and the halibut drew rave reviews. The wine pairings were thoughtfully suggested for the flavor profiles of our meals. Our server, Aiden was both attentive and invisible. Surely the finest Italian restaurant in the Monterey Bay. As general Patton said I will return.

I had a great experience at La posta and I would come back again. We came here on a Saturday…read moreevening and were able to be seated on the patio without a reservation. Thankfully it wasn't too cold and we were asked if we wanted the heater on which was nice. The server was extremely helpful with ordering and catering to our dietary needs. He helped pick drinks for us as well which were pretty and tasty. I got the pasta al pomodoro and it was delicious. The sauce was a bit sweet which added to the flavor. The portion size was kinda small for 2 people though. We also got the roasted broccolini which came with cheese on top and it was good as well , good portion size too. For dessert we got the almond cookie which tasted odd but the ice cream was so yummy. The coconut stracciatella was so unique and yummy. This place is a bit expensive but I loved it and would come again.

Upon entering, we were promptly greeted and lead through their nice lounge area to the…read morewell-appointed dining room. After selecting our drink preferences, bread service was initiated. Attention to details by our host was evident and appreciated. Our entrées arrived nicely plated in a short time. We greatly enjoyed our entrées of Spagetti alle Vongole and Seabass Fish of the Day. Live music was being performed in the lounge throughout our dining experience which greatly enhanced the ambiance of the meal and restaurant. The live music was a contemporary jazz quartet followed by a clarinet and drums duo ensemble. The atmosphere of Obló is conducive to a relaxing rendezvous for a drink or dining with friends, or to embrace the intimate and romantic undertone of their fine dining venue with one's significant other.

Oblo is located in the cusp of downtown, across from Abbott Square where you are close enough to…read morehear (and feel) the music while dining in a circular glass windowed room. Oblo has a family-style warmth with the paper menus and touch lamps that look like candles and yet it also feels like the perfect Date Night restaurant because of the ambiance, cool lighting, top shelf bar menu, great service and impressive food. I was there for a birthday, and Oblo surprised even me with their stellar service when they marched a line of smiling staff members out with a slice of beautiful cheesecake over a zigzag of blueberry compote and sung happy birthday in such a joyful way that the other customers joined along. It was definitely special. We had great service all night -- from the first person we saw to the last. Every dish was delicious!

First things first, the cable car ride down was so cute. Cramped. But cute. The staff were so nice…read moreand accommodating. Definitely make reservations ahead of time! Now let's get to the food. I can only speak for what I ordered. My espresso martini made with tequila instead of vodka was UHMAZING! Best one I've had so far. The baked Brie was mouth watering, the crostinis were so good and crispy. And the top sirloin was perfectly cooked to medium rare. Loved every bit of it! And the cheesecake was good but I wasn't a fan of the peach compote. My friend loved her cosmo and her gnocchi. And she loved the peach compote. So it worked out for us. Will definitely be back next year!

We arrived as a family of four with an infant to celebrate our son's birthday, only to realize we…read morehad accidentally booked our reservation for the following night. The front desk reassured us, gave us a waiting number, and told us to wait in the lounge while they worked on getting us a table. ​After waiting patiently for an entire hour, we checked back, only to be abruptly told they were fully booked and could not seat us after all. ​Our booking mistake is on us, but stringing along a family with a baby for an hour--giving false hope while open tables sat empty--is terrible hospitality. If you cannot accommodate us, simply be honest upfront so we can celebrate elsewhere instead of wasting our entire evening. Very disappointing customer service.