Two words: YUM-MO!!!! Laili dishes were flavorful, varied and layered; decor was nice without being snooty; and the service was the right amount of attentiveness. We were a large group of people who hadn't seen each other in a long time, so we had a lot to catch up on, and we also were not able to get there earlier than 1 hour from closing time. Laili not only accommodated us, but also allowed us to stay there over half an hour after closing when they were done cleaning around us! They were incredibly generous with their time and space. Tip: The dining room was very spacious, so I think Laili would be perfect for large groups. read more

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The food is mediocre at best but the price of some items are quite shocking. For example 1 piece of baklava is $12 dollars?! If I'd known that I wouldn't have ordered two or any. You're telling me two small pieces of baklava cost as much as my ent One can of Diet Coke soda is 6$? It's not even refillable. Won't be back. read more

This was the first time coming here!! we got SO LUCKY, because the wait was like 2 hours or something, but the host found us a seat OUTSIDE after about 10min wait and I recommend the garden patio it's so GORGEOUS. there's heat lamps too in case you forgot your jacket in the car they give you a giant pita and dip to nibble while u wait for your entree which is lovely Aushak dumplings and all of the sauces are completely DELICIOUS Cilantro Caesar salad is fantastic, i've never had caesar with cilantro before and i have been convertedd, however if you like your shrimp deveined, do not get the $18 add-on.... because they do not devein them... also, they may ask what temp for your filet mignon kebob, but we def did not get the requested temp, so uhh proceed with caution!! i would give another star if this experience wasn't so expensive LOL :D read more

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Shared a lovely sea bass dinner with my daughter and the waitress suggested a glass of wine. Fresh bread with a tapenade sauce to start and all was delicious in downtown Santa Cruz. Used to come here for special occasions or anytime I'm in town this is our go to place for sit down dinner. Never disappointed. Quiet with booth ( I prefer) and seating inside and outdoors. read more

Laili Restaurant - Sea bass - Middle Eastern Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

I had not been here in years and I was looking forward to it. We made reservations for inside but the hostess mentioned how nice the weather was and that they had room outside still, I am so happy we sat outside it was beautiful. There were three of us dining. The waiter was fine, it was obvious he was disappointed that we did not order alcohol. He became less interested and less attentive. I ordered the lentil soup, beet salad, salmon pasta and mint tea. I do not want to bash on the food, but I will say this. Feta was so dissatisfying, tasted worse than Costco blue tub, and the creamy sauce on the beets was tasteless. The whole dish was SO bland. Same with the lentil soup, so disappointing, and no ingredient tasted fresh, and unfortunately same with the salmon. Pasta noodles were fine. Our waiter inly came back to ask if we wanted dessert and to give us our check. I will not go back. read more

Another 5-star experience at Laili. We had the filet mignon kabob again, and it was excellent as always. We also tried the Anar chicken entree for the first time. OMG....how have we never had this before?!? It was outstanding!!! So flavorful and delicious! We will definitely be ordering this dish again. We had Baklava and tea for dessert. We went with the Honeybush tea and the English Breakfast tea. Both were very nice, but I think the Honeybush tea was just a little better and more interesting (never had that before). And my wife and I both agreed that this is our favorite Baklava (we've had it all over including in Greece). Overall, an exceptional meal. read more

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Super interesting menu. Everything I've ever tried has been so good. I highly recommend the leek dumplings, pomegranate eggplant and cauliflower for vegans, and the salmon, lamb burger and beef kabob for meat lovers. The kids menu is incredible--the dishes are just as interesting as the adult ones. I love going back to this restaurant over and over. read more

I ordered the braised lamb pasta . The waitress mentioned that it was her favorite item on the menu when I did. The server mentioned he liked it a lot when my plate arrived. It was absolutely unexpected and delicious. The pasta was house made and by itself would have been the star. But the braised lamb was delicious too. The spices and flavors of the sauce were wonderful. Put it together with the carrots, zucchini, green onions, and parsley and it was a dish flavored in a unique way. This was honestly one of the best things I have eaten in my life. I think this is going to change the way we cook in our house, trying to recapture this taste. Everyone else enjoyed their meals too. The staff was very thoughtful and attentive. We were seated immediately and served immediately. It was a lovely evening, but a culinary experience. The atmosphere was as cozy and respectful. read more

Laili restaurant serves delicious Mediterranean dishes within a beautiful interior. The waitress spoke the truth when she said every dish is good. Between two people, we tried the branzino from the special menu, the beef kabob plate, and Mousha awa (soup with ginger, lentils, chickpeas, and lamb). The entrees came with salad, rice, and different house made sauces. The sauce combo that stood out to me was the apricot ginger. The dessert menu had several cardamom items which looked tasty but we passed and agreed to make another trip out here next time. read more

Laili Restaurant - Interior - Middle Eastern Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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An amazing meal in Santa Cruz. My friend and I got a 7pm outdoor reservation and the ambience was excellent. Heat lamps, string lights, and greenery everywhere. The food was excellent, I wasn't super hungry so I chose a half Mediterranean salad that was super fresh and the ground beef and onion dumplings. The perfect amount of food after a long day of walking. A memorable meal and dining experience! read more

Laili Restaurant - Outdoor Patio - Middle Eastern Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Ambiance: 5 Food: 3 Service: 3 This place is overpriced for what you get. The presentation is nice but they give you quite small portions for the $30 price tag. The service was inconsistent. We only saw our waiter twice throughout the meal. We had to ask for everything we needed. The one nice thing was they brought over a birthday candle on a chocolate cake since i told them it was my dad's birthday. Things to improve; value for money Make sure the food is hot when it comes out Check in more Make sure portions and quality match price read more

Friendly staff, nice indoor and outdoor seating. If weather permits, patio area is charming. Food was good. Sautéd veggies were flavorful. Loved the tzatziki and Mediterranean plate. The naan and dipping oil was delicious. Flatbread pizza is something I would definitely order again, but I would like a little heat added to it, (I added the jalapeño sauce from kabob plate and it was perfect!) chicken was decent and rice was cooked evenly. Overall a nice meal. read more

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Came on a Saturday evening to celebrate two birthdays in the family. Located centrally in downtown Santa Cruz, this place has the best chicken kabobs and an iced cardamon chia that is so good! The ambiance is a more formal setting and a great place for date night. We sat outside in the tucked away patio where they have heaters, string lights, and speakers that play music to enhance the mood. Some things to improve: The table we sat at was right next to open windows to the kitchen/dishwasher. You could hear lots of pots and pans and dishes crashing about which killed some of the ambiance. There should be more servers as our server seemed really busy and we did not get the level of attention one would expect from a classier restaurant. As we were leaving through the restaurant, our party noticed that it was really warm inside. I even saw one person fanning themselves to cool down. One thing to keep in mind is that they serve wine and beer but not cocktails. With all this said, this place is worth trying. My family has celebrated birthdays here and special occasions. They do take reservations so if you have a larger party make sure to call or book a reservation ahead of time. read more

Laili is my favorite restaurant in Santa Cruz. It's on Cooper Street. It's a Middle Eastern restaurant and it has a hidden garden that you don't see until you enter the restaurant. The garden is so charming with umbrella tables and plants winding up the walls. The food is always fantastic. And the service is excellent too. I usually get the chicken kebabs and they come with three different dipping sauces. It also comes with some delicious basmati rice. I usually order the yogurt soda called dough. Sounds like duke. I've been there many times with friends and everyone has raved about what they have ordered. This is one of the few places where you can eat outdoors and you're not bothered by the wind because there are very high walls all the way around. read more

Had a chance to try Laili's when visiting a friend who recently moved to Santa Cruz and really enjoyed our experience. We went here for lunch, and if you are looking for delicious Mediterranean food this is the place for you. This is a cute upscale spot with good ambiance and really nice service. For food we got: * Bolani w Buttersquash filling - this was a fried app with a nice sweet mashy filling and came with 3 different sauces (white, green and an orange apricot one). This was actually very delicious * Salmon Pasta - I got this based on the pictures and this was SO GOOD. The sauce was creamy and rich but with so much flavor. I loved the pieces of salmon in this pasta as everything tasted so well. * Chicken Kabob - This was really yummy as well and noticed that the chicken was perfectly tender and soft. This came with rice and salad as well as the three sauces we got during our appetizer. Overall the food was delicious and flavors went really well together. I think the portions could be a little bigger though - but cute spot nonetheless! read more

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Quality/Quantity - Moroccan Beet Salad - Interesting salad dressing. I could have used less salad dressing or next time I will order it on the side. It was not bad, just not my preference. My wife liked the salad. Overall, it was still good. Bolani - Butternut Squash; perfect fry. I would have preferred two whole pieces rather than four halves. I think businesses do this to make it seem as if there were more...? I would also have preferred a more solid filling versus the paste. But still, it was overall good. Braised Lamb Pasta - The hit of the meal. And the CORRECT pasta! (See Shadowbrook review...) I believe this is one of the signature entrees and it did not disappoint. Good flavors, textures, quantity, etc. Baklava - My daughter ordered the wrong one, she did NOT see the one with ice cream. But that is okay as I was already full. A light and flaky top, and a moist and not too sweet body/bottom. Specials available, see my pictures or website. Atmosphere - Decent size restaurant. Both indoor and outdoor seating. If you want outdoor (enclosed garden) seating, make sure to have reservations; it was so popular. Open kitchen, my favorite restaurants have open kitchens. Plenty of paid metered or garage parking. Two huge clean unisex restrooms. Open 5 days a week from noon to 8:30pm or 9pm. See their website. Closed Sunday and Monday. Service - 5 stars, Zora was very professional and accommodating, thank you. Price - $74 + tip. Reasonably priced as we are light eaters. But above average prices for regular full meal eaters. Owner Comment - Congrats on your success since 2011. read more

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Overpriced, apathetic service, portioning a disaster, no NA beverages (out of NA beer, no NA wine, and we live in California? Please!). I made the mistake of ordering the way overpriced Branzino. It was good, all three bites of it. I guess because I'm the girl, I get this crappy portion that was half the size of my male counterparts. I guess the chef was trying to clear out the walk in or something, and the waiter just assumed that men eat more, so I just got lucky. The salad was tiny. The hummus for the table? Gone in 30 seconds. I don't understand the hype of this place. Oh, the back yard is really pretty. But the ambiance won't feed you. The bill was eye watering. I vote for Truly Med in SF: consistent portioning, great service (ie: veteran servers, not hung over UC Santa Cruz kids). You don't leave hungry. Will I go back here? Never. Will I warn people off this place for life? Yes. As a former travel writer, I consider that my duty. read more

We had a chicken apricot app that was delicious. The Naan they served as a free app was papery and flavorless. My son had the fish which he enjoyed, my husband had chicken kebabs which were good. I had the Mediterranean salad with shrimp. The shrimp were dry, over cooked, with a disappointing spice mixture. The salad appeared to have been marinated the day before, it had walnuts and I bit into two walnut shell pieces. I left the salad and remaining shrimp not wanting to break a tooth. This was mentioned to the waiter but was not addressed. The service was excellent with that exception. The courtyard was charming. I really enjoyed the ambiance. read more

Laili Restaurant - Chicken apricot appetizer - Middle Eastern Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Decent food and service. A bit overpriced. Good variety. If they cut their prices a bit, this would be 4 stars.

We ate lunch here on the patio about 10yrs ago. It was great! Roasted lamb and bread with wonderful dipping sauces. This time we both ordered the Mediterranean appetizer which was OK but the bread (nan) wasn't the same. We both ordered the lamb wrap expecting brazed lamb. The wraps were very flavorful but had some sort of ground lamb filling. It was good but the menu doesn't mention that. Service was good. No salt or pepper on the tables. Yes the booths are a bit awkward with the bulky table legs. Good sized portions. read more

Amazing special occasion restaurant in Santa Cruz! We opted to sit outside and the ambiance was very cozy - braised lamb pasta: soooo good! - chicken kabob: my bf said it was cooked well and loved the sauce - rose meringue: we both hated this. Didn't realize it was going to be like a pavlova and the texture/flavor was not good - flourless torte: just okay The entrees were great but the desserts were below average. Parking is difficult in this area. There are limited "good" restaurants in the area and this one is definitely up there! Definitely get the lamb pasta if you visit read more

Laili Restaurant - Middle Eastern Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Excellent service, nice decor. We shared the Mediterranean Plate sampler which was good but should probably come with more naan from the start (our server did bring us more when we ran out.) I had the Koobideh kabob which came with three delicious sauces. read more

We have been coming here for years. Last night's dinner was very good and I was surprised is not already written a review for this restaurant. Did is pretty consistently high quality, nice ambience, and attentive service. Large indoor dining area, and large side patio with adequate heat lamps as it cools off in the evening (which unfortunately is not pet friendly). Favorite dishes we had last night... * Kadoo Borani: butternut squash, garlic, yogurt, and mint. So good to eat with their (1) complimentary naan flat bread and olive oil dip. Great share dish for 2 or more people. * Koobideh Burger: topped with mint aioli, arugula, caramelized, gorgonzola cheese, served with roasted paprika potatoes and mix greens salad. Available with either ground beef or lamb patty. Lovely Mediterranean spiced meat make this really unique for a burger. * Arugula Pesto Pasta with Chicken (Kebab): house made fettuccine, sundried tomatoes, kalamata olives, artichoke hearts. A creamy, richer version of pesto sauce than is typical. Nice for a change, as we have also had the Chicken Kebab Entree with rice, and over Salad. Nice selection of moderately priced wine and beer. Corkage for BYO wine is currently $25. read more

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We visited Leila Mediterranean Restaurant in Santa Cruz today hoping for a great dining experience during our trip, but unfortunately, the food completely ruined our day. While the atmosphere of the restaurant is relatively spacious and pleasant, and the staff and servers were very polite and courteous, the quality of the food was a massive disappointment. We ordered the lamb kebab, chicken kebab, and the trout. The Rice: The rice was ice cold. It honestly tasted and felt like it was leftover from a previous day rather than freshly cooked. The Lamb Kebab: The lamb was extremely tough you had to chew it like gum just to get it down. Being served cold made it even worse, and there were only three small pieces on the plate for that poor quality. The Chicken Kebab: Just as bad. It consisted of only three dry, cold, and completely tasteless pieces of chicken, topped with some soggy pomegranate seeds that they apparently called "Anar Chicken" (pomegranate chicken) . The Sides: They didn't put any effort into the side salad/greens at all. There was no lettuce, no variety of greens, and no spices or seasoning just a single type of plain herb thrown on the plate with some tasteless oil. The only acceptable dish was the trout. Overall, this was a terrible culinary experience that ruined our day out. One star for the nice staff and atmosphere, but zero stars for the food. read more

Great ambiance. Excellent service. Terrific food. Do not skip the mixed appetizer with the unique flavors for familiar options. We very much enjoyed our experience here- Afghan food is marvelous. read more

Laili Restaurant - Merengue dessert - Middle Eastern Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

The dining room is elegant, the servers are attentive and pleasant, and the food is exquisite. My family was skeptical in my choice of this "Mediterranean" restaurant, thinking it was going to be the basic fair of dips and pita, dry falafels and dry kebobs, but they were surprised at how good the food was--in taste, variety, and presentation. The fried bolani with its three dips was very satisfying, as was the fresh fettucine, with a choice of lamb (delicious!) or arugula pesto. The whole trout dish was superb. We would have stayed for the excellent housemade (I think) desserts but we were just too stuffed! read more

Had an incredible evening at Laili trying their vibes magazine story menu, experiencing dishes that were accompanied with descriptors attached to a chapter of a story being told. This unique dining experience was such a fun way to enjoy dishes at a restaurant I'd never been to before. Absolutely coming back for the ambience and romantic atmosphere! read more

Laili Restaurant - Middle Eastern Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Food was great but the service was exceptional! I was visiting Santa Cruz and had heard great things about Laili, definitely a great place to try My party and I enjoyed our meal in the outdoor seating area, the waiters were attentive and checked up on us often. The food came out quick and the servers were great with accommodating our needs. I got the filet mignon kabobs, while it was nothing out of the world. I enjoyed it. The portion was good for one person to be fully satisfied, but personally half of an order was enough for me. Meat was tender and went well with the broccoli and zucchini. Wished there were roasted tomatoes, but overall the dish was yummy. read more

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Very excited to try a Mediterranean restaurant. We ordered eggplant medley on flat bread as an appetizer, a Mediterranean salad to share as well as the chicken kabob with basmati rice as the main coarse. Waited asked if we wanted the appetizer and salad together and we agreed. Salad came first, it was described to have walnuts, Greek olives and chickpeas with feta cheese. There were a few pieces of walnut, no olives and a few chickpeas. The salad was mostly cucumbers and tomatoes. Flat bread came later just before the main course. The appetizer was delicious. The main course, chicken did not have much flavor and the chicken breast was dry. Basmati rice was Al dente, should have been cooked longer. The service was good, the courtyard was beautiful. read more

Ambiance is charming & modern but still warm & inviting. Staff was very friendly & made great recommendations. We had the salad & the branzino. Both were outstanding. The salad is a combination of fresh vegetables, herbs, mulberries & a homemade dressing - no lettuce, which suited me just fine. The branzino was served whole but fileted - not sure how they did that, but was delighted to not pick out bones. Cardamon ice cream was the perfect ending. read more

Taluela was our waitress, and she was exceptional--well put-together, classy, polite, and incredibly attentive to detail. Honestly, she's the kind of employee any business would be lucky to have--absolutely poachable! The food was excellent, and the ambiance was spot-on. The restaurant is in a great downtown Santa Cruz location, with an old-world, Mediterranean feel. They truly nailed the atmosphere--high ceilings, elegant decor, and a welcoming vibe. Everything was impeccably clean, from the floors and windows to the bathrooms and tables. The staff overall were polite and professional. The European cuisine was absolutely authentic, and we'll definitely be back the next time we're in Santa Cruz! read more

Laili Restaurant - Middle Eastern Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

We had a lovely meal at Laili - the food was quite good, but the service was excellent, and very friendly. The lamb was good, as were the dumplings. While it may not be mindblowingly amazing, it was a very pleasant meal experience and I see why this place is so well-renowned! read more

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First when you walk in this place is charming. The hostess was lovely and we were seated right away. I had a delicious glass of a local Chardonnay. I ordered the branzino which was perfectly prepared , my husband had the pasta with lamb was also fantastic. Probably the best meal we've had during our week of travel in central California. read more

We arrived without a reservation and were offered a table on the lovely patio on a cool evening. Several servers made sure we had several patio heaters and were comfy. Good start. Then came the food. Heaven. Best kadoo borani I've had, lovely beet salad, and oh my oh my the branzino. Even the chard and onions were amazing, and the fish ... just wow. When can I eat all of that all over again? read more

Great atmosphere, food was delicious and fresh. Service was amazing. We will be back.

We had the most delicious lunch here with a great waiter, Jerritt. We had the Mediterranean plate, Bolani with spinach, eggplant flatbread, lamb pasta, cauliflower plate..ALL WERE DELICIOUS Can't wait to go back! read more

Beautiful restaurant in quaint Santa Cruz. The menu offered an array of eclectic choices. Each of us had something different and we enjoyed our meal and appetizers. The service was prompt and the waiter was knowledgeable. I highly recommend. read more

Went here after a few months! It is a great setting inside and out pretty attentive servers too. Beer and wine only and i do wish they had some Mediterranean alcoholic beverages. We all had the lamb shish which was cooked nicely (more char please) served with veg and rice. We also tried the platter with hummus baba and tzatziki all were good not super traditional. The big hit for me was the naan-not traditional really either but so tasty thin warm. Its expensive and a little more fancy but definitely a good time. read more

Laili Restaurant - Rose Meringue - Middle Eastern Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Tasty hummus. Vegan options. Nice vibe. Friendly staff. Dillon is a great server. Good for dates or large groups.

Beef koobideh kabab was so greasy and tasted like fat only. The tomato was not grilled read more