Lillian's Italian Kitchen, Santa Cruz CA

Food was excellent, service was great and attentive. Ambiance was nice. Location and parking was easy to find. Definitely will come back!

This restaurant was amazing! From the hostess to the bartender we had an amazing experience with their hospitality and the food was beyond amazing! A must stop in Santa Cruz in my opinion.

Lillian's food was cooked to perfection, the wine our waitress suggested was spot on, and they make their pasta in house.

This restaurant has great service, they have a few bust boys always taking care of the tables looking if customers need anything. Great place to have diner with the family. We order a couple of dishes and everything we tried was very good. But wish they has actually pizza for the kids menu. They just had the bread with cheese on top and called it pizza for the kids menu.

The bartender/server James was outstanding. What a Pro! Friendly and incredibly knowledgeable about all the wine, and food as well. Superb service. Thanks so much for a much-needed bar dine-in experience!

Great food, great wine, great atmosphere. Will most certainly dine here again. Loved their wine glasses and hope they receive a shipment in soon so I can buy one next time we go!

The meat in the braised short rib ragu is so tender and flavorful. The wild mushroom and kale ravioli is old school italian meets california cuisine - again, a synergistic mix of flavors. This is my go to Italian for special occasions in Santa Cruz. Highly recommend!

I often take my friends to this restaurant with my highest recommendations. I go to this restaurant often. This recommendation is always successful. The dishes they serve are tasty and the crew is very friendly and cooperative. Whenever we eat in this place we have a gorgeous time.warmly recommended.

Absolutely loved the truffle stuffed gnocchi with pesto and grilled chicken. Wow! Delicious flavor, the combo of pesto and truffle was unique and fantastic. Pesto doesn't overpower the truffle, so you really get to enjoy both amazing tastes. Service was fantastic. Smiles and fun to speak with. Very informative too. Terrific experience all the way around!

This place is certainly one of the tastiest place in the region. Every time I visit this place I am extremely glad. They preserve their high standard service and the highest level of meals they serve. You surely will enjoy this this place. Highly recommended.

We got three meals with garlic sauce and three drinks plus the plantain on the side. Everything was delicious! Papaya drink was tasty, not too sweet, just right.

Lillians is consistently great. Most people have their favorites. Great place to eat alone at the bar, sit at the table with a friend or plan a big get together occasion. Staff are friendly and hard working. Looking forward to eating inside again when everything opens up. I have immediate family who live in SC and have gotten take away 3 or 4 times and it was excellent as well.
Hang in there Lillians we miss you!

Amazing local Italian style cuisine. The gnocchi was soft and delicious. The lasagna was cooked perfectly. Staff was polite and accomodating. Definitely worth the money and would highly recommend. I will be back soon!

There are no words to describe just how amazing the food and service is! You have to try the Balsamic (aged) it’ll change your life. We had the lasagna and shrimp scampi, was so delish that it wasnt around long enough for a pic. Can’t go wrong eating here. Wish they were in Los Angeles!

My 1st inside dining experience in this brave new world. Lillian's was the perfect choice! The indoor area is large and open with high ceilings, perfect for social distancing! The staff was fun and friendly and very helpful with all questions related to both food and wine menus, both of which were excellent! We started with the meatballs with Sunday gravy.quite possibly the best red sauce I've ever tasted, and meatballs were wonderful, very similar to my father's, (RIP). The Ragu was everything I hoped it would be! My friend got the NY, which is not my favorite cut, but this was done right! Deliciously charred on the outside, tender pink perfection on the inside! My only negative critique is that they do not serve any whiskey, it is a wine bar. But if I'm breaking Keto with pasta why not throw in a delicious wine! ‍️
Comfortable atmosphere, friendly staff, excellent food and fair pricing, I will be back!
Inside and outside seating available

Lillians has the best Italian food. My favorites are the lasagna and the Sunday Gravy. They usually have great fresh seafood specials. I spend every birthday here and treat myself to a great red wine with New York steak, sautéed spinach, and a side of pasta. Can’t beat it.

Classic American-Italian cuisine - consistently good quality ingredients, ample portions, and friendly serving staff. Great new outdoor dining area.

Best restaurant in town, & certainly my favorite! The gnocchi in gorgonzola is always perfection, & I love their fresh fish specials. They always serve the best possible wines, & their desserts are to live for! This is where I've come for special occasion dinners for many years, because the food & service is always excellent.