Laili

Name: Laili
Address: 101B Cooper St, Santa Cruz, CA, United States, 95060
Telephone: (831) 423-4545
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.7

4.7

2840 Reviews

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Make a reservation

2 people

Oct 14, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 11 times today

Experiences are available.

Great for outdoor dining
Charming
Neighborhood gem

Laili is our expression of love through food and service. We offer a unique menu made up of fusion Afghani Mediterranean items that include kabobs, wraps, flatbreads, pastas, and spiced lamb and chicken dishes as well as delicious vegetarian options.

Laili Restaurant "BEST MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANT", Good Times 2023, Voted #1

Rich Mediterranean Flavors with a Unique Afghan Twist in the Heart of Downtown Santa Cruz.
Currently taking reservations for lunch and dinner, walk-ins welcome too.

Dine in our elegant, secluded, off street patio. Visit our website for event information.

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Book your next event with us

View details

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Mediterranean, Afghan
Hours of operation
Lunch Tue–Sat 12:00 pm–2:30 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–8:30 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(831) 423-4545
Website
http://lailirestaurant.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Catering
Get Laili’s Food at your location! Call or email us for prices and availability. Parties 50-500
Private party facilities
Whether celebrating a special occasion with family and friends or hosting a corporate gathering, Laili Restaurant can accommodate all your special event needs.
Private party contact
Xander Nicolai: (831) 423-4545

Location
101B Cooper St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Neighborhood
Santa Cruz
Cross street
Pacific Avenue
Parking details
Take advantage of free parking located on River Street at Front Street. In addition to metered street parking, there is also a parking lot at Front Street and Soquel and also at Locust Street and Pacific Avenue.
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

Lunchtime Oasis
Multiple dates available
Come experience lunch time at Laili, the hidden gem of Downtown Santa Cruz! Sit and relax on our gorgeous patio and enjoy the sunshine, the beautiful vines and flowers all around that envelop you with the feel of a secret garden, and of course, our delicious, fresh food! We offer special lunch time combos, an amazing wine list and delicious and refreshing non-alcoholic options like our fresh Ginger Lime Soda. Take some time to slow down and treat yourself.

Popular dishes

Mediterranean plate$15.00
hummus, tabbouleh, babaghanoush, cucumber yogurt
Maush-awa soup$15.00
5 bean soup with braised lamb, qurut yogurt
Vegetarian Maush-awa soup$14.00
5 bean soup, qurut yogurt
Kadoo boranee$16.00
butternut squash, garlic, qurut yogurt, mint
Bolani$15.00
crispy flatbread filled with your choice of spinach or butternut squash

Salads

Add: Chicken $12, Grilled Prawns $14

Mixed greens$11.00
pomegranate seeds, cardamom-herb dressing
- half$11.00
- full$14.00
Moroccan beet salad$16.00
turmeric, coriander, marinated beets, wild arugula, goat cheese
Cilantro caesar salad$12.00
romaine, cilantro, mint, parmesan, house made naan crisps
- Half$12.00
- Full$16.00
Greek salad$13.00
romaine, feta, kalamata, tomato, cucumber, onion, lemon vinaigrette
- Half$13.00
- Full$17.00
Spinach salad$14.00
pickled onion, candied walnuts, seared halloumi, balsamic vinaigrette
- Half$14.00
- Full$18.00

Wraps and Flatbreads*

Veggie wrap$18.00
hummus, wild arugula, cucumbers, tomato, red onion
Saffron chicken wrap$20.00
wild arugula, tomato, red onion
Lamb wrap$20.00
wild arugula, tomato, red onion
Eggplant parmesan flatbread$20.00
caramelized onions, fresh tomato sauce, qurut yogurt, mint
Grilled chicken flatbread$22.00
parmesan, apricot chutney, medjool dates, pomegranate, mint
Pear gorgonzola flatbread$20.00
caramelized onion, balsamic reduction, microgreens

Entrees

Arugula pesto$22.00
house made pasta, sundried tomato, kalamata olives, artichoke hearts
Salmon pasta$29.00
house made fettuccine, creamy tomato basil sauce, capers
Braised lamb pasta$29.00
house made fettuccine, tomato cream sauce, zucchini, green onion
Pomegranate eggplant$25.00
saffron basmati rice, chard, caramelized onion, qurut yogurt
Roasted cauliflower$25.00
chickpeas, tomato ginger sauce, saffron basmati rice, salata
Pomegranate chicken kabob$26.00
saffron basmati rice, arugula
Filet Mignon Kabob$34.00
Filet Mignon with a garlic lime sauce, kabuli rice, mixed vegetables
Lamb kabob$36.00
saffron basmati rice, arugula
Trout$29.00
lemon, parsley, garlic, saffron basmati rice, salata
Lamb Burger$25.00
topped with mint aioli, butternut leaf lettuce, red onion, tomato, and swiss cheese, mix greens: served with roasted paprika potatoes and mix greens salad

Lunch Combo

Two of the following items $22, All three of the following items $29

Bolani
butternut squash or spinach
Maush awa soup
with lamb or vegetarian
Mixed greens

What 2,840 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.6Service
4.8Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Best Overall
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Best Food
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Best Service
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Best Ambiance
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Best Value
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Innovative
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Good for groups
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Healthy
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Neighborhood gem
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Great for fine wines
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Great for outdoor dining
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Romantic
Santa Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Most Booked

2,840 Reviews

S
Sean
San Francisco
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Thanks Laili for two tables, one for our teenager’s birthday dinner party and one for adults! Service and consideration for both tables were right on! And tasty food as always!
Is this helpful?
D
David
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Staff was very attentive and the food was great. It was our anniversary and they brought an extra creme Brule with a candle at no charge. Will be back
Is this helpful?
J
Julia
San Francisco
21 reviews
5.0
21 reviews
Dined on October 6, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Consistently excellent service and quality of food.
Is this helpful?
W
William
San Francisco
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on October 4, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 5
The ambience is amazing outside. It was a warm evening and it felt cozy and comfortable. The food was disappointing however. The dumplings were soggy and lacked flavor. The spinach salad was basic with a sparse two thin slices of seared halloumi cheese. The lamb shank was tough, poorly cooked, and not seasoned. The salmon pasta was adequate.
Is this helpful?
M
Mark
San Francisco
9 reviews
vip
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on October 4, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful food and celebration for my wife's birthday, we sat outside in their beautiful courtyard. Mantoo, Bolani (butternut squash with jalapeno yogurt sauce was to die for!)
Is this helpful?
K
Karen
San Francisco
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on October 3, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I had the lamb shank and it literally fell off the bone - tender and very tasty. Partner had the lamb pasta dish and loved it. The patio is a magic place and we actually got a parking spot in front.
Is this helpful?
C
Crystal
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 28, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We hadn't been to Laili for quite awhile. We picked up takeout a fair amount during the pandemic. Being vegetarian and gluten free, there aren't many restaurants that have more than a couple dishes that will fit, so mostly being a good cook I'd just as soon cook myself. It was my birthday and we had great food and service. Our server Maya even raided the lost and found to find me a pair of reading glasses as I forgot mine.
Is this helpful?
O
Ozge
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 28, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We celebrated our first anniversary with my husband! They have been very kind to offer us a free dessert to celebrate! The food is innovative with subtle notes. The ambiance in the patio is nice. Would eat at Laili again!
Is this helpful?
A
Alex
Amsterdam
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on September 22, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Service, food and outside venue for celebration was perfect!
Is this helpful?
D
Debra
San Francisco
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on September 22, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Beautiful patio area - food was great. Recommended
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Laili offers delivery in partnership with Uber Eats. Laili also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (831) 423-4545.

Laili is rated 4.7 stars by 2840 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Oct 14, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 11 times today

Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

101B Cooper St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross street
Pacific Avenue
Neighborhood
Santa Cruz
Hours of operation
Lunch Tue–Sat 12:00 pm–2:30 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–8:30 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Mediterranean, Afghan
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Take advantage of free parking located on River Street at Front Street. In addition to metered street parking, there is also a parking lot at Front Street and Soquel and also at Locust Street and Pacific Avenue.
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://lailirestaurant.com/
Phone number
(831) 423-4545
Catering
Get Laili’s Food at your location! Call or email us for prices and availability. Parties 50-500
Private party facilities
Whether celebrating a special occasion with family and friends or hosting a corporate gathering, Laili Restaurant can accommodate all your special event needs.
Private party contact
Xander Nicolai: (831) 423-4545

Laili

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Dining areas

Additional information

Lunchtime Oasis

Pomegranate Eggplant

Lamb wrap

Lamb Pasta

Appetizers

Mediterranean plate$15.00

Maush-awa soup$15.00

Vegetarian Maush-awa soup$14.00

Kadoo boranee$16.00

Bolani$15.00

Salads

Mixed greens$11.00

Moroccan beet salad$16.00

Cilantro caesar salad$12.00

Greek salad$13.00

Spinach salad$14.00

Wraps and Flatbreads*

Veggie wrap$18.00

Saffron chicken wrap$20.00

Lamb wrap$20.00

Eggplant parmesan flatbread$20.00

Grilled chicken flatbread$22.00

Pear gorgonzola flatbread$20.00

Entrees

Arugula pesto$22.00

Salmon pasta$29.00

Braised lamb pasta$29.00

Pomegranate eggplant$25.00

Roasted cauliflower$25.00

Pomegranate chicken kabob$26.00

Filet Mignon Kabob$34.00

Lamb kabob$36.00

Trout$29.00

Lamb Burger$25.00

Lunch Combo

Bolani

Maush awa soup

Mixed greens

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

FAQs

Does Laili offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Laili restaurant rated?

Is Laili currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information