Laili Restaurant

101 Cooper St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, United States
+1 831-423-4545
$$$ Mediterranean restaurant
(1051 Reviews)
Price Range $30–50

Discover the Flavors of the Mediterranean at Laili Restaurant

Nestled in the heart of Santa Cruz, Laili Restaurant offers a captivating escape into the rich and diverse world of Mediterranean cuisine. Located at 101 Cooper St, this culinary gem intertwines tradition with modern flair, creating an exceptional dining experience that’s both inviting and delicious.

The moment you step into Laili, you're embraced by a warm, welcoming atmosphere, enhanced by both indoor and lovely outdoor patio seating. Perfect for a romantic dinner or a casual gathering with friends, the ambiance is adorned with earthy tones and soft lighting, making it a delightful place to unwind and relish your meal.

Menu Highlights

The menu at Laili is a carefully curated selection showcasing fresher-than-average ingredients and unique flavor combinations that pay homage to Mediterranean heritage. Start your dining journey with the Mediterranean Plate, a colorful ensemble of hummus, tabbouleh, baba ganoush, and cucumber yogurt, guaranteed to awaken your taste buds for just $15. For something transcendent, indulge in the Kadoo Borani, where butternut squash meets the refreshing touch of garlic and fresh mint — a true vegan delight that shines with authenticity.

As you delve deeper into the main courses, the Chicken Kabob stands out, with marinated chicken breast perfectly complemented by saffron basmati rice, mixed vegetables, and a medley of chutneys for a delightful explosion of flavors, all for $32. If you’re craving something more robust, the Garlic Lime Filet Mignon Kabob and Lamb Kabob offer succulent options that carry a symphony of spices, transporting you straight to the sun-soaked Mediterranean coastline.

What Diners Are Saying

Your dining experience at Laili will be enriched not just by the food but by the stories shared by fellow guests. One delighted customer, Rachael Sylvester, expressed her satisfaction with the restaurant's attention to dietary restrictions, stating, "They handled allergies incredibly well and even brought out a menu with all allergens." Another guest, Vicky Cassidy, praised the butternut bolani appetizer, remarking, "Everything we had was fresh and tasty," highlighting the freshness and quality that Laili prides itself on.

Though you may encounter service hiccups during peak hours, diners like Jake Byman appreciate the staff's genuine friendliness and attentiveness, acknowledging that while the food is excellent, the service elevates the experience further. Every meal here feels like a special occasion, infused with the essence of shared moments and delectable Mediterranean magic.

Conclusion

If you're yearning for a culinary experience that marries traditional recipes with modern elegance, Laili Restaurant is your destination. With its menu that's both intricate and accessible, it's no wonder this place has earned a devoted following. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, make sure to stop by and savor the delectable offerings at Laili. Your taste buds will thank you!

For reservations or inquiries, call +1 831-423-4545.

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers kerbside pickup
Offers delivery
On-site services available
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Serves great cocktails
Serves great dessert
Has great tea selection
Has great wine list
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves halal food
Serves healthy options
Serves organic dishes
Has private dining room
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves vegan dishes
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has gender-neutral toilets
Has toilet
Has Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Cosy
Romantic
Trendy
Upmarket
Crowd
Family friendly
Good for groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Popular with tourists
Transgender safe space
Planning
Lunch reservations recommended
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Usually has a wait
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Has kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Paid multi-storey car park
Paid parking lot
Paid street parking
Valet parking
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

12:00 AM - 2:30 PM

,

5:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Wednesday

12:00 AM - 2:30 PM

,

5:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Thursday

12:00 AM - 2:30 PM

,

5:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Friday

12:00 AM - 2:30 PM

,

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Saturday

12:00 AM - 2:30 PM

,

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Sunday

Closed

1051 Reviews
Gabrielle Zhang

28 Aug 2025

Pleasantly surprised by our experience, one of the better meals we’ve had in a while. Food was very delicious.

Monica Ifland

07 Aug 2025

We had a reservation but they were very busy and very apologetic to seat us late. We brought out of town guests because we know this place is special. I was really embarrassed that it took a full 15 min after being seated to get water or ask for our order. Again, staff was apologetic. Then the naan came out undercooked. A blob of flat dough with really great dipping sauce. Our meals were really tasty and generous portions. We sat outside on the patio which is lovely. You could be in Italy. And it’s off the street, very quaint and protected from wind and fog. Heated with heat lamps. I think we were there on a tough night for staff. We for sure will return again.

Yuan Zheng

02 Aug 2025

Ordered lentil soup, flatbread, dumplings and lamb. The food is well-seasoned and unique. I like the leek dumplings the most. The apricot chicken flatbread is a little bit too sweet for my taste but the bread crust is perfect.

Jake Byman

19 Jul 2025

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!

Vicky Cassidy

05 Jul 2025

This is our second time here and it’s fantastic! We had the butternut bolani for an appetizer. The butternut is very delicious and is nicely seasoned. A hint of heat but not too much. Everything we had was fresh and tasty. The outdoor patio is so lovely, too. I could sit there all afternoon and sip wine. Highly recommend!

T L

30 Jun 2025

Delicious food but portions on the small side. Makes up for it by tasting amazing! Service was exceptional.

Keith Dilliplane

16 Jun 2025

Love this place. It's my go-to romantic place to go for dinner. They have a phenomenal wine selection, good food, AND (if you're also from Maryland and excited about this) Flying Dog...! The traditional menu is great and dependable, but also impressed with their Valentine's Day Special Menu. Also, Tallulah is a babe

Rachael Sylvester

28 May 2025

We had an awesome dinner at Laili. Ordered the Mediterranean plate, butternut squash bolani, anar chicken, lamb shank, and pomegranate sorbet. All of it was outstanding, and they make everything in-house. You could tell - things like the hummus and naan were standouts. They handled allergies (milk, tree nuts) incredibly well and even brought out a menu with all allergens. We will be back.

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