Lillian's Italian Kitchen

Lillian's Italian Kitchen We're a family run Italian restaurant. Our food is influenced by our Sicilian heritage and NY roots. Lillian’s Italian Kitchen opened quietly on July 4, 2007.

It’s a joint venture of the owners, Joe and Charlotte Moreno and their sons Chris and Matt. Long time residents of Santa Cruz, the Moreno’s dream was to open a neighborhood place that was an extension of their family kitchen. The inspiration was Grandma Lilly’s wonderful home cooking. Lillian was devoted to family and friends and her life was greatly fulfilled by her love and passion for cooking.

Born in Yonkers, New York, Lillian was able to combine traditional Sicilian recipes learned from her parents and the many Italian influences in her neighborhood. Chef Chris honors Lillian’s family recipes as well as offering a variety of fresh and creative additions to the menu while Matt makes sure guests feel at home. Good food, good friends, great prices and straight from the heart. Tutti a mangiare!

Berkshire pork Chili Colorado tonight! Served with slow cooked beans, cilantro lime rice. Queso Casera Fresca, avocado a...
05/05/2026

Berkshire pork Chili Colorado tonight! Served with slow cooked beans, cilantro lime rice. Queso Casera Fresca, avocado and cilantro crema along with hand made tortillas. Happy cinco de Mayo!! 🍻🇲🇽🤤

A few new items hitting the menu today!Strawberry Blue Salad- with Point Reyes Blue cheese, fresh local strawberries, sh...
04/24/2026

A few new items hitting the menu today!

Strawberry Blue Salad- with Point Reyes Blue cheese, fresh local strawberries, shaved fennel, toasted Marcona almonds, cranberries, and an aged balsamic vinaigrette

Patatas Bravas- Crispy fried Yukon golds over arugula with a house Calabrian chile ketchup and a whipped ricotta cream with basil and lemon

Grilled Local Asparagus- served over a white wine, lemon, and dill butter sauce, topped with toasted bread crumbs and Spanish chorizo picante

Happy Friday!! 😎

Caramalized onion, artichoke and Manchego cheese focaccia topped with a Spanish Iberico pork ‘Nduja vinaigrette tonight....
04/16/2026

Caramalized onion, artichoke and Manchego cheese focaccia topped with a Spanish Iberico pork ‘Nduja vinaigrette tonight. Happy hour at 4!🇮🇹🇪🇸🥂

Happy Friday! Tonight’s special starter, Mediterranean lemon and herb meatballs over a feta-goat cheese Tzatziki, pickle...
04/10/2026

Happy Friday! Tonight’s special starter, Mediterranean lemon and herb meatballs over a feta-goat cheese Tzatziki, pickled sweet onions and toasted pistachios. Happy hour drinks start pouring at 4. 🥂

New appetizer special! Local Asparagus sautéed and served over a lemon-dill Hollandaise, topped with Spanish chorizo, br...
03/27/2026

New appetizer special! Local Asparagus sautéed and served over a lemon-dill Hollandaise, topped with Spanish chorizo, brown butter toasted bread crumbs and Parmigiano Reggiano. Happy hour starts at 4. 🥂

Come beat the heat with a cold drink and our Chicken Milanese salad tonight! Pecorino and Panko crispy fried chicken bre...
03/20/2026

Come beat the heat with a cold drink and our Chicken Milanese salad tonight! Pecorino and Panko crispy fried chicken breast over a pistachio, lemon, ricotta and basil puree, topped with an heirloom cherry tomato, cucumber, arugula and feta salad. 🥂☀️🕶️

Happy St. Pattys day! Tonight’s specials, corned beef and cabbage ravioli with a spicy mustard cream sauce, braised leek...
03/17/2026

Happy St. Pattys day! Tonight’s specials, corned beef and cabbage ravioli with a spicy mustard cream sauce, braised leek, carrots and potato. Also our French onion dip burger served with a rich Guinness Au Jus, happy hour starts at 4. ☘️🍻🍀

Looking like another beautiful day! Tonight’s specials, crispy jalapeño and 4 cheese polenta fries, caramalized mushroom...
03/12/2026

Looking like another beautiful day! Tonight’s specials, crispy jalapeño and 4 cheese polenta fries, caramalized mushroom/onion/swiss burger and local Petrale Sole. Happy hour starts flowing at 4. 🥂☀️🍔

Tonight’s special, sausage and leek ragu bianca with guanciale, white wine, Parmigiano Regiano and fresh egg Pappardelle...
03/06/2026

Tonight’s special, sausage and leek ragu bianca with guanciale, white wine, Parmigiano Regiano and fresh egg Pappardelle. 🥂

We’re taking a few days off to start the New Year. We want to thank everyone who dines with us and our amazing staff for...
12/30/2025

We’re taking a few days off to start the New Year. We want to thank everyone who dines with us and our amazing staff for what was a wonderful 2025! We wish everyone the best and look forward to seeing you all in 2026!

Address

1148 Soquel Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA
95062

Opening Hours

Tuesday 4pm - 9pm
Wednesday 4pm - 9pm
Thursday 4pm - 9pm
Friday 4pm - 9pm
Saturday 4pm - 9pm
Sunday 4pm - 9pm

Telephone

+18314252288

Website

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