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!

Come join us TOMORROW NIGHT THURSDAY for another pizza night! This week we got a crispy thin crust with a red pepper rom...
08/05/2026

Come join us TOMORROW NIGHT THURSDAY for another pizza night!

This week we got a crispy thin crust with a red pepper romesco, Manchego and Bufala Mozzarella cheese, spanish Soppressata made from Iberico pork, topped with roasted and marinated mushrooms, Arugula and a chorizo vinaigrette 🤤. Traditional Margherita pie also available. 🥂🇪🇸🇮🇹🍕

TOMORROW NIGHT THURSDAYS pizza specials!4 cheese grilled artichoke and jalapeno popper pie with a mascarpone, mozzarella...
07/29/2026

TOMORROW NIGHT THURSDAYS pizza specials!

4 cheese grilled artichoke and jalapeno popper pie with a mascarpone, mozzarella, parmesan and goat cheese blend, crispy sliced Copa and topped with a Calabrian chili honey and arugula.

Classic Margherita with fresh Bufala Mozzarella, local early girl tomato sauce and a basil/oregano olive oil.

THURSDAY NIGHTS SPECIALChef Chris’ pizzas, fresh dough pan fried with extra virgin olive oil, your choice of a margarita...
07/22/2026

THURSDAY NIGHTS SPECIAL

Chef Chris’ pizzas, fresh dough pan fried with extra virgin olive oil, your choice of a margarita with marinated and roasted heirloom tomatoes, basil pesto, bufala mozzarella and aged balsamic.

Or try the house fennel sausage and roasted pepper pie with a ricotta, lemon and pistachio sauce, bufala mozzarella and arugula. 🥂🍕

Huge shout out to for doing such an amazing job with our new sound absorption panels! They were true pros and got the j...
06/09/2026

Huge shout out to for doing such an amazing job with our new sound absorption panels! They were true pros and got the job done in 1 day. We hope this helps improve your dining experience. You can still see some of the historic 111 year old pressed tin ceilings 😄.

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. 🥂☀️🕶️

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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