| Cuisines | Afghan, Mediterranean |
| Dining style | Casual Elegant |
| Phone number | +1 831 423 4545 |
| Website | www.lailirestaurant.com |
| Dress code | Casual Dress |
| Payment options | AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa |
| Location | 101B Cooper St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 |
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4.6 based on 122 reviews
interior (4)
Laili
| Cuisine type | Afghan | |
| Price range | $30 and under | |
| Neighborhood | Downtown |
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Wed 5/25
2 guests
7:30 PM
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+1 831 423 4545
About Laili
***** Laili Restaurant is now open for takeout and delivery orders. Wednesday- Saturday, 4pm - 8pm. We will be opening out seating and reservations soon so stay tuned for updates. Rich Mediterranean Flavors with a Unique Afghan Twist in the Heart of Downtown Santa Cruz. Currently taking reservations for dinner only, 7 days a week, from 4pm-8pm. 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.
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exterior (1)
food (3)
interior (4)
Menus
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Indulge
- Wine & Beverage
Appetizers
| Mediterranean plate | $9.00 | hummus, tabbouleh, babaghanoush, cucumber yogurt |
| Maush-awa soup | $9.00 | 3 bean soup with braised lamb, qurut yogurt |
| Vegetarian Maush-awa soup | $8.00 | 3 bean soup, qurut yogurt |
| Kadoo boranee | $9.00 | butternut squash, garlic, qurut yogurt, mint |
| Bolani | $9.00 | crispy flatbread filled with your choice of spinach or butternut squash |
Salads
| Mixed greens | $7.00 | pomegranate seeds, cardamom-herb dressing | ||||
| Moroccan beet salad | $10.50 | turmeric, coriander, marinated beets, wild arugula, goat cheese | ||||
| Cilantro caesar salad | romaine, cilantro, mint, parmesan, house made naan crisps |
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| Greek salad | romaine, feta, kalamata, tomato, cucumber, onion, lemon vinaigrette |
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| Spinach salad | pickled onion, candied walnuts, seared halloumi, balsamic vinaigrette |
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Wraps and Flatbreads*
| Veggie wrap | $8.50 | hummus, wild arugula, cucumbers, tomato, red onion |
| Saffron chicken wrap | $12.00 | wild arugula, tomato, red onion |
| Lamb wrap | $12.00 | wild arugula, tomato, red onion |
| Eggplant parmesan flatbread | $12.00 | caramelized onions, fresh tomato sauce, qurut yogurt, mint |
| Grilled chicken flatbread | $12.50 | parmesan, apricot chutney, medjool dates, pomegranate, mint |
| Pear gorgonzola flatbread | $12.00 | caramelized onion, balsamic reduction, microgreens |
Entrees
| Lamb burger | $15.00 | tomatoes, red onion, mint aioli, swiss cheese, roasted potatoes, green salad |
| Arugula pesto | $12.00 | house made pasta, sundried tomato, kalamata olives, artichoke hearts |
| Salmon pasta | $19.00 | house made fettuccine, creamy tomato basil sauce, capers |
| Braised lamb pasta | $19.00 | house made fettuccine, tomato cream sauce, zucchini, green onion |
| Pomegranate eggplant | $16.00 | saffron basmati rice, chard, caramelized onion, qurut yogurt |
| Roasted cauliflower | $14.00 | chickpeas, tomato ginger sauce, saffron basmati rice, salata |
| Pomegranate chicken kabob | $15.00 | saffron basmati rice, arugula |
| Garlic lime beef filet kabob | $21.00 | saffron basmati rice, arugula |
| Lamb kabob | $21.00 | saffron basmati rice, arugula |
| Trout | $19.00 | lemon, parsley, garlic, saffron basmati rice, salata |
Lunch Combo
| Bolani | butternut squash or spinach | |
| Maush awa soup | with lamb or vegetarian | |
| Mixed greens |
Appetizers
| Mediterranean Plate | $9.50 | hummus, tabbouleh, babaghanoush, cucumber yogurt |
| Maush-awa soup | $9.50 | 3 bean soup, lentils, split peas, braised lamb, qurut yogurt |
| Vegetarian Maush-awa soup | $8.00 | 3 bean soup, lentils, split peas, qurut yogurt |
| Kadoo boranee | $10.00 | butternut squash, qurut yogurt |
| Mantoo | $11.00 | ground beef and onion dumplings , tomato sauce, yellow split peas, qurut yogurt |
| Aushak | $10.00 | leek dumplings, chard, lentils, qurut yogurt |
| Bolani | $9.00 | fried turnover filled with choice of butternut squash or spinach |
Salads
| Mixed Greens | $8.00 | cardamom-herb dressing, pomegranate seeds | ||||
| Beet salad | $10.50 | marinated beets, honey-dijon balsamic vinaigrette, wild arugula, goat cheese | ||||
| Cilantro caesar salad | romaine, cilantro, mint, parmesan, house made naan crisps |
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| Greek salad | romaine, feta, kalamatas, tomato, cucumber, red onion, lemon mint vinaigrette |
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| Spinach Salad | pickled onion, candied walnuts, seared halloumi, balsamic vinaigrette |
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Flatbreads & Pastas
| Eggplant parmesan flatbread | $12.00 | caramelized onions, fresh tomato sauce, qurut yogurt, mint |
| Apricot chicken flatbread | $12.50 | parmesan, medjool dates, pomegranate, mint |
| Pear gorgonzola flatbread | $12.00 | caramelized onions, balsamic reduction, microgreens |
| Braised lamb pasta | $21.00 | house made fettuccine, tomato cream sauce, zucchini, green onion, mint |
| Salmon pasta | $19.00 | house made fettuccine, creamy tomato basil sauce, capers |
| Arugula pesto pasta | $16.00 | house made fettuccine, sundried tomatoes, kalamata olives, artichoke hearts |
Entrees
| Anar chicken | $19.00 | roasted half chicken with pomegranate sauce, roasted potatoes, mixed vegetables |
| Lamb shank | $24.00 | braised lamb, kabuli rice, mixed vegetables |
| Beef koubideh kabob | $16.00 | ground beef skewers, saffron basmati rice, mixed vegetables |
| Chicken kabob | $18.00 | chicken breast skewer, saffron basmati rice, mixed vegetables |
| Filet mignon kabob | $26.00 | beef skewer with a garlic lime sauce, kabuli rice, mixed vegetables |
| Lamb kabob | $29.00 | lamb tenderloin skewer, kabuli rice, mixed vegetables |
| Pomegranate eggplant | $16.50 | saffron basmati rice, chard, caramelized onion, qurut yogurt |
| Roasted Cauliflower | $14.00 | chickpeas, tomato ginger sauce, saffron basmati rice, salata |
| Trout | $19.00 | pan roasted with lemon garlic sauce, saffron basmati rice, salata |
| Salmon | $29.00 | filet with dill dijon sauce, saffron basmati rice, chard, caramelized onion |
Desserts
| Pistachio Cardamom Ice Cream | $6.00 | |
| Old Tyme Vanilla Ice Cream | $8.00 | with Crushed Walnuts, Pomegranate Sauce and Pomegranate Seeds |
| Baklava | $6.00 | |
| Ice Cream topped with Baklava | $8.00 | |
| Rose Meringue | $8.00 | with Balsamic Strawberries, Chantilly Crème, pistachio crumbles and mint oil |
| Chocolate Mousse with Sabayon Crème | $6.00 | |
| Cardamom Crème Brûlée | $6.00 | |
| Flourless Chocolate Torte | $6.00 | with Raspberry Purée |
Beverages
| French Press Cardamom Coffee | organic, fair trade, dark roast |
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| Cardamom Honey Iced Coffee | $3.75 | |||||||
| Chai | $3.50 | |||||||
| Organic Tea | $2.75 | chamomile, honeybush caramel rooibos, organic green, white pomegranate, oolong, lavender earl grey, and english breakfast |
Dessert Wine
| Late-Harvest Riesling, Santa Lucia Highlands California 12 | $6.00 | sweet and balanced, perfumed with apricots and honeysuckle |
| Tawny Port, Douro, Portugal, Nv Niepoort | $5.00 | sweet fruit and caramel notes with a fiery spirit finish |
| Madeira Medium Dry, Portugal, Nv Broadbent | $7.00 | balanced fruit and alcohol, mildly sweet, long nutty finish |
| 20 Year Tawny Port, Douro, Portugal, Nv Niepoort | $15.00 | hints of dried apricots with a nutty alcoholic finish |
White
| vinho Verde, Portugal Broadbent | light, lemon-lime, fruity |
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| albarino, Spain '16 Lagar de Besada | zesty, crisp, delicate floral aromas, notes of citrus and merality |
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| pinot grigio, Santa Cruz California '17 Bargetto | full notes of ripe fruit, green apple, citrus and oak |
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| sauvignon Blanc, Dry Creek Valley '18 Dry Creek Vineyard | aromas of melon and ripe pear, full mouth feel, lively finish |
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| kerner, Novacella, Italy '17 Abbazia di Novacella | chardonnay-like, full and bright with a lively balance of oak and fruit, spicy finish |
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| voignier, Sierra Fotthills '18 Bottle Jack | aromas of tropical fruit and honeysuckle with flavors of pineapple, pear and citrus |
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| chardonnay, Colchuagua Valley, Chile '16 Los Vascos | crisp, clean, rich melon, unoaked |
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| chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains California '17 Storrs | full, notes of ripe fruit, caramel, and oak |
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| chardonnay, Sonoma Coast 16 Reata | juicy and full-bodied with notes of pear and red apple followed by a toasted hazelnut finish |
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Pink
| rose, Santa Lucia Highlands '18 McIntry Vineyards | dry, light, zesty, citrus and strawberry flavors, subtle herb and floral notes |
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Red
| Pinot Noir,Napa California '16 Ramsay | rich and complex with bright fruitiness, hints of bramble-berry, rose and spicy oak |
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| Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains, California '14 Storrs | full mouth feel, fruit driven, notes of toasty vanilla |
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| Pinot Noir, Bourgogne France '12 Savigny-Les-Beaune | juicy and vivacious, fresh and crisp, with little notes of tart raspberry and fruit |
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| tempranillo, Costers del Segre Sapin '16 Raimat | intense dark cherry fruit, notes of spice, silky texture with an elegant finish |
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| Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina, '17 Altocedro* | intense dark fruit, stony minerality, medium tannins |
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| chianti cassico riserva, Tuscany Italy '14 Santa Margherita | notes of cherry and plum with a dry earthy finish |
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| Merlot, Santa Cruz Mountains California, '16 Bargetto | aromas rich in spice, fruit and oak with hints of black pepper, cherry and vanilla bean |
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| Zinfandel,Dry Creek Valley, California, '16 Ridge "East bench" | dark cherry and black currant fruit, balanced acidity with fine tannins on the finish |
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| cabernet sauvignon, Russina River California '16 De Loach | well balanced, blackberry, cherry and plum with hints of cedar spice and tobacco |
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| cabernet sauvignon, Central Coast California '16 Bottle Jack | rich blackberry, bay laurel, mocha, toasted oak and vanilla |
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| barbaresco serraboella, Piedmont Italy '13 Paitin | notes of dried black cherry, raspberry, clove and dried leather with a hint of earthiness |
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Sparkling
| Prosecco Brut, DOC, Italy, LaMarca | crisp, light and bubbly with hints of vanilla and bright citrus |
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| prosecco superiore brut,Veneto Italy Sommariva | rich, but dry with notes of tart apple, creamy meyer lemon and a hint of toastiness |
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| rose brut, Treviso Italy Luca Paretti | clean and crisp with notes of wild berries, rose, and lilac |
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| champagne, "Cachet d'Or" !er cru brut, Champagne France | dry, smooth, and subtly spicy with hints of juicy pear and crystallized honey |
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Dessert
| Tawny Port, Douro, Portugal, Nv offley | $5.00 | elegant, delicate, red ripe fruit, dry fruit notes |
| sauternes, Gironde France Le Tertre du Basquet | $6.00 | smooth on the palate with hints of vanilla, peach, citrus fruit and honey |
| Madeira "Rainwater" Medium Dry, Portugal, Nv Broadbent | $7.00 | balanced fruit and alcohol, mildly sweet, long nutty finish |
| 20 Year Old Tawny Port, Douro, Portugal, Nv Niepoort | $15.00 | hints of dried apricots with a nutty alcoholic finish |
Bottle
| Weissbier non-alcoholic Germany Erdinger 330ml | $5.00 | |
| Hard apple cider, Pure Cider 5%, Germany 350 ml | $6.00 | |
| Black Currant Rose Cider, Pure Cider 5%, Germany 350ml | $6.00 | |
| Hefe Weizen Wheat Beer 5.5%, paulaner, Germany 16oz | $6.00 | |
| Straffe Hendrik Quadrupel 11%, Belgium, De Halve Mann 11.2oz | $9.00 | |
| Mission Amber Ale, 5% San Diego, California 12oz | $6.00 | |
| Mission Double IPA, 9.25% San Diego, California 12oz | $10.00 | |
| Old Rasputin Stout, 9% North Coast Brewery, Fort Bragg, California 12oz | $7.00 |
Tap
| Scrimshaw Pilsner 4.4%, Fort Bragg,CA 16oz | $6.00 | |
| Indian Pale Ale 7.5%, Santa Cruz Mountain Brewery, Santa Cruz 16oz | $6.00 | aromatic, lightly carbonated, great balance of malt and lots of bitter hop |
| Siamese Twin Belgian Style Ale 8.5%, Uncommon Brewery, Santa Cruz 16oz | $6.00 | brewed with coriander lemongrass and kaffir lime, watch out this one's 8.5% |
Non-alcoholic
| San Pellegrino | $6.00 | |||||||
| Iced Tea | $2.50 | |||||||
| Apple Juice | $2.50 | |||||||
| Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Ginger Ale | $2.00 | |||||||
| lime ginger soda: muddled citrus, ginger, mint, ginger ale | $5.00 | |||||||
| Qay Maag Chai | $3.50 | Traditional Afghan Sweet Tea, Cardamom, Milk (Hot Or Cold) | ||||||
| Hot Tea | $2.75 | chamomile, rooibos honeybush caramel, organic green, oolong, white pomegranate,lavender earl grey, and english breakfast | ||||||
| Cardamom Honey Iced Coffee With Cream | $3.50 | |||||||
| French Press Coffee | organic, fair trade, dark roast |
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Reviews and ratings
4.6
Excellent
Based on 122 reviews
Noise level
Moderate
4.7
Food
4.5
Service
4.6
Ambiance
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