Lago di Como

21490 E Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, United States
+1 831-454-8257
$$$ Italian restaurant
(498 Reviews)
Price Range $30–50

Located just off the picturesque coastline of Santa Cruz, Lago di Como is a hidden gem that brings the heart of Italy straight to your plate. This Italian restaurant has quickly become a beloved dining destination, renowned not only for its incredible cuisine but also for its warm and welcoming atmosphere, making every guest feel like part of the family.

The menu is a celebration of authentic Italian flavors, featuring an array of dishes that are crafted with care and precision. For meat lovers, the Fiorentina Porterhouse is a show-stopping centerpiece, averaging an impressive 3lbs and expertly dry-aged in-house before being grilled to perfection in a wood-fired oven. Served alongside roasted potatoes, it offers a delightful explosion of succulence in every bite, priced at $39 per pound. Another standout is the Coniglio All Ischitana, with organic rabbit slowly braised with bell peppers, taggiasca olives, and marinara, all beautifully complemented by a creamy polenta, making it an irresistible masterpiece at $33.

Vegetables take the spotlight with the Verdure Al Forno a Legna, seasonal veggies roasted in the wood fire oven, served with a delicate infusion of garlic and herb EVOO for just $14. And to complete your meal, indulge in their exquisite homemade dessert, the Seadas di Sardegna, a sweet delight filled with fresh pecorino cheese and drizzled with honey for a mere $12. Diners rave about their desserts, with the lemon sorbet frequently mentioned as a must-try!

The ambiance at Lago di Como enhances the dining experience, with the restaurant’s quaint decor reflecting a charming, family-run establishment. Patrons appreciate the attentive service, with many reviews highlighting the warm interactions with the owner and staff. For instance, Heather Cooper shared how the owner personally served her, making the experience even more memorable; while Thomas described feeling so special that it brought tears to their eyes. It’s clear that Lago di Como not only serves delicious food but also crafts cherished memories for its guests.

However, it’s advisable to make a reservation, especially on weekends, as this place gets quite busy. Yuval K's review highlighted the restaurant’s popularity and atmosphere, affirming that it’s worth the wait. With its outstanding service and a menu that promises to tantalize your taste buds, Lago di Como is not just a meal; it’s a culinary journey that invites you back time and again. If you're a local or just passing through, make sure to stop by for an experience that feels like home.

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
Has no-contact delivery
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Serves great coffee
Serves great dessert
Has great wine list
Popular for
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves food
Serves healthy options
Serves small plates
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Romantic
Trendy
Upmarket
Crowd
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Planning
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
High chairs available
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking
Openings Hours
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Monday

5:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Tuesday

Closed

Wednesday

5:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Thursday

5:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Friday

5:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Saturday

5:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Sunday

5:00 AM - 9:30 PM

498 Reviews
Yuval K

03 Sep 2025

Lovely Italian restaurant. Great service and wonderful vibe. The veal Milanese was delicious. The pasta was trying to be innovative, but I think it could be better. Great proseco in good price. Good desserts. We loved the lemon sorbet. Must reserve a table at weekends. It gets very busy.

Heather Cooper

21 Aug 2025

How have I never been here after living in Santa Cruz for 10 years? We didn’t have a reservation and only waited 10-20 minutes for a seat at the bar. The owner served us and was absolutely lovely. We had the scallop appetizer (good, very unique), a side of pasta, the branzino (deboned in front of us) and the Veal Milanese (the star of the show). Outstanding service and food. Can’t wait to return.

Jake Byman

02 Aug 2025

We went to Lago di Como for a dinner celebration, and were blown away by the food. Extremely well cooked and seasoned, absolutely fantastic. This place would absolutely have been five stars, but unfortunately, despite us having a reservation, we had to wait until 20 minutes past our reservation time to be seated. They were unfortunately not particularly apologetic, nor offered anything like a glass of wine in consolation while we waited. I think anything like that would have gone a long way.

Patty Viechorek

28 Jul 2025

Lago Di Como is an absolute gem of a restaurant with an authentic atmosphere that makes you feel like part of the family. The service is warm and attentive with your waiter, support staff and the owner checking up on your table. The food is consistently excellent with organic housemade pastas and the drinks and desserts are delicious. I've been here twice with my boyfriend—once we brought family and second time with friends—and both times were wonderful. Excited to keep coming back!

Madelaine Keith

07 Jul 2025

That dinner was amazing, highly recommend. The rabbit was fantastic. Great vibes and the staff was amazing, especially Ariel and Michael. Love when I can see the owner walking around checking tables, very attentive and made you feel welcome. Definitely coming back for another date night.

Thomas

07 Jul 2025

The absolute best experience possible. The staff were incredibly professional and friendly. The food could not have been any better... Beyond delicious. We genuinely had such a an amazing time that my fiancé actually teared up at one point because it felt so special. We're not locals, but we'll be back just to eat here again for sure.

Scott Berlin

30 Jun 2025

Went to Lago di Coma for the first time on Thu and was blown away! Went at 5:30 due to other commitments so got seated right away in the quaint dining room. Didn’t feel comfortable so asked to move to the bar and in seconds 3 staff accommodated us. Ordered some wine and calimari to start. Without question, the best calamari we’ve had in SC!!! Light and flavorful coating with very tender tubes & tentacles. A very nice menu with many delectable choices but went with very traditional dishes-Saltimbocca di Vitello & Tagliatelle alla Bolognese. Both dishes were mouthwatering with layers of flavor and goodness. Very ample portions as we could’ve easily split either dish. Special occasion so dessert was in order with Tiramisu & Affogato. Affogato was wonderful with really good gelato and the Tiramisu was their interpretation (somewhat deconstructed in a cup) and felt a little less than. It was tasty and if it was served to us with no name we would not have guessed Tiramisu. This is definitely on our do-over list!!!

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