Lago di Como

Outstanding food and excellent, cheerful service even when they are busy. Ordered the 2 specials: great fresh local porcini bruschetta, excellent cockscomb pasta with duck/ rabbit, a well as rabbit on polenta, and whole branzino. Corkage $30.

This put every other Italian restaurant I've been to to shame, and now I'm sad I don't live in the area!! For what you get, the price is pretty good. I went here for my anniversary dinner and we were seated immediately with an attentive waiter. The food was honestly cooked perfectly, everything was FANTASTIC. I highly recommend the polenta and the free bread was even fantastic. The rib eye was great too!! Great dishea for vegetarians as well.

Well I turned 21 and came here to celebrate and I had heard good things about the place and I wasn't disappointed, all the food I had was amazing but specifically the roasted vegetables and fried calamari were beyond divine

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.

I honestly don't see what the hype is all about when it comes to this restaurant! The food was below average. When my family and I dined here, the menu online didn't even match the menu they provided at the restaurant during our dinner service. Our waiter basically said quote on quote, what you see online as far as the menu hasn't been updated for years. That's just wrong and terrible! I spent over $135 on their Fiorentina Porterhouse Steak. Whoever cooked that steak doesn't know how to cook a proper steak. Wait until you see the picture posted to this review. The steak was burnt and so were the potatoes. The potatoes were inedible and had so much burnt black char, it smelt really bad. We ordered the steak medium rare which came out overcooked. The quality of the meat did not taste good at all. It wad beyond chewy and fatty. The presentation of the steak and potatoes was horrendous! Who in their right mind cuts up a bone in Porterhouse Steak like that??? You just ruined the steak by serving it that way. The steak a potatoes literally looked like a bowl of dog food!!! Look at the picture and be the judge for yourself! I had high hopes for this restaurant and made a reservation here months in advance because we were visiting from the Bay Area. When you spend $135 for a steak it should be cooked perfectly and taste amazing. This definitely was not the case. I should've complained and sent the burnt steak and burnt potatoes back but I didn't because it took so long for the food to come out and at that point we threw in the towel and didn't want to wait for another terrible steak to be cooked. I'm not trying to bash this restaurant or be mean/inflammatory but I take food very serious and I work hard for my money. It was one of the worst dining experiences I ever had and food served from a low quality fast food restaurant would've been better from a pleasurable tasting standpoint. We also ordered the bolognese which wasn't that great either. It lacked flavor and tasted just okay. Huge let down! Now that I think about it, I think a one star review is too generous and nice. If I could give a negative score/star I totally would. So let's make my review a negative 1 star. I would not recommend eating here!!! Do yourself a favor and save your money and time!

Great dinner and experience. Friendly staff and they do a good job of continuing to check in on you.

Great Italian restaurant with decent service. The owner/manager? was very attentive and pleasant and checked up on the tables to make sure everyone was having a good time. Food was good, I liked how the steak was cooked in a classic way with mushroom sauce and hearty veggies, but my partner didn't appreciate the sauce on top of the meat (we should have paid attention to the menu, it was called out). Overall it was a good experience and we'll be back to try other dishes.

This place ticks all the boxes! Delicious food, great service, cozy atmosphere. Delicious wine selection. Great date night or birthday dinner with friends restaurant.

One of my favorite Italian spots in Santa Cruz! Came here on a Sunday night and super glad we made a reservation because the wait would have been quite long. The vibes itself felt like a summer dinner and Italy! For drinks, we got some spritz! They were super refreshing and I loved that they added blood orange to mine. They started us off with some focaccia and gave us so truffle pate. The focaccia was super fluffy and the truffle pate was amazing with it! We ordered the carpaccio, ghochetto and their special for the day, the rack of lamb with potatoes. Everything was flavored so well! I loved the addition of the caper berries to the beef carpaccio. The ghochetto has such a great meaty flavor as they rendered out a spicy pork sausage for the sauce. Don't get me started on dessert though! We got the Seadas di Sardegna, which is a puff pastry filled with a soft, fresh pecorino cheese, fried & covered in honey. I've never had anything like it and I was at a lost of words when I tried it. The saltiness of the percorino melted perfectly with the sweetness of the honey which made the perfect bite overall! I loved this place and would 10/10 recommend!

This place seems to be trying for fine dining, but then doesn't deliver. We came here for a special occasion. The food was only so-so. We had a fried mushroom appetizer that had only tiny strips of mushroom inside of a thick fried batter, and we couldn't taste the mushrooms at all. The salmon was well cooked but put on a bed of bland mixed peas and pasta; for $36 I was expecting better. The cheesecake was okay, but no better than what you'd get at Costco. Despite the name and the decor the food was only vaguely Italian. The service was uneven. Our order somehow got messed up and one person's salmon came 10 minutes after everyone else's food. Mistakes can happen and we were understanding, but the woman clearing the table kept removing any empty dish as soon as we were chewing our last bite (which is rude, as if they were rushing us out) and the person with the late food ended up eating most of his meal by himself. The same thing happened with dessert, the minute we put our forks down the plates were removed so again one person was eating alone. And our server kept trying to upsell us on more alcohol, which was tacky. The decor was attractive (except for some creepy oil paintings) but the place is loud, it was hard to hear people across the table. The main servers were wearing striped shirts that looked professional, but the hostess and people clearing were wearing casual to very casual (large T-shirt and flip flops) clothes that did not fit the upscale ambience. Overall they need to train their staff on proper etiquette for fine dining, or lower their prices. And they need to improve the food, or lower their prices. As it stands it gives poor bang for the buck.

It's taken me far too long to post this review! Matteo, Lindsay and Giovanni + staff should have three Michelin stars based on the heart and soul they pour into each and every dish they serve! We've dined on almost every night of the week, sampled on-menu and off-menu specials, had the most amazing seafood Santa Cruz has to offer (quite literally fresh off the boat) and the Fiorentina Aged Steak is one of the best we've ever had.. anywhere. The service is exceptional, the menu is creative and the quality second to none. We enjoy the ambiance of sitting at the bar as well as more formal dining... either way you won't be disappointed. Save yourself a plane ride to Italy, the food at Lago Di Como is better!

Lovely romantic little spot on the east side. It's nice to have a restaurant of this caliber on my mom side of town. Had a great birthday dinner and the service was superb.

The food is delicious, the atmosphere is cozy and inviting, we had a great time celebrating a birthday here. The staff is kind and friendly! I would go back again in a heartbeat!

WOW!! Finally made it in a few days ago and wow is it fantastic!! We will be back A LOT!! Congratulations you two, you're place is wonderful! xo Peggy and Michael

Keep those five star reviews coming. Lago Di Como has to be one of the better restaurants in Santa Cruz. While I don't frequent many restaurants here, it left me impressed. The owner hails from Milan and he'll most likely be there, welcoming you. The place is charming, warm and on a full night, which seemingly is most nights, energetic. The food is great. We started with a Caesar that was heavily dressed (in my eyes that means deliciously dressy) and covered in a nice layer of grated parm. All pastas are homemade and you'd be remiss not to try one. It was hard to choose, but we went with the bolognese and it was delicious. Bonus points for another maitre d'/chef coming by offering more bread to soak up that delicious sauce. The pasta was thick, chewy and perfectly al dente. The branzino deboned at the table was light and crispy, charred in the wood oven and served with crisped potatoes, tomatoes and artichokes. The desserts? Fugettaboutit. Fresh cannoli and apple strudel with perfectly red strawberries and fresh whipped cream. Service was not only on it, but charming. Overall, a great experience from food to service. * No liquor as of April 2024, but a full menu of wine, beer, vermouths and Aperol drinks.

Unfortunately, 5 stars is as high as Yelp will allow me to go. So take a seat, this is going to be a lengthy one! I took my mom here for Mother's Day, after looking at the menu on their website. Everything sounded like it would be amazing. Understatement of the year! We had reservations at 6:15pm and parked right in front, there is a lot, but it fills up fast. Walking in, it brought back memories of my trip to Italy and all the traditional, family run restaurants I dined in. The staff was friendly, we were seated as soon as we came in, and were greeted by a sweet waiter and a full menu. That night, being that it was a special occasion, we toasted with a glass of prosecco and a glass of sparkling rose, both were chilled to perfection and delicious. Next up, the appetizer of course, and it had to be prosciutto and melon! Thinly sliced cantaloupe, drizzle with the most amazing balsamic, and topped with thinly sliced prosciutto. Perfection! While we looked over the menu for dinner the owner Mateo came out to greet us and talk about the new additions to the menu for the season. What a special treat! I ordered the Mother's Day special, pesto and potato stuffed ravioli and my mom had the carbonara. I'm not at all exaggerating when I say both dishes took our breath away! The meal was everything from my childhood dinners and then some. We of course wrapped it up with dessert, my mom had the lemon sorbet topped with limoncello (poured over tableside) and I had the tiramisu. Everything was perfection and I am beyond picky about my tiramisu, this was the way I remembered in Italy. To wrap up this already amazing meal, Mateo came out again and checked on us, at this point we shared our story of our Auntie Dina and Uncle Mario's meals, and my moms Nona and how this just brought us back to those warm memories. I can't thank Mateo enough for bringing those memories back for us, or for sharing his passion and love for great Italian food and stories. This meal filled our bellies with warmth and hearts with happiness. Thank you for an amazing evening!

I had a wonderful time for my birthday at Lago Di Como. The atmosphere is tight-knit family like. The squid gnocchi is great and so are all the pastas. My friends had altered the sea food soup with noodles and the accommodated. The flavor was there, it's something different than most Italian restaurants. The staff and friendly great.

Everything was great! Food and service! Very personal! Food always top notch and creative

Went here to carboload before a marathon the next day and found our new favorite Italian restaurant in the process. I had this squid ink pasta with clams it was amazing if you have never had squid ink pasta before this is the place to have it. They had a special that day and the owner gave everyone a small portion of it and we were all hooked. My sister ordered it and he brought over a big cheese wheel and poured the cooked pasta in it and made the dish right in front of us! We liked it so much we're coming back today!

Such a great find! Outstanding customer service and delicious food. We had an issue that they addressed immediately, along with apologies from the owner, and removed item from our bill. Pasta was tasty and my family enjoyed clams, lamp chops, and veal as well. They were able to "squeeze" our group of 6 in during a busy Santa Cruz weekend. Definitely recommend.

Good food, but outrageous. Corkerage fee! Won't be going back. I only bring wines a restaurant does not carry with that in mind that should consider waiving the fee or lowing it.

Memorable experience! If you want authentic Italian food in Santa Cruz, you must try this place. Cute Italian Vibe: You can feel the Italian vibe as soon as you walk in. Lindsey and Natalia were especially warm and hospitable, and Enrico was the perfect guide to the ultimate dining experience. Enrico has amazing energy. Excellent food: The Chef Matteo, expertly cut the 3 pound Bisteca into perfect slices. Take a look at my mouthwatering pictures. Started with the Caesar Salad, then handmade gnocchi in marinara along with the Butcher's Choice, 3 pound Bisteca with seasoned potatoes. Topped it off with the best Tiramisu I have ever had. An added bonus - parking is easy as the restaurant has its own parking lot. Highly recommend this restaurant!

Delayed review as I ate here a few weeks ago. It was the first time I had dined here. The service was amazing. Without a reservation, I got seated right away. The hostess was very friendly, which is what one would expect when walking into a family friendly restaurant. The server was also very friendly. Gave good descriptions of menu items and helped us make informed decisions. The food was good. The pasta was fresh and everything came out hot. The dishes tend to be rich and heavy - typical classic Italian. The restaurant is clean, smells good (a big thing for me), and although the green paint on the walls is a little obnoxious to my eye, it seems to work with the rest of the decor. That being said, it's not a place I'd come to regularly, but it's still really good and a nice change from all the usual places I go to.

Best restaurant in Santa Cruz by far. Phenomenal service. Incredible food. Intimate romantic vibe. Our favorite date night spot.

One of my favorite restaurants in Santa Cruz, the service is always so great and friendly. The dishes taste very homey, I love it and always stop by when I'm in town. I always get the pasta and they never miss, I have to try the pizzas next time. The ambiance is great for a dinner night with the family or friends.

This was a magical experience! We brought our college-age daughter. Mid-meal, my partner commented that we saved thousands in airfare to Italy by dining here. He had the branzino, which was flaky, tender, blistered deliciousness. She had the carbonara. I had the special mushroom risotto. They were all delicious. Our desserts were interesting, beautiful, and tasty as well. This restaurant is beautifully decorated in green, white, and black. The evening only got more magical when the power went out mid-meal. Battery-operated candle sconces on all of the tables provided light and ambiance. I highly suggest this restaurant!

I would drive for miles to visit this place, and I plan to do so quite often!! This is the cutest, most happening spot and I'm so glad to have found this gem! The Cesare was one of the most mouth-watering Caesar salads I've had in a while. I cannot stress enough the importance of freshly shaven Parmesan coming with every bite, this is crucial and they nailed it. Notice how I dove right in before I could even snap a picture, it's that tasty! The Bistecca & Patate was phenom and the presentation was stunning. With an appetizer and salad, it was more than enough food for two people but as always, treat yourself! Can't wait to be back in this sweet spot, thank you to the incredible staff for an epic evening!

Another great Italian eatery in Santa Cruz! The restaurant setting is a good balance between fancy and casual (price-wise, I'd call them "fancy" though). Loved the specialty items on their menu, too much good stuff to choose from. The Focaccia Bruschetta was sooo tasty! It looks like a large pizza crust covered in tomatoes, but when you bite into it, the savory, garlicky flavors erupt in your mouth into something magical. The Tortellini alla Mamma Gianna was so creamy and delicious as well, definitely no ordinary pasta. I also tried the Risotto di Mare, and it had the perfect buttery consistency, a filling portion smoking hot when served, lots of seafood to enjoy, especially the swordfish (fresh fish of the day), so tender and juicy, mixed well with the risotto. Service was friendly, attentive and professional. And there was no wait to be seated on a Monday evening. We left very satisfied, and of course with leftovers as well to enjoy later.

Great experience: will return many times for sure. Had reservations for two at 5:45 on a Friday and were seated right away. The server was extremely informative and pleasant. She recommended a great wine that we ended up ordering. We ordered the cesare salad, pappardelle, and the tagliatelle alla bolognese. Everything was delicious! The pastas were thick and housemade and the sauces were very flavorful. The leftovers the next day were even better.

Everything was 10/10. Authentic Italian food with an amazing server, good wine, house made pasta and the best ceasar salad I've had in my life. Would recommend to anyone looking for a great Italian dinner and experience in Santa Cruz.

We go to Lago Di Como a few times a month. Food is fantastic, Service is amazing , and the restaurant is very welcoming. Everytime we come, the staff is super friendly. Giovanni comes out from the kitchen to greet his guests and sometimes drops off his new creation at your table for your opinion. We love this place .

Food is always top notch. We tried something different today and had the aged steak. Do not have an appetizer or try to eat this on your own. However, we did have the scallops as the appetizer and it was buttery heaven. The steak was well seasoned and cooked to medium-rare perfection. Juicy and melts in your mouth. We definitely couldn't finish it, but so glad we tried. We enjoyed the dinner with a bottle of Italian Pinot Noir. The service was fantastic from bus service to the chef. I'm so glad to have this restaurant in our town.

If you haven't already tried it, Lago di Como in Capitola is EXCELLENT! Not only was the food out -of -this -world from start to finish, but service was impeccable, with the waiter and restaurant manager (owner?) checking on you frequently, and anticipating your every need. I felt like I was back at Lake Como with the very authentic cuisine. We loved the twist on the classic Caesar salad dressing, grandma Enzo's sauce in the tagliatelle was divine, as was the tender, and just right flavoring of the Saltimbocca. The spritz Classico was just as it was in Venice! The BEST in Santa Cruz County! The ambience is lovely. When you're missing Italy, this is your go-to place!

The Caesar salad was good but not as good as it used to be. I had a pasta dish with sausage. The pasta was not cooked. It was less than Al dente and tasted like raw flour. The service was good and the owners checked in half way through our meal (before I was served the half cooked pasta. My guest had the same salad and the Carbonara with much the same reaction as I did. He normally orders carbonara when we go to an Italian restaurant. We have gone to 5 or 6 in Santa Cruz county. He rated this Carbonara as his least favorite. The last time I was here was several years ago. My feeling is that overall the food quality has gone downhill. The service was the same as I remember (ok). The size of the portions were 1/2 of what they were. Our party was under impressed of the restaurant and will try it again but focus on their seafood which looked better than their pasta dishes. The restaurant was set up nicely and looked clean but a little crowded (not much elbow room between tables.

Visiting the area, a friend recommended for a unique regional Italian cuisine. Loved it ! From the ambience to the spritzes to homemade pasta. Delicious ! Definitely check out for a date night.

We have been looking for some good Italian cooking and found it here. It is a small restaurant and a little noisy but the staff are attentive. Above all the food is superb and way above anything in the county. To be recommended

Nice Italian restaurant with excellent service. Veal was good, but the sauce a little starchy. The Porterhouse was very good. Excellent Caesar's and good focaccia. Give it a 4 star recommendation

One of the best dining experiences we had for a long time. Owner Matteo was welcoming and attentive but never distraction.

This is the best Italian restaurant in the county! Authentic taste, great service, fresh ingredients. It's our favorite.

Wonderful experience, a nice surprise combo of fine dining & and welcoming hideaway. Accommodated our group of 6 (4 adults & 2 kids) in their back patio room, offered a nice list of wines and fresh made pasta made from semolina wheat imported from Italy! The restaurant boosts tailored-kid made pasta plates and attentive, personable staff. Very much enjoyed the mushroom burrata bruschetta, calamari, rib eye, the Cesar salad with anchovies and our kids' meat bolognese. We were offered a complimentary duck pate, bread and olive oil, which went well with the food (nice add-ons that you can't expect with every Italian restaurant). A yummy tiramisu to top off. We had an enjoyable dinner with our young kids, and the atmosphere and food was worth every $. We will certainly come back!

This restaurant has Delicious pasta, and very friendly service. The best in Santa Cruz?

A friend suggested this restaurant and we were NOT DISAPOINTED! We went there for the first time, and we were treated like longtime friends. The food was impeccable, and our food came out to our table much faster than we expected. This place is a white tablecloth restaurant, that, now that I think about it, I wonder if it has any Michelin Star ratings. If not it needs to be. We will definitely travel from Hollister to Lago Di Como Ristorante again.

We heard this was a new spot that opened up in town, so we decided to check it out. We ordered the carbonara and the squid ink pasta. Unfortunately the squid ink pasta was undercooked. The seafood was delicious and fresh though. I told one of the waitresses but nothing was really done about it? What's the point in paying for a meal you can't even eat or take home.

We didn't have any expectations prior to going in but were pleasantly surprised by how great an experience it was. The exterior was unassuming and when you walk in it feels like something different - it was a nice, warm, inviting dinner spot. The food was fantastic! We had table-side risotto that was a show that dazed those at the table - it was a great birthday treat. Additionally, the service was spot on; the staff was welcoming and helpful. We had a really great time celebrating a birthday there. Our table got a little bit over everything - specials, pastas, seafood, a few desserts - and it was all delicious!

This is a wonderful restaurant. Good good, excellent service. My favorite in Santa Cruz!

Delicious food. We tried lots of different menu items and they were all fantastic. I recommend this place.

Do NOT go here. I used to go and it was fabulous, but tonight it was so bad we had to throw out over $100 worth of food. The calamari was rubbery, tasteless and under coated. The pasta with the peas and ham was so undercooked that it was actually chewy. The pasta with clams was so fishy smelling that you could not get past smell. To make it even worse, the bread was burnt on the bottom. When I reported this to the management, they said "good food does not translate to take out" (we ordered via DoorDash). They then asked what part of Italy I was from when I said I was Italian and I knew undercooked pasta. At the end they said if I wanted to come back in they would make the meal good - too bad they did not ever ask for my name or contact information.

What an extraordinary experience! Without a doubt, this establishment stands out as one of the best Italian restaurants in the Bay Area. From the moment we stepped in, the chef's warm welcome set the tone, as they graciously guided us through the evening's specials and highlighted their signature dishes. Our server mirrored this exceptional hospitality, ensuring every detail of our dining experience was flawlessly attended to. The commitment to quality shines through in every bite, with impeccably fresh ingredients sourced for each dish, including imported Italian wheat for their pasta--a testament to their dedication to authenticity. We began with the Culatello, which was the finest proscuitto of Italy, served with truffle "Carasau" cracker bread & rich straciatella cheese. From the first taste of the Carbonara to the rich flavors of the Parpadelle Ragu, featuring a sumptuous lamb-based sauce, every dish was a symphony of taste and texture, with the pasta cooked to a faultless al dente perfection. This dining experience immerses you in an ambiance that transports you to the heart of Italy. And to cap off this unforgettable experience, the special dessert, reminiscent of an Italian wedding cake, provided a sweet finale that left us longing for more. If you're seeking an unparalleled Italian dining experience, this is the place to be. Buon appetito!

This place has never disappointed. Hands down the most authentic food outside of Italy. The owner is always going around to the tables to make sure everyone is happy. Great menu that changes often. GREAT desserts.

This is my favorite restaurant in Santa Cruz. A warm and welcoming decor greets you as you enter, with local painter David Fleming's art adorning the walls. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. The oft-changing menu is tantalizing, and the selection of Italian beers and wines is impressive. From fresh and delicious pasta dishes, to the savory meat and fish selections, you cannot go wrong ordering anything on the menu. And don't forget to leave room for dessert; they, too, are a treat to eat.

We came here for my husband's birthday, and the food, service, and ambiance were all excellent. We will definitely be back.

I can't believe how good this restaurant is! We went out as our first time as a new family of 4 for my husbands birthday last night and we're completely blown away at the level of service we received. It felt like we were eating at a house and visiting family. We ordered a mixed green salad, two spritz, perle di mare with pasta, a bottle of red wine, and a dry aged stake with potatoes. When we say this is the best meal we have ever had, this is no exaggeration. You can tell these people love their food and Gio and Mateo are passionate about their craft and they go above and beyond to give you that experience you can only get from chefs that love what they do. We have lived down the street and are used to driving to San Jose to visit the Michelin restaurants to get that quality food and service, but to have it right here in our backyard is crazy! The most special thing we have experienced at a restaurant is Gio brought out a Minestrone soup for my toddler and it's a style my Grandma used to make with thick potatoes and carrots with peas. It was so good she devoured it. The seafood was delicious. Definitely a wining combo with pasta and pairs great with the La Dolce Vita Spritz. The star was the dry aged steak with potatoes. You can't find this anywhere else like this. 3.5 pounds of meat aged and cooked to perfection. We asked for it medium rare and it was like eating a buttery A5 with a glass of red wine, you're set for a great meal. We went in blind not knowing if this was a kid friendly restaurant. But having a toddler and a 2 month old on a Monday night, they made us feel so accommodating being it's a small inmate restaurant so it's better probably to leave the kiddos at home to fully get the whole experience, but glad we got this special experience as a family. We will definitely be back soon and thank you Lago di Cómo staff for making this such a great dinner!

Excellent food, service & ambiance! Super fresh ingredients, unique Italian dishes...knowledgeable, friendly wait- staff. The place to go for 'the Best Italian' in Santa Cruz!

Hands down, best restaurant in Santa Cruz county. The service, attention to detail, and of course, the food! The specials menu every week shows the love for Italian and local ingredients. that chef is in the kitchen making "moves like Jaggard" with a spatula and knife

Beautiful ambiance and wonderful food! Went as a group and loved it all! Very quaint,amazing food. Great wine choices too.

Food was fantastic. Service was great.. . very friendly and responsive. Love the ambiance.. perfect noise level for an old guy like me... not too loud.... but enough to feel that people were enjoying their conversations. Nice bar too....

Food wine service are all top notch. It can be difficult to find a reservation on the popular days of the week but very much worth your effort

Service, food and wine selection is top notch. We can only go a few times a year, but absolutely love it. If you think you want to try it, make reservations and get ready for a terrific evening.