I am adding an update to say how sorry I am to see this fine establishment close. It has been one of my family's favorite "go-to's". I wish everyone at Ristorante Italiano a hearty Bon Voyage. Thank You all for many, many memories of hours spent enjoying the great wine and food through the years.

Having dinner at Ristoranti Italiano was always a treat for me, my family, and friends. It was one of the last traditional Italian restaurants in Santa Cruz serving a delicious multi-course meal. The combination appetizer plate was the first thing i ordered - so many tasty bites on one large plate. I'm so sorry it has closed. Hopefully, this restaurant will open again in the near future.

We've been coming here for years! Their delicious food and kind staff keep us coming back. They currently have a fun wild hibiscus drink that I love. They also have one of the best happy hour deals in the area!

I live in Brentwood East Bay!! Worth driving out there for their Carbonara!!! The best in the world In my opinion!!! Makes for great leftovers as well! Their fried raviolis was fab too!!!

Nice people great place for a standard Italian American dining experience I would say the pasta could be taken out of the water sooner but it's a wonderful place to relax and enjoy a meal. The manager and staff are all great and caring folks. Service couldn't be better.

Had Happy Hour here this past weekend. We ordered the bruchetta, fried artichoke hearts, calamari. We had moscow mules, and for dessert we ordered expresso cheesecake. Didn't try their entrees but everything we had was so good that I will be back soon! If you want to sit outside in their patio you should make reservations.

Hidden Gem! Excellent fresh food, Pasta, seafood is amazing. Blackened Salmon on risotto is delicious, happy hour is a must. Their deserts are homemade. The service is amazing. Family own restaurant. Pasta amazing & delicious, lasagna so good, spicy linguine nice and delicious and very spicy. Try it you will love it.

Chicken saltimboca white wine butter sauces was phenomal. White wine butters sauce was creamy and flavorful the capers added some additional favor. The Homemade lasagna was fresh and the marinara sauce was chunky and pack with freshness and a lot of flavor. Very heavy hardy meal. The place need a little touch up on the decor, but over all! Bussin...!

This is definitely my favorite Italian restaurant in Santa Cruz! It's always hard for me to choose just one dish to settle on as they all sound so good! I'm slowly making my way through their dinner entrées - none of which have yet to disappoint. They also keep the menu exciting by offering at least 2 specials each night which are well thought out and posted on their Instagram daily (it's how they lure me back in so soon :P ). What I feel is a little less known about this restaurant is the quality of their bar service! They often have new wines that are hand-selected so I don't get bored with the same ones. They also have a full bar where there is typically a new hand-crafted cocktail special. Their prices are also super reasonably priced compared to a lot of other restaurants I've been to and are of high quality. If you're into spicy drinks like myself, their jalapeño margarita is the best I've had (and I've tried MANY). The service here never fails! They always make me feel comfortable - beyond just polite, but rather like you're a guest in someone's home. I had the chance to meet the owners when I had a late dinner one night. It's a family-run business and they are all super humble. The mother makes all the desserts herself and they are delicious. Don't forget to let them know if its your birthday - their free dessert offering is amazing!