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• Delicious vegan options

This veg-friendly restaurant offers several options for vegans. I came here recently with visiting co-workers. The bottom of the menu tells diners to ask about vegan options and their website says "Organic, vegan friendly Mediterranean / Middle Eastern cuisine with an Afghan twist. Laili Restaurant is a contemporary, elegant fine dining experience. Voted one of the best restaurants in Santa Cruz. Seasonal and farmstead fresh items daily." I was told that there were two vegan options (in additions to the salads, of course). I chose the "Roasted Cauliflower: chickpeas, tomato ginger sauce, saffron basmati rice, salata" and had them hold the yogurt. It was delicious and the rice was balanced with the chickpeas and cauliflower and a spicy green chutney made from cilantro and walnuts. The accompanying salad of cucumber, tomato and mint complemented the rest of the meal. For an appetizer we had "Mediterranean Plate: hummus, tabbouleh, babaghanoush, cucumber yogurt " also sans yogurt. The flat bread was really great dipped into each of these things. The restaurant is beautiful inside. If you're in Santa Cruz, I'd recommend you check out this place. I had lunch here December 2024 and had the lunch combo with Vegetarian Maush-Awa Soup and Butternut Squash Bolani. The only necessary change was to leave the yogurt off. It was a great meal. Updated from previous review on 2024-12-14