One of our favorite Italian restaurants in SC!! Authentic and consistently delicious. I order something different almost every time and I'm always so impressed!
Luna J.
We got there as soon as dinner service started. Ordered a Chicken Parmigiana and a Lasagna (not pictured). Both our dishes were great tasting and quick to come out.
Doug T.
I'm not exactly sure what the restaurant industry would consider a 'destination restaurant' but for me it's someplace I will drive out of my way to get something I love to eat. Tramonti is one of those places, except it's not out of the way for me! The reason I love this place is the Prawns Diaviola. These things are amazing and better still, very consistent. Every time I order them they are fantastic. The ingredients are very simple, it's basically bacon wrapped prawns but they use a spicy Italian salami and Parmesan cheese. The secret is the brick oven! You get a great texture without over cooking the prawns. They serve other Italian favorites and they make a mean pizza too. Local beer on draft and a good wine selection complete the menu. They also make dessert in the brick oven, try the banana w chocolate! It's also a great atmosphere with both indoor and outdoor dining.
Linda H.
$40 for spaghetti? $22 for bruchetta appetizer? Really?? I like this place for sit down (take out pizza is nowhere near as good), but the prices have become ridiculous. I pulled up the takeout menu tonight because I was in the mood for Stromboli but $40 for a calzone is just crazy....even for Santa Cruz. Even Mentone and Lillian's are not this bad. We have a wholesale license and feed 15,000 kids a day (so we are aware of costs), and yes, food and labor have risen but the price gouging around here needs to stop.
Nick S.
Our favorite restaurant in Santa Cruz! So friendly, great food, great atmosphere. 10/10.
Marina W
If they weren't such horrible Seabright neighbors we might actually eat there. The food is average anyway so it's ok.
Rain M.
Ambiance was good, it's a cute spot but the service and food was terrible. Our waiter stopped and checked on every table except ours. The table next to us ordered at the same time, and they were done with their meal before ours arrived. The shrimp appetizer was $20 and had 5 small shrimp that were dry and salty wrapped in some sort of salami, it was served with a garlic mayo sauce that had no flavor. Our entrees were even worse, the short rib ravioli filling was mealy and very dry. The seafood stew, actually tasted like old water. The calamari in it was rubbery and grossly over cooked. When I tried to inform the waiter that the seafood was inedible and bland, he fought back about it. Usually someone would be more accommodating, instead of making an awkward situation worse. On top of it all, I don't even know how but the Diet Coke in a can even tasted off. I was so disappointed, we had high hopes for our date night and I was left feeling uncomfortable from the waiter and hungry because we couldn't eat nor enjoy our $60 bill.
Tracy P.
I went here with my 13 year old niece because we were looking for good Italian style pizza. We were a bit skeptical when we drove into the residential feeling neighborhood. When we walked in we were greeted by a very friendly man and seated inside. Cutting to the chase...my niece who "summers" in Italy said she felt like she in Italy. Major highlight...house made focaccia...insanely good. The pizza flavors were excellent...I would have liked a crispier crust. I would definitely go back to this hidden gem.
Eve K.
The eggplant parmesan is SO good! Friendly and attentive staff as well as a lovely atmosphere!
Michelle B.
Friendly & Welcoming. Great, delicious and authentic Italian. Generous portions are served, so plan on take home bag to finish. Also, PIZZA done right! (After many years in Boston, this I know for sure.) Delish!
Tramonti apparently has been sold, and although the new owners deliver a serviceable result, it's not the magical place it was. The menu has been changed for one thing, and there's an entire page of drinks, which they're now selling, hard. The entire team has been replaced, which means Italians have been swapped for Americans. Everyone is perfectly nice, but the authenticity, the obvious love for Italian cuisine, is gone. IMHO, it's now just another good Italian place.
Paul G.
1st time here, we ordered a pizza, and the seafood stew... both was delicious, the stew became 100% better when I added some of the anchovy oil into it. The pizza was awesome, could have been a little crunchier... but acceptable! Would definitely come back! The place was quite, service was great! Prices were affordable! Food was awesome!
Robert T.
Tucked away in Santa Cruz lies an Italian restaurant that might just top them all. Their salads? Absolutely divine. My wife and I can't get enough of the Santa Croce salad--it's like a little piece of Santa Cruz, reimagined with Italian flair (and a nod to the city's Italian namesake). The magic doesn't stop at the salad. Every day, the kitchen rolls out fresh pasta, making each meal a testament to authentic Italian craftsmanship. But what really sets this place apart is the warmth of its service. Dining here feels like being welcomed into a family. The servers and owners go above and beyond, ensuring our experience is nothing short of perfect. My go-to dish is the Short-Rib Ravioli, a true showstopper. Meanwhile, my wife swears by their Salsiccia & Funghi pizza. If I had one wish, it'd be for a broader wine list to complement their stellar menu. This restaurant isn't just about food; it's about feeling right at home, Italian style.
Norma G.
We went to Tramonti after reading several positive reviews. Unfortunately, we did not experience anything positive about Tramonti. I ordered the spaghetti with meatballs, thinking I would get a classic dish enhanced to an extra delicious level. Wrong. The meatballs were overcooked and dry and the spaghetti had no flavor. I asked for extra cheese, and instead of fresh grated cheese, I was given a glass shaker bottle of processed Parmesan. Even worse. My husband ordered the special of flank steak with vegetables. It looked delicious and I was hopeful his would be better than mine. Wrong. His steak was way over cooked and the vegetables weren't cooked enough. It was also flavorless. Finally, I wish I could say that at the very least our service was excellent. Nope. It was not terribly busy on a Monday night and yet it still took an unreasonable amount of time to be served drinks and then even longer to receive our meals. I've attached pictures of our meals because that was the best thing about the whole experience--the look.
Kayla C.
I felt like I was back in Italy. Adorable little place with warm service and by far the best Italian food I've had outside of Italy. Please go if you're looking for a true Italian meal!
One of our favorite Italian restaurants in SC!! Authentic and consistently delicious. I order something different almost every time and I'm always so impressed!
We got there as soon as dinner service started. Ordered a Chicken Parmigiana and a Lasagna (not pictured). Both our dishes were great tasting and quick to come out.
I'm not exactly sure what the restaurant industry would consider a 'destination restaurant' but for me it's someplace I will drive out of my way to get something I love to eat. Tramonti is one of those places, except it's not out of the way for me! The reason I love this place is the Prawns Diaviola. These things are amazing and better still, very consistent. Every time I order them they are fantastic. The ingredients are very simple, it's basically bacon wrapped prawns but they use a spicy Italian salami and Parmesan cheese. The secret is the brick oven! You get a great texture without over cooking the prawns. They serve other Italian favorites and they make a mean pizza too. Local beer on draft and a good wine selection complete the menu. They also make dessert in the brick oven, try the banana w chocolate! It's also a great atmosphere with both indoor and outdoor dining.
$40 for spaghetti? $22 for bruchetta appetizer? Really?? I like this place for sit down (take out pizza is nowhere near as good), but the prices have become ridiculous. I pulled up the takeout menu tonight because I was in the mood for Stromboli but $40 for a calzone is just crazy....even for Santa Cruz. Even Mentone and Lillian's are not this bad. We have a wholesale license and feed 15,000 kids a day (so we are aware of costs), and yes, food and labor have risen but the price gouging around here needs to stop.
Our favorite restaurant in Santa Cruz! So friendly, great food, great atmosphere. 10/10.
If they weren't such horrible Seabright neighbors we might actually eat there. The food is average anyway so it's ok.
Ambiance was good, it's a cute spot but the service and food was terrible. Our waiter stopped and checked on every table except ours. The table next to us ordered at the same time, and they were done with their meal before ours arrived. The shrimp appetizer was $20 and had 5 small shrimp that were dry and salty wrapped in some sort of salami, it was served with a garlic mayo sauce that had no flavor. Our entrees were even worse, the short rib ravioli filling was mealy and very dry. The seafood stew, actually tasted like old water. The calamari in it was rubbery and grossly over cooked. When I tried to inform the waiter that the seafood was inedible and bland, he fought back about it. Usually someone would be more accommodating, instead of making an awkward situation worse. On top of it all, I don't even know how but the Diet Coke in a can even tasted off. I was so disappointed, we had high hopes for our date night and I was left feeling uncomfortable from the waiter and hungry because we couldn't eat nor enjoy our $60 bill.
I went here with my 13 year old niece because we were looking for good Italian style pizza. We were a bit skeptical when we drove into the residential feeling neighborhood. When we walked in we were greeted by a very friendly man and seated inside. Cutting to the chase...my niece who "summers" in Italy said she felt like she in Italy. Major highlight...house made focaccia...insanely good. The pizza flavors were excellent...I would have liked a crispier crust. I would definitely go back to this hidden gem.
The eggplant parmesan is SO good! Friendly and attentive staff as well as a lovely atmosphere!
Friendly & Welcoming. Great, delicious and authentic Italian. Generous portions are served, so plan on take home bag to finish. Also, PIZZA done right! (After many years in Boston, this I know for sure.) Delish!
Restaurantji Recommends
Tramonti apparently has been sold, and although the new owners deliver a serviceable result, it's not the magical place it was. The menu has been changed for one thing, and there's an entire page of drinks, which they're now selling, hard. The entire team has been replaced, which means Italians have been swapped for Americans. Everyone is perfectly nice, but the authenticity, the obvious love for Italian cuisine, is gone. IMHO, it's now just another good Italian place.
1st time here, we ordered a pizza, and the seafood stew... both was delicious, the stew became 100% better when I added some of the anchovy oil into it. The pizza was awesome, could have been a little crunchier... but acceptable! Would definitely come back! The place was quite, service was great! Prices were affordable! Food was awesome!
Tucked away in Santa Cruz lies an Italian restaurant that might just top them all. Their salads? Absolutely divine. My wife and I can't get enough of the Santa Croce salad--it's like a little piece of Santa Cruz, reimagined with Italian flair (and a nod to the city's Italian namesake). The magic doesn't stop at the salad. Every day, the kitchen rolls out fresh pasta, making each meal a testament to authentic Italian craftsmanship. But what really sets this place apart is the warmth of its service. Dining here feels like being welcomed into a family. The servers and owners go above and beyond, ensuring our experience is nothing short of perfect. My go-to dish is the Short-Rib Ravioli, a true showstopper. Meanwhile, my wife swears by their Salsiccia & Funghi pizza. If I had one wish, it'd be for a broader wine list to complement their stellar menu. This restaurant isn't just about food; it's about feeling right at home, Italian style.
We went to Tramonti after reading several positive reviews. Unfortunately, we did not experience anything positive about Tramonti. I ordered the spaghetti with meatballs, thinking I would get a classic dish enhanced to an extra delicious level. Wrong. The meatballs were overcooked and dry and the spaghetti had no flavor. I asked for extra cheese, and instead of fresh grated cheese, I was given a glass shaker bottle of processed Parmesan. Even worse. My husband ordered the special of flank steak with vegetables. It looked delicious and I was hopeful his would be better than mine. Wrong. His steak was way over cooked and the vegetables weren't cooked enough. It was also flavorless. Finally, I wish I could say that at the very least our service was excellent. Nope. It was not terribly busy on a Monday night and yet it still took an unreasonable amount of time to be served drinks and then even longer to receive our meals. I've attached pictures of our meals because that was the best thing about the whole experience--the look.
I felt like I was back in Italy. Adorable little place with warm service and by far the best Italian food I've had outside of Italy. Please go if you're looking for a true Italian meal!