Caffé Luna was a lovely find in Raleigh's historic City Market. I found it on OpenTable, liked the simple Italian menu, and decided to give it a try. The restaurant itself is beautiful. It's tucked into a gorgeous restored historic building with dark wood floors, lovely architectural details, and a warm, old-world feel. The hostess was welcoming and gave me a wonderful little table by the window. I managed to find free street parking nearby -- despite some slightly confusing signage -- although I can see parking being more challenging during busier hours. I started with a glass of Italian Prosecco, which absolutely hit the spot, followed by the Caesar salad. The salad was fresh and perfectly dressed, although the croutons tasted a little more packaged than homemade. A small detail, but fresh croutons would have elevated an otherwise excellent Caesar. For dinner, I ordered the Tortelli Crostacci -- fresh pasta stuffed with lobster, crabmeat, and prawns in a cream sauce. The sauce was delicious, and I happily finished the dish, but I kept searching those little pasta pillows for the seafood. I could smell it more than I could taste it. A few visible pieces of lobster, crab, or shrimp in the sauce or over the pasta would have made the seafood component shine. It was good, but next time I'd explore something else on the menu. They also brought bread with olive oil, which looked lovely, but I only have one stomach and had priorities! Service was friendly throughout, even as the restaurant became quite busy with several large tables. I ordered tiramisu to go but, sadly, never got to enjoy it. When I opened it the next day, quite a bit of liquid had collected in the container and the dessert had become watery, so I decided not to eat it. I'm not sure what happened there, but tiramisu shouldn't weep like that. One last quirky detail: even the restroom was adorable, although the accordion-style door took a little negotiating. Bonus points for having a shelf where I could set my takeout bag rather than putting it somewhere questionable! Overall, Caffé Luna has plenty going for it: a beautiful historic setting, gracious hospitality, a straightforward Italian menu, and a lovely atmosphere. There were a few misses with my particular meal, but nothing that would keep me from returning. I'd happily come back and work my way through a different part of the menu. Life is too short not to eat well. If you find yourself wandering through Raleigh's historic City Market, stop into Caffé Luna and find your next meal. read more

See all

Caffe Luna used to be one of my favorite spots. Maybe I should have ordered one of the favorite dishes instead of trying something else. The setting, the atmosphere, the European cafe vibe always gets me excited to complete that experience, It started off well; appetizers were as good as ever, the service spectacular, and the fumble on the main dish was completely unexpected. The recovery on the dessert didn't quite make up for it. The Finnochi was too sweet -- pudding sweet -- the sugary taste of the sauce overpowered the pasta. I couldn't finish it even though the portion size was perfect. One of the people in our group had a dish with the same sauce and she loved it -- her sugar tolerance is higher than mine I guess. The atmosphere and service are the main positives but the food, alas, maybe not so positive as it was in my memory. read more

Caffe Luna - Fiocchi - Italian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

See all

Oh, where to begin? To start, we were seated next to the kitchen and at a table of about 36. It was *LOUD*. We asked to move, and after being given 2 similar options, were allowed to move to the front corner. The restaurant was still echoy and loud - too loud. Apparently, that waitress didn't want another table either because she callously said, "I guess I'm your waitress, NOW", and with that, she was useless for the rest of the meal. Never got better - here's a list : Didn't ask if my wife wanted anything but water. Menu on a dirty piece of paper. REALLY? Asked for butter for the bread since I'm not crazy about olive oil. NO BUTTER. In an Italian restaurant, there is none to be had? Either a lie, OR they need to fix this. A butter packet is easily cheaper than oil anyway, and it ruined my dinner before it started. Salad is EXTRA and $7+ to get one - ridiculous for a $18 pasta dish. Pasta side is THE SMALLEST I'VE EVER SEEN. About the size of 3 fingers. Also, not exceptional, and no Parmesan to go with. Waitress was snide and rude - and then VERY slow to bring check / receipt. Nice to the people beside us. Positives? Chicken Parm cutlet was ok ("B"), and my wife's pasta was good to her (personally, FAR too much garlic and an odd taste). Can't actually think of a worse Italian restaurant I've been to, but CAN say where I will never be again. read more

We chose to do an early dinner at this place and was super excited to try since neither of us had ever been there before. Don't think we will be returning. Our experience felt rushed and unwelcoming. There were only about 1 or 2 other tables that had people at them, so it wasn't busy AT ALL!!! I arrived a little after my sis in law, who had already ordered the Calamari(which was good) as the appetizer. AS SOON as I sat in my chair the waitress comes over and ask what would I like to drink. Waters were already on the table so I stated I was ok with that. I hadn't really even scooted myself up to the table when she asked if we were ready to order. I JUST SAT DOWN!!! I haven't even touched the menu yet. We only had enough time to glance at the menu before she returned, so now I'm having to ask questions about the menu which bought me some more time lol. The bread had an unpleasant taste to it so we did not eat it. I ordered the lobster and crab ravioli, added spinach. My sister in law had the farfalle pasta with salmon. We were so disappointed. The spinach I added definitely had the: unseasoned, it came out of a freezer bag aftertaste, the dish over all was not good even after I added black pepper, Parmesan and red pepper flakes. My sis n law said her bowtie pasta was the only thing that was ok, the salmon was not. We asked to see the dessert menu and nothing looked appealing so we declined as soon as we said we were ok, as my snl was still chewing her food was asked if we were ready for the check and if she wanted a to go box. She replied that she wasn't finished but a to go box could be brought. She put her food in the container and was still eating. The waitress came back and said no rush but asked were we ready for the check. At this point we were like this has to be a joke lol. Time to go. read more

Caffe Luna - Farfalle al Salmone - Italian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

An upscale Italian place that ditched the starched white tablecloths in favor of effortless cool--buzzing, stylish, and somehow still cozy. Let the hosts get you in like family and magically find you a table despite the crowd. All the polish, none of the pretension, with warm lights, louder laughter, and the kind of confidence that says, yes, we're busy--and yes, we've got room for you. They keep it refreshingly simple at the bar: just beer and wine, no cocktails trying to steal the spotlight. A preferred starter - the Mozzarella Fresca arrives like a soft-spoken showstopper--pillowy, impossibly fresh, and gently glistening as if it was made moments ago, it's simple, pristine, and quietly unforgettable. I found the fiocchi to be executed with the kind of precision that deserves a pause of appreciation--delicate little parcels, perfectly tender, and unapologetically elegant. Inside, the pear brings a gentle, honeyed sweetness that never oversteps, just softly rounds each bite with warmth and balance. The lasagna arrives generously sized and impossibly soft, with layers so light and fluffy they almost melt at the fork. It's bathed in a rich, comforting marinara that wraps everything together--bright, savory, and deeply satisfying without weighing the dish down. From the thoughtfully prepared dishes and well-chosen wine to the impressively fast, gracious service, the entire experience felt seamless, satisfying, and effortlessly enjoyable. Cheers! read more

See all

We invited some friends to meet us at Cafe Luna after attending a function in downtown Raleigh. We have not been there in several years, since it was sold by the original owner Parker Kennedy. I have to say the ambience has not changed at all, but the food was not something the original owner served. The food was mediocre at best, the bread taste as if it had been bought at a next day bakery; tasteless and soft like Wonderbread. Our waiter was attentive, but the hostess never came to our table to see if our meal was satisfactory. Parker always came by our table to greet and see if we needed anything. Bottom line: I will not go there again and would not recommend it to anyone looking for good Italian food. Disappointed. read more

We had a 5 pm reservation and were promptly seated. A wine list and a menu were left for us to peruse. The wine list is extensive. Our server was very friendly and helpful. I settled on a glass of wine and true to authentic Italian, it was a very small glass. I settled on the lasagna for my entree. They served Italian bread and olive oil for the table. The bread was fresh. The lasagna arrived timely and was nice and hot. Flavors were good, although very little, if any protein. I ate 85% of it, even though it was fairly large. All in all, a nice place and I would return. read more

Caffe Luna - Italian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

See all

Love this place! Came here a second time because I'm gluten free and the pasta is so delicious, loved everything we had! Service was great and prices are so good. Definitely recommend for date night! read more

See all

Caffe Luna is one of my favorite restaurants in Raleigh. The food, service, atmosphere, and wine are always phenomenal. My husband and I had our wedding here years ago so we try to always come for our anniversary. Caffe Luna is the perfect place for dinner or your next event. All the food is very reasonable priced, especially considering the portion you get for the entrees! I don't go as often as I want because the drive is a bit far, but every trip is special! This trip we had: Calamari Fritti: a classic. Delicious as always. Mozzarella Fresca: light, and the the tomato was fresh and tasty. I had the Tortelli Crostacci: I'll have trouble trying something else the next time I come here, the sauce was creamy and so delicious! The stuffed pasta was fresh, well seasoned, and perfectly cooked. My husband had Linguini Pescatore: I tried a bite and it was delicious! He loved it. Delicious seafood flavor. Wine: Mediterra - Poggio al Tesoro. A delicious red blend! read more

See all

Atmosphere - OK. The restaurant was hosting an event in a separate (larger) room, so area that is open to the public was pretty small and the tables placed very close to one another. Service - Good. Our server was very attentive and friendly. Food - Good. I ordered a caprese salad and lasagna. The portion size of both was generous. The lasagna was served hot and the sauce was good. I like a little more beef and cheese with lasagna, but overall it was pretty good. After a couple of bites of the caprese salad I knew that there was something wrong with the cheese. Shortly after returning the caprese the server informed me that another table returned their caprese. When the chef checked it the chef recognized that the cheese was spoiled and that the management would be comping our table with a dessert. Given that I might incur an intestinal issue, I would have thought that the consideration fell short of what I thought reasonable, but I chose to be gracious. Overall Value - Good. read more

See all

Good food. Good service. Good atmosphere. Good price. We have eaten here several times over the years and this place is consistently very good. We will be back. read more

Excellent meal as usual at Caffe Luna, with large portions and lots of menu variety. The Caprese salad was tasty and mozzarella fresh. The NY strip was medium rare and two sides left me pretty much stuffed. The place was full like normal, even on a weeknight. I appreciate a non-pretentious authentic meal in downtown like the next guy, and I'll return to Luna as soon as possible. read more

Caffe Luna - NY strip - Italian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

See all

We visited during restaurant week without a reservation and they were kind enough to accommodate us. However, after an hour and half, the manager politely asked us to leave when we were done with our food. We ordered two different meals, however, the sauce only looked slightly different. The plating was poor and it didn't look very appetizing, but it was edible. The tortellini crostacci was a combination of different seafood, but it tasted like imitation crab meat. The Fiocchi was very sweet and the pear was overpowering the dish. The dessert looked like they threw it on the plate and wasn't very moist. read more

See all

A Delicious Italian Find in Raleigh! While shopping in Raleigh, we happened to wander into Caffé Luna--and I'm so glad we did. This place serves truly authentic Italian cuisine, and every dish tasted like it came straight from a chef who loves what they do. We ordered two seafood pastas, and both were absolute standouts: Tortelli Crostacci - fresh pasta stuffed with lobster, crabmeat, and prawns, all wrapped in a luscious creamy lobster sauce. Rich, silky, and packed with flavor. Every bite felt like a treat. Fantasia di Mare - a gorgeous black squid ink taglierini tossed with grouper and prawns in a very garlicky tomato sauce. Bold, briny, garlicky (in the best way), and perfectly balanced. As a garlic lover, I was in heaven. Both dishes were cooked flawlessly, and the seafood was incredibly fresh. Caffe Luna was such an unexpected gem during our shopping trip, and it's already on our list of places to return. If you're craving authentic Italian with unforgettable flavors, this spot is a must-try! Additionally, service is attentive and friendly. Food came out quickly and the mbiance is cozy yet has an open feel, with high ceilings. read more

We had a terrific experience when we dined at Caffe Luna. I ordered a creamy penne dish and everyone else at the table had the Chicken Parmigian. My dish was terrific - easily one of the best pasta dishes I've had in the Triangle. I snuck a bite of a neighboring Chicken Parm as well and it was also top notch. The portion sizes were generous as well. The atmosphere of the restaurant was nice as well as homey. It gives off a family vibe that I appreciate. And the wait staff was friendly and helpful without being overbearing. They walked that line nicely. It's an easy recommendation. We waited a while to try it, but don't make that same mistake. Heck it out. read more

Food is alway delicious! We snuck in on a Thursday evening without reservations at 7PM. Got great service. Shared a salad, calamari and shrimp fridiablo - even brought home leftover pasta. Be prepared - tables are close together and it is noisy. read more

What kind of Italian restaurant doesn't have butter? They didn't have butter for bread. They didn't have butter for buttered noodles. I had the Grilled Breast of Chicken with Rosemary Potatoes and everything was DRY. The service was ok I guess, could have been more aware for when refills were needed. Restaurant and bathroom were clean and it was nice inside. read more

Visited for Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week and had a great dinner! Despite a rehearsal dinner occurring at the same time, service was quick and attentive and the private room meant that the restaurant wasn't too loud. Wine selection is always surprisingly large and at fair prices. The rigatoni special was delicious, as was the portobello appetizer. The penne cappesante was good, but it's definitely not reheat-able because of the strong oceanic flavor from the scallops. I'd love to see the starter bread toasted--that would have been the cherry on top of our great dinner experience. read more

Caffe Luna - Penne Cappesante - Italian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

See all

My favorite Italian restaurant in Raleigh! The fiocchi is my go to and never disappoints!

It was a fine meal, but didn't stand out to me. Service was solid and ambiance was nice but the food itself was just okay. read more

Caffe Luna - Lasagna and Orecchiette Antica - Italian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Our first dinner while on vacation and it was perfect. I was so surprised to have really good Italian on our first trip to NC ever. Service was great and ambiance was nice. Outside is a bit confusing as I tried like 3 different doors as I walked around the building lol. I also wasn't wearing my glasses so more my fault :P read more

We love Caffe Luna! Growing up in an Italian household I'm very particular about which Italian restaurant I'll return to, and this one is a no brainer. We loved it so much the first time we went, we decided to have our wedding there! It was an absolutely perfect day, and we would make this choice again ten times over. The atmosphere and ambiance felt like I was back home in the Bronx, NY. It doesn't have that grey bougie modern feel most restaurants these days are going for. It just simply feels like home. For the wedding we did buffet style and it worked out perfectly. The way they set up the table was beautiful and efficient. People are STILL raving about the food. I've got the texts to prove that it was "the best wedding food" guests have ever had lol there was room to dance and mingle and it was just a fantastic day. The staff was personable and helped my coordinator ensure the timeline moved along exactly as we planned. We will be returning with others and recommending it for other couples looking for a more intimate (& affordable for 80 people) wedding! read more

See all

Disappointed with this place. It started with the hostess trying to seat us in the worst table in the restaurant (high traffic and next to kitchen). Then they sat us at the second worst one which we asked to move again. Here's the issues: Ambience 3/5 - really loud and hard to hear when talking. Not a good date place. Food 3/5 - started with the calamari which was bland. The Chianti was low quality. The Taglierini was just OK. The salmon was dry and overcooked. Service 3.5 - the second waitress after moving a 2nd time was better but she was probably busy and it showed. The one good thing was it wasn't expensive. read more

The atmosphere and service were excellent! 5 stars for that. We were greeted at the door and lead to our table. Our server was wonderful and very friendly. Where I feel they came up short was the food. The bread that came to the table wasn't warmed up, I feel like this would be a simple thing to do and would make it so much more appetizing. The olive oil was bland and didn't have any seasonings in it. I had the cured meat starter and honestly it looked unappetizing on the plate. It was fine but I wouldn't order it again. Nothing special. My husband had the Caesar salad which was well dressed. The entrees were good and flavorful however both our pasta dishes lacked salt. And there was not salt at the table. I got the tiramisu for desert and honestly it was terrible. So wet that it disintegrated before you could eat it. It was really bad and disappointing. Caffe Luna came highly recommended but I don't think it's worth it. I wouldn't go back even though the entrees were good. I think there are better options available for American-Italian restaurants in Raleigh. read more

Caffe Luna - Piatto Misto - Italian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

My friend, her parents, and I found parking in a nearby parking garage. Ambiance is cute and cozy. My friend and her parents got the chicken rigatoni. And I got the fiocchi, which was spectacular! I am still thinking about the fiocchi days later! Also, the server was great and let me slip him my cc so that my friend's parents didn't pay! And then brought my friend a slice of cheese (that was so good) with a candle for her bday! read more

I can't articulate enough how amazing the Farfalle al Salmone truly is - sublime. The overall vibe is very authentic and unique. read more

Caffe Luna - Farfalle al Salmone - Italian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

See all

Ambiance reminds me of someone's house but in a welcoming elevated way. Food was plentiful and the flavors were nice. Will definitely recommend for a date night read more

Food was decent. I got the linguine fra diavolo which was nice but kinda watery. It had quite a bit of spice which I enjoyed. Chicken Parm that my friend got was dry. Calamari was fine. Adequate. I ordered the tiramisu for dessert which was horrible! It's the only dessert that they make in house (but that doesn't mean that's a good thing). The lady fingers were so dry, had barely soaked through. The servers were fun and attentive. I feel like ours was attentive but not that friendly (maybe she was having a rough night or something) but she split the checks for our group of 7! Sigh, I feel so bad for people who work in the service industry. Overall caffe Luna was a cute lil spot and I would eat here again but it does depend on what you order for sure. read more

See all

This meal was perfection. We started with the stuffed mushroom and while the Gorgonzola was a little blegh for our taste, it was a true tomato galore! I ordered a cappuccino which was precious. Lasagna was a gift from above, with its juicy tomato base and tender of tenderest meat. I ordered the tortelli crostacci and holy moley, it was one of the best dishes I've ever had. The meal combined (little bites from each other's, so we could have some cream and tomatoey matrimony) was perfect. Our server Madison was amazing! We can't wait to come back. Service was truly wonderful, everyone so kind. read more

See all

My second time there but no improvement. The food (I had veal Parmesan) was hard to eat. It was tough and was obviously not made fresh. My friend had the lasagna and it was plain tasteless. I also had a cappuccino and it was cold. I will not recommend this place. Service people however were friendly. read more

Great food and service and very reasonable prices. Pasta dishes were hot and tasty, and the calamari was cooked perfect and tender.

DELICIOUS Italian cuisine in the cutest restaurant! I've seen this place so many times, but haven't gotten a chance to visit. My mom was in town for her birthday so I decided it would be a great opportunity to check it out. I made a reservation for a Friday evening through OpenTable. This restaurant is located in downtown Raleigh. Although there is street parking, it is scarce and there's other businesses, bars, and restaurants in the area that also use that parking. There are, however, pay lots and parking decks right across the street and a short walk there. The inside of the restaurant is small, but it really fits the feel and makes it feel more authentic. The menu has great options. They only have beer and wine for the drink menu. We both ordered a glass of wine and were given break and olive oil for dipping. The bread was really good. It was the right temperature and taste. I ordered the Tortelli Crostacci and it was so good. I love good Italian cuisine and this was fresh and flavorful. My mother ordered the Parmigiana di Vitello (Veal Parmigiana) and her meal was great too. The food was fresh and flavorful and cooked well. The prices were reasonable, especially for the quality and quantity of food. I have fallen in love with this place and can't wait to return! read more

See all

This was my first time here and the food was delicious!! I'm still dreaming about the pasta dish I ordered. My date ordered the chicken parmigiana and the chicken was delicious as well. I wish it came with more pasta but overall I would recommend this restaurant and I'll definitely be back! read more

See all

I had heard so many good things about this restaurant but this was some of the worst Italian food I've ever had. Little to no flavor, food tasted as if it was a day old and got reheated, I probably could have gotten better food from the frozen aisle in the grocery store. Ambiance/dining area could be improved, lighting is a bit harsh, tables are crowded, and the window sill next to our table had a large layer of dust. Service was fine overall. Would not recommend. read more

This place is amazing! We went here for my birthday dinner and I was very impressed. The service was amazing and quick. Although there were lots of parties and it was quite loud, I really enjoyed the atmosphere. This was the best homemade pasta I've ever had! They have a pear stuffed ravioli that is to die for! I would eat here every day if I could. Definitely try this place! read more

Caffe Luna - Italian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

See all

I absolutely adore this place. Some of the best food and service I have ever had. Highly recommend the fiocchi and farfalle al salmone, as well as the tiramisu for dessert. read more

The food was amazing and the service spectacular not too intrusive but attentive. The prices Wonderful! Hubby had Fantasia de Mare and I had the pear Fiocchi. A little loud but they were super crowded and it's an old bldg with a great history! Love love love Caffee Luna - you need to go if you haven't been. read more

Caffe Luna - Fiocchi (Pear & Cheese) - Italian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

The food and its presentation is fabulous. I hadn't been here in a few years and everything was better than I remembered- which was pretty good! The dining room is intimate and the acoustics are perfect for carrying on a conversation. Our server was excellent and very attentive without being intrusive. If you are looking for a meal before attending a performance at the Marietta Center or a quiet, romantic date night this place is for you! read more

Never go here. In my opinion, it's a farce based on restaurant mismanagement. This place deserves to fail. It is the most appalling restaurant I have had the misfortunate to visit in years. How it struggles up to 4 *, I have no idea. The place was freezing cold and when I asked for a raise in temperature the waitress informed me that the thermostat was at 72deg. More like 62 and she also said that several others had requested a warmer temperature already. She would try and get it raised a little bit. Are they on fuel rationing? When the red wine arrived the bottle was chilled and the glasses too. It tasted horrible. I had fortunately rescued the cork the waitress was about to take away, inspite, at the time of ordering, me asking if we could take the remainder of the bottle home. The following day we had got the wine up to room temperature, similarly the glasses and it was lovely. When the food arrived it was not hot, neither were the plates. We bolted our food in an attempt to eat it at least luke warm. The room temperature made that impossible. 1 of us had the orrechietti, apart from the temperature, it passed the test. 2 of us had the veal which in my opinion had the same consistency as meat from some old cow that has evaded capture for half a decade, sinews and all. The tomato sauce was good too, a nice touch of chilli, until it congealed in the low temperature. The pasta was over cooked and limp a complete disaster. The place has the potential to have a nice atmosphere but the unrelenting hard surfaces make it more like a busy pub turned bad on a loosing away day match, minus the fist fights. A double 'don't go' if you have tinnitus. I hate places like this which have the potential to succeed and are so disappointing. This is not the fault of the staff but of a lack of training and management oversight. They should really choose another profession. read more

My son had his wedding here in October. The atmosphere was very nice, service good, & the food excellent! Many guests expressed how much they loved the food. Some said " Best wedding food ever!" I highly recommend them for a wedding and overall dining experience.. read more