We were visiting Detroit for the weekend, and we gave this place a shot since we were in the mood for Italian. Super glad we did! It's a smaller restaurant, but they make efficient use of the space by utilizing the bar and pizza area for seating. Upon getting there, we were greeted by extremely friendly staff. They did not have any tables available, but they would soon. They told us to walk around, and they would call us. They did, and we had a table within 30 minutes. Every bite of food we ate was divine! The limoncello wings were some of the best wings I have had. I usually don't get excited over calamari, but this calamari was fantastic. Our entrees were extremely delicious. What is not pictured is the octopus appetizer that my son got. Holy moly this was one of the best things we ordered!! I highly recommend this place and will be back on my next visit to Detroit! read more

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Stumbled into La Lanterna after checking into my hotel on a Friday afternoon while in town for an event. I just wanted a quick lunch before heading out later and ended up having a great experience. The bar was pretty lively for a Friday afternoon, even before work officially ended, but I was still able to snag a seat. The staff was super friendly, which made it even better. I ordered the vodka chicken parm along with a drink special since happy hour was just starting. The portion was massive, easily one of the biggest chicken parms I've had, and it came with a full serving of spaghetti. For around $25, the value was excellent. Super filling and really well done. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area. Great Italian food and great value. read more

La Lanterna - Chicken Parm - Pizza Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

I decided to treat my team from work here for a holiday dinner, and I was pretty underwhelmed by the service. Although our food was pretty good, our waitress was not very friendly. The place is pretty small, so my team took up quite a bit of space in the restaurant. Any time we asked the waitress a question she was very short and she acted as if we were bothering her, and truly did the bare minimum the whole time we were there. When the bill came there was an automatic 20% gratuity. As good as the food was, I don't know if I'm inclined to come back based on my experience. I feel that if there's an automatic 20% included, then we should have at least gotten better service, or at least a better attitude. It was disappointing because it was supposed to be a fun outing for my team before the holidays. read more

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Had a nice meal here with colleagues! We all enjoyed the different pizzas and even our gluten-free colleague was able to enjoy pizza! The octopus appetizer was delicious! They even gave our birthday lady a special treat. read more

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First time eating at La Lanterna. Stopped in after opening day of the tigers and it was packed both inside and out. Ordered the Americano pizza and an Italian peroni beer. Real authentic atmosphere and the waiter was prompt and courteous. If you are in the big D you need to stop and try it. read more

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Special shout out to La Lanterna for making our group outing a special experience! We had a very large group of people stop in prior to a show at the Opera House. I made a resy for 12 which unexpectedly turned into 18 at the last minute. Thank you for accommodating us with amazing food and service! read more

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They were very busy when I visited at 5pm on a Saturday evening, and with good reason. The restaurant is small with a few tables by the door next to the bar and more tables on the other side of my bar and back towards the pizza oven. The host stand was about a foot or two away from the door, so the line to be seated will easily spill out onto the sidewalk. I ordered ahead for a pickup order. It included Tagliatelle Alla Bolognese which was amazing. I wish it came with bread to fill me up a bit more, but it was enough to satisfy me. I love anything bolognese, and surprisingly this was the first time I've tried it with sweet peas. It was a slightly different flavor, but for the better. I highly recommend making a reservation, even if you visit on a weekday due to the small interior. But it'll be worth it! read more

La Lanterna - Tagliatelle Alla Bolognese - Pizza Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

A friend and I ended up here on a blustery cold December day during happy hour. We sat at the bar and had a great service experience with the bar tender. We each started with a cocktail, then had happy hour wine. They offer a good variety of pasta, pizzas (white and red sauce), paninis, salads, and appetizers. After going back and forth, as everything sounded great, we each ordered a pasta. I had a special with mushrooms. It was fantastic, just the right amount of chew on the noodles, the sauce was rich and creamy. The restaurant is not large, it's a narrow space, half a rectangle of the bar near the door and several tables before the open kitchen. If you are in the mood for carbs downtown, this is a great choice. read more

Overall happy with the experience and food. Parking is a problem there, but the pizza is good. Staff were friendly and helpful. read more

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I've been here twice in the last couple of months and absolutely love their Le Petite Pollo (it's basically chicken Parmesan) but it's delicious! Their homemade meatballs too? They're the best meatballs I've ever had. The boyfriend agrees as well. Service has been fine both times we went, it's a little walk around the corner from Campus Martius...It is VERY loud though..between the super high ceilings, no carpet, music pretty loud, if you're going out on a date night, don't do it with someone new. They won't hear you lol! 4.5 if I could but the noise , there was cackler at the bar and man did you want to tell her to take down a notch... read more

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Man OH Man...What a fantastic place if you love Italian food! Came here from a family member's recommendation who works downtown. If you don't know it's here, would be hard to fine. Service was great! We had Hannah who was SO nice and SO helpful. We ordered (per cousin's recommendation) the Chicken Parmesan and also the penne with a pear sauce. Yes you read that right. You HAVE to try it to love it. Really in truly EXCELLENT! (I was raving about the pear sauce and Hannah threw a few more pears on top). Was pretty crowded so they have a few tables outside on the street which worked out perfect since it was a lovely evening and not too crowded since no major events downtown. DO NOT PASS LaLanterna BY!! read more

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I think the best thing here was the pizza, next time I'd try that. The pastas were just okay, nothing special. Other than that, everyone seemed to enjoy their food and drinks. It can get busy in there and the place is pretty small, I'd recommend getting a reservation. read more

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Service was great! We got there 30 minutes before closing and they treated us as if it wasn't shut down time which says a lot! Drinks were strong! Pasta was tasty and CARROT CAKE was one of my top 5!!! We had the seafood pasta dish, their version of chicken Parmesan, some wings and the carrot cake for dessert. The wings sounded better than they tasted but everything else was good. read more

La Lanterna - Carrot Cake - Pizza Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

A large group of us (8) went here without a reservation. They were able to accommodate us by rearranging some tables despite being busy. The hostess and staff were very pleasant. Our server was excellent and went through a variety of choices and specials with each of us. We tried a few different appetizers including the pizza and wings and they were very good. The cocktails and wine choices were good. Cocktails were well balanced and all of the alcohol was a good value for the pour. I had a couple of different herbal flavored cocktails and I was very happy with the choice. For dinner, I got the salmon with some excellent sautéed spinach. It was exactly what I was looking for. The salmon was perfectly prepared and tasted great. Definitely give this place a try. We are glad we did! read more

La Lanterna - Blackened salmon with sautéed spinach - Pizza Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

Lobster lasagna was so good . I could eat it every day . To park around here you would have to park at a structure and buy unless you are staying at a hotel nearby. There can be a long wait if there is anything happening in the city but if not there isn't a wait read more

La Lanterna is one of my go-to spots downtown. It's perfect for catching up with friends over a caprese salad and rosemary fries (non-negotiable). I usually rotate between the bolognese with gnocchi, or the tagliatelle "ohh pasillo" -- all so good and full of flavor. The wine selection's always great, the service is quick and attentive, and the atmosphere just has that classic, cozy feel. Definitely one of those places that keeps you coming back. read more

La Lanterna - Gnocchi with bolognese - Pizza Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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Great food, good music, and a nice view. Sitting here and watching the world go by was so relaxing. Highly recommend! read more

La Lanterna - Pizza Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

What an unexpected gem! La Lanterna is one of those rare finds: understated on the outside, unforgettable inside. My husband and I agreed this was THE BEST Italian dining experience we have had in ages . The Tagliatelle "Ohhh Passillo" was creamy, bright, and lemon-kissed perfection. The Lombardia pizza brought that perfect Italian balance of tomato, sausage, and olives. And the absolute showstopper = Bruschetta con Scampi e Pomodori !! Every bite burst with garlic, lemon, and authentic Italian soul. Simply THE BEST EVER! La Lanterna is Detroit's hidden trattoria treasure. Bravo! We will definitely be back. read more

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This restaurant closes for private parties and this week I had the provide to be among the guests at a private event! We had to pre select our meals choices were lasagna, steak or salmon. We were served amazing apps: wings, bruschetta, prosciutto on melon, and charcuterie tray with meats, olives,etc. and garlic fries! All the apps were amazing! The place is an open kitchen and large space our party made the space very loud! So just be aware it is a loud space. (Need some ceiling baffles.) Loved it and will be back! read more

Came here with a few coworkers while traveling in the area. We had a great time. The food was amazing. I had the spaghetti frutti de mar it was amazing my peers got the chicken parm and other things everyone enjoyed their food too. For apps we had calamari which also was amazing. We also got burrata they enjoyed I didn't eat burrata so couldn't try it. Service was super friendly. It was pretty packed in their so service wasn't as fast but still reasonable time and friendly read more

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Warm and inviting Italian spot! Friendly staff with the most unique fried calamari I've ever had! Spicy with pepperoncini creamy sauce- so good!! Chicken parm is ridiculously good and creamy! read more

Tucked away in downtown Detroit this little gem is serving up tasty Italian fare and pizza with great service in an ultra clean, cozy, and warm environment. Rob and John tending bar are attentive and forthcoming with recommendations regarding their elegant city for a newbie like me. The fired calamari is simply to die for. It is creamy rather than dry and has the perfect mix of spicy and sweet. Had the meatballs as well and they were amazing a s well. Food here is spot on! read more

La Lanterna - Pizza Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

It's safe to say I'm still dreaming about how fantastic my chicken piccata was. From the first bite, the flavors were absolutely unforgettable--perfectly tender chicken, a bright, buttery lemon-caper sauce, and just the right touch of seasoning. It struck that beautiful balance between comfort food and fine dining. Honestly, I'm already planning my next visit just to relive it. A true standout dish that I'll be raving about for a long time. read more

La Lanterna - Chicken Piccata - Pizza Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

Amazing food and fantastic staff. My wife and I, along with her side of the family went here for a meal on a whim and were pleasantly surprised. We sat at the bar and were greeted by a highly energetic and happy bartender that was pretty quick to get our drinks and our order. He had a great, fun attitude and was happy to chit chat while he cranked out drinks. Lots of gluten-free options and the food was amazing. Satisfying portions, delicious sauces, and great prices. We try to make sure we end up here any time we are in Detroit. read more

Two visits and more come. WOW what an amazing experience from front of house, all the way to the quality of the food from the kitchen. Hannah took care of us both times and gave us the best service one would expect in a restaurant. Don't pass up a true and authentic Italian experience! read more

Food was really great!!!! Absolutely no complaints there. Although, the Super Slow service & Ambiance was less than great!!! They are super small venue and were pretty crowded to start, but hostess sat us with no utensils/napkins and our food arrived and we had to wait, and wait. super nice waiter, kind and friendly but you could tell he was new and couldn't multi task forgot balsamic drizzle, asked 2x for coffee and finally received but we were ready to leave and it kind got cold. Also, bar and front door staff we're so busy they seem rude and not inviting, had to sit outside too busy inside. chilly no heaters made it more difficult to enjoy the patio but we wanted to try this 2025 award winner. They will need to up their service to keep that status I believe. read more

Stopped in on a Friday night and were kindly told it would be a pretty long wait for the 2 of us, but they took our phone number to give us a call when a table was ready. The food looked so good from reviews we'd seen, and the crowd outside waiting in addition to the happy and energetic energy coming from the seated patrons made us more than willing to wait. I'm so glad we did! I got the Gnocchi Palomino and my husband got the Limoncello Wings and Lasagna. The staff were really friendly and helpful despite the business. It's very small inside, but we did not feel cramped when we were seated by any means. The texture of the gnocchi was unlike any I've ever had before- I enjoyed it! It was very soft and pillowy. My husband said the limoncello wings were incredible. He loved them so much! He is super picky about lasagna too, and he is not a fan of ricotta, but the lasagna at La Lanterna is different than most lasagna you will find other places. He really liked it and said he'd give it an 8.5/10. We also enjoyed the triple chocolate cake. It wasn't very sweet and had a light texture. It wasn't what I was expecting but we did enjoy it! read more

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You MUST start with the Lemoncello wings! Cooked to perfection and AMAZING sauce with Rosemary, garlic, and limoncello! The fried calamari was also cooked perfectly- crispy, tender, and spicy ! Our server Hannah was very helpful and had great recommendations! But wait...the main meals were even better!! The lasagna was THE BEST I've ever had-and I've had a lot! Their seafood pasta was perfectly sauced and so flavorful! The pizza---you can't go wrong, pick one. Definitely a must if you are in downtown Detroit!! Loved it! read more

The food was soooo good, definitely one of the best salads & pastas I've had around the city of Detroit. Service was very nice, attentive, & always made sure my glass was full. The inside isn't necessarily large, but still very comfortable. I would definitely eat here a million times! read more

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This is my go-to spot for a high-quality yet affordable meal in downtown Detroit. Whether you're grabbing a bite after work or enjoying a weekend dinner, it consistently delivers. I highly recommend sitting at the bar or on the patio when the weather allows, both offer great vibes. The food here is authentic Italian. I say that sincerely, I've dined in a friend's home in Italy, and this place instantly brought me back. The flavors, the quality, the attention to detail it's all there. Truly superb. The drinks are just as impressive. Ino, the bartender, is arguably one of the best in the city. Watching him work is like getting a front-row seat to a cocktail show you'd expect at a five-star resort in the Dominican Republic. His smoking Old Fashioneds are unmatched hands down the best I've had. Everything about this place is exceptional. We're incredibly lucky to have it in Detroit, and I know I'll be coming back for many years to come. read more

Went there with a Senior group. Great food and great service. A good place to visit downtown‼ You will love it read more

Some of the best local Italian food I've had in a while. Bravo! This place is not very large, so be prepared to wait or reserve ahead of time. read more

Probably my favorite Italian restaurant in Detroit. The meatballs are the start by itself. All pizza options are great. The Chicken Parmesan was not pictured, but was taken to go. The marinara sauce is beyond amazing. Would not have known about this spot had it not been for my United mileage plus credit card. Overall 10 out of 10 would recomm read more

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Excellent bartender ! Excellent food and service! We were there on Valentine's Day , of course it was 2-3 hours wait , they were super busy but so pleasant to everyone entering or calling the restaurant . Within 40 min, we found seats by the bar . The bartender was so fast making the drink and brought the food . We were on time for the show . We can't wait to go back . read more

The service was excellent and the food was amazing especially the calamari! A true gem! read more

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The food was great, flavor filled drinks with a punch. The bartender was fun, engaging and offered good service!

Went here for lunch with a friend and we ordered the calamari and burrata as starters and I got the petto di pollo arrosto (chiecken breast) for my main order. All of the food was really good and I would definitely recommend it as a good lunch spot. It is on a pretty busy street in downtown, so parking may be a bit of challenge. Also, it definitely was busy, so I would recommend trying to get a reservation if you can. read more

La Lanterna - Calamari - Pizza Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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Fab pepperoni pizza and chicken parm. It was freshly made and just perfect after a Detroit game. Our waitress was lovely. Will definitely return. read more

Came here for happy hour and dinner m. It's very cute inside, tiny but cozy. Our bartender was very friendly. He even gave us a free sample of espresso martini and was recommending great drinks for my partner. We started with happy hour beer and wine and the happy hour meatballs. The meatballs were some of the best I've had. The sauce was so good and I liked the ricotta on the side. They were pretty big, so we weren't hungry enough after to both get a full dish. We ended up splitting the tris di pasta which had ravioli, gnocchi, and bolognese. All three were delicious but the bolognese was my favorite. It was very fun to be able to try all three though! Definitely check this place out if you're looking for good Italian. read more

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The food was absolutely out of this world! The bartender sensio was making along with the cocktails.