This is by far the best Italian food I've had beside in Italy! For starters, the service was top notch from start to finish. The cocktails we ordered were perfectly made and delicious. We had their homemade Burrata and prosciutto for an appetizer. It was AMAZING! Our entrees were so delicious as well!! Dessert was also lovely!! Cannot wait to go back! Such a cute and cozy spot! read more

Great experience dining at Luca! My boyfriend and I dined during the Sunday all day happy hour and what a great happy hour it was!! We ordered the Sicilian Calamari ($6 on HH), the Deconstructed Grapefruit Cocktail ($5 on HH) and we each got a different pasta - the Wild Mushroom Fusilli & the Lamb Ragu. Everything was delicious & the service was greatly attentive. We'll certainly be back to try more of their delicious happy hour offers + pastas!! read more

Luca is a diamond in the Capitol Hill area...small and special. Once we were seated we each got a complimentary glass of prosecco. Wait, what?!?!? Our server was knowledgeable about the entire menu and asked the right questions to assure she could recommend the perfect entree for each of the four of us. She also has good pairing recommendations for wine for each plate. One drawback--the wine is pricier than it should be. The meat and cheese tray was diverse and ample. STRONGLY recommend getting the fresh burata either alone or with the meat and cheese...Best I've ever had (and I've had more than I would publicly disclose). The deserts were good, but not as stellar as each of the entrees. By then, we were all so happy that we just thought, "Meh". Point is you might be able to get by without them. Fill up on the front end, or double down and get that damn burata for desert! Date night, family feast, solo indulgence--I'd strongly recommend the quality and value of Luca regardless of what you are looking for in a dining experience. read more

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Amazing food! The Luca dish reminded me of pasta in Italy. Bolognese was excellent as well. Worth it for the price in my opinion. Quality service and nice atmosphere as well. A little loud but thats my only complaint read more

Service was top notch and JB made our time extra special when celebrating an anniversary. The food was to die for and the atmosphere was lovely. There were 8 of us and our servers could not have been more attentive. This is not always the case with a large group. read more

We went here for a birthday dinner! Our waiter was super friendly, the food was all wonderful, and we had a great time. It's on the pricier side for sure. Worth a try if you're into Italian! read more

My wife took me to Luca for my birthday, and this is the best meal I've had in years. Our waiter was very professional, and had a lovely demeanor. The entire staff was great, the restaurant isn't noisy, and the background music is just right. Most of all, the food was amazing which is saying alot since I've eaten at hundreds of Italian places over the years. The manicotti I had reminded me of dishes I've had in Sorrento Italy. Even the desert was 5 Stars. Highly recommended. read more

OMG!!! What a wonderful experience my partner and I had at Luca! We went for restaurant week and everything was perfect. This is definitely one of the best service experiences I have had in Denver. The staff was super friendly and everything was timed perfectly. There was never a moment that we felt rushed. We were able to relax and enjoy each course without anything overlapping which is so rare. Most places these days give you an appetizer and 5 minutes later your entree is out - not here, we had the time to enjoy every bite so we practically needed to be rolled out of the joint by the time we finished, lol. We started with the burrata which was amazing, I had the mussels and he had the eggplant to start and both were also delicious. The wild mushroom fusilli and the chicken parm were both wonderful as well and for dessert - tiramisu! Such an awesome experience, wonderful service and food with a lovely atmosphere - could not have asked for a better experience. Thank you!!! read more

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Went with a group to Luca this past weekend. The food was outstanding. The carpaccio was incredible and the salads were great. We really enjoyed the charcuterie and bread. The pasta is house made and is heaven. The Pappardelle Bolognese was so good and the meatballs may be the best meatballs I have ever had. My husband had the chicken parmesan and it was fantastic. The lobster pizza was incredible- fresh and garlicy. I was blown away by this pizza. The food from Luca was really outstanding. We only had issues with 2 things- the pumpkin cannoli dessert and the service. The pumpkin cannoli was disappointing and the filling was not great for a cannoli. Most of us didn't even finish it, but sometimes desserts are a miss so not a big deal. The chocolate and pistachio tart was delicious though. The larger issue for us was the service. Our server was Quinn and it was strange service throughout the meal. One member of our party tried to order appetizers because she and her husband wanted to treat the table, but was told a bit rudely by our server that she would not take the order yet. We also could not get her to take drink orders. We had to point out multiple times that only a few of us had drinks and that everyone would like a drink. The service was stilted and uncomfortable throughout the meal. Everyone else that helped out table was great, but our main server kept acting annoyed. Overall, I would definitely go back for the food but I would hope for a different service experience. read more

I haven't been here in forever, but with the news that all of Frank Bonanno's restaurants require proof of vaccination or a negative test to dine in, I was happy to give them my money for a special occasion holiday dinner. They're still really good, though of course they were out of two items on the menu due to food supply issues like everyone else is having. It's pricey to eat here, which means you can only go once in a while, but it's worth it. Everyone's food was prepared perfectly, and the bread was excellent. The complementary small pour of bubbly before the meal was a nice touch as well. Also helpful is the parking lot directly to the north of the building on Grant St., as parking is very difficult to find in Capitol Hill. I was glad to come back here, as it had been way too long, and if they keep doing what they're doing, I'll be back again. read more

Really, really outstanding service. Noticeably good. Like a well-oiled machine, aniticpating the diners' needs. Leftover cheese on your plate? We'll bring you extra bread. Like sparkling water? Try this drink with rose hips, on the house. Doing the equivalent of finishing each others' sentences - but the service version of it. read more

Terrible experience with Luca D'Italia. We purchased a $100 gift card on Black Friday specifically to use for my sister's birthday dinner last night and were not permitted to use it - the very rude manager informed us that their back office systems were not working properly and therefore there was nothing they could do about it. Don't bother giving them your business, they do not take care of their (formerly) loyal customers. read more

DO NOT ORDER DELIVERY. I was craving Italian food and wanted to get something through doordash. I ordered a bucatini pomodoro and a zucca pizza. I got bolognese instead, which would have ruined my night if I was vegetarian and not just trying to do a meatless day. And, despite the order being on time, the pizza was totally cold with GREASE SOAKING THROUGH THE BOX! Not only was it greasier than a meat lovers from Pizza Hut, but there was no discernible gorgonzola flavor just basic cheese. Also my order was somehow fulfilled by Bonanno Brothers, evidently a sister restaurant but further away from me--maybe sort that out with your delivery partners?? Not helpful when you're already getting a bad meal. read more

Luca - More grease than pizza - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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After talking to several restaurants about hosting our 10-year anniversary celebration, we decided to go with Luca and are so happy we did! We booked a private room for about 18 of our family. Carli, the event planner, was wonderful and so accomodating. We had customized menus for food and custom cocktails (which we renamed-- so fun!), name cards, and tables for decor we brought in. We appreciated chatting with Carli a few times before our event, and her communication with us about the flow of our event. The price for booking the private room was also very reasonable. We served a multi-course meal, and everyone loved the food! Favorites of ours included the foccacia bread, roasted corn angolotti pasta, wild mushroom fusilli, and the red snapper. The service was also friendly and welcoming. We had a few children and teens at our event, and the servers were great with them, including when the babies got tired and cranky. Thank you again for making our celebration a fun, cozy, comfortable one for us all! read more

I had had several very respectful experiences with " Luca. The food was great, very expensive for Denver, but they kept me coming back. Tonight, they charged me for food I didn't order, left out some parts of my order and, after contacting the manager, I didn't get a refund on the missing items or the over charges. They can keep my money, but I ain't coming back. read more

I LOVE Luca!! Andrew made us the best cocktails. Just tell him what you like and he will make you a magical concoction that will make your tastebuds dance with sunshine and rainbows. The happy hour is the best and the service is always attentive. Thank you Luca! read more

Luca - Andrew and a lavender french 75..it's not on the menu..ask Andrew - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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Have to recommend the food at Luca!. The pasta and entres are very good! Superb service and a cozy, small dinning area add to the ambiance and experience. Wine and cocktail selections are also good. read more

We had a great meal last night at Luca! The service was impeccable, the food was amazing and the atmosphere was lovely. We chose to eat here because they require that you provide proof of vaccination, something that I think all restaurant should do. It helped us feel safe with our kid who is under the age of 12 has only been able to have their first vaccine. As a small business owner myself, I want to caution people reading reviews about a business. If someone leaves a one-star review, check out their profile or consider what they're complaining about. A guy named Zach left a one-star review and upon looking at his reviews he basically only gives one star reviews to people. I've eaten here often and it's a really wonderful place to eat. Also a note to Zach who made the comment about the hostess in his review, it's 2021 an age of inclusivity not 1921... His comment was covert but definitely hateful and ignorant. Zach deserves one star really, not Luca!! read more

Luca - Cheese and Meat Platter - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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Had dinner here with friends and family on a Saturday night. The restaurant had a nice ambiance and service was very friendly and welcoming. Overall the food was good. The Lobster Fra Diavolo was very spicy with the lobster meat off the shell and mixed into the pasta. There are different ways to prepare this dish and I prefer having the lobster still in the shell and served on top of the pasta. The Bolognese was reasonably good and so was the trout. Crispy Brussels sprouts were a nice addition to the meal. For dessert, the olive oil cake and the Tiramisu were both good, but the gelato was sorta meh. We liked it - but wouldn't call it spectacular. read more

9/10 this place is FABULOUS. The atmosphere is exactly what you want from a small Italian restaurant. We ordered - Burrata (10/10) - Meatballs (10/10) - Scallops (7/10 - I would have liked more scallops, more prosciutto less risotto with this. I also don't think I read the description very well when I ordered the scallops were cooked perfectly I just didn't realize risotto would come with it. If you like risotto this would be a 10/10) - Lobster Ravioli (10/10) - Perfectly cooked al dente and be sure to eat it with the Parmesan. Fabulous - Bolognese (10/10) - you gotta order this. I kept saying I wish this was a family recipe I grew up with. It's phenomenal read more

Restaurant week - my absolute favorite time of the year. This year, the hubs suggested we try two new restaurants, and put me in charge of figuring out which ones. I challenge I happily accepted. Having read 5280 magazines latest article on "Best Italian Restaurants" in Denver, I chose Luca to start out the week. Here were the takeaways: SPACE: Located the semi-corner of 8th and Grant, sits this small yet cozy restaurant. The adjacent parking lot, although designed for and named after "Benny's", is available for parking, per our waiter's suggestion, as he too, parks there. Upon entering, the space is larger than one would assume from the outside. With one large dining room and two smaller rooms, there is plenty of seating for all. The cozy interior creates an intimate setting and feels as though you have stepped into a warm kitchen in Italy! The lights are dim - and I mean REAL dim, like to the point where it feels like you're dining in the dark, but I guess that's the vibes they are going for. The table we were seated at was so dark, I could hardly see my husband's face, where as one of two lights in the room, was directly over my head, making it seem like I was being interrogated. Awkward. SERVICE: The host, who also happened to be our waiter, was friendly upon entry. He greeted us with a smile, and took us to our (really) dark table, in the adjoining room. He explained the restaurant week menu, offered suggestions of the truly remarkable dishes on the menu and had a glowing review of the flown-in daily prosciutto. He and another server were quick to deliver our food, ensured our waters were never empty and brought boxes upon request. One kind of obnoxious touch: the changing of silverware with each course. Literally, we each ate off 3 different forks, and had 3 different knives and spoons delivered to us whether we used them or not.  SIPS: While their cocktail menu was extensive (and expensive) we each opted for our usual. A vodka sprite with a lime for him and a glass of crisp house white for me. For $8, my 9oz pour was perfect, sweet and dry, the perfect combo. Only the first page of the cocktail menu offers wines by the glass but if you're feeling fancy AF you can order bottles of wine ranging in price from $50-$400. SUSTENANCE: I will admit, I liked my courses. My husband on the other than wasn't all that impressed. We started off with the arugula salad (which featured peppery arugula, freshly grated parmesan cheese, pickled onions drizzled in an oily vinaigrette dressing) and the house made mozzarella cheese with peppers, pesto and a few crostini's. The bread was carefully grilled and the mozzarella was so fresh! For the second course, I chose the Squid Ink Pasta (because I've been dying to try it), which was mixed with fresh clams in a white wine butter sauce. I easily slurped it all up and was impressed with the perfectly black noodles! My husband opted for the pasta with Italian sausage, which he found to be extremely bland - I easily boxed it up, and ate it for lunch today! For our final course, I chose the famous chicken parmesan, as this is an Italian restaurant after all! It was loaded with fresh cheese, spinach and had the prettiest sauce - all of which made this meal outstanding. My husband stuck with a traditional favorite - flank steak - and again, wasn't all that impressed. I'm not sure if it was the interestingly seasoned wet croutons under the steak or that the steak was wood fired (which literally tasted like a campfire), but he left without finishing the meal -which I again, boxed up! While the portions were perfect for sampling, everything we ate was doused in oil, creating a very rich taste which not all can stomach. We both left feeling a little queasy and spent the evening in and out of bathroom. Lovely. For $95 for the three courses and drinks, I'm not sure I'd come back. I would, however, enjoy coming for their happy hour, which occurs mainly during the week and all day on Sunday.  While we had our hopes high on this James Beard winning chef and establishment, our expectations weren't entirely met. Maybe next time, Luca. read more

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So yummy - we will be back. Great food, service and ambiance! Don't forget your vaccine card as they require vaccination. read more

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Went for the third time last night to Luca, the refreshingly downscale cousin of pretentious Mizuno around the corner. On each visit. I've found the food good though not outstanding and the service terrible. Last night we waited a full forty-five minutes between salad and entree after asking the clueless waiter several times about the food and when it might arrive. This is bad enough but to make things worse Luca demands a pre-payment of $20 per customer upon making a reservation & tacks on a 22% gratuity to the bill. The concept of a tip reflecting service seems to be lost on them. We won't be back. read more

Five stars for you Luca. My partner and I came here for a pre-valentines day dinner and you were everything we hoped for and more. First of all they give you a little champagne straight away which set the scene for a great evening. A little bubbly never fails me. We also tried the burrata which they make in house and it's delicious. I was not entirely sure how to act because there are some fancy looking people around here and I was wondering if I am inferior. But then I remembered it's pretty selfish to think some other people at the restaurant would even take two seconds to think about me over here at my table. Anyway i'm trying to eat meat after like 10 years of vegetarianism so I got the satanic lobster fra diavolo pasta and choked down as much of it as possible. It was awesome. We also got two desserts to go and those were delicious. When I ate the apple cannoli it was like I was slammed back into a pre birth state and I felt at home in my own body again. The staff treated us like queens which was nice of them. We'll be back luca. Thank you xo read more

My wife and I have dined her several times and love the food, but last night we, and our three guests were disappointed in the choice of music. First it did not seem appropriate for an Italian restaurant like Luca and it was way too loud. When we asked if it could be turned down the manager said it was "corporate policy" to have that volume. Give me a break! Corporate policy? Our group of five wanted to be able to hear each other chat over excellent food. It was difficult. As we left, the restaurant was almost full and one of us went to three tables near us and asked if they wanted the music to be louder. All said they wanted it quieter, so they could talk easily. Food for thought! bj read more

Didn't end up going here had to cancel and was charged $180 for canceling within 24 hours. Keep that in mind you will be charged $20 per person no matter a cancelation or no show. Doesn't seem reasonable considering I did call to cancel and didnt just no show. Lesson learned I guess, they'll keep my money and I'll never want to try it or recommend it to friends. Just very distasteful, seem more concerned with financial gain more than anything. read more

What else can I say? I was blown away from the minute we walked in the door. And seated so quickly. We sat by the table by a window. I sat facing the restaurant because I love watching how the restaurant does their operation and service. I work in a 2 star Michelin restaurant in nyc so I tend to like watching how they go about their service l, not only to me but to others as well. My gf sat facing the window because she likes to look outside the window for the view and scenery. Our server Al was more than fantastic. I loved the complimentary champagne in the beginning of the night. I got the wine pairing with the tasting menu and it paired pretty well with each course. All the people dropping the food were very knowledgeable. I knew most of the wines I had for my wine pairing but it was still a wonderful experience. This restaurant has the potential to get a star, just need to touch up on a few details. Wonderful experience. When I'm in Denver again, I shall return. read more

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Service was polite and friendly, but... deliberate. Wine selection was good, on the pricy side. Food was fantastic, and my bolognese was nearly life changing. We'll be back. read more

I've just come home from an extremely memorable dinner at Luca. I have not been to this restaurant for a number of years (so many choices in Denver these days), but it is definitely better than ever. The three of us shared quite a number of items so we were able to savor many wonderful flavors and textures. We started with a luscious Prosecco and three small plates: the crab cake, meatballs, and the carne crudo (beef tartare). The crab cake was great; heavy on the crab with a delightful aioli on the side. The meatballs were light with an intense flavor. The tartare was a very generous portion, very well-seasoned and with a nice texture. My only complaint was the accompanying toast which had an odd, charred flavor that really did not complement the beef that well. Our next course was the pappardelle which came with a very flavorful ragù. Just like everything else, the pasta and the sauce had clearly been prepared with love and care, indicated by the deep and intense flavors. We accompanied this with glasses of Barbera and Chianti and found it very satisfactory. We were still hungry, so we then ordered the short rib. This was amazing. The waiter explained the extremely complex preparation which was definitely reflected in a lovely dish that was extraordinarily tender and flavorful. The gorgonzola sauce was subtle and perfect with the beef. We practically licked the plates. Somehow we still had room for dessert and we ordered the butterscotch bread pudding. Another revelation. The intense butterscotch flavor was perfect. The dulce de leche crema complimented it well and the chocolate gelato tasted like it had been made only moments before serving. I could have done without the tuile, though. It really was superfluous and not up to the quality of the rest of the dessert. We had a Vin Santo with the dessert. Vin Santo is one of my favorite dessert wines and this one did not disappoint. The atmosphere was calm and welcoming and the waiter was personable, knowledgeable, and efficient. The other employees were equally friendly and helpful. I could not have asked for a more perfect experience. read more

I had an amazing experience dining out tonight. With no reservation I was able to snag a table outside just as the sun was setting. As I progressed with my meal, the hostess noticed I was shivering. She offered to bring me a blanket and came over with a super soft fluffy one. Let me tuck you in, she said. I was instantly warm and comfy. I think the hostess job is under appreciated and under paid. The host is the first experience the customer has with the restaurant. She can set or break the pace of the restaurant. This one was top notch. Not to be outdone, my server was spot on as were the food runners. And the food was amazing. So thrilled to have such an excellent eating establishment just a 3 block walk from my condo. 5+ Stars read more

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Did not get to try the food, but was seated and offered a glass of Prosecco. My partner and I waited 15 min or so to have someone come and take our order but no one stopped by or would acknowledge us. We left a $10 bill on the table and left. We had water and the free Prosecco on the table and were never given the chance to order. Not sure if we were ignored because of how we looked but everyone else in the establishment were being served or it could be lack of initiative to take care of every table. Either way, we were disappointed to not be able to try the food. The only person who was kind or seemed to understand hospitality was the one who seated us. read more

Best chicken parm in Denver. Service is always great as well.

OK, I'm not one to cry "RACIST!" at every slight, but this particular incident rocked me. I have been here many times, as I live one block away. I have never in my life written a Yelp review, but this incident rocked me. I was walking my dogs. I wanted their excellent grilled octopus. I sat at a table outside to ask the waitress for take out with my pups. She came. She ignored me. Others came after. And were served. I sat there. Then she finally addressed my presence, AFTER I said excuse me. I told her I simply wanted carry out. I had been there for 10 MINUTES. Here's the kicker. I am a Black professional. But I could not get acknowledged, let alone served. I complained about the slow service, and the waitress apologized profusely. She was all of 21. I am 61. Since, I was being ignored, I thought I'd take the dogs home and go back and order inside. NO THANKS! They told me I insulted the waitress and then said they would call the cops. For trespassing! After my order was taken. And I was paying with my AMEX Gold Card. Keep in mind, I am Black. I live in the neighborhood, and I'm a senior. The "Manager" a 20 something, then tried assaulting me. He kept grabbing my chair and daring me to hit him. He said I was mean to his staff for complaining. He was also in his 20s. I will never go back. I was the only person of color there. I just wanted take out. They denied me service. Saying I was drunk. Kids. I typed this immediately after the incident. So their drunk defense is a farce. read more

Went here to celebrate and they were amazing ! The atmosphere was cozy and intimate, our server Paige was the best, the Brussels sprouts were delicious, and the mushroom tagliatelle/chicken parm were both mouth wateringly good. We'll be back! read more

We came here last night for our anniversary for the first time and left disappointed. We did the Luca experience so spent $300 when all was said and done. The wine was delicious but the pours were very small and we were given 3. The first course was nice because we got to try a lot of items (cheese, bread and meats). The 2nd course was one small plate to share of a Alfredo kind of pasta (it was good but small and that's all that came). 3rd course was a smaller than the palm of my hand piece of steak with no sides, just sat on a sauce (again pretty good but that was it). It just wasn't worth what we paid, doing the math we paid twice as much as we would've ordering a la cart :( read more

Amazing first visit here. Of course the food was incredible, but our service with Steven and Joey was 10/10. Highly recommend for a fun night out with delicious food and drinks! read more

I had unexpected guests that had a layover on their way to New York. I was scrambling to find a place to go for dinner. Thank God Luca took us in. Even though we didn't have a reservation, they accommodated our hungry needs. Our server was a young man named Jordan. He wasn't a typical server. He actually listened to my friends and made recommendations that actually fit what they were looking for. He didn't just push the more expensive items just to raise the tab. He also nailed the wine recommendations to pair our dishes perfectly. I was so stressed trying to find a nice place to have a great meal so late, and without reservations. Luca came through, as always. Thank you guys over there. read more

Phenomenal food and staff! Had a great dinner. Highly recommend the mushroom pasta!!!

Horrible wait times. They don't warn you. First time we came it was a table of 4. Slow slow slow service and no explanation. Second time we tried to come, their system kicked us off their wait list. Awful place. read more

Everyone who knows me knows that I am a pasta connoisseur, and I had a fantastic experience at Luca. The atmosphere is cozy and would be great for a date night spot. They have unique cocktails and appetizers to share, but the real star of the meal was the chicken Parmesan I ordered. Luca puts a spin on this classic dish with thick, homemade noodles and burrata stuffed chicken- quite possibly the best version I've ever had. I plan to take family here the next time they visit. It isn't a cheap meal but I think it's worth the splurge. read more