I will start with the food. We ordered the little gem lettuce salad and the grilled polenta to start. Both were beyond what we expected. My wife had the tagliatelli bolognese and I had the porchetta. Both were stand outs. We finished with tiramisu (we had to share because we were both very full.) Our server was excellent. Couldn't have asked for better. Attentive and answered any question we had. As far as ambiance goes it was a really nice space. Not too big. It felt cozy and just enough "farm to table feel." If you get the chance you should go. read more

I'm no Alton Brown, who famously raved about this place, but this is just a quick note to Leeann and Taylor and their amazing teams at Luca. I dined there yesterday, Sunday, September 20th, and I can't say enough about the great service. Big smiles, polite discussion with us, everything. Kelly waited on us at Luca and she was fantastic. We enjoyed the burrata and the focaccia as starters, so delicious. I had the ravioli in the sun gold tomato sauce and loved it, and my husband loved the Sunday meatballs. For dessert, Affogato has long been my favorite dessert whenever I see it on a menu. Luca's is one of the best I've had. My husband loved the olive oil cake with the blackberry jam! This is a beautiful restaurant with comfortable seating and while buzzing with energy, not so loud that we couldn't chat over our meals. Lancaster is indeed lucky to have such a great fine dining restaurant! read more

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This was such a fantastic meal, with Housemade pasta, sauces, and ingredients. My friend and I were lucky enough to get a seat by the kitchen, so we enjoyed watching the chef's hard at work! One of the chefs even gave each of us a small tasting plate during our meal, which was such a fun and intimate gesture for this space! We absolutely loved both of the pasta dishes we got. Everything tasted amazing, and so incredibly fresh!! We ordered an appetizer of the bread to start with, this was the only disappointing part of the meal to me. The bread was very crusty, which is not my preference, I was expecting soft bread to dip into the sauces. The flavor of the sauces on the side were excellent. I would definitely come back here. If I lived near this location, the ambience is casual, yet it gives fine dining vibes with the quality of food! The service was great as well, and we really appreciated them fitting us in on a busy Saturday night!! read more

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Came to Lancaster for a watch event, had a great time, but what made this trip exceptional was eating at Luca as per someone's suggestion. Where to begin? The reservation system wasn't working properly so we took a chance and walked in. The hostess was great in seating us even though the place was fully reserved within the next hour or so. Sat us at a table which allowed us the longest time before the next seating. Friendly atmosphere and loved the open kitchen and bar area. The food was probably one of the best meals I ever had. My husband and I joked about driving the 3 hours for dinner again read more

Celebrating our 52nd wedding anniversary! Complimentary Prosecco! Service, Wine, and food exceptional! read more

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Super quality dishes that are worth the price. The burrata and focaccia were CHEFS KISS Ambiance and service is great! read more

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Luca is definitely a restaurant I would encourage to visit, especially during the summertime. The place is pretty spacious and also a cute place that has patio, bar, general seating and an upstairs seating. When the weather is nice they can open up sliding garage type door. The dinner menu is pretty straight forward with small plates, pasta, and wood burning oven dishes. I've been there twice, the first time I tried the BRANZINO that is wood-grilled and roasted, butter sauce, Arbequina olive 'condita' with soft herbs, baby fennel, garlic mustards, earl's spinach. I thought it was a 3 star dish because it was tough with some of the extra bones. The second time I went with the pasta TAGLIATELLE BOLOGNESE hand cut tagliatelle, classic ragù bolognese, grana padano cheese. For sure a 5 star dish. Both times they had a good wine list to choose from. Service was prompt and friendly that made the experience more enjoyable. Luca is definitely a place to visit and I would come back again. read more

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Just didn't hit the mark. It took 1.5 hours for dinner to come. Some dishes were cold. Portions were minuscule. read more

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I've been here with my family many times and it's always been consistently good. It's a great space and atmosphere for a night out. The staff is friendly and the food always tastes great. The gnocchi is some of the pillowiest and some of these sauces used in the pasta and branzino were addictive. The greatest deal at the kid's pastas on their kids menu. Generous portions and super delicious. Definitely our favorite restaurant in Lancaster! read more

Luca - Italian Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

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Fantastic service, we initially were seated inside but it was a bit loud (full house!) so we asked to sit outside which they happily accommodated. Outside seating was so pleasant and our server was very attentive. The food was delicious, we ordered the focaccia, the flatbread, chicken Milanese, and the gnocchi. Every bite was delicious! Really loved this spot and would definitely return next time we're in town. read more

Amazing dinner! Excellent vibe and setting. * Eggplant Caponata- marinated eggplant, charred escarole, grilled focaccia * Porchetta with Charred Escarole, confit tropea onion and savory herbs * Sunday Meatballs with whipped ricotta and a bed of polenta * Tiramisu Also had the delicious focaccia on the table as well. Great cocktails and wine too! read more

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Dined here recently with our family. The menu offerings are eclectic and different than other Italian establishments in the Lancaster area. The good: The food was very delicious. We enjoyed our wine, olive appetizer and entrees. I got the ravioli and my wife enjoyed the guinea hen dish. The portions here are not large, so it's good to get a few dishes. The ambience in the side dining room was nice and much easier to converse in than the louder, main room. Our server was very knowledgeable and excited about the menu. The not so good: The wait between our appetizers and entrees was nearly an hour. We had another event to get to and were somewhat pressed for time. read more

Luca - Guinea Hen - Italian Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

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Our party of six enjoyed sitting in the quieter dining room rather than the main room. Our server was terrific. Did a great job explaining a few complex specials. Drinks and starters came out very quickly. We had a little bit of a wait for our entrees which is why I've given 4 rather than 5 stars. My branzino was terrific and a very large portion. Some of the other entrees seemed a little small. Great place to try if you're in Lancaster. read more

Luca - Bronzino prepared in a flatten manner. - Italian Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

What a gem! It was our anniversary and we were treated like VIPs... Erin, thank you for serving us with a warmth, kindness, professionalism and a smile. Isaiah, your generosity and hospitality made the night memorable, along with your knowledge and expertise... The "My Chareau-da" (clever) was perfection. And to end the meal with the absolutely perfect sip, Dopo Teatro Vermouth Amaro, made it an extra special ending to our anniversary dinner. Chef and team: How could I forget to mention the food?! The Burrata small plate got us started (so good... we wanted to lick the pesto right off the plate), followed by The Luca Chicken (tasty, though you have to work a bit to get every bit of juicy meat off the bone) and Hanger Steak (medium rare, thank you... perfect), followed by an affogato (so smooth) and the delicious dessert you see in the photo (can't remember what it was called, but they boasted about the Lancaster strawberries). Great from start to finish! Worth noting: We felt GREAT afterward and the next day, a true test of good, real food. No bloating, etc. Last note: It can get loud, but it wasn't over the top. This is the sign of people having a good time! read more

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Probably a 4.5 star experience. Amazing place, can't wait to come back. The octopus over a bed of peas appetizer might not sound like much on paper, but it was hands down the best thing we ate and I could not stop raving about it. The octopus--a single meaty tentacle--was the most tender I've ever had it prepared literally anywhere, and the "mushy peas" were glorious and chock full of flavor. It was like sunshine on a plate. In second place (very close behind) was the burrata. The current iteration involved a savory herb sauce and while I think I would have slightly preferred one of their other seasonal versions of it with fruit or a little sweetness, the dish was still fantastic. Handmade pasta, check. The tagliatelle bolognese was perfect. The focaccia was very good, but I wasn't totally wowed by it and would probably skip it in favor of another appetizer next time. The apps, I think, are where Luca really shines. Just get a bunch of small plates and try it all. Fun, inventive cocktails and of course a large and unique wine selection (though the "by the glass" options are limited since they naturally want to upsell ya on a full bottle). Plenty of amaro on offer for after dinner. Loved the "espresso nona" cocktail. My only other relatively minor critique is that while the space was large and bright, it wasn't very comfortable and seemed more fitting for a casual pubby spot than the fine dining that Luca is. The tables were crammed in very close together which doesn't give you much privacy in conversation. And the chairs themselves were hard and not very supportive--a bit of a strange contrast given that their vibe otherwise seems to suggest that they want people to linger and enjoy being together. Lots of the seats in the place don't have backs at all and are just those metal stools. read more

The food is so good and the service is fabulous. Our server, India, was super friendly and so professional. We sat at the Chefs counter and all the kitchen staff were so friendly. read more

Luca - From our seat at the Chefs counter - Italian Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

This came highly recommended and we weren't surprised to see it was difficult to get a reservation. Randomly scored an early dinner reservation the next day for a table for 6. The restaurant was bustling at the bar and main dining room. Our table was in the quieter side room so it was less noisy and easy to converse. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable. Our bread and drink orders arrived quickly. Everyone loved their pasta choices. Would definitely return on our next visit to the area. read more

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If I could, I would give this place 4.5 stars. I've to Luca twice (so far) and had great experiences that fall just shy of 5 stars. 1st Experience: My friend and I had a reservation in the main dining area. The service was great, though the table ended up being very crowded with the two shareables and appetizers plates. We ordered two glasses of the prosecco, which was super refreshing and perfect for summer. For appetizers, we got the Crispy Potatoes and Burrata. The waitress suggested we get the Focaccia to go with the cheese, but we declined and the potatoes ended up being the perfect vessel. My favorite bite of the night was the shredded rhubarb, burrata, herb-sauce, crispy potato and aioli. Truly a phenomenal bite. For entrees, I got the Tagliatelle Bolognese. It was good, but not mind blowing. My friend got the Heritage Pork Crespelle, which was absolutely unreal. It was so good we forgot to take a picture. I would definitely choose a seasonal special next time instead of a menu staple, at least for the main course. Both of us left the restaurant on the verge of a food coma and we were both glad of our decision to not order the bread. The only thing that wasn't great was how uncomfortably warm the restaurant was. We were seated in the front near the patio and the only reprieve of heat happened when a server opened the door (it was 80 degrees outside). 2nd Experience: My friend and I found ourselves back at Luca for a second time in the same week. This time we opted for a more casual dinner with a reservation at the bar top. I stuck with the prosecco for the night; I simply cannot get enough of it. My friend ordered the Lambrusco Spritz and Monte Mule. She liked the Spritz better, but both were drinks were good. This time around, we stuck with the appetizer plates. We ordered the Burrata and Crispy Potatoes combination again. People are sleeping on this combo. We also ordered the Little Gems Salad. Lettuce with some sort of lemon-garlic dressing and parmesan cheese truly has no right being that good. I almost enjoyed the bar seating better, but I think it really boils down to liking the appetizers more than entrees, the restaurant being MUCH cooler in temperature, and personal preference. read more

Luca - Crispy potatoes, burrata, & prosecco. - Italian Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

There's a lot of hype around LUCA and after my first visit, I can say it's deserved. I had originally hoped to eat here with some friends, but a week ahead they were already booked solid. But I stopped by with a friend a couple hours ahead of time to just get a cocktail and a snack and was not disappointed. They squeezed us in at the bar (I promised to be gone before their reservations started arriving) and had great food and drink. It's a beautiful spot and the service is sterling. read more

Coming from an Italian food hotspot I'm always curious how Italian is other places. I stopped in for dinner on a business trip and was seated at the bar as it was a busy Sunday night. The bartender was attentive and helpful! I ordered the Sunday meatballs and they were very flavorful but I'd say a little over cooked. I also got a hot dessert cocktail which finished the meal perfectly! read more

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I had dinner at LUCA on Sunday evening when I was passing through Lancaster on the way back to Baltimore, and it was one of the best meals I've had recently. Someone I met in the food industry recommended LUCA to me back in October of last year at a food event in Baltimore I attended, and I never forgot. I'm so glad he did. LUCA is a farm-driven Italian kitchen focusing on wood-burning, locally sourced vegetables, meats, and handmade pastas. The restaurant is beautiful but casual, elegant but fun. Because I was enjoying a solo meal, I sat the bar, but they have outside seating and plenty of indoor seating as well. I started with a glass of Vermentino (they have a great wine list, especially if you're open to ordering a bottle, but they also have other drink options) while I struggled with what to order (there was so much I wanted on the dinner menu and then there were a few specials to mull over, too). Luckily, their service at the bar is wonderful, and one of the bartenders helped me make some choices. I started with their Insalata di Campo (Lancaster County lettuces, herbs, flowers, and peach vinegar from last year's harvest), which was one of the best salads I've had in ages (so simple; they completely let the locally sourced ingredients speak for themselves). Then I had their Tajarin pasta course: thinly-cut egg pasta, white wine rabbit ragu, toasted garlic, summer herbs, and Parmigiano Reggiano. It was incredible. I'd eat it again right now. I'm drooling just thinking about it as I write this review. At some point there was another glass of wine (a Chardonnay this time.) I was full at this point but couldn't resist taking a dessert home for later - a slice of their olive oil cake with fruits and herbs - another winner (when I ate it home later). LUCA has it all - great food, great drinks, great service, great atmosphere. I can't wait to return. There are other reasons to return to Lancaster, but LUCA is a big reason, too. read more

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Holy crap, a restaurant that has been around for 90 years and still does it right. Chelsey bread, perfect. Pizza, just the right amount of char on the thin crust. Server, out of this world. Watching the pro that she was managing the entire dining room by herself was a sight to behold. And, the decor, encompassing decades was awesome. Do yourself a favor and make a reservation. We arrived at 11:10am, and got one of the last 2 tables that weren't previously reserved. read more

Took my wife for her birthday last night. I cannot express how amazing this place is. The food is so far above the typical "out of a drum" Italian fare we get around here they cannot even compare. Every dish is hand crafted and cooked perfectly. The flavors are subtle and intricate. It was amazing. The service was just the right amount of attentive without being intrusive and the atmosphere was open and somehow still personal. Love chef Nate. Congratulations and well done. Thank you. read more

Luca - Apps are enough. Order them all. - Italian Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Horrible. Wow! Just horribly wow! Parking terrible cuz there isn't any; my server(bartender) Chris: condescending and treated me like a 5 year old bcuz I wanted a second glass of wine! I guess I drank my first one faster than he deemed appropriate. Now, I get it...if a patron is visibly intoxicated; I worked hospitality as well...BUT, I live around the corner, I had walked there with my wife...I was friendly/cordial/accommodating, yet CHRIS found the need to belittle my wife and I, with phrases like "let's just sip this glass for a bit longer" and "well...looks like we're out of white wine." Look, CHRIS...if you're attempting to cut someone off bcuz you think they're overly intoxicated, then have the balls to say so, and do so. I was not drunk or obnoxious and simply wanted another glass of wine. Cordially left you a nice tip on our (2) glasses of wine that cost $30 and walked around the corner to our house, AND had a glass of wine. You are young; your company couldn't care less; you had your eye on other patrons you deemed more lovely than us...so bottom line: SHAME ON YOU CHRIS. Grow a pair. And SAY what you mean, if you think it's appropriate. I guess if you don't order food you're treated like crap. I challenge management to contact me, but that'll NEVER happen. Bad neighbor. Very disappointing. read more

Vibes here were immaculate. I'm so sorry I can't quite remember the name of our server but he was one of the bartenders ! He was super sweet and kind and was very helpful in picking what we wanted to eat / was very excited about our selections for us. Upon sitting at the bar, you could tell that a lot of people came back as regulars because of him. This guy was super friendly (and had really awesome tattoos) and it showed in the way customers loved him too. Aside from the service and atmosphere, the food was delicious. Who knew cabbage and flatbread could taste the way it did?? The entrees we got were perfectly seasoned as well. We chose LUCA on a whim and honestly, great choice. If I'm ever back in Lancaster, I'd come back here FOR SURE read more

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Food, Service and Ambiance were 15/10!!! Very Enjoyable. I would recommend the chefs table for the view of the kitchen while they cook your meal. It was truly visually satisfying! read more

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Great pizza every time I place an order when Iam in my mother in-law home in Ashland they are great from the service on the phone to in timely delivery thanks guys keep it up !!! read more

Luca was a very good experience. It's one of Lancaster's top five restaurants and I could see why. If you don't have a reservation, get ready to wait a long time to be seated. There is a small parking lot, adjacent to the restaurant, but there is plenty of street parking, as well. The restaurant has very nice decor, is always fully committed, and has a limited menu. However, that menu has items that'll make your meal memorable and delicious. We started with the Stracciatella small plate (creamy mozzarella cheese, braised artichokes alla romana, herb sauce, foccacia bread). This dish was so good. The creaminess of the cheese enveloped every forkful of artichoke and this starter was an excellent choice. Our entrees were, as follows: Swordfish (wood-grilled and glazed, salsify butter sauce, young kale, green garlic, grilled and marinated mustard greens, smoked ramp agrodolce). I cannot commend this dish enough. You didn't need a knife, it contained the optimum amount of saltiness, I enjoyed every bite, and didn't want it to end. It was also my first time ordering swordfish. The Luca Chicken (brined and wood oven-roasted natural chicken, wood-grillef broccolini, rosso di milano onion, wilted dandelion greens, n'duja glaze). The chicken contained A LOT of meat, was perfectly seasoned , and was more enjoyable consumed by hand, in order to get every bit of meat off of the bones. The service was impeccable and we appreciated our Server, Angelina's, recommendations. If you're in Lancaster, please make plans to enjoy a meal at Luca. read more

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Great atmosphere and the food was amazing. For a short stay in Lancaster I'm really glad we were able to fit this one in.

After hearing a few people rave about this place, my husband and I decided to come here for date night. We made reservations as we figured it would be busy on a Sunday night. We were greeted by the friendly hostess and that's where the night went downhill. We were sat in the room off to the left, which was not overly warm and welcoming. It was awkwardly quiet and the tables were too close together so having a conversation was like having one with everyone else. The server took quite some time to get to us and our drinks took a bit as well. We started off with the oysters which were fantastic. Those should def never leave the menu. I couldn't wait to order the lobster special but she said they sold out of it the day before. I was really bummed bc my options are super limited here. My husband said the meatballs were okay but the texture of his polenta was super gritty and lacked flavor. I got the chicken entree and it was dry and it just felt like an incomplete dish. read more

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I love the ambiance in Luca. It's open and a cool vibe. The service is fun and my food tasted really delicious. I would like to try other dishes. Parking can be hard. Don't park in front of peoples houses in the neighborhood. read more

Do not miss this place on your delicious dining list! Luca is like coming home to Nonna's for authentic delicate and delicious flavors of Italy! We were seated at the chef's table and actually got a show with our dinner. It was a chilly night, & the multiple blazing fires in the pit and oven warmed us too. We had the focaccia bread and bufalo mozzarella with thin sliced prosciutto and it was magnificent! Then my wife had the fresh homemade pasta ravioli and I had the gnocchi with mushroom sauce and asked them to add a few slices of prosciutto for a protein. It also had roasted pumpkin seeds crushed on top. For dessert, we shared the Tiramisu and it certainly didn't disappoint! It was excellent and moist with a grated cocoa smothering the whole top surface. It was wonderful ambiance for an exquisite meal. If you love real Italian, you must try this, you'll love it! read more

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What a great vibrant place to go to for great food, friendly staff and a very hip, swank atmosphere. You'll see everything from formal wear to casual blue jeans. Prices are comparable to other high end restaurants so it's worth a visit if you're in the mood to have some fantastic food and fun times with friends. It's not a place for an intimate first date due to it being in probably an old warehouse so you get a lot of echoing from other patrons so it can get pretty loud. Drinks are plentiful & flavorful. They even make their own wine. The Apples to Apples is a seasonal drink & of course tastes like ummm apples. Very tasty & puts you in the holiday spirit. Small plates I went with the crispy potatoes which were phenomenal and the rosemary makes these potatoes sing. We also tried the smoked squash which was absolutely delicious. You can really taste the smoke which compliments the squash perfectly. For my main, I picked the gnocchi with mushrooms. The only thing I didn't enjoy about the dish was that it ended. I could have easily ate another plate of these perfectly prepared gnocchi and the brown sauce left me wanting to lick my plate clean (no I did not lick my plate, but I definitely wanted to). Staff are super friendly & helped us select just the right meal & drink. Would highly recommend Luca to anyone looking to have a great time with some friends & have some absolutely amazing and delicious food & drinks while doing it. read more

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We went to LUCA last night for my wife's birthday. I had only heard great things so perhaps my expectations were set too high. For appetizers we ordered the Caraflex Cabbage (the best part of the night), and the Gnocco Fritto, which was basically a savory take on a beignet. For our main courses we picked the Bollito Misto, which was good but not great. My wife picked the hunters lasgnetta which was frankly disappointing. I will come back because the atmosphere, service, and drinks were great. Next time I will make different menu choices. read more

10/10 AH-MAZING. I'm not a big Italian fan but it was so good. Highly recommend. The appetizers are very different but so tasty, rice balls are a must read more

This is the best and most consistently rewarding restaurant in Lancaster. The menu, though not expansive, is always balanced and on point and demonstrates culinary thoughtfulness that you don't often find these days. What I appreciate the most is that despite having eaten here dozens of times, the chef still surprises me with new presentations, tastes and textures that delight me. There's lots more good to say about the vibe, well organized delivery and pleasant knowledgeable staff. We return here regularly for the privilege of being delighted. We suggest you try it at least 3 times to experience the seasonal variety and to share in the joy that the chef and the staff consistently bring to the experience. read more

Finally got back here last night for a wonderful anniversary dinner! Perfection. Good, ambience, service. We will return soon!

Well, the menu may be very short. They have absolutely put in the consideration and effort to ensure that what they serve is enjoyable. Their homemade pasta is delightful and their drinks offer an elevated cocktail experience. I will absolutely return here. read more

While the food was good, it was odd the dinner menu didnt list any pizzas. Waitress said its in another location but why does this listing have pizza images?! read more

Fancier menu with more authentic Italian variety. If you're looking for pizza for your kids. This ain't it. We will report that our kids were very unimpressed, but they have terrible taste. Us adults truly enjoyed our meal, even though it was a little buzzing in here. They were very kind in squeezing us in without reservations, so if you are thinking of simply dropping in, be sure to try to reserve in advance. read more

Luca - Main dining room viewed from loft above. - Italian Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania