Lucca is one of THE best dining experiences in Des Moines. The menu design is a four course meal where you can choose your own adventure each visit. The meal begins with a salad course followed by a pasta course. The cod cake salad was incredibly delicious! Both the gnocchi and the amatriciana were standout pastas. I had the pork ribeye which was succulent and cooked to perfection and served with a tomatillo sauce that was so tasty! Dessert is family style with an assortment of desserts for the table including a lemon cake and a tres leches cake. The service was great from start to finish including making the reservation (which I highly recommend). We were greeted the moment we walked through the door and quickly shown to our table. Since we were dining early, the venue was quiet for the first half hour or so, but diners kept coming in and by the time we left the place was hopping. It is very cozy and intimate but not so much so that you feel like other diners are on top of you or that you are listening in on their conversations. We brought our own wine, but there is a vast assortment of wines available. We enjoyed Lucca so much that we have made two future reservations already and are very much looking forward to dining with the wonderful crew there soon! read more

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I love this place. Not only is the food excellent, the team that works here makes the experience great too. I come here for lunch regularly because the menu is fairly priced & the food is quality. I typically order the cajun tuna sandwich because i don't order tuna regularly so it is a real treat. As a side, soup on cold days or the lucca salad on warm days You really can't go wrong with a majority of the menu as everything is good. Side note, it comes very quickly after you order (another plus). I've only had dinner here a few times. The menu is prix fixe with 4 courses (if i remember correctly). All of them delicious. Well worth it. Bonus -- drinks are made strong. read more

Walked into this place not knowing anything and couldn't have more delighted. 10 out of 10. Very warm and inviting, yet buzzing with excitement. Staff was so friendly and helpful. Would never order a beet salad or pork chop normally but so glad we took the waitress' recommendations...loved them all! Gnocchi was melt in your mouth amazing. Pork Ribeye was grilled to perfection. Perfect size helpings and desserts to boot for all inclusive price. The experience overall will make me come back and we are from Minnesota so requires a drive! read more

I was thoroughly impressed with Lucia for dinner. Their price menu and a wide variety of options was Amazing. Lunch was a completely different experience. Lucca does not take reservations for lunch (highly recommended for dinner seating). Lunch service format is very different where you go to the counter, order from an à la carte menu, and pay for your meal and drinks right there. It's highly efficient for folks that don't have a long time to linger over lunch. We honestly anticipated a similar experience from what we had at dinner and found things a bit rushed. Once we order the sat down at a table with a number and food was delivered in record time. They were able to accommodate our request to split what would've been a very large salad and we each ordered a lunch entrée. The ambience is very similar to evening service. The quality of food at lunch was good, but not of the same caliber that we had at dinner and the selection is very limited. I would have to say that if this had been my first experience at this restaurant, I probably would not have returned after the average pasta dishes and wide range of restaurant options in the downtown Des Moines area. read more

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Hands down the best restaurant in Des Moines! The gnocchi is absolutely incredible and I look forward to eating it again. I had the salmon for my 3rd course and it was also great. The gnocchi was hands down the star of the show. Ambiance was great and I thought the open concept of the restaurant was very unique. We had a bottle of red wine from Vietti and our waitress was very nice. read more

Lucca - Italian Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Lunch review: order at the counter and they deliver to table. Menu has a large variety of pasta, salads, and sandwiches. Service is quick. Lunch service is packed, but they go quickly taking orders. Clean and open space. Front area is narrow, but more seating in back. read more

Lucca - Italian Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Went to Lucca for an anniversary dinner and my significant other and I both loved it. We really enjoyed the fixed menu. I started with a Caesar salad which was very yummy. It was pretty mayo-y, but I didn't mind. For my second course I had the gnocchi. It is the fluffiest and light gnocchi I have ever had. My SO had the sausage risotto and it was delicious. Third course was a NY strip and scallops, both were very satisfying. The service was also very good. They waitress were so kind and very helpful and knowledgeable when it came to the menu. They were very attentive to anything we needed. The place is super cute and not very big which makes it a great location for a dinner for 2 (or a small group). read more

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I like the ambience. The food was good. The service may need to be more patient with slow eaters and understand not everyone wants or needs to be part of all the parade of food. read more

I can't say excellent enough... excellent restrooms, excellent food, and excellent service.

Lunch with a friend and we were first in line. For lunch you order and pay at the counter, pick your drink, and then have a seat -- so a different experience than dinner. Nice ambiance and food was ready promptly. The chicken sandwich was a little dry but overall good. I dipped it into the soup and that combo was delicious. Lots of capital building staff came in after us which verified it's a great lunch spot. read more

Lucca - Spicy chicken sandwich and potato soup - Italian Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

I had lunch at Lucca and was genuinely impressed by how fresh and flavorful everything was. I tried the Lucca salad and it was packed with tasty ingredients - chicken, bacon, feta, and a creamy parmesan dressing that tied it all together perfectly. The sandwich options also looked amazing, and I went with the spiced chicken, which was juicy and paired wonderfully with a side salad. The pasta dishes looked incredible too, and I could see why people rave about their roasted garlic spaghetti. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, making it a great spot to relax and enjoy a leisurely lunch. Overall, Lucca hits the perfect balance between quality ingredients and comforting, satisfying meals. read more

FOOD: For dinner they have a four course prix fixe menu. They have plenty of options to make sure everyone at your table is happy. I had the Caesar salad, creamy shrimp spaghetti, scallops, and the dessert for the evening. All courses were great, and everyone at my table left full and happy. I definitely recommend the creamy shrimp spaghetti - a light cream sauce that lets the shrimp shine. I really enjoyed following this with the scallops. Can't wait to return and try some more dishes! SERVICE: Our waitress was great. She was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. Food arrived quickly and was nice and hot. AMBIANCE: I really liked how the kitchen is open adjacent to the bar area. It gives a nice atmosphere that makes it feel a bit more intimate and casual like you're dining in one's home. read more

Perfunctory service, perhaps since we were dressed casually. Saw our waitress chatting it up with others who were dressed nicely. Food ranged from good (gnocchi and desserts), to just ok (salads) to subpar (eggplant, sea bass). Could have forgiven a lot if the service had been better. Never have I felt so unwelcome in an upscale restaurant. Will definitely not be back. read more

Omg am not sure what took me so long to have dinner at Lucca but it was absolutely a dream. One of the most amazing, best customers service you will have in Des Moines, they truly treat every guest like family and so accommodating to your dietary needs. The restaurants is cute, simplistic and very clean. The food was so good we clean up our plates. It's a prefix meal 4 course meal, Mediterranean carrot soup next was shrimp creme pasta, scallops and chocchocolate brownies. I can not wait to go back and try the rest of the prefix meal. read more

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Great spot for not only dinner but lunch! Food is always great and it's such a vibe. Enjoyed the food each time and will definitely be back!

Was in Des Moines on a work trip and this gem was close to our hotel. It's adorable and the food was amazing. All of the sandwiches were made with I believe home made focaccia. I had the Cajun tuna sandwich with a safe of the squash salad. The staff recommended a lovely rose. Everyone in our party loved their lunch and we all got a box to go. I NEVER take a box back to my hotel room but this was worth it. I think the owner greeted us. He was so fun and when he realized this was our first visit, he treated us like queens. The space is charming and while it was crowded at lunch, it was a great vibe and not too loud. On my next trip back to Des Moines I will go for dinner! (The homemade pasta looks amazing). If you're in the East Village go here!!! read more

Lucca - Lucca salad with the yummy Cajun Tuna in the background. - Italian Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Very cozy high-quality little Italian style restaurant. Great people great service great food.

Lucca is the best around warm friendly staff and delicious menu! The restaurant is super chic and vibrant

I brought my employees/spouses here for a Holiday Dinner. Fabulous staff, meals, ambiance. Steve even stopped by our table. This is an exceptional place to impress! read more

I came to this restaurant based on a recommendation and it was absolutely amazing! I was seated promptly and greeted with a warm welcome. I was seated next to the window and the waitress went over the menu. A fix price that included a 3 course meal and a dessert. I had the soup and it is hard to explain but it was very tasty. For my second option, I had rigatoni which I loved the flavor. The sauce was on point and you could taste the freshness. For my third option, I had Seabass. It was a great light option. For the dessert, you have two option and it is enough to satisfy the sweet tooth. Over the service was great. The food was great and the ambiance was great. If you need a place to go for a date, anniversary or anything, this place is it! You are welcome! read more

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When I come back home from a business trip, I don't want to go out to eat or really go anywhere, but Lucca is absolutely incredible. It's my first time at the restaurant, and they are incredibly accommodating to my lactose-free diet, and everything tasted amazing. read more

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Food was outstanding, Restaurant was full, yet service was exceptional and the overall noise level did not interfere with our table conversation. read more

I rarely eat "fancy" bc clothing, etiquette, etc are not my forte, lol. But lucca's great combo of elegance with a casual vibe hits the mark. Of course, impeccable service, sparkling clean and sleek decor. Multi course with options at each course. Service is swift but you dont feel rushed. Everything was excellent. The clam spaghetti was probably my favorite. Dessert with a glass of port, cant go wrong. Fair pricing for a higher end experience and quality of ingredients and skill at preparation. read more

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Our favorite restaurant in Des Moines. The lunch menu cannot be beat if you work in/near the downtown area. The food is always excellent and made fresh right in view, and the service is friendly, fast and professional. Definitely not a super formal environment, more casual at lunch, but transforms into a great date spot at night. My scoring scale: 1 - would never go back 2 - would not recommend and try to avoid returning 3 - would return if convenient or if others wanted to 4 - would recommend and return happily 5 - will always recommend and return routinely read more

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Everything was amazing!!! We will be back!! Make sure to book reservations if you plan to go. read more

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I was fortunate to snag a reservation at Lucca with colleagues one evening because one of them went there and held a table for us! It had been on my list, and I was not disappointed. The restaurant had a classic and classy feel, along with an intimate size that was just perfect for our group. We were immediately greeted and treated like family. Our group probably ended up ordering nearly everything on the four-course menu, and here are some particularly memorable items: -Al Forno (rigatoni): Mmm the rigatoni was cooked perfectly and the sauce was delicious! All I can say is mmm, mmm good. -Dessert plate: It was a trifecta of ice cream, a chocolate cake square, and a sponge cake square with fruit. -Wine: They have a lovely wine selection, and the servers were great about making pairing recommendations. -Service: Simply spot-on. Yay for Lucca! read more

Lucca - Al Forno - Italian Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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i was a group of five on a busy Saturday night for dinner. It was a perfect night and perfect meal. We were greeted warmly at the door. Our server was amazing and professional( and happened to be beautiful). We loved each course. We were served. We have been to Lucca many times before and look forward to returning. I also know from volunteer work I di Lucca is generous when asked to support local food pantries read more

This is a top five for us, easily! We love the inviting, always classy and clean atmosphere that greets us when we walk in the door. The business of the East Village literally slips away here, we're able to unwind and enjoy our experience. The scallops, they melt in your mouth! Always look forward to our dinner here. Prefix menu, you will not be disappointed. read more

I've wanted to try this restaurant for ages, and finally got the opportunity last night. I made a reservation for 8pm, which was the earliest available for trying to dine in on a Saturday night. They were offering a four course prix fixe menu for $43, with multiple options for each course. I thought the price was very reasonable for the quality and quantity of food offered. I got a pomegranate salad, clam pasta, amazing scallops and I honestly blissed out after that because everything was so delicious. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, the food was incredible but what really knocked it out of the park for me was the service. Having worked in the industry for a million years, service is a really big deal for me and these guys brought their A game. My water was never empty, I was never wanting for anything at all. From the hostess to the bartender to our incredible server, everything was impeccable. This was a special night for my dining companion and I and the staff didn't know that, but they couldn't possibly have delivered harder than they did regardless. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough. Edit: Everyone was also masked, gloved and super safe. read more

Lucca - Chicken Parmesan. - Italian Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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The wife and I got invited to dinner with a few coworkers and their wives last night. This was our first time to Lucca. What a fun experience. Four course meal with plenty of options. And can I just say? My roasted carrots and greens starter salad was one of the best, if not, best salads I ever had. The carrots were amazing. Coming from a fat boy that is quite a Compliment. We enjoyed the meal and look forward to returning. Staff were amazing and all the courses were perfectly timed. I highly recommend! read more

The service was great! The food was amazing. There are no decorations or loud music which was a nice change to a very over stimulating environment. They even accommodated for my young children. read more

Steve and his entire staff offer the best in a elegant yet casual dining experience no matter lunch or dinner. The Friday and Saturday full course dinner is especially 5 star in terms of wine selection and Steve's personal selection of Lucca favorites. Come for lunch but stay for dinner! Never a let down! East Village best plate award by me. read more

I had the best meal tonight at Lucca. Service was top notch and food was amazing. Cute place! Highly recommend!

As someone who moved to California 8 years ago, I have a newfound appreciation for these types of gems that are nestled in Des Moines that go unnoticed to those local to the area, or perhaps not fully appreciated. $45 a plate can seem steep for the Des Moines area, but after taking my boyfriend here a few weekends ago while visiting, he confirmed that our dining experience at Lucca was far and above a recent $400 meal we had in Sacramento not long ago. My boyfriend, not typically one to make noises or moan in pleasure over food, was making noises the entire meal and closing his eyes to enjoy each plate we received. Our day had been a bit bumpy struggling to find a lunch spot with several places unexpectedly closed for lunch, I felt pressure to make dinner something special and was lucky to find that Lucca had a cancelation and was able to accommodate us last minute. It was just the perfect ending to our Des Moines day that we needed. We can't decide which plate was our favorite because we loved everything we ordered. Our server was simply a delight. And they even brought a candle over to our table to make the night even more romantic and special. Thank you Lucca, we WILL be back again. read more

First time at Lucca and we did the prix fixe dinner. Everything was wonderful! My favorite was the lobster spaghetti -- the scallops were a close second. A cup of decaf coffee with our dessert was a great touch at the end. Couldn't recommend this place more! Great for celebrating a special occasion. read more

Everything here is excellent. The food is fresh and well curated. Service is exceptional during a time where good service is spotty. The atmosphere is friendly and inviting. Would love to see them add still and sparkling water by the bottle to the menu. (The tap water is not great). Love the 4 course menu! Thank you!! read more

Great food, great service! My server dayja was very attentive. The owner was there and treated me like I was vip. 5 stars!

While in town for work, I decided to check out Lucca for dinner last week. I really like the modern and minimalist atmosphere and style of the restaurant. Although the space is kind of small, I was able to get a table. My waiter was very attentive and helpful initially. Because I needed more time to decide on my meal selections, he told me that he'd give me some time. About 15 minutes later I was still waiting for him to come back and check on me. He and the other waitress working were busy talking to other guests. It felt like everyone in the restaurant knew each other, were regulars there, and were friends... except me. So I waited, sipping on my drink and eating the complimentary bread (which were both excellent by the way),, until the waitress came up to me and asked "were you planning to order food?" I snapped (slightly) "yes, I've been waiting for someone to take my order for 15 minutes." She apologized genuinely and took my order. The service was back to being attentive after that. Lucca offers a four-course prix-fixe meal for $40. It's a good amount of food for the price. I ordered the butternut squash soup, bolognese pasta, and steak. The food was very good particularly the steak. The dessert trio of the evening was also very good. The selections were very good and gave a good variety of sweet options for anyone's palate. In spite of the wait to order my food, my experience at Lucca was good and the food was worth the price. I would like to come back again and try some of the other options on the menu. read more

Holy cow... we went to Lucca for a celebration and it was phenomenal! It's a four course meal for $40 a piece. We were seated right next to the kitchen which warmed up the minimal design space to a really comfortable room temp on a cold, snowy night. I loved the exposed brick and the staff was very attentive and knowledgeable. They have wine by the glass or bottle and a semi-full bar. No ginger ale - as a heads up (from an Irish family of Jameson drinkers, I always feel compelled to note). My husband and I both started with the goat cheese pomegranate salad. For the second (pasta) dish, I chose the risotto and my husband the Amatriciana. His pasta had a bit of a kick but we both found it to be quite appetizing. My risotto was so divine, it took everything in me to not lick the plate. For the third course, I did the salmon and Brussels sprouts, my husband did the NY strip. These were both wonderful, largely due to the sauces. The tomatillo sauce with Brussels sprouts was a surprising combination with the salmon, and the balsamic with the steak made it so savory. For dessert, a trio of panna cotta with honey and blackberry, white wedding cake and a dark chocolate brownie with strawberry topping. I am white cake obsessed and found this to be a bit dry but the other two desserts more than made up for it and we wiped the plate clean regardless. We will 1000% be back. Such a lovely spot in the east village and the perfect portions for us to be full but not uncomfortable. For two on the dinner and two drinks each, our meal topped out at $120 - totally reasonable for an experience this lovely and a night meant for celebrating! -- at LuccaDSM. read more

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Lucca is a lovely restaurant and has wonderful service. The food was almost there. Some things were perfectly delicious, but then other things fell flat. For example, the salad that came to us was big, gross chunks of romaine. Why not spinach or spring? It felt cheap. When they went all out, it was great. But it was clearly obvious where corners were cut. Overall, with a few tweaks to the menu, this place would be top-notch! read more