This is a great neighborhood spot for GOOD Pasta! All of their pasta is homemade in house & I go for the Carbonara every timeeee. This is nice spot with tablecloths and fresh flowers on every table, and the service is always great!! read more

See all

We had a reservation for a large table to celebrate a milestone birthday here a few weeks ago. What a darling hidden local gem! The service is impeccable. The dining room is small and intimate, with a wood-burning fireplace quietly crackling. It feels a little old-school and special with the classic white linen tablecloths, traditional silver and china, and the best part is no loud music blaring! Come here for an intimate date night or a cozy dinner to connect with a friend. I think you could not go wrong with any of their homemade pasta dishes. Our table especially loved the ravioli with tender braised pork lamb. The house made bread and butter and the beautiful lemon soup I started with was perfect - trust me on the soup! I wish I had taken a picture. The seafood was delicious as well. I enjoyed the olive oil cake but it would have been nothing without the fruit sauce. The angel food cake was better, and the coffee was top notch. read more

See all

Ate in this special, cozy Italian spot many times when I lived in the area, and this impromptu visit did not disappoint. Ellen was my very friendly and sweet server with good advice! I had the housemade Jersey cow cheese ravioli with housemade pesto and carpaccio short rib . . Delish! read more

See all

My first visit to Luci Ancora was really a treat. We just happened to find our selves in the Mac/Groveland neighborhood and stumbled upon this sweet place via, Yelp -- of course. We didn't have reservations (and I'd suggest them), but the host found us a spot and the meal and service were fantastic. There is an extensive beer, wine and cocktail list. The server was fun, patient, enthused and informed about the offerings and suggested some really wonderful food. We started with the classic Caesar salad (with anchovies and homemade croutons) which was so fresh and so tasty. We moved on to different pastas. I really enjoyed the fettuccine con funghi ~ housemade heritage grain ribbon pasta, wild mushrooms, truffle oil + parmesan butter. I am still thinking about it. The vibe is friendly, the atmosphere is warm and comfortable. And again, ever member of the staff were so great! You'll find a parking lot out front and street parking. From Minneapolis, the Ford Avenue Bridge makes access really simple. read more

Luci Ancora - Fabulous Luci Ancora! - Italian Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

See all

We always passed by this place but never really went in. One night we did and we always wonder why we did not go earlier. Service and Ambiance are definitely friendly and cozy. Foods are amazing. Proper Caesar Salads, but the star is definitely the house made pasta...just order any pasta, it is guarantee to your satisfaction One of the staff actually made her own Pistachio Gelato. It is one of the best gelato I have ever eaten. It is very Pistachio-y! Just creamy pistachio that melted in your mouth. read more

See all

The Food, AMAZING. The Service, Fabulous. The Ambiance, divine! Went for a wedding dinner with some friends and it was the perfect mix of elegant and casual. The staff was beyond amazing, will definitely be coming with the family. You pay for what you get, and I most definetly agree that the price was well worth what we received in service and food! The food was so fresh and great portions! read more

Luci Ancora - Pasta Carbonara, Salmon, the yellow thing is a type of delicious potato, flourless chocolate slice, Caesar salad, - Italian Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

For many years, we have driven by this restaurant and would comment that one of these days we need to check it out. After our fabulous experience last night, we definitely will not take a couple years to come back. We ate inside due to it being a rather hot day. They do have a small outdoor patio. Our server Justice was excellent. She was attentive without being intrusive. Had a great smile and helped explain the menu choices. Thanks to her recommendation my wife ordered the fettuccine con funghi. My wife was gracious enough to share some of it with me and I have already made the decision to order that dish on our next visit. I ordered my favorite Italian dish, which is always the Bolognese. I was very pleased with the rigatoni à la Bolognese. I would highly recommend. read more

Beautiful, minimalistic interior design. Looks out to St Cates across Randolph; outdoor dining is near the small pkg lot. Great food & helpful wait staff. My sister & I had the 4-course tasting menu & a refreshing house Chardonnay. Paired well w/ the tasting menu. Lovely evening exploring a neighborhood restaurant! read more

See all

Food was so good, perfect portions of everything we ordered. service was amazing , our waitress was so accommodating , I've never had any service like it before , I wish I could remember her name but she took good care of us 8 adult and 2 kids! I wish I took a picture of our food but it just looked so good , I couldn't wait ! read more

We had a fabulous time eating dinner here. It's a tiny well lit dining room with big windows. Great for an anniversary dinner or something a little fancier. Knowledgeable staff with rotating specials. read more

See all

Had a lovely first meal here a few weeks ago! I had been putting off a finer dining experience lately due to rising prices everywhere but my three courses ended up around $50 (definitely could have been pricier if I went with other items) which is not that unreasonable given you can't get a fast food meal for less than $20 nowadays! They were also offering a tasting menu with half portions of all the night's specials for $65 I believe. I made a reservation for 5:15 thinking it may be too early but by the time I left around 6 it was bustling. Parking was still available in the lot but full when I left--I'm sure street parking would be fine as well. I was dining alone which I enjoy doing often; sometimes hosts will seat me at the bar or a table that isn't necessarily ideal placement due to it just being me but I had a nice table by the window which I appreciated. I had the Mista salad as a starter (delicious--really good cheese and dressing) and the ravioli as a main (wonderful--I will be thinking about the pesto for a while!) Dessert was the tiramisu which was an excellent final course to my evening. Staff was polite and attentive and the overall atmosphere was delightful. I will definitely be back! read more

I had not been back here in a little while, and I am kicking myself for waiting so long to come back. This is such a gem in the neighborhood. I love the outdoor patio area that they have added. It is so Italianesque with the lights and the tables... Their homemade pasta is wonderful! They use an heirloom grain that is easier on stomachs that are sensitive to gluten. I have seen literature on this a few times and although I don't struggle with that sensitivity I can tell you I appreciate the use of local heirloom grains. And... We had their fettuccine and their rigatoni and they were amazing. The bit of fat that was left on my spare rib meat for my fettuccine was just the right amount and so soft that it literally just melted into the pasta. YUM! Our waitress had very good recommendations on wine, and entrées. We were perfectly sated and so did not have dessert but I love finding a place that has all homemade desserts. They looked great!!! My sincerest apologies for no pictures... We were just enjoying the evening, atmosphere, and conversation too much. Take my word for it everything was beautiful read more

Always fantabulous. The food, the wine, the service... all are spectacular. Family owned and they treat you like you are family! The decorate is simple, but elegant. And, important to me, you can talk to your friends without yelling across the table. You can hear them and they can hear you in your normal voice. Every table has a fresh flower. LOVE THIS PLACE! read more

I was looking forward to dinner at this restaurant with my husband and friends. Unfortunately we all ordered the pasta. It was awful! The gluten free pasta (only option) was soft and tasteless. We had different items but all had a similar reaction. The soup was a starter and that was good. Will not be returning. read more

Luci is amazing! I've been there a few times now and it never disappoints. Portions are small but tasty. The ravioli is one of the best I've ever had! read more

Luci Ancora - Ravioli - Italian Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

Food: Really delicious, loved the veggies-- it's a seasonal menu, and everything tasted really fresh. I would say it's more of a fine dining experience than a casual one, so everything was a little bit on the pricey side... but it certainly was worth it. Plus, the wine menu is fantastic. Ambience: Very cozy (with a real fireplace!)... would be a great date place. Dinner was by low light and candles, seasonal flowers on the tables. There aren't MANY tables, and it's a relatively small and intimate restaurant. Service: No complaints-- our waitress was super nice and rode that line between being present but not too present with expertise. Bathrooms: Lovely, clean. No complaints. Parking: Has its own lot! Yay for not parking on the street! read more

Luci Ancora - Ordering - Italian Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

How about a nice Italian night out? I go here when I want to go where service is understood and quality is my goal. The restaurant itself has some class as I really like a nice tablecloth. I often come here alone for some "me time" and enjoy the natural light and service of quality Italian food and a relaxing atmosphere. I don't drink so my tab is affordable but they do have wine ;-) read more

Setting is nice- linen table cloths. Service was good. Food is average. Sad salad with drizzle of dressing. Pasta mushy, bland, salty.

Ridiculously small portions, ridiculously high prices, and ridiculously slow service - 3.5 stars. This restaurant does NOT match up to all the hype. I don't mind dropping some Benjamins on a meal. But it has to match the quality, the quantity, and the flavor of the food I'm paying for. I don't feel I got this value from Luci Ancora. Three of us had dinner and dessert - no drinks other than coffee. The food was good but not great. The flavor of my menu selections were underwhelming. And it definitely didn't match the high prices. The whole meal set us back $197 for 3 people (see photo). But the food value definitely didn't match the price point. The portions were really small too. I paid 7 bucks for a very small side salad with hydroponic lettuce. Despite the propaganda and the virtue signaling in the menu, I definitely don't consider hydroponic lettuce an upgrade! Give me lettuce grown in healthy black soil on an organic farm, thank you. And 8 bucks for a sliver of flourless black cake (torte) that was only about an inch wide (at the widest end)? And 15 bucks for my "secondi", 2 small chicken thighs and half a cup of mashed potatoes? Come on, give me a break! Points deducted for sneaking pickled herring on our salads instead of anchovies! New alert: These are 2 completely different species of fish. And pickled herring is sour. But anchovies are salty. Points also deducted for not having Crostini and for not having Creme Brulee. Last but not least, the service was SLOW, SLOW, SLOW! We were the first customers to arrive when they opened at 5:00. And there were only 3 other tables after us. But it took a slow, agonizing, painfully boring 2 1/2 hours to get through our meal! It would have been worse and even slower if we ordered booze but luckily, we passed on getting alcohol. I'm glad I tried Luci Ancora after hearing all the hype. But I won't be going back to this one. -Daddy Maxx Retro read more

See all

Delightful small Italian restaurant featuring on premise made pasta dishes. I had the tasting menu which included a marvelous vegetal dish including fried onion quarters on a bed of yellow peppers purée that was delicious. The potato soup was delicate without the usual starchy feel. The ravioli were in a mild tomato sauce and the second entree was a slice of gently cooked salmon with shrimp A lovely latte completed dinner at a reasonable price for a fine meal read more

Service was great. It was busy, but didn't wait too long. Our food was superb. My sister got the wine flight which she enjoyed also. read more

See all

Very good Italian food-pasta handmade. Service is good, wine selection adequate. Atmosphere nice no echoing painted ceiling, or blaring music, bad art etc . I'm coming back . read more

Charming interiors , underwhelming food The restaurant atmosphere suggests classy Italian with a very cute interior, white table linens, beautiful fresh flowers on each table but the food completely misses the mark. 4 of us went to check out the cute place and celebrate a birthday. We got 2 appetizers: shrimp and smoked salmon... Shrimp consisted of 4 smallish shrimps with a weird sauce and cost $15... Tasted bad, as all of us agreed and a complete rip off....Salmon was more edible and came served on about a cup of of spinach without any dressing so unless you enjoy munching on spinach leaves, you will have a few tiny pieces of mediocre salmon and that too won't be worth it... For entrees two of us ordered fettuccine with wild mushrooms, one a ragu pasta and one ravioli. Another disappointment for each: tiny portions for one.... Overcooked, overbuttered fettucine and wild mushrooms pastas...A dish called ragu was not ragu at all... it was the same overbuttered fettuccine with a tiny single piece of beef.....ravioli had 3 1 inch square pieces of ravioli.... Disappointed with our meal we got 3 desserts: home made pistachio gelato ( not creamy, icy, not flavourful); espresso mouse ( decent) and panne cotta ( ok) Our bill for 4 people was around $180 and we left mildly hungry and highly disappointed. For a restaurant trying to be gourmet and upscale they miss every mark on food. We won't be back and I strongly suggest that you save your money and time and go to Esthelle's; Broders or IE for a great classy and delicious Italian classy meal. read more

We ordered an appetizer, a salad, pasta, and rack of lamb. Waited over forty minutes for the entree, and when it came out, the lamb was cold and tasted blend. Pasta was ok, but ridiculously small portion size for the price. For an Italian place you would've expected better quality pasta. Staff was friendly, but we weren't sure if it was the kitchen's problem or if the server was too busy that the lamb was served cold. Overall very disappointed with this place, and will not be back again. read more

Our server Cole was attentive and helpful. The food came out quickly and tasted amazing! We sat and the patio and it was quiet and peaceful. read more

Luci Ancora - pappardelle con pesto - Italian Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

Can't wait to come back! My boyfriend and I live in the neighborhood and have been eyeing this establishment for a while. We finally decided to make a reservation for our anniversary and it was everything I could've imagined! I enjoyed the restaurant atmosphere - it's homey but still very elegant. With COVID, they are currently operating at 50% capacity, and I felt safe the entire time. We had the Caesar salad and tomato soup for starters, the fettuccine with short rib (server recommendation) and the pork tenderloin for dinner, and the creme brûlée for dessert. The home made pasta is amazing! Their menu changes on a regular basis and I can't wait to go back again! read more

Located off the beaten path in the heart of a nostalgic Saint Paul community you will receive a pleasant dining experience. The parking lot can become full, especially during dinner time so be sure to arrive early in the event you have to locate street parking. The dining room feels comfortable, warm and is decorated in an elegant italian decor. The staff are very diligent and welcoming, we were immediately seated in a table near the window, we ensured to make reservations. The atmosphere is quiet, regardless of how full the dining room is and the tables are located a distance from each other to ensure no conversation flow over. My observations of the customer base told me there is a core customer base whom frequent this establishment regularly. They provide a wonderful selection of wines, I typically choose an italian wine in an establishment like this and found a very good wine off of the wine menu. The spaghetti carbonara was absolutely wonderful and just as it is prepared in Italy, light and flavorful. They also provide vegetarian options many include pasta and they are willing to work with your preferences. I also recommend the flourless chocolate tart and an espresso. The price point seems excellent and I don't think you will be disappointed. Cheers! read more

I have been here twice now and the food is amazing! The staff is super friendly as well. The place is small yet I never feel rushed. The mushroom pasta and risotto is to....die...for! Oh and the Caesar salad! Wow. Not very fishy tasting. Just delicious. The options are small and it is on the pricier side, but the quality of food is high so you get what you pay for. I'll definitely keep coming back. read more

This is my favorite Italian restaurant in the twin cities. I love the atmosphere because you can actually hear your friends at the table. The food is so good, the presentation is excellent also. You don't get white tablecloths very often. The staff is knowledgeable and helpful. And honest!!!! Many have worked there a long time. Prices are very reasonable and the wine list is good. You can find some hard to find Italian wines. You can also find a good bottle without breaking the bank. Everyone I have taken there has said they loved it and will go back. read more

Amazing fine dining. I love this place and come here whenever I'm visiting from Seattle. Perfect portions. Unrushed service. Perfect evening! read more

Luci Ancora - Safe dining experience. - Italian Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

See all

Saturday date night was upon us and this was a place I had been wanting to try for a long time. Its located on the southwest corner of Cleveland and Randolph across from the St. Catherine's campus. They have their own lot but there is also parking on the street within easy walking distance. Its pretty much one big room. There is a bar that everyone walks thru on the way to a spacious table area fulls of two and four person seating. Lots of white all around Perhaps too much, but its a nice space. Was the first time in a while that I had eaten dinner at a restaurant that didn't have a television. We were seated at 6pm so it hadn't started to fill up much yet so it as nice to actually be able to have a conversation with my wife. By the time we left the dinner crowd had definitely arrived, but the noise level still stayed low. There are lots of pasta options, a smaller antipasti, and panini sections and the expected salads. Split out a Inslata Mista and ordered the Risotto Milenese. The salad was good (they had me at gorgonzola). The Osso Buco was paired up nicely with the saffron spice risotto. The rice was just a hair undercooked in a couple of places but tasted great anyway. I'd get it again. They are open for lunch a few days a week and offer a late night happy hour. Overall, a good choice. Its affordable, good quality food, and I was able to get a reservation the day before. I'd go back again to try a few more selections that looked good. read more

See all

Listen, we're fond of Luci Ancora and have eaten there on and off through the years. There are reasons we go back. But any restaurant that's been around that long can get lazy, and that seems to be what happened to us at Luci recently. Fortunately the primi dishes we had were OK. I enjoyed my fettucine with mushrooms and my wife liked her penne with chicken (though it was miserly with the chicken). But the Caesar Salad we split? We agreed: Worst Caesar ever. And that's not hyperbole. Just a bowl of chopped Romaine seriously underdressed with croutons that were tasteless and too hard to chew. Hey Luci, you're an Italian restaurant, for gosh sake. You should be able to make a decent Caesar sleepwalking. As for the chocolate dessert, could you make the portion any smaller? Of course, we'll be back. But hoo boy, no more Caesar salads at Luci. read more

We hosted a business dinner a few weeks back for about 30 attendees. The owners and staff were a delight to work with from start to finish - helping select menus and wine and making the whole experience seamless. Not to mention the food is off the charts DELICIOUS! A must try! read more

Met a friend here for dinner. We were both impressed with the food, service and atmosphere. It is a nice alternative to some of the other choices in St. Paul. I ordered the Fettucini romana which I normally don't care for, but this was good. The sauce wasn't so terribly heavy and it was good left over. My friend ordered the same. We were there early, so it wasn't terribly busy which was nice to sit and talk. We both commented that we should stop back for some of there prix fix tasting specials. Quaint neighborhood Italian place. Good food and reasonably priced. read more

Terrible food. No taste whatsoever. Do not recommend. Service was ok. Out of five people no one enjoyed their meal

I'm very loyal to Luci Ancora, since I live in the hood. It's my favorite "comfort" restaurant to go to when I'm splurging on really good food. It's also only 1 of 2 restaurants that I choose to go to celebrate my birthday. I prefer eating there the nights that Chef Jim's in the kitchen (the other I have found to be slightly too salty and oily). The butternut squash ravioli is out of this world (albeit slightly oily). The pasta dishes are also amazingly creative: who combines mango and hot peppers in a pasta dish? The service is good: not overly attentive, but decent. I also love the ambience - quiet, romantic, but you can still go in "casual." You can't beat this place on a cold, wintery, Minnesota night. The fireplace (while not heat-releasing) creates "the mood." The cons: 1) I've had hit or miss desserts there, with some being pretty dry and disappointing. 2) There's a lot of old people there, and I feel like the only hip yuppie there at times (it's like being at the symphony - "Look, a young person!"). 3) They have way too much salmon on the menu (the constant special) I've tried their sister restaurant (Ristorante Luci)... but my heart (and palate) belongs to Luci Ancora. read more

Great family owned place with a nice atmosphere, good food and great service. I recommend you try this restaurant.

Thank you, Luci Ancora, for offering takeout during the pandemic! We really enjoyed the Ossobuco entree and the Fusilli Luci pasta dinners! Glad we could support you during this time! read more

Great small neighborhood spot. The ancient grain flower used to make much of the pasta was wonderful and the wine list while small had some wonderful gems. read more

OMG, so fantastic. I had not been to this restaurant previously and didn't know what to expect and I was so pleasantly surprised. First of all, there is a parking lot attached. Nice touch! Love the white tablecloths and napkins. The server was sweet and knowledgeable. The food is outstanding and so tasty. I was not familiar with their Sunrise Flour Mill Ancient Grains, but I can tell you that the pasta and bread are fabulous and not heavy-handed. We had tiramisu for dessert. Absolutely, the best ever. This was my birthday dinner but we will be back for "everyday" meals. read more