Lucia's Tavola is a magical place, both because of the incredible food and because of our lovely waitress, Trisha. We've visited twice now, and both times, her warmth and commitment to making sure we're taken care of have just been outstanding. We've eaten so well based on her recommendations, too--from chicken and seafood and pasta all the way to dessert. The portions are generous for the price, and everything tastes like it's made with love by the Italian relatives I wish I had. We've had the pleasure of sitting by the fire in the winter, and hope to visit next when we can sit outside in the summer. Thanks to Trisha and everyone at Lucia's, we're already looking forward to our next visit! read more

One star, for our waiter, and our waiter ONLY. Entirely forgettable experience here... we walked in from the frigid evening hoping to be warmed by the restaurant but it was freezing inside and drafty. The dining room we were sat in was incredibly bright compared to the main dining room. Not a good atmosphere for when you want a relaxing dining experience + a filling meal when you're famished. I genuinely cannot describe how awkward the dining room felt. Appetizer: my friend and I each ordered caesar salad. I asked if there was a small portion because I didn't want a whole. My waiter was Italian, so I believe he didn't catch my question so my complaint isn't on him regarding the salad... but the salad was SMALL for $12. A handful and a half of romaine, the most acidic caesar dressing ever--so much that it was stinging my lips. A few croutons. And 2 anchovy filets--the best part of the salad overall, haha. I would have been okay paying $6 but not $12. Horrible start. We shared the calamari. It was flavorless with not even a touch of salt. Served with cold marinara sauce, no lemon. $16 calamari... I'd pay $8-$10 for that because I know PLENTY restaurants who have decent and thoughtfully prepared cal for the same price. We order entrees. One of my girlfriends ordered the tortellini carbonara. $26 entree. Served literally COLD, not even room temp. the sauce was minimal, it looked like a naked dish of multi-colored raviolis I used to eat growing up as a child... so yeah it looked like grocery store food with nothing added to it. She sent it back, but denied the option of ordering another meal... we had learned our lesson by now. My entree was one of the special chicken dishes. I think the most "popular" one, it was an herbed chicken or something with risotto I believe. Such an unforgettable and distasteful meal that I genuinely forget what it was. Entire dining experience was a waste of time, money, and calories lol. Our waiter was kind to give us complimentary cannolis to try and save the day :) read more

Lucia's Tavola - Fried Calamari - Italian Near Me - Ayer, Massachusetts

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The ambience and our server were excellent. Friendly and very attentive. The calamari appetizer and dessert (chocolate mousse w whipped cream) were a 10! My fettuccini dish was good but my wife's chicken parm was overly breaded, a bit soggy, and the pasta had too much sauce. It was our first time there and a little surprised that the entrees arrived in bowls and not plates but it is what it is. Overall we were quite pleased with the experience and will be back again! read more

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Stopped in here for dinner on Friday. I've had a number of friends rave about the food. It is a wonderful comfortable and spacious place. We arrived exactly at our reservation time and were seated quickly. Our server was a pleasant person and very attentive. I ordered the filet cut and was a bit disappointed as it was one of the toughest center cuts I've ever been served. The flavor wasn't anything to write home about either. My friend ordered the chicken parmigiana and found their chicken to be surprisingly dry. Though they did enjoy the stuffed mushroom ravioli. We did order a serving of 4 cheese lasagna as a third meal to take home and found it to be the best of the three. All in all I wasn't overly impressed with the meal but think the service was top notch read more

Sorry, the food is terrible. Oh gosh, I hate leaving bad reviews but there's no way around it. We ate there last night (did takeout), had chicken masala, chicken limoncello, and fettuccine Alfredo and they were all awful. I don't get how basic recipes like this could be so butchered! read more

Still first rate with Sedona's excellent service always enhancing our dining experience. We enjoy the Lemoncello Martini, sharing Calamari Fritti, Risotto di Mare and Tiramisu, bringing home portions of the later two which we are always unable to finish. We will only make a reservation here, our favorite restaurant for special occasions, when Sedona is able to be our server. read more

My Christmas Eve reservation was nothing but a very enjoyable experience. The owner was accommodating and my server/bartender Milo was so sweet! I cannot wait until they put the short rib back on the menu as that dish keeps me going back for more! Thank you for providing my friend and I a very nice evening and Merry Christmas! read more

Lucia's Tavola - The appetizer was great, and the short ribs were good. However, the chicken dish was just kinda gross. - Italian Near Me - Ayer, Massachusetts

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I think I've been here at least a hundred times, been going since they were in Brookline NH. I've never been disappointed, best Italian food east of the North end! Can't say enough about all of the dishes. Went tonight, got the chicken Saltimboca with tri colored tortellini's, absolutely delicious. Was very full, but always get the mini Cannolis to take home. Perfection! read more

We arrived early for our date night reservation but they seated us promptly. Our server was fairly new and did her best to attend to us. My wife had the Frutti di mare with the fra diavolo sauce. I had a taste. It was good but I prefer a little more spice. I had the roast chicken special with acorn squash, stuffing, sliced apples, cranberries and walnuts. This was very good but a little on the sweet side. Good beer and wine selection. read more

We have been on a journey to widen out dining options and we decided on Lucia's Tavola. The reviews were great, the pictures looked welcoming, so we made the trip. Parking on the street was easy, even for a large pickup and we walked to this charming spot at the end of the row of what seemed to be a renovated old down town feel. Entering into the charming restaurant with old bones we loved it and looked forward to our meal. Sitting at the bar we were made to feel welcome and ordered up a Larceny Old Fashion we were pleasantly surprised by a delightful cocktail to enjoy as we looked over a well curated menu. We picked the Pollo Zucca for $27 and the Scallops and Haddock for $29. When the meal arrived is where it all went south. A sin to overcook scallops, the were hard and rubbery and did not taste fresh. The fish was also overcooked and the chicken was so hard some parts were uneatable the rest was dry. The risotto was mush like oatmeal. Only the veggies where cooked correctly? What happened. From first to worst. Maybe was the cook nights off, maybe these were meals warmed up from the day before, maybe .....idk, but I can see where this place could be five stars. However, isn't going out to eat all about the food. This was a waste of $100 buck by the time we where through and just can not recommend. I hope your experience varies or the straighten out the kitchen.....so much potential, so little quality control. I hope your experience differs from ours. read more

Love the food here. Staff is very friendly. Always get a good meal when going here. Love the lobster corn chowder. My husband loves their lentil soup. Worth saving room for dessert read more

Was in the area and got takeout here recently. Thought everything was pretty good, with the standout being the brick chicken. The arancini didn't travel well. Would have liked to dined in - I think it would have even been better. Would return when/if in the area. read more

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No need to travel to Boston for the North End. Braised short ribs are to die for as is their seafood stew.

Food was not great and portion of linguine was very small. Sausage was almost inedible.

Absolutely amazing!! The staff were so friendly and welcoming and the food was UNBELIEVABLY delicious- the lobster corn chowder was to die for as well as the rigatoni bolognese!! read more

Great service. Food Meh. Ambiance is dated and hostess makes you feel like she's doing you the favor of seating you. Portions are overly large. Do not get the haddock, scallop dish. Cheese does not belong on fish and it was rubbery and dry, covered in a burnt Parmesan cheese blanket. I peeled the burnt cheese off and did the best I could to eat the 3 scallops that were on the plate. The haddock was inedible. Would not recommend. read more

Lucia's Tavola is a great place to dine and has now become one of my local favorites. Excellent quality meals at reasonable pricing. Our server was friendly, attentive and knowledgeable, which made our visit that more enjoyable. Overall ambiance was good and the restrooms were very clean and maintained. Parking can sometimes be challenging but a minor inconvenience at best. read more

Lucia's Tavola - Pollo al Limoncello - Italian Near Me - Ayer, Massachusetts

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Visited this past Friday night ..we sat at the bar ..great service and the fresh pasta was awesome ..looking forward to our next visit read more

Lucia's Tavola - Theee fighting sisters dish chicken sausage and shrimp - Italian Near Me - Ayer, Massachusetts

Rating received an extra star based on the excellent service. I was rather disappointed in this place especially after reading the hopeful reviews. My husband and I dined here for the first time for a date night. We got the arancini as an app. I've never seen it before served as bite sized balls - usually it's one big one. And it wasn't that great. Tasted like something you could just pick up at Trader Joe's. We didn't eat all of them. For the meal I got a Greek salad and butternut squash ravioli app. I know -- who goes to an Italian restaurant and orders a Greek salad?! I wanted eggplant parm but they do not serve it with pasta so I got the salad instead. The salad I only had a few bites of. The lettuce wasn't fresh and the amount of dressing on it made the salad a soup. The butternut squash ravioli was very good but again I could only have a few bites as the rich and creamy sauce there was way too much of. You couldn't even see the ravioli with how much sauce it was buried in. My husband got the chicken parm with meatballs on the side. I don't know how he ate what he did (maybe half of the entree). It was disgusting. The chicken was wet. I'm not kidding. The chicken parm breast was wet and soggy. I didn't try the meatballs as he cut one open and the color alone told me it is not fresh and handmade. He only ate one. We quietly told the waitress that our meals just weren't great. She profusely apologized and sent our message along. We then were followed up with two other employees about our experience. My husband and I both agreed that even though our meals sucked the service was excellent and it sounds like they want to make it right in the kitchen. We were given complimentary cannolis for the issues we had and those were excellent (and I'm not the biggest cannoli fan). They took the chicken parm off the bill which really wasn't necessary as my husband did eat enough of it. I definitely won't be running back here. My husband is willing to try it again. And again I am floored by the amazing reviews as this is not a quality meal in any way. read more

Everything on the menu is good, but the lasagna is to die for! Can't wait to go back, again! read more

Great location for outdoor dining, lots of menu choices, good wine choices easy parking, what more do you need

Hands down the most authentic and amazing Italian food this side of the North End! Excellent service both inside the restaurant and take out. The 3 season outdoor "ally" is beautiful and we love this experience. The inside décor is Al little dated but who cares, it's clean and the food is DELICIOUS! We have been many times and sampled lots of dishes. The grilled chicken pesto genovese with linguine is amazing!!! The chicken parmigiana, the ravioli, the mozzarella arancini - YUM! The Brussel Sprouts appetizer - delish! You can't go wrong with the Bolognese. Quattro Formaggi lasagna - chefs kiss! Just go, you won't be disappointed! read more

This is such an underrated hidden gem. The food is always incredible, service personable and ambiance quintessential comfortable downtown. This is authentic fresh made Italian in a small town setting. Well done, Lucia's! read more

Really quaint place! Came here without a reservation and was able to sit at the bar (or tables if we wanted). We had the scallop and pork belly appetizer (special for the night) and I had the Aragosta di Burro e Tartuffo: Whipped truffle butter, cream & parmesan cheese quickly melted by tossing with hot fettuccine pasta and Maine lobster. Both were absolutely wonderful and full of lobster! The restaurant if on the Main street in Ayer and there's plenty of street parking. The bartender was hilarious! read more

I've been a few times now. Always good food, but the last time I went right when the opened at 5pm without a reservation...not a soul in the joint and the stuck me outside insinuating that the indoor tables all had reservations...B.S. I must have been too causal for them. read more

Had a chance to beat the dinner rush sitting at the bar. Staff was fantastic and attentive. Started with the deep fried green olive appetizer.Interesting taste of garganzola and honey. A new flavor for me, I see this might not be for everyone. I had their version of egg plant Parm, absolutely fantastic! The crunchiest fried eggplant with ricotta, and tomatos. This is a must try. Dining partner had the Bolognese and pasta. Dollop of ricotta in the center brought this dish from great to amazing. Overall, one the better Italian restaurant meals in recent memory. read more

Food and service was fantastic Saturday night. Look forward to our return soon. If you like eggplant, you won't find it any better. The homemade deserts were the best. read more

Gave Lucia's a try this evening for the first time. First off the service, was amazing. However our food was not. We odered the Arancini, a side of meatballs, chicken parm, butternut squash ravioli, and a Greek salad. The Arancini was tasty, and a descent appetizer. The meatballs however, were extremely bland. Almost like they were the frozen ones you put in the crock pot for a party. Chicken parm was a bit soggy, and again was bland. The butternut squash ravioli was very good, and the sauce it came in tasted great, but they went very heavy handed and the ravioli was swimming in it. The Greek salad didn't seem the freshest, and also was drowned in dressing ( you could have poured it out the bowl The waitress asked how are meal was, and I had to be honest. She immediately apologized for our experience, and said she would go speak with the chef. The hostess or manager then came to our table next. She genuinely seemed to care, and apologized. They took the chickenparm, and meatballs off the bill(we did tell them this was not necessary as I did eat some of it). They wanted to give us something for free as well to bring home. We declined until, they offered some canolis, which I couldn't pass up trying. A gentleman then came up to our table (maybe the owner or manager?), asked about our meal, apologized and then we chatted some. The Canolis and bill came and we went home. I just tried the canoli, and I have to say they are very good! So all in all, the service and staff are amazing, so we will give it another try sometime. read more

As a long time customer of Lucia's, I'm disappointed to see what appears to be a decline. Went in recently for a glass of wine & some takeout. The wine list which used to be unique with interesting wines & some featured specials seems stagnant. But the most concerning thing was we got two orders of the chicken with squash ravioli to take home. Upon eating them we both remarked that they tasted different from our prior experience. The next day we both were having stomach issues. It wasn't a coincidence. I sent a private note to the restaurant but no response some three plus weeks later. Disappointing. read more

I've eaten at Lucia's many times, but not recently until this evening. Hopefully it was just an off night, but when every dish is disappointing, one has to worry that the restaurant just isn't what it used to be. You can tell a lot from the bread service, and our meal started with thin slices of cold, store bought bread only partly saved by the accompanying dish of well seasoned olive oil. Our waitress recommended the arancini, so we ordered one to share. In Italy the arancini are the size of tennis balls. Here there were five meatball sized balls which was unusual but not problematic. The frying was light and crispy, but where was the cheese? I expected to see a glob of melted mozzarella inside each one, but I saw none. The filling was flavorless. The arancini were topped with pesto, but I tasted nothing different in the bite with the pesto. No basil, no garlic, nothing. My husband ordered the branzino con granchio. The fish was reasonably well cooked (I would have preferred it just slightly less cooked), but again the dish was bland. The risotto was just okay. I could taste the Parmesan but not the sage. The dish was described as having olives, capers, and lemon (among other ingredients), which should have resulted in a bright, bold, flavor. I tasted no lemon and the overall impression was lackluster. Not horrible, but not great either. I did worse with my order of pollo e zucca di zucca - sautéed chicken with butternut squash ravioli in a sage cream sauce. To be honest, there wasn't one good thing on my plate. No, forgive me. There was a garnish of perhaps a half dozen green beans, and they were cooked perfectly. So where to begin? The chicken was waaay overcooked. It was dry and chewy when it should have been tender and juicy. As for the ravioli, I could not taste the squash. Usually butternut squash ravioli are slightly sweet, but these ravioli were filled with an unidentifiable mush. To be fair, the cook on the pasta was fine. As for the sauce, it was cloyingly rich. One expects a cream sauce to be rich, but this was over the top rich. I could not detect any sage, or any flavor aside from the overly generous use of coarsely ground black pepper. Dessert was better. We shared the chocolate fudge cake which was intensely chocolatey and very sweet. You definitely want to share this with someone. On the plus side, the ambiance is lovely. There are tablecloths on the tables and the lighting is pleasantly subdued. The restaurant was full on a Saturday night, so there was a fair amount of background noise, but not so much as to make conversation difficult. Instead the feeling was lively but plausibly romantic. The service was attentive but not rushed. If you're not too concerned with the food, it's a very nice place to linger over wine or coffee and enjoy conversation in a pleasant and welcoming environment. I'll probably give it one more try in a few months and hope to have a better experience. Otherwise the restaurant will be relegated to that sad collection of restaurants that used to be good. read more

Ambience is quaint and cozy. Easy street parking. Great waiter. Good wine by glass options and generous wine pour. Caesar dressing wasn't to my liking, and the salad was served with several anchovies, gross imo. Wish I had been given a choice of leaving them out because it affects the taste of the salad if you just remove them. Plentiful bread served and well seasoned oil for dipping. Chicken Parmesan was excellent, crispy and high quality, but they serve green beans on top, buried in the cheese, rather would have had on the side. The tiramisu was wayyyy too strong with liquor it overpowered and destroyed what could have been creamy goodness. If I wanted a shot I would have ordered one! read more

They get points for amiable, attentive service, but...the room was cold & drafty even though it was a relative warm January night. And it was surprisingly noisy though the room wasn't even a quarter-full. Bread was on par with what you'd buy at Market Basket. Maybe people's high opinion is influenced by the wastefully large portions. No one can eat that many fried brussels sprouts as an appetizer. And the sprouts--overcooked & sweet--are obviously meant for people who don't like brussels sprouts. And why overpower good scallops with way too much cheese? read more

The ambiance was small and quaint. We sat it next to the window and it was very romantic, We only had appetizers and drinks. Both were amazing but the best recommendation was the lobster stack appetizer, best lobster appetizer i have ever had, read more

Overall mediocre experience (2.5). Service was a bit slow despite being a little over half full. Bread and oil was pretty good. Worst coca cola mix ive had in a long time (very watered down). Tuscan wine tasted sour. Meatballs were definitely overdone/dry but had an ok flavor. Wife liked the arancini. I had the bolognese which was VERY salty. I liked the ambiance of the restaurant, just wish the food would match read more

I've been to this establishment several times and each time the food is exceptional. Well prepared and ample portions. The service is attentive without being overbearing. The servers seem to pay attention to the patrons and are always on top of things. Tables are a wee bit close together but the atmosphere is nice. Noise level is acceptable, not too loud even when the place is full. I would highly recommend this establishment if you are looking for a quality dining experience at a reasonable price. read more

What a great find. We made a reservation because of the great reviews and weren't disappointed. My husband and I went for our anniversary, and everything from the bread with fresh yummy olive oil, entrees (I got the eggplant, he got the bolognese - best ever), the lemon cake (OMG!!) and coffee was superb. This is our "go to place" from now on. We loved the vibe of the place (lively, charming, cozy) and the service (big thank you to Tricia for being so attentive, sweet and helpful!). If you haven't been here yet, go!! read more

Not perfect but very close! Bread service at beginning of the meal was nice and fresh. It was yeasty tasting and smelled of alcohol. Indication of under proofing at several stages of the bread making process. The Caesar salad was very nice but a bit light on the dressing for me. Adam, my server, suggested a braised beef, mushroom and handmade rigatoni. The pasta was a delight! The the beef was fall apart in your mouth wonderful. The mushrooms could have been a bit more cooked for me. The sauce that these ingredients were served in had a terrible oil slick and lacked some salt for taste. The zabaglione was wonderfully light and not too sweet until the last bite. Over all this is a great restaurant and I recommend it and hope to stop by here again. read more

If you are looking for a really good restaurant to go to during Covid (anytime but the safety factor was great), I highly recommend Lucia's in Ayer. The food was amazing, price is reasonable, the outdoor seating was beautiful and warm and very far apart and they have live music outside on Friday and Saturday night! -- eating dinner at Lucia's Tavola. read more

Lucia's Tavola - Amazing seafood risotto! - Italian Near Me - Ayer, Massachusetts

Amazing, friendly wait staff, and everything we tried was delicious! Overall an amazing experience

Wonderful birthday dinner last night. I had requested in my reservation a seat away from the kitchen for a member of my party who has autism and is sensitive to noise. We were seated in the perfect table in a little alcove in the front. Our server was Sedona, who was fantastic. She has mastered the art of being attention but not intrusive. From salad to main course to dessert, the food was delicious. We had a lovely evening. read more