Great atmosphere, good and great experience. Had the mushroom pizza and calamari. The tiramisu is some of the best. Samantha was one of the best servers and I look forward to having the chicken parm some Sunday soon! Don't forget to have the gelato and olive oil treat before you leave! Nice touch. read more

First the pros: the ambiance was pleasant. The wait staff was friendly. The prices weren't unreasonable. The cons: the food was on par with diner / pub fare. Not really that good. The menu looked quite appealing, but the food upon delivery was meh, at best. My wife's food arrived a full 15 MINUTES before mine was brought out. And then we both waited another 5 minutes before they brought us knives to cut our food. I had the pork Milanese which had obviously been overcooked in old fry oil. It was burnt and barely edible. My wife had the carbonara flatbread, which was cold by the time my food arrived. Their espresso Martini, while taste was acceptable, was barely larger than a shot glass. And the gelato after dinner was, I assure you, NOT gelato. Well, not gelato to anyone who's actually been to Italy, or anywhere in Europe. The dining experience overall was only made pleasant by the company and the friendly wait staff. The food sucked. In a town full of excellent restaurants, this is not one of them. read more

Everything went well. Awesome food. Great service. Decent price. Clean welcoming atmosphere.

We came on a Sunday evening as a walk in and we were seated promptly. Our server was great! Friendly, funny, and doing his best to juggle multiple tables with grace. We ordered a few different cocktails, which were all good and delivered on all the flavor profiles in their descriptions. They offered complimentary bread with olive oil, delicious. We ordered the Tuna crudo and pork belly for appetizers. Both were delicious and I could have ordered a second helping had I not wanted to save room for my entree and dessert. I ordered the squid ink linguine with crab and the tiramisu for dessert. I finished both plates with ease despite a full belly. We will definitely come again to try their pizzas which smelled divine. read more

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We stopped by and managed to snag a table at the pizza bar since there weren't any other seats available. First off, the restaurant is super trendy and really nice. Our waitress was amazing, and the food was absolutely delicious. I highly recommend starting with their version of an Old Fashioned. It's got chocolate overtones, which is a cool twist on the classic Old Fashioned. We started with the Caesar Salad and their Margarita Pizza as an appetizer. The pizza bar wraps around their incredible pizza oven, and it's fun to watch them make all sorts of delicious pizzas from their huge selection of toppings. For our entree, we shared the Pork Milanese. That plate was incredible! They also have a Squid Ink linguine with mussels that's supposed to be really tasty...I'll definitely be trying that when I come back! Bon appétit! read more

Mamma Luca - Pork Milanese - Italian Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Impeccable service, solid food. You will need a reservation to get a table so plan accordingly! Stands out are the Caesar salad and oxtail pasta. read more

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They have outdoor dining however dogs are not allowed. We sat inside and our server was a sweetheart. I can't remember her name. I do remember she had some tattoos on her hands. She gave us recommendations and really took care of us through out our meal. The food was very good and they gave us complimentary gelato on the way out! read more

Mamma Luca - Gelato - Italian Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

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The restaurant is nicely designed. We sat at a round table in the corner. Despite our location, it was hard to hear our tablemates as the noise level and wooden floors created a loud din that borderlined uncomfortable. The drinks were delicious, I had the State Street Bourbon which was made with chocolate bitters. The sangrias were good although they were served in an excessively tall wine glass the could easily be tipped. The bread was cold and dry and came with olive oil for a dip. Our calamari was fine, not rubbery at all. We tried the meatballs and they were mushy and boring. Our pasta dish was not al dente, it was like eating rocks. They have a nice outdoor seating area but dogs are not allowed. Service was excellent, we had Samantha. Bathrooms were meticulously cleaned. read more

I have been two times with totally different experiences. The first time was great. We went for brunch and our server was amazing. Drinks, pizza and salads were great. Ambiance is also great, super cute and clean, though the door is very loud. The second time was for dinner and a different server was very rude to us. She was rushing us the whole time even though it wasnt that busy. Food was good but for portsmouth and those prices definitely better places to go in the area. Short haired waitress definitely ruined it for us. I dont often write reviews but our jaws dropped when she would walk away with the way she was acting with us. Probably wont be back. read more

We had a wonderful dinner at Mamma Luca, so glad we found it while visiting Portsmouth! I understand they are still new and it seems like they have gotten a great start! Service was fantastic and our server was attentive and knowledgeable of the menu, and we were able to make modifications easily to our dishes. A bit loud inside but the interior was beautiful and well-decorated with plenty of tables including bar seating. Love the pizza/slice counter for a to-go slice takeout option, and the complimentary gelato was lovely. All of our food was incredible, wish we could have tried the rest of the menu. Highly recommend! read more

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I rarely ever write a bad review, but rather than talk about the nice dining room, the friendly/pleasant server we had, or even the good (but not great) food, I am going to talk about the hidden fee for using a credit card. OK, if you are dining at a restaurant where a personal pizza will cost you $24+ and cocktails are $16+, then you can likely afford to pay a 3% upcharge for using a credit card, but that is not the point. Nothing like an unpleasant surprise when the check arrives, and that is what you will get if you choose to dine here. There is no mention of this charge on the website, or when you make a reservation or when you are seated. Instead when the bill arrives, surprise! You owe 3% more if you don't have cash. Since they hide this, I feel compelled to write about it here. Deceptive and tacky come to mind. Worse, when I see something like this I wonder what else is being done to maximize every penny of profit. How do they treat their staff? Do they buy lower quality food product to save money? What happens to food that is maybe past it's prime? Seems like every penny is needed at Mamma Luca. I don't pretend to know how to run a restaurant, but I do know it is hard. That $24 pizza just needs to be $25 on the menu, and all would be good. Perhaps give a discount for cash instead. Perhaps just refuse credit cards. Perhaps put an ATM machine in your lobby if that's the vibe you are shooting for. If you can't make a go at these prices without sticking it to your customers on the way out the door, I'm not sure what to say. Perhaps it is just me, but this just does not sit well with me. Simply a dishonest business. As the place was packed, they certainly won't miss my business. read more

Dinner was enjoyable and staff is friendly. Pasta is freshly made and very delicious. For being Portsmouth NH, this is definitely a restaurant that I would return to. read more

Our waitress, Ava, was fantastic. However, very disappointed in quality of food. The meatballs were burnt, hard and dry. I advised waitress that these were not edible and she offered new ones. I declined. I was surprised they did not remove them from the bill. Instead, they gave me 2 new ones to take home "on the house". Not impressed since I already paid for the inedible ones. Owner should be ashamed for not removing charge. Overall, I do not recommend this restaurant. read more

Very friendly and informative staff. If you haven't tried a Negroni, you'll definitely figure out what type is for you at Mama Luca. read more

Mamma Luca - Amazing Negroni - Italian Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

A very cool atmosphere with a fun menu! All of the things we ordered were good--nothing out of this world but solid! The server offered us still or sparkling water at the beginning of our meal With no mention that it was an extra charge. We assumed it would be free since it's water. Each bottle was $7, which was surprising because we weren't even offered tap water at the beginning of the meal. I know it's not a big deal just a little annoying. They did comp a bottle for us which was nice, just poor communication and confusing. They also offer complimentary gelato at the end of the meal, but when we asked for it and it was brought to our table, our server said that we shouldn't eat it at our table (it's supposed to be eaten on the go?) but that he felt obligated to bring it to us? Confusing! Besides the mild embarrassment and confusion the gelato was good at least! read more

2 10" pizzas, one bottle of water, 2 salads with croutons as hard as concrete...$100 with a 20% tip. a Whole Foods Pizza fresh out of the oven is better. The waiter was over bearing, very loud and shared TMI Last week we had a world class 3 course dinner around the corner at Maximo's for only $20 more including dessert. We won't be back to Mama Luca read more

The ambiance was very inviting, the food was tasty but what I remember most was the small touches they put on everything. Little chocolate covered espresso beans in a small paper bag clipped to the side of the espresso martinis. Very well presented food. read more

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A wonderful and exciting addition to the Portsmouth food scene. Exceptional attention to detail, outstanding service, and an incredibly knowledgeable staff made for a great experience on their opening night. The lively atmosphere added to the charm, creating a refreshing and vibrant addition to Portsmouth's dining scene. The cocktails were expertly crafted--absolutely delicious--and the bar itself is stunning, also a fun and inviting pizza bar seating area. Every dish exceeded expectations, with not a single misstep. An absolute must-visit. Highly recommended! read more

The only reason I went back to this place for a second time is because I wanted the pasta dish the woman next to me had! Come to find out it's been removed from the menu. The braised oxtail little raviolis were fine, but the small portion is expensive. According to the postcard that the bill is attached to, this place offers complimentary soft serve gelato: but it was never offered either time! I had to put in earplugs because of the continuing problem with noise. Considering the number of excellent restaurants that Portsmouth has to offer, this one gets a permanent no go! read more

One of the best spots in town for an evening out. Great lively vibe; whether it's date night at the bar or family supper with kids. The food is unrivaled: a well-rounded menu with fresh ingredients and a great cocktail/wine selection. It's obvious that a lot of thought & attention to detail went into curating this experience. Must try when visiting or a staple if you live here. read more

Even during opening week, Mamma Luca delivered one of the best dining experiences I have had in Portsmouth in a long time. The service was great, and the food was even better. I was a little nervous about another pizza/italian restaurant opening up because we have a couple sub-par ones in the area, but Mamma Luca exceeded all my expectations. It is a bit on the pricier side, but for what you get I think it's definitely worth it. I do wish they had a few more mocktails without faux-alcohol in them, I just never developed the palate for alcohol but I love a fun drink. The house made lemonade is a great option though. My only other complaint is that it is pretty loud in there. If you're going with someone who is HoH, then you might want to sit next to them rather than across from them. read more

I have eaten here many times not only with friends but have also brought my children along. The staff is always attentive, friendly and happy make a suggestion when I just can't decide! All the dishes are worthy of trying, especially the Bucatini or Oxtail. The salads are always a great start and the dressings are devine. Don't forget the dessert or complimentary gelato. read more

Very good food, if a little expensive. We tried the suppli, pizzas, meatballs, focaccia, Caesar salad, amatriciana, and tiramisu. All were fantastic so it's hard to choose a favorite. The pizza is authentic Italian style with a fluffy, yet crispy crust. They also have a great and unique wine selection. Hands down the best Italian food in the Portsmouth / Kittery area, and it fills a needed void. The ambiance is also very nice - the restaurant is large and the tables are well spaced out in the main area. Would definitely recommend - I'm excited to go back and try more things! read more

Food - good Service - ok. Kinks to be worked out with more experience Ambiance - way too noisy. Need softer surfaces May order out but will not eat in. read more

Very expensive, the drink I got for 16 might have had an ounce of liquid in it, it seemed almost like they didn't finish making the drink. 28 for my pizza, if you ask me, bratskellar does circles around this product. unfortunately this is now Portsmouth, incredibly over priced product that seem to exist to enrich celebrity chefs. last, it was so noisy, the loudest restaurant I have ever been at. the service was good enough, I would choose the entrees over the pizza. read more

Beautiful space. Super loud. Good service but deceiving. When the server says house bubbly water you would think that would be complimentary. Nope. $7 for a bottle of water. Food was delicious but the serving sizes were offensive. We are local and eat out often but do not appreciate the New York City prices. We will not be returning and will share our experience with our friends that also eat out and support our wonderful downtown eateries. read more

Went for dinner with a group of ladies. So overpriced for what you get. Over $20 for pizza and not a large pizza. Meatball appetizer was a disappointment, they weren't even shaped in balls. More like unformed globs which was not appetizing. Drinks were fancy and unique but also pay a high price for. Service was excellent but I still can't justify going there when I can get a better meal at Rosa's. read more

A lot of the restaurant experience is the claims the dishes make for themselves.The proof is in the pudding and I would say it's the case of mama lucca .there is a lot of hype.Maybe less claims about the authenticity of Mamma's heritage and just letting the food speak for itself . read more

Food was great, service was TERRIBLE! Food was undercooked but still tasted great. Server had time for every table but us. Waited for drinks, glass was empty, waited for server to notice that we needed refreshments. It was not a busy night, as it was Monday, still service was awful. I waited table thru high school and college so I understood the job. Slow night, zero excuses. read more

We've now been to Mamma Luca three times now, it's become one of our favorites. Great food and service, nice atmosphere, awesome Negronis, and very strong gluten free options (best GF pizza ever). The octopus is to die for! read more

This is a new restaurant, and while I understand the growing pains that come with launching a new business--especially as someone who owns multiple restaurants myself--what we experienced tonight was simply unacceptable. We had a 7:30 reservation and arrived with three children. We were told several times that our table was "just about to clear," yet we waited a full hour to be seated. Most of that time we stood outside in the cold before finally being allowed inside, where the situation didn't improve. Once inside, we were stationed near the side room where the waitstaff--though charming in personality--were rushing in and out, nearly tripping over us and our children, including my two-year-old granddaughter. At one point, they even complained that we were in their way. Where exactly were we supposed to go? It was cold outside, and we were trying to stay out of the way as best we could. When we were finally seated, service was painfully slow. It took over 20 minutes to receive our first round of drinks, and more than an hour for a simple dish of buttered rigatoni for my granddaughter. When I expressed concern to the waitress--explaining that it was approaching 9:30 p.m. and well past my granddaughter's bedtime--she responded with an attitude, then returned to the table and slammed the hot pasta dish down without a word. From that point on, her demeanor remained cold and dismissive. I asked for a second glass of rosé, which never arrived. After 45 minutes, I inquired again, and she finally brought it--only to dump the carafe upside down into my glass without making eye contact. That level of unprofessionalism is inexcusable, especially in a service setting. On top of all that, the noise level in the restaurant was unbearable--no soundproofing whatsoever. The food itself was decent, not great. I'm from NYC and used to a high standard of cuisine, so while the food may be considered good for the area, it certainly wasn't good enough to justify the chaos and poor service. What was most disappointing was the complete lack of accountability. No one offered an apology for the wait. No complimentary appetizer. No gesture to acknowledge the inconvenience. Hospitality matters--and it was nowhere to be found tonight. To the management: Be kind. Be attentive. Look guests in the eye. And please--take a hard look at how your staff is treating people. That waitress was rude, unprofessional, and frankly should not be in customer service. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this restaurant at this time. read more

Great new spot in Portsmouth. Comfy bar seats and good drinks. Low light and relaxing atmosphere

First time at Mamma Luca I'll give it an overall C rating I had the pizza, excellent crust & toppings. The bar is the negative, very stingy pours both with the wine & the cocktails. FYI those big ice cubes are a rip off, your not fooling anyone. read more

Initially, it was a very good experience. The first time that we went overall it was a good experience and the food we got was enjoyable. We won the second time, got mussels and clams. They were out of clams and the muscles that arrived were extremely fishy, leading me to think it was frozen. Definitely would be hesitant about returning. The bar is a good vibe. read more

The food was absolutely delicious. The service was incredible. Brittany (the bartender) was so warm and welcoming. She took excellent care of us and made our experience very memorable. We most certainly will be back!!! read more

Another new McNabbsterpiece is an extremely expensive pizza joint. Seat to service took over an hour. Our server was seldom seen, but did notice our food was taking forever. Bagged salad and pizza was $40 per person w/o beer or wine. bummer! read more

Fills a void in the odd Portsmouth foodscape. Charlotte and Ian are a fabulous tandem to launch this spot into the fandom it deserves. The pizza is top notch and the drinks are on par. A wonderful addition to the port city. read more

Mamma Luca - Chic new classic Italian take on favourites... - Italian Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

We came with friends who live there and loved your restaurant on their first visit. We were treating and were very disappointed in our food, from the tuna with HARD bread to the "bad" red sauce on the pasta with chicken parm and very hard pizza and so on. We did not order dessert, our entree salad was ok but overly spicey. We did like our complimentary gelato. Also, the server was disinterested in us as was the manager who was called over about the tuna. The bill was close to $250 for four and we frankly won't want to go back when we visit. We still had a good time and appreciate the attractive decor. Sorry to complain but a huge disappointment. read more

Probably the best restaurant surprise in Portsmouth since the opening of Row34. Thank you Mamma Luca for the best pizza north of New Haven, the best pasta north of Boston, and amazing food all around. Our opinion, no better Italian experience around. Please try this restaurant if you're serious about perfectly executed food, great cocktails, and a beautiful overall setting and experience. A bright light in an otherwise dull food scene. read more

Back in Sat night. Food was good, service was great. The place was packed, people lined up outside the door, which was wonderful to see...not very wonderful to hear, however. First time I've been in when the place is full: restaurant is thunderous when it's crowded. We were at a two top in the left dining room, and finally gave up trying to talk about 3/4 of the way through dinner. Every surface in the place is hard and live and the ceilings in the dining room we were in are on the low side. As you iron out the kinks, this local urges you to work some sound dampening features into the structure/decor. read more