Caffe Luna

We love Caffe Luna!! My husband and I had the pleasure of having our wedding reception here a few weeks ago. Darcey and the team made everything perfect for us. The staff is kind and professional, and made sure we were taken care of the whole evening. Darcey made me feel supported and I knew that my reception was in good hands. The food was delicious and our guests loved each buffet item, as well as the alcohol selections. If you are looking for a place for a dinner out, a party, or a reception, I recommend Caffe Luna 100%.

Can't say enough about this place. We have been to Italy many times in the pasta here resonated with our experiences over there. Christine took great care of us wonderful help with wine suggestion and pasta selections. Caesar salad was Rockstar and the calamari to start was out of this world especially for the price point. The two pastas we had were both fantastic, atmosphere wonderful and a nice bottle of Barola to top everything off.

Since my son doesn’t graduate until 8pm, we decided to come downtown to eat beforehand. Probably sixish years ago my husband had a work Christmas party at Caffe Luna and it was fantastic. Since it’s close to the convention center, we decided to make that our graduation night dinner. Big.Mistake. We sat down and within the first five minutes: they don’t have sweet tea, they don’t have butter, they don’t have sweet’n low (but of course told me they did when I ordered), they did not have adult spaghetti and meatballs (more on this later), Son #1 had some 💩 floating in his drink, and the bread was rock hard, stale, and tasted like it was sliced and set out a week ago. Not a single one of us were impressed. Three of us got the chicken parm which was just okay. Son #1 ordered two orders of kids spaghetti and meatballs since they didn’t have an adult one….and quickly realized that it’s only offered in kids meals because kids have no palate 🤣 He will quite literally eat anything and he barely touched it. He said spaghetti and meatballs out of a can would have been better. We joked he could use all that grease/oil on his spaghetti to make the bread half-way soft 🤣 Anyway, while we did have some laughs because of what a terrible choice this was, I am disappointed it was supposed to be a celebratory dinner and turned out to be a big fail. 😩 Save yourself the time, effort, and stomachache and skip this one. 😬

Disappointed and Confused by the Good Reviews We came here after reading all the glowing reviews and honestly, I’m baffled. This was one of the most underwhelming meals we’ve had in a long time. I ordered the lasagna, which was supposedly made with béchamel—but you’d never know it. It was absolutely drowned in red sauce, not hot when it arrived, and I could barely locate any meat. Just a mushy, soupy mess. For our appetizer, we had the portobello mushroom with gorgonzola. The cheese was rancid—not strong or funky like gorgonzola should be, just clearly off. It was inedible. My husband had the Rigatoni con Pollo alla Panna. Except… where was the chicken? He counted five tiny, bite-sized pieces. The rest of the dish was bland, as if it forgot it was supposed to have any flavor. Worst of all was the service. When the waiter asked how everything was, we told him honestly—and his response was just, “Oh yeah, I see.” That was it. We asked to speak to a manager, but no one ever came. This place might have been good at some point, or maybe we hit it on an off night, but based on our experience, I can’t recommend it. Don't believe the hype.

Caffe Luna in Raleigh was absolutely magical for our wedding! Darcey Tinga, our Event Coordinator, made the entire experience unforgettable. From start to finish, she worked with us tirelessly—even from New York—to ensure every single intricate detail, down to the signage and our signature drinks, was executed perfectly. Every moment felt seamless, organized, and truly special. The food and drinks were delicious, and the setting was polished, romantic, and utterly timeless. Thanks to Darcey and the Caffe Luna team, our day was everything we dreamed of and more—I would recommend this venue to any bride looking for a wedding they will cherish for years to come!

Yumm!! This was really good. We had no idea what to expect as we stumbled upon this place while walking around. But the interior is so pretty. High ceilings and classic decor. The wine by the glass is very affordable. Service is perfect, everyone was knowledgeable and accommodating. They even have a gluten free noodle option if needed. Saving this place and we’ll be back!

We had our wedding ceremony and reception at Caffe Luna and it was truly amazing! We had the best experience working with Darcey! She is so organized, helpful and kind. The food and service were so wonderful and everyone loved the food! Caffe Luna made our wedding such an unforgettable day and it will always hold such special memories for us. A huge thank you to Darcey and the entire staff who made our wedding day SO perfect!!! ❤️

We used Caffe Luna as our wedding venue and it was an amazing experience. The food was incredible and all our guests raved about it. The service during the meal was attentive and professional. The space was beautiful and the team did a fantastic job helping us prepare for our day. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

Excellent meal as usual at Caffe Luna, with large portions and lots of menu variety. The Caprese salad was tasty and mozzarella fresh. The NY strip was medium rare and two sides left me pretty much stuffed. The place was full like normal, even on a weeknight. I appreciate a non-pretentious authentic meal in downtown like the next guy, and I'll return to Luna as soon as possible.

We visited during restaurant week without a reservation and they were kind enough to accommodate us. However, after an hour and half, the manager politely asked us to leave when we were done with our food. We ordered two different meals, however, the sauce only looked slightly different. The plating was poor and it didn't look very appetizing, but it was edible. The tortellini crostacci was a combination of different seafood, but it tasted like imitation crab meat. The Fiocchi was very sweet and the pear was overpowering the dish. The dessert looked like they threw it on the plate and wasn't very moist.

My second time there but no improvement. The food (I had veal Parmesan) was hard to eat. It was tough and was obviously not made fresh. My friend had the lasagna and it was plain tasteless. I also had a cappuccino and it was cold. I will not recommend this place. Service people however were friendly.

Visited for Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week and had a great dinner! Despite a rehearsal dinner occurring at the same time, service was quick and attentive and the private room meant that the restaurant wasn't too loud. Wine selection is always surprisingly large and at fair prices. The rigatoni special was delicious, as was the portobello appetizer. The penne cappesante was good, but it's definitely not reheat-able because of the strong oceanic flavor from the scallops. I'd love to see the starter bread toasted--that would have been the cherry on top of our great dinner experience.

Ambiance reminds me of someone's house but in a welcoming elevated way. Food was plentiful and the flavors were nice. Will definitely recommend for a date night

We love Caffe Luna! Growing up in an Italian household I'm very particular about which Italian restaurant I'll return to, and this one is a no brainer. We loved it so much the first time we went, we decided to have our wedding there! It was an absolutely perfect day, and we would make this choice again ten times over. The atmosphere and ambiance felt like I was back home in the Bronx, NY. It doesn't have that grey bougie modern feel most restaurants these days are going for. It just simply feels like home. For the wedding we did buffet style and it worked out perfectly. The way they set up the table was beautiful and efficient. People are STILL raving about the food. I've got the texts to prove that it was "the best wedding food" guests have ever had lol there was room to dance and mingle and it was just a fantastic day. The staff was personable and helped my coordinator ensure the timeline moved along exactly as we planned. We will be returning with others and recommending it for other couples looking for a more intimate (& affordable for 80 people) wedding!

The atmosphere and service were excellent! 5 stars for that. We were greeted at the door and lead to our table. Our server was wonderful and very friendly. Where I feel they came up short was the food. The bread that came to the table wasn't warmed up, I feel like this would be a simple thing to do and would make it so much more appetizing. The olive oil was bland and didn't have any seasonings in it. I had the cured meat starter and honestly it looked unappetizing on the plate. It was fine but I wouldn't order it again. Nothing special. My husband had the Caesar salad which was well dressed. The entrees were good and flavorful however both our pasta dishes lacked salt. And there was not salt at the table. I got the tiramisu for desert and honestly it was terrible. So wet that it disintegrated before you could eat it. It was really bad and disappointing. Caffe Luna came highly recommended but I don't think it's worth it. I wouldn't go back even though the entrees were good. I think there are better options available for American-Italian restaurants in Raleigh.

I can't articulate enough how amazing the Farfalle al Salmone truly is - sublime. The overall vibe is very authentic and unique.

This meal was perfection. We started with the stuffed mushroom and while the Gorgonzola was a little blegh for our taste, it was a true tomato galore! I ordered a cappuccino which was precious. Lasagna was a gift from above, with its juicy tomato base and tender of tenderest meat. I ordered the tortelli crostacci and holy moley, it was one of the best dishes I've ever had. The meal combined (little bites from each other's, so we could have some cream and tomatoey matrimony) was perfect. Our server Madison was amazing! We can't wait to come back. Service was truly wonderful, everyone so kind.

Food was decent. I got the linguine fra diavolo which was nice but kinda watery. It had quite a bit of spice which I enjoyed. Chicken Parm that my friend got was dry. Calamari was fine. Adequate. I ordered the tiramisu for dessert which was horrible! It's the only dessert that they make in house (but that doesn't mean that's a good thing). The lady fingers were so dry, had barely soaked through. The servers were fun and attentive. I feel like ours was attentive but not that friendly (maybe she was having a rough night or something) but she split the checks for our group of 7! Sigh, I feel so bad for people who work in the service industry. Overall caffe Luna was a cute lil spot and I would eat here again but it does depend on what you order for sure.

Never go here. In my opinion, it's a farce based on restaurant mismanagement. This place deserves to fail. It is the most appalling restaurant I have had the misfortunate to visit in years. How it struggles up to 4 *, I have no idea. The place was freezing cold and when I asked for a raise in temperature the waitress informed me that the thermostat was at 72deg. More like 62 and she also said that several others had requested a warmer temperature already. She would try and get it raised a little bit. Are they on fuel rationing? When the red wine arrived the bottle was chilled and the glasses too. It tasted horrible. I had fortunately rescued the cork the waitress was about to take away, inspite, at the time of ordering, me asking if we could take the remainder of the bottle home. The following day we had got the wine up to room temperature, similarly the glasses and it was lovely. When the food arrived it was not hot, neither were the plates. We bolted our food in an attempt to eat it at least luke warm. The room temperature made that impossible. 1 of us had the orrechietti, apart from the temperature, it passed the test. 2 of us had the veal which in my opinion had the same consistency as meat from some old cow that has evaded capture for half a decade, sinews and all. The tomato sauce was good too, a nice touch of chilli, until it congealed in the low temperature. The pasta was over cooked and limp a complete disaster. The place has the potential to have a nice atmosphere but the unrelenting hard surfaces make it more like a busy pub turned bad on a loosing away day match, minus the fist fights. A double 'don't go' if you have tinnitus. I hate places like this which have the potential to succeed and are so disappointing. This is not the fault of the staff but of a lack of training and management oversight. They should really choose another profession.

The food was amazing and the service spectacular not too intrusive but attentive. The prices Wonderful! Hubby had Fantasia de Mare and I had the pear Fiocchi. A little loud but they were super crowded and it's an old bldg with a great history! Love love love Caffee Luna - you need to go if you haven't been.

The food and its presentation is fabulous. I hadn't been here in a few years and everything was better than I remembered- which was pretty good! The dining room is intimate and the acoustics are perfect for carrying on a conversation. Our server was excellent and very attentive without being intrusive. If you are looking for a meal before attending a performance at the Marietta Center or a quiet, romantic date night this place is for you!

Caffe Luna is the BEST!! My boyfriend and I went here for our one year, and it was incredible! The ambiance is incredible and is very homey with a touch of elegance. The service was incredible, and our server was amazing even though the restaurant was packed! The food is to DIE FOR. We started with the mozzarella fresca and it was so fresh and the perfect app. I got the gluten free version of the rigatoni con pollo alla panna and it was amazing! The creamy sauce paired with the spinach and chicken made a perfect dish- light tasting but definitely filling and delicious! I cannot recommend this place enough. The price point is also great for a nice dinner. Great place for date night, special occasions, or just because! 10/10 we will be back!

This was my first time here and the food was delicious!! I'm still dreaming about the pasta dish I ordered. My date ordered the chicken parmigiana and the chicken was delicious as well. I wish it came with more pasta but overall I would recommend this restaurant and I'll definitely be back!

DELICIOUS Italian cuisine in the cutest restaurant! I've seen this place so many times, but haven't gotten a chance to visit. My mom was in town for her birthday so I decided it would be a great opportunity to check it out. I made a reservation for a Friday evening through OpenTable. This restaurant is located in downtown Raleigh. Although there is street parking, it is scarce and there's other businesses, bars, and restaurants in the area that also use that parking. There are, however, pay lots and parking decks right across the street and a short walk there. The inside of the restaurant is small, but it really fits the feel and makes it feel more authentic. The menu has great options. They only have beer and wine for the drink menu. We both ordered a glass of wine and were given break and olive oil for dipping. The bread was really good. It was the right temperature and taste. I ordered the Tortelli Crostacci and it was so good. I love good Italian cuisine and this was fresh and flavorful. My mother ordered the Parmigiana di Vitello (Veal Parmigiana) and her meal was great too. The food was fresh and flavorful and cooked well. The prices were reasonable, especially for the quality and quantity of food. I have fallen in love with this place and can't wait to return!

Only a couple of minor things make this a four and not a five star experience. But, make no mistake, it is a fantastic choice for Italian. And the prices are better than Olive Garden--I think that speaks volumes. The reason for the drop is, while the free bread is always a fantastic choice, it was basic and nothing special. Secondly, the Fiocchi, while good, could have used a bit more salt or savoriness in the sauce to balance the sweetness of the pasta. Still, I recommend trying it at least once. We swapped the red sauce for pink sauce on the Ravioli Fiorentina and it was 10/10-highly recommended! It was my wife's birthday and they gave her a free slice of cheesecake which was kind of them and also tasted great. The service was great--they were nice and attentive. The place itself was also perfect for a date night. A nice intimate experience. Overall I recommend.

Had such a fabulous lunch event yesterday for over 40 people. The food was incredible and plentiful. The layout of the room was brilliant for both mingling and sitting. Service was perfection, as usual! Thanks to Darcy for the suggestions. You're a consummate professional.

Early New Year's eve dining. Reservations were made, seated in a nice large room. Service was excellent, food was good. Nice wine selection. Both the chicken parm and lasagna came out hot. The lasagna sauce was chunky and plentiful. Chicken parm was good but tasted like it was cooked in advance and reheated. Overall a pleasant experience.

Service was great, Food was great and ambiance was nice! Small dining area and noisy, but service and food were incredible. We even ordered extra entrees to take home.

Caffe Luna was an authentic Italian-American restaurant experience. The food and wine were delicious and the atmosphere of the dining room was delightful. I got the Tortellini Crostacci (that was so delicious that I forgot to take a picture of it until I was almost done) and my date got the Chicken Parmesan that came with a chicken cutlet that was perfectly cooked and must've been over a pound. This is a great spot for many different occasions!

Amazing ambiance and the food is always perfect. Easily one of my favorite Italian spots in Raleigh.

Don't waste your money. There are better Italian restaurants in Raleigh. The portobello mushroom app was not cooked enough and it was drowning in sauce (gravy) to add flavor. As a matter of fact everything was covered with too much sauce. And don't get me wrong who doesn't like a little extra sauce to dunk bread. Which brings me to the bread,which tasted dry, flavorless, covered in flour and under baked. As they say the bread is the indicator of a good meal to come. Well that said it all. I had the ravioli which could have been store bought. Needless to say we didn't have dessert. The restaurant was very loud but the service was good thats about it.

We went to a catered event at Caffe Luna. The food was delicious, the service excellent and the restaurant made for a cozy space for the guests. The staff seemed to do everything from bartend to bus tables and they all were pleasant and helpful. Shrimp cocktail, meatballs, pasta with vodka sauce were some of my favorites. The white frosted sheet cake and crème puffs were outstanding.

Visited Caffe Luna last night before going to the opera. My friend and I had a fantastic dining experience here from start to finish. Upon arrival, we loved the interior look of the restaurant. The soft lighting and art on the walls created a lovely atmosphere. We also loved our waitress who shared her favorite dish and wine combinations with us. We ended up ordering linguine fra diavolo and rigatoni con pollo alla panna. Both dishes were delicious and served generously. We had more than enough to save for later. I really enjoyed the spicy shrimp dish because of the sauce flavor-it was not too spicy but it did add a pleasant kick. They also have a great wine selection here to accompany every dish. I highly recommend bringing a friend here for a dressed up setting. Despite it being a classier restaurant, the prices are very reasonable and I can see myself returning here soon.

The food was so good. I have the penne pasta with scallops and spinach in an extra virgin olive oil and garlic sauce. My meal was so tasty. Our server was very friendly but she barely checked on us. I am giving 4 stars because the service was super slow and it's a very crowded space. I know COVID has dissipated but a little bit more distance between tables would have been nice.

This place is amazing! We went here for my birthday dinner and I was very impressed. The service was amazing and quick. Although there were lots of parties and it was quite loud, I really enjoyed the atmosphere. This was the best homemade pasta I've ever had! They have a pear stuffed ravioli that is to die for! I would eat here every day if I could. Definitely try this place!

Caffe Luna was a nice little Friday night date spot. It sits at a great spot in downtown Raleigh. While street parking was a nightmare (as it always is downtown, let's be real), we were able to park in a nearby parking garage which was super easy and it ended up being free even though it was a Friday night. We made reservations and while our table wasn't ready right away, they quickly prepared it for us. Our waitress was very helpful and prompt! Very great service. The atmosphere was also very cozy and perfect for a date night. In my opinion, the food was delicious. We were given bread to start with which is always a good sign. They also weren't stingy on the bread - they refilled ours when we'd eat it all. The Mozzarella fresca was okay - nothing super groundbreaking. The cheese was yummy. Now, the Rigatoni: absolutely fantastic. The first bite sent me into another dimension. I thought I was in heaven for a second. The sauce was so perfect in taste and texture and the chicken was a perfect complement to it. For once I felt like I wasn't worthy enough to eat a food. We were going to get dessert, but there was a storm a'brewin and we didn't want to get caught up in it so we ended up skipping on dessert. I would come back again. The appetizer was okay, but I might need to try the others.

A good but not great restaurant. Conveniently located in the downtown area of Raleigh. Our party of six had a reservation and we were promptly seated upon our arrival. We were in the first dining room which had approximately 20 tables, mostly four tops but some two and six tops as well. Service was certainly prompt and sufficient while not being overbearing. We ordered a bottle of wine for about 28 bucks. Our server was not trained on how to pour the wine and managed to get it on one set of utensils and drip it onto a menu as well. We tried one appetizer, the prosciutto and melon. I'm used to that being served with honeydew melon but in this case it was cantaloupe. We also ordered the penne with scallops, a seafood pasta dish, a linguine dish and the mahi mahi. Everyone enjoyed their pasta but the mahi was overcooked and dry. One of the major cons to the evening was the audio level inside our dining room. It was extremely loud. You almost had to shout to be heard by your table mates. I thought the food was reasonably priced for the quality. So overall it was an okay experience but not something I'd probably want to repeat.

One of the best family oriented restaurants I have found in Raliegh. Food was great, prices even better. The staff was very friendly including a great sense of humor. Loved the experience!

Not kidding when I tell you this is the best place i've ever eaten at. The Fiocchi is out of this world and a must try. Food was fresh and wine was refreshing. Appetizers and salads were just so great. Hostesses and waitresses were super kind and helpful to someone new to town. Would 10/10 recommend:)

We came here for a date night last week. It's a beautiful establishment with delicious food. It does get crowded and loud (tables are pretty tightly packed, and the dining room is quite echo-ey), but that didn't bother us! Our server Emma was very sweet. Highly recommend the rigatoni con pollo allá panne. The creamy white sauce was to die for!

Excellent food and service. I am definitely coming back. Great menu and ambience is great as well.

Caffe Luna is incredible! Delicious food, fair prices and nice ambiance. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their food and had a great time :)

Overall, very good food and would love to go back. Some of the meals were not quite worth the money (the shrimps was in the entre section but was not a full plate of food) but it was all very tasty. Wait staff was all very attentive and friendly and it was a very laid back and comfortable environment to enjoy a meal. Would definitely recommend the calamari and seafood ravioli!

Fun place to go with friends! Fast service and good atmosphere. The food is very American-ized Italian food. I had a lobster ravioli - It was good but nothing to write home about

Wow, have you seen the lunch prices lately? They have DROPPED. Considerably. Smaller lunch portions...lunches in the $6.95 range...wow! really, something to check out! That being said, we went for dinner on this Saturday night. We made reservations, which I highly recommend doing as this place fills up for good reason! Greeted warmly as always. Hung up our coats for us. I love the pastas here, and nothing makes me happier than their linguine with red clam sauce. But wah! it's not on the dinner menu any more! Well, I'm happy to report that they made it for me. Don't know if they will always do that, but I'm not ashamed to admit I threatened to cry if they wouldn't. I think what makes it so special is the roasted garlic they use. Mmmm! Thank you Chef for making it for me! Meanwhile, Husband had Rigatoni with Chicken and Spinach in a rich Cream Sauce. Which was very good. A large basket of bread was brought, with oil. Simple. I knew enough to save the carb calories of a slice to sop up the awesome sauce in my dish. They do also have salads, meats and seafood, desserts. All the food around us looked terrific as always. Dislikes: No liquor or cocktails. (sorry Husband!) Only bottled beer and wine. Wine is served in a small glass, whether it's white or red. Filled to the brim, but not necessarily the right glass for the type of wine. Also my red was a bit too warm. (easy enough to correct with a couple ice cubes from my water, which was kept nicely replenished). Tables are pretty close together and a bit uncomfortable. We were seated at a two top right next to a large table, so I kind of felt like I was in the way of the Servers. It also gets pretty loud in the dining room. But the dislikes are small. Love the food! Love the positive attitudes of the employees, the nice service, and a good old Owner Parker hand-shake!

My friend and I committed to trying a new restaurant once a month and this month we decided to try this spot. This Italian restaurant had friendly and attentive staff, fresh and delicious food and dessert, outdoor dining as well, and they enforced social distancing throughout the restaurant. I decided on the Tortelli Crostacci (fresh pasta stuffed with lobster, crabmeat, and prawns sautéed in cream) with a slice of cheesecake and my friend decided on the Rigatoni con Pollo allá Panna (rigatoni with sautéed chicken, spinach, and white cream sauce) with a slice of cheesecake as well. The meals were super rich in flavor with decadent taste. They had dinner specials as well as a varied selection of wine. They are open Tues-Thurs from 5p-9p and Friday & Saturday from 5p-10p. I would most certainly visit again!

Caffe Luna is a wonderful restaurant to eat in downtown Raleigh. My daughter just moved here and we have eaten there twice now. Once on Christmas Eve Eve. They were almost full but we called and they accommodated us! Erin is great! Highly recommend the Tortelli Crostacci Fresh Pasta Stuffed with Lobster, Crabmeat and Prawns Sauté in Cream!!! Wine was delish also!

I love the Fiocchi at Caffe Luna, this pasta is highly addictive. The other menu items are tasty too but I will always order this.

Such good pasta. I tried the rigatoni and the white sauce is so creamy and delicious. I ate until I was full and then ate some more. The olive oil served with the bread was one of the best I have ever tasted. Loved this place, will be back next time I am in town.

Loveeeeeee the pasta here！！And the tiramisu is reaaaaaaaally good！！ plz give a try！！！

Surprised this restaurant doesn't have 5 stars! It's an absolute gem - the inside is so cozy, staff is amazing, and the food is to die for. Not to mention the prices are insanely low for what you get! The seafood tortellini here is one of my favorite Italian dishes to get anywhere.

The food was SO good and the restaurant's interior was very clean looking and chic. Would be a nice date spot. I got the Fiocchi and it was SO good. The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because I felt quite sick after eating. I thought I got food poisoning, which didn't make a lot of sense since none of my food had meat in it (and I've only really ever had food poisoning from fish). The food tasted amazing, I just did not feel well after. Would go again, though --- it was THAT good.

CHRISTINE IS THE BEST! I attended a bridal shower party where Christine was the server and she was the most attentive and fun and friendly server we ever could have wished for. The food was delicious as well and the setting was intimate and romantic. Top notch party venue with the most incredible staff in the world. If I could give a 6th star, I would!

We love caffe Luna! Must try the fiocchi, 10/10 it's the best. My husband and I went for our anniversary last night, and the food and service never disappoints! Experience was only made better by our server, Corey. I've worked in the restaurant industry for almost a decade, and this man is a gem! Thanks for making our night so special. If you're in the Raleigh area, check this place out. Great ambiance, and great prices for some of the best pasta ever.

Food is ok not great. Limited wines by the glass. Room is very loud. Have to yell across the table. Food came out very fast. Service is good.

One of the best seafood cuisines near the capitol Visited this area and found this hot spot One of the happening places on a saturday evening

We wanted to come here for a while. Really cute place to come with your loved one. We enjoyed one of the summer menus (not a bad deal) and the Bistecca . The meat was very good and service perfect. Will come again.