LUCA

Vibes here were immaculate. I’m so sorry I can’t quite remember the name of our server but he was one of the bartenders ! He was super sweet and kind and was very helpful in picking what we wanted to eat / was very excited about our selections for us. Upon sitting at the bar, you could tell that a lot of people came back as regulars because of him. This guy was super friendly (and had really awesome tattoos) and it showed in the way customers loved him too. Aside from the service and atmosphere, the food was delicious. Who knew cabbage and flatbread could taste the way it did?? The entrees we got were perfectly seasoned as well. We chose LUCA on a whim and honestly, great choice. If I’m ever back in Lancaster, I’d come back here FOR SURE

Was sent to Luca as a recommendation from a friend and I was not disappointed. This restaurant is chic as soon as you walk in, and the food matches the vibes. I came in as a solo diner and sat at the bar. Wine by the glass selection could be wider, but the cab blend was tasty. The stand out items for me were the gem lettuce salad with the focaccia croutons as well as the tiramisu. So delicious! The kitchen sent out arancini on the house, which I thought was very kind. I got the gnocchi and it was good but wish I tried the pizza. I watched it being made from the bar and it looked outstanding. Highly recommend this spot for a date night or even solo dinner, but better when you have a larger party so you can try a bunch of different items.

One of the best restaurants we've been to in the past couple years. We came on a Thursday night and the place was just popping with spirited energy and a joyful atmosphere. The inside has several different areas to sit, all with their own vibe. The staff were super from the bartenders to the folks clearing the tables. We stayed at the bar and found the bartenders to be very friendly and engaging. The food was delicious and there was a wide assortment of drinks offerings. We will definitely be back here again when we visit Lancaster!

I've been to Luca many times as well as their pizzeria, but this is just a rating on my last visit. IMPORTANT: If going on the weekend, have a reservation or BE PREPARED TO WAIT. I had a reservation two weeks in advance but there were many people who had to wait for long periods of time. The menu has been trimmed down since they have Luca Pizzeria elsewhere now, which was a great move because it allows focus on specialties they do really well. Our cocktails were an egg white foam + ginger + sugar honey flavored type drink (I dont believe is on the menu), and she had a more fruity cocktail. They were both delicious and sadly, I don't remember what they were called. But the pictures tell the story. My drink was stronger and the foam was very delicious! I ordered the beef tongue appetizer, which was slow roasted and basically like a brisket in texture. It's served with a smoked buttermilk sauce and winter greens that pair well. I was pleasantly surprised as it was my first ever tongue dish, and I would order again. My lovely girlfriend ordered the Foccacia, which was mainly fluffy sourdough type bread lightly drizzled in oil. She liked it, but I believe it would've been better paired with a little dish of oil or other topping. Our entrees were the Bolognese pasta, and I ordered the Luca Chciken. Her Bolognese was good, and the noodles tasted very delicious. The sauce and meat reminded me of Chef Boyardee flavor, but it was way healthier. It wasn't salty like other places, and the classic Ragu sauce was smooth tasting sauce, which was delicious, but personally, not great. I would try something else in the future. My chicken was good, but it was in a brine before it was cooked according to the description. However, it was much dryer than a chicken that I would brine at home, and this ruined some of the experience. The flavor itself was excellent, and it was paired with pickled red onions that paired well, and the broccolinj was in a delicious glaze. However, again, the chicken was too fry to get the full effect. I would not go as low as a 3, but I would say a 3.5 if allowed to give a half-star. My dessert was the salted butterscotch budino which was a thick custard type pudding with marscapone and caramel on top. This is delicious and you should share or try it. My lovely lady had Tiramisu. The texture, fluffy of layers, and cream were delicious. However the cocoa or chocolate was a little bitter. It wasn't overly sweet which I appreciate but may have paired better with a drink that goes with it. I thought it was good enough but my girlfriend believes she has had better. I'm not a coffee person and I appreciated it not being sweet, so I am not sure my opinion was valid. Customer service was great. We actually received a free little glass of prosecco while we waited as the server was in the way of our table. The environment is like a flower shop meets garage meets trendy bar. If you have never been, you should go. The Pizzeria is also great!

**⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️ Review for Luca** I recently had the pleasure of dining at Luca, and I can confidently say it was one of the best culinary experiences I've ever had! From the moment I walked in, the warm ambiance and inviting décor set the perfect stage for an unforgettable evening. Now, let’s talk about the food. The wood fire beef hanger steak was nothing short of spectacular! Cooked to perfection, it was incredibly tender and infused with a smoky flavor that only a wood fire can provide. Each bite melted in my mouth, and the seasoning was spot-on, enhancing the natural flavors of the meat without overpowering them. But that’s not all— the Tajarin pasta was a revelation! Delicate and handmade, it had a rich, buttery sauce that clung beautifully to each strand. The freshness of the ingredients was evident, and the balance of flavors was exquisite. It’s a dish that truly celebrates Italian cuisine at its finest. What impressed me even more was the seamless operation of the kitchen. The chefs at Luca are not only talented but also work together like a well-oiled machine. Their passion for food and dedication to excellence shone through every dish that was served. You could see the care and attention to detail in each plate, which made the dining experience all the more special. Overall, Luca exceeded all my expectations. The combination of outstanding food, a welcoming atmosphere, and an obviously skilled kitchen team makes it a must-visit. I can’t wait to return and indulge in more of their incredible offerings! Highly recommend! I can not wait to return!

I recently dined at Luca in Lancaster, PA, to celebrate my birthday, and while there were some positives, our overall experience was mixed. First, the ambiance in the main dining room was far too crowded. The tables were placed so close together that it felt like we had no privacy, and the noise level was overwhelming—almost to the point of sensory overload. It seems like the restaurant is prioritizing seating as many guests as possible over comfort. The menu, which we understand changes seasonally, had very few recognizable dishes. While we appreciate creative and authentic cuisine, we found ourselves having to Google many of the items just to understand what we were ordering. One of the biggest disappointments was the house-made focaccia bread. We were expecting the soft, chewy texture topped with rosemary and served with herb-infused olive oil, but instead, it was more like thick Texas toast—nothing like the focaccia we’ve enjoyed elsewhere and it wasn't served with herb-infused olive oil for dipping. As for the entrées, I ordered the Pegaj, which was fine but nothing remarkable. However, my husband enjoyed his Tagliatelle Bolognese, so at least one of our dishes was a win. The highlight of the meal was dessert. My husband had them surprise me with my favorite—tiramisu. It was a generous portion and tasted great, which was a nice way to end the evening. Overall, while Luca has a nice ambience and some good dishes, the overly crowded seating, unfamiliar menu, and disappointing focaccia took away from the experience. I’d recommend it for those who enjoy adventurous, seasonal Italian cuisine, but if you’re looking for a more relaxed and traditional dining experience, it may not be the best fit.

The plating is fantastic and extremely intentional. True culinary art. The quality is incredible and I sincerely appreciate their emphasis on farm to table, seasonal cuisine. Angie, one of their servers, is the personable and kind. I’d come back just to have her quality service again. The chef came out to see how our meal was, which was a phenomenal touch. I can feel their passion and commitment to quality. I will be back.

Really great food, drinks and service from our bartender. Makes for a great date night place. They have an upper seating area, maybe next time I'll be cool enough to get seated up there, but for now the bar will do.