Luca's Ristorante

Four of us had lunch at Luca's at 1:00 on a Sunday afternoon. There were only a couple other tables with guests so the restaurant was very peaceful, low noise level. We were being very social and not in a hurry, and fortunately, the staff at Luca's couldn't have been more accommodating. They have us plenty of time to order, didn't rush us at all, let us sit there for what turned out to be over two hours as we chatted, ate, and drank our wine. Of the four of us, I was the only one who had not been there before, the other three recommended we eat here. And for good reason ... the food was very good. I had the Luca Seafood dish which was excellent. The scallops and shrimp were fresh and cooked to perfection, the asparagus also fresh and perfectly prepared, all on a bed of linguini with a creamy white wine sauce. I'm not I've got not finishing a meal but this was a plentiful portion and rich enough that a small portion made for an excellent snack the next day. The other three in our party all had the Pappardelle. This too was an excellent bowl of pasta with a good portion of burrata cheese to accompany the hearty bolognese sauce. For dessert we shared regular canoli and the special pistachio canoli. We preferred the regular. Luca's is BYO and has a dedicated free parking lot. Definitely worth a visit.

A true Italian gem in Somerset! Dining at Luca’s felt like a trip to Italy—no passport required. From the moment we sat down, everything was exceptional. The unique bread basket was a standout, the sparkling Italian water set the tone, and each dish was crafted with care and full of flavor. The vibrant, welcoming decor and attentive service completed the experience. Highly recommend for anyone craving authentic Italian cuisine. Grazie, Luca’s!

Second time ordering their ‘famous’ meatballs and they were undercooked inside!! They were extremely pink inside and mushy like the texture of raw ground meat. I was told by staff they use high quality meat so I shouldn’t be concerned, and to next time ask for them to be cooked longer. Then man I spoke to was rude and condescending, not understanding at all. If I could give zero stars I would. At $6+ per meatball, I expect better. Their food is extremely over priced and over rated. I wanted to like them, even giving them a second try after a mediocre first experience. The meatballs were the one thing that I enjoyed during my first visit, and they were definitely cooked. I understand mistakes can happen with food preparation, but to blow off a customers concerns is unacceptable. Extremely disappointing.

We celebrated our daughter’s graduation by having lunch here. This Italian restaurant is a hidden gem. It’s located at a strip mall. The decor is classic Italian, staff is extremely friendly and there’s ample space. This is possibly one of the best Italian restaurants in NJ. Appetizers and pastas are all shareable, each small plate can easily serve 2. Everything we tried was yum: Spiedini in spicy vodka sauce, Fried Calamari, Pappardelle, Valentino, and of course the Tiramisu!! The wines are not served by glass, you have to buy the whole bottle, though you get couple of the wines in small bottles.

Came to this restaurant to celebrate Father’s Day and some birthdays. I’ve always had great Italian food growing up in New Jersey and New York, but Luca’s is up there with the best. This restaurant is specifically themed around the Ischia island off of Naples. All of the art inside is made by artists from Ischia and of course the food is themed around it too. It’s not a place I’d heard of before, but this restaurant makes me want to go. All of the dishes my family ordered were amazing- pasta is cooked perfectly al dente and the daily specials were truly unique and delicious. We were all blown away with the dessert, which was a pistachio tiramisu. It was one of the best tiramisus I’ve ever had! Such a deep and rich coffee flavor. Service was great as well, our wine glasses and water were always refilled promptly and it didn’t feel as though we had to wait very long for our food even though it was so crowded inside. Overall, I strongly recommend and can endorse it as being certainly the best Italian restaurant in the area and probably one of the best in Jersey.

Food was absolutely fantastic with good flavor and beautifully present.. service was warm and attentive.. to talk about Ambiance wah it was such a impressive place if you love the antique touch then this place is for you.

I’ve had this place on my list for a while, and I finally got to try it—and it was absolutely worth it. The service was outstanding—attentive, friendly, and professional. The ambiance was warm and inviting, making for a cozy dining experience. The food? Incredible. Since it was Valentine’s Day weekend, they offered a special twist on the Fico appetizer, replacing fig with strawberry—a literal burst of flavor! The spiedini with spicy vodka blush sauce was rich and delicious. For entrées, we had the Stagionata, which was cooked to perfection, and the Marsala Arrosto. Even as someone who isn’t the biggest fan of chunky mushrooms, I thoroughly enjoyed it. They ran out of crème brûlée so ended up trying Tiramisu which was pretty good. Highly recommend checking this place out!

Thought the service was a little weird. We got the apps really quickly and then had to inquire after our entrees after over 30min wait. Also, I had to ask another server to get me some more water. No one checked on us during the 30min wait. The food itself was good: -App: Meatballs (thought the pine nuts added a nice texture but husband didn't like it as much) -App: Mussels, Clams and Shrimp (very pure tomato sauce but the drenched foccacia bread was a little weird) -Entree: Luca (best thing we got, each bite, it got better and better) -Entree: Romolo (interesting but it was too much for me) -Dessert: Berry pastry with gelato (it wasn't flaky pastry at all lol, I would never get again)

The food was absolutely amazing! I cleaned my literal plate. The bruschetta was light and flavorful, the pasta was savory, the bread before the meal was cheesy and seasoned and the non-alcoholic mimos was light and refreshing. I topped my meal off with a deliciously creamy, light & indulgent creme brulee! It was the perfect day to eat outside! Sunny and breezy with a beautiful area to sit -- flowers, canopy, lights and music. I cannot recommend Luca's highly enough!

Absolutely delighted by this restaurant. Interior decor made me feel as if I were in Italy. And well that's the start The bread basket was an assortment of various breads The dishes were mouthwatering. Not tiny portions. Worth the price 100% Our waiter was very kind and helpful with choosing a dish

I have been on the hunt for an authentic Italian restaurant for a while and had heard great things about Luca's. Don't let the strip mall exterior fool you, inside feels cozy, romantic, and worlds away for central Jersey. The service was great and it's BYOB with easy parking out front. Reservations can be made online but there is a cancellation fee. We came on a Wednesday around 7 and didn't need a reservation but there were a number of other tables there. I would recommend a reservation for larger groups or for peak times on weekends to be safe. We ordered the famous meatballs (very good but different with pine nuts and raisins), farro salad with beets, Luca pasta (packed with seafood and a good size portion but was over $40), and the gnocchi genovese (good short rib), and the pitsachio cannoli (not great). Overall, my husband and I decided it was good but not inexpensive. I don't think either of us would be interested in driving the 30 min to come back but we would if we lived closer.

Came to this restaurant to celebrate Father's Day and some birthdays. I've always had great Italian food growing up in New Jersey and New York, but Luca's is up there with the best. This restaurant is specifically themed around the Ischia island off of Naples. All of the art inside is made by artists from Ischia and of course the food is themed around it too. It's not a place I'd heard of before, but this restaurant makes me want to go. All of the dishes my family ordered were amazing- pasta is cooked perfectly al dente and the daily specials were truly unique and delicious. We were all blown away with the dessert, which was a pistachio tiramisu. It was one of the best tiramisus I've ever had! Such a deep and rich coffee flavor. Service was great as well, our wine glasses and water were always refilled promptly and it didn't feel as though we had to wait very long for our food even though it was so crowded inside. Overall, I strongly recommend and can endorse it as being certainly the best Italian restaurant in the area and probably one of the best in Jersey.

Service was amazing, our waitress helped us out navigating the menu along with their specials, she was super sweet. My partner and i started off with a small order of calamari (i love how they do big or small orders!). I got a pasta with sausage and he got a pasta with fried prosciutto. The food was great but definitely on the pricey side. We tried their italian pomegranate soda and it was great! Our bill came out to be $99 without tip. the interior was very cute, rustic and old but it worked great. Overall a great place to have a nice dinner.

Food was excellent! All of the dishes were flavorful, cheesy, and meat was cooked to perfection. I especially loved the complimentary bread which was absolutely delicious. I also loved the tiramisu and lemon sorbet - getting dessert here is a must!! Interior was very cozy and intimate. We came on Valentine's weekend so it was super busy but still enjoyable. Service was VERY slow, which is understandable as it was a popular weekend. It may be better on a regular weekend. Staff were all friendly

Luca's is the perfect spot if you're looking for authentic Italian cuisine in a cozy, rustic setting that transports you straight to Italy. The decor really sets the mood, making it feel like you're dining in a charming Italian trattoria. Bonus points for being dog-friendly and BYOB, which is always a nice touch! My husband and I started with the calamari appetizer, and it was perfect. They offer two sizes--one for 1-2 people and the other for 2-4--so we went with the smaller portion. The calamari was hot and fresh, straight out of the fryer, with a delicate, thin breading that didn't overpower the flavor. My husband, who typically avoids marinara sauce, loved this one. It was infused with herbs and had just the right amount of kick. Oh, and I can't forget to mention the complimentary fresh-baked bread served with both marinara and olive oil for dipping--such a great touch! For mains, my husband ordered the Luca while I got the Ischia. He really enjoyed his dish, especially the real crab meat and perfectly tender shrimp and scallops. The pasta was wonderfully creamy, and the asparagus was cut into convenient bite-size pieces, which he appreciated. As for my Ischia, not only were all the shellfish fully opened, but they generously added extra mussel and clam meat. That's a rarity in many places, and I loved it! The squid in my dish was so tender it almost melted in my mouth--if I had to compare it to anything, it would be like wagyu beef, it was that tender. You can tell the pasta is homemade and cooked to an ideal al dente texture. Our server was incredibly sweet and attentive, though we didn't catch his name. We accidentally left our leftovers on the table, and he actually ran after us to our car to return them. Now that's service! We'll definitely be coming back for more delicious meals at Lucas!

This BYOB place has been here for decades and has great reviews, but this past Sunday afternoon was our first visit. We will definitely return. Dont let the strip mall location concerned you. The place is charmingly decorated and has a great cozy, relaxed vibe. Service was outstanding. Pace was perfect. We perused the menu as well as listened to the menu additions while we shared some wine. We decided on meatballs and cold octopus salad for appetizers which was served with fresh baked assortment of breads and olive oil. The meatballs were excellent including the gravy. Octopus was perfectly grilled in a very generous sized salad. Wish there was octopus. Pared nicely with a Rhone Viognier. For entries, the girls had the Cinquanta which is a fifty layered lasagna. Michael and I split the pork stuffed enocchi and grilled lamb chop entrees. The lasagna was rich and delicious with fine layers of cheese, sauce and meat. The pork stuffed potato enocchi was hearty. Six decent sized lamb chops grilled a perfect medium rare which went well with the Brunelli di Montalcino. The non-traditional tiramisu dessert was interesting. Nicely prepared with a unique flavor. The cappuccino could have been colder. In addition to their Ischia inspired dinner menu, they also offer artisnal pizzas which we will try on our next visit. While we were walk-in at noon on Sunday, reservation strongly recommended by our server.

This place is located in a strip mall with ample parking. We had reservations for a friend's birthday. When walking in noticed this place is very cozy and filled with different types of ceramic masks. This place BYOB so the wine was great. Lol. We were served the best variety of breads, so good!!! We all tried different entrees and shared a bite of each other and all were equally tasty. Will definitely be back!

The slices are delicious. I just found this place and it's really good. Service is really good atmosphere is amazing. Totally recommended giving it a 9.5 out of 10.

Food and service are excellent!! I've been there many times... even had food from there delivered!

Very cozy spot nestled in a shopping strip on Rt 27. Had a business lunch yesterday and the food and service were amazing. We ordered the Calamari and Fico as starters to share. Both were excellent. I had the Luca for my lunch which was shrimp, scallops, and crab over linguine with creamy white wine sauce. Just fantastic! Highly recommended.

10/10 would highly recommend this spot! It looks small and more like a pizzeria from the outside but step inside and be transported to a ristorante in the Tuscany region with the stone walls covered with Italian paintings and wooden panels on the windows! The ambiance is warm, cozy, and perfect for date nights to large groups. The service adds to it with the servers being professional yet personable. They were also extremely helpful - I had gone with a group of 10+ people and I had allergies that they not only flagged to me when dishes had it but also able to modify items to exclude nuts. The food itself was delicious! The items took traditional to typically expected Italian items and elevated it making it very unique and more like a gastronomy / modern experience. If this was in New York I'd expect this restaurant to be more expensive. We ordered for appetizer figs stuffed with mascarpone wrapped in prosciutto topped with balasamic pearls. As we were a large group we had a fixed menu - I picked the chicken item which was chicken with cheese and fried polenta that was delicious. The gnocchi and spare ribs as well as the bolognese with burata pasta looked scrumptious too. Dessert was a classic tiramisu. Another perk - it's BYOB

The service and some of the menu items are solid; we appreciated the complimentary bread (such variety! Strong start to the meal), and the friendliness of the staff. The portion sizes are large, definitely suitable for sharing. Where things went a little sideways for us was the food itself. The meatballs are not the best in NJ, if I'm being honest - texture is too loose/soft, and they're drowning in pine nuts. All of the red sauces are same-same-y. Artichokes accompanying the lamb were very greasy. Some of the mussels in the Marinero dish were off/not open, and should not have been served. Overall, the quality/taste of the food is not where it should be for this price point (entrees in excess of $60+).

Pricey for catering. We had heard so much about the place and sadly they could not deliver. Eggplant parm was undercooked and chicken parm overcooked. Not a very good experience this time.

Excellent brick oven pizza with a unique taste. We went with a pepperoni pie. Picture says it al. We'll be back

We went on a weeknight and the restaurant was mostly empty with exception of a couple other families. The restaurant is beautifully decorated with Venetian masks throughout. I was there with a group of girlfriends and we were all excited to try the pizza. Unfortunately the pizza are only available during lunch service and they couldn't make any exceptions. The waiter recommended we try the Bruschetta (see pic) and it was actually pretty comparable to pizza. We also ordered a couple different pasta dishes and they were all fantastic! We ordered the Tiramisu, Bosco, and Pompei for dessert and all 3 were great - but the Bosco was a standout! The service could use improvement but the food is too good to pass up - will definitely will be returning!

exceptional service and food! nice intimate interior. the pasta is house made, and there is so much variety. I had the Luca specialty pasta which was a seafood pasta. it was delicious and so flavorful. it did not lack of seafood or flavor! there are so many appetizers we wanted to try so we will be going back to try more. also it's BYOB

Luca's is one of the best Italian spots in the area, and that's saying a lot in NJ. It's a cozy, intimate spot, with decor that will have you feeling like you're in a little bistro in Italy. It's casual enough for a nice brunch with your girls, but also classy enough for date night or a celebratory dinner with your family. You can't go wrong with any of the dishes at Luca's-- from their chicken Bianco to their Branzino. But the standouts are definitely their pastas like their Cinquanta or their seafood Cannelloni, and their meatballs which have been ranked the best in NJ. And their complimentary bread basket will have you fighting your table for the last piece. Service is quick, attentive, and friendly, no complaints. If you're looking to dine at Luca's, run, don't walk. And grab a rezzy if you can, as they can get busy!

Extremely overpriced. The polenta appetizer did not taste recognizable. The two positive points were the atmosphere, and the server was good. But the food being good is more important. Unfortunately I did not enjoy the food and the prices were over the top for the quality.

We dine out every Friday night as date night. Luca's is on our rotation for every 6 weeks or so. Service is professional and homie at the same time. Gorgeous interior decoration from chef 's hometown. They only use very high quality ingredients. Creative dishes with Italian root. Food quality is always good. We are here probably 100 times, they always deliver. Favorite restaurant in NJ, period.

Absolutely lovely dining experience - from the food to the service - everything was great. The olive oil served with the bread at the beginning of the meal is the best olive oil I've ever had! Thank you to Matt for professional and friendly service.

Food and service was excellent. Ambiance is adorable and very clean! They have non alcoholic Mocktails that are so good

My experience was excellent. The apps; fried calamari melted in your mouth. The best we have had anywhere. The meatballs were very good and I have never had Pinole nuts or sultanas in my meatballs before. The sauce was very good too. The entrees; osso buco served with white truffle pearls was very good but a bit too pricey. The chicken Marsala was outstanding served with mushroom risotto. It was so delicious. The cappuccino and desserts were to die for. Fruit in pastry and gelato. I had a mango blood orange sorbet that was bursting with flavor and very refreshing. The waiter was excellent. Oh and the bread is absolutely fantastic. 5 stars all the way. Expensive but Worth every penny .

Going to Luca's feels like the experience of going to your grandmother's for that meal you yearn for. I find Luca's to be one of the better local Italian spots to have a homey, delicious dinner. *AMBIANCE* Reservations can be found on OpenTable and I highly recommend making one since walk-ins, especially on weekends, are slim. Each dining room is uniquely decorated and it feels like you've transported to Italy. It's definitely more of a special occasion place, as we saw many people celebrating birthdays or anniversaries. *SERVICE* Service was very friendly/efficient and our server Sarah was fantastic. She also informed us this is a BYOB spot. *FOOD* Everything that I've tried here has been very delicious. It's a bit on the pricier side, but you are paying for higher quality / fresh ingredients. They also serve their appetizers in two sizes which I appreciate. Some standout dishes are: -Rollatini Gialli ($18) - cheese stuffed rolled eggplant slices which are so delicious! There are 4 pieces with the larger portion. -Luca ($41)- one of their signature pasta dishes which has a medley of seafood in them. Comes in a creamy white wine sauce which is really good. -Pappardelle ($29) - A traditional staple with bolognese meat sauce. Very fresh and yummy. Overall, great spot and highly recommended for this area of NJ. Can't wait to come back to try their other dishes!

The food is delicious! I've only had the lunch though, the portions are a lot small. The staff is helpful and polite

All I can say is....wow! Our only regret is that we haven't tried this restaurant sooner. It was easily the best meal we have experienced in the central New Jersey area. The ambiance is great with the charm from their hometown in Italy. The service was friendly and attentive. The food....i can't say enough. This is a restaurant that you know is buying top quality ingredients and innovative menu ideas where you can get a refreshed take on a traditional dish or a dish that is a brand new experience. We would highly highly recommend that you try Luca's immediately.

Fantastic Italian food made by native born Italians using legacy recipes from their southern Italian roots and their own families. Where to begin! I have eaten here twice and every dish was delicious. Most dishes are shareable, I'd recommend keeping this in mind when ordering. Their octopus salad with farro is so good I've wanted to make it at home! Pasta dishes are all made with pastas made fresh on site. The calamari is so tender and crispy and served with their house marinara. The Luca pasta with shrimp is unbeatable for flavor if you're a shrimp fan. Can't wait to return, check my photos for a good look at what to expect; fresh food made the Italian way, you won't find your typical red sauce fare, they do so much more, so very well. Mangiare!

I have been a patron of Lucas for quite some time now, and I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone in the area for delicious Italian. The specials are always interesting and delicious, but my go tos are: Apps: - Caesar salad (so good to share) - Pera salad (refreshing) - Fico (figs & cheese ) Pastas: - Genovese (its a warm, delicious hug) - Cinquanta (not your average lasagna at all, but better) - Pappardelle bolognese - Valentino (the pesto is perfection) Dinner: - Chicken Marsala Arrosto (super elevated) The only thing I have ever had that I was disappointed in was the O Rrau (meatball, short rib, sausage & pasta). But everything else I have ever had has been top notch. It's a tiny, cozy restaurant. The service is fantastic & it's BYO! Definitely give it a try.

One of my favorite Italian restaurants in Jersey! Always had great service when I'm here and it's BYOB which is convenient since there is a liquor store next door.

Came here for the first time with my family to celebrate my brother's milestone birthday tonight. We told them so at the time of booking. There was no fanfare. No candles. No acknowledgment of this fact which was a letdown. The food was good. The service was not bad. We had to ask for a water refill even though the restaurant was empty on a Sunday evening. The prices are much higher than other Italian spots that I've been to. It averages about $40/plate which I think is overpriced. This place has white cloth prices but not white cloth dining experience. It's set up more like a casual osteria but with high prices. Although we enjoyed the food, we won't be back due to the credit card fee that's charged to the customer and their higher than average prices. Most businesses eat that fee as the cost of doing business. They pass it onto the customers without advanced notice. Not cool.

Amazing dining experience. From the ambience to the knowledgeable staff. 5 stars across the board. All pasta and deserts are home made. Entree portions were extremely well sized for the price point. Rice ball appetizer - not bad but wouldnt get again octopus appetizer- Phenomenal would get every time Entrees - lamb shank with spinach and polenta. (Amazing) Bronzino - with cavetelli, escarole squash and zucchini. INCREDIBLE. Coffee was excellent. latte and Tiramisu. If i had to make one CON. For $11 the tiramisu really was on the small side. I cant say enough good things about this place. BYOB.

OH MY DELICIOUS! I found it on YELP and I'll recommend it on YELP. The food is the most authentic and delicious. Everything from the seasonings to the sauces; the meat is SO high quality. The burrata is beyond. And the short rib is fall-off-the-bone tender. The pork chop comes in the most delectable sauce. The menu is simple, not overwhelming, and suits every taste preference. And the atmosphere- so authentic! The service was tops with Luca (nephew of the owner). You can tell he cares greatly for his family's business and genuinely cares for the total satisfaction of their customers. If we didn't live so far, we'd celebrate every special occasion here with this special family.

The definition of a true hidden gem hidden in the heart of Somerset, New Jersey, is the most fantastic Italian restaurant you will ever see. Now the food is Ischia so it's a little twist on your normal Italian dishes, but if you ask me way, better! My waiter. Luca was friendly and attentive. The owner came over frequently to check to make sure I didn't have any allergies, and how I was enjoying my meal. For the appetizers, I had the most amazing meatballs, which he got a write up in a magazine for, I also enjoyed the crispiest polenta and the burrata, which was so delicious and creamy It just melted in my mouth. For dinner I enjoyed two types of pastas. one the Valentino was rich and creamy with a delicious sauce & grilled chicken. My favorite was definitely the Luca with fresh shrimp, crabmeat & scallops the size of my head ! To end it all I had a delicious chocolate soufflé cake. The decor is gorgeous you'll feel like you're dining in a real European castle, if you haven't been you must go !

Restaurant is a local gem that sits in a strip mall and is very unassuming. Perhaps a good thing to keep this place an untapped secret for those that know! Great place, great ambiance, good service and amazing food. Highly recommend Luca's. Everything we tried was fresh, tasty and portioned well to justify the price, especially as the apps can be a little pricey.

A staple in the heart of Somerset/North Brunswick. My favorite Italian spot in the area, due to its authentic, family-owned feel. The bread comes out as a variety of different selections. Each type is warm & soft, and comes with two different dipping options. The appetizers are always exceptional, though I didn't order any of them this time. Some of my personal favorites include the arancini, calamari, polenta, & burrata. I would recommend any of the pasta dishes that they serve. The pasta is thick & delicious. Combined with their well-cooked meats & creamy, rich sauces & your entree is sure to leave you impressed! My personal favorite is the genovese. In the picture I included, they were out of gnocchi, so I subbed for lucatoni pasta which was a nice stand in. The food comes out extremely fast & the servers are knowledgeable about the menu & can help you navigate any questions. It can be a little pricey, but the lunch menu also includes many of the same entrees as the dinner menu. The portion sizes are still plenty large enough to satisfy an empty stomach, especially with the addition of some bread & any potential appetizers. Lastly, they have a nice wine selection but they are also BYOB. If you're in the central Jersey area & haven't tried Luca's yet, take this review as your sign to run to the restaurant right away!

Excellent atmosphere and even better food. Hard to believe you're in a strip mall. The decor makes you feel like you are in a small authentic Italian Restaraunt. We all had different types of seafood and all the dishes were way better than most Italian places I've eaten at. The staff was also excellent. I highly recommend this place.

Amazing experience. First off, it's BYOB so automatically deserves the minimum 3 stars. But what makes this place deserve the remaining two stars is the intimate space, great service and fabulous food. The place is small but it really transports you back to Italy. It's rustic and clean and the decorations are fun. I don't mind paying a premium for the food since it's homemade pasta (for some or most items) - be sure to ask! Plus it's BYOB so it balances out the cost for those who drink. The complimentary bread also yummy with an olive oil and what I think is capers or olive dip. The food is lip smacking good and comes in a pretty good portion size - my friends even packed their leftovers! I can't wait to go back and try the other items on the list. The desserts are also homemade. I would 100% recommend for an authentic Italian meal in the central Jersey area. One additional comment - wish I could give this place an extra start to make it 6 stars...my friends and I stayed past 9:30 and asked when they closed and the waiter said however long we stay he would stay for us. Definitely deserved his tip but talk about amazing service! I find most places are lacking that genuine hospitality nowadays.

All the hype about this place on Yelp lured us to try for a special birthday dinner . Made a reservation a week in advance and we were all excited about trying a home style yet upscale Italian restaurant. We knew that it was in a rather inconspicuous strip mall as we've seen the sign driving by . And finally the day arrived and we made it on time found a parking spot in the strip mall and walked in to cozy or should I say compact space that was almost full , with a couple of free tables that was already reserved. We were seated right in the middle of the cozy hall in a tight spot with adjacent tables almost backing up to us . We hardly had any room to move once we sat down . Our server Luca greeted us and said we had to give our entire order at the very beginning and they will bring the food out slowly with the appetizers first followed by entrees. Not the most likable concept but having gone there we had to play along and place our entire order in one go. They brought us fresh baked assorted warm bread basket for the table which was quite savory and had good Italian herbs and seasoning . There was no live oil or marinara dipping sauce . We asked for butter which and were given pre packed butter after multiple requests. Calamari , Fried Polenta, and Bruschetta were our appetizers and entrees were Luca, Valentino and Ischia . Calamari with Marianna dipping sauce was quite standard fare but was low on salt Bruschetta was different and felt more like a pizza topped with fresh seasoned grape tomatoes . It was good but nothing to rave about . Crispy polenta with hazelnuts ricotta and peach agrodolce was quite delicate with a sweet and sour flavor and the crunch of hazelnuts . I Loved it but no one at my table did ! Valentino - tomato Cavetelli with pistachio pesto, semi dried tomatoes and chicken sounded decadent but it lacked seasoning and had no great flavor . Was doused in pesto and the bread chicken was tough Luca was the seafood Linguini pasta in a creamy white wine sauce . It s one of their signature dishes on the menu. Seasfood was cooked well and tasted fine but yet again the pasta lacked salt and the sauce lacked depth of flavor . Dessert was fine . They're were out of their Tiramisu!! Cannoli was mildly sweetened and so was the Pompei with the Hazelnut milk chocolate gelato . I would recommend both desserts . Overall food fell flat on all counts and can be described as mediocre except a few dishes and dessert . If a restaurant cannot get salt right in their food that's a good sigh about their consistency. This place was really pricey like a fine dining restaurant, but the food didn't match that standard . Just another neighborhood spot .

Thank you for hosting our dinner group last night. The food is spectacular and service was awesome. When you do the simple basics as good as you do, such as fried calamari... most places serve average , but yours was light, crispy, tasty and hot; if you do the simple that good , no shock that the rest of the meal was awesome.

Fantastic!!! I have not been here in many years. It has definitely evolved into an awesome restaurant. The Italian aesthetic is awesome! The food followed suit. We started with the Figs and Polenta. A fresh twist to these dishes made them really enjoyable. For our main course we had the Cannelloni and the Luca. Great portions and taste. Service was spot on as well. The only downfall I would say is that they only offer wine by the bottle, and they are not common wines, but that would be my ONLY con. Nevertheless, you can BYOB. Definitely a Great Experience... I recommend reservations.

My sis and brother-in-law took us to Luca's back in November. Luca's is located in a yucky looking strip mall, but don't be deceived by the outside. Once you step inside, you're immediately transported to southern Italy. Now I've never read or heard anything about Luca's, but this small restaurant in North Brunswick seemed to be very popular. The place was packed! Coming from Philly, I thought the Italian food in South Philly is where is at, but Luca's blew us away. The food was soooo good, so authentic, and perfectly prepared. The quality was exceptional and the portions were huge. All of this is reflected in the price by the way. Luca's is definitely more expensive than restaurants of its category, but you do get a whole lot of delicious food for what you pay for. Service was friendly, but you could tell the servers were inexperienced. This didn't really bother us though. I have to be honest, the wine selection is small and absolutely terrible. The wines come from a local winery. The red blend we had was one of the worst wines I've ever drank in my life. I have to take off one star for the wine.

Best Italian restaurant in the area they cock old school with a new accent on current trends. Nothing like it in this area. Speaking from the point of you from a former restaurant owner Who was recognized by New Jersey monthly years ago. I am now retired but I can certainly tell the difference between fresh ingredients style of preparation and presentation you can't go wrong. Not an expensive but in this world you get what you pay for true value great experience great ambience and great people I couldn't say enough how wonderful sharing food in this environment can enhance your life sincerely Alan Steiner previous owner of oasisRestaurant II Eastern Ave., Somerset, NJ five stars I worked there were six

Absolutely phenomenal. Some of the best food and service I've had. Seating can be a little tight but overall I'm very pleased with Luca's. The price is an accurate reflection of the quality. Savor every bite!

Well the food is tasty and well prepared. That is the good part. This was our second visit here in the last six months. The first time we sat outside, even though it was a little bit cold in September. This time we sat inside on a 9° night, two days before Christmas. We had a reservation for 8 PM. There were only five tables seated of about 20 tables. We really wanted to come between 7pm and 7:30pm but open table said there were no tables available. Hmmmm. The decor is a bit tired. And our table was almost too dark to read the menu or really see the food that well. And the little tea light lamp didn't work. None of the other tables were working either, so I guess they were just decor. We really wanted coffee. We'd been running around all day and were really looking forward to a hot cup of coffee before our meal. Excitedly I asked for mine with Splenda and half and half. They have no Splenda and they have no half and half, just milk and Sugar. They call it Americano. So I asked how much it was and they said $6. I asked if a refill was another $6 and the waiter said yes. Oh boy! That would've been $48 for each of us to have 2 cups of coffee!!!! The menu was interesting and the waiter had good knowledge it. We ordered the large calamari appetizer, $23. It was good, but too expensive for the portion. We also ordered a pasta Fagioli soup which was very good. I ordered the grilled octopus appetizer called Otto, not sure why as Otto means eight in Italian (maybe there's a story here.) It was in the appetizer section of the menu, and all the appetizers are warm, it seems all except this one, and it didn't say that it was cold on the menu. So sadly, I sent it back. Grilled octopus is great when it's warm but not so much when it's cold. With dinner, they serve a ceramic filled container of warm homemade focaccia bread and dinner rolls with olive tapenade and olive oil. There was only a little focaccia, which was delicious and the rolls were OK but nothing special. We asked for a second serving to go with the soup we ordered and they told us it was $4. For dinner, we had Pappardelle Bolognese which was good, Radiatori beet pasta with vegetables which was great and a lovely Pear Salad. All were delicious. The pear salad had spiced apple slices which were either overdone or canned, but the salad was quite wonderful anyway. I added grilled shrimp and it was super delicious. There is a 3.5% fee for using a credit card. I don't think credit card fees are 3.5% but that's what they charge. Overall, we made it a nice evening. We laughed about the coffee and went home to have some Lol. I don't think we'll be going back, but the food is delicious and Yelpers seem to really like the place.

The was food & service was incredible from start to finish. The place is a little small & tight but that was all forgotten as soon as food was served.

It's all that other reviewers have pointed out and then a not-so-well-publicized NJ wine menu (saw prices only by the bottle) tho they are a BYOB place. Liked their pasta dishes quite a bit. They have good vegan and vegetarian pasta and salad options. Their house bread was warm and yummy with selections of crisp roasts to soft knots. The green olive spread and olive oil accompaniment were also unique and lovey in taste. Try their Radiatori beet based pasta. Unique and tastes great as well. Establishment is smallish and have two dinning areas but the tables are a bit cramped. Definitely suggest reservations for dinner. They only take reservations for 6:15p and 8:15p. The pace is leisurely to slow - so felt like they could use some additional help in kitchen or for tables.

Came here for lunch, listen... you will not be disappointed!!! The Granchio (crab and corn chowder) and fresh bread... amazing!! I also had the blood orange soda which was a perfect pair for my meal. I also ordered the Branzino which was perfection! The service was also incredible! My waiter Eric was also helpful in my selection of my meal. The ambiance is quirky but cute!

Their meatballs aka "polpette" just got ranked the best in NJ by Genovese with NJ.com so naturally I HAD to go try them for myself and oh. My. God!!! Left me quite literally speechless. I got them for take out and I didn't make it out of the parking lot before they were gonna. As PG mentioned "run, don't walk" and go try these for yourself.