Lucia's Berkeley

Italian restaurant · Downtown

Lucia's Berkeley

Italian restaurant · Downtown

5

2016 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA 94704, USA

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Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by Lucia’s/Facebook
Lucia's Berkeley by Lucia’s/Facebook
Lucia's Berkeley by Lucia’s
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null
Lucia's Berkeley by null

Highlights

Lucia's is a cozy neighborhood gem serving up top-notch wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas, including stellar gluten-free options, in an inviting atmosphere.  

Featured in Eater
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2016 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA 94704, USA Get directions

luciasberkeley.com
@luciasberkeley

$$ · Menu

Reserve

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2016 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA 94704, USA Get directions

+1 510 225 9467
luciasberkeley.com
@luciasberkeley

$$ · Menu

Reserve

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dine in
takeout
delivery
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reservations
wifi

Last updated

Jul 10, 2025

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@eater

"Lucia’s, a Neapolitan pizza restaurant, has hired Ernesto Palmieri, an award-winning Neapolitan pizza chef, after a lengthy visa process. The menu now includes fried mini pizzas similar to those found in Naples." - Eve Batey

Lucia’s Neapolitan Pizza Restaurant Nabs a Visa for a New Italian Chef - Eater SF
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@eater

"A major East Bay destination for lovingly blistered, chewy neo-Neapolitan pies, Lucia’s also makes delicious pastas, brunch fare, and surprisingly good gluten-free crusts in a cute, laid-back setting. Don’t miss the Sprouty Scamorza, a white pizza loaded with Brussel sprouts, lemon slices, hazelnuts, and smoked mozzarella." - Janelle Bitker

The Best Places to Eat and Drink in Downtown Berkeley - Eater SF
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@eater

"Lucia’s has been hard at work on its first mobile pizza oven. The vintage truck was reconstructed and built in Italy, featuring a custom brick wood-fired oven. The new pizza truck will serve 10-inch pies at the Grand Lake Farmers Market in Oakland every Saturday and may visit Fieldwork Brewing in Berkeley. It is also available for private events." - Janelle Bitker

Lucia’s Berkeley Unveils Vintage Pizza Truck Imported from Italy - Eater SF
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@eater

"Lucia’s co-owner Steven Dumain has celiac, so the restaurant put far more effort into its gluten-free pizza dough than most places. The team uses an unusual Swiss washing process to remove the gluten from a special wheat flour, and the resulting high-hydration dough gets blistered and chewy in the 900-degree wood oven. It looks positively glutinous." - Eater Staff

The Best Gluten-Free Pizza in the Bay Area - Eater SF
View Postcard for Lucia's Berkeley
@eater

"A lot of East Bay pizza spots offer gluten-free crusts, but few actually make them in-house. Lucia’s tops the list with its unique blend of flours and high-hydration dough, which gets cooked in a 900-degree Neapolitan wood oven. It arrives blistered, soft, chewy, and looking remarkably similar to its standard, gluten-y pies. While pizza is the main draw, Lucia’s also serves gluten-free pasta, and its salads, sides, and other dishes are clearly marked for dietary needs." - Janelle Bitker

The East Bay’s Best Gluten-Free Restaurants - Eater SF
View Postcard for Lucia's Berkeley

Katie Knight

Google
Pizza is quite good BUT the bottom of the crust is unfortunately floppy and the dough lacks salt. If they could sort this out, and give us some crisp crust, this place would be so much better. Quite expensive as well for what it is.

Christopher Lee

Google
The pizzas are very flavorful and not oily. The service is also really nice and very friendly. It’s just absurdly expensive for a non-fine dining restaurant, like $14 for a tiny plate of appetizer and $25 for a personal sized pizza. Ended up spending $40 per person for just two people, I have no idea how Google Maps lists the place as $20-30.

Iandara Coelho

Google
First time I had Lucia's pizza was at their pop up at the Grand Lake farmers market in oakland, and completely fell in love with the 4 cheese pizza! Decided to try the restaurant a couple of months ago and the didn't disappoint! Pizza was delicious and staff were super nice and friendly! Totally recommend them if you're looking to have a legit Italian pizza experience!

Rhett Skrober

Google
Absolutely stellar experience. The food was delicious, the service was friendly and attentive and the overall atmosphere wasn't overly busy or chaotic despite being an almost full restaurant. Thr vegan cheese was delicious and the kale salad was perfect. Will Absolutely come back if I have the chance.

Rob

Google
The margherita is my go to when I'm trying a new pizzeria and theirs is superb. The crust, fresh buffalo and basil are all great but what sets them apart from all the others, even the acclaimed rose pizzeria around the corner, is the tomato sauce. Bright and acidic it carries all the parts to great heights.

Alben Bagabaldo

Google
Lucia's, a charming small Italian restaurant, truly impressed me during my recent visit. I decided to try their Neapolitan pizza with anchovies and burrata cheese, and it was exceptional. The Italian colleagues I dined with vouched for the authenticity of the pizza and other foods, which made the experience even more delightful. Before the main course, we enjoyed a plate of calamari as an appetizer, and it was perfectly cooked - tender and flavorful. In addition to the delectable food, I was pleased to discover that they offer a selection of alcoholic beverages, including beer and wine, which complemented the meal nicely. The service was excellent, with friendly and accommodating servers who were happy to provide recommendations and answer any questions. Despite the restaurant's small size, it had a cozy and intimate atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for a romantic dinner or a gathering with friends. One thing to note is that Lucia's popularity was evident as the restaurant was full even on a Thursday night. It's a testament to their delicious food and inviting atmosphere, so I highly recommend making a reservation to secure a table. I look forward to returning to Lucia's to explore more of their menu and savor their delightful Italian dishes.

Paige Allenspach

Google
Been here several times and the pizza is amazing. Quick, great service, and consistently good food and drinks! We’ve sat at both the bar and a table and enjoyed both experiences. We’ve never had a reservation and always seemed to get a seat, but recommend making one if you’re a group of more than 2 just to be sure you get in, as it’s a small spot!

Guan-Lun Liao

Google
Our Italian friend recommended and took us to this place, so you know the pizzas here are pretty legit. We didn’t even realize the pizzas are gluten-free until we read the reviews. The servers were friendly, but the place is super busy. So we waited for a while to make the order and get our food.

Tanis L.

Yelp
Dining at Lucia's Berkeley a few years ago with a group of friends/graduate school classmates I found to be an enjoyable experience. We went to brunch/lunch and this was the place we settled on. Looking over the menu I went with the American breakfast pizza, toppings of red sauce, bacon, and an egg, with a gluten free crust. When the pizza arrived to the table, group member(s) exclaimed on it not having any cheese. Fortunately, I am lactose intolerant in addition to being allergic to wheat so I took the comment in stride. No cheese for me meant less farting later, I commented on this and my friends said they were surprisingly relieved and appreciated the clarity. The bacon was crispy and the fried egg over easy. It was cool to be asked how I wanted my egg when ordering the pizza. Flavor wise it pleased my palate. I ate the whole thing without sharing so much as a morsel. Price(s) were fair and workers friendly.

Liz P.

Yelp
We came here for dinner on a Saturday night, no reservations and there was an incredibly long wait for a table inside (90 min) so we opted to sit outside with no wait. The weather was really mild this evening so it wasn't a problem. The good: the bolognese and the osso bucco pastas were really yummy. I appreciated the carafe of water and the non-alcoholic drink options. Also, the food was served at a pleasant pace. The arugula salad (which was served to our table by mistake) was also pretty delicious. The bad: the waitress seemed a bit... flustered. They served us the arugula salad by mistake, I initially thought it was the burrata salad we ordered and picked up a fork to look for the burrata, at which point the waitress came by and said it was for the other table, whisked the plate away somewhat rudely, and then brought it back about 30 seconds later and offered to let us keep it. I declined and after a bit of back and forth we ended up with the salad. We did receive the burrata salad as well, and to be quite honest the arugula salad was better anyways as I found the burrata salad to be underwhelming. We ordered the shishito peppers as well, which again was a bit underwhelming in flavor. I love shishito peppers, have had them at home and at other restaurants, and just think it was lacking in flavor. Overall, I'd try it again and order some different items off the menu. It's a cute spot, and I'd like to try the pizzas as well. I'd steer clear of the burrata and shishito peppers in favor of some of the other appetizers they offer.

Brandi W.

Yelp
Very very bland pizza. I will say our server Madison was so pleasant and kind so she gets 5 stars all around. I came with my husband and my sister. We started with the calamari which wasn't horrible but not the best. I will say it was better than my main course though, lol. My sister and I both didn't like our pizza, she got something with potato and I got the sausage both were underwhelming and lacked a lot of flavor , like a lot. My hubby got the Diavola which was the best pizza we had that night because it had a kick and wasn't bland at all. I don't think I would return but if I did I would only get the Diavola. but I'm glad I gave it a shot.

Kyla M.

Yelp
This is on a delivery order...so factor that in. We got two pizzas and a tiramisu. The pizza was okay? Nothing spectacular or special. Best part I would say was the crust. Big let down was that the pizza arrived ice cold...we've gotten take out pizza from several places and have never had the issue of it arriving cold. Next the tiramisu, this was where it really turned south, the tiramisu was awful. It was moldy, took one bite and all we could taste was mold. Needless to say...we didn't eat any more of it. We did contact the delivery service who refunded us and called Lucia's who apologized for the moldy tiramisu but pretty sure we won't be trying them ever again.

Katie Y.

Yelp
I haven't been in 1+ year because I've been short on time, but I returned last week. I've forgotten how good their pizzas are. Soooooooooo good. Definitely the best neopolitan style pizza in the east bay

Uday M.

Yelp
Saturday evening dinner and we were about 30 mins late to our reservation time but they still seated us. Our server seemed a bit irritated at having to serve us, but if they thought that our lateness was unacceptable they could have simply not given us a table or put us at the back of the line. Anyway, we got the Lucia's Fries ($8.50) and Shishito Peppers ($9.50) to start, both of which were fine. For mains we had the Trofie al Pesto ($21, solid), and The Fall Pizza ($24, very good although a smaller portion size for the price). The food came out in a reasonable time.

anne p.

Yelp
Their gluten free pizza is the tops!!!! Very expensive, though. Nice toppings, although I prefer a sweet fennel Italian sausage.

Vijay N.

Yelp
I had been to Lucia's at the Lake Merritt farmers market once before but I finally decided to stop by the brick and mortar location in Berkeley last night for dinner. This place has been hyped up to me for the last year or so and I was excited to give it a shot. My girlfriend and I made a reservation for dinner here at 7:30 PM - we arrived right on time and were promptly seated. The interior is cozy - it has exposed brick walls and nice warm lighting. There are a good amount of tables both indoors and outdoors. With that said , it was crowded at the restaurant so it'd be best to make a reservation. For our meal, we ordered the kale salad ,the Quattro Formaggi pizza with mushrooms, a margherita pizza along with two drinks. I got the Emiliano and my girlfriend got the Italian Mule. The salad was very nice presentation wise. Flavor wise we found it to be a bit lacking though. I was really excited to taste the Calabrian Chili vinaigrette but it was a barely noticeable flavor in there. The red berry glaze was the best part but there wasn't enough of it to make up for the lack of flavor in the rest of the salad. Our drinks were very solid - the Italian mule was saffron forward and I honestly wish I got that instead of my drink. My girlfriend, who doesn't normally like vodka or ginger beer, said that it was one of the highlights of our meal. The drink I did get - the Emiliano - was still very good and had a mild sweetness. After a little wait our pizzas arrived. The margehrita is classic red pie with mozzarella and basil and the Quattro formaggi is a white pie. The pizzas came served with chili oil and chili flakes. Having had the margherita pizza at the Lake Merritt farmers market , and hearing from friends that this is some of the best pizza in the bay, I had high hopes trying it at the actual restaurant. Unfortunately it was a bit of a soupy mess this go around. While the crust was absolutely delicious (though lacking in structural integrity), good crust alone doesn't make a good pizza for me. The sauce was a little too watery for my liking and lacked a little flavor. The chili oil gave this pie a big assist in the flavor department and definitely helped. The Quattro formaggi pizza was my favorite of the two pies we had last night - the mushrooms were marinated and very flavorful and the choices of cheeses were excellent and gave a perfect savory flavor to the pizza (including the blue cheese - which I normally hate). All in all , I found Lucia's to be good, but not great. The crust is definitely some of the best in the Bay Area but the toppings and components of some entrees lacked flavor and that's a big criteria for me. I do still plan to come back and try some of the other pizzas (notably some of the non veg options) + Italian tapas and get a bunch of Italian Mules. Food : 3/5 Ambiance: 4/5 Service: 4/5 Overall : 3.7/5

Dawn H.

Yelp
Excellent gluten free options, great food, lovely people. My husband with Celiac was soooo happy. We will definitely be back!!!

Ashley J.

Yelp
This is a cute little restaurant in Downtown Berkeley! I came here on a Wednesday night and honestly wasn't expecting it to be so crowded. The host told us we had to wait about 10-15 minutes but it actually ended up being 25-30 minutes due to the fact that some people dining had stayed longer than expected. I was fine waiting but I will say that the host was not the most welcoming and it did deter me slightly from wanting to dine there. When we were seated however, our server was so sweet and kind and made our meal very enjoyable. Of course, the food was amazing as well. The pasta tasted home made and I thought the pizza was great as well. I don't have anything too special to say about the food besides the fact that it is pretty quality Italian food. Overall I had a great time eating here! Just missing a star for service.

M. N.

Yelp
Unimpressed in 2 key ways on my one visit (food and service). My friend was delayed and had something to rush to afterward, so she asked me to place the order for her. When I arrived, I told the server that my friend is delayed but I'd order for her, so server took booth orders. When my dish arrived, I asked about my friend's order; that's when the server thought to mention that she decided to hold placing my friend's order until my friend arrived. If we wanted to have the order placed only after my friend arrived, then my friend could order herself and there was no point in my letting the server know in advance what dish my friend wanted. I ordered the vegan soup du jour. It was apparently some soup that tasted like onions and/or cabbage, with fake vegan cheese baked on top of it, served in an oval ramekin that comes out of the oven. I think it was trying to be French onion soup, which I've liked on every other occasion on which I've had it. I found it inedible. The flavors didn't meld at all, and actually seemed to conflict: it was as though someone took shortcuts by steaming sweet onion, pouring broth over it, and shoving it in the oven just long enough to heat through and have the cheese-or-cheese-substitute melt. My server did not ask anything about the fact that it sat off to the side the entire meal and then went back uneaten other than the one bite I tried. The arugula salad was great, but isn't enough to move the rating higher. It's hard to mess up taking baby arugula, mixing in dressing, and adding few strips of other stuff. Points to this place for offering gluten-free pasta as an option. I will lobby against this place if someone suggests it. There are many better restaurants nearby.

Carissa B.

Yelp
Came on a busy Saturday night with no reservation, as we had stumbled upon Lucia's. Server, Olympia, was wonderful. She was not our server, we were seated at the bar. I had asked her upon arrival if they accepted cash, she kindly informed me they did. After that, she checked on us throughout our dinner. At the bar, Cristian, helped us an Italian Mule and ordering the Margherita Pizza. Cooked in a wood fire oven, the pizza came out hot and delicious. We were in a rush so we didn't order anything else, besides the ginger beer. Which was absolutely gingery and delicious. Considering it was a packed restaurant, I knew it was going to be good food and service. Lots of people enjoying their dinners as families and friends. I cannot wait to come back and try out the rest of their menu. Next up, pesto pasta! Will also be making a reservation next time ;)

Jessica E.

Yelp
Pros: partner and I got a cocktail and mocktail both drinks were really good Staff was friendly but the service was really slow. Food was a complete miss. It took 45 minutes to get a soggy pizza with undercooked potatoes and underdone pasta that was still hard.

Paula M.

Yelp
I have been GF for 15 years and have never seen/had a pizza like this. It's bubbly and slightly charred and amazing. The calamari is amazing too. It's small so make a reservation or sit at the bar.

Flavia K.

Yelp
Lucia never let me down, I always want to go back. I always order pizza or pasta, always good. My daughter is gluten intolerant so we order the gluten free pizza, super good.

Heather R.

Yelp
YO talk about it- celiacs can eat here! I had the GF prosciutto pizza, I haven't had a dough/crust like that since before I was diagnosed with celiac disease. I was crying on the inside of happiness, the delicious taste/texture of the crust was phenomenal. I also had fried calamari, delicious donuts that had a ricotta\pear/cinnamon sugar situation that was a delight and a cherry Italian soda, which their syrups are gluten-free. When am I going back? Asap! If you're gluten free and or celiac eat here!! Food will not disappoint.

Leila S.

Yelp
A cute little place for Italian cuisine. They don't open till 5pm on the dot even if you made a reservation and your waiting outside. The host wasn't all that friendly, so don't expect a warm welcome. I had a large party, what's pretty cool is they have hooks for your purse to hang. The pasta and food seems to be authentic. I had the pomodoro. Our waitress was so nice and sweet especially she. I stated my concern about the pasta being undercooked. It was sweet of them to offer to cook it longer but I was hungry and I loved the sauce. I tried the pesto pasta, arugula and prochutto pizza pie and margarite pizza it was superb. The clam pasta was good except for the salt water like after taste. And how the guy took the check (he took it right away without asking). I suggest they improve their customer service.

Stefan T.

Yelp
The best authentic Italian pizza in the whole San Francisco bay area. If that is what your looking for your search is over. I've been on the hunt for the best pizza around. There are many contenders like Mozzeria in San Francisco but I have to give the overall award to Lucias. The pizza crust and pizza toppings make it stand out like no other restaurant. Italian beer and an imported Italian version of cola first caught my eye as I browsed the menu. I think it also gave me a hint of what was to come as I was seated near the big wood burning oven toward the back. We ordered the hot pepperoni and eggplant for some variety. The pepperoni was unusual and tasty and I could tell it was important authentic Italian goodness. Eggplant and cheeses also didn't disappoint - but I think the super thin crust with all the huge bubbles blackened in the oven were what really had me swooning. There is a bar perfect for people dining on their own - and large tables for groups. Couples and families and singles filled the restaurant. No matter how many or for what occasion this casual yet upscale spot would be a perfect option. Fresh flowers on the tables and simple clean decoration throughout. An old telephone and green plants hanging near the front create an great ambiance. The open kitchen where you can watch your pizza getting cooked is fun too. I bet little kids would love to see all the action too. Service was outstanding. Host up front and servers along with a bartender and chefs that deliver your pie to your table the moment it comes out of the oven. I couldn't imagine a better way of doing things. There was some sort of tasting menu for restaurant week - appetizer and dessert included - seemed to be the deal of the year - if you happen to come in the near future. I saw a flourless chocolate dessert on the next table over and I think its probably something worth trying.

Soo C.

Yelp
Has so many gluten free items and is so tasty. The gluten free pizzas have an incredibly chewy delicious crust like no other place in the area. Spicy olive oil makes this pizza crust even better. Pasta dishes are also so good. Go for the specials. They are worth it.

Christina K.

Yelp
This pizza is incredible and I can only imagine how much better it would be if I was able to eat at the restaurant. I've had work meetings in the bay area and had it DoorDashed to my hotel. The first time I had it, I was literally blown away. It tasted like I had set foot in Italy. I literally had a whoosh Ratatouille movie moment. I've only had pizza and a couple of salads, but I think that would definitely just be my go to. I'd love to try the other items if I had other people with me and could share family style. I did really love the kale salad I got delivered Back in August, but that wasn't a DoorDash menu option this week. I've been telling everyone in the bay area to try out Lucia's.

Kevin Z.

Yelp
This was an excellent experience from start to finish. Starting with a warm welcome from staff to quick seating, reasonable wait time to place order and getting food. Peaking with the Margherita (the dough was delightful), tender Ragu and great herb fries! The ambiance was wonderful: while cozy, it didn't feel stuffed and had a lot of accents of wood and red brick. Would definitely come back again in a heartbeat!

Lyss L.

Yelp
The insane line for seating was a testament to its popularity, but my friend and I, being advocates of bar seating, managed to get in without a lengthy wait. I ventured to Lucia's primarily because a friend, who happens to be gluten-free, swears by it. The anticipation was high, and I must admit, the gluten-free pizza dough was indeed a standout. It strikes the ideal balance--airy, not too crunchy, and not too soft. It's clear that they've mastered the art of crafting the perfect dough, and it's undoubtedly the star of the show. While waiting for our pizza, we opted for the kale salad, which turned out to be fresh, flavorful, and a perfect prelude to the main event. While the gluten-free options cater to a specific audience, I couldn't help but feel that for someone who isn't gluten-sensitive, there are better pizza places in Berkeley, minus the long waits. The ambiance of Berkeley, with its diverse culinary offerings and the possibility of stumbling upon hidden gems without a wait, is part of what I love about the city. The saving grace at Lucia's, besides the exceptional dough, was the drinks. Our bartender was fantastic - friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about crafting the perfect drink. The drinks were a solid 10/10, and you could tell they were made with care and expertise. The bartender's enthusiasm added a delightful touch to the overall experience. Lucia's itself is a cute Italian restaurant with a cozy atmosphere, but the seating is on the tight side, making it a bit cramped. It's a great spot if you're accommodating gluten-free friends or seeking a specific dough experience, but for me, it might not be the first choice when flying solo.

Nora W.

Yelp
We were fortunate to reserve a spot on Thursday night. The cozy, yet modern restaurant was packed. The bar in the middle is welcoming if you want to just meet friends and nosh on the appetizers. Not a bad idea as the bartender seemed attentive and engaging to two of the guests who sat there to dine. We were seated at a long communal table near the kitchen. The view of the wood-fired oven was up-front and personal. I was particularly struck that the owner, herself, corked our house wine and poured it for us. She is kind, warm, and friendly. I am positive that she is the reason this restaurant survived the pandemic challenges. It is the personal touches and interactions that elevate the dining experience. The food is delicious and well-executed. We started with the Lucia fries with rosemary aioli and meatballs. Both were comfort foods that we craved during this atmospheric river round #4. The fries were delicious and crisp. The aioli was good and not too tannic with the rosemary. The meatballs had a crust but melted in your mouth. They were incredible and irresistible. We ordered the Quattro Formaggi and the Norma. to share Both were spectacular. The pizzas were thin-crusted and blistered but with flavorful toppings. Not overdone. The high-end toppings made the difference. The tomatoes are imported and it showed in the flavors because our current weather is not conducive to yummy tomatoes. Many ingredients are imported and the quality and care for their end product show. The house wine was delicious and reasonably priced. It just felt like a trip to a local restaurant in Italy where friends, family, and food are the focus. Just a little neighborhood place where you can meet friends or family or have a girls' night and be assured of warm service and good food. We did not have room to tuck in dessert but when we were told the owner makes it herself, we ordered the tiramisu. Among the most scrumptious that I have had. Balanced and has a perfect finish. Not too boozy or too coffee/espresso forward or too cocoa forward. The sponge was light and the marscapone gave a touch of richness. The doppio espresso capped off the dinner. Authentic and strong. Happy to report that Lucia's is as warm and inviting a restaurant as it started out to be in 2016.

Alex K.

Yelp
I came to Lucia's after a long stroll to the Rose Garden with my partner. We were quite hungry and craving pizza. After having tried other pizza places around the area (Jupiter, Pizzeria de Laura, Sliver, Gather), I was sure the pizza in Berkeley went crazy. After a short wait , we were seated around 8:15pm at the dinner rush and quickly decided upon the margherita and bolognese. I found the decor fairly nice with the brick installments and an open pizza kitchen. I then went to the restroom and upon my return, our food arrived and was quite presentable although portions looked like they were meant for kids (the party next to us said the exact same thing). I admit I was pleased to dig in, but that's where the good ends. We shared the margherita first and found that it was very flimsy to the point where as soon as we picked it up the undercarriage flopped and the sauce and cheese flooded the plate. After I had scooped the cheese back onto the pizza, I was left underwhelmed by how soggy the pizza was. Furthermore, crust had no crisp whatsoever, akin to Little Caesar's breadsticks but slightly charred and lacking a crunch. I was very hungry though and still finished my half. Then, we moved onto the Bolognese which was honestly tiny and absolutely not shareable. It wasn't as bad as the pizza and the noodles were definitely al dente, but the sauce was a bit watery and again the portions were profoundly minuscule. Having split the pasta, I found myself chugging the water to feel full. To top it all off, my partner found a short hair on her plate which she scooped to the side. As she has long straight hair and I have medium curly hair, we conclude it couldn't have been from either of us. As the bill came, I was extremely displeased and disappointed by the food for the price. These two dishes in total were 49$ excluding tip. I'd be happy to pay the price if the food was at least satisfying. I left the restaurant with a bitter taste in my mouth and having felt swindled. Sorry, Lucia's was not it. Edit: Had to change it to 1 star. Drove home from here to San Jose and still pissed.

Dee T.

Yelp
This divine Neapolitan pizzeria style is what I call my new love for pizza, you've got to give it a try. The dough is *chef's kiss* perfection, achieving the perfect balance of crisp, chewy, and light. Whether it's the delightful simplicity of the margherita or the carefully crafted Diavola, each slice is heaven-sent (and trust me, I've eaten many). I've only ever ordered take-out, so I can't speak to the vibe of the joint, but the pizza is fresh and authentic. You can also order your pie unsliced and they include home heating instructions, which is a nice touch. Grazie mille!

Ashley C.

Yelp
Lucia's is a solid neapolitan pizza spot with a simple interior, but certainly not the best in terms of the traditional style pizza you are looking for. I found them to be much more on the trendy rather than traditional side as you may tell from the menu. The crust was okay, but could be chewier as there are not speckles throughout the crust. I was thrown off by the hamlike texture of the sausage pizza as well. Due to the quality of ingredients and price, I am not so inclined to return, although I'm glad I got to try the popular spot.

Joshua M.

Yelp
As someone from NY this is truly the best pizza in Berkeley, at least at the personal size. Alessandro and his staff do an excellent job and the cocktails they make are very good. Truly a cut above the rest (cheeseboard/sliver). Atmosphere is intimate and a great date spot, something that rivals via Del Corso in Ambiance. I'd recommend eating inside since shattuck can be a bit hectic, but I always take dates inside and friends outside so use your best judgement there. The staff is all very well trained and does a great job in what they do. I wish for the restaurant's success, as the owner and staff are clearly there to do their best work as a team. Seeing an owner actively involved in the restaurant is truly refreshing, as he was there as the host. I would label this one as a Berkeley gem.

Alexis B.

Yelp
Delicious! The vibe is very cute, and I love the fact that you can see into the kitchen where the food-fired pizza is cooked. The staff is very friendly and made sure to answer all of my questions (I wanted to know how hot the oven was, and the waitress went and checked). Turns out the oven is 900 degrees and cooks the pizza in 90 seconds! The heats give the crust a nice crunch without over cooking it. I had the Prosciutto Pie, and my friend had the Cosacca on gluten-free crust. My pie was perfectly cooked, and the amount of prosciutto was perfect. My friend's pie also came out perfect, and you couldn't even tell it was gluten-free! The crust was just as soft as mine and did not get soggy. Would recommend it to any gluten-free person. I will definitely be coming back for more!

Jimmy M.

Yelp
I wish I had taken pictures of the food to accompany this review but alas... Our waitress told us this place has been open for 7 years but it was our first time! We went on a double date and had cocktails, apps, pasta, pizza and dessert. Nothing missed. Everybody was saying "this is the best pizza I've ever had" - "this pasta is incredible" Our waitress was lovely I'm sorry I missed her name! Made a reservation on Thursday for Friday night. We want to come back as soon as possible! There is a casual but warm vibe inside. It's not fussy or pretentious but still feels special. We will be adding Lucia's into our rotation as a special meal or somewhere to impress guests. Nice spot to take a date or a small group of friends.

Carla W.

Yelp
Lucia is the best regular and gluten-free pizza I have ever had! I cannot believe how good their gluten-free pizza is. My daughter, unfortunately, has a gluten allergy only recently, and this has caused her much grief.. We are over the moon thrilled to have found Lucia's! Not only is there pizza amazing but they also have gluten-free calamari and other items that are so delicious. We come here about once a week and we are never let down. You must try it. There wood oven pizza is perfection thank you Lucia's for providing the best gluten-free options in the Bay Area, we will support you forever and ever!

Shayna H.

Yelp
Omg! Such amazing pizza! I hate how most gluten free pizza is the texture of cardboard. This was REAL NEAPOLITAN PIZZA! We had a big group, but they were very accommodating. Everything was delicious, and I know it's crazy to say, but the Diavola (pepperoni) was THE BEST! Truly the most amazing I've ever had (sorry Tony's). Thank y'all for taking such good care of us for my birthday. It was everything I hoped for.

Steve S.

Yelp
Best pizza in Berkeley. Roman style thin crust pies with the real deal wood fired crust. We got 4 pizzas for 6 people and had leftovers, but did get some salads and appetizers. The gluten free crust is absolutely amazing- highly highly recommend- I will be working to emulate this at home! Little gem salad and the secret burrata pizza were the standouts but everything was great. Service was also friendly and efficient.

Judy T.

Yelp
I'd rather have a meal anywhere else in Berkeley. 2 stars for the very kind support staff working there. Such a bad experience I'd like to give zero stars. The person working front of house was a nightmare. The staff seemed quite scared by her. I was treated so rudely and in an unnecessary condescending manner. If one is so easily overwhelmed and bothered by humanity probably best not to work in the service industry. I don't expect folks to be overjoyed while working but maybe realize that customers are paying to be there and be fed. The pasta I had was overcooked and bland. Whatever, on to the next!

Sarah W.

Yelp
FABULOSO! Such light delegate crispy calamari with those gourmet touches of fried sage leaves and bell pepper slivers, just fantastic. GLUTEN FREE PIZZA that's FLUFFY. It's springy, it's toothsome, it's moist, it's chewy just like you dreamed it would be in heaven, but heaven has come to earth. Huzzah for takeout! Huzzah for Lucia's! Worth the price.

Elaine D.

Yelp
Was in town for a concert After reading a lot of reviews we decided on Lucias AMAZING! Loveluvlouve this place we ordered meatballs ...never had a meatball like this, it was light and melted in your mouth great flavor House salad... large portions enough for 2, dressing was very light not a lot of flavor but it works with all the very fresh veggies Ham and mushroom pizza... was absolutely delicious they have the best dough so thin and omg can't even describe how good it was Our Server Asha was the best very sweet Highly Recommended

Tobiah T.

Yelp
Lucia's earned a 4-start rating primarily because my party was seated almost 10-15 minutes after our reservation time. I haven't encountered that anywhere else in the last 5 years.. The ambiance and location are very nice, and the food was goo (and very well-plated) but not great. I had a pizza the waiter recommended, and I can think of at least a couple other restaurants I would prefer to go to for pizza now that I've had Lucia's.

Cheryl M.

Yelp
Probably the best, most athentic pizza in this area, and the service is impeccable. Owner is always friendly to us and wants to make sure you enjoy yourself and the food. The calabrian chili oil on the table is addictive. Always love it here.

Jeanna A.

Yelp
Popped in here looking for a place that had yummy food, gluten free options, and cocktails. Lucia's met all the marks. We ordered burrata, calamari, and olives for the table. The burrata was fantastic, served beautifully with prosciutto and a gorgeous tomato on the side. This could have been a meal by itself. The calamari was ok. Probably needed some salt to enhance the flavor. The olives were not ripe and a little off in flavor. The pizzas were good. The dough was delicious and such a great combination of chewy and doughy and crispy. We ordered a few different pizzas... the prosciutto with arugula, a sardine with olives plus Buffalo mozzarella, and the special pizza which was a squash pizza. The Buffalo mozzarella wasn't added to one of our pizzas and the staff was accommodating to fix it. We ordered the squash pizza with gluten free crust and it was one of the better gluten free crusts, but the squash pizza itself was a little bland and lacked flavor and salt. Dessert was delicious. We each ordered the gelato specials and the butterscotch crème pot for the table. The gelato was decadent, especially the milk flavored gelato with the luxardo cherries and syrup on top. The salted Carmel ice cream didn't really taste like anything. The crème pot was ok. All in all, this is a solid place and I would definitely return. I don't live in the area so not sure how it compares to other options nearby that might be better or worse.

T A.

Yelp
Bad service, mediocre food. Go to Jupiters instead. We were asked us to leave because they "needed the table" despite us still eating! Was there with a small group, $200+ check, and less than 2 hrs in we were asked to leave despite there still being pizza on my plate to eat.

Pooja S.

Yelp
This place is a must-visit! Their pesto pasta and Margarita pizza are absolutely delicious. The flavors are on point, and I can't get enough of their chili oil - it's the perfect finishing touch. One piece of advice: make sure to book in advance because this place gets busy for a reason. Highly recommend Lucia Pizza for a fantastic dining experience!

Nick B.

Yelp
What an amazing dinner! We came here because our neighbors had them cater and it looked so good I had to check them out. Didn't disappoint. We will be back.

Janice O.

Yelp
Nice little place on a busy street in downtown Berkeley. Met friends for dinner prior to a show around the corner at Berkeley Rep. I never felt rushed and the servers were nice and accommodating. They do a lot of take away orders too. Food was delicious but there seemed to always be something missing. I'm just not sure what. They are known for their pizza which is okay. It's in the Napoletana style which is very different. The appetizers were good too, just nothing I would want to automatically have again. The vibe is great. I would definitely recommend going to Lucia's. I just don't know if I would go back. But you might fall in love with the place. Or watch for their pizza truck at a farmers market near you.

Kim P.

Yelp
In an era where amazing pizza places are popping up in Berkeley and Oakland , Lucia's does not impress unfortunately. I went in excited by their selection of pizzas but was ultimately let down by the slow service, mediocre flavors, and undercooked inconsistent doughs. SERVICE (7/10): I had a 6 pm reservation on a Friday, and was seated immediately. I could tell from sitting by the door that they have a lot of to go orders that they fulfill, which seems to take away from the dine in service. All the servers were doing a great job tending to tables and fulfilling orders, but clearly it was overwhelming. We placed our order at 6:10 but didn't get our pizzas until 7, which seemed a little long but would have been fine if the food was great but it was just disappointing. FOOD (5/10): For 4 people we ordered 3 pizzas, the rapini and sausage, cosacca, and special of the day pizza which was a carbonara pizza. Of these the carbonara was the clear favorite for all of us, what was impressive was the breadcrumb fried egg yolks that were perfectly cooked. That's where the compliments end. My issue across all the pizzas was that the crust was extreme doughy, with an inconsistent cook across all the pizzas, just look at the two crusts I had. I know it's supposed to be Neapolitan style, with a soft crust, but this was straight up chewy and doughy. It's clear to me that one oven is not cutting it for the volume of to go and dine in orders. The cosacca used regular tomatoes instead of a standard marinara sauce but wow this was a watery oily mess on top of uncooked dough. The rapini and sausage was definitely the worst, none of the ingredients went well together or felt cohesive, the rapini was extremely bitter and didn't with no other flavors to help balance it, and the cheese just became rubber globs. In downtown Berkeley you have some solid pizza options. My personal favorite is Rose Pizzeria, two blocks away, but Jupiters will do in a pinch.

Whitney H.

Yelp
Christian was an awesome bartender/server. Honestly best I've had anywhere in a while. Very attentive, charismatic and helpful. We'll definitely be back. The vegan pizza, brussel sprouts and espresso martinis are off the hook!

Choi C.

Yelp
Finding a food truck that caters to gluten-free and vegan options is a rarity, and this one exceeded all expectations. I discovered it by chance while browsing through antique shops, and I must admit, their vegan margarita pizza is truly a taste sensation. A pro tip: give it a few minutes to cool down before that first delicious bite. The flavors are incredible, and I highly recommend it. Even my husband, who ordered the three-cheese pizza and isn't vegan, absolutely loved it! It's the perfect 4 slice individual pizza. I can't wait to try the restaurants full menu.

Nina D.

Yelp
Super cozy place to have a dinner with friends! We shared two pastas and two pizza amongst the 5 of us. The prosciutto pie and Bolognese were definitely highlights and absolutely delicious! The calzone was also really yummy but I felt like there could have been more filling. Wouldn't recommend the pesto (it was a little oily!).

Mohammad Z.

Yelp
A couple of year's ago their food was great, this time I had very bad food nothing like an Italian meal. I ordered spaghetti with shells it was so salty and full of oil with no taste. Just horrible. I was a guest and didn't want to make my friends unhappy and later I asked my friends if they liked their food,they were unhappy too. I am not going to eat there anymore. My wife got sick, she told me next morning.

Darryl C.

Yelp
Came here on a rainy Sunday evening for dinner after a show at the Berkeley rep. The restaurant is a quaint little location with rustic minimalistic decor and it was very busy for a Sunday night. Previously, I ordered the vegan wood fired margherita pizza and you could never tell it was vegan so I had to come back to try another one. I ordered the vegan farmers daughters pizza this time. I personally didn't love the combination of toppings on this one but the crust was perfectly charred, crunchy and chewy.

Ozlem B.

Yelp
We have ordered pizza and burrata ! Both were good, but their tiramisu is really good!! Definitely come back here! We didn't have reservations for Sunday nite but luck to sat down right away! Service was great as well!