Ristorante Cantine Bernardini Lucca

Had the crusted artichoke and rabbit pie to start. The Crusted Artichoke was a bit too mushy throughout, although the rabbit pie was pretty good. For mains, we had the fried sea food and the leek tart. The leek tart was good for the first 2 bites, but it was so sweet and overwhelming we simply couldn't continue eating it. The fried sea food was very similar - everything, including the veg, was covered in batter and there was no flavour variation. You were being hit with the same strong and overwhelming flavours on repeat. The problem with both dishes is they had nothing to balance them, no sides of any sort - we thought we may have ordered incorrectly (and missed ordering sides) but both dishes were recommended by the staff as-is. The restaurant itself created a very nice ambiance and the staff were very friendly, helpful and attentive. It's a real shame the food was such a let down.

peculiar menu, all good in a nice setting. service quite pro. interesting complimentary chickpea hummus the vernaccia by the glass was excellent. tagliatelle with white vela ragù very good, toast also the ragù tordelli (though I would cook them more al dente). enjoyed the stuffed zucchini appetizer fair price

Ristorante Catina Bernardini, tucked away in the historic heart of Lucca, Italy, offers a dining experience that not only caters to your culinary senses but also nourishes your soul. Its low-key underground dining area is a charmingly rustic nook capable of serving over 16 guests comfortably, making it the perfect venue for special gatherings or a memorable meal with dear friends and family. An evening at Catina Bernardini is an epicurean adventure steeped in authenticity and tradition. They truly live up to the phrase "slow food," encouraging you to savor the experience and take your time with your meal. For our party of 18, we leisurely enjoyed our feast over the span of about 3 hours, but every moment was delightful and never dull. The restaurant's wine selection is superb, boasting an array of top-notch Italian and international wines. Whether you're an oenophile or a casual wine enthusiast, their sommelier is there to guide you through the perfect pairings for your meal. As for the food, it's hard to find the right words to do it justice. Catering for dietary needs is handled seamlessly and respectfully, with an accommodating food allergy menu that didn't skimp on variety or flavor. The homemade gnocchi with tomato, basil, and buffalo mozzarella was a revelation. Each bite was like a warm embrace, the gnocchi's delicate texture paired exquisitely with the rich sauce. The tortellini au gratin, boasting a hearty Bolognese ragu and creamy besciamella sauce, was similarly impressive. Meanwhile, the roast beef of melino, served with a refreshing salad of potatoes and parsley, was cooked to perfection, tender and flavorful. Vegetarian options shine as well; the grilled eggplant millefeuille with carasau bread, feta cheese, and mint was an intriguing blend of textures and tastes that delighted the palate. Their desserts are another story altogether. The Panna "poco" cotta, adorned with fragole al balsamico, was creamy yet light, the balsamic strawberries providing a tangy counterpoint. The Sorbetti di frutta fresca di nostra produzione secondo mercato was the perfect palate cleanser, with its refreshing and vibrant fruit flavors. The meal culminated with an exquisite cappuccino. Perfectly balanced, the bitter notes of the coffee harmoniously blend with the sweetness of the frothed milk, serving as the ideal full stop to a gastronomic journey. In conclusion, dining at Ristorante Catina Bernardini is a delightful celebration of Italian cuisine. It's not just about the food but the overall experience. The atmosphere, the attentive service, the time taken to savor each course — it all contributes to a dining experience that you'll cherish. To those willing to take the time to enjoy a leisurely, well-crafted meal, I wholeheartedly recommend Catina Bernardini. Their commitment to quality is clear in every aspect, and it's a meal I look forward to reliving.

The chief proposes an amazing 7 service menu for the crazy price of 50€! The staff is very professional, the atmosphere of the restaurant is nice and the service very efficient.

My boyfriend and I spent over one week in Italy, and this was one of our top favorite restaurants. The bolognese was incredible, and the pasta with marinated sea bass was so unique and spectacular. Our waitress Francesca was very sweet and welcoming. We loved Lucca and we will come back here the next time we visit!

It's a little expensive in comparison to some other options in the area, but it is an absolutely amazing dining experience! If you are slightly interested in having dinner here I would suggest making reservations as soon as possible as it seems to be a very desirable restaurant.

We're quite picky when it comes to a good cuisine. I'm soo glad that the Google reviews helped us pick a place to eat. I didn't mind staying inside as we didn't book a table on a fairly small terrace. Interior has a nice upper class artsy vibe to it. Service is always a big part of a culinary experience. Each and every person who served us tonight was a professional - friendly attitude and ability to advise. The quality of food served was on a high level. Typical Tuscan rabbit cake, pasta with ragu and also wine. Everything did just simply fit...Hence I'm taking the time to post a review. Thanks to the whole team, we enjoyed every bit of this evening!

Immaculate service in a gorgeous setting in the city. There were free refreshing drinks and a "mouth amuser" included, our kids loved the drink. The food was perfectly cooked and the menu imaginative with creative, modern twists on the classics. Highly recommended, it wasn't too pricey either.

We loved Cantine Bernardini. The day was very warm and CB was an oasis against the heat. The outdoor tables are located in the shade with a nice cross breeze. And Rebecca, our waitress, greeted us with a cool glass of Prosecco. And two small bowls of a wonderful puree of some vegetable or other soon followed. We split: -- rabbit terrine as an appetizer. -- Primo. Linguine scoglio. -- Segundo. Grilled sea bream. Plus of course wine and espresso. Rebecca was both helpful and very pleasant. She not only answered questions about the menu, but about the town as well. Lucca is beautiful and charming. But a day trip to Lucca with a great luncheon at Bernardini made for a memorable day.

Cantine Bernardini is a bit away from the direct center of Lucca and it turned out to be one of our favorite dinners on our 12 day vacation. They have a nice outdoor patio but it was cool and breezy that evening so we chose to sit inside. It is an old historic building and a cool place for dinner. We decided to share a Panzanella salad which was very good with sweet ripe tomatoes. We then each had a pasta, ravioli stuffed with beef with a Bolognese sauce was decadent and delicious. Black ink taglialini with cannelloni beans and mullet was the best pasta I had the entire trip, great balance of flavors. For main courses, one was tender roasted cod surrounded by tomatoes, potatoes, onions etc. other entree was local Mediterranean fish flaky and tender sitting on a small pool of tomato sauce. Both entrees were lovely to look at and even better to eat. We had a delicious Vermentino with dinner that our server recommended and she was right. Throughout the meal she checked to make sure all was Ok. She made an excellent dinner even better. If you are looking for a nice dining experience in Lucca, give Cantine Bernardini a try.

We took a group of 21 students here. They opened on Tuesday for us and created a perfect set price 3 course meal. The location and food are amazing, but the staff were even better. A perfect lunch all around.

Such a nice place where you can relax and enjoy good food. I really liked my meal in this restaurant; I was spending time with my father and I really suggest you to come here if you want to taste local food with a glass of wine.

my girlfriend and i went eating there on my birthday. very very delicious food with very nice service and good wines! thats how italy should be! probably the best restaurant we've been eating out in Lucca and italy that i can remember! Food: the food was very delicious and for a reasonable price with this quality! and i have to tell you something; the gnocchi i had there WERE THE BEST I HAD IN MY WHOLE LIFE!!!! wooow.... those gnocchis felt like you'd eat clouds out of gods hands. i'm not kidding. if youre there; eat the gnocchis! Service: very nice and more likely young waiter and waitress. professional and always good for some jokes. we asked if they can go a little bit slower with the courses as we were already pretty full after the first two courses. they did very well! Wine: the wine was excellent and we even had one of the more expensive bottles (for around € 25.-; the price range of the normal bottles are around 14-18) Ambience: we ate outside; it is nicely situated and theres not a lot of going on as it is on a side-street and not on a piazza. in the inside it looks very nice; a little bit of hipster-style

Went for appetizers & wine with 3 friends to the basement of this darling restaurant and can't wait to go back for dinner (soon)! The zucchini soufflé with pecorino fondue was amazing! The service provided by Fabricio was 5 star fabulous! We've been in Lucca for 3 weeks now and this was our very best dining experience!

Okay, this is THE most amazing dinner we've had in our 2 week stay in Lucca! Not only is the food delicately prepared, it's a modern take on classic dishes - and it works! It really works!! The atmosphere was relaxed and yet professional and our waiter was passionate about the food and wine, superb service, in my opinion! The Cantine has a long and rich history but feels updated, upscale and modern. Very, very reasonably priced compared to other places, compares easily to the best ristorantes in Lucca.

Nice atmosphere, good service, okay food, different vegetarian and vegan options, pretty expensive though.

This is not a high cuisine type of place, but it still gets four stars for the fresh pasta, fresh bread, and delicious food. We came for lunch on a day trip to Lucca. After rejecting the many, many tourist places, we wandered around and came upon this gem near the market that's being refurbished. We snagged an outdoor table, next to a guy and his dog, and a family with an adorable baby. So yes, if you want a sanitized experience this might not be for you. But since we are perfectly happy to coo over cute babies and dogs, it suited us fine. We had an antipasto plate, and pasta dishes. Mine was pappardelle with tiny red octopi; my husbands was fettuccini with asparagus and pancetta. So very, very delicious. My only regret is that I didn't have more of an appetite. They don't speak a lot of English, but it's enough to get buy, especially if you know a bit of Italian. Had a fair number of vegetarian options as well.

The best place in Lucca! Staff speaks very good English, which helps with special requests like gluten-free. Servers know every meal and which wine pairs well. We went 2 nights in a row, and were extremely satisfied each time.

Bernardini is a pleasantly surprising sweet spot in Lucca. The waiters are super congenial, whether they're singing along to Italian covers of American classics or bringing you their great homemade bread. Their outside seats are great, and the lower level inside part is super neat as well. We had their vegetarian goulash and mushroom risotto; both superb, aromatic and in perfect portion. On top of that, the place ran like a tight ship: the owner counted guests and visited tables as requested. All-around it was the perfect combination of perfect evening weather, sweet service, and impeccable experience.

Great wine tasting spot. Our host did a great job explaining each of the wines and providing very nice accompaniments. Recommend for all in Lucca.

A little off the beaten path from the rest of Lucca and so worth any wait. Friendly and fun staff, beautiful setting, best dinner within the walls. Would definitely go back. Loved the beef slices with tomato marmalade; unexpected show stopper!

We went there to celebrate the birthday of two great friends. The restaurant is cozy and very well decorated. As appetizer I got the fried Cecina and as a main dish roasted pork both delicious. We asked them to make the cakes and they prepared two cheese cakes one with chocolate and the other one with Vin Santo, which I found more sophisticated and yummy. Great service. Amazing wine.

We had a fantastic meal here. We visited because it has several vegan options (including pudding). We were not disappointed. The food was fab. The staff were very friendly, and the service was quick. Highly recommended.

We had the most fabulous service for antipasti, wine, and dessert. We were given the full Italian experience of hospitality. Our server, Fabricio, couldn't have been nicer.

You will love this place! Friendly, fun staff and incredible food. The location and ambiance is exquisite! Like eating in an ancient wine cellar. Amazing but not at all stuffy or snooty. Go here for sure!