Small Italian restaurant with imaginative menu with some standards you’ll love.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Nabil Alhadithy
For the past 3 years the quality has gone way down. I wish the owner would spend a little more time here. No longer my favorite place. Unless I hear from owner, we are not going back. Sorry.
Favorite East Bay eatery. Go early for parking and table. Not many places left where you can order chicken liver. Lately servers inattentive. Be clear with orders, unless you like to be surprised.
Mel
Good “bang for your buck” Italian food. A bit oily for my taste, but still pretty good
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
S EDH
Meatballs... I really liked them. The issue was there were only two when added to the pasta vodka sauce. They were small also. Food was very good. No wine on menu.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Kathleen Madrid
Delicious food and amazing service. Two big thumbs up.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
bosco wu
Food was really good, atmosphere was good and service was goood. Only problem was that food is really expensive. I added meatballs to my pasta and it cost 9 dollars for 2 small meatballs
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Janet Crocker
The food was mediocre, meatballs were very small, I ordered a double cappuccino...got a single, others in my group were not impressed with their dishes. The garlic bread was dripping soggy soaked in butter and the garlic on it was unpleasant. The tiramisu was tasteless, the canoli was the worst I've ever had. The staff was nice enough, but not engaging. The atmosphere was terrible. Everything was extremely loud, the music, the kitchen fans, clashing plates.....we were the only ones in there so we asked for the music to be turned down, which they did....but they raised it back up later. Artwork on the walls was bland, decorating was unimaginative... (understatement). Not a good value for the price. We won't be back.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 3
Oliver Whitmore
I thought I'd try this place for a celebration because I love Italian food. I figured I'd get some pasta and wine and have a nice time. Ha! The restaurant is small, with about twelve tables. The management prioritizes preparation of takeout/doordash rather than then the patrons right in front of them. I decided to order lasagna for my meal, garlic bread as an appetizer, and an iced tea since they don't have any wine or beer. What kind of Italian place doesn't sell wine?? (Based on the commenters below, it's rumored they got caught serving underage). I can surmise this must also be the reason they prioritize their doordash but I don't understand why they even keep a sit down part of the restaurant. They should just become a take out place. The iced tea was bottled, so no refills. (The soda was also in cans, so no refills). Obviously this is fine for takeout - but is unusual for an American sit down restaurant. The lasagna was small and alright but the cheese was extremely rich. Wine would have been nice to cut through the cheese. The garlic bread was the best part of the meal. Think of it, 20 something dollars for lasagna, 6 dollars for a non refillable iced tea, 10 dollars or so for bread. They didn't ask if I wanted dessert but by the end of the meal, I really wanted to leave because it was such a disappointing experiencing. I can't believe that the best part of the meal was garlic bread. I'm not going back to this place. I'm not ordering them on doordash because of this experience.
Wheelchair accessibility: Likely not accessible. They might be able to move some tables and chairs around to make it amenable to wheelchair users but it's a small, tight restaurant.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
James Parrish
Luca Cucina Italiana is one of those hidden West Berkeley gems that feels like a slice of Italy—at least as far as I can tell, having never been to the motherland myself. I’ve eaten at plenty of places where people swear the food is authentically Italian, and this spot has that same unmistakable flavor. The homemade pasta is the real deal, and their tortellini is absolutely bomb. If you're looking for a vegetarian option, though, be sure to ask in advance.
The lasagna and chicken marsala come up a lot in other reviews, and I get why—classic comfort food, done right. The garlic bread? Personally, not my favorite. They season it a little heavier than I’d like, leaning on the saltier side. But that’s a minor quibble when the rest of the meal delivers.
I’ll admit, I’ve had an off night or two here in th e past, but lately, they’ve been on a streak. The last three times I’ve been, it’s really been hitting. Add in the cozy, homey vibe and friendly service, and you’ve got a spot that’s worth revisiting. It’s small, so plan ahead, but if you’re craving fresh pasta with a solid Italian pedigree, Luca Cucina Italiana is worth your time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
eric hall
Ordered a sausage panini with Mozzarella. Partner ordered gluten free bolognese. Received a meatball panini. Cook had to correct the cheese as well. GF pasta was overcooked and mushy. Sauces taste canned.
Delicious and filling ate with two friend had a personable experience. Bruchetta, sausage and peppers, two Alfredo and one Bolognese so fresh and perfectly cooked.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bruschetta, Caesar Salad, Sauce
AJM
The food was simple and delicious. If I lived closer, I would go back. They don't sell alcohol FYI.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
juliet mevi
Vegetarian options: Pasta with marinara sauce, etc. Salads, soups, cooked vegetables, desserts
Parking: Walk in, small interior but one will be able to be seated quickly. No alcoholic beverages. Take out is a good option too
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Marsala
Michael Tidwell II
Delicious food, reasonably priced, and good service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Marsala
Aaron Kreag
Small neighborhood authentic Italian restaurant. Had an assortment of items between two of us and finished with the affogato. Enjoyed everything and would definitely recommend and return!
Small Italian restaurant with imaginative menu with some standards you’ll love.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
For the past 3 years the quality has gone way down. I wish the owner would spend a little more time here. No longer my favorite place. Unless I hear from owner, we are not going back. Sorry.
Favorite East Bay eatery. Go early for parking and table. Not many places left where you can order chicken liver. Lately servers inattentive. Be clear with orders, unless you like to be surprised.
Good “bang for your buck” Italian food. A bit oily for my taste, but still pretty good
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Meatballs... I really liked them. The issue was there were only two when added to the pasta vodka sauce. They were small also. Food was very good. No wine on menu.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Delicious food and amazing service. Two big thumbs up.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was really good, atmosphere was good and service was goood. Only problem was that food is really expensive. I added meatballs to my pasta and it cost 9 dollars for 2 small meatballs
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
The food was mediocre, meatballs were very small, I ordered a double cappuccino...got a single, others in my group were not impressed with their dishes. The garlic bread was dripping soggy soaked in butter and the garlic on it was unpleasant. The tiramisu was tasteless, the canoli was the worst I've ever had. The staff was nice enough, but not engaging. The atmosphere was terrible. Everything was extremely loud, the music, the kitchen fans, clashing plates.....we were the only ones in there so we asked for the music to be turned down, which they did....but they raised it back up later. Artwork on the walls was bland, decorating was unimaginative... (understatement). Not a good value for the price. We won't be back.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 3
I thought I'd try this place for a celebration because I love Italian food. I figured I'd get some pasta and wine and have a nice time. Ha! The restaurant is small, with about twelve tables. The management prioritizes preparation of takeout/doordash rather than then the patrons right in front of them. I decided to order lasagna for my meal, garlic bread as an appetizer, and an iced tea since they don't have any wine or beer. What kind of Italian place doesn't sell wine?? (Based on the commenters below, it's rumored they got caught serving underage). I can surmise this must also be the reason they prioritize their doordash but I don't understand why they even keep a sit down part of the restaurant. They should just become a take out place. The iced tea was bottled, so no refills. (The soda was also in cans, so no refills). Obviously this is fine for takeout - but is unusual for an American sit down restaurant. The lasagna was small and alright but the cheese was extremely rich. Wine would have been nice to cut through the cheese. The garlic bread was the best part of the meal. Think of it, 20 something dollars for lasagna, 6 dollars for a non refillable iced tea, 10 dollars or so for bread. They didn't ask if I wanted dessert but by the end of the meal, I really wanted to leave because it was such a disappointing experiencing. I can't believe that the best part of the meal was garlic bread. I'm not going back to this place. I'm not ordering them on doordash because of this experience.
Wheelchair accessibility: Likely not accessible. They might be able to move some tables and chairs around to make it amenable to wheelchair users but it's a small, tight restaurant.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
Luca Cucina Italiana is one of those hidden West Berkeley gems that feels like a slice of Italy—at least as far as I can tell, having never been to the motherland myself. I’ve eaten at plenty of places where people swear the food is authentically Italian, and this spot has that same unmistakable flavor. The homemade pasta is the real deal, and their tortellini is absolutely bomb. If you're looking for a vegetarian option, though, be sure to ask in advance.
The lasagna and chicken marsala come up a lot in other reviews, and I get why—classic comfort food, done right. The garlic bread? Personally, not my favorite. They season it a little heavier than I’d like, leaning on the saltier side. But that’s a minor quibble when the rest of the meal delivers.
I’ll admit, I’ve had an off night or two here in th
e past, but lately, they’ve been on a streak. The last three times I’ve been, it’s really been hitting. Add in the cozy, homey vibe and friendly service, and you’ve got a spot that’s worth revisiting. It’s small, so plan ahead, but if you’re craving fresh pasta with a solid Italian pedigree, Luca Cucina Italiana is worth your time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Ordered a sausage panini with Mozzarella. Partner ordered gluten free bolognese.
Received a meatball panini. Cook had to correct the cheese as well. GF pasta was overcooked and mushy. Sauces taste canned.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 3
Restaurantji Recommends
Delicious and filling ate with two friend had a personable experience. Bruchetta, sausage and peppers, two Alfredo and one Bolognese so fresh and perfectly cooked.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bruschetta, Caesar Salad, Sauce
The food was simple and delicious. If I lived closer, I would go back. They don't sell alcohol FYI.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Vegetarian options: Pasta with marinara sauce, etc. Salads, soups, cooked vegetables, desserts
Parking: Walk in, small interior but one will be able to be seated quickly. No alcoholic beverages. Take out is a good option too
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Marsala
Delicious food, reasonably priced, and good service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Marsala
Small neighborhood authentic Italian restaurant. Had an assortment of items between two of us and finished with the affogato. Enjoyed everything and would definitely recommend and return!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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