Cantinetta Luca

Great italian restaurant. I visited by chance because some other restaurant I was planning to go had 2 hour waitlist, but honestly I’m so glad I found this place. Everything we ordered including the dessert at the end were great, service was very attentive and friendly. Will come back again!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

As a local of Carmel, I’ve been fortunate to enjoy Luca since childhood. The service, ambiance, and food here are truly unparalleled. I typically visit once a week with my boyfriend or friends, and we never miss the salumi board, margherita pizza, carbonara, and the bistecca (or one of the fantastic steak specials)! Chef and owner Jason Balestieri is not only an extraordinary chef but also an incredible person who leads a remarkable team. Luca is truly a gem in our community.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Tiramisu, Prosciutto, Grilled Octopus, Pizza Margherita, Tagliatelle Bolognese, GF 8 Oz Pan Roasted Prime 28 Day Dry Aged New York Strip, Olives

I recently dined at Cantinetta Luca, and it was a fantastic experience from start to finish. The ambiance is warm and inviting, with a perfect blend of cozy and upscale. The wood-fired pizzas were exceptional! Crispy crust with fresh, flavorful toppings. Their pasta dishes are equally impressive, perfectly cooked and full of rich, authentic Italian flavors. The entire dining experience was top-notch, from the friendly service to the charming atmosphere. Whether you’re looking for a casual night out or a special occasion meal, Cantinetta Luca is a must visit for anyone who loves delicious Italian cuisine.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Tiramisu, Octopus, Pizza Margherita, Wood-Fired Flatbread Burrata Salsa Rustica

My all time favorite place, I am a lifetime local and this is my go to spot. From the pasta & pizzas to the steaks and seafood, this place is the best... Always a big thumbs up! As for cocktails, Melissa is the best bartender around!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Had an amazing experience at Cantinetta Luca! The food was absolutely divine – every dish was bursting with authentic Italian flavors. The environment was so vibey, with a warm and inviting atmosphere that made the whole meal feel extra special. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a fantastic dining experience!

We had high hopes for this restaurant. Unfortunately we waited over 30 minutes just to get water. This isn't where it ended. After 55 minutes our pizza appetizer finally showed up and it wasn't accurate, nor was it cut into pieces for us to share. About 5 minutes later our main courses came out, and the plates were about a thousand degrees. Anybody who has ever worked in a restaurant knows what this means. The pasta was so dried out from sitting in the window for so long that it became mushy. We were extremely disappointed, and we will not be heading back to this restaurant again.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 1

Service: 1

The food was really good, but that is about the only good thing we had experienced this evening. The service was very spotty and the kitchen was an absolute disaster tonight. It took at least an hour to get dinner out and it really wasn't that busy.

Again the food was excellent, but I felt like there was no leadership in this restaurant tonight at all.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 2

Great place for date night !

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

The Bolognese was delicious!! The pasta was slightly more al dente than I prefer, but it didn't detract too much from the dish. The berry tart dessert special was amazingly good. My Coke was flat, but they quickly fixed the machine and brought another one. Unfortunately, they never came back to refill my small $5 Coke until it was time to order dessert. Highly recommend.

It was the worst dining experience! The duck and ravioli from “special” menu never arrived, which we had to cancel ultimately. We were there with our 3 year old son who was getting tired and more sleepy. The waiter kept promising that the food was on its way. They could have been just honest with us that those items would take 45 min+. Very poor communication from the waiter and management.

The carbonara and bolangnese pasta were underdone and lacked flavor. Neither crushed black pepper nor chili flakes were offered. The expensive seafood pasta dish had 4 small clams, and looked dull. The housemade salumi platter was small but exhibited great quality. Service was excellent; wine list average. If I do return, which is unlikely, I'll stick with the pizza selection.

The food was outstanding!! recommend ordering all the specials the restaurant offers and is known for. You will not be disappointed. An absolute treat to dine there.

The life of carmelbythesea

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Nardini Tagliatelle

Not recommended
Bolognese - very bad execution of fresh pasta and Bolognese sauce. Greasy, no character to sauce and fresh pasta , a wide miss.

Ammonia fish- smelled from 3 tables away. The diner tried to fix it with lemon.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 3

Exceptional service and fabulous food. In spite of having very loud noise level, this restaurant is on our “A” list.