One of the best meals I've ever had, top to bottom (and I am old, and I love to eat). The meatballs, chicken pizzaiola (which I had never even heard of, and this was my favorite!), arrabbiata shrimp, and ravioloni truffle were just outstanding!!!! Our waiter (Adrian) was fantastic, and the kitchen / house is a wonderful small setting. Just an all-around great experience. We will be back!!! Note: cash only, BYOB (both of which Matteo told us about when we made our reservation--thanks for the heads up!).
Closed when we checked. Must make reservation. We don't know if it is any good or not. It was a beautiful location.
Robin Mullins
We went here for our anniversary thinking it would feel special. We’d heard it was exceptional.First thing you should know is that this is a cash only establishment. We weren’t aware of that until we arrived for our reservation and there was a sign on the door. So we had a moment of panic and scrambled to see if we had enough cash on us. It would’ve taken 20 minutes to go find a place to get cash if we hadn’t pooled our purses and had a minimal amount. It would’ve been helpful if whoever called me to confirm our reservations could’ve given a heads up. It could’ve also be noted in the text I was sent to confirm.Because we didn’t have enough cash we couldn’t order any appetizers and the cost of bread or salad isn’t included in the entree so we didn’t have enough for a salad. So basically all we got was each a small bowl of pasta each ($18). We did get the bread ( $5 ) and there was a small bowl of olive oil and red wine vinegar with no herbs or garlic in it like other Italian places I’ve been. I doctored it up with salt and pepper.We brought a bottle of red wine, something my husband had saved for a special occasion. The server asked if we wanted cups and we were confused, like , no we’re just going to swig it out of the bottle, yes, but we’d like glasses. He brought us out two white coffee cups and before pouring his wine my husband blew out particles of dust or dirt from the cup. The server didn’t uncork the wine. We were charged $5 each for a corking fee. I didn’t drink any so we had enough cash left for a tip.The pasta was nothing special but it was okay. I couldn’t tell if any herbs or garlic was used. My sauce was kind of like Chef Boyardee ravioli in the can. The meatballs were just these tough unseasoned things. Also, it would’ve been nice to have a spoon to wind the spaghetti with but none was offered and we couldn’t catch the server’s eye and just slurped it up.I hate to give a bad review as this is a local establishment but our dinner was so disappointing and it was our anniversary!Lots of folks say this is such a good place and just rave over it. I don’t understand why.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Lucas Kaelin
The food here is exquisite! The pasta and sauces are all handmade using home grown herbs & spices. A must visit any time I'm in the region.Reservations are required, call at least a week ahead of time. Cash only.
What a hidden gem in Mt City! The home atmosphere was so comfortable. The wait staff was truly happy to help, and the food THE FOOD! As wonderful as walking into a Cafe in Italy. So fabulous!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Patriot Mtn Offroad Park
Service was good atmosphere was amazing but good was overpriced and honestly could have had better lasagna out of the frozen
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Dipping Sauce for Bread
Ilinka Hollis
Fantastic food with a great atmosphere to enjoy with friends.Each one had a wonderful time.
Third visit: November 2023This is, bar none, one of the best restaurants I've been in from Maine to Florida. The place is immaculately clean, the service is excellent, and the food is about 3 clicks past that. We've eaten here three times in the last month if that counts and taken about five other diners to boot. Everyone, and there were some picky eaters in the bunch, enjoyed the truly fine fare. Little pricey, but good for the quality. Parking is sometimes a problem but this small inconvenience is well worth putting up with. Great food, great people. What a treasure to have.Just fantastic! Parking somewhat problematic, but everything else was superb. We had the nightly special, cod and shrimp, along with fresh baked bread with dips. To top it, a bit of dessert and excellent coffee. As an illustration of what a nice experience this was, we made two more reservations. Try it!
Drove an hour to get here and no parking, reservations only, cash only and tree limbs hanging over the entrance that hit our car! You should post reservations only so people don't drive that far! It's very small like a little house and hard to spot from the road!
Kaye B
Best Italian food since I was in Italy. Staff is greatVegetarian options: I have gotten three different vegetarian dishes and they were all great
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lasagna, Puttanesca, Caprese, House Salad with Mozzarella
Jules Farthing
IF you know and appreciate authentic Italian cuisine, you will never go wrong with any selection of entrees from La Cucina. Matteo is a phenomenal chef. It is the best Italian I’ve eaten since my meal at Hostaria I Clementini in Roma. Those who travel great distances to dine here understand what a treasure this little restaurant in eastern Tennessee is. Those who don’t know true Italian and give it anything less than 5 stars do not. Fenomenale!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Clam Linguine, Dipping Sauce for Bread, Ravioli, Prosciutto, Shrimp Appetizer, Tiramisu Cake, Puttanesca Shrimp, Lasagna, Puttanesca, Tagliatelle Bolognese, Caprese, Sausage Broccoli, House Salad with Mozzarella
Savannah Cairnes
We had a wonderful first time celebrating My birthday; will definitely return!
We love La Cucina. Food and staff are wonderful. Everything is homemade and fresh. What a hidden jewel in Mountain City TN. Don't forget to make a reservation.
Food is absolutely delicious, best Italian food ever! Compliments to the chef!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Pizziola, Meatball Spaghetti, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Tagliatelle Bolognese, House Salad with Mozzarella
We come here every time we are in town and it is always one of the best meals we have ever had.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Pizziola, Tagliatelle Bolognese
One of the best meals I've ever had, top to bottom (and I am old, and I love to eat). The meatballs, chicken pizzaiola (which I had never even heard of, and this was my favorite!), arrabbiata shrimp, and ravioloni truffle were just outstanding!!!! Our waiter (Adrian) was fantastic, and the kitchen / house is a wonderful small setting. Just an all-around great experience. We will be back!!! Note: cash only, BYOB (both of which Matteo told us about when we made our reservation--thanks for the heads up!).
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Pizziola, Dipping Sauce for Bread, Ravioli, Viennetta, Truffle
Closed when we checked. Must make reservation. We don't know if it is any good or not. It was a beautiful location.
We went here for our anniversary thinking it would feel special. We’d heard it was exceptional.First thing you should know is that this is a cash only establishment. We weren’t aware of that until we arrived for our reservation and there was a sign on the door. So we had a moment of panic and scrambled to see if we had enough cash on us. It would’ve taken 20 minutes to go find a place to get cash if we hadn’t pooled our purses and had a minimal amount. It would’ve been helpful if whoever called me to confirm our reservations could’ve given a heads up. It could’ve also be noted in the text I was sent to confirm.Because we didn’t have enough cash we couldn’t order any appetizers and the cost of bread or salad isn’t included in the entree so we didn’t have enough for a salad. So basically all we got was each a small bowl of pasta each ($18). We did get the bread ( $5 ) and there was a small bowl of olive oil and red wine vinegar with no herbs or garlic in it like other Italian places I’ve been. I doctored it up with salt and pepper.We brought a bottle of red wine, something my husband had saved for a special occasion. The server asked if we wanted cups and we were confused, like , no we’re just going to swig it out of the bottle, yes, but we’d like glasses. He brought us out two white coffee cups and before pouring his wine my husband blew out particles of dust or dirt from the cup. The server didn’t uncork the wine. We were charged $5 each for a corking fee. I didn’t drink any so we had enough cash left for a tip.The pasta was nothing special but it was okay. I couldn’t tell if any herbs or garlic was used. My sauce was kind of like Chef Boyardee ravioli in the can. The meatballs were just these tough unseasoned things. Also, it would’ve been nice to have a spoon to wind the spaghetti with but none was offered and we couldn’t catch the server’s eye and just slurped it up.I hate to give a bad review as this is a local establishment but our dinner was so disappointing and it was our anniversary!Lots of folks say this is such a good place and just rave over it. I don’t understand why.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
The food here is exquisite! The pasta and sauces are all handmade using home grown herbs & spices. A must visit any time I'm in the region.Reservations are required, call at least a week ahead of time. Cash only.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Chicken Pizziola, Chicken Alfredo
What a hidden gem in Mt City! The home atmosphere was so comfortable. The wait staff was truly happy to help, and the food THE FOOD! As wonderful as walking into a Cafe in Italy. So fabulous!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Service was good atmosphere was amazing but good was overpriced and honestly could have had better lasagna out of the frozen
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Dipping Sauce for Bread
Fantastic food with a great atmosphere to enjoy with friends.Each one had a wonderful time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Alfredo, Shrimp Appetizer, Viennetta, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Lasagna
Third visit: November 2023This is, bar none, one of the best restaurants I've been in from Maine to Florida. The place is immaculately clean, the service is excellent, and the food is about 3 clicks past that. We've eaten here three times in the last month if that counts and taken about five other diners to boot. Everyone, and there were some picky eaters in the bunch, enjoyed the truly fine fare. Little pricey, but good for the quality. Parking is sometimes a problem but this small inconvenience is well worth putting up with. Great food, great people. What a treasure to have.Just fantastic! Parking somewhat problematic, but everything else was superb. We had the nightly special, cod and shrimp, along with fresh baked bread with dips. To top it, a bit of dessert and excellent coffee. As an illustration of what a nice experience this was, we made two more reservations. Try it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Drove an hour to get here and no parking, reservations only, cash only and tree limbs hanging over the entrance that hit our car! You should post reservations only so people don't drive that far! It's very small like a little house and hard to spot from the road!
Best Italian food since I was in Italy. Staff is greatVegetarian options: I have gotten three different vegetarian dishes and they were all great
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lasagna, Puttanesca, Caprese, House Salad with Mozzarella
IF you know and appreciate authentic Italian cuisine, you will never go wrong with any selection of entrees from La Cucina. Matteo is a phenomenal chef. It is the best Italian I’ve eaten since my meal at Hostaria I Clementini in Roma. Those who travel great distances to dine here understand what a treasure this little restaurant in eastern Tennessee is. Those who don’t know true Italian and give it anything less than 5 stars do not. Fenomenale!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Clam Linguine, Dipping Sauce for Bread, Ravioli, Prosciutto, Shrimp Appetizer, Tiramisu Cake, Puttanesca Shrimp, Lasagna, Puttanesca, Tagliatelle Bolognese, Caprese, Sausage Broccoli, House Salad with Mozzarella
We had a wonderful first time celebrating My birthday; will definitely return!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Dipping Sauce for Bread, Ravioli, Chicken Alfredo, Lasagna, Tagliatelle Bolognese
We love La Cucina. Food and staff are wonderful. Everything is homemade and fresh. What a hidden jewel in Mountain City TN. Don't forget to make a reservation.