Lucca

Beautiful setting, perfect for a date. Cozy and romantic without being over the top. Service was incredible. From the valet, coat check, waitress and bus boys - we were well taken care of throughout the evening. The food? It was good. Not great, but good. Bottom line on that is I'd expect it to be better at those prices. Swordfish was well prepared, not overcooked. Accompanying risotto was 'alright'. Overall it is a good spot to check out and take a date for a special occassion or to impress. But for this reviewer there are too many attractive alternatives to try that I probably won't visit again.

Pros: Service, Atmosphere

Cons: Average Food, Price

I was invited to a dinner at Lucca. I didn't want to go because the North End is kind of cheesy. I was really surprised by Lucca. First the wine list is one of the best I have seen in the city. They have a wine spectator award of excellence. I collect wines and they have a really, really impressive collection. The service was very attentive and the food was exceptional. I will definitely be back, I wasn't expecting such a good restaurant in the North End.

Pros: extensive wine list

Cons: its in the North End

I go to Lucca about twice a month. I love this place great food service and ambiance. I would recommend this place to anyone. It is always busy and the staff are always really friendly
5 stars

Pros: always great

Cons: really busy usually need a reservation

I went to this restaurant on the recommendation of a friend and I must say I will never go back. I knew the restaurant was expensive when I went so this was not the problem. I visited the restaurant with a friend and our three kids. We ordered our meals and the kids were offered spaghetti and meatballs which they ordered.( They later charged us $24 each for kids spaghetti!) I also asked if my friend and I could split the antipasto appetizer.($14) She said that was fine and she would bring plates and serve it to the whole table. I informed her the kids would not be interested in the antipasto and she said well she would serve it to everyone. Thought this was a little strange but went with it. When the platters arrived it was way more than we could finish. The kids ate a breadstick and that was it. The meals were average at best. When the bill arrived I noticed the charge for the antipasto was $70. When I questioned the waitress she said, "Well I told you I was going to serve it to the whole table" to which I replied "I told you the kids weren't going to eat it" After going back and forth with her and the manager and being treated as if I were some Neanderthal who had never dined in a nice restaurant before, the manager agreed to take off the kids charges. Mind you no where on the menu does it say the charge for antipasto is $14 per person or you are not allowed to split an appetizer with someone. Needless to say I find this place to be OVER RATED! ALso, FYI the valet parking is located down the street at Fiores which no one told me when I called. Next time maybe I'll just dine at Fiores! BEWARE!

Pros: Bar seemd OK

Cons: Valet parking Service Price

Recently had a birthday dinner here and loved it! Atmosphere was nice and waitress was great. I had the beef tar tar which is a personal favorite and it was fabulous!! Nice restaurant for an occasion or just a dinner out! Definitely try Lucca!

I have heard about Lucca before as being a great place , so I decided to go there with some friends last Saturday. I was really impressed with how friendly everybody was from the front door to the buss people. The place was packed it is much larger than I thought with lots of different rooms. The halibut was really good and the carrot cake was also really good. My friend all enjoyed their meals and we are going again next week. A good discovery

Pros: big restaurant easier to get a reervation

Cons: busy, busy, busy

Were hoping for a special dinner, and expected one given the prices. Food was simply not good. Bland, cold, poorly presented, etc. Atmosphere was excellent, though, so if you're looking for a place for drinks only, this is a great spot. For the hungry, avoid at all costs (because this one costs a lot!)

I think the food at Lucca was very good, esp. the rigatoni with wild boar. The selection in the menu was a bit small, esp. the apetizers. The price is a little bit expensive, the cost of seared beef tenderoin was $36, I think I have had similar food with comparable quality elsewhere but at a cheaper price. The pasta dishes are all expensive, $25++. The waiter was new and a bit confused which was a minus point. And, there is no valet parking.
Overall, I think the food is good, but I'm that "wowed" to pay for the food.

Pros: Good food

Cons: Small menu, pricing, no valet parking

Came here with my dear friend who was showing me around town. Excellent choice!! We were seated promptly upon arrival although the place was packed. The service was phenomenal!! The food was totally exquisite with the highest quality of ingrediants and great presentation. Best of all, they have an exceptional wine list. While visiting the Boston area, I must say, I dined at the best Italian place. I will definitely come back when I'm in town. Lucca is definitely the best Italian Restaurant in the North end by far.

Pros: Exceptional food and wine list

Cons: none that I can think of

I've been to Lucca twice and I must say the food is AMAZING!!! Lucca's service was impecable along with the brisk service once we arrived. The waiter was very thorough and knowledgeable about the menu. The food was outstanding as well as the wine. We will continue going to Lucca over and over again.
Highly recommend it.

My friend has been trying to get me to come to Lucca but I think the North End is full of mediocre restaurants slopping out food. Lucca was really good. We ate at the cocktail tables near the bar, the server was great and very amusing. She did a great job on guiding us towards her favorite dishes on the menu and also selected a great bottle of wine. The wine we were looking at was more money however she selected a cheaper bottle and told us to have that instead. I was really impressed that she didn't try and up sell us. Very cool energetic room I will definitely be back

Pros: Knowledgeable staff

Cons: I wish it was in the back Bay

I am not going to say where I work however Lucca is by far the best in the North End. The atmosphere is amazing the food is awesome and everybody is super friendly. I would love to work there but I want to keep it as my place to hang out.

I live in the North End and There are only a handful of good restaurants Lucca is on the top of that list.
They understand customer service and the food is solid

Pros: Great pastas and seafood

I love Lucca. it is always busy and it seems that most of the people I meet in there work in the industry. That is a sure sign of a great restaurant.

Pros: always busy

This place has a great location and a cool look on Hanover Street but that's about all it has! The service stinks, to put it mildly...they clearly bank on their location and out of towners. I had an average meal with horrible service from beginning to end. I would never go back and would never recommend this place to anyone.

I love Lucca. It is pretty pricey but the food is great. It's a big place so you're not cramped and they have a big full bar. Make reservations and ask for a table by a window. My boyfriend took me there for our first date over a year ago...I was very impressed and we have been back since. I can't wait to go back again.

Pros: Great food...great ambience...extremely romantic

Cons: just the normal North End parking situation

The North End is great we were in town on a convention and we had a party of 35 in their wine room. Spectacular food, decor and service. Well done. I just wish they would open one up in Atlanta

Pros: Great for large groups

Cons: none

I had the wild boar with pasta it was amazing. My girlfriend had the pork chop she thought it was really good.
I would definitely go back

Pros: good food

Cons: none

We came in after a celtics game because everywhere else was closed. They gave us their late night menu. We ordered lots of different dishes and four of us shared. We had the meat pizza, tuna tartar, calamari and antipasto they were all excellent. We then ordered the brushetta with mushrooms and the pasta bolonese.
I will be back to try their dining room menu. If it is half as good as what we had I cant wait

Pros: good after banknorth events

The people watching alone is worth the visit. Great bar and atmosphere. When I tasted the food I knew why the place was so busy. We walked by lots of very quiet restaurants but Lucca was packed. I am not surprised great place

Pros: people watching

Cons: cold by the door

I don't have much more to add to the previous terrible customer service comments - the service is terrible! Food is average and it's pricey for what you are getting. This place is more of a tourist trap, not recommended if you are looking for a new place in the neighborhood. Moving on!

I LIVE IN THE NORTH END AND HAVE EATEN AT THE HANDFUL THAT ARE WORTH EATING AT. LUCCA IS HEADS AND SHOULDERS ABOVE THE REST. GREAT FRIENDLY STAFF, COCKTAILS AMAZING AND THE FOOD IS ALWAYS WELL PRESENTED AND SUPERB. FORGET ALL THE OTHER TOURIST TRAPS AND GO TO LUCCA

Pros: NEIGHBORHOOD BAR FEELING

Cons: NONE

Congratulations to you Lucca you always do an excellent job. I have been coming here since you opened seven years ago and I have yet to have a bad meal. All of the people I tell about your establishment have all become regular diners. A true gem.

Pros: award winning wine list

Cons: so popular sometimes hard to get a table without a reservation

I travel all over the country on business, and have visited all kinds of fine restaurants. What made Lucca the best so far was:
1) Their combination of excellent service (without the annoying "hovering" of many restaurants - I want a server, not a new best friiend)
2) Really tremendous food - many unusual entrees and top notch, distinctive flavors across the board
and
3) A relaxed/formal atmosphere. It sounds like an oxymoron, but after coming in off the busy street, we felt as if the pace had slowed down so that we could enjoy the meal and the surroundings whether we were there for a full business dinner or a casual drink later in the evening.

I don't often recommend anything, but if you like fine Italian food (not soggy spaghetti with ketchup sauce), I don't know of a better place in the country at this point. There may be other outstanding places, but I haven't found them in 30 years of eating all over the country.

Yes, I do recommend Lucca!

beautiful atmosphere, soft lights. I had the butternut Squash Zuppa..amazing, then the Linguine alla Vangole, and Pear Tiramisu. just oustanding, the waiter walked us through the extensive winelist (a huge selection of spectacular wines), and suggested a Brunello di Montalcino called Fanti, unbeleivable. I loved the whole experience. People of Lucca, you know what you're doing, keep it up!!

Pros: winelist, food service, atmosphere

Cons: none

I was really impressed of how serious and hardcore the wait staff was, they fold your napkin everytime you leave the table and arrange your chair..just outstanding!

Pros: great

I have notice all the bad reviews about this place and let me tell you, it is really not fair to speak so negatively about the place. I have frequented Lucca for almost two years, never ever had a bad experience, wait staff are professionals not the college kids who just want the money, they do their job because they like it. I highly recomend lucca for dining and even proivate dining, because really satisfaction is garanteed!!!

Pros: strong and knowledgable staff, great food

Cons: don't see any

great experience..gotta go to check it out for yourself..wild boar is a killer, fantastic dish...ahhh the duck confit...man, just superb!!! loved it!!

amazing, awesome, spectacular this is my favorite restaurant in Boston. Go to the bar the staff are amazing the music is great and the food is out of this world

Pros: amazing bartenders

Cons: busy

What a great restaurant I had the pork chop my date had the bolognese both exceptional. we had the antipasto to begin, everything was awesome. I can't wait to go back

Pros: excellent

If you are looking for a great night go to Lucca. I wanted to try different restaurants in the north end but I was always disappointed. Big bowls of sloppy pasta and poor service. Lucca's service is always great. and the food is really interesting. You must check it out.

I entertain a lot of clients and visit a lot of restaurants. Lucca is exceptional. I have never had a bad meal there. I would highly suggest you try Lucca it is one of the best restaurants in Boston

Pros: friendly attentive staff

Cons: none

We ate at Lucca on Saturday night and had a great meal and a wonderful time. Friends picked the restaurant, and I was perturbed by the reviews on Citysearch. We were seated promptly and courteously, and the waiter and staff were efficient and friendly. Our drink order was taken right away, and drinks returned swiftly. The wine list is way overpriced, but our waiter was familiar with some of the more modestly priced wines, and recomended a red that was delicious, although slightly more than we wanted to spend. I had pumpkin soup which showed a true pumpkin flavor, and then the short ribs, which were meaty and melting, served over polenta and some vegetables. My wife chose not to share her Caesar salad, which is high tribute, nor her appetizer/entree. Another person had the wild boar pasta, which he pronounced excellent. No complaints from anyone!
Several nits - don't charge for bread. This is America. Don't automatically serve bottled still water. Don't try to hose the guest who orders Dewars on the rocks by asking if he wants the Signature - it was $40 a glass on the after dinner drink list. Nice - fill in the tip on the credit card receipt so we don't have to fumble through the bill to look for some anonymous entry

Pros: Food, service

Cons: Little chisels

I absolutely adore this restaurant! A date brought me here a few months ago and I've been hooked ever since. The food is always great. The potato lasagna is one of my favorites, but I've liked everything I've tried so far. The orechiette is a must try as well. The wait staff is great, the service is friendly ans helpful without being too pushy. Lucca is now at the top of my list of great Boston restaurants.

Pros: great food, great servcie

Always exceptional great service atmosphere and decor. When i need to impress clients i always go to Lucca first

Pros: great atmospher and cocktails

Went to Lucca on Saturday night and can safely say that I will never be back. The previous reviews pretty much cover it - service is embarassing, food is subpar and prices are outrageous. There are so many better choices in the south end, please don't bother with lucca.

Pros: location

Cons: everything else

I decided to take my girlfriend here for a night out on the town, even though I was a little bit cautious because of the poor reviews on citysearch. Next time I will listen to the reviews better! The service from the host to the bartender to the waiter was HORRIBLE. They were rude and short, and acted like they were doing us a favor. Service was extremely slow, even though the restaurant wasn't that busy, and our entrees both came cold. When we mentioned it to the waiter he did nothing. To boot the bill was shocking. Won't be back.

Pros: none

Cons: service, food, prices

I have eaten at numerous north end restaurants. Lucca is the best for food, service, decor and ambience

Pros: excellent

Cons: none

this place is amazing. i have nothing bad to say. i have been here four times now always perfect. a great overall experience

Pros: large so easy to get in

Went here expecting a great meal and great service but got neither. Food was below average and staff was unbelievably rude. There are so many better places to go in the North End, I wouldn't waste your time here. The only thing I got here was a big bill!

Pros: can't think of any.

Cons: food terrible. service horrible. high prices.

Went here with a friend for a casual night out in the middle of the week. We made a reservation, and even thought the restaurant was empty we were made to wait for approximately 30 minutes. When I asked the hostess if they forgot about us, she told me to "chill out, we're only 30 minutes past your reservation time". The attitude and realization that they were late should have been a sign. We eventually sat down and the service continued to unimpress. We waited 20 minutes for the bottle of wine we ordered - again, there were only 4 other tables seated at the restaurant. When we finally got our food it was cold and the pasta was completely over cooked. I mentioned something to the manager on our way out - he could not have cared any less and told me that they already had my money and I could go somewhere else next time. I guess they do so well with the tourists that they don't need tho local business - STAY AWAY from this over rated north end restaurant unless you want poor service, terrible food and attitude from the management all the way to the staff. With all the restaurants in the north end, you can do better anywhere.

Pros: In the north end

Cons: food, service, management

STAY AWAY. I went with a group of 8 people and it was probably one of the worst dining experiences I have ever had. The waiter didn't get our drink orders until 1/2 hour after sitting down at the table. We finally ordered drinks and food and about an hour later the food slowly starting trickling out, one by one. By the time everyone was served the food was cold. When we finally paid our check, the waiter mis swiped our credit cards. When we approached the manager, he said that this waiter was stealing and he would be "gone" tonight. What? This place is a nightmare. Lots of other choices in the N.End.

Pros: None

Cons: Service, food, management

My boyfriend and I went to Lucca for our 2 year anniversary and what an amazing dinner we had. We were overwhelemed with what to pick to eat (everything sounded so good). We asked to split their green salad (expecting a salad and an extra dish for sharing) and when it arrived our salads were divided for us, perfectly split, and presented beautifully; there was definitely enough for each of us. It is pricey, however, the food is absolutely delicious and the atmosphere is perfect. Lucca is the perfect place to go for Italian food, cocktails and a special night out on the town. The staff is very friendly and attentive too. We had a great and memorable time.

Pros: food, drinks, atmosphere, waitstaff

Cons: price

The food was ok but all 4 of us ordered various seafood dishes and while we liked the flavors they were all overcooked? If they could get down their basic cooking skills then I would go back, but only with a reservation because we were sat at the far back corner, under a ?spotlight? next to the bathroom? there shouldn?t even be a table there? but the management and our server were nice and accommodating.

Pros: right flavors for the dishes, grerat location

Cons: ALL food was overcooked

Lucca is a fantastic resturant, where both food and service are to perfection. The decor and ambiance is suited for both a romantic dinner, as well as bussiness, while the menu is for food lovers. Lucca is a North End resturant to rely on for the best Italian food in Boston. The wild boar ragu is outstanding, the antipasto is to recommend.

Pros: Top resturant, service, food

When I go to this place the whole wait staff treats me like family. The staff is professional and courtious. The food is great. My favorites are the beef tenderloin (the call it a different name) for my main course, Mushroom lasagne for an appitizer and flowerless chocolate cake for desert. If you order this you will rave about your food for weeks. Give it a try.

Pros: Food and service

Cons: Parking