The food here is meh at best, and the overall experience feels underwhelming. The atmosphere is dated and could really use a refresh. Pros: Portion sizes are generous, so you won't leave hungry. Cons: The flavors are quite bland and the overall food quality feels on the lower side. Overall, nothing stood out enough to justify a return visit. Unfortunately, I wouldn't come back. read more

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Dining here occasionally over the past 9 years has been a roller coaster. Our first experience was mediocre and kept us away for a couple years. Then in 2020, we had a series of excellent meals and great service. This year, our two experiences have been mediocre though the service continues to be strong. On top of mediocre food, the prices have really soared. So, sadly, we are going to throw in the towel. read more

Wow, everything was really good and the service was great. Let's start with Michael our server, he was pleasant and attentive. We had some delays from our party so he stole the kitchen so the food came out all hot. As for the food, we order multiple plates, but let's start with the appetizers. The meatballs and calamari were really good as well as as the Caesar salad. The entrées, I had the linguine and clams and it was perfect. The others had chicken, Florentine and chicken Parmesan, which were really good according to them. Overall, the experience was fantastic and the service match. I highly recommend. read more

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I always appreciate when outdoor space is accommodated--we had tables outside, even though it was just on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant (there is no established parklet or terrace space). The prices felt a bit high for the food, which was good but not great. Additionally, each of the mains came out at quite staggered times, so some members of our party waited quite a while from the time their plate was dropped, to when the final persons was, before they started to eat. It was a good meal, but nothing spectacular. read more

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Ever since one of my best friends recommended this spot I have been going I love the carpaccio and the beretta salad is my favorite go to. The calamari is super fresh and lightly breaded. I could spend forever here. read more

Unfortunately, we ate dinner at La Lanterna last night. We all had pasta dishes. The tortolloni I had was overcooked to the point of mushy and very salty. The Penne con salsiccia my daughter ordered was also over cooked. But our problems were minor, My son-in-law got FOOD POISONING from eating the pasta special. He was sick all night. It was a sad evening... read more

I went here for my birthday dinner and it was one of the best restaurant experiences I've had in while! The service was impeccable and our server, Hector, was extremely attentive and made sure our experience was great! As for the food I ordered, the bisteca was a New York steak with mashed potatoes and green beans and the flavors were amazing and well combined and the steak was cooked to perfection. And the desserts were absolutely delicious I highly recommend the bread pudding! In addition to the great service and food the ambiance of the restaurant was delightful and had a very clean and lovely atmosphere. Overall highly recommend checking this place out! read more

AMAZING..... I'm surprised this place is not 5. Celebrated our 17 year anniversary. Amazing food. Pasta is made fresh and from scratch. Good luck trying to find that at any restaurant. The desserts were soooo good. Great customer service and will definitely come back :) ambiance was also amazing read more

Excellent food and wine! Lamb, chicken, pasta and beef dishes are all amazing. The owner is very nice and knowledgeable and it's a very welcoming place to eat. Wine and cocktail and dessert menu is also very good. My kids also love coming here as they have a good size kids portion and a variety of choices on the kids menu. read more

We went to the restaurant for my son's graduation, and the experience was very underwhelming. The service was very slow for our table (other customers who came in later than us got their food before us), and the waiter forgot to bring two of our drinks despite being reminded. The fish (special of the day) was dry and plain, and the kids didn't like their fettuccine alfredo. Not going to return there again. read more

We dined at La Lanterna Ristorante on a lovely Sunday evening and were absolutely delighted -- from the exceptional service by Michael, to every bite of our wonderful meal. We started with sharing the Rocola Salad, a fresh and elegant mix of baby arugula, marinated beets, juicy pear, pistachios, and shaved parmesan, all tossed in a delicate champagne vinaigrette. The Calamari Dorati was perfect and tender, and a simple red pasta was substituted for mashed potatoes, and the Cannelloni (Housemade crepes filled with milk fed veal, spinach, and ricotta cheese in a creamy tomato sauce) entrée was rich and comforting, along with bread for the sauce. We did a trio of zinfandel wine tasting which was fun to share too. The cozy booth seating adds to the experience, offering both comfort and a great view of the lively dining room. It's always a joy to see families and friends gathered around, enjoying authentic Italian cuisine with a modern twist. We're already planning our return visit -- next time, the famous squid ink pasta is at the top of our list! Maybe add a cocktail for a festive evening at this neighborhood gem. A perfect evening of delicious food, warm hospitality, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you feel like you're in the heart of Italy -- what more could you ask for? read more

Totally enjoyed the array of food I had here for a friend's birthday party. The restaurant has a private room that is reservable and it provides a cozy setting for a private function - and they do accommodate if you wanted your party to start a little earlier so you could get settle in and also have some time for group pictures before other dinner patrons arrives. From the mista salad, to the milk fed veal tortellini, the pan roasted salmon with crab mashed potatoes to the gelato, it was all very good. Definitely will be back for special occasions or if I wanted a nice meal. read more

Delicious meal at La Lanterna...place is spacious, welcoming with a variety of dishes of appetizers, pastas, meats, salads to choose from that it was hard to decide what to get. Ordered: :: Calamari Fritti - whole calamari lightly dusted, seasoned and fried just right accompanied with cocktail sauce and a horseradish/mustard - 4.5 / 5 :: Tortolloni - housemade with veal, spinach, ricotta in a rich, creamy marsala sauce - lick your dish delicious! - 5/5 :: Squid Ink pasta with clams, shrimp - good dish but preferred my friends tortollloni! Dishes were all nicely prepared with great flavors...ended up with 1/2 my dish packed. Friend wanted dessert but next time will have it to-go as we left quite full! Wonderful dining experience with our server Michael taking care of us with old- school customer service. 5 star for the dishes, service and welcoming atmosphere this visit. I would definitely return again as there are plenty of dishes to try along with a repeat of the housemade tortolloni! Plenty of street parking with 4 tables available for outside dining. Approx $60/person with 2 drinks, tax and tip read more

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Fabulous food! No matter what I order it's always delicious! I can't say that about many restaurants these days, but they have been around a long time and they are consistent and their food is always top-notch! read more

La Lanterna Ristorante offers a delightful dining experience with its traditional Italian dishes, unique cocktails, and fine wines. The family-run establishment provides a welcoming atmosphere and fantastic service, making it a standout choice for Italian cuisine lovers. read more

Absolutely loved this restaurant! Every dish we tried was bursting with flavor and served piping hot, just the way I like it. I highly recommend this place and will definitely be coming back. read more

The best gnocchi I have ever had. Every time I come back to the Bay, if I want good Italian food, I come here. The sauce is delicious. It's flavorful and has a great umami flavor. They also serve perfect portions. The dish is sure to fill you up, but you'll still be wanting to eat the rest even if you're already full haha. Their bruschetta is also phenomenal. I love the decor inside. Very traditional and kinda upscale? I love the Italian paintings on the walls. Service is always really professional, attentive, and quick. read more

La Lanterna Ristorante - Homemade Gnocchi - Italian Near Me - San Mateo, California

My wife and I have not been to a restaurant since before COVID-19 hit the world. We came here last night wanting to get back in touch with normal. We were so very glad we came here. Like almost every restaurant we've heard of in the news they were slightly understaffed because of the extra stimulus money making people not returning to work. Overall it was still a great experience. We live in Fairfeild and come to visit our daughter, son-in-law, and grandson and have been here many times before all this hit. We have never had a bad meal or service and this no exception. Merrick was our Server and truly was tremendous! The food was incredibly good and the service was great! I had the evening special chicken and risotto and my wife had veal. Huge portions for both! We also split a salad with sliced beets . We were both stuffed and brought back some to enjoy today. We will return when we come back for sure! read more

La Lanterna Ristorante - The evening special with Chicken Risotto and veal. - Italian Near Me - San Mateo, California

From the greeting and seating our experience at La Lanterna was a stellar experience Our Main server Merrick,got Everything Perfect for us! The 2 dishes we ordered were wonderful, the presentation, the flavor and that the food was hot when it was served..... We enjoyed our meal and topped it off with a the double crème brûlée which was delicious.... We are highly recommending La Lanterna for a Top Shelf Italian Restaurant in SanMateo,Ca read more

This is our go-to spot for great Italian food. They're the best! Staff is friendly, food is delicious, and ambience is warm and inviting. What more could you want? read more

I was craving some pasta but didn't want to deal with parking downtown, so I was searching for a new Italian restaurant to try. La Lanterna really surpassed my expectations! I placed my order in-person and it took about 25 minutes, so I highly recommend phoning in your order so you aren't stuck waiting around. Food came out piping hot, which is great because I walked there and was worried food would be cold by the time I got home. They also provided some delicious bread. Unsure whether their bread is usually served warm or whether my hot food warmed it up, but regardless it was delicious! I got the frutti di mare and the penne con salsiccia. Frutti di mare had tons of clams and big, fat shrimps and the penne had tons of sausage in it. My penne was a little over cooked as some pieces were falling apart, but perhaps it continued to cook in the Togo boxes since it took me 20 minutes to walk home. Overall a really enjoyable dinner, and I'll definitely be returning! read more

Once again La Lanterna was spectacular! Today for lunch I brought my Northern Italian aunt who was in her time the best Italian cook around. To find anywhere that serves polenta as delicious is not possible. The fried triangles are crispy on the outside while soft and tender inside. The delicate mushroom mascarpone cream sauce is such a compliment it's a crime not to scrape every drop on the plate with the warm bread. I did refrain myself and already regret it. My aunt was thrilled to see much an offering on the menu. Our calamari was done to perfection with a delicate crumb that did not over power the texture or taste. Two sauce options were served a cilantro aioli or tangy cocktail sauce . Both offered a different experience. Our server Hector was spot on making sure we were comfortable the whole time. I had asked the day before for special accommodations for my elderly aunt and they seated us in a lovely booth so we could be side to side. It was so warm and cozy inside it's hard not to over stay your welcome. Seating is not over crowded so conversation is easy and pleasant. Although we had a very light meal this time they prove over and over again consistent delicious food with a pleasant atmosphere. Hector again made this special time for us even more perfect. Until we see you for our anniversary in two weeks we thank you all again for providing such a perfect afternoon! read more

Phenomenal dinner with friends. La Lanterna focuses on ensuring their customers have a wonderful experience. The food was amazing with authentic Italian cuisine as it's been from the beginning. We feel like family and part of this local Italian-family run gem. read more

Came here to help celebrate my friend's engagement. First time here and they had booked the whole restaurant. It felt very cozy from the moment I walked in. A lot of friends, family and family friends of the engaged pair were spread around the room. They had ordered a buffet style lunch. There were two kinds of salad to start off with, the Mista Salad (organic baby mixed lettuce tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette with diced tomatoes, Gorgonzola cheese and toasted crumbled walnuts) and the Roccolo Salad (baby arugula with marinated beets, pear, pistachio, and shaved parmesan in a champagne vinaigrette). I'm definitely not much of a salad person although I do really like arugula but I ended up going back for both of them. Light, sweet and satisfying. Next was the Penne con Salsicca e Funghi. This dish contained penne with mushrooms, Italian sausage and roasted tomatoes sautéed in garlic and white wine tomato sauce. Given that this is an Italian restaurant, I always expect the pasta to be one of the dishes that's spot on. This dish didn't disappoint. The pasta was chewy and the sauce flavorful. There was also a chicken dish and mashed potatoes that were good but not quite as memorable. Overall a wonderful place to book a party of 25 or more if you want to book the whole place. Parking is on the street but there's plenty of parking in residential areas as well. This isn't quite in the busier downtown district which was nice. Bathrooms are unisex and located in the back of the restaurant. They were clean and well stocked. read more

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Our nephew, Michael, graduates from Santa Clara University and we enjoyed a celebratory dinner at La Lanterna with family from Spokane. Hector was our affable server and orchestrated a flawless evening for our seven. My Calamari Dorati was excellent, plated with creamy mashed potatoes and a melange of grated zucchini and carrots on wilted spinach. It was a food coma after sharing appetizers of burrata, calamari grittier, bruschetta, and pours of wine, beer, and an Italian martini...with the other daily special entrees, gnocchi, spaghetti bolognese, and salad. I intend to return with friends for lunch Tuesday-Friday. Closed Mondays. read more

Food is excellent. They are super busy which is good, The only complaint is we had to wait long in front to be seen then get a table. But food and drink are worth the wait. read more

Neighborhood gem. Great food and service reasonable prices. On street parking usually pretty easy.

First time at La Lanterna was for dinner with Mom on September 24, 2021. Not sure how Mom found out about this restaurant, but she was on a mission to try their food, especially their Squid Ink Spaghetti con Frutti di Mare. If they passed her taste test, her plan was to purchase a gift certificate to give to my uncle and aunt. As we were given the Cocktail menu, I was immediately excited to see that they offer authentic Bellinis (Why are these simple, but delicious drinks so hard to find outside of Italy?). Obviously, I had to order one. Mom went for a Lemondrop. We sipped on our libations while sharing an Antipasti, Calamari Fritti. The appetizer was light, but crispy, just the way we like it. For Insalate, we both enjoyed the refreshing Rocola - the beets, pears, and pistachios add wonderful layers of flavours and textures. I ordered the Calamari Dorati for my entree. La Lanterna's version of this popular squid dish has a nice, slight crisp in the breading which doesn't sog up in the delightful lemon white wine sauce. Mom, of course, had the Squid Ink Spaghetti con Frutti di Mare which impressed her with its generous portions of prawns and clams. We concluded our meal with the Three Petit dessert sampler of tiramisu, warm chocolate cake, and panna cotta, a nice sweet ending, I must say. Mom's verdict was that service was very friendly and the food was delicious. Before we left, she purchased the gift cert for my aunt and uncle. Nearly four months later, Mom and I returned to La Lanterna with the boys on January 22, 2022. We both ordered the same dishes we had during our first visit, but, this time, instead of the Calamari Fritti, I opted for the Cream of Mushroom Soup from the night's Specials. Ummm, WOW! That Soup Special was outstanding, probably THE BEST mushroom soup I have ever tasted! For Insalate, the boys split the Caesar, which they voted as the #2 best of its kind that they have ever had. For their main dishes, both boys ordered the Homemade Gnocchi with mushroom, herb, and truffle sauce which they devoured, then ended with Sorbetto and Profiteroles. For Dessert, I ordered another bowl of the Cream of Mushroom Soup because, YES, it was THAT HEAVENLY! In fact, Mom ordered a bowl to go as well. Service this second night was superb. We were served by Merrick who told us the history of this family-owned restaurant. Before we left, he even let us visit the immaculate kitchen to meet his stepdad and younger brother (who prepared the split Caesar salad). Impressed by the food, Merrick, and the tight knit family dynamics of La Lanterna, Mom declared that we may have found a new favourite restaurant of ours - they earned a unanimous five star rating from us. ...oh, and you know that gift cert that Mom bought for my uncle and aunt? It never reached its intended recipients - we redeemed it ourselves on our second night, hehe. We will be back, for sure. read more

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Hadn't gotten Italian takeout in awhile and so glad we tried La Lanterna. We liked the takeout so much, we've since ordered two or three more times Parents loved the rich seafood taste of the vongole and frutti di mare We enjoyed the bolognese Noodles perfectly al dente, sauces flavorful read more

La Lanterna to the rescue! A colleague and I spent a few weeks looking for a private room at a restaurant on the Peninsula. Since we were doing it for a non-profit organization, we couldn't swallow a minimum number of guests or money. We just didn't know how many people would ACTUALLY show up at our semi-annual dinner. Alas, we had a room for 20 guests, and only 10 people showed. Thank goodness we went with our instinct. The experience was fantastic for those 10 people--food, drink, and service. I facilitated a meeting with deep discussion during dinner, and the wait staff was super respectful and discreet during those times. For dinner, I had the squid ink pasta because I can't resist whenever that's on the menu. It was so good, especially the quality of the pasta. For dessert I had tiramisu with coffee which was heavenly. Everyone seemed to enjoy their meal. I wish there were more people, but we'll just have to tell them what they were missing out on. I'm glad that we didn't have to remind the wait staff a million times that everyone would pay for their alcohol separately. We've run into issues with that at other restaurants. The whole planning and dining experience was smooth, and since we have this dinner semi-annually, chances are we'll book La Lanterna again! read more

La Lanterna Ristorante - Tiramisu - Italian Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Fabulous service, great atmosphere! Must try bruschetta, Carpaccio di Manzo, meatballs and Tortelloni di Vitello. Perfect served with a Merlot read more

Service is great food is delicious atmosphere is good waiter is helping especially as a first time visit. He helped us select our food and we're thankful. Polenta was perfect Lasagna was delicious and bread pudding was awesome. Wish there was more selection of wine. Are you going to add a bar. read more

I had work dinner here recently and really liked the food. I think they were a bit overwhelmed with our large group but overall it was a good experience. We were in the private room in the back as we had about 20 people. We started with some appetizers. Calamari Fritti - Seasoned fried calamari served over greens with chipotle cilantro aioli and cocktail sauce - very tasty, nice and crisp, good sauces. Bruschetta - Grilled bread topped with fresh tomatoes, garlic, basil and extra virgin olive oil. The bread had a good flavor, garlicky tomatoes on top. For entree, I had the Arrosto di Maiale - Oven roasted pork tenderloin wrapped with smoked bacon with a pomegranate sauce served with butternut squash puree and green beans (normally comes with spinach which I don't like). This was so good. The pork was tender and juicy, loved the pomegranate sauce, not too sweet. And you can't go wrong with butternut squash. So tasty and creamy. Overall a great entree. Other than the slow service due to our group size, everything was really good. Its a nice old-school Italian restaurant in old downtown. read more

La Lanterna Ristorante - Arrosto di Maiale: Oven roasted pork tenderloin - Italian Near Me - San Mateo, California

Very nice place. Food is very good and the noise is on the quiet side. There is a bar but it is a seat and serve one, not a belly-up to bar, which makes this a great place to have conversation and a nice dinner. read more

Came here with my wife and baby son and the service here was great! It was also a very nice ambiance with a spacious interior and fancy booths. The food was also very good. Great place for a nice dinner in a a great atmosphere. This is what we ordered and all were yummy: Polenta al Forno - crispy outside and moist inside Linguine con Frutti di Mare - lots of seafood Vitello Piccata - maybe a bit too much lemon flavor Dessert trio - great way to sample different ones I plan to be back again! read more

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It's been a long time since we've been here. I would recommend make reservations. The food was very good. They start by bring out water and bread with olive oil. We ordered Calamari and it was a bit over fried and Bruschetta was perfect. We had the Squid Ink Spaghetti Con Frutti di Mare and it was delicious. No leftovers for us that's how delicious it was. Service was great. Plenty of street parking. read more

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Delicious food, great atmosphere and excellent service. This restaurant always impresses.

This place was recommended and it did not disappoint. The service was professional and courteous. The food delicious and portions generous.

A recommendation from our Italian friends who live in SF. We came and celebrated our anniversary. We were cordially greeted and seated before our actual reservations. Our waiter promptly greeted us and wished us a happy anniversary, asked us our drink order and made recommendations. The atmosphere was romantic but not stuffy. We were attended to but not rushed or overly waited on. Many patrons wore street clothes but a collared shirt and jacket would not make you feel out of place. We ordered the crab cakes, special menu list: lamb shank and swordfish over a lemon risotto. Both main entrees were exceptional. I would definitely come again and I would recommend to others. read more

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I feel like I want to state that it's the COVID-19 spring as I write this - not sure why? So maybe in 10 years I'll look back and remember what we went through during these strange times? Anyway. Kitchen is decimated by water leak, so takeout is all I'm eating for the foreseeable future. I've never eaten here before but I'm really trying to support local businesses. Got takeout for me and my kids. They really rocked it. Nice customer service, really clean and hygienic practices (even down to have a cup of clean pens and a cup of used pens to sign credit card slips - very conscientious). The food? Excellent. Chicken parmesan is delicious and generous portion. Bread is soft and comforting. Yum, carbs make me happy. read more