Absurdly good. This place has been a staple in the area for a long time, and they really make the most of their space. The strip mall itself isn't anything special, but the surrounding area is beautiful , and once you're inside, the restaurant feels warm and inviting. The food is fantastic, and the variety on the menu is impressive. The chef clearly knows what they're doing because every single dish we tried was genuinely delicious. It's the kind of spot where you can't go wrong: date night, dinner with friends, or anything in between. We brought our own bottle and had a great time. Our waiter was super knowledgeable, friendly, and patient. The staff even joked around with me when I forgot my to‑go bag, and yes, I absolutely took it home because the food is that good. I also appreciate that they don't act like offering takeout is beneath them; even the takeout bag was nice. I honestly wish my meals were this good every night. I hope everyone who works here is paid well and enjoys what they do, because they're running the place exactly how a restaurant should be run. It feels like a true community staple somewhere that transports you a bit and makes the whole experience feel special. Lovely all around. read more

Celebrated my husband's birthday with dinner here. The spot is moody and dark. Service was fine, no complaints. What we ordered: - POLETTE (pine nuts raisins beef meatballs, tomato sauce, melted cacio cavallo - CALAMARI (fried squid, spicy tomato sauce) - SALTIMBOCCA (veal tenderloin scaloppini, prosciutto, bufala mozzarella, spinach, crispy sage, brandy sauce, fingerling potatoes) - CINQUANTA (fifty layered lasagne, spinach pasta, veal tenderloin stew, cheese, mushrooms, marsala sauce) - NON-ALCOHOLIC SPRITZ - NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINK BELLINI The food was good. It was a good experience overall. read more

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Tucked away in an unassuming strip mall is one of those places you almost don't want to tell people about--because then you'll have a harder time getting a table. Luca's Ristorante is a hidden gem that proves you should never judge a restaurant by its parking lot. Not long after we were seated, we were greeted by Luca -- a Luca and not the Luca. Still he was warm, welcoming, and genuinely passionate about his restaurant, taking the time to walk us through the menu and checking in throughout the meal without ever hovering. Luca's has a partial liquor license, offering a modest wine selection but is otherwise being BYOB. As we were told with a smile, they're much more interested in what's ON your plate than what's IN your glass. We started with two excellent appetizers. The arancini, already a family favorite, were crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and disappeared from the table faster than anyone was willing to admit. The Polpette, Luca's signature meatballs with pine nuts and raisins, certainly earned the praise they've received from NJ.com as some of the best in the state. Even if raisins in meatballs sound unusual, trust the process. The restaurant proudly calls itself "A Taste of Ischia," the beautiful volcanic island in the Bay of Naples, and the seafood absolutely lives up to that promise. My squid ink pasta with octopus (the Polypus) was outstanding, with perfectly tender octopus and beautifully balanced flavors. The scallops were buttery, sweet, and cooked to perfection, while the Ischia -- loaded with mussels, clams, and calamari -- was every seafood lover's dream. The rest of the menu proved just as impressive. The Pappardelle, featuring burrata and a rich Bolognese sauce, was a huge hit, while the Romolo, a comforting combination of chicken, pasta, bacon, and sauce, was another winner that had no leftovers to speak of. If you somehow still have room after dinner, Luca's offers a nice assortment of gelato. But do yourself one favor: don't leave without ordering a cappuccino. Rich, foamy, and expertly made, it's the perfect finale to a memorable meal. If you find yourself in Somerset, just a few turns off Routes 287 or 1, make the stop. You'll be greeted by a wonderful staff, treated to outstanding food, and very likely leave wondering how a restaurant this good has been hiding in a strip mall all along. read more

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Since my last review, we have returned several times for lunches and dinners. The food, ambiance and service has always been outstanding, so it was very disappointing that last night missed the mark, significantly. Upon arrival at 6:30, Matt was seating a party outside and he told us to go inside. He followed us in. But instead of taking us to our table as he usually does, he told us we had the five top in the room on the right which he pointed to as he walked into the kitchen. OK, so maybe he was busy. No big deal. Place was about half full when we arrived. Almost immediately after we sat down, a waitress (new to us) arrived and handed us menus as she very quickly read the menu additions to us. I told her we were in no rush and I asked her to open some bottles we had brought. I also asked for an ice bucket. She noticed the bubbles and inquired if it was a special occasion. We told her it was my daughter's birthday. She came back just a few minutes later with water and she asked if we were ready to order. I told her we needed more time and that we were in no hurry. I asked her to slowly reread the menu additions. As we were perusing the menu, engaged in lively banter and enjoying the bubbles, I realized she did not bring the ice bucket. I looked around for her for a few minutes, then, when I could not locate her, I caught a different waitress's (new to us too) eye and she promptly came over and brought an ice bucket. A few minutes later, a staffer brought a bread basket. Usually there is a diverse selection of various very tasty breads. Today it was mostly plain old "Italian bread". Like the kind you might get when you order a dinner at a pizzeria. Nothing close to the quality and flavors we have consistently had in the past. For appetizers, we decided on the burrata, the octopus and the crocchette. We ordered all larger portions which we planned to share. As we have dined here on several occasions in the past, it was disappointing to see small portions, especially the burrata and crocchette. While tasty, the portions didnt seem to be any larger than the small size my wife and I usually get. Additionally, in the past, the octopus salad had plenty of tentacles, which our serving did not. It was rather bland as well. Since taking our order, we had not seen the waitress. Apps were brought out by Luca and other kitchen help. At this point, empty bread basket, empty champagne bottles and some empty water glasses had been on the table for quite some time, but the waitress failed to remove any of it. I asked for more water which she brought but again failed to clear the table. By this time, we were done with the appetizers, but instead of clearing, she brought one of the entrees. The eggplant. A short time later, another server came and cleared the table while we waited for the remaining entrees. 12 minutes later, the rest of the entrees arrived. While I suggested to my guest that he start without us, he refused figuring it would not be long before the remaining entrees arrived. When they finally did, his was cold. Other than the cold eggplant, the other entrees were tasty. Given the poor service, we decided to go home for dessert. Insult to injury... when I got the bill, I noticed they had added a 20% gratuity (not to mentioned the $12 "Service Fee" for using a credit card. A discussion for another time). I firmly believe that gratuities are totally up to the customer. I tip well in excess of 20% when service is good. Last night's service was horrible. "Taking" my money was not right. It's not even the money, per se. It's the fact that a restaurant would make MY gratuity decision for me. Not cool. Perhaps just as important, it also influences the servers. If they know they are getting 20% from my table regardless of their level of service, they might give more attention to other tables where the gratuity IS under the control of the customer. I cant say that is what happened, but it is plausible. We hardly saw our server which is a very different experience than we normally have become accustom to. On the way out, I spoke with Matt and Luca to let them know of my disappointment. Lots of apologies. Then Matt told me, "It (the tip) is automatic". A customer was getting ill, so Matt left the conversation to assist to the customer. I left feeling like they didnt care. My wife said, "Maybe we have to rethink that place". Indeed, but perhaps Matt and Luca need to rethink some things. read more

Luca's Ristorante in Somerset, NJ, is an amazing Italian eatery that captures the essence of what great food and pasta should be. It's tuck in a nook of a strip mall, but you will notice that the parking lot is packed. Seating has intimate small tables inside or larger tables for groups. Also, they have outside seating for those warmer days. I do suggest you make a reservation just because of the limited overall seating. I always like to start with a good calamari but what made it was the homemade sauce to dip them in. I also decided to go for the special which today was a crab cake stuff pasta. Luca's Ristorante is a hidden gem in Somerset, combining great food, attentive service, and a welcoming atmosphere. It's perfect for a casual night out, a family gathering, or a romantic dinner. Whether you're a fan of traditional Italian dishes or looking to explore new flavors, Luca's is sure to impress. read more

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My absolute favorite restaurant. I have been to this place multiple times over the last few years and the quality never changes. The ambiance is perfect for a date night. It is always packed here. I discovered this place with my now husband while we were still dating and it is a place that we get excited about returning to. We share very fond memories of the food we shared here and it is a blessing to have good food with someone you cherish in a restaurant you hold close. read more

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I tried the Italian blood orange soda which was awesome and the dessert was out of this world!! The main entree was good and had a decent amount of seafood in it but I do wish it had a little more flavor to the pasta. I did feel that it was on the creamier side as well. Overall it was good but just needed something extra to bring the dish completely together. The place was super busy but the service and ambiance were still phenomenal. read more

Luca's Ristorante - Italian Near Me - Somerset, New Jersey

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Very poor,, the sales they offered looked like the cook went to the ocean, grabbed a handful of toxic seaweed and placed it in a container. I called and they blamed it on the olive brine. THERE WERE NO OLIVES Stay clear! read more

Luca's Ristorante - Italian Near Me - Somerset, New Jersey

I have no bad things to say only praise, the food is outstanding and presentation is beautiful. The ambience is quaint and cozy. The staff is attentive friendly and outgoing with a vast knowledge of their food and wine. If you're going here for the traditional Italian fare you'll be disappointed it's from a specific part of Italy a Lucas puts their twist on it. It's savory sweet and delicious all rolled into one. Give them a try and go hungry. Mangia. read more

Absolutely delighted by this restaurant. Interior decor made me feel as if I were in Italy. And well that's the start The bread basket was an assortment of various breads The dishes were mouthwatering. Not tiny portions. Worth the price 100% Our waiter was very kind and helpful with choosing a dish read more

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Went for mid-afternoon meal. Sat outside in a covered area by the front door. Especially enjoyed the appetizers. Everything was very tasty. Will definitely return. read more

I have been on the hunt for an authentic Italian restaurant for a while and had heard great things about Luca's. Don't let the strip mall exterior fool you, inside feels cozy, romantic, and worlds away for central Jersey. The service was great and it's BYOB with easy parking out front. Reservations can be made online but there is a cancellation fee. We came on a Wednesday around 7 and didn't need a reservation but there were a number of other tables there. I would recommend a reservation for larger groups or for peak times on weekends to be safe. We ordered the famous meatballs (very good but different with pine nuts and raisins), farro salad with beets, Luca pasta (packed with seafood and a good size portion but was over $40), and the gnocchi genovese (good short rib), and the pitsachio cannoli (not great). Overall, my husband and I decided it was good but not inexpensive. I don't think either of us would be interested in driving the 30 min to come back but we would if we lived closer. read more

Luca's Ristorante - Farro - Italian Near Me - Somerset, New Jersey

Came to this restaurant to celebrate Father's Day and some birthdays. I've always had great Italian food growing up in New Jersey and New York, but Luca's is up there with the best. This restaurant is specifically themed around the Ischia island off of Naples. All of the art inside is made by artists from Ischia and of course the food is themed around it too. It's not a place I'd heard of before, but this restaurant makes me want to go. All of the dishes my family ordered were amazing- pasta is cooked perfectly al dente and the daily specials were truly unique and delicious. We were all blown away with the dessert, which was a pistachio tiramisu. It was one of the best tiramisus I've ever had! Such a deep and rich coffee flavor. Service was great as well, our wine glasses and water were always refilled promptly and it didn't feel as though we had to wait very long for our food even though it was so crowded inside. Overall, I strongly recommend and can endorse it as being certainly the best Italian restaurant in the area and probably one of the best in Jersey. read more

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What a gem of a restaurant. We had just come in from out of town. We were hungry and my son wanted Italian food. Luca's went above and beyond our expectations. The food was incredible. The service was amazing. It's too bad we live in Virginia or we would be regulars. read more

What a beautiful, cozy, and delicious restaurant with impeccable service! The food is so authentic and the restaurant has such a warm and intimate feeling. I came here last night for my best friend's birthday dinner with a party of 10 and we had a great time! I loved quite literally everything we ordered: calamari, bruschetta, spiedini with spicy vodka sauce, polpette, marsala arrosto, chicken parm, agnolotti, valentino, porcini, and pappardelle. Each one was better than the next I haven't thoroughly enjoyed a meal like this in a while! Thanks so much for having us :) Already looking forward to coming back! read more

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Same great ambiance and service! Went for the third time to Luca's tonight with a group of friends and enjoyed the go-to prosciutto mascarpone figs appetizer and the rich fresh Gnochi short ribs! Absolutely scrumptious and I saw them making fresh Gnocchi which was an added plus. read more

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Our party of four had a great time at Lucas. Every aspect was perfection! Each course was expertly prepared and presented with unique dishes. Wonderful for special occasions! read more

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Have been eating at their restaurant since they were in Cranford, Food is excellent as is the service. Manager very friendly and checks on you read more

Luca's is the perfect spot if you're looking for authentic Italian cuisine in a cozy, rustic setting that transports you straight to Italy. The decor really sets the mood, making it feel like you're dining in a charming Italian trattoria. Bonus points for being dog-friendly and BYOB, which is always a nice touch! My husband and I started with the calamari appetizer, and it was perfect. They offer two sizes--one for 1-2 people and the other for 2-4--so we went with the smaller portion. The calamari was hot and fresh, straight out of the fryer, with a delicate, thin breading that didn't overpower the flavor. My husband, who typically avoids marinara sauce, loved this one. It was infused with herbs and had just the right amount of kick. Oh, and I can't forget to mention the complimentary fresh-baked bread served with both marinara and olive oil for dipping--such a great touch! For mains, my husband ordered the Luca while I got the Ischia. He really enjoyed his dish, especially the real crab meat and perfectly tender shrimp and scallops. The pasta was wonderfully creamy, and the asparagus was cut into convenient bite-size pieces, which he appreciated. As for my Ischia, not only were all the shellfish fully opened, but they generously added extra mussel and clam meat. That's a rarity in many places, and I loved it! The squid in my dish was so tender it almost melted in my mouth--if I had to compare it to anything, it would be like wagyu beef, it was that tender. You can tell the pasta is homemade and cooked to an ideal al dente texture. Our server was incredibly sweet and attentive, though we didn't catch his name. We accidentally left our leftovers on the table, and he actually ran after us to our car to return them. Now that's service! We'll definitely be coming back for more delicious meals at Lucas! read more

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Visited from out of town because of the excellent reviews, but left incredibly disappointed. The restaurant has an upscale feel and charges premium prices, but the kitchen missed the mark during our Sunday visit. Our server was wonderful, but the food was a major letdown. We had the meatballs, calamari, risotto, and chicken parm. While flavor is subjective, everything leaned very bland. More importantly, the food was severely overcooked. The scallops in the risotto were rubbery, and the chicken parm was so overdone and tough that I didn't even take it home. I'm really not a picky eater, but when a dinner bill is over $100, you expect a certain level of quality control. Unsure if it was just a Sunday kitchen crew issue, but it definitely didn't match the hype read more

Luca's Ristorante - Chicken Parm - Italian Near Me - Somerset, New Jersey

Food was excellent! All of the dishes were flavorful, cheesy, and meat was cooked to perfection. I especially loved the complimentary bread which was absolutely delicious. I also loved the tiramisu and lemon sorbet - getting dessert here is a must!! Interior was very cozy and intimate. We came on Valentine's weekend so it was super busy but still enjoyable. Service was VERY slow, which is understandable as it was a popular weekend. It may be better on a regular weekend. Staff were all friendly read more

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I work across the street and I got to order from here for lunch one week and I had ordered the gnocchi and it was great! The red sauce is amazing and very flavorful. I can't say much about the service because it was just a takeout order, but I hope to dine in there again soon. read more

You can improve the prices That the people are nice there pretty inside but you need a lot of money to go there read more

Luca's Ristorante can be easily missed as it is in an uninviting small strip mall. However, the restaurant offers a cozy atmosphere and is a smaller restaurant. The service is excellent but the food might take a while since they make everything from scratch upon order. Their breads are tasty and they provide an assortment. My favorite dish was the meatballs as they had a subtle sweetness to it that paired well with the cheese and sauce. The fried calamari was decent as well. I enjoyed their beet salad and it was one of the better beet salads I've had at a restaurant. They did not overdo it with the dressing and all the ingredients worked well together. The main dish I had Romolo and it was fantastic. The pasta was delicious, the salt and texture from the guanciale played nicely with the chicken, and the garlic tomato sauce made the dish complete. Of course I had to wipe up the remaining sauce with some of the bread. I enjoyed this spot and want to come back for other dishes like their pizza. read more

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In a state of a hundred good Italian places this stands on top. Been coming here since it was a simple pizza place. I have had most of the apps. One is better than the next. Had a lot of the seafood and pasta dishes. All are incredible. Finally tried chicken parm. I'm not sure if I've had a better one. The service is always great. The inside makes you forget you're in a strip mall. This is the place to go to. read more

This place is located in a strip mall with ample parking. We had reservations for a friend's birthday. When walking in noticed this place is very cozy and filled with different types of ceramic masks. This place BYOB so the wine was great. Lol. We were served the best variety of breads, so good!!! We all tried different entrees and shared a bite of each other and all were equally tasty. Will definitely be back! read more

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Service was amazing, our waitress helped us out navigating the menu along with their specials, she was super sweet. My partner and i started off with a small order of calamari (i love how they do big or small orders!). I got a pasta with sausage and he got a pasta with fried prosciutto. The food was great but definitely on the pricey side. We tried their italian pomegranate soda and it was great! Our bill came out to be $99 without tip. the interior was very cute, rustic and old but it worked great. Overall a great place to have a nice dinner. read more

Luca's Ristorante - pomegranate soda - Italian Near Me - Somerset, New Jersey

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The food was absolutely amazing! I cleaned my literal plate. The bruschetta was light and flavorful, the pasta was savory, the bread before the meal was cheesy and seasoned and the non-alcoholic mimos was light and refreshing. I topped my meal off with a deliciously creamy, light & indulgent creme brulee! It was the perfect day to eat outside! Sunny and breezy with a beautiful area to sit -- flowers, canopy, lights and music. I cannot recommend Luca's highly enough! read more

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Takes me back to the days when people dress to nines dining out. Five star food and service . Save your deals for fast food none here. Go ahead and impress that special someone thank me later. read more

This is one of the best restaurants I've been to. I live 4 hours away and feel like I need to start making up reasons to come out here. Every dish we had was delicious. We wrapped up what we couldn't eat for breakfast tomorrow. I highly recommend the Pompeii (chocolate lava cake). Thank you Luca's team for a wonderful dinner. read more

Very cozy spot nestled in a shopping strip on Rt 27. Had a business lunch yesterday and the food and service were amazing. We ordered the Calamari and Fico as starters to share. Both were excellent. I had the Luca for my lunch which was shrimp, scallops, and crab over linguine with creamy white wine sauce. Just fantastic! Highly recommended. read more

Luca's Ristorante - Fico in Camicia - Italian Near Me - Somerset, New Jersey

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Visiting from out of town and we had a wonderful experience. The portion sizes are excellent, the food was amazing.

Amazing food and service also ambient will definitely come back often for new dishes I'm looking forward for the age stake they got 10/10 read more

Luca's Ristorante - Boar meatballs - Italian Near Me - Somerset, New Jersey

I love the ambiance -it's a quaint place. The service was great and the food was delicious. Don't forget to try their calamari and tiramisu its really good , but my favorite is the bread. read more

The service and some of the menu items are solid; we appreciated the complimentary bread (such variety! Strong start to the meal), and the friendliness of the staff. The portion sizes are large, definitely suitable for sharing. Where things went a little sideways for us was the food itself. The meatballs are not the best in NJ, if I'm being honest - texture is too loose/soft, and they're drowning in pine nuts. All of the red sauces are same-same-y. Artichokes accompanying the lamb were very greasy. Some of the mussels in the Marinero dish were off/not open, and should not have been served. Overall, the quality/taste of the food is not where it should be for this price point (entrees in excess of $60+). read more

The slices are delicious. I just found this place and it's really good. Service is really good atmosphere is amazing. Totally recommended giving it a 9.5 out of 10. read more

Luca's Ristorante - Right here we have two regular slices and right now eating a vodka. Margarita slice very good. I give it 9.5. - Italian Near Me - Somerset, New Jersey

good place, food is above average - had chicken francese and multiple appetizers - def will dine there again

Best Italian food in the area, worth every penny. Appetizers and entrees were both excellent.

The food is delicious and the service was phenomenal. Comparable to NYC restaurants. Worth every penny. read more

We went to Luca"s on Saturday night. We had 6:00 reservation. We were meeting another couple. For an appetizer my husband and I ordered something which was a very small portion that looked like fried toast with tomato sauce. It was tasteless. The other couple ordered fresh mozzarella which looked a lot better. For main courses both my husband and the other husband ordered veal parmigiana.The veal was a very poor quality, it was thick pieces of tough veal. I ordered the special salmon which was expensive but good. My other girlfriend ordered ziti pasta. We thought the prices were much too expensive for poor quality food w/ A BYO RESTAURANT. Their ambiance is nice. TOO BAD THE FOOD ISN'T! I don't recommend eating there paying a lot of money and NOT GETTING GOOD QUALITY FOOD. read more