This place on 25th used to be my aunt and uncle's favorite spot for Italian food in San Mateo, and it holds fond memories for me as well. It's located in the quieter, charming area of 25th Avenue, away from the hustle and bustle of downtown. Recently, I visited with a friend for a quick lunch, and the restaurant wasn't too crowded. The staff were friendly and attentive, and the food was good. It had been several years since my last visit, as my aunt and uncle have been gone for over 12 years. This time, I chose to go during lunchtime instead of the dinner crowd. I ordered the clubhouse lunch, and my friend had the burger with sides. While I didn't have anything particularly Italian on this visit, I was glad to reconnect with this place. It was a nice lunch overall. Believe me, there are still classic Italian " dishes lunch or dinner time. If you haven't tried it yet, it's definitely worth checking out! read more

Old school, dark, Italian restaurant! My kind of place! Amazing food, thick, sweet and savory red sauc, pasta cooked perfectly. Service was prompt and attentive. Really on point! read more

Another wonderful time ..went on Mother's Day with my family and the staff made me feel so welcome and like family !!! We all enjoyed the delicious food and mimosa and dessert was excellent!!!! Very cute bar and the sweetest bartender!!! And waitstaff was very attentive and I really loved that they asked before taking plates from table and always checked on us if we needed anything!!! read more

Luceti's on 25th - Outside of restaurant - Italian Near Me - San Mateo, California

Wow. If ever there was an epic home run, this is it. I was not expecting this level, this caliber, these ingredients, this customer service, this ambience ... all of it, absolute one hundred percent top notch. Not gonna lie: I am picky, super obnoxiously picky. And everything we ordered here was fire. Their caesar salad the perfect bland and ration of tangy and anchovy and parmigiano reggiano and not too creamy, the romaine crisp and fresh, chilled with plates also chilled. The croutons not brittle with the perfect amount of give and crumble, faintly garlicky. Love love love, I could've eaten the entire thing myself. Their salm (grilled), which I always hesitate to order in restaurants because most places overcook it. BNut here? Nope. It was perfect. I do not say "perfect" lightly. It truly was. Beautifully charred on the outside and inside meltingly tender. Mind you, it was not tender due to them slathering it wth butter. Nope. It was because they cooked it that beautifully. They did put a pat of herb butter on top, which we neatly flicked off, cuz we're not taking cholesterol pills for nothing lol. Did I mention their crusty french bread, which comes with salted butter? Warm to the table nestled in a napkin, so good. And their very anything but basic spaghetti alio with fresh garlic, very simple but with the grated cheese at the table, and freshly cracked pepper a smidgen of salt, and that thing slaps. OMG, sopoooo good, I had an intuition about all those dishes, and I love being right. If ever this kitchen was tested, it was in the execution of these basic simple dishes, which they brought home. Evey bit of flavor they coaxed out of that spaghetti. The salmon, btw., came with mashed potatoes which were not overly buttery with carrots and broccoli. Their dolce, so many of them looked divine: chocolate mousse and cake and tiramasu but we were at that point waaay too full, their portions generous, and especially for their reasonable prices. The interior and ambience is old world charm and old schjool glamor tons of black and white photos of movie stars and sports figures on the walls, gorgeously rendered and the seating super comfortable, cushioned seats with very forgiving acoustics, not ayt all deafening. We asked for a quiet corner table and they gave us the last table in a separate room in the back of the restaurant, which though not the be and be seen thing, was perfect for us. Love the dark clubby feel of the place. The customer service: I cannot remember the last time I was greeted so warmly. Every. Single. Person literally loved us from the moment we walked in. I mean that they treated us with warmth and friendliness and gladness and welcoming love. They joked with us and were enuine and sincere. I fell in love with each of them on the spot. What a gem of a place. I cannot wait to go back. read more

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Have been coming here with my family for over 20 years and it never fails. My personal favorite dishes on the menu are the lasagna, bolognese and tiramisu! Service is always great and the ambiance is cozy, lively and perfect to enjoy a glass of chianti. read more

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Everything was great all good service and ambiance took the grandkids here they loved it they even loved the spinach

From the time you walk in , the hostess smile and welcome back greeting. To choice of seating. The quiet and standard dining room. Most excellent!! Started off with the quieter dining room. Very charming. Menus were great, so many choices. From pasta to seafood and steaks. We were told of the cioppino special only on Fridays and Saturdays. Told about their specialty clam chowder on Fridays. Since we already made our order, the waitress was kind enough to bring us a small little cup of clam chowder to try, perfectly prepared. Is going to be a must have the next time we come here. We opted to have all our dishes served at one time. We got a Barada salad, the clams and mussels and the meatballs all at one time everything was delicious then dessert couldn't ask for anything more. We'll be coming back reservations highly recommended because they are very busy. read more

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Great service. Ambiance. White table cloth old school Italian Restaurant. Great long bar with regulars. Great service. Our family knows Italian food... sister in law married an Italian from Rome and lives there in the Summers. The hubs fam hails from many generations with ties to old Italy in America in Nebraska and Chicago. The food here is good but changed a lot since our last visit since most of the kids moved out of town after college. The calamari is great. The veal portions are smaller than I am used to. The pastas are ample sized. usually order Lucetti's Special Fettucini but they ran out at 6:00pm ! We have come here for decades. It has changed a lot and not as I remember but still good memories draw me back. read more

It was my first time here. It reminded me of an old school Italian restaurant. There were 8 of us and we shared 3 salads and 5 entrees. Everything was pretty tasty. I enjoyed the salads the best. read more

Calamari is the best! It's like a restaurant out of the Godfather movie. My boyfriend and I love dinning at Luceti's. The food is amazing and the service top notch. read more

Stopped in for lunch, first experience here. Delicious food! Great service. Delicious desert (yes I got desert with my lunch, because everything was so good I didn't want to miss out) my only complaint is they serve Pepsi but I would go back in spite of that! See you soon Luceti's!!!!!!! read more

My wife and I have been customers at Luceti's for several years. Tonight I ordered the shrimp Louie salad as I have many times. The portion was less than half what was previously served. A manager told me that the amount of shrimp was the same as it always has been. That was absolutely NOT true. I don't mind paying more for the same portion, but I do not like being told the amount was the same when it absolutely was not. Too bad. Our visits will definitely not be as frequent because of this. read more

Ambiance and food are both amazing! I had the grilled salmon and it was perfect. My Sauvignon Blanc came super cold in chilled glass. Cozy bar with comfortable stools with backs was also a nice surprise. I will be back soon. read more

I will say the service was great... however the steak my boyfriend ordered, as medium rare came out waaay under. So disappointing as this was our first time here and we were hopeful locals looking for a new Italian spot. The staff apologized that the food was not coming out on time. We waited at least 35 minutes and the restaurant wasn't that packed. What a disappointment read more

Luceti's on 25th - The steak that was uneatable other than the end pieces - Italian Near Me - San Mateo, California

Never Heard any Follow-Up From that prior Event../.Crickets. I hope this review makes Lucetis more responsive. I realize the Restaurant Business has ben Tough during the last 5ive years.... but; Back on May 17, 2018, my family and I went to Luceti's Italian Restaurant to celebrate our son's birthday. At the time, Luceti's had been one of our favorites on the Peninsula -- right up there with Iron Gate -- and we had dined there several times earlier that year. Unfortunately, that night turned out to be a huge disappointment. Even though we had reservations and the main dining room was only about two-thirds full, we were escorted past the available tables and seated in the very back "party room." It felt isolating and completely wrong for a family celebration. From there, the service dragged. We waited over 90 minutes for our meals, and when the food finally arrived, my wife and son were served first while I sat empty-handed until much later. The waitress politely explained there had been an "accident" in the kitchen but offered no details. Drinks were also noticeably weak -- not the stiff pours we had come to expect from Luceti's in the past. To be fair, when the food did arrive, it was delicious -- the quality has never really been the issue. But between the long wait, the awkward seating, and the sense of being "hidden away," we left that night with a bad taste in our mouths. I gave Luceti's two stars and posted a fairly detailed review about the experience. But here's the part that sealed it: in the seven years since, no one from Luceti's ever responded or reached out. Just silence. That lack of care told us everything we needed to know -- and we've never been back. And judging from other recent reviews, we're not alone. Customers describe Luceti's as inconsistent -- sometimes the service and food are excellent, other times disappointing. That kind of hit-or-miss experience is exactly what drove us away. The good news? We no longer have to travel far to enjoy a great Italian meal. Just five minutes from home in Foster City is Bellini's Bistro, and it has quickly become our go-to spot. Unlike Luceti's, the servers here are the actual owners -- Sinan and Momo -- and it shows. The food is consistently excellent, the service is warm and attentive, and every visit feels like we're treated as family. For us, the contrast couldn't be clearer. While Luceti's remains a gamble, Bellini's Bistro delivers top-notch food and service every single time. read more

Nice quaint Italian restaurant. Wasn't too busy on a Friday night, so got a seat no problem. Service was very attentive. We ordered the veal and beef lasagna. Both were yummy! The lasagna looked interesting with the top layer of cheese, but was good. All in all glad we popped in! read more

Luceti's on 25th - VEAL SALTIMBOCCA - Italian Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Charming mom-and-pop Italian spot with an unassuming exterior, but once you're inside, you're in for a treat. The food is authentic, flavorful, and generously portioned. My daughter had the chicken carbonara and I ordered the pesto with shrimp--both were 10/10! Nothing overly fancy, just really good food paired with outstanding service. The host greeted us with a big smile and made us feel instantly welcomed. The ambiance is retro moody-dim vibes. We'll definitely be back! read more

Luceti's on 25th - Pesto and shrimp pasta - Italian Near Me - San Mateo, California

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A hidden gem of a family-run Italian restaurant--don't be misled by the humble exterior. Inside, you're welcomed with genuine hospitality and unforgettable food. My husband and I ordered the filet of sole and the white Provini veal scallopini--both were bursting with flavor and perfectly portioned. This isn't a place for flashy plating--it's all about honest, delicious Italian cooking made with care. The host greeted us with a warm smile and made us feel instantly at home. The retro, moody lighting adds a cozy, nostalgic touch. We'll definitely be back! Tip: Make a reservation--this spot stays busy, and for good reason. read more

Great place! Owners are great, as is the staff and bar tenders. I noticed the average age of visitor seems to be much younger switch the new owners took over. read more

This is our go to Italian restaurant closes to where we live. As in my previous review, if you like old style traditional Italian cuisine, go here. Staci, our server, is friendly and provided great service. The spumoni ice cream was fantastic. It is made locally and only sold to restaurants. A must try. read more

Luceti's on 25th - Spumoni ice cream - Italian Near Me - San Mateo, California

To be honest, we have eaten several times at Luceti's and the food was good. However during Covid you could only get take out. We ordered and took it home, the food was horrible! When they opened back up for dine in we tried again. The food was not very good once again and we have not gone back. This has happened to a few restaurants we used to live to eat at. I'm thinking of trying it again just to see if time makes a difference. Maybe different cooks? Let me say that the ambience and the service was always good. We've never had a problem with that. It's just that the food was not very good after Covid! read more

Really disappointed tonight, been coming for years. Came at 7 pm 5 table with patrons. Empty! Was surprised since it was prime rib night. Salad had hardly any dressing. Entrees were good. Drinks were not up to par, watered down. Which is a shock for that bar.... Was disappointed. Not sure after all these years we will be back. read more

Old school Italian with my old school friend. We come here every time we get together and have a wonderful Italian dinner - veal parmigiana, pasta, martinis :) I definitely recommend for families, good friends or a date night. read more

We came here for a romantic Christmas Eve dinner. I had been wanting to try this place for a long time and we finally got our chance! As soon as we entered, I could tell it was a special place. There were regulars at the bar, many people were greeted by name when they entered, the place was packed and the servers were incredibly friendly and warm. Such a wonderful atmosphere. And the food? Absolutely delicious! We loved everything we had and ate tons of their complimentary bread, which is served warm (is there any other way?!) Highly recommend a visit! read more

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Good hidden spot. Looking for a place for the best Italian food in town this is it. It looks abandoned but don't fall for that. Walk in have a drink get some food and fall in love there. After walk around to the local shops and vibe with the neighbors and walk off the food read more

Great food, had dined there often, but tonight they had a table of extremely loud, boisterous guys and the Matre'd did nothing to tone them down. They ruined what was an otherwise pleasant birthday dinner. Hey I'm used to a restaurant being on the noisy sit, but this was over the top. We were very disappointed and likely won't return. (Unfortunately since the food and service is good) read more

We snuck in late on Saturday night and quickly ordered the spaghetti and meatballs. As a NJ native, I assert that this "simple " dish is not overlooked, but rather gets extra love in a real Italian restaurant. Was not only delighted, but blown away by the authentic Italian goodness packed into this humble fare. Superb service and very pleasant ambiance. Couldn't be happier my first experience at Luceti's on 25th. read more

I love Luceti's. I particularly love the Fettucine Luceti, the spaghetti and meatballs, chicken Jerusalem, and the filet mignon. For dessert I recommend the cheesecake, chocolate cake and chocolate lava cake. Every time I come here I order something new and I'm never disappointed! Service is always friendly and it's family owned! Luceti's has called 25th avenue home for decades and there's a reason for that, it's a great place! Looking forward to bringing my family here for years to come! read more

Let me start by saying they make you feel like family the moment you walk in the door was very busy (Saturday evening ) which was to be expected make a reservation if you have any doubt . We were seated right at our reservation time and quickly met with menus and drinks . The waitstaff here was phenomenal ,the kindness to making us feel like we'd known them our whole lives in a new place was very welcoming. The best fettuccine Alfredo I've eaten in California . The atmosphere was old school Italian vibe this has become my new favorite Bay Area restaurant I will be back time and time again . Lighting was just perfect not overpowering and tables very neat and clean even with two large parties of 20+ they made our table for 2 feel like we were the only people in the restaurant. 10/10 read more

My very favorite restaurant in the world disappointed me tonight. I ordered a wedge salad with blue cheese dressing to be delivered by doordash. The salad was fine, the delivery was fine, but the dressing was NOT blue cheese. I'm not sure what it was. read more

Very nice looking place. Service was exceptional. Our waiter was nice and the staff was was amazing to watch, zooming around the tables so quickly. Food was tasty. Their meatballs are oh so good! read more

The food was delicious and the ambience is friendly. Service is good with good timing. I recommend going here for authentic food. Thank you read more

Luceti's on 25th - Italian Near Me - San Mateo, California

We had the pleasure of dining in this place per our cousin's recommendation and it was an amazing experience. The place was pleasantly cozy, comfortable and unpretentious. I am reminded of Billy Joel's "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" as soon as we stepped in. Camilla, our server, greeted us cheerfully, sat our party and took the time to answer our questions on what's on the menu. She has been very attentive and courteous. We were very happy with our food, the calamari was crunchy with enough chewiness and the Polenta was very flavorful. My Salmon Picatta' crustiness, tenderness and sauce was an epicurean delight! The Tiramisu was light and rich at the same time. The gelato (espresso) was smooth, creamy and not too sweet. Other members of our party were also delighted with their food. Portions were enough and the prices are reasonable to boot. San Mateo is lucky to have a place like this. Hope they branch out in Roseville! read more

Food was mediocre at best. A couple of dishes lacked salt and flavor. Servers completely forgot salads and just brought entrees. Oh well. Ambiance in the back room is private and quiet. Bar area very loud. read more

Went there for dinner, friendly staff, food was decent. Overpriced for what you get, but that's everywhere these days. Returned for lunch to find it CLOSED. Yelp hours totally wrong. Even the hours on the window are wrong. Phone recording gives correct hours. Seems pretty easy to me to change Yelp and put a new sign in the window. read more

Excellent taste of all the dishes we ordered. Great services too. It will become one of my favorite restaurants will go back again and again. read more

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The food was delicious original Italian food! I ordered the cheese raviolis with a Bolognese sauce over delicious! My husband order spaghetti with marinara sauce with meatballs very tasty! The minestrone soup is a must have! read more

Luceti's on 25th - Cheese ravioli & Spaghetti with Meatballs - Italian Near Me - San Mateo, California

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3 for lunch at 2PM on a Thursday. After reading some of the bad service reviews I thought oh boy they'll probably kick us out at 2:30 closing time.....NOPE. The wait staff could literally not have been more accommodating, cheerful, attentive and professional!!! So sweet! They truly seemed happy to be serving us! Polenta app: 5/5 (extremely rich) Wedge salad: 4/5 (basic. Could've used a little something... IDK) Gnocchi: 5/5 molto bene Filet of Dole: 5/5 Bread basket: focaccia 10/5... delish! ..... and the bill didn't break the bank ....refreshing. read more

A nice Italian restaurant, but it can get pretty noisy as when you walk in the bar is right there. The food is good and the drinks are very good. Just not a place to go for a date night. read more

Snotty bartender (female, youngish, dark hair, chubby) and not too bright slow wait staff set the tone for our birthday dinner. Waiter delivered 4 cocktails to our table and the 2 ladies orders were wrong (his fault? or hers?). Since our friends were waiting ...and waiting...for my drink to be corrected, I went to get it. The bartender simply poured my stem drink onto the rocks as I wanted and saved the extra in the stem glass for herself. I asked for what I payed for and she basically and rudely refused. Food was good enough. Gentleman Waiter was nice, but needed coaching: we had to ask for basic things. We've been going to Luceti's for years and always loved it. This is our 2nd time (2 in a row) in the last year where we left dissatisfied. We won't be back! I'm also calling to complain about bartender. Hope it does some good! read more