It was our final evening in SLC and I wanted something a little fancier to end our trip on. For whatever reason, SLC has a ton of Italian restaurants, so finding one was a little overwhelming, but ultimately I settled on Lupessa. One of my requirements was cocktails, and those looked pretty good from what I saw on Yelp. The menu was intriguing as well. I knew I wanted to try the tuna tartare for sure. I made a reservation for us for 18:30 and we were greeted with a smile and quickly seated. The ambiance was beautiful. I loved the giant tree in the middle of the dining room, and the seats were so chic and comfy. There is a parking garage, so no need to worry about parking either. Our server promptly greeted us and we placed our order for our cocktails and the tuna tartare app. I went with the Truth or Pear (I'm a sucker for anything pear related) and my husband went with the Mezcal old fashioned. Both arrived to our table shortly before the complimentary bread did. That bread was oh so warm and fluffy, and came with the most delightful herb oil to dip in. The cocktails were good, smooth and well-balanced. The tuna tartare was next to arrive, and it was plated wonderfully. I was very excited to dig in. The bread was toasted to perfection, and the tuna was seasoned with the most delightful citrus notes, just as stated in the menu. It was a perfect combination of flavors, and my favorite dish of the evening. The portion was also generous in my opinion, and we definitely savored each bite. As far as our entrees, we both wanted pasta, and the bison rigatoni caught my eye immediately. The spicy rigatoni spoke to my husband as well, so that's what we both ended up ordering. The pasta was quite decadent, especially mine with the ricotta. We noticed a lot of people packing up leftovers, and quite frankly, if we weren't so hungry, we probably would have had leftovers as well. While the sauce was overall good, it was a little monotone. The rigatoni was also a little overcooked. I honestly expected more, especially coming from CA, where I am no stranger to quality pasta dishes hailing from restaurants in Carmel, Half Moon Bay, and similar towns. We left with our bellies full, and the service was great, but I wished our pasta dishes were better, especially for what we paid (which was comparable to what I've paid in CA, mind you). The tuna tartare was most definitely the highlight of our meal. The next time we're in SLC, I'd come back for the tuna tartare, but it looks like I'll need to do a more thorough search for restaurants that serve better pasta. read more

See all

Stopped in for dinner and ordered the chicken piccata. Unfortunately, it came out cold initially, but the service team handled it perfectly. Our server was quick to apologize, had a fresh entrée prepared right away, and even comped the meal, which was greatly appreciated. The replacement dish came out hot and was much better. I also enjoyed a glass of red wine that paired nicely with dinner, and the complimentary bread was absolutely delightful--fresh, warm, and a great way to start the meal. One of my favorite touches was the beautiful cherry blossom tree in the center of the restaurant. It creates such a unique and inviting atmosphere and really adds to the overall dining experience. While there was a small hiccup with the food temperature, the excellent service and attention to making things right turned it into a positive experience. I would definitely return. read more

Lupessa - Italian Near Me - Salt Lake City, Utah

Beautiful decor and atmosphere. We had a larger party (7) for brunch. Server was helpful and attentive. Drinks were "meh", nothing spectacular to mention about them. Ordered the garlic knot sandwich, which fed 3 adults - it's massive and delicious. Ordered both options of French toast: tiramisu and blueberry lemon. Both were served cold. The tiramisu was beautiful on presentation and extremely sweet, would probably fill up a small child. The blueberry lemon was very underwhelming - no lemon flavoring whatsoever and no syrup. It was basic French toast with a sprinkling of blueberries and some random dollops of whipped cream. Had to ask for extra whipped cream, as there was zero syrup or lemon compote. Parties of 6 and more have gratuity automatically included in the bill. Nothing about this restaurant will make us want to return - at least for weekend brunch. The dinner menu looks good, but then again, so did the french toast. read more

Dear Lupessa, Thank you for a wonderful 16th year wedding anniversary! You sat us in a more secluded area where we could focus and talk. We were close to the piano and enjoyed some beautiful background music. Our waitress was nice and very attentive to us. She helped make the evening special. Even the hostess wished us a happy anniversary a couple times. This seems small, but is very lacking in today's dining. It's the little things that make the experience BIG. Great job. The food was great. The portions are generous. - Focaccia bread was melt-in-your-mouth good, especially when paired with the olive oil/vinegar. - The Meatball appetizer comes with two large meatballs, more than enough for two people. The meatballs were tender and I really liked the tomato sauce - very tame. - GNOCCHI - WOW! This was definitely the star of the show. The Prosciutto Cream Sauce could've been eaten just by itself. That's how good it was. Just know it's a bit salty due to the prosciutto. - I ordered the Prosciutto pizza because I saw all the great reviews. It was really good too. Enough for two people. - Dessert (Tiramisu) was some of the best I've had. I ordered The Hipster's Dilemma - Bourbon, Amaretto, Lemon, Egg White, Luxardo I really like this cocktail. Appreciated the amount of alcohol they put in it too! Not too weak. Thank you again, Lupessa for a great evening. read more

Lupessa - The Hipster's Dilemma Bourbon, Amaretto, Lemon, Egg White, Luxardo - Italian Near Me - Salt Lake City, Utah

Thanks Lupessa for making our anniversary special! We got sat in a room next to the piano player and it was so nice. I was surprised because I wasn't expecting that, The focaccia bread was so yummy! I got a drink called Rosa, strawberry lemon and vodka and something else. Wish I had a large cup! Was delicious and refreshing We got meat balls and just order them! Worth it! Gnocchi was really good. It was little heavy. Not pillowy soft but good The chicken Parmesan was little salty but really good. We got a pizza also with ricotta and prosciutto and it was also really delicious. The flavors were light and flavorful. The ricotta had like a lemon flavor. We got tiramisu for dessert and had to take half of it home. I was so full by the end of the night. Thanks so much Lupessa! read more

See all

Food 5/5 Service 5/5 Cleanliness 5/5 Value 5/5 Lupessa was amazing! Every single thing we ordered was so good. My favorite was the cod and the carbonara. Their drinks were really good and the inside of the restaurant is so cute, perfect for a girls night or a date night. Can't wait to go back! read more

See all

I wanted to rave about out date night here, but I just can't after experiencing a rude and ill mannered bus boy, no soap in the mens restroom and watching servers go back and forth butting heads in full display of the customers dining. Found it pathetic for a place so elegant and popular amongst reviewers. The food was very good. Our server was pretty awesome minus the struggles she had to deal with involving some of her fellow coworkers. I've had better experiences at Olive Garden and that's very disappointing to admit because they are notorious for being awful. For the prices you pay here, I was hoping for the full dining experience and our date night suffered because of their staffing. Horrible! read more

Lupessa - Beautiful ambience - Italian Near Me - Salt Lake City, Utah

Located at the east entrance of the gateway mall lies one of the BEST Italian restaurants in Salt Lake City! My absolute new favorite spot and will be coming here every time I'm in town to visit!! Service was friendly, knowledgeable (gave amazing recommendations) and the food came out at a good pace! Beautiful interior and great lofi music for catching up with friends or a cute date night! Pricing was reasonable and as expected for a modern style Italian restaurant although cocktails were a little pricey considering the liquor laws (I live in SF and it's about the same except for less alcohol hehe). I'd definitely recommend this place ten times over its that good! Compliments to the chef there was not one plate left where it didn't look like we licked the plate clean. I also recommend doing family style so you can try a little bit of everything! Our top 3 favorites: sea bass, spicy ragu and the arancini! read more

See all

This restaurant is hidden gem in the gateway. Lupessq is elegant! With live piano music, amazing ambience, and tables to accommodate part of any size, you will be able to celebrate any occasion. The food is outstanding! Luckily, I read reviews of different foods before I came here, and I asked our server what she would recommend. I had the prawn pandelle (or something like that), and it was out of this world! It was bursting with flavor and came with a side of lemon. The drinks were delicious and the other sides we got were spectacular. Our waters remained full, and while this is a pricey restaurant, it's well worth it for the flavor and ambience! They validate your parking from Hall Pass, so it should be an easy parking situation. I think Hall Pqss may have screwed up the validation though (nothing to do with Lupessa--they were perfect). read more

See all

We stumbled upon Lupessa completely by accident while looking for a place to eat later in the evening, knowing absolutely nothing about it--and what a find it turned out to be. From the moment we walked in, we were blown away by the interior. The space is warm, inviting, cozy, and genuinely unique. The bar feels very hip and modern, while the cozy booths make you want to settle in and stay awhile. The standout, though, is the beautifully lit sakura tree elevated beneath the cathedral ceiling--it creates a magical, almost surreal atmosphere that instantly sets the tone for the night. The staff were genuinely welcoming and incredibly attentive. Our server was especially kind, patient, and helpful, indulging my curiosity about the restaurant since we were visiting from out of town. You could tell the hospitality was sincere, not scripted. Then came the food. The complimentary house-made ciabatta, baked fresh daily and served warm with olive oil, was outstanding--light, flavorful, and honestly some of the best bread I've had in a long time. And I've had a lot of bread. Their pasta is made in house as well, and my carbonara was heavenly. Perfectly al dente, not too oily, beautifully balanced, with just the right amount of saltiness--an easy 10 out of 10. A special compliment to the bartender as well--the Negroni was excellent, perfectly balanced, with a spot-on orange twist. Lupessa feels like one of those places you don't expect to find, but once you do, you're already planning your next visit. Great atmosphere, fantastic food, thoughtful drinks, and truly warm service. We're so glad we wandered in. read more

See all

Great ambiance, excellent service. Had a reservation but we still had to wait a bit. Food is a bit expensive and the portions are a little small but it was overall a great time. read more

We came on a Friday evening without a reservation but were quickly seated at the bar that was available. The complimentary bread was tasty. The pastas we got weren't anything too special, the texture of the gnocchi tasted a bit off. The Chilean sea bass flavors worked well but it was more on the crispy side and that took away from usual softness from a sea bass. Prices were a bit high so I probably won't come back read more

See all

I visited this place as Italian Graffiti before the rebranding to Lupessa. It is located in The Gateway which is a multi-use, shopping, dining, retail, and business space. It was a good experience as Italian Graffiti. I dined close to closing and was able to sit at the bar. The bartender was very helpful and offered recommendations. The Bucatini alla Carbonara and Tuscan Scallops were delicious. I also tried the Nana's Nog cocktail which was delicious, but not something I'd order again. It really is a one-and-done kind of cocktail. Overall a very good experience. I'll try Lupessa when in the area again. read more

See all

While visiting Salt Lake City stopped into this establishment. The restaurant is very nice. The service was friendly and informative. It's conveniently located a block or two from the Delta Center and appears to be a hotspot for pregame dinner. For dinner I had the Chicken Parmesan which was delicious. The food was very good as well as the presentation. After all the first level is the eye appeal before taste. The restaurant is moderately priced. I also had the pistachio tiramisu which was very very good. Overall I enjoyed this place and would definitely come back again. read more

Lupessa - Italian Near Me - Salt Lake City, Utah

See all

Beautiful establishment. The host and waitress were very professional! Each dish was very delicious. We did not care for the dessert, it just did not have that wow factor. read more

See all

I booked this reservation for my birthday and was super excited to attend! It was hands down the worst dining experience I have ever had in SLC. I tried ordering multiple different bottles of wine off the menu and none of them were in stock. I asked the waitress multiple questions about the menu and she beat around the bush with answering my questions. When she finally brought one plate of pasta there was no silverware on the table for around 20 minutes, untill we asked. I ordered a steak and she brought me the completely wrong cut of meat. From start to finish it was a terrible experience and I would never recommend this place to anyone. Please save your time and money! You have a better chance going to Olive Garden! read more

The food was good, however, the live piano music was so loud I could not hear my husbands conversation. Our waitress was not friendly. She did not smile at us once. She made no eye contact and did not engage at all. I don't need constant attention from my server but she was like a robot. Maybe she was AI !!! read more

The parking is a PAIN bc of the mall location, especially on nights with events. But for the restaurant itself, the staff was moderately nice. I've had better, I've had worse. The ambiance and interior design were fantastic. A very beautiful building to be inside of. The food was pretty good as well! Maybe not quite as good as the price tag elicits but enjoyable nonetheless. Definitely recommend the burrata appetizer. Not somewhere I would necessarily choose again, because I feel I can get better service and quality for the same price elsewhere, however if I knew I was going here for someone else, I'd be happy :) read more

So beautiful decorated love it! Perfect for a date or any occasion really! Their food is so good and the arancini's are to die for .. great service as well.. read more

Great brunch selection and friendly staff. Coffee was fresh and hot. Art work and ambiance was pleasant. Great experience! read more

Lupessa - Italian Near Me - Salt Lake City, Utah

See all

Best food, best service, and has the best decor inside. The restrooms are always clean and overall always a great experience. 10/10 read more

Lupessa - Me sitting in the ambience ‍ - Italian Near Me - Salt Lake City, Utah

We came here with my husband's cousins and sister for dinner this past summer, while they were visiting from Virginia. Wow, this place was so fancy! I love the trees throughout the place! They also had plants on the walls, a backlit crystal wall, leather bound check holders, and tree root benches in the entry way! The booth we sat in was a little tight for all of us, but we got by. It was getting busier after we sat down, but we were still able to hear each other. The staff was helpful in helping us decide on meals. We all enjoyed everything we ordered. More on the pricey side, but we enjoyed all the food and each other's company. Loved the experience. read more

See all

Ambiance on point! Food was amazing especially the shrimp and grits on the brunch menu!!

We went here for me and boyfriend's 2 year anniversary. Such a romantic spot! the ambience is top tier and the live piano was a cute touch. it felt fancy but the prices weren't terribly expensive. the food was deliciousss. we shared the meatballs for an appy. the sauce was reallyyyy good. meatballs and bread superb as well. i got the gnocchi and me and my bf loved how squishy the texture was. his chicken parm was really good as well but maybe just a little too cheesy for my taste. the service was also amazing. they were really attentive but not too much in your business. our waiter also helped us decide what to order when we were debating between a couple options which was super helpful. read more

See all

The food here was terrific Had a few girlfriends out and came here for dinner and drinks Great service and location Cool vibes read more

The entryway is beautiful and it doesn't stop there! From beautiful wood, metal and velvet the decor is top notch classy! The ambiance is gorgeous. The booth seating is very comfortable and made with beautiful maroon velvet. There are big decorative trees in the middle of the dining area that make it feel cozy. The service was also top notch. Our server was fun, helpful and attentive. We started with the focaccia bread which was soft, buttery and salted just enough to make you want to eat the whole plate. I had the filet. It came out warm, which made me think it sat in the back for a while and it was not seared which I prefer. But it was very tender and had a good flavor. The braised cipollini onion was full of flavor and very well done, so good. My friend had the Chicken Parmesan. The chicken was coated in a light breading and very tender. The noodles tasted homemade. The sauce was thin and needed more seasoning. The Spicy Rig wasn't spicy and the sausages, however good, were diced up very small and you had to search the dish to find any. The mashed potatoes came with a hint of rosemary but could definitely use more seasoning. The drinks were not made correctly and completely watered down. They filled the glass with small little ice cubes and that is no way to enjoy a classic old fashioned. There is a business casual dress code but they don't enforce it as there were a couple scrubs in their couch clothes dining in. read more

See all

Its was interesting. The dessert and the salads were amazing! And the bread that they bring to your table is warm and so full of flavor. Our server was kind and we appreciated her help. My friend and I had ordered the gnocchi because of the image I saw . We both noticed that it didn't seem like the flower was completely cooked out and it lacked some seasoning and a little bit of salt. My husband ordered the chicken parm and spaghetti and the chicken parm was really good but again with the spaghetti it's like the water had not been salted. It wasn't bad but I was expecting more. We'll try it out again and hopefully have a better experience read more

Visited the Gateway again to view a Greek tragedy play by a local acting company. Right below the small theater was this beautiful restaurant. We love this place. Great food and beautiful atmosphere. Host a Shea was very smiling and accommodating. Server Pietro was very attentive and helpful. And Carlos kept our water glasses full again with a big smile and friendly talk. I had the chicken piccata and my beautiful friend had carbonara. The bread was delicious with great olive oil and the appetizer we shared was the tuna tartare. Very delicious. It's our favorite downtown restaurant. Thank you for another nice experience. read more

Lupessa - Italian Near Me - Salt Lake City, Utah

See all

Everything about this place is beautiful. The venue passes the vibe check and the food was delicious. Our table got the tiramisu French toast and the blueberry lemon French toast. We already have plans for going there again soon! read more

Hit this place up on the reopening-- didn't disappoint. The prawn pappardelle and the filet were both excellent, but the dish that will call me back is the sea bass: delicate, delightful, and a real treat. See you soon, Lupessa. read more

Lupessa - Tortellini and duck ragout... - Italian Near Me - Salt Lake City, Utah

Let's start with the good stuff: oysters, carpaccio, and cocktail drinks. Ambiance and views are nice! Service was slow because it seemed a bit short staffed, but our waiter did the best he could. Bad news: Most of us did not like our entrees, which consisted of the steak, scallops, and pork chop. The seafood pasta was decent. The steak was chewy. The scallops were bland & I did not like the bed of lettuce that was under the scallops in a non-flavorful sauce. It really did not enhance the flavor of dish at all. Honestly we heard mixed reviews of this restaurant. People either love or hate it. I love the apps and drinks only. The leftovers we had, we gave away to some people outside asking how the restaurant was. read more

See all

As others have mentioned the gnocchi and burrata are both fantastic. Gnocchi was very pillowy and softy and had thick chunks of bacon. The burrata was creamy and fresh, paired with a tasty olive sauce. Wouldn't recommend the steak frites - fries needed more salt and a dipping sauce. Steak was cold and I didn't love the flavor. Definitely do not recommend the lemon raspberry cake. Cake was VERY dense and not moist whatsoever. read more

See all

The food here is tasty and the ambiance is exquisite. The theme is sort of an Italian spring fantasy? Very different. However, the portions are quite small, so be prepared to order bread, appetizers, entrees, and possibly dessert if you don't want to leave hungry. And yes, bread is a separate dish that you pay for. I got the scallops, which were tasty (but very expensive--about $10 per scallop for three). I could have done without the olives in the dish though; they didn't seem to fit. I also tried my husband's chicken parm dish and found it very tasty. We also ordered the garlic and sourdough breads, which we very much enjoyed. Finally, the service was okay but definitely could have been better. We waited a long time for water refills and had to flag a waiter down. My MIL called ahead and asked about birthday desserts, and they assured her they would give the birthday boy a free sundae. But when we got there, they were out of ice cream. Since she'd specifically called ahead to make sure there was a birthday special, it seems they ought to have offered something else--half off a regular dessert, maybe. Lastly, the server wouldn't give us a dessert menu. I understand they only had two desserts at the time, but we could barely understand what the server was saying when she recited the items. Even after she repeated herself twice, I am still not sure what we ate (some kind of salted caramel pudding with toffee and ganache? It was amazing, at least). It would have been easier if we just could have read a menu. There are a few items I still want to try, so I expect to come back eventually. I hope these small service issues will be resolved when I do. read more

See all

Came here on vacation excited for our anniversary and birthday dinner and could not have been more disappointed. We were looking forward to what I thought was real Italian food. But this place is like a macaroni grill that tried to upscale - only the food somehow got worse. The first red flag was when our bartender asked if we wanted a "splash of vermouth" in our dirty martinis. The olives tasted fake. The bread they served was flavorless, underbaked, and sponge-like. The crispy fried onions with the burrata should have stayed on the green bean casserole. The gnocchi slop will haunt my Italian wife for years to come. And the chicken piccata was the only thing we could eat, but still lacked any flavor other than lemon we squeezed onto it. read more

Went out with a group of friends before a wiseguys show. We had made a reservation which I would definitely recommend with how busy it does get on a Saturday night. The restaurant is decorated super cute and the bathrooms are gorgeous. The iridescent tile! We started with the Caico de Pepe beignets and while they were indeed good, they were not my favorite for as much as they are mentioned in the Yelp reviews. I would skip next time. I really enjoyed the prosciutto fries, great garlic flavor. Also the bread was tasty. I tried the meatballs over bucatini with the whipped ricotta and vodka sauce. It was filling and just enough. Others in my group got the scallops (small plate, I think there were 3 scallops) gnocchi and really I thought the best dish I tried was the sweet corn scarpinnoc ( my goodness that was delicious) We also brought wine and they charge a $25 corkage fee (a little high but their drinks are pricey so in the end saves some money) Expect to pay a decent amount but the food was quality, the service was good and the place has a fun vibe. read more

See all

Lupessa is an absolute gem. From the moment you walk in, the cozy yet trendy atmosphere makes it feel like the perfect spot for a relaxed but elevated meal. We tried the salad, pasta, and pizza, and every single dish delivered. The salad was fresh and well-balanced, the pasta was comforting and full of flavor, and the pizza was perfectly cooked with great texture and toppings. You can really tell care goes into the food here. The overall experience was excellent--welcoming, warm, and easy to enjoy whether you're out with friends or on a date night. Everything came together seamlessly, from the food to the vibe. Highly recommend Lupessa if you're in Salt Lake City. Definitely a five-star experience, and I'll absolutely be back. read more

The ambiance was amazing inside! On top of that, probably some of the best service I've ever received. Staff was very friendly and very on top of things! The cherry on top was that the food was delicious. Can't wait to go back again! read more

Lupessa - Spicy Rig - Italian Near Me - Salt Lake City, Utah

See all

One of my favorite places to go-I love the atmosphere and the food is incredible-pasta and bread are drool worthy!

Really good pasta carbonara. The service was great. It's a little pricey, but nice if you are looking to have a fancy dinner.

Came here for Valentine's day and everything was amazing! The staff was very attentive as soon as we walked in. I ordered the duck bolognese and it was so tender. The saltiness of the duck was accompanied by an amazing tomato sauce all combined with beautifully cooked pasta. read more

Lupessa - Duck Bolognese - Italian Near Me - Salt Lake City, Utah