Food( best Italian cuisine since I moved from Long Island NY)the wine and ciabatta fabulous,service excellent

My sister's birthday was on Sunday so we made a reservation at Osteria LuCa for dinner. (We went for her birthday another year too so she insisted on coming back!) The food here is so good! For a Sunday night it was quite busy so I'm glad we made a reservation! We all shared the fried zucchini appetizer that came with their delish marinara for dipping and it was fabulous. The zucchini was light and crispy! We also shared the spicy cacio e pepe flatbread appetizer and that was right up my boyfriend's alley because he loves spicy foods! All of us enjoyed both of the appetizers! For dinner, my sister had a craving for Alfredo and our server asked the kitchen if they could create that and they did! So sweet of them to make that extra accommodation for her and they even added shrimp to it! My mom and I could not decide between the dishes we both liked so we split the chicken Milanese and the rigatoni with vodka sauce with the ricotta added on top. A fabulous combo of pasta, chicken cutlet, and arugula salad! (It was chefs kiss!) My boyfriend loves thier chicken parm so he got that again and said it was great! For dessert, they offered my sister a dessert of choice which was so sweet. She ordered the cheesecake and it was fabulous with the topping on it. They even sang and brought it out with a candle, making it feel so welcoming! My boyfriend and I split the brownie sundae and it was perfect!! Love this place and so glad it's so close to home :) it feels so cozy inside the restaurant it makes it feel like home too! read more

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Food is above average. But when I had a concern about my order I was essentially called a liar by the staff. I would have let this go, but the owner actually emailed me personally a couple weeks later and insisted that I and the three people at our table were also liars concerning our previous experience. They will be fine without my business ... their food is actually pretty good. But the lack of integrity and lack of respect for me as a customer is too much to deal with. There are many fine establishments in Charlotte with great food. I choose to go where I am respected and treated with the same respect I show the staff. My history of MANY positive reviews speaks for itself. It is a shame, because I used to have several corporate dinners there each month. read more

My wife and I loved this casual Italian spot in Park Road Shopping Center, which serves up woodfired pizza, delicious pasta dishes and tasty cocktails in a warm, inviting setting that will have you coming back again and again.. Meeting with friends, we started with a round of drinks and a flavorful appetizer of Crispy Calamari. For my entree, I ordered a wonderful dish of Gnocchi Primavera while my wife chose the Pappardelle Bolognese. Every dish was excellent, the service friendly and efficient, and the intimate setting perfect for everything from a romantic dinner to an evening out with friends. Prices were more than reasonable, and the bar has a terrific selection of wine, liquor and beer on tap. We really enjoyed Osteria LuCa and will definitely be back -- a solid Italian restaurant that's perfect for a laid-back night out! read more

Great food, great staff, great location with tons of FREE parking. The staff was also nice enough to change the channel to let us watch the World Cup. Food was delicious and extremely well priced. read more

Osteria LuCa - Pizza Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Everything we tried was amazing. We went for my husband's birthday. Service was impeccable and I love the cozy vibe. Can't wait to go back! read more

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I was so excited to try this place after seeing they won best restaurant or something like that recently. I went on a Saturday soon as they opened at 12, place was empty but it was early so didn't think much of it. However I noticed the grade on the wall was a 90. Very off putting for me as a first visit, but guess I should have checked the grade on here before I went so I could have made a decision not to go, least not til a grade is a 95 and up which is my usual standard. Anyways since I was there figured no sense in wasting my gas so I got seated, however the waitress who sat me just already seemed irritated and the place just opened and I was the only customer at the time. Her demeanor just wasn't very welcoming or friendly so that combined with the score, I just decided to leave and not spend my hard earned money here. Maybe I'll give them another shot when that score goes up but doubt it. Only giving two stars because I did love the decor. read more

Osteria LuCa - Pizza Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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One of the most underrated Italian spots in Charlotte! Stumbled upon it and not many people I know talk about it - after going I tell everyone it is my favorite pasta spot in CLT! Service is great, potions are huge and the prices are great. Even better if you go during lunch time for their meal deals. read more

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I went recently for dinner with my boyfriend as we had been gifted a gift card to try this spot out. I've heard wonderful things and I was excited to give it a try. The ambiance was cute, and plenty of parking being in Park Rd Shopping Center. We were also greeted quickly and our server was great. He recommended dishes for us to try. The calamari was really tasty, especially the aioli it came with. We decided to share the Hot Honey and Meatball Pizza as well as the Penne with Chicken and Asparagus. Neither dishes were memorable unfortunately. We were really hoping the Hot Honey Meatball Pizza had a kick to it, but the flavor was pretty bland. Same with the pasta dish. I'd probably try other things next time I come back. We did end with the brownie sundae which was delicious! Highly recommend. Overall, its a decent spot. I do want to try other things next time. read more

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Have tried takeout for dinner twice and both times the food (gnocchi, pizza, pasta) were all amazing. Hope to return for dining in soon!

No notes. I went here for lunch with a dear friend and had an amazing meal. I needed to meet somewhere in the Park Road shopping center, and this place ended up being a gem. The service is upscale, and the restaurant is modern and inviting. I really enjoyed coming here for lunch, the portions and the prices were on point. My friend enjoyed the Primavera while I enjoyed the Wildberry salad and the mushroom and caramelized onion pizza. For dessert, we had the bread, pudding and the tiramisu. I'm really picky about tiramisu, this one was fine, but doesn't make it anywhere near the top of the list for me. I don't see any reason to deduct any stars from this charming Italian Osteria nestled in the bustle of Park Road shopping center. Would definitely recommend and I am happy to go back at any time. PS. Sorry I didn't get any food pics this time round, I was too busy enjoy enjoying the company of my friend. read more

Osteria LuCa - Exterior - Pizza Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Gave this place a try with group of friends (there was only one other table having lunch that day) which isn't an encouraging sign. Several got pizzas which looked really good; but no one commented on them so I guess just so so and they only ate a piece or two and took rest in a box. As for my meal I got the half ceasar salad half meatball parm. When it arrived, I thought "this isn't a meal; it's a snack." The salad was a scant handful of romaine with so little dressing it wasn't even discernible and powdered Parmesan cheese(that's just cheap and lazy). I at least expected some good garlicky housemade croutons but no...prepackaged instead. The meatball parm sandwich (which it's a big stretch calling it a sandwich) was one meatball, albeit large on a piece of ciabatta about 2 "x 2.5". The flavor was quite good but for $15 I definitely expect more. The service was adequate but since she only had one table you would think she wouldn't have mixed up the credit cards. On our way out I noticed a board with daily specials which she never bothered to mention. All and all not a place I'd waste my time or money on in the future. I have no idea what their dinner service is like but my attitude is why bother. read more

Great vibe (a lot of pretty people) with good-but-not-amazing menu offerings First, I'll come back. I appreciate what this place is, and they have a lot going for it. My main gripe: there is little nuance with the seasoning (given the five things we tried) and it just keeps the dishes from being awesome. The best chefs manage the salt or chili or whatnot so they're not noticeable nor do they get in the way of the dishes. It just doesn't happen here, but they're close. One other small gripe: the mocktail menu has two offers (one is quite tart and needed another shot of simple syrup to get it drinkable) and it totally lacks any dryseco or NA Sparkling Wine. With the volume of bottles that place has, make some space for more to offer the nondrinkers. read more

Osteria Luca was really good!!! I thought the service and the lighting/decor inside was great. And all of our food was delicious. The Bolognese was a table favorite as well as the meatballs. The only note at the table was that the Orecchiette was a little too heavy. Will definitely be back! read more

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Oh, I was so pleased with this restaurant. I was concerned since it was in a outside mall, but it more than pleased me and my spouse. We went there for my husband's birthday and Valentine's Day. We started off with a lovely Pinot that I cannot rave enough about and we also got some bread service, which was fantastic. It came with olive oil and. balsamic vinegar it was delicious then we had the calamari. It was light and crispy and hot the sauce that came with. It was very fresh tasting and full of flavor. They came our main course as my husband had the lamb shank and I had the Bronzino. Both of their were phenomenal. The lamb shank was moist very flavorful. It came with mashed potatoes that were delicious. My Bronzino came with fingerling potatoes and grilled broccoli and tomato purée, which was phenomenal. Both of them were out of this world. We finished our night with tiramisu, which is like nothing I've ever had before. It was my favorite tiramisu I have ever had in my life. I would definitely suggest people come to this restaurant our service was phenomenal. We had Liz taken care of us all night at the bar and she was fantastic. She was very knowledgeable about all of the courses on the menu and was a delight to speak to you during the night. The restaurant itself was large enough that they had quite a few people, especially on a Friday night. I would've taken more pictures had they're not been so many people, but I don't like to take pictures of people in my postings. Ambient lighting was great. The bar was great. It wasn't that loud. The only thing I could suggest is for them to put little hangers under the bar so women can hang their purses there. Literally that is my only suggestion. A big big big thumbs up to this restaurant! read more

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Absolutely loved this place! It was our first time here and the customer service alone made us want to come back again! We got the brussel spouts and calamari to start, both awesome. We got the rigatoni alla vodka, the short rib ragu, and pesto prosciutto pizza. The vodka rigatoni was by far the highlight of the meal but both of the other entrees were also super tasty. Our pizza came out a bit late and our server was kind enough to completely comp it as well as give us a free dessert! Huge shoutout to Jhakya, she was awesome! Good ambiance, great food, excellent service. Will definitely be coming back! read more

Osteria LuCa - Brownie Sundae - Pizza Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

5/5! This place is incredible! I have been dining here since 2021 and they were great then and are great now. A great, locally owned restaurant. They have great homemade pastas and sauces, excellent fresh pizzas and great service. Some of my favorites are the Rigatoni alla Vodka, Cavatelli with Lamb Sausage and Broccoli Rabe, any of their gnocchi dishes. Their puttanesca pizza is also incredible as is their broccoli rabe and sausage! The staff is so friendly and welcoming too. Easily one of the BEST restaurants in Charlotte regardless of cuisine type. read more

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I went on a Friday evening with a large party . Man was it packed. The restaurant is very intimate and the staff were friendly. I opted for the roasted chicken. It was crispy and delicious. Downside was the veggies that came with it . I didn't feel it meshed well at all . Next time I will swap out for another veggie. read more

Osteria LuCa - 1/2 Roasted Chicken - Pizza Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Been here many times. Always had excellent service and the food is very good. Love it!

Fantastic pizza!! We got the Hot Honey & Meatball and the Mushroom and Caramelized Onions pizza and loved them! Large portions! 2 really hungry people could only finish 1/2 of each! Great service too! Came in 15 minutes before closing but no one batted an eye! Our server Olivia handled the busy tables and our service wonderfully! read more

I ordered the chicken parm, which was delicious and a generous portion. A cozy spot/hidden gem in Charlotte with some of the best Italian food and ambiance. Highly recommend! read more

We went to dine in seeing all the good reviews but the food was below par. Overall not a pleasant experience.

Amazing food, highly recommend. Service is great, relaxed ambiance, and the appetizers were to die for.

I think I've found my favorite lasagna in Charlotte. They just added it to the menu, and I hope it sticks around. What I love about Osteria Luca is how they nail the layers in their dishes. Whether it's the eggplant parm, lasagna, or tiramisu, each layer stands out, with no mushy mess here. It makes the food look and taste amazing. Their lasagna features house-made pasta sheets, pork sauce, Parmesan, pomodoro, mozzarella, and ricotta. The combination is spot on, with flavors and textures that hit the mark. read more

Osteria LuCa - Nonna's Meat Lasagna - Pizza Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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New place I tried on my latest trip to Charlotte thanks to coworkers, and I'll definitely be adding it to my rotation of favorite spots! We started with the true meatballs and fried mozzarella, which were a big hit, and I had the Luca chopped salad with grilled chicken for my main dish. If I had been hungrier, I would've tried the wild mushroom white pizza or the cavatelli with lamb sausage. My coworkers enjoyed their chicken parmigiana, puttanesca pizza, roasted Brussels sprouts, and potato gnocchi with prosciutto. The drinks were equally good, and our wine loving crowd seemed to enjoy their selections. As a craft beer fan, I was pleased with the local options that were on tap. We were a party of 8, so we were seated at a large round table, packed in a little tight, near the entrance. But there seemed to be lots of good seating options for smaller groups, and a decent amount of space at the bar. The only downside really was the location. It's located in a busy strip mall, so there's a constant flow of cars pulling in and out of spaces or looking for parking. It took us about 10 minutes of circling until we found a spot and this was on a random Wednesday, so I can't even imagine what it's like on weekends. On the way out, we saw a special parking space with the sign that said "Reserved Parking for people who commit random acts of kindness." Love that idea and will have to do some good deeds between now and then to earn that spot next time I come to Osteria LuCa. read more

Osteria LuCa - Special parking for those who deserve it! - Pizza Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Lovely place! The atmosphere was beautiful, warm and inviting. Server was very nice and attentive. I ordered my absolute "go-to" if it is offered in any Italian restaurant, which is the pasta Bolognese. The pasta Bolognese was swimming in tomato sauce and blistered tomatoes but the flavor was outstanding. It was clearly a sauce that was created by a talented chef and simmered for many hours. It was delicious but it was not Bolognese sauce, which has very little tomato and is mostly a meat (beef, veal, pork)...meat, which was swimming around in the tomato sauce somewhere. I chalked it up to a southern Italian interpretation of the dish and gobbled it up, as the homemade pasta was incredible and the sauce was still really good. My partner had the salmon, which was good (and small), but he liked my pasta Bolognese better. We will definitely go back. Great wine selection. I would only say that it is clearly a southern Italian cuisine and it's outstanding for what you are expecting. Buon Appetito! read more

For one reason or another, I wasn't able to check out this restaurant 'til now...and glad I finally did. We made reservations thru Resy, so able to slide right in during a Saturday night rush hour. However, I noticed that there were only a few tables that had optimal placement. Meaning, many tables were adjacent to doors, wait staff station, bathroom hallway, bar, pizza station, etc. etc. We ended up in one of these half-booths (not a fan of these seatings) right next to the wait staff station...but luckily, it wasn't too annoying. Nevertheless, I didn't like the busy layout. The restaurant itself was nicely appointed (casual, but chic), but the overall ambiance felt a bit chaotic...and for me anyway, not too cozy. One other thing I didn't love was their acoustics. There were a lot of clinking noises...of utencils, people yapping, etc.etc. Plus, there was no overhead music! Italian or some romantic genre music overhead would have been a nice touch. Now, the foods! We ordered Brussels Sprouts, Eggplant Parmigiana with Spaghetti and Rigatoni Alla Vodka with Shrimp. Also, asked for some bread. The Vodka Pasta sauce was delish, but just a tad heavy. I really appreciated the plumpness of both the penne pasta and the shrimp! My husband LOVED his Eggplant Parmigiana...even remarked how it was possibly the best he had?!? Their complimentary bread was Foccacia...and it was also really good. The only thing I didn't care for was their version of Brussels Sprouts...which had a bitter taste (too much lemon?) that didn't appeal to me. Still, I thought their foods were really good...solid! I liked their menu...and am thinking I should try one of their pizzas next time. The service was good...and surprisingly fast! All of our foods were delivered rather quickly. The restaurant was much more casual than I had anticipated...and the pricing was friendlier as well. Aside from the "busy" restaurant layout/ambiance, we both really liked the foods here...definitely enough to return. PS***Should have used a flash with the pictures...all kinda blurry! :\ read more

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My hubby surprised me with a nice Valentine's Day dinner at Osteria LuCa. I was not properly dressed because I was not expecting to go to a nice dinner, but after blasting him out for not at least giving me a heads up to dress properly, I settled down. We were seated outside thank goodness. Most of the patrons were dressed nicely and seemed like a semi upscale establishment. It was rather busy too, which is to be expected on Valentine's Day. I ordered a Sauvignon Blanc and my hubby ordered a lemon-cello cocktail. My hubby also started off with a caesar salad. He said it was delicious but not better than Emmy's Squared Pizza restaurant (they set the bar high). We finally ordered our entrees. I ordered the Cioppino (Seafood Stew) with gluten-free bread. Hubby ordered a wood fired pepperoni pizza. Verdict: The Cioppino was decent. I just wish it had more shrimp and liquid. The flavor was average. There was really nothing special about the meal. My bread was average gluten-free bread drizzled with oil and salt sprinkled on top. I have had some really good gluten-free bread at other restaurants, but it seems like the gluten-free bread here is an afterthought. My hubby said that his pizza was really good but again, not better than Emmy's Squared Pizza restaurant. Hubby's rating Cocktails - 4/5 Caesar Salad - 4/5 Pizza 4/5 My rating Cioppino (Seafood Stew) - 3.5/5 Gluten-free bread - 3/5 Customer Service - 4/5 Ambiance - 4/5 Overall rating - 3.78 (4 stars) I would definitely try a different dish the next time I visit this restaurant. In the end, I would recommend this restaurant to those looking for a nice meal. read more

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This place had cool people, cool vibe, and the coffee was much better than I expected and I'm pretty picky on coffee. I would definitely come here again. Did I mention how nice the staff were? read more

Flew into Charlotte and headed there directly. The food and service were excellent. Their wine selection also outstanding. Would be definitely a place to visit again on our next trip to Charlotte. read more

My favorite Italian in CLT! Inconspicuously located in Park Road Shipping Center, Osteria LuCa is a delicious Italian spot. It is perfect for date night, family dinners, or entertaining out of town guests. I love the ambience of the restaurant and they also have patio seating. I would recommend a reservation, especially for weekends. I have dined at Osteria LuCa many times, and my personal favorites are the rigatoni alla vodka and the cavatelli with lamb sausage and rabe....SO delicious. The pizzas are also wood fired to perfection! I always look forward to dining at Osteria LuCa and I look forward to returning for my favorites and to try something new! read more

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A descent restaurant in Park Road Shopping Center. Thus easy to park for sure. Reservation recommended for dinners and weekends. The appetizers and pizzas were served super fast. Everything tasty, the Prosciutto di Parma worth another highlight for its fig spread - I Iike that twist of sweet to the meat pizza though cannot guarantee that everyone would adore it. As for entrees, the clam pasta seemed not on the online menu but it turned out to be great. My friend and I shared the seafood risotto, and it came to the table with two divided portions - easy for sharing. The restaurant was almost full when we dined out there on a Friday night and the tables were pretty close to each other. If I had to be picky - our server did not come proactively to take the order but other severs offered to help voluntarily. read more

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If you want a consistently good Italian experience then Osteria Luca is it. The service is always impeccable and the food is consistently good time and again. It's a large space but it feels cozy and intimate. Cocktails are always good too read more

Wow! I was super impressed with this restaurant. It's situated in a busy strip of stores, and it was very busy as well. The outdoor and indoor seating was all occupied. Our server gave us her recommendations, and I went with the bolognese. Omg. It was so good!! Business was booming the evening I went, so even through it was dimly light the energy and vibes were high! I'll be back! read more

Osteria LuCa - Pappardelle Bolognese** - Pizza Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

This spot is now one of my favorite Italian restaurants in Charlotte. My husband and I shared: - Whipped Ricotta with Spiced Apples - Wild Mushrooms & Caramelized Onions Pizza - Cavateli with Lamb Sausage & Rabe The whipped ricotta is absolutely a must order. I loved whipped cheeses and the spiced apples went with it really well. Between the pizza and pasta, I liked the pasta more which is rare for me. Don't get me wrong, the pizza was really good, I just loved the pasta. If you haven't been, make a reservation and fix that! read more

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I'm usually not a fan of Italian or pasta but I really enjoyed Osteria LuCa. The most memorable part for me was how friendly and accommodating the staff were. Their service was excellent. But on top of that, their food is very good. My favorite menu item I tried was their Whipped Ricotta with Spiced Apples appetizer. Followed closely by their Cavatelli with Lamb Sausage & Rabe and Wild Mushrooms & Caramelized Onions Pizza. I'll definitely try to make it back to try more. read more

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What can I say about Osteria LuCa. First - the service was next level. Was thoroughly surprised by the attention and friendliness by both our host and waitress. We arrived 20 min early and immediately got seated. Second (and most importantly) - the food might have been the best Italian meal I've had in Charlotte. The buratta was second to none, brussels were crispy and delicious. Angel hair pasta and Pesto Prosciutto pizza satisfies more than a cold shower after a long day at the beach. 9.5/10 would recommend. read more

Osteria LuCa - Angel hair pasta - Pizza Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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I came here on a weeknight with my best friend after we went to a book signing next door. We came in within the closing hour, but the hostess was generous enough to let us in any way. The ambiance is romantic and classy. We sat at the bar and promptly placed our drink and food orders. The bartender didn't seem happy to see the last-minute additions but remained pleasant enough throughout the interaction. I ordered a cocktail and the pappardelle bolognese, which was flavorful and filling. As soon as we finished, we left to relieve the staff. read more

I had high expectations. Only the Margarita Pizza met those expectations. It was excellent. The place was also super clean and the staff was friendly. However... The Cheese Pizza was okay. This is more of a Margarita Pizza place. The Moomba Cookie Jar was way overpriced. The gelato was good but the cookie wasn't warm and you basically pay $11 for a jar of gelato with a few cookies tossed in. The menu selection isn't wide. In fact, there are more drink selections than food. And most items (food or drink) are overpriced. But that's the atmosphere and kind of fits. Recommended for Margarita Pizza and a drink if money not an issue. read more

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Very disappointing!! I ordered the sea bass, there were no olives and only one caper. Was not what I expected at all and especially for the price of almost $40! Our server Scotty didn't bring us any bread and when we asked for it, he said typically we don't give bread because it comes with appetizers. I've never been to an Italian restaurant where they don't give bread. And when they finally gave it to us we were through eating. He didn't give us good service either. We were out of water before he came and checked on us. We won't be back. read more