Cantinetta Luca

Simply the best experience I’ve ever had. We got reminders of our reservation and even a phone call to check on us since we driving for 7 hours the day before. When we got there, everyone was super friendly, amazing, and the food was out of this world. I’ve never had pumpkin ravioli and it was everything you thought it would be and more. They made my best friends night by bringing her some ice cream for her birthday! I cannot express how accommodating this place is, how friendly the staff is, and how the food was the best Italian I’ve ever had in California!
I made a promise to them that we would visit again this year and I intend to hold that promise.

Very tasty and authentic Italian food. Craft cocktails were also very delicious. A table for two was a little cramped, but still worth it.

Food was ok, tiramisù was really nice. Unfortunately the octopus was way over cooked and rubbery- almost impossible to even cut with the provided knife.
Would come back, but they need to up their game

Food was delicious. The porterhouse was absolutely spectacular, superior beef and cooked to perfection. Enjoyed the atmosphere as well and all servers were wonderful. Only issue was we had a pasta dish that was quite late to the table and probably only delivered because we reminded them. Having said that it was quite busy as it was a holiday weekend and the porterhouse was big enough that it tied the person over until the pasta arrived. We will absolutely go back.

My husband and I had dinner on Christmas Eve 2022. To say that the food was not good is an understatement. We had Tricolor Salad (was ok), Spaghetti Alla Carbonara, and Pizza Funghi. When my husband tried spaghetti, he almost threw up, literally! I think it's very difficult to spoil the pasta with something, but this one was just disgusting! We immediately returned it to the waiter. My mushroom pizza tasted terrible too. It was just an empty tasteless dough with some weird looking mushrooms sprinkled on top. No sauce, no flavors whatsoever. I couldn't even finish 1 slice. In order not to leave completely hungry, we ordered tiramisu and coffee, which were ordinary, but at least we were able to eat it. The waiter was clearly not up to us, we had to wait and catch him to ask for something, he himself did not bother to come up to us. What a disappointment, given that I chose the restaurant very carefully for our Christmas Eve date in Carmel. We left hungry. I don't understand all the good reviews because the food tastes just terrible.

Awkward all around. The staff seems preoccupied while acknowledging the kitchen was challenged keeping up. As part of the Mirabel Group, I expected better. As locals, there are many other Italian restaurants in Carmel, PG and Monterey that offer better wine, food and atmosphere.

My wife and I recently had a lavish wedding in Italy. I thought a new-to-us Italian restaurant in Carmel would be a romantic experience. I was wrong.

I made reservations online. They had the choice of high tops or regular seating for my time slot. I choose regular seating and called to confirm.

Upon arrival, they sat us at a high-top table directly behind the host stand, just inside the door.beside another couple! Not only was the seating not what I reserved, but it was also shared. They treated us like a walk-in. The table shook each time the neighboring couple remotely moved.

The bartender was now our server. She was nice and I don't blame her for our situation.

They told my wife amazing things about a menu item that she ended up ordering. The server came back and said they might not be any left. She spoke to a manager beside us and said we are in luck and she gets the last one. 10 or 15 minutes later, the manager returns and says someone else was offered the last one. Guess who got it? Not my wife. My wife ordered something else.

We sat for over an hour without our order or anyone offering us more drinks.

As we sat with our empty glasses, the manager was shaking the hands of other customers around us as people thanked him on their way. It was very awkward and we felt like our poor treatment was very singled out. My wife said she felt like Pretty Woman.

As the restaurant emptied and better tables become available, we were never asked if we would like better seating. Everyone in our line of sight was served and left (but then again, we never saw much of the restaurant but the entryway.)

The food finally arrived with no apologies. My order was good. My wife didn't care for hers but then again, it wasn't the meal she planned on eating.

The server asked if she liked it and my wife was honest. She did comp her meal without us asking her to. I left about 30% for the tip.

No, we did not complain to anyone about our visit until now, for two reasons: 1) common sense would tell people that our visit was less than favorable, and I'm not going to argue with anyone that doesn't have common sense. 2) it was Valentine's Day and I wasn't going to let this experience ruin our night

I can't remember the last time I left a bad review for any business. As for it being a Carmel restaurant, I'm very disappointed. I've been to the other Italian restaurants on the block and have never had issues, as we eat out almost every night.

The place seemed nice and I'd love to return to give them another chance, but I don't know that I believe our next visit would be any better.

We carefully selected this restaurant as my son's partner is Italian so food quality was important. I will say that Cantinetta Luca came through with flying colours. The food was delicious and the service was outstanding. Great salads and the pasta was perfect. Great tiramisu as well.

I so wish I could give more stars to this place. We had reservations for a date night and was really looking forward to eating here but were not happy. First of all, the food was very delayed. The antipasti came out pretty quick (and was DELICIOUS) but from there we waited around an hour for our food. Not once did the waiter apologized or told us what was going on. The table next to us came after us and got their before us. When we got our food, the braised short rib and the special pasta truffle, the pasta was way undercooked, however the meat dish was great! The very nice owner did explain that the cook makes the pasta very al dente, but we have traveled and eaten A LOT of pasta in Italy, even that same dish and never has it been that undercooked. Again, not once did the waiter come to check on us after serving the food. And we had to remind him of the drink we ordered for main course. They ended up not charging us for the pasta but we left somewhat disappointed. Too bad. Could just have been a one-time fail but I doubt it.

Incredible atmosphere. Intricate reflections and design. Plays bops. Clean AF. 10/10 would come back.

Great little place with awesome food and wonderful service! Menu was small, as it should be, the food was carefully crafted and the presentation was fantastic. Attentive unobtrusive service and cannelloni for desert. Wonderful spot and will visit again!

Amazing Italian dining, friendly, great Manageress who was so helpful and kind. In my top ten of Italian eateries in the world.

Lovely place! Great service and food. The salmon is delish! Quiet enough for a conversation even though it's a bit of a small space between tables.

Made reservations for 8: 30pm tonight. Got sat immediately & the hostess was very nice. However, we were not even greeted by our waiter. He helped both tables beside us (literally right next to us on either side, barely any room between us). He ignored us entirely. It was very obvious he was our waiter as well. After over 20 minutes of waiting, being ignored, and feeling unwelcomed- we decided to leave. Went to Porta Bella instead without a reservation and were treated much better, plus they had a greater menu.

I have seen some less than stellar reviews posted, but all I can say is that from beginning to end, dining at Cantinetta Luca provided a beautiful dining experience. The personalized service and excellent authentic Italian food are unequaled. Great restaurant.

Beginning to end a bad dining experience. Showed up for our reservation and was led to a table in the back where someone else was still eating. 10 minutes later got a high top by the window. It took well over an hour to get salad and a soggy crust pizza that the toppings slid off of when we tried to pick it up. The smug pretentious waitress up front either ignored us or was patronizing. Overpriced for the quality of food and service!

Immediately when walking in I was greeted with microaggression and hostility (being Asian and was with my friend whom is of mixed descent and could also sense the racist acts). It was at least over 3 minutes of no response from receptionist and was given the table by the door, away from all other tables, and in front of the window (basically being exhibited on display). Male server would not stop suggesting to order more food (wanted to squeeze money out of us). The pizza we ordered and came in 5-10 minutes which should have been a complete red flag. Not only that after we ate the god-awful pizza, several servers would not stop asking us if the pizza was good (at least 5+ times) and tried to request us to take the leftovers home.

The only reason we stayed at this terrible restaurant was because it was late and we needed edible food to keep out stomachs afloat-next day our stomachs were feeling weird and discomforting.

If you are asian or a person of color, I would suggest you not eat here.