- Attraction: Luca’s Ristorante
- Location: 2019 State Route 27, Somerset, NJ 08873
- Industry: Restaurant
- Website: https://www.lucasristorante.com/
A strip mall restaurant that rivals Italy’s finest?
Chef Andrea Di Meglio has been proving that unusual combination possible since 1994, when he brought the flavors and traditions of Ischia—a sun-drenched Italian island in the Gulf of Naples—to central New Jersey.
What looks unassuming from Route 27 opens into something magical: vibrant murals stretching across deep red Venetian plaster walls, ceramic masks watching over intimate tables, and hanging lanterns casting warm light over handmade pasta that draws devotees from across the region.
The restaurant has built its reputation on authentic regional Italian cuisine with modern touches, all served in a BYOB setting that keeps the experience both memorable and approachable.
From the moment warm bread arrives in an earthenware box to the last sip of locally micro-roasted espresso, you’ll find yourself swept away to the Mediterranean.
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Keep Exploring →Standout Menu Items
The Celebrated Agnolotti: This cocoa pasta stuffed with roasted butternut squash has achieved legendary status, even earning a feature on NJ.com.
The combination sounds unexpected—chocolate and squash—but the subtle cocoa creates an earthy sweetness that complements the creamy herb sauce beautifully. Despite its richness, the dish surprises with how light it feels on the palate.
Handcrafted Pasta: Every pasta gets rolled and cut by hand in-house, and the difference shows immediately. The texture hits that perfect al dente sweet spot, with each strand or dumpling absorbing sauce in just the right way.
The Gnocchi Genovese stands out with delicate spinach dumplings paired with tender braised sirloin, caramelized onions, and Parmigiano Reggiano in a woodsy white wine beef reduction. The pappardelle and lobster cannelloni also showcase expertly balanced sauces and generous fillings.
Mediterranean Seafood: The signature Luca dish brings together jumbo shrimp, colossal crabmeat, bay scallops, capers, asparagus, and roasted tomatoes over linguine in a creamy white wine sauce. The seafood arrives notably fresh, with shellfish fully opened and generous meat portions.
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Discover MoreThe Ischia features tender squid alongside other seafood in an organic plum tomato sauce. You’ll also find branzino fillet and zuppa di pesce showcasing the kitchen’s commitment to quality seafood preparations.
Appetizers Worth Ordering: The Fico appetizer has become a signature for good reason. Seasonal figs get wrapped in prosciutto San Daniele with mascarpone, pine nuts, and mango balsamic pearls over mixed greens—a sweet and savory combination that perfectly sets the stage for your meal.
Mama’s Neapolitan meatballs arrive in a flavorful tomato sauce, made with a blend of short rib, chuck, ground beef, pine nuts, and golden raisins. The fried calamari emerges from the fryer with a delicate, thin breading that lets the squid shine, accompanied by an herb-infused marinara with just the right kick.
Meat and Poultry Selections: The veal dishes consistently impress, from the classic Veal Parmigiana to the Osso Buco served with perfectly cooked meat that falls apart on your fork.
The Chicken Marsala Arrosto and Chicken Pulcinella—a battered breast layered with ham, mozzarella, and Gorgonzola, then finished with aged balsamic—showcase creative preparations that go beyond standard Italian-American fare. The veal saltimbocca delivers rich flavors with prosciutto and sage.
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Keep Exploring →Artisan Pizza: Available during lunch service, the pizzas bake in a way that creates bakery-quality crusts. The Janara delivers milky fresh cheese and tomato sauce with a rich sweetness that balances beautifully. The crust provides that perfect chew that makes you understand why people order pizza at a fine dining establishment.
Immersive Italian Atmosphere
Ischian Design Elements: Owner Andrea Di Meglio personally brought most of the decorations directly from his homeland of Ischia.
Walking through the door feels like stepping into a completely different world—stone half-walls adorned with pottery, latticework covered with crawling vines across the ceiling, and vibrant murals depicting Italian scenes.
Ceramic masks, dishes, and wall hangings cover nearly every surface. The woven seats on chairs and custom candleholders on tables show how no detail has been overlooked.
Intimate Dining Experience: The space splits into different sections that create varying atmospheres. Some tables offer views into the bustling kitchen, giving you that authentic trattoria feel—like attending a lively gathering on someone’s Italian terrace.
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Discover MoreThe dining area maintains a romantic, cozy vibe that works equally well for date nights and family celebrations. Hanging lanterns cast flattering light, and the rustic elements combine to make you feel transported to the Gulf of Naples.
Memorable Bread Service: Before your meal arrives, you’ll receive warm homemade bread in a ceramic box. The selection changes but often includes focaccia, garlic knots, and sometimes cheese-stuffed varieties.
Dip them in the provided marinara, olive oil with fresh ground pepper, or sun-dried tomato paste in extra virgin olive oil. This thoughtful touch sets expectations high from the start.
Planning Your Visit
BYOB Advantage: Luca’s operates as a bring-your-own-bottle establishment, which means you’ll save significantly on drinks while enjoying exactly the wine you prefer. Conveniently, a liquor store sits right next door in the strip mall.
The restaurant also offers a selection of local New Jersey wines if you’d like to support regional wineries, and they’ll happily open and pour whatever you bring.
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Keep Exploring →What To Expect Pricewise: This falls on the higher end for Somerset dining, with entrees ranging from the high teens to the mid-thirties, and specialty items like veal chops climbing toward sixty dollars. A celebratory dinner for a group can easily reach several hundred dollars.
That said, the generous portions often provide leftovers for the next day, and the quality of ingredients, handmade pasta, and attention to preparation make this worthwhile for special occasions. The BYOB policy helps keep the overall bill more manageable than comparable fine dining experiences.
Generous Servings: You’ll leave satisfied—likely with a takeout container. The kitchen serves pasta dishes, entrees, and seafood platters in quantities that often provide lunch the following day. Even the lunch portions impress with their size and quality.
Make Reservations: The restaurant fills up quickly, especially Friday and Saturday evenings. Book ahead through OpenTable or by calling to ensure you get a table. Walk-ins can sometimes squeeze in during off-peak times, but advance planning works best.
Easy Parking: You’ll find ample parking in the strip mall lot on Route 27, making this easy to reach despite its somewhat hidden location between Princeton and New Brunswick. The casual exterior gives no hint of the transformation that awaits inside.
Special Dietary Requests: The kitchen handles special requests well, including gluten-free options and vegetarian dishes. Don’t hesitate to ask about customized preparations—they’ve created spicy vegetarian pasta dishes and adapted items for various dietary restrictions with good results.
Sweet Endings: The desserts get made from scratch in-house. The tiramisu strikes an impressive balance between sweetness and bold coffee flavor, while the cannoli provides a classic Italian finish.
Options like tortino di frutta and pera con gelato provide lighter endings to your meal. The espresso and cappuccino come from locally micro-roasted beans, offering an authentic Italian coffee experience that caps the meal beautifully.
Timing Your Visit: Lunch service offers a more relaxed pace and access to the pizza menu, which isn’t available at dinner. Dinner brings the full romantic ambiance with candlelight and a busier atmosphere. Weeknights tend to be quieter than weekends, giving you more space to enjoy the intricate decor details.
Luca’s Ristorante
📍 2019 State Route 27, Somerset, NJ 08873
