Luca Cucina Italiana opened in 2011. Since opening, Luca has gained a loyal following of repeat customers. There is no secret to Luca’s success, it comes from sharing fresh and simple quality ingredients, cooked with love and tradition. Within 6 month of opening, Luca had approving reviews in the San Francisco Chronicle, the Oakland tribune and online commentators.

Our customers enjoy the fresh meats and vegetables from local vendors, especially the homemade pasta sauces, caesar dressings, sausage, meatballs and chicken gravy. 

The foods are prepared from scratch. For example, the gnocchi and lasagna. People love Luca’s pomodoro sauce, from a family recipe going back to 1900….Straight from Grandma’s kitchen to your Berkeley dinner table!

The prices are also very reasonable for the quality of food served.don’t hurt either.

Luca was born in Molise, in South Central Italy. He grew up in a large family with limited resources. As a result, he enjoyed the simple and rustic foods that his mother prepared. He also feasted upon the many local delicacies that were cultivated and grew in the wild in his native farming town. This includes: tomatoes, wild asparagus, peppers, figs, olives, and apples.

When Luca left his family home, he spent time in various parts of Italy and London picking up skills and honing his cooking craft before arriving in the United States. 

He worked around the country in restaurants in Chicago, Las Vegas, and South Florida. He moved to California in 2008 and immediately embraced Berkeley's food culture. His passion for cooking led him to open his restaurant. Luca Cucina Italiana inaugurated in January 2011. Luca's inspiration comes from the earth and is based in simple food prepared with fresh ingredients. He is excited to serve you in hopes your taste buds will be satisfied.

“I am happy to share my food from my hometown with people that appreciate it” - LUCA

Buon Appetito; thank you for joining us!!!