Luca is an elegant restaurant in Clerkenwell serving up food from an Italian origin, using quality seasonal produce gathered from the British Isles.
The restaurant is split into sections – the front end houses the bar and a few booths; the main dining room is at the back and has a terrace annexed to it. I think the booths are wonderfully romantic so if you can score one, do!
We got off to a bit of a rocky start, as the front of house, to be quite frank, was comically churlish – everything seemed an inconvenience for him. We asked for wine several times – it never came. Luckily our dedicated waiter was a delight and the food mostly sublime, so we carried on and had an enjoyable evening.
Luca describes itself as “British seasonal ingredients through an Italian lens”. We kicked things off with cheese and chips aka parmesan fries, which will always speak to my soul. Yes, I am dramatic when it comes to food.
The tagliatelle with seasonal mushrooms made me feel pretty warm and fuzzy inside. The orecchiette with kale pesto was my least favourite pasta dish that we tried – I just found it a little bland tbh. The cappalleti lovingly filled with delica pumpkin and chestnut + sage butter was a proper banger; I wish I’d ordered the whole plate for myself.
We also got the braised ox cheek which came with lemon polenta mash – it was nice enough but would I order it again at £33 – probably not.
The Sicilian lemon tart with fennel ice cream was sensational – pop that top button unashamedly and tuck in. You won’t regret it.
BASIC OR BOUGIE? Pretty bougie
SERVICE is a bit inconsistent – some good, some not so good
TRY the cappalleti with pumpkin+ chestnuts + sage butter & the lemon tart
VIBE is refined and buzzy
BEST FOR Spenny Catch Ups, Dates, The Rents
GROUPS can accommodate fairly large groups
K A N N D I D 
Elegant . Stylish . Romantic
Luca is an elegant restaurant in Clerkenwell serving up food from an Italian origin, using quality seasonal produce gathered from the British Isles.
The restaurant is split into sections – the front end houses the bar and a few booths; the main dining room is at the back and has a terrace annexed to it. I think the booths are wonderfully romantic so if you can score one, do!
We got off to a bit of a rocky start, as the front of house, to be quite frank, was comically churlish – everything seemed an inconvenience for him. We asked for wine several times – it never came. Luckily our dedicated waiter was a delight and the food mostly sublime, so we carried on and had an enjoyable evening.
Luca describes itself as “British seasonal ingredients through an Italian lens”. We kicked things off with cheese and chips aka parmesan fries, which will always speak to my soul. Yes, I am dramatic when it comes to food.
The tagliatelle with seasonal mushrooms made me feel pretty warm and fuzzy inside. The orecchiette with kale pesto was my least favourite pasta dish that we tried – I just found it a little bland tbh. The cappalleti lovingly filled with delica pumpkin and chestnut + sage butter was a proper banger; I wish I’d ordered the whole plate for myself.
We also got the braised ox cheek which came with lemon polenta mash – it was nice enough but would I order it again at £33 – probably not.
The Sicilian lemon tart with fennel ice cream was sensational – pop that top button unashamedly and tuck in. You won’t regret it.
BASIC OR BOUGIE? Pretty bougie
SERVICE is a bit inconsistent – some good, some not so good
TRY the cappalleti with pumpkin+ chestnuts + sage butter & the lemon tart
VIBE is refined and buzzy
BEST FOR Spenny Catch Ups, Dates, The Rents
GROUPS can accommodate fairly large groups
GOOD TO KNOW reservations rec’d | c.£55-70
88 St. John Street, London EC1M 4EH
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Open Mon – Sat