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La Lanterna Ristorante, San Mateo, CA

La Lanterna Ristorante

4.8
4.8
988 Reviews
$30 and under
Italian

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 10 times today
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
  • Good for business meals
Open since 2001, La Lanterna is a family-owned business with Ramon Lopez as Executive Chef and Jennifer Villa-McGuffin service as manager. Prior to opening, Ramon and Jennifer were employed at various fine dining restaurants in the San Francisco Peninsula. With his own signature style, Chef Ramon has received numerous accolades and is honored to serve you at La Lanterna.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Italian
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (650) 341-8877
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Ramon Lopez
  • Neighborhood
    San Mateo
  • Cross street
    El Camino Real
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    Banquet, Beer, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 988 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.6Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Peninsula

    Best Value

  • Peninsula

    Italian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
La Lanterna Ristorante is a beloved neighborhood gem, praised for its "excellent food" and "friendly service." Guests rave about the "fabulous" ambiance and diverse menu, featuring dishes like calamari steak and veal piccata. The restaurant's "wonderful" cocktails and desserts add to the dining experience, making it a must-visit spot.

988 Reviews
  1. Joe

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful neighborhood restaurant that has been open for over 20 years. Food excellent and very consistent. Family owned and run. You will not be disappointed! The night we were there, they were very crowded (reservations advised for a Friday or Saturday night) or else service would have been 5 stars as well. One of our favorites.

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  2. Ed

    San Francisco

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on November 11, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    La Lanterna is our favorite restaurant in the Bay Area. The food and service are always top notch. We go to La Lanterna as often as we can.

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  3. Michael

    San Francisco

    19 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on November 10, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always great food great service always look forward to going back

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  4. Jill

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on November 6, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I love my neighborhood restaurant for many reasons but one in particular is the polenta in mushroom sauce. Bits absolutely delicious and so hard to find. I’ve tried almost every pasta on the menu and they are always flavorful and cooked al dente. The atmosphere is so pleasant it’s my first choice for an intimate dining experience. Service is outstanding.

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  5. Peggy

    San Francisco

    23 reviews

    5.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on October 25, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    La Lanterna is our go to for get togethers or just a treat for ourselves. The experience is never a disappointment. The food , attentive but not to much and the atmosphere is relaxing and special.

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  6. Peggy

    San Francisco

    23 reviews

    5.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on October 20, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    La Lanterna is never a disappointment, delicious food, attentive service and beautiful restaurant.

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  7. Larry

    San Francisco

    45 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    45 reviews

    Dined on October 14, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The Food at La Lanterna has never disappointed!!! The cocktails are delicious. It is a great place to go for any occasion.

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  8. Carol

    San Francisco

    69 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    69 reviews

    Dined on October 12, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent food,service,drinks always. Hidden gem on 25th Av San Mateo. We usually also eat there every Thanksgiving.

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  9. Keith

    San Francisco

    130 reviews

    4.0

    130 reviews

    Dined on October 10, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Excellent business lunch. Unobtrusive service but still attentive. Great spinach salad with grilled prawns. My guest had the beet salad with grilled chicken which he enjoyed. Very quiet, only few tables were occupied.

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  10. valerie

    San Francisco

    32 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    32 reviews

    Dined on October 6, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    There were 9 of us and each had something different. Everyone was pleased

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FAQs

La Lanterna Ristorante offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (650) 341-8877.

La Lanterna Ristorante is rated 4.8 stars by 988 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 10 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for La Lanterna Ristorante

180 W. 25th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403

Additional information

  • Cross street
    El Camino Real
  • Neighborhood
    San Mateo
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Italian
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Ramon Lopez
  • Additional
    Banquet, Beer, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
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