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La Lanterna Ristorante, San Mateo, CA

La Lanterna Ristorante

4.8
4.8
1010 Reviews
$30 and under
Italian

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 5 times today
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
  • Good for groups
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
  • Area
    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 1,010 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
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.6Value

NoiseModerate

Diners' Choice Awards

  • Peninsula

    Best Food

  • Peninsula

    Best Value

  • Peninsula

    Italian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
La Lanterna Ristorante is a beloved neighborhood gem in San Mateo, praised for its "excellent food" and "attentive service." Family-owned, it boasts a "warm and friendly atmosphere" with dishes like veal piccata and polenta in mushroom sauce drawing high praise. Ideal for intimate dinners and special occasions.

1,010 Reviews
  1. Patrick

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was fantastic, the service impeccable and a very nice and quiet atmosphere despite a full restaurant. I strongly recommend La Lanterna Ristorante if you are looking at excellent Italian food! Perfect from checking-in to the dessert.

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  2. Michael

    VIP

    San Francisco

    22 reviews

    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    If you're just going out to have a good dinner something special and the neighborhood great place to go to go there the service the food everything you will not regret it

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  3. Cliff

    VIP

    San Francisco

    38 reviews

    5.0

    38 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent cannelloni and the crabcakes were delicious as well as substantial. Perfect service with a full house and great value. My wife’s veal was amazing. Among the many lovely meals we have enjoyed there.

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  4. Donna

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful restaurant and the food is always perfect.

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  5. Richard

    San Francisco

    58 reviews

    5.0

    58 reviews

    Dined on 9 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    My wife and I had a great dinner. Hector, our server did an amazing job with everything!! Will definitely be going back soon!!

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  6. Michelle

    VIP

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 30 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Our family go to. Love the staff, great food and location!

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  7. Joann

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 27 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Nice restaurant , cold food , Great help nice experience.

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  8. Katrina

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 19 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great local spot, warm and friendly atmosphere and service.

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  9. Matthew

    VIP

    San Francisco

    26 reviews

    5.0

    26 reviews

    Dined on 13 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great experience and the food is so much better than I remembered. I admit we haven’t been there in a long time. We went for a family dinner and everyone enjoyed all their meals! Can’t wait to go back.

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  10. Alan

    VIP

    San Francisco

    77 reviews

    2.0

    77 reviews

    Dined on 12 January 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 2
    Two issues: 1. Large party (24 people) next to our table 2. No minestrone that night, only lobstser bisque which my wife can't eat

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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 1010 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 5 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
  • Area
    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
  • Impressum
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
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