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Welcome to La Lanterna Cafe and Grill

"La Lanterna Cafe and Grill, a Tuscan-Seafood gem in Ridgewood, NJ, offers a warm, intimate setting perfect for a romantic evening. With a Latinx and women-owned establishment, it prides itself on exceptional service and a family-friendly atmosphere. The menu boasts delicious dishes like Arancini, Mussels Bianca, Polpette, and Linguine Carbonara. Customers rave about the attentive staff, inviting ambiance, and mouthwatering desserts. Personal favorites include the seafood salad and scallops with mushroom risotto. A must-try for those seeking authentic Italian cuisine served with a personal touch."

LOCATIONS
  • La Lanterna Cafe and Grill
    29 W Ridgewood Ave Ridgewood, NJ 07450
    29 W Ridgewood Ave Ridgewood, NJ 07450 Hotline: (201) 444-5520

Welcome to La Lanterna Cafe and Grill, a Tuscan-seafood gem located in Ridgewood, NJ. This Latinx and women-owned restaurant offers a truly intimate and romantic dining experience with a variety of amenities such as outdoor seating, wheelchair accessibility, and even Wi-Fi. Whether you're looking to dine in or take out, La Lanterna has you covered with its diverse menu that includes many vegetarian options.

From the moment you step inside, you will be greeted by the warm and welcoming staff, including the owner Joanne, who goes above and beyond to ensure every guest feels like family. The reviews speak for themselves, with customers raving about the exceptional service and delicious food.

Indulge in delectable appetizers like the Arancini Classic Rice Ball or the Carpaccio, followed by a refreshing La Lanterna Salad or a classic Caesar Salad. When it comes to pasta, options like Spaghetti Carbonara and Gnocchi al Ragu are sure to satisfy your cravings.

Customer favorites include the seafood salad special and the tagliatelle bolognese, showcasing the restaurant's dedication to creating memorable dining experiences. And don't forget to save room for dessert, as the desserts at La Lanterna are to die for.

Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for a delicious meal, La Lanterna Cafe and Grill is the perfect destination. Experience the flavors of Tuscany and the freshest seafood in a cozy and inviting atmosphere that will keep you coming back for more.

START YOUR REVIEW OF La Lanterna Cafe and Grill
Victoria E.
Victoria E.

Absolutely love this place! My parents go here every time they go out for a date night! The service is amazing and everyone is so nice and it's run by a very sweet family! I love the tagliatelle bolognese! My dad and brother love the seafood salad special! Definitely recommend! The desserts are TO DIE FOR, so save room for dessert!

A.J. S.
A.J. S.

WOW! This just doesn't happen anywhere, anytime, anymore, esp. post-COVID. This place met every expectation perfectly. NO NEGATIVES! First, We were greeted by Joanne, the owner and she was warm, welcoming and SINCERE (Psychologists know it when it's there.) She was the perfect hostess. Table service was also perfect: Fast, efficient, accommodating and VERY pleasant. Second, this place has decor worthy of European dining. Beautiful with Indoor AND outdoor seating! Next, the food was perfect, varied and deee-licious. You wouldn't believe it was made in NJ and not sent over from Italy. Prices were more than fair, believe someone who eats out regularly. Finally, it's a byob, icing on the proverbial cake. Suggestion: Go there now! Stop reading and GO.... NOW! You will be absolutely amazed. Well? What are you waiting for? Stop reading and GO!.

Roni B.
Roni B.

The best Italian restaurant! Always delicious food and wonderful service. They make you feel like family. Highly recommend!!

S C.
S C.

Our group had a wonderful meal at La Lanterna. The owner greeted us and explained the specials. We were sat in the main dining area. We tried a few specials as well as items from the menu. Every dish was delicious! The seafood salad was large enough for all to enjoy. The scallops & mushroom risotto was absolutely my favorite. The dessert platter offered a large selection of delicious treats. The service was attentive and the owner checked on our table to ensure that we were happy with everything. The byob service makes this restaurant a place to have an exceptional meal without breaking the bank. La Lanterna is Ridgwood's jewel!

Ronnie L.
Ronnie L.

We had a wonderful dinner at La Lanterna tonight. Our first time there. Delicious food and a friendly, welcoming staff. Highly recommended!

Maggie C.
Maggie C.

This is my favorite restaurant! The food is delicious! The owners Paul and Joanne are wonderful. The service is wonderful!

Ron C.
Ron C.

.Ok, today we celebrated mom's 84th birthday at La Lanterna. A party of 13 people. When I tell you this restaurant is outstanding, I mean it. From soup to nuts,one course better than the other. Joanne the gracious owner is very professional. Antonio her son knows the business,it shows , he took care of us with another great server. Food came out in a timely fashion. The food was served hot and all together,no one waited for any course. Not easy to do. Thank you Joanne and Antonio for making moms birthday party a great one. This restaurant is one of the last of the restaurants in this s area to go to and get your moneys wirth anymore. I wish them success. Will be going back asap.

Xiomara P.
Xiomara P.

As soon as you walk in, you feel like you're in a small fancy European restaurant. The place is so nicely decorated. It's a nice place for a special occasions. I highly recommend the Black Sea bass with clams. It was on the specials and it was excellent. It was served on a bed of baby spinach and with risotto, surrounded with baby clams. Just delicious!!! The birthday girl had Osso Bucco and gave me a bite to try. It was tender, juicy and amazingly tasty. My husband ordered the Veal with prosciutto, mozzarella and wild Mushrooms in a wine sauce... outstanding. Veronica, our server, was very pleasant, attentive and professional. She didn't miss a thing. The owner, Joanne is also the greeter and she gave us a nice warm welcome, as soon as we walked in. After that, from the server to the assistants are attentive and efficient. The lighting, that I think is so important in a restaurant, is just right; it gives the perfect ambiance for a nice romantic dinner or for a relaxing dinner with friends. I'll definitely recommend it and will go back with friends or my husband for a romantic dinner. If romantic, make sure to ask for "the nook"!

H W.
H W.

2 Branzino a Veal Milanese and a Pork Chop along with Sea Food and Crab Appy as well as a potpourri of desserts. That's short for 4 stars.