Sottosotto — Restaurant in Lucca

Looking for a memorable, incredible meal in Lucca with the BEST service you've ever experienced? Do yourself a huge favor and go to Sottosotto -- hands down the most outstanding restaurant in the anfiteatro, and likely in all of Lucca. I don't write reviews, but absolutely had to for Sottosotto, and would give 10 stars if I could. My mom, husband and I thankfully ended up here on our last night in Lucca (our trip was filled with a series of mishaps, including attempting to eat at recommended restaurant on our last night, which had a Michelin nod that I didn't know about). I had been kicking myself for not making a reservation at that spot, as my mom's family is from Lucca and this was her first time visiting, so I wanted the ending of our trip to be special. Sottosotto delivered tenfold! It is smaller and relatively new compared to the other spots in the piazza, but is without a doubt the shining star of them all. It's also not much pricier (if at all) than the other neighboring spots, especially for what you get in return.

Our host/server, who I foolishly forgot to ask for his name but am assuming based on reviews is Eugenio, made our last night better than I ever could have imagined. He went above and beyond in every way and was SO friendly, welcoming, helpful, charming, positive and funny -- truly the best service I have ever experienced at any restaurant. We all walked away feeling like we had just had a meal with a long-time friend and with our spirits lifted, which was much needed! Not to mention bellies full of some of the most amazing food we've ever had!! We ordered the caprese salad as a starter -- the most flavorful tomatoes and mozzarella that was unlike any I've ever had, then the gnocchi, steak, and lasagna between the 3 of us for mains. We could not stop raving as we ate; each dish was clearly made with love, passion and innovation. It was all accompanied by a beautiful local white wine that Eugenio recommended, called "Gioia" which means "joy" in Italian -- very fitting for our night there. We ended the night with tiramisu that blew us away. Eugenio surprised us all with a round of shots of limoncello afterwards, then shortly after, another round! After sharing that my mom's family was from Lucca, he was quick to say "so a third round?" which cracked us up. We had to pass but easily could have stayed there all night.

Going here was one of our top experiences in all of Italy. I only wish I had known about it when we first got to Lucca, as we would have eaten there every night (we met couples while there that had in fact been doing that -- not hard to see why!). We are endlessly grateful and fortunate, and are still feeling the love and joy a whole week later! Grazie mille and saluti...

I dont often give the full 5 stars seeing as usually there is always something which can be improved upon, but in this case the 5 stars have been earned to the fullest.

Situated in the Old city centre of Lucca at the Anfiteatro offering a prime location and surrounded by plenty of competition the restaurant does not have a easy task.

However they match up and even surpass the others very well.

Me and my wife chose Sottosotto for our dinner in Lucca during our trip through Tuscany and it was a great choice.

We didn't reserve a table and saw that all the tables were full but were quickly greeted by the staff and the gentleman of service told us in 10 minutes a table would be ready and offered us a glass of prosecco on the house which is a very kind gesture to the guests that most restaurants do not offer and lucky for us we were seated in 5 minutes time anyway.

The menu was very well laid out , a wide enough selection of food in which anyone can find something they like but not too big to get lost in the choices.

We were helped choosing on a great red wine by the staff to accompany us during the dinner and the ambience of the square was very pleasant while we waited for our food.

When our main courses arrived I was very pleasantly suprised by the taste and quality of the food, often in areas with heavy tourism quality gets lost in the quantity, well here it was not the case, the food is worth the wait, you could taste that the cook(s) put alot of effort into the food and it was a joy to eat, I myself am usually a quick eater but here I took my time so I could savour every bite.

Afterwards I opted for a dessert as well to fill off a great tasting evening. As the evening came to a close we were offered a limoncello on the house to help finish of our dining experience and said our goodbyes but hope we will have the chance to visit again in the future.

This restaurant is a fantastic option for those who appreciate good food and friendly staff in a...

During our recent visit to Lucca, we had the distinct pleasure of dining at Sottosotto, and it was an experience that exceeded all our expectations. From the moment we walked through the door, we were enveloped in an atmosphere of warmth and extraordinary hospitality that set the tone for a perfect evening.

The staff at Sottosotto went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. Their genuine friendliness and attentiveness created a dining experience that was both personal and memorable. Each member of the team demonstrated an impressive knowledge of the menu, offering insightful recommendations that truly enhanced our meal.

The quality of the ingredients used in every dish was nothing short of exceptional. Each bite was a testament to the freshness and top-tier selection of produce, meats, and seafood. It was clear that Sottosotto prioritizes sourcing only the best, which translated into flavors that were rich, vibrant, and utterly delightful.

Our meal began with a selection of appetizers that were as beautifully presented as they were delicious. The main courses were a symphony of flavors, perfectly cooked and seasoned to perfection. Every dish was a masterpiece, showcasing the culinary expertise of the kitchen team. The desserts were the perfect ending to a flawless meal, leaving us thoroughly satisfied and eager to return.

For anyone considering dining at Sottosotto, we cannot recommend it highly enough. This restaurant embodies the essence of fine dining with its exceptional food, outstanding service, and inviting ambiance. Don’t hesitate – make a reservation and prepare to be wowed. Sottosotto is, without a doubt, a culinary gem that should...