CuGino — Restaurant in Lafayette

I recently dined at CuGino (117 S College Rd., Lafayette LA) and absolutely loved the experience — this place certainly earns a five‑star review!

From the moment we stepped in, the ambiance impressed: warm lighting, tasteful Sicilian‑Italian décor, and an inviting glass‑enclosed wine display set a refined yet comfortable tone. The service was attentive and friendly without being overbearing — a perfect balance.

The food truly stood out. We started with the house meatballs crafted in a traditional Sicilian recipe, and they were rich, flavorful, and memorable. For mains, each dish was beautifully executed: the veal special was tender and well‑seasoned; the seafood option was fresh and vibrant; and the pasta selection hit all the right notes of comfort and sophistication. The flavors felt both authentic and elevated. (The restaurant is known to bring Sicilian influences to classic Italian dishes. )

Dessert wrapped things up nicely, and the wine list matched the meal’s caliber — it was thoughtful without being pretentious.

A few extra things I appreciated: • They appear to have made a careful renovation of the space, giving the place character and elegance.  • Reservations are strongly encouraged, and I would recommend being proactive if you want a good table.  • It’s still relatively new (opened October 2025) so for now the service and kitchen performance feel fresh and enthusiastic. 

If I were to offer one suggestion for improvement, it’s simply this: keep it up! As they continue to build momentum I hope they maintain this high level of quality.

Bottom line: If you’re looking for a standout Italian dining experience in Lafayette — with refined Sicilian touches, warm service, and a polished environment — CuGino is absolutely worth a visit. I’ll definitely be going...

Here is my actual experience: Sat down to filthy water glasses. Not smudges and typical water marks. Food debris in 3 out of 4. Had to request clean glasses. Server took at least 15 minutes before he acknowledged our existence. Offered us Poupart's bread that never arrived. Bragged about the sous chef being a hibachi chef, which is a weird flex for a Sicilian-Italian restaurant; then suggested we get the Tile Fish, which was farm raised and is not Italian. Ordered the Arancini, Buffalo Mozzarella Sticks, and a Large Caesar Salad. Considered ordering wine, but the options were: Italian Blend, California Merlot, French Pinot Noir, French Blend with Sauvignon Blanc. No mention of vineyards, varieties, or age. Sicilian wines are a favorite of mine, but none were mentioned or offered. Arancini was the only Sicilian dish on the menu, and when it arrived, it was not what I have come to expect after relishing this uniquely Sicilian dish for some 15 years. If anything, it tasted like a frozen Sysco product, and after a quick internet search, looked exactly the same. The Mozzarella Sticks were sold out, so never got to sample. (Although the server encouraged me to order a variety of dishes, also sold out, for the next time I visit with four guests instead of our small party of two.) The Caesar was a disaster, with a sickly dressing and random bread thrown on top, but not croutons. The cheese was heavily processed and most likely pre-shred. And for this little treat, the bill was $54. I was honestly very excited about this restaurant as a fan of Sicilian food; but this is not a serious restaurant. If there would have been TSA agents stationed at the front door, I would have been able to set the proper expectations. Needless to say, I won't be back, and certainly won't recommend to...

I visited CuGino this past Sunday afternoon with family, and even though we didn’t have a reservation, the experience turned out to be incredible from start to finish.

When we arrived, we were told there would be about an hour and a half wait, so we grabbed some coffee nearby and returned later. Even then, the owners, Gene and Hunter, went above and beyond to make us feel valued. Gene checked on us several times personally, apologizing for the delay and explaining that they were working through reservations first. Eventually, they offered us a table and even treated us to an appetizer on the house for our patience.

We were first seated outside, but when an indoor table became available, Gene insisted we move inside to make our experience even better — that level of hospitality really stood out. Our server Amber was phenomenal: attentive, friendly, and professional. The entire atmosphere was warm, welcoming, and full of life.

The food itself was absolutely amazing. I had the pork cheeks with polenta, and it was beyond delicious — one of the best dishes I’ve ever had. Every plate at our table was top-notch.

From the food to the service to the genuine kindness of the owners, CuGino has definitely earned our highest recommendation. We’ll...