In need of a fresh place to enjoy authentic Italian cuisine?

Tucked away in the heart of York’s city centre, Lucia Restaurant and Grill is a stylish Italian restaurant.

Opening its doors in 2009 by businessman Oscar Akgul, who owns multiple restaurants across the country, including popular steak restaurant Cut and Craft.

After a refurbishment in 2020, Lucia is established amongst York locals as a trendy setting to enjoy authentic Italian cuisine.

With wallpaper handmade in Italy, and furniture imported from across the world, the restaurant offers a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Upon entering the courtyard, I was immediately struck by the attention to detail within the restaurant’s design.

The area was adorned with intricate floral arrangements and shades of pink, with the heaters providing a great summer vibe.

Opting to eat outside, we were greeted warmly and made to feel welcome by the staff, immediately establishing a high standard of service that continued throughout the experience.

The menu boasted a huge range of options, from starters such as bruschetta and bolognese arancini, to a choice of a variety of pastas, pizzas, meat and fish options.

I opted for the hand pressed beef burger, while my friends both chose the steak alfredo.

Our food arrived promptly, and it is safe to say it transcended our expectations.

My burger was immense and flavourful, topped with a brioche bun and a side of hand-cut, crispy fries.

My friend had her steak Alfredo topped with parmesan cheese, while the other opted for it without.

One described it as “the best pasta I’ve ever had in my life”, while the other highlighted that the steak was “cooked to perfection.”

The portion size was very plentiful, which unfortunately meant we did not have room for dessert.

However, upon browsing the menu, I will definitely be saving space for one upon my next visit.

With attentive service and incredible food, you can tell the staff truly care about delivering an amazing experience to every customer who steps through the door.