La Lanterna Ristorante

4.8 (1128)

$30 and under

Italian

180 W. 25th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403

Make a reservation

La Lanterna Ristorante

4.8

$30 and under

Italian

San Mateo

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 7, 2026

7:00 PM

Booked 16 times today

About this restaurant

Neighborhood gem
Good for special occasions
Charming

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.

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
Website
http://www.lalanternasanmateo.com/#
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Ramon Lopez

Location
180 W. 25th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403
Neighborhood
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

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at La Lanterna Ristorante.

4.8

(1128)

4.7Food
4.7Service
4.6Ambience
4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

La Lanterna Ristorante is a beloved neighborhood gem in San Mateo, offering "wonderful Italian food" and "impeccable service." Guests rave about the "delicious meals," with standout dishes like the lamb shank and calamari. The ambiance is "quiet and intimate," perfect for special occasions, complemented by friendly staff and exceptional waiters like Hector.

1,128 Reviews

A
Andrew
San Francisco16 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food, excellent diverse menu, fair prices. We’ll be back.
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L
Linda Gold
San Francisco3 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Michael was wonderful … friendly and very attentive. We had a a wonderful experience
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M
Marleen Gold
San Francisco235 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
A favorite neighborhood restaurant since its opening. Salads are always ample and tasty. The spinach salad is our favorite. The fried calamari is crisp and not overcooked. We enjoy all of the pastas and entrees, like the penne con salciccia and mushrooms, and calamari dorati. The specials are a treat, and the homemade desserts are a must. Everyone is warm and welcoming.
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L
Linda B. Gold
San Francisco85 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We were 4 people and each got a different entree and loved it. The appetizer we shared was excellent too. The service was the best. Bathroom clean. Pics on the walls made it feel like we were in Italy.
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J
John Gold
San Francisco93 reviews
5.0
Dined on October 25, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great meal, excellent food and service. One of our favorites.
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R
Robert Gold
San Francisco42 reviews
4.0
Dined on October 24, 2026
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
A lovely and cozy neighborhood spot with reasonable prices and solid Italian food.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco5 reviews
5.0
Dined on October 24, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
If you would like a delicious meal, make a reservation here for dinner!
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C
Carol Gold
San Francisco85 reviews
5.0
Dined on October 24, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful food always Hector is a great waiter too.
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E
Ed Gold
San Francisco17 reviews
5.0
Dined on October 17, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
La Lanterna has been our favorite restaurant in SanMateo for many years. The food is wonderful and we always have great service.
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P
Pancho
San Francisco5 reviews
5.0
Dined on October 16, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Dinner a few times, 40- minute drive to the restaurant from San Francisco, always friendly staff, and the food is delicious. Been there for lunch only, and it’s pretty quiet in there, not noisy at all
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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
Website
http://www.lalanternasanmateo.com/#
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Ramon Lopez

Location
180 W. 25th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403
Neighborhood
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

FAQs

Yes, families are welcome: guests describe dining with children, and reviewers note good-sized kids' portions and a variety of choices on the kids' menu.

La Lanterna tends to be busiest on Friday and Saturday nights, while lunchtime visits are often quieter and more relaxed.

Casual dress is the guide at La Lanterna, neat, comfortable attire is appropriate, though many guests treat it as a spot for special occasions.

Portions at La Lanterna Ristorante are often described as generous, guests repeatedly call the portions "generous" or "ample."

Yes, La Lanterna Ristorante is well suited to a special evening, with guests reporting anniversary celebrations and praising its intimate, pleasant dining atmosphere.

La Lanterna feels warm and cozy with a lively dining room and comfortable booth seating, making it a popular neighborhood spot for intimate dinners and celebrations; lunch visits can be quieter.

La Lanterna is a lovely choice for a quiet lunch, and guests also report being delighted by a Sunday evening dinner; expect busier, lively service on Friday and Saturday nights.

Sunday evenings are a guest favorite at La Lanterna Ristorante, reviewers describe dining on a lovely Sunday evening and being absolutely delighted.

How FAQ content is generated

Make a reservation

La Lanterna Ristorante

4.8

$30 and under

Italian

San Mateo

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 7, 2026

7:00 PM

Booked 16 times today

La Lanterna Ristorante

Make a reservation

La Lanterna Ristorante

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Additional information

Concierge
AI Beta

Menu

Reviews

Review summary

Additional information

FAQs

Is this restaurant kid-friendly?

When is this restaurant busiest and quietest?

What is the dress code for La Lanterna Ristorante?

What are the portion sizes like at this restaurant?

Is this a good pick for date night?

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Make a reservation

La Lanterna Ristorante

Make a reservation