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Reserve a table
2
Thu, 9/21
8:00 PM

Ratings and reviews

RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere

Food and ambience

About
Stroll along 17th St., between Lighthouse and Laurel and you will find one of the Peninsula’s favorite spots, La Mia Cucina. This little jewel, with its fresh ambiance and tantalizing menu, is popular with everyone. The colorful European advertising posters that enliven the walls, are “originals, not reproductions.” That phrase is accurate in describing La Mia Cucina itself. From the comfortable linen white decor, accented beautifully by those turn-of-the-century posters, to the hand-crafted entrees and desserts, everything about La Mia Cucina says fresh and original. Owner Michael’s specialty, his ravioli dishes, are a renowned local favorite, and for good reason. They are hand made, with all
PRICE RANGE
$24 - $35
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Dinner
CUISINES
Italian
FEATURES
Reservations, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Table Service, Gift Cards Available
Reviews (164)
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162 results
Traveler rating
126
25
6
3
2
Traveler type
Time of year
LanguageEnglish
Traveler rating
126
25
6
3
2
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All reviews bruschetta salmon special feel like family monterey peninsula special occasion dining experience wait staff paula regulars homemade
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Reviewed July 29, 2023 via mobile

Wow. From the focaccia to the tiramisu (assuming you have room for dessert) the food was nothing less than exceptional. Even our hard to impress 18 year old son was seriously impressed. Great venue, attentive waiting staff and check ins from the owners. A fantastic...place and highly recommend if you are in the neighbourhoodMore

Date of visit: July 2023
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Reviewed June 3, 2023 via mobile

We have visited La Mia Cucina three times now. We love it for a special occasion when we are in the area. Michael and Paula make you feel like family and their staff is very attentive. It is obvious that many locals are regulars there...as they are greeted often with hugs. Awesome personal service. Then there is the food. Wonderful and delicious! The lobster ravioli is fabulous!! Salmon special was a favorite for my husband. The calamari is tender and delicious in their housemade tarter sauce. The breading is very light so the focus is not on the breading but on the calamari. Lasagna is great and available only on Fridays. We found it to be very cheesy lasagna. Very special preparation and large serving. Their focaccia bread and bruschetta that came with our meals was great. We have to use restraint or there won’t be room for our main course. The spumoni ice cream served is unbelievable. Like nothing we have had before. It is made by a local ice creamery. Highly recommend you a share a scoop after dinner! We enjoy the outdoor seating and since most people sit indoors, it is a lovely private dining experience. I can see a sliver of the Pacific Ocean while dining.More

Date of visit: June 2023
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Reviewed May 6, 2023

We knew of this restaurant when it was another restaurant....loved the first one....went to the second and was blown away with it's fantastic food and ambiance!! It has expanded in size, has phenomenal wait staff and the food is exceptional! Have been there many times...with my husband and went the other day with a girlfriend and were treated like queens....I cannot say enough wonderful things about La MIa CXucina in Pacific Grove, CA..........More

Date of visit: May 2023
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Reviewed March 30, 2023

One of our top choices when on the Monterey Peninsula. The owners, wait staff and the food are terrific. The menu has enough choices on it to dine here each time we are in town. The food is carefully prepared and very tasty. Portions are...not big but are plenty for our needs. The ingredients are fresh. We love this place. The food comes out of the kitchen relatively quickly but you can probably get the pacing you want by simply telling your server. Check the days they are open to make sure that you get your reservation. Drop-ins might be OK in March but not in the busier months of the year.More

Date of visit: March 2023
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Reviewed November 29, 2021 via mobile

Best little neighborhood find. This was our second visit. The house made pasta are amazing. The arancini soft on the inside and crusty in the outside. The ravioli melts in your mouth. A must visit.

Date of visit: November 2021
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Reviewed November 21, 2021 via mobile

Saw the menu, homemade pasta we were excited. We had the arancini appetizer, I had the ravioli and my husband had gnocchi. Everything was excellent, food and the service-worth the trip.

Date of visit: November 2021
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Reviewed August 27, 2021

The food was exquisite! The owners are HANDS ON!!!! At the door, at the table, at the stove and filling your wine glass. The staff is incredible. Anyone complaining about this restaurant is mistaking it for another as Michael and Paula are everything a restaurant...should be.More

Date of visit: August 2021
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Reviewed April 9, 2021

A charming and delicious experience. We shared a crab/scallop cakes (large chunks of fresh seafood), mushroom ravioli(creamy melt in your mouth, great mushroom flavor) and halibut (least interesting but healthy, colorful and fresh))....the portions were generous and food was very flavorful and thoughtfully prepared. Both...the host and waiter took interest in making our evening special. I would definitely return if in the area again. Wine was great and heat lamps made it fine to sit outside on an early April evening.More

Date of visit: April 2021
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Reviewed October 17, 2020 via mobile

We dined here as a group of 7. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. Good wine list. All dishes came out hot and well presented. My favorite restaurant on this trip.

Date of visit: October 2020
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Reviewed June 15, 2020

We made a reservation for a birthday dinner. Arrived at the restaurant seated immediately at our table they had put birthday glitter. We can not say enough had delicious their food is. The staff is amazing. Can’t wait to go back.

Date of visit: June 2020
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Reviewed February 19, 2020

I'm from the east coast, so I'm always looking for Italian places that remind me of home This one is it. You're made to feel as if you're family here. The hostess greeted me by name when I checked in! Everything was amazing, service, ambiance,...food, menu, etc. Our meal came with a free bruschetta appetizer & herb/onion focaccia bread. Both were fantastic. I got the veal saltimbocca, while I was disappointed with the side dishes (rice/asparagus/carrots, would've loved pasta or polenta instead) the veal was fantastic. My friend had the lobster ravioli & we both wanted to lick the bowl. That sauce is to die for. Yummy! My friend had the cannoli & it was an odd recipe, it had lemon in it & no chocolate chips. Not bad, just not what we were expecting. The Tiramisu was fantastic! I'd eat here again in a heart beat. Order the lobster ravioli!More

Date of visit: February 2020
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Reviewed February 17, 2020

Our experience at La Mia Cucina was wonderful. Being near the ocean we wanted either seafood or fish and were not disappointed. We had a spectacular seafood "bolognese" on fettuccine. Our compliments to the chef! But what really made the evening was our delightful waiter-Giovanni....We had lovely conversations throughout our dinner about food, travel and life. It was lovely to connect with people and here their stories and be treated like famiglia.More

Date of visit: July 2019
Helpful?1  
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Reviewed February 11, 2020 via mobile

We have been here at least 8 times and it is fabulous!! House made pastas and desserts! Food and service on point!! Always awesome!

Date of visit: January 2020
Helpful?1  
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Reviewed February 1, 2020

We were delighted to find how many items were gluten free. Eggplant Parmesan was amazing. Sandabs were excellent. The server was welcoming and knowledgeable. Salad/soup/vegetavles are included in entree. This place is busy, so get a reservation.

Date of visit: January 2020
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Reviewed December 29, 2019 via mobile

I almost never write bad reviews, but I feel an obligation to this time. My husband and I are on vacation in Pacific Grove and chose La Mia Cucina for this evening‘s dinner. We would always rather support a local family owned restaurant as opposed...to a chain, of which there are plenty on nearby Cannery Row. However, this one should be overlooked. All of the staff treated us wonderfully. The ambience is nice. But the food is awful. I ordered the Eggplant Parmigiana, and it was simply disgusting. No breading to speak of. Just completely mushed eggplant covered in marinara and mozzarella. I ate a few bites to be polite, but that was all I could stomach. It was served with rice instead of pasta, which is bizarre for an Italian restaurant. But at least it was edible. I barely made it home before I began gagging. Steer clear.More

Date of visit: December 2019
Helpful?1  
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Questions & Answers
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gmar03
November 11, 2016|
AnswerShow all 5 answers
Response from PacificPal | Property representative |
Thank you for asking, we have no formal dress code, we ask that you not wear shorts or tai tops please.
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LA MIA CUCINA, Pacific Grove - Menu, Prices, Restaurant Reviews & Reservations - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about La Mia Cucina

La Mia Cucina is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travelers:
  • Food: 4.5
  • Service: 5
  • Value: 4.5
  • Atmosphere: 4