La Lanterna Caffe

I went there with my boyfriend for my birthday dinner... Without having to wait a minute, the waitress escorted us to a kind of ""winter garden"" dining room... AWWWWW!!! The small fountain, the ivy, the coloured lanterns... 5/5 cum lauda to the atmosphere!!! :)\r \r The waitress was lovely, fast enough, but not on a rush and always around to give us pepper, pour us wine... without satying to close. The foos was eccellent, from the appetizer to the pizzas to the dessert! You can also hear the jazz music coming from the jazz lounge when you eat under that kind of light that makes your dinner an amazing romantic experience.\r \r The bill was even less than we expected, considering also the great service and the wine list.\r \r Greenwich Village is an area full of cafes and attractions... but please stop by this pearl of a place when you're there. more

I adore this caffe'. Nothing spells a perfect NY Saturday to me more than being able to sit at La Lanterna with a book and a cappuccino. Perfect location, wonderful light...if only they could get a handle on the dishwashing noises.... Pros: excellent cappuccino, Old World feel Cons: loud clanking of dishes at front counter more

Romantic and cozy. I really like their dessert here. Great tiramisu and flavorful gelato. Entrees were good too; I got the prociutto pizza and my bf got their pesto lasagna and both were yummy. The funny thing is there is a lady reading tarot card right next to us. IT is kind of eccentric. Beautiful outdoor garden in the back btw for those seeking dining in the green. Pros: Beautiful Garden, Friendly Service & Good Food more

What made this place unique? The worst service in five boroughs... want your waiter to treat you like your most crazy ex used to? Try out La Lanterna. Like snarky answers to simple questions? Would you like to be denied a napkin or a glass of water? This is your place. Cons: Absolutely horrible, rude, snippy service more

great REAL italian pizza for low prices, with a lovely garden to sit in the back. don't miss this place b.c there are lots of other italian restaurants that will charge twice or more for the same thing. Pros: great deal for the price Cons: menu a little confusing more

After reading all of the reviews for La Lanterna Caffe, I expected this place to be the perfect Valentine's Day dinner spot; boy was I wrong. I can certainly deal with the slow, absolutely flat and disinterested service on a holiday evening, but the food was shockingly bad. I've had better lasagna come out of a microwave in comparison to what was plopped in front of us. The cheeses they used were completely separated, and it was obvious that they were just re-cooking giant batches of lasagna being carted in every five minutes by surly kitchen staff who seemed to take some glee in allowing the door to the outside SLAM constantly. The lasagna was truly awful, all of the cheese solids were clumped up into a disgusting mass and all of the oils had COMPLETELY separated. If eating not just over-cooked, but poorly reheated lasagna with enough separated oil to make you think you were eating grease soup sounds good, be sure to go to La Lanterna Caffe for their Valentine's Day lasagna dinner. more

I met my now fiance here on a blind date and it was perfect! So romantic, the cappucinos and desserts are great and the service is just attentive enough to get what you want/need but hands off enough to allow the magic happen. We go here all the time and relive the wonder of that fateful night...We love you La Lanterna! more

Wife and I went before a show. The pizza was decent. Thin crust, sauce was a little runny. She had lasagna. Would have been nice to have bread with it. Service was nice. Didn't bother us a lot but when he showed up he would chat a little. The weekend ""see New York"" scavenger hunt groups were coming through so we got an unexpected floor show while we ate. The manager was there and stopped by to see how things were.\r Prices were very good. Our bottle of wine cost more than the two meals and it wasn't that much for the bottle. Dessert was good too. I would recommend to someone who wants medium to light amounts of food. \r Also we sat out in the covered garden. It was nice as the sun went down and the lights went on. Pros: price, location to subway, dessert Cons: a little loud at times more

The prix fixe menu mentioned in the ""Know Before You Go"" was not listed on the menu. When we asked our waiter, he had no idea and called over the manager. The manager recited the ""deal"" which, at $40, did not sound like a bargain. Actually, it sounded like the manager made it up on the spot. That said, the food was fine. Something to keep in mind if in the Village late at night. Perhaps I would have liked the restaurant better if we had been seated in the garden. more

Five members of Meetup?s Thrifty Gourmets group and I field-tested La Lanterna Caffe on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 at 7:45 PM. The restaurant did not appear to employ a host. I was greeted instead by a friendly young man who was working the floor and who, later,waited upon our table. My reservation had been held. The six of us were seated promptly at two tables that our waiter pulled together in the front of the restaurant. In retrospect, I wish that we had been seated elsewhere, as this area soon became crowded with individuals waiting to be seated, as well as other diners. It appeared that La Lanterna?s management wanted to fill as many tables as possible in the venue?s limited space. Our waiter, although warm and courteous, was not self-assured, was not familiar with the prix fixe special mentioned in Citysearch?s description of the restaurant, and delivered a glass of wine other than the one she ordered to a member of my group. At various times throughout the evening, the restaurant?s manager needed to coach him. Our dishes were delivered promptly and, other than that glass of wine, as ordered. They were presented simply and straightforwardly. The portions were sufficient, just large enough to be lightly filling. I shared the duck salad and lasagna with pesto with a fellow diner. Both were flavorful, if not memorable. The lasagne?s thin noodles were moist and chewy, and its rich flavor lingered nicely on my tongue. My meal, with tip, cost $15. It was enjoyable, but not compelling enough to return to La Lanterna frequently. Pros: Flavorful lasagne; value Cons: Unpolished service; crowded seating more

I have been going to La Lanterna for over 25 years and it has only gotten better with time..Still a quaint romantic getaway..busier than ever now that the word is out..but retains all the old charm and attentivness as of old..Best coffee house in New York..I am a former NYC resident, now living in Pa, ans I still visit the shop at least twice a year..Same old rustic walls anc ceiling, but a new garden restaurant has been added..No disappointment here!! 100% continental atmosphere..I love the multicultural staff! ! Wish you had a branch here in Pennsylvania!! Love you !! Please dont ever leave!! Pros: charming and romantic..old world style Cons: wish there were more of you more

Went to LaLanterna for a date and it was perfect. We sat downstairs by the fireplace and had the hot chocolate with rum and marshmallows. Wonderful location as well. Can't wait to try out the garden this summer. Pros: Service, Location more

I used to really enjoy this place, but over the years the service has gone downhill. The waitstaff has become less and less attentive. The food is still very good, but the service is not. I was charged for the wrong order and received the wrong order of food. It's time to look for a new cafe. Pros: Food Cons: Service more

The pizzas here are wonderful! They are truly unique and blend delicious flavors of goat cheese, pesto, rucola, etc. The menu is fairly affordable with most dishes ranging from $10-15. Its quiet, quaint, and the service was just right. Pros: pizza!, price more

I absolutely love this place. Its got a great greenhouse, which provides excellent natural lighting. Great place to meet for coffee. more

This is one of my favorite restaurants. I always have great service and great food, no matter how many times I come. I really can say nothing bad about this place. I have brought several friends and each one can agree: You cannot go wring with La Lanterna.\r Pros: Cheap eats, great ambience, great service, great food, and the list goes on... Cons: None. more

My gf and i went to La lanterna one night and had a blast. I would definetly go back again-- everything was great! :D Pros: great food and price more

~~Super busy, nice place to hang out, too overprice, great lasagna.~~\r I went there to have my valentine dinner and made reservation couple weeks before. Got worse table even I did request outside winter garden table... My table was very noisy... because next to waiter station. The overall food is ok, not too bad, not great as I expect. $ 45/ person, I expected more than that. Must try their lasagna and coffee, great cappucino..... \r Friendly hostess (maybe the owner) which always make smile us. Waiting line for restroom. The service ?, the server Sebastian always smile, introduce some wine, even we reject it. Please remember, it is caffe, don't expect star restaurant service even with that price. He did not rush us, did not forget to fill up our water, comfort us with his personal touch.\r If you have extra money ?, come over... again, don't expect more than a ""overprice"" caffetaria. Don't make it for your first date or first important place, try One if by the land, two if by the sea... instead....\r Just to hang out, you are safe.\r Pros: Nice few, ambience, fire place, outside garden Cons: crowdy... too over price... more

La Lanterna is one of my favorite spots in the city, period. It's completely charming, the waiters and waitresses are awesome and the pizza is just delicious. Go in the summer and sit in the garden, or go in the winter and cuddle with your honey by the fireplace. A bottle of wine and a pizza or two here is a completely affordable way to have a really romantic date. It's also a great place to go to have coffee and cake and catch up with an old friend. Pros: Pizza, Wine list, service, atmosphere Cons: Um...None more

This cozy restaurant is a delicious choice. I was torn between ordering the panini or having the lasagna... and ended up having the lasagna bolognese. Yummy! Served in a small dish and baked with just the right amount of cheese and meat sauce, it left me wanting more!\r Can't wait to try their pizza... \r My boyfriend & I sat right next to the fireplace... which was perfect!\r I can't believe I've never been here... now I will definitely be a ""regular""!\r I highly recommend it... affordable... romantic... good food... nice service... tasty menu... all good stuff :) \r It's a great place even if you only want coffee & dessert too! Try it, you won't be disappointed! Pros: Friendly wait staff, good food, ambiance Cons: Minimal wine selection more