"First time trying this restaurant and we will be back! Highly recommend the steak and seared tuna, as well as a side of shot string fries. So much flavor in every bite. Service was excellent and ambiance just loud enough so you wouldn’t be cumbersome by other conversations. Excellent dinner spot!"

"One of the best meals I’ve had in Salt Lake City! Loved the baby red oak salad, crab cakes and spinach gnocchi. The weeknight $17 wine flight is a great deal. Definitely will come back to try everything!"

"Had a recent trip to Cucina and once again, was delighted with creative palate stimulating experiences. Cucina is tucked into a residential area on the NorthEast side of Salt Lake City in a neighborhood called the Avenues. The restaurant has a cozy setting, warm lighting, and the wait staff were exceptional (shout out to Che). For our dinner, we enjoyed one small plate (baby red oak) and two mains (sourdough pizza and spinach gnocchi). The baby red oak was the winning dish of the night. It was a perfect salad. On presentation, a rich array of colors sparkled the plate. You have the shimmering green of the lettuce leaves, the brown of the candied walnuts, the red and yellow pickled beets, the ornamental pickled shallots (at least we thought they were shallots), and a deep red goat cheese drizzle sauce at the base of the plate. Each element on its own was a dance of flavor and in combination was balanced and exploratory. I’ve not had such tender and crisp lettuce before. Every bite was a delight and we cleared the plate and all remaining sauces. Next in line was the spinach gnocchi. This dish again delights in presentation with a forest of greens and speckles of lemon hinted ricotta snowballs and hazelnuts. The flavors of this dish were so well balanced. The highlight were the maitake mushrooms which had a wood fired smoky and deep roasted flavor. A bite with each of the plate elements was warm, friendly, and took you on a gentle journey. I wanted to lick the plate clean. Finally the sourdough pizza. We wanted to love the sourdough pizza, but it did leave us less enthusiastic compared to the other dishes. The presentation of the pizza was colorful and the flavor of the pizza was complex, spiced, and savory. Where we felt this dish lacked was the crust. We were hopeful for a light crust that was airy and soft. The crust of this pizza was a bit tough, possibly overdone in the oven, with little rise of the dough. It is unclear if this was a deviation from typical protocol or what is typical, but for us it was a miss. We had to try a dessert, and after great deliberation, we chose the orange semifreddo. This was a world tour of flavor. You start in Italy with a delightful creamy ice cream with a hardened shell. A shell you have to crack to enter the dessert. As you bring in the side elements - crisped rice, miso carmel, and fermented honey - your experience leaves Italy and transitions to Eastern Asia. You find yourself is a swirl of umami, sweet, salty, and creamy and all the while you are getting notes of citrus rising through it all. It was a great way to end what we considered an exceptional night of food at Cucina!"

"Cucina is one of those rare restaurants that manages to feel both elegantly modern and warmly familiar the moment you step inside. The atmosphere strikes a perfect balance—soft lighting, thoughtful décor, and just enough background hum to make it lively without being loud. The highlight here is undeniably the food. Cucina offers a menu that feels rooted in classic Italian comfort but elevated with contemporary touches. The handmade pasta is exceptional—silky, perfectly cooked, and paired with sauces that are rich without being heavy. The burrata starter is a standout: creamy, delicately seasoned, and served with fresh, crusty bread that practically demands an encore order. Service is attentive without being intrusive. Staff members are knowledgeable about the menu and offer spot-on wine pairings, adding to the overall experience without overselling. Prices are on the moderate-to-high side, but the quality of the ingredients and the consistency of the dishes make Cucina feel like excellent value. Whether you're planning a date night, a celebratory dinner, or simply treating yourself, Cucina delivers a memorable dining experience that’s worth returning to again and again."

"Food and wine were excellent. There wasn’t a single dish that we didn’t love! (Chicken and Bruschetta were standouts). Staff were very friendly and helpful. Food came out quick. But could’ve done a better job clearing wine buckets/bottles and empty dishes as space was somewhat tight. But I’ll add that we were a large group of 14 and had a very good time. Thanks Sterling!"