There’s a little corner of Yonkers, New York, where the aroma of house-made pasta, wood-fired pizza, and slow-simmered sauces spills out onto the sidewalk and pulls you in before you even reach the door. 🍕
La Lanterna Restaurant & Caffe has been quietly doing something extraordinary since 1990 — serving bold, authentic Italian cuisine with a distinctive Swiss twist that keeps locals coming back week after week.
It’s the kind of place that earns a loyal following not through flashy marketing, but through sheer, undeniable deliciousness.
How La Lanterna Won Yonkers’ Hearts
Over three decades ago, La Lanterna opened its doors in Yonkers — and it never really needed to shout.
What makes La Lanterna so special is the rare combination of a fine-dining experience that never feels stuffy, thanks in large part to its executive Swiss chef who has crafted hundreds of uniquely Italian-Swiss recipes you simply won’t find anywhere else in Westchester.
The restaurant has since been voted “Most Romantic Restaurant in Yonkers” by the Yonkers Chamber of Commerce — a title that speaks volumes about the atmosphere locals have fallen in love with.
From the charm of the outdoor Wine & Beer Garden patio to the warmth of the indoor dining room, La Lanterna delivers an evening that feels like both a celebration and a homecoming.
Dishes like the legendary OG Whipped Sicilian Pizza — a Best of Westchester winner — became the stuff of local legend, earning the kind of passionate, devoted fan base that no advertising budget could ever buy.
The menu walks a beautiful line between comforting Italian classics and innovative creations, with generous portions that reviewers consistently rave about.
The story behind La Lanterna is as rich as its sauces — founder Rafael Tarone emigrated from the small Italian village of Zungoli, bringing with him nothing but a dream and a deep-rooted love of food, and his brother Chef Valterio Tarone — trained in Switzerland — helped shape the Italian-Swiss-inspired menu that defines the restaurant to this day.
Food Highlights
- Frutti Di Mare 🦐: Freshly made chitarra spaghetti loaded with shrimp, mussels, calamari, and clams, tossed with roasted garlic, fresh chives, basil, and Mutti marinara — available in red or white sauce.
- Lobster Ravioli: Lobster-filled ravioli served with sautéed shrimp and finished in a house-made creamy lobster sauce.
- Mafaldine Bolognese: Freshly made corkscrew-shaped pasta tossed in a meaty Bolognese and topped with whipped ricotta. 🍝
- Jäger Schnitzel: A crispy golden pork cutlet topped with a mixed mushroom demi cream sauce, served over garlic roasted potatoes — a nod to the restaurant’s distinctive Swiss influence. 🥩
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The OG Whipped Sicilian Pizza 🥇: A certified Best of Westchester winner, this crispy, fluffy Sicilian-style pie is filled with house-made whipped ricotta cheese, topped with MUTTI tomato marinara and roasted garlic.
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Vodka Chicken Parm: The classic chicken parm elevated with a signature vodka sauce and served with freshly made rigatoni.
- Pinwheel Lasagna: Oven-baked with a gloriously crispy top layer and a soft, delicate interior, rolled with Bolognese, creamy ricotta, and freshly grated Pecorino Romano.
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Buratta E Prosciutto: Creamy mozzarella paired with Prosciutto di Parma sliced to order, a Sicilian-style breaded artichoke heart, Italian grape tomato salsa crudo, and a balsamic glaze. 🫙
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Breaded Buratta Gnocchi: Light, fluffy pillows of house-made potato gnocchi tossed in basil pesto and finished with crispy breaded burrata and Pecorino Romano.
- Calamari Fritti: Served with a special white wine, hot cherry peppers, lemon, and black olive sauce — a fan-favorite appetizer. 🦑
Atmosphere
La Lanterna is cozy, warm, and elegantly inviting — a restaurant that strikes the rare balance between fine dining and neighborhood comfort.
The outdoor Wine & Beer Garden patio has become a summertime obsession for Yonkers locals, offering a relaxed, social vibe that reviewers describe as having “a nice backyard family feel.” 🌿
Indoors, the ambiance is intimate and romantic, which is precisely why the Yonkers Chamber of Commerce has recognized it as the most romantic restaurant in the city.
Bottom Line
La Lanterna is a 35-year Yonkers institution delivering Italian-Swiss fine dining with generous portions, award-winning pizza, handcrafted pastas, and legendary hospitality — all in one of Westchester’s most charming settings.
It’s not just dinner; it’s an experience worth every single mile of the drive. 🌟
Address:
23 Gray Oaks Ave, Yonkers, NY 10710
📞 (914) 476-3060
🕔 Open Tue–Thu: 4:00 PM–9:00 PM | Fri: 11:30 AM–9:30 PM | Sat: 3:00 PM–9:30 PM | Sun: 3:00 PM–8:30 PM (Closed Mondays)