South of France

Experience old-world charm at Luca Bistro in historic Mt. Adams, where Chef Frédéric brings the sunlit flavors of the south of France to the heart of Cincinnati. From leisurely weekend brunches to candlelit dinners, every plate — and every glass of rosé — is a celebration of la joie de vivre. Pull up a chair on the patio and stay awhile.

Our story

A love letter to the south of France.

Chef Frédéric Maniet grew up in the south of France, and Luca Bistro is his love letter to it — a small Mt. Adams bistro on a mission to make French cooking feel as warm and unhurried as a long Provençal lunch.

The kitchen cooks the classics with care and a southern accent: bouillabaisse and moules marinière, panisse marseillais and ratatouille, a proper salade niçoise, and an all-French wine list that turns proudly all-rosé through the summer.

Every table is an invitation to slow down and savor — a little taste of la joie de vivre in the heart of Mt. Adams.

Roasted goat cheese salad at Luca Bistro

From the kitchen

Signature Dishes

Roasted Goat Cheese Salad at Luca Bistro

Roasted Goat Cheese Salad

Walnuts, grapes, bacon, honey balsamic vinaigrette

$17

Moules Marinière with frites at Luca Bistro

Moules Marinière

Celery, shallot & white-wine broth, with frites

$22

Escargot à la Bourguignonne at Luca Bistro

Escargot à la Bourguignonne

Garlic herb butter, on crostini

$13

View the full menu

Un mot de Frédéric

“Summer is when Luca feels most like home to me. The patio is green and shaded, the rosé is cold, and the ratatouille tastes the way it should — like ripe tomatoes and long afternoons. Back home in the south of France, nobody rushes a summer meal, and we don't either. Come for brunch, stay through the afternoon, let us pour you one more glass. Here, you are not a customer — you are family. À bientôt.”

— Frédéric Maniet, chef & propriétaire

Guests sharing coffee and drinks under the trees on Luca Bistro's garden patio
Guests dining under the umbrellas on Luca Bistro's garden patio

Outdoor dining

The garden patio

Tucked behind the bistro, our tree-shaded back patio is a leafy pocket of the south of France in the heart of Cincinnati — green, unhurried, and open for brunch and dinner in season. Pull up a chair under the canopy with a glass of rosé; at Luca, there's always room for one more at the table.

At the bistro

What's On

Rosé All Day 2026

All rosé by the glass · 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM · Luca Bistro, Mt. Adams. Live music and featured artists all season long.

Summer Series 2026

Rosé All Day — August

Rosé All Day 2026 flyer — all rosé by the glass, 10 AM to 9 PM at Luca Bistro in Mt. Adams; May 30, June 27, July 25, and August 29, with live music by Nick Tuttle

August 29th · 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Featured: Jim Conroy · Dahlia Baer · Perfect Pour Jewelry

Live music by Nick Tuttle

Live musicAdd to calendar

A look back at recent events at Luca Bistro.

July 25, 2026 · Rosé All Day

Rosé All Day — July

Featured: Jim Conroy · Dahlia Baer · Perfect Pour Jewelry · Live music by Nick Tuttle

July 10, 2026 · National French Fry Day

Vive la Frite!

Free order of French fries with the purchase of an entrée — crisp, golden pommes frites, celebrated on the patio for National French Fry Day.

June 27, 2026 · Rosé All Day

Rosé All Day — June

Featured: Jim Conroy · Dahlia Baer · Perfect Pour Jewelry · Live music by Nick Tuttle

May 30, 2026 · Rosé All Day

Rosé All Day — May

Featured: Dahlia Baer · Perfect Pour Jewelry · Live music by Nick Tuttle

Celebrate with us

Private dining & celebrations

Parties of 10 or more

For parties under 10, there's no need to reserve — everyday dining at Luca is walk-in. Private dining is our one exception, and it begins at 10 guests: birthdays, showers, rehearsal dinners, family gatherings, holiday parties, and more. Your group can order from our regular menu, or ask us about a prix fixe menu for the table.
Tell us about your event below — the form opens an email to events@lucabistro.com ready to send.

The atmosphere

A glimpse inside

Moules-frites Escargots on crostini Goat cheese salad Burger and fries Vol-au-vent pastry
Stella Artois bottle and glass Kronenbourg 1664 draft Draft beer being poured Beer lineup at the bar Chimay goblet
Full dining room Wide shot of restaurant Evening ambience Daytime dining Long banquette
Sunny back patio with striped awning and umbrellas at Luca Bistro in Mt. Adams, Cincinnati Green garden patio courtyard at Luca Bistro, Mt. Adams Guests dining under the tree canopy on Luca Bistro's garden patio Server on the busy outdoor dining patio at Luca Bistro, Cincinnati Guests enjoying outdoor dining on the back patio at Luca Bistro in Mt. Adams
Full building corner view

Press

In the news

Cincinnati Enquirer

Rediscover French Bistro Dining in Cincinnati's Most Memorable Neighborhood

Chef Frédéric Maniet helms a classic French bistro in Mt. Adams — Cincinnati's prettiest neighborhood — serving timeless dishes like steak frites and cod Provençal in a warm, unhurried atmosphere.

Cincinnati Magazine

Best New Restaurants No. 9: Luca Bistro

Luca Bistro has seamlessly integrated into the Mt. Adams neighborhood — warm service, timeless French fare, and relaxed joie de vivre making it feel like a well-established gem rather than a relatively new restaurant.

Whatever

Close To Home: Luca Bistro

A personal dispatch from Mt. Adams: behind the bright red façade is an easygoing room and a menu of French standards done well — grilled shrimp kabob, steak frites, and an orange crème brûlée that round out a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

Cincinnati CityBeat

Newly Opened Luca Bistro Showcases French Cuisine in a New Light

Simple and French cuisine make up the unlikely duo at the newly opened Luca Bistro in Mt. Adams. Chef Frédéric Maniet grew up in the south of France and is on a mission to make French cooking approachable in Cincinnati.

Baubles to Bubbles

Luca Bistro in Mt. Adams

An early look at the Mt. Adams newcomer — a tightly focused menu of approachable French cooking, from shrimp kabob to lamb, plated with care in a warm, unpretentious setting.

Say bonjour

Contact

No reservation needed

Every table at Luca is walk-in, every day we're open. There's no list to join and no table to book — just come by and we'll take care of you.

Planning a celebration of 10 or more? That's our one exception — see private dining & celebrations.

For anything else — questions, feedback, or a note for the kitchen — send us a message below and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Join the team

Jobs

We'd love to have you join our team! Please use the form below to apply. Feel free to send in your resume even if you don't see the position you're looking for listed.

Busser

As a busser, you're the quiet engine behind a smooth service — clearing, sanitizing, and resetting tables so every guest feels welcome, and keeping the dining room stocked with silverware, glassware, napkins, and water. You'll work shoulder to shoulder with our servers and kitchen to keep the room turning cleanly and calmly all evening. It's a great fit for someone dependable, quick on their feet, and glad to be part of a close, fast‑moving team. No prior experience necessary.

Thu, Fri, Sat · 4–9pm

Host Position

As host, you're the first and last impression at Luca Bistro. You'll warmly greet every guest, manage the flow of the dining room and bar, give honest wait times, and seat parties so service runs smoothly from open to close. Because we don't take reservations, you'll be the calm, friendly face who keeps a busy walk‑in room organized and welcoming. We're looking for someone with strong people and organizational skills who genuinely enjoys taking care of guests from the moment they arrive until they head home.

Thu, Fri, Sat · 4–9pm

Kitchen Help — Breakfast & Lunch

Join our kitchen for breakfast and lunch service as a line and prep cook. You'll prep fresh ingredients each morning, cook our brunch and lunch classics — omelettes, quiches, croques, salads, and sandwiches — and help keep the line clean, stocked, and moving. These are daytime hours at a steady, friendly pace — ideal for someone who takes pride in their work and wants to sharpen their skills in a from‑scratch French kitchen. Prior line or prep experience is preferred.

Mon–Fri · 7am–2pm

Pantry / Line & Prep Cook

This role runs our pantry station — building the salads, starters, and desserts that open and close every meal — along with line and prep work through dinner service. You'll plate with care, keep your station clean and organized, and prep ahead for the days to come. It's a great spot for a detail‑oriented cook who loves the finishing touches and wants hands‑on time in a busy, from‑scratch bistro kitchen. Pantry, line, or prep experience is preferred; a strong work ethic is a must.

Tue–Sat · 1–9pm

Please complete the form below or send your information (including resume) to jobs@lucabistro.com. Thank you.

Job seekers are encouraged to email their résumé, along with their contact information, to jobs@lucabistro.com.