Made a reservation to eat at this restaurant on the Sunday evening of Easter, based on a recommendation from the hotel we were staying in
The restaurant is modern, well designed and furnished creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. We were seated at a table for two which was a little cramped but not impossible and were quickly served with bread, butter and a small bowel of olives: all very nice and fresh.
The restaurant was virtually full and buzzing but the noise levels were not intrusive. Service was prompt and efficient although at times a little distracted but overall ok.
The menu is quite extensive covering all the dishes expected from an Italian restaurant. We asked if the fish was fresh or frozen (being the third day of a public holiday) and we were assured that this was fresh! However, we chose fried calamari to start then one fillet steak and one veal chop; both mains at £24.50 each.
The calamari was served with a small amount of mayonnaise and a wedge of lemon. Although the calamari had a good flavor, the dish was a disappointment as it was more like calamari 'scraps' than rings taken from a good meaty squid. The presentation didn't excite the taste buds as the small portion of calamari pieces were scatted around the plate making it look very sad and pitiful; Based on what we were served, I would not recommend or order this dish again.
The grilled to order filet steak was of a good size and quality. It was requested to be cooked at medium but came as medium rare but the flavor and texture were excellent. The veal T-bone chop was a little mean in size and being thin had been overcooked so the slightly dry meat was not a great success. A side dish of potatoes and mixed vegetables was fine.
The short wine list also covered the Italian classic's and was not unreasonable priced.
Overall, this appeared to be a good popular restaurant. The food was adequate but not really up the the pricing of the dishes. Service was a little 'slap dash' with waiting a long time for the bill and then being presented with the bill of another table.
I would probably return to this restaurant but first impressions are of a restaurant that has a good reputation and a full clientele but has slightly 'taken its eye off the mark ' and become complacent in providing a consistent good service and producing good quality dishes.

Fantastic food, great service. One of the best Italian restaurants I have ever been to. I would thoroughly recommend a visit.

Great menu and a great atmosphere. There were four of us for dinner and between us we ate 11 separate dishes, all fantastic. The wine list is really good and the service as good as any I've had in some high end restaurants, very efficient and unobtrusive. Very impressive.

Had a very enjoyable family lunch. Extensive menu with wide variety of dishes to suit all tastes and budgets. Very attentive staff and food all very attractively presented and very tasty too. Recommended and hope to return in the future.

Visited this evening for our wedding anniversary meal, the choice on the menu was excellent, and the food lived up to expectations, service was great we would definitely recommend, and will visit again if we come to Eastbourne

Magnifico😊!

We had a lovely meal, well served and great value for money. We booked and went on a Saturday evening, so busy and lively all evening, but all went very smoothly.

We took friends here for a birthday dinner. Everything was excellent - the ambience, the quality and presentation of our meal, the professionalism of the staff. A thoroughly enjoyable meal at a very reasonable price.

Excellent food.... fresh and tasty. Good size portions.<br>Excellent set menus and good value for money.<br>Varied a la carte.<br>Excellent staff who make you feel welcome.<br>Very clean surroundings beautiful and calm colours.<br>We've been going there for the past 11 years.... definitely our favourite restaurant.<br>We take our visiting friends and meet up often with our local friends. They cater for large groups e.g. birthdays, retirements anniversaries.<br>Recommend booking so as not to be disappointed...... gets busy especially weekends.

Fantastic

Excellent food & service , totally recommend .

I can't believe a year has passed since we were last here ... again treated by some friends to dinner to celebrate our birthdays!
This time it was a Sunday evening and despite it being Mothers' Day the staff were still friendly, welcoming and smiling. My husband had battered prawns for starters followed by veal milanese, whilst I had seared scallops followed by veal in a mushroom/cream sauce. All of which were delicious. Yet again we didn't have space for any desert although one of our group had tiramisu which looked lovely. Maybe next time??
Hopefully it won't be a year before we're back again.

Had a great after theatre dinner. food was really good especially the fillet steak and monk fish, the fried zucchini. staff were professional and attentive and ensured a really enjoyable and relaxing evening

This was our first visit to La Locanda Del Duca.;We were impressed,in fact very much so.. The staff are polite and friendly,attentive but not intrusive. Within a minute after finishing a course one would appear at the table,but at no time did you feel that they were hovering. We both thoroughly enjoyed our meals and the wine was all that I asked for.This is definitely somewhere to go for that occasion.

We had a wonderful afternoon - amazing food and delightful service - the perfect way to enjoy an afternoon for a birthday celebration- definitely our favourite restaurant!

We had a lovely family meal for my parent’s 60th Wedding Anniversary. The food was delicious and our waiter Acacio was very attentive and thoroughly entertaining. He made the already perfect visit, even more enjoyable. At the end of the meal, my parents were given a complimentary dessert with a candle in and an anniversary card that really made their day. I thoroughly recommend this restaurant and the staff (especially Acacio) and will be back....soon!

Fantastic Sunday Lunch for my Mothers day treat for both my parents. No where better to go for special occasions. 5 stars everytime for food, friendly staff and service would not dream of going anywhere else in Eastbourne

La Locanda always make you feel welcome. It feels like you are dining a friends house.
My wife had the Salmon and I had the Lasagna. Both exquisite dishes.We are always well looked after and have eaten there many times.However, it doesn't seem to matter if it's your first visit or like us, regular visitors, the service is always the same - excellent

Always a great dining experience!

Excellent food. Waiting area is a little disappointing but great atmisohere

My favorite place for food from Italy the family loved it and it is now my regular spot. Try it you wont be dissapointed

We celebrated a friends 65th birthday with 6 other friends, the restaurant made every effort to make the evening special. The service was excellent and food was delicious. Most enjoyable evening.

Reasonable food but overrated and very expensive for what it is. Massive dining room, very crowded and extremely noisy. Waiting staff were pleasant, helpful and efficient.

As I work away I eat out a lot, chains, franchise and privately ran. All cuisines.
This Italian is fantastic! The food, the service and atmosphere is up there with the best.
Best part is it’s reasonably priced and NOt a rip off. Highly recommended

We recently had lunch at La Locanda and it was a very happy experience. We went to celebrate my 9 year old's birthday and were accompanied by her Great Auntie. We couldn't have asked for more friendly and accommodating service. My daughter was also delighted to receive special birthday wishes and felt very grown up indeed. The food was superb: I had the seafood stew and my aunt had the monk fish in white wine sauce. The girls enjoyed their pasta. I would recommend this restaurant very much if you like to eat good food in a relaxed atmosphere while feeling looked after.