This Michigan Pizza Joint Turns Lasagna Into A Local Legend
Capitol Park wears its history in brick and stone, and La Lanterna fits right into the rhythm. Revived downtown after decades, the restaurant is known for wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas, but watch the tables and you’ll notice something else.
Pasta plates slip out of the kitchen with a kind of inevitability, none more magnetic than the Lasagna alla Bolognese. It arrives bubbling, layered deep, every forkful anchoring conversation.
I ordered it once out of curiosity and left convinced, it deserves its reputation. Detroit has plenty of pies, but this lasagna rewrites what you think the star should be.
Pizza Joint Bona Fides
Capitol Park’s energy spills right into the dining room, where brick walls and tall windows set a warm backdrop. The oven fires steadily, filling the room with the scent of charred dough.
Pizzas come Neapolitan-style, crust blistered from heat, toppings handled with balance. The menu stretches into pastas too, keeping both halves of Italian tradition alive.
I liked that balance. Walking in, I thought “pizza joint,” but seeing pasta plates land at nearby tables made the space feel fuller than expected.
The Legendary Layer Cake
The lasagna alla Bolognese arrives built in neat layers: pasta sheets, creamy béchamel, and a sauce that leans deep, rich, and meaty. Every forkful combines those elements in perfect proportion.
La Lanterna doesn’t chase twists. It’s traditional, and that’s the strength. Golden on top, soft inside, it’s built to highlight patience in cooking.
Order it without sides. The portion stands on its own, and saving room lets you appreciate every layer without distraction.
National Nod
LoveFood named it Michigan’s best lasagna, lifting it from local favorite to statewide headline. That recognition put La Lanterna into national conversations.
For a neighborhood place, that kind of attention confirms what regulars already knew. Awards keep new diners coming, but the plate itself sustains loyalty.
I smiled when I learned about the award after eating. It didn’t surprise me—it just felt like an official stamp on what my taste buds already decided.
Price And Proof
Menus list the lasagna clearly, with its full description and cost: $21.00 for the Lasagna alla Bolognese. The clarity makes choosing simple, no guesswork involved.
That straightforwardness reflects La Lanterna’s approach. What’s written online is what arrives at your table, hot, layered, and portioned generously.
I liked that the price felt appropriate. For a dish built with this level of care, it landed as value instead of indulgence, something you’d gladly return for again.
More Than One Way
Order the Tris di Pasta and you get to try the lasagna alongside two other house specialties. It’s a sampler designed for curiosity.
This option shows how La Lanterna understands its diners. Instead of forcing one choice, it gives people a way to explore and compare.
Split it with a friend. Sampling three pastas together turns the meal into a conversation, and the lasagna inevitably becomes the star of that trio.
Downtown Easy
La Lanterna anchors 1224 Griswold Street, tucked into the bustle of Capitol Park. Tall glass, brick facades, and surrounding storefronts keep it lively.
Getting there is simple whether you’re walking from a nearby hotel or sliding in from a workday downtown. Hours are posted and reliable.
I liked the shift in pace stepping inside. The city hum outside gave way to the glow of ovens and chatter of diners, making it feel like a pause without leaving downtown.
Old Name, New Energy
The La Lanterna name has been part of Detroit dining since the mid-20th century, known for pizzas and pasta before closing for a time. Its revival in Capitol Park brought the story back.
Now, brick ovens blaze again, and the lasagna has stepped into the spotlight as much as the pies. Tradition and reinvention meet in one dining room.
I liked that sense of history. Eating there felt like participating in a continuation rather than starting something new.
Crowd Receipts
Traveler reviews on TripAdvisor and write-ups in local press keep circling the same dish: the lasagna alla Bolognese. Diners mention it with consistency that feels almost scripted.
That repetition shows stability. A single rave might fade, but year after year the same praise builds confidence.
Tip: trust the crowd. When different voices keep returning to the same plate, it’s usually a sign the hype matches the fork.
Sibling Spirit
La Lanterna’s lasagna doesn’t live only downtown. Sister spots within the same restaurant group serve it too, carrying the recipe into new corners of the city.
The spread gives more diners access, while keeping the dish consistent across menus. It’s not diluted—it travels with its identity intact.
I liked knowing it wasn’t locked to one address. Even outside Capitol Park, ordering the lasagna still felt like connecting back to the original.
Lunch Or Dinner Fit
The schedule covers both midday and evening, with hours posted clearly online. That reliability means you can plan it as a quick lunch or stretch it into dinner downtown.
The kitchen shifts smoothly between those times, plating lighter portions earlier and leaning heartier once the dinner crowd fills in.
Tip: go for an early dinner. The crowd is calmer, you’ll have more space, and the lasagna feels like a centerpiece rather than just another order.
Order Options
Delivery apps carry the lasagna as a featured item, alongside pizzas and other house pastas. It’s one of the dishes that translates best into takeout.
Packaging keeps it neat, with layers holding together surprisingly well in transit. Flavor stays intact, though crisp edges soften a little on the ride.
I tried it at home once and still enjoyed it, but the texture by the oven wins. Fresh at the table is where it really shines.
Pizza-Plus Play
Pairing a pizza with lasagna turns a table into an Italian sampler, showcasing both the oven and the kitchen’s layering skills. It’s indulgent, but balanced.
La Lanterna encourages sharing, and the combination makes sense: charred crust in one bite, rich béchamel and sauce in the next.
I liked this approach best with friends. Splitting both dishes kept the meal lively, and it felt like the truest way to see what the restaurant can do.
Local Chorus
Regional outlets, radio mentions, and roundups keep pointing back to the lasagna. Each new article feels less like discovery and more like a reminder.
That steady spotlight proves the dish has staying power. It isn’t a trend, it’s woven into Detroit’s current food map.
If you’re visiting the city, add this to your list. Media attention lines up neatly with the local word-of-mouth.
Simple Verdict
Pizza may headline the sign out front, but the lasagna has stolen a place as the restaurant’s signature. Its reputation is now just as strong.
Many diners come for a slice and leave surprised by the pasta’s pull. That shift has become part of La Lanterna’s charm.
I walked out convinced of one thing: the real Detroit move is to order both, but if you pick one, make it the lasagna.