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Just 2 years into business, this Mechanicsburg spot is becoming know for real deal Italian cuisine
In a quiet corner of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, a dream born on the shores of southern Italy is playing out in warm, glowing detail at Luna Italian Cuisine. Here, the aroma of seafood simmering in a creamy limoncello sauce floats through the air, wine flows generously, and neighbors gather around tables like family; often for the first time, but sometimes for the fiftieth.
Luna opened in March 2023, the creation of owner Giovanni Scotto and his longtime friend and chef, Tony Coppola. Both men share deep roots along the Amalfi Coast, and after years of working separately in the restaurant world - Giovanni in fast food management and Tony as a chef - they reunited with a common vision: to bring the flavor and spirit of their homeland to central Pennsylvania.
“The restaurant is a tribute to where we come from,” Giovanni says. “We wanted to serve the food we grew up eating, with that sense of southern Italian hospitality - warm, generous, full of heart.” Together with Giovanni’s daughter, Rossella Scotto, who helps manage the business, they’ve turned Luna into something more than just a restaurant. It’s a destination, a meeting place, a little piece of Italy nestled into a Pennsylvania neighborhood.
Step inside Luna and the world seems to slow down. The lighting is soft, the music familiar yet unobtrusive, and the clink of glasses and laughter from nearby tables all contribute to an atmosphere that feels less like dining out and more like being welcomed into someone’s home. The staff greets newcomers with the same warmth they offer returning guests, many of whom are now greeted by name. It's this balance of polish and personal connection that turns a good meal into a memorable evening.
The name “Luna” - Italian for “moon” - was inspired by a conversation Giovanni had in the early days of planning. “Everyone was talking about reaching for the moon, going to Mars. It reminded me that we’re always reaching higher too,” he says. “This restaurant is about dreams, about aiming high and following your passion.”
And that passion is clear in every detail. From imported ingredients - many sourced directly from Italy - to the carefully curated dishes, nothing here is rushed or done halfway. Chef Tony’s signature “Amalfi Coast” dish exemplifies that commitment to flavor and creativity. A seafood medley dressed in a silky, limoncello-infused cream sauce, it’s a nod to the lemons and ocean that define his hometown, and it’s quickly become a favorite on the menu.
Of course, opening any restaurant comes with challenges. “Finances are always a hurdle,” Rossella admits. “And importing products has only gotten more expensive with changing tariffs. But we’ve faced obstacles before, and our love for this work keeps us moving forward.” It helps that the community has responded with open arms. One couple, new to the neighborhood, wandered in one evening just looking for a casual dinner. They ended up staying for hours, chatting with the staff, sipping wine, and ordering course after course. As they left, they told the team, “This reminds us of our honeymoon in Positano.” They’ve been regulars ever since.
That’s exactly the kind of experience the team hopes to create. “It’s not just about feeding people,” Rossella says. “It’s about making them feel at home, giving them a meal that brings back a memory or creates a new one.”
And now, Luna is growing. In February, the team took over Visaggio’s in nearby Enola, offering a larger space for events and celebrations. And this October, they’ll open a second Luna location in Linglestown, allowing them to bring their food and philosophy to even more tables.
Still, no matter how far Luna expands, the heart of the business remains the same. “It all goes back to passion,” says Giovanni. “We’re a family doing what we love—sharing the food of our heritage and creating a place where people feel welcome.”
At Luna, it’s not just dinner. It’s a journey - one that starts in the hills of Campania and finds its way, dish by dish, to a little corner of Pennsylvania.
Operating Hours and Location
Luna Italian Cuisine are open Monday - Thursday from 11PM to 9:30PM, Friday from 11AM to 10PM, Saturday from 12AM to 10PM, Sunday from 12PM to 9:30PM at 100 Legacy Pk Dr #102 Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.
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