Cafe Luce
Italian · New York
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About Cafe Luce
Cafe Luce is a women-owned gem in New York that warmly welcomes guests into its small, quaint space. Despite narrow floors, the team effortlessly manages a lively yet cozy atmosphere perfect for watching city life from a window seat or enjoying intimate corner tables. Guests rave about the attentive...
Cafe Luce is a women-owned gem in New York that warmly welcomes guests into its small, quaint space. Despite narrow floors, the team effortlessly manages a lively yet cozy atmosphere perfect for watching city life from a window seat or enjoying intimate corner tables. Guests rave about the attentive service, where staff like Joe provide perceptive care and ensure every visit feels special. The menu features authentic Italian favorites such as Cacio e pepe, fresh burrata, and Arrabiata, complemented by an excellent wine list, great cocktails, and delicious desserts. With fast service, curbside pickup, and a soulful vibe that reminds diners of Italy, Cafe Luce delivers an incredible dining experience for lunch, brunch, or special events.
What Customers Say About Cafe Luce
Cafe Luce is a cozy Italian restaurant known for its authentic cuisine, friendly staff, and lively atmosphere. Customers rave about the Cacio e Pepe, pasta dishes, and attentive service, especially from staff like Sonia and Joe. It's a popular spot for both brunch and dinner.
Popular Dishes
Best For
Tip: Happy hour is from 11-6. Consider adding burrata to the arrabiata. Get the vodka sauce; portions are large.
Features
What to see nearby
Data from Wikidata
Explore the area around Cafe Luce
Cafe Luce is located in New York, surrounded by cultural and historical points of interest. Here are some of the most notable places nearby.
Historical Heritage
- Sinagoga Central (A 336m) — Sinagoga ubicada en la Ciudad de Nueva York. Hito histórico nacional
Religious Buildings
- Sutton Place Synagogue (A 172m) — synagogue in Manhattan, New York
- St. Peter's Lutheran Church (A 258m) — Lutheran church in Midtown Manhattan
- St. John the Evangelist's Church (A 289m) — church building in Manhattan, United States of America
Other Points of Interest
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Metropolitan New York City (A 300m) — hotel in Manhattan, New York
- Biblioteca del Instituto Cervantes de Nueva York - Jorge Luis Borges (A 343m) — biblioteca
- Modulightor Building (A 372m) — commercial building in Manhattan, New York
- The Brook (A 395m) — private club located at 111 East 54th Street in Manhattan, New York, United States
- 425 Park Avenue (A 451m) — edificio en Nueva York, Estados Unidos
- 100 United Nations Plaza Tower (A 469m) — rascacielos de Nueva York
Data from Wikidata
Frequently asked questions about Cafe Luce
Cafe Luce New York Reviews
We spend a little bit of time in the Cafe. The atmosphere was very calm and cute. We had little chat with the server. She was so kind. Coffees tasted wonderful. Pistachio cake was delicious and I loved the lemon taste with pistachio. If you need a quiet time in the crazy city give a chance this little cafe.
The vibe of the restaurant is amazing and quaint. I went on a Tuesday which is probably a slow day but I enjoyed the time and even when it filled up it wasn’t noisy and bothersome. The food was great and I did gorge on dessert too but it was worth it honestly. I enjoyed the service as well and didn’t feel overwhelmed at all. It’s a definite try for anyone wanting something casual and kind of communal/family feel vibe to it.
Excellent, excellent, excellent. The service is very attentive. Joe, our waiter, was exceptionally perceptive and accommodating. The food came out promptly and all was delicious. On our short trip from Seattle I am very glad that one of our dinners was spent here. 10/10 worth the stop, I’m fully jealous of anyone who lives close enough to frequent this place. The pesto may have been the best we’ve ever had, and the carbonara was world class.
I noticed this restaurant 2 years ago while in the city on a work trip. It piqued my interest because it looked automatically Italian and I was just back from Italy. Kept the location and FINALLY made it back! Food is DELICIOUS! Charming interior. Delicious St. Germain spritzer. Very eager to go back to the city and dine here again. There are so many dishes I want to try. GO!!
I booked our office holiday dinner here, and I’m so glad we chose this place. It’s such a lovely and cozy spot. Our event was for 25 guests, and everything was perfect. The staff was incredibly friendly and attentive, the service was excellent, and the food was delicious. They even created a cute personalized menu just for us and accommodated a vegan meal option. It was truly a wonderful and memorable event from start to finish.
My wife and daughter and I came for brunch on Saturday early afternoon. Collectively we had Cacio e pepe, limoncello, and arrabiata with an added burrata (definitely do this)! The food was super quick and insanely good! Note to Cafe Luce- your menu is phenomenal! we would love to see a pasta fight as we had a tough decision to make so why not make it there in a fight! Sorry quick edit. I meant pasta flight but my typing is not great lol
A super lovely and cozy spot, with friendliest staff! You won’t believe how narrow the floors are and yet how these guys manage to create a perfect experience for the guests. We loved our both dishes and the focaccia bread. Creamiest Alfredo I’ve had in North America, fr! So happy to have found this gem near our place, won’t have to travel all the way to west village for some great fresh homemade pasta! Thank you Cafe Luce, we WILL be back
Absolutely incredible experience. I didn’t even get a chance to take a photo — the food was that good. Every bite exceeded expectations. What makes this place special is the soul behind it. I met the owner and chef — everything here is personal, heartfelt, and made with care. You can truly taste the difference. This is more than just a meal — it’s a warm, human experience. Highly recommend and will definitely return.
We came to Cafe Luce for brunch and had such a great time! For food we got Shashuka, omelette, cacio e pepe, and pancakes. The pancakes were so fluffy and all the food tasted delicious. The service was especially great, we had Sonia as our waiter and she was extremely nice and attentive.
I had such a great time at Café Luce. The place is small and quaint but still busy with a really nice vibe. I sat at the bar and had a window seat, which was perfect for watching people walk by. The chicken parm with penne vodka was delicious. The chocolate mousse cake was to die for, so rich and smooth. I also tried the Amarena Fizz, a cherry Prosecco cocktail, and it was super refreshing. The bartender was so nice and welcoming, which made the whole night even better. Definitely recommend this spot if you’re looking for good Italian food near by.
The staff were so nice and incredible. They made sure we felt welcomed and accommodated! It wasn’t too crowded Sunday afternoon so we were able to pick a table in the corner. The foot was great and the portions were HUGE! I highly recommend this place if you need a chill lunch or dinner with friends. We always were given time to decide on our order as well. Our waitress was very friendly and gave great recommendations.
Excellent service. A small but cozy and beautifully decorated space. The main detractor for the atmosphere was the fact that we were seated next to a loud party, although of course that isn’t the restaurant’s fault but does reflect the space constraints. My favorite dish was the spaghetti alle vongole. I didn’t find the desserts particularly exceptional (the chocolate mousse cake and the tiramisu).
Review for Brunch Ambiance (3/5): The establishment is split into two narrow rooms, divided by a wall. The interior is extremely cramped between the tables and thereby felt tight despite an empty dining experience during a Sunday brunch. Seats feel tight. There were approximately 3 parties in each of the rooms. The inside is cozy and nicely decorated. Service (5/5): Due to the number of dining patrons, I felt like our service was on-point and we were helped often. They forgot the soft drink we ordered twice. They were polite in waiting to give us the check while we loitered and chatted. Brunch 11am-4p (3/5): I was not impressed with either dish we ordered. Eggs Royale: A fancy eggs Benedict. The salmon cuts had an after taste. The side salad was refreshing and well-seasoned. Croque Madame: The sandwich was hefty/filling. The gravy on top lacked something. The fingerling potatoes had a nice flavor of rosemary.
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About Cafe Luce
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235 E 53rd St, Manhattan, NY 10022
New York, NY 10022
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