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Cafe Luce
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New York

Cafe Luce

★★★★★ 4.7 · 0 reseñas

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...

Cafe Luce

Italian · New York

4.7 · 1,300 reviews Google

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www.cafelucenyc.com

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

Cacio E Pepe (3) Shashuka omelette pancakes spinach salad with salmon carbonara Caesar Salad chicken parm with penne vodka

Best For

Couples Families Groups Brunch Casual Tourists

Tip: Happy hour is from 11-6. Consider adding burrata to the arrabiata. Get the vodka sauce; portions are large.

Features

📶 WiFi 🅿️ Parking 🚗 Delivery 🍽️ Lunch 🌙 Dinner 🥗 Vegetarian 🌱 Vegan Coffee
🎯 Casual 🛋️ Cozy 💕 Romantic Trendy 👨‍👩‍👧 Family

What to see nearby

Sutton Place Synagogue
A 172m

Sutton Place Synagogue

sinagoga

View details
St. Peter's Lutheran Church
A 258m

St. Peter's Lutheran Church

iglesia

View details
St. John the Evangelist's Church
A 289m

St. John the Evangelist's Church

iglesia

View details
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Metropolitan New York City
A 300m

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Metropolitan New York City

edificio

View details
Sinagoga Central
Heritage
A 336m

Sinagoga Central

sinagoga

View details
Biblioteca del Instituto Cervantes de Nueva York - Jorge Luis Borges
A 343m

Biblioteca del Instituto Cervantes de Nueva York - Jorge Luis Borges

biblioteca

View details

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 is located at 235 E 53rd St, Manhattan, NY 10022, New York.
Near Cafe Luce you can find points of interest such as Sutton Place Synagogue, St. Peter's Lutheran Church, St. John the Evangelist's Church, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Metropolitan New York City.
Cafe Luce offers italian cuisine.
Cafe Luce has regular opening hours. Check their profile for updated schedules.
Cafe Luce offers the following services: dine-in, takeaway, delivery.
The most recommended dishes at Cafe Luce based on customer reviews are: Cacio E Pepe, Shashuka, omelette, pancakes, spinach salad with salmon.
Cafe Luce is ideal for couples, families, groups, brunch, casual dining, tourists.
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.
Happy hour is from 11-6. Consider adding burrata to the arrabiata. Get the vodka sauce; portions are large.
1,300
Reviews

Cafe Luce New York Reviews

4.7
1,300
5★
87%
4★
6%
3★
3%
2★
2%
1★
3%
Reviews (23)
S
Semra

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.

D
Daisy Arias

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.

Nadine Benny
Nadine Benny

Absolutely lovely place with really friendly staff. I was craving a Caesar Salad on break from a conference and this one did not disappoint. It was copious and the side of grilled chicken was juicy and flavourful.

Nico Soerink
Nico Soerink

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.

May Htun
May Htun

Absolutely wonderful. The staff were so kind and supportive. I enjoyed a delicious carbonara here! So happy I stumbled upon this place!

M.
M.

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!!

Marla McCaffrey
Marla McCaffrey

It was my grandson‘s birthday. We had the most fabulous meal. The pasta was incredible. The service was fantastic. We can’t wait to come back again. If we’re ever in this neighborhood again as we are from Dallas, Texas!

Jezza529
Jezza529

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.

Dubymar Tollinchi
Dubymar Tollinchi

The food was delicious, the gluten free pasta was really good, you couldn’t tell the difference. We came for lunch and had some happy hour drinks. The place looks so cozy and authentic. I really had a great time.

John Main
John Main

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

Leila Habibi
Leila Habibi

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

DrMaria Alley
DrMaria Alley

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.

Hanna H
Hanna H

This place became my top favourite Italian restaurant. ✔︎ The service was attentive without being intrusive, creating a truly comfortable dining experience. ✔︎ The cuisine stood out for its authenticity. I will definitely come back to enjoy other flavour soon!

Lynn O'Shields
Lynn O'Shields

Cute little Italian Cafe. The service and the food was exceptional. Happy hour from 11-6. A must try. Will definitely be back when I return to NYC!

Leah Delacruz
Leah Delacruz

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.

Britnee Terrill
Britnee Terrill

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.

Adrian Hoosier
Adrian Hoosier

Sonia is amazing. High end service in casual environment. It's nyc core. Small and cramped but worth it. Cool vibe. Oh and I came on a random Saturday in early September. Pro tip: get the vodka sauce. Large portions.

Abigail N
Abigail N

LOVE Cafe Luce! We’ve been coming here since COVID days, and the quality and taste of the food here stays the same. Everything is amazing, but I would especially recommend the Cacio E Pepe. The service is also amazing, everyone is very friendly. A must visit in NY.

Michelle Crews
Michelle Crews

Super Authentic! Only go there if you're interested in true Italian food- homeade pasta, fresh salads, shareable portions (not super big, but shareable). This is not Olive Garden, so only go here if you're ready to experience Italy.

Joanie A
Joanie A

Absolutely will be back. The atmosphere is great and decorated beautifully. I had the spinach salad with salmon and it was so good. Salmon was some of the best I've had of recent. It was busy and they didn't rush us. They also took people in at 945pm which feels less frequent these days!

Gerardo Raagas
Gerardo Raagas

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.

B
Beverly Ge

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).

Steph W
Steph W

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

How to get there

235 E 53rd St, Manhattan, NY 10022

New York, NY 10022

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Highlights

Highly Rated
4.7/5 stars
💬
Many Reviews
1300 reviews
💰
Moderate Price
Price level
👨‍🍳
italian
Cuisine type

Services

🥐 Brunch
🍽️ Lunch
🍾 Dinner
Coffee
🍰 Desserts
🥗 Vegetarian Options
🌱 Vegan Options
🥡 Takeout
🚚 Delivery
🍴 Dine-in
🚗 Curbside Pickup

Dining Options

🍽️ Dine In
🥡 Takeout
🚚 Delivery
🚗 Curbside Pickup

Restaurant Info

Status
Verified by owner
🕐 Hours Today
11AM-10:30PM
Rating
4.7/5
💬 Reviews
1,300
💰 Price Level
$$
📞 Phone
+1 646-590-2777
🌐 Website
www.cafelucenyc.com
📋 Menu
View Menu

Amenities

📶 Free WiFi
🅿️ Parking
🚻 Restroom
💳 Credit Cards
📱 Mobile Payments
🏘️

The Neighborhood

Location

235 E 53rd St, Manhattan, NY 10022

New York, NY 10022

📍 Explore the Neighborhood

Weather
20°
Weather updated hourly · Jobs and events refreshed daily
Sutton Place Synagogue

synagogue in Manhattan, New York

A 172m
St. Peter's Lutheran Church

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A 258m
St. John the Evangelist's Church

church building in Manhattan, United States of America

A 289m
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Metropolitan New York City

hotel in Manhattan, New York

A 300m
Sinagoga Central Heritage

Sinagoga ubicada en la Ciudad de Nueva York.

A 336m
Biblioteca del Instituto Cervantes de Nueva York - Jorge Luis Borges

biblioteca

A 343m
Modulightor Building

commercial building in Manhattan, New York

A 372m
The Brook

private club located at 111 East 54th Street in Manhattan, New York, United States

A 395m
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