Café Luce

235 E 53rd St, New York
(646) 590-2777

Recent Reviews

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Nicholas Ray

Excellent food & service. Our waitress went above and beyond.

Nikole Fel

The waitress was friendly, she didn’t check on us when we received our food but that’s fine she was managing the place with one other person. Overall, the pasta was extremely bland. We had vodka sauce and the spicy red sauce, neither worth it. Wouldn’t recommend them. Our cheese plate, the cheese was all hard it was the end of the cheese cuts and some bruised and soft grapes. Don’t recommend this either. The front door is broken so the cold area constantly comes in. They do try to keep it closed - but it’s inevitable every time it opens. The bathroom is disgusting and smells like old stale cigarettes. That’s the worst part honestly. It’s really nasty. They have a very slim wine selection, yet they call themselves a wine bar. They say their pasta is homemade, it’s not worth it. We won’t be back.

Liliana Petrucelli

If you’re looking for authentic Italian cuisine, look no further than Cafe Luce! I recently dined there, and every aspect of the experience was simply delightful.

From the moment I walked in, the inviting ambiance enveloped me, complete with charming decor that made me feel right at home.

The star of the meal was undoubtedly the fresh pasta. I indulged in their homemade fettuccine tossed in a creamy Alfredo sauce, and it was nothing short of spectacular. The pasta was cooked to perfection—al dente with a wonderful texture that is hard to find elsewhere. Each bite was light yet incredibly satisfying. I also tried their signature bolognese, which was rich and full of flavor, reflecting the care and authenticity that goes into their cooking.

To complement the meal, I enjoyed a lovely glass of wine from their carefully curated selection. The staff was knowledgeable and helpful, guiding me to the perfect pairing that enhanced the flavors of the dish beautifully.

Don’t forget to save room for dessert! I had the tiramisu, and it was the perfect sweet ending to a wonderful meal.

Overall, Cafe Luce is a must-visit for anyone who loves Italian food, fresh pasta, and a good glass of wine. The combination of delicious food, excellent service, and a cozy atmosphere makes for an unforgettable dining experience. I can’t wait to return!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

m m

Service was amazing . We had happy hour special red wine and zucchini sticks and bruschetta. Food and service was wonderful!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

J B

Great atmosphere and service. Placed was packed and we were greeted immediately and given a table within minutes. Food was delicious. The wine too!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

James York

I was in NYC for a work trip and stopped in here because it had 4.7 stars, almost 1000 reviews, and moderately priced food. Cafe Luce was delicious! We tried a little bit of everything on the menu. The lasagna was the prize - huge portion with loads of flavor. All the dishes had perfectly prepared noodles.
Don't sit by the entrance door in the winter. It doesn't close and can get breezy and cold. Cafe Luce needs to repair this.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Shirley W

Found this place when we originally wanted to try Tomi Jazz but that line was too long.

Handmade pasta is delicious, and we also got the burrata salad. Super cute decor feels very homey. Had a great dinner here with my girls and would definitely come back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Burrata Salad

Sumita Khatri

Excellent service, food and ambience. A special experience. Fun and a neighborhood friendly place

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Alla Vodka

Joel Martin

no flavor! I ordered chicken with pasta pomodoro.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Carmen

The food was just okay for the price that it is. Lasagna should’ve been warmer and it was very beefy. Pasta isn’t cooked al dente and gets a bit soft and lost in the sauce. The grilled shrimp is good ($8 for 5 pieces) but the grilled chicken add on is dry. Good portions and friendly service but probably would not return.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 4

Marly Salmeron

Such a hidden gem. The food was elite and the service was excellent. The fried burrata was 10/10 we had two orders and the alfredo mushroom the best ive had in a while. New favorite spot in nyc.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

dalton loughlin

Beautiful 👍

Worth it

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Frederique Amrouni

Excellent! A very good selection of wines, including by the glass, and the pasta are delicious - refined and tasty. Cosy restaurant and very friendly service. Merci!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

JJ Toshiba

The seafood special was amazing and the serving sizes for all four of us were fulfilling. We also had the octopus carpacio and Caesar salad appetizers. Definitely worth a visit and repeat visits.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Wendy Oxenhorn

A surprise to find east Village bohemian atmosphere with four star food and you feel like you've gotten 100 years back into the Victorian age Has to be one of the most wonderful places for a first date
I'm in love with this place- And the food is outstanding, which is an extra bonus.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

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