The food was incredible. Everything was homemade and delicious! The spaghetti and meatballs were perfect. The staff made the experience special by recommending wine and dishes for us to try! read more

Cafe Luce Midtown East - Spaghetti & Meatballs - Italian Near Me - Manhattan, New York

I came here as part of the group. We came here for drinks, and they were broadly fine, but wow the experience was rather blah. a. The seats were crazy tight, even for NYC. It just got to the point that it was uncomfortable... even for the skinny and petite people. b. The staff was definitely trying too hard to the point that it was uncomfortable. They interrupted thrilling conversations at the worst times to push us to order things from the menu that we didn't want to. They were polite about it, but I wish they could read the room a bit better. read more

Finally, two years after spotting Cafe Luce, I've had time to dine here on one of my NYC trips! It did not disappoint! I started with a Hugo Spritz which was light and delightful! Went with tap water but they do have Aqua Pani like served in Italy. I ordered bolognese on gluten-free penne. It was delicious -- comfort food to the max! I think I would choose gluten free spaghetti noodles next time to go with the bolognese, just for the classic spaghetti feel. The bolognese sauce is not spicy, if curious. I also ordered a side of grilled chicken. To my surprise, it was served already cut into bits. No problem with that, just didn't expect it. The grilled chicken had fantastic flavor and there was a generous portion, as with the pasta. My friend ordered rigatoni alla vodka and added chicken. This was my favorite dish!! About halfway through our meals, we traded and continued eating. The flavor of the vodka sauce and the rigatoni were both absolutely delectable! Caution for those of us with dairy and gluten issues the way this one was ordered, though. I wanted dessert but was stuffed. The only thing I think would've made it better would be bread or a side salad to accompany the meal but that's very American of me. Those do not accompany meals in Italy. I loved the cozy, total NYC mom & pop ambiance. Tables are very close quarters but I do expect that in NYC (like Italy). The decor is very cozy, it was a healthy level or warm from the December cold & the service was very friendly and caring. I'll be back as soon as I can get back to NYC! read more

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Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the main tourist areas, this little Italian gem is absolutely worth discovering. The space is tiny and cozy with that charming, intimate feel you only get in authentic neighborhood spots. Our server was friendly, attentive, and made us feel right at home. I came here specifically craving traditional bruschetta and it did not disappoint! The bread was perfectly toasted, the tomatoes were fresh and flavorful, and with just a drizzle of balsamic and olive oil, it was pure heaven. For our mains, we tried the spaghetti bolognese and the cacio e pepe , both were delicious, perfectly portioned, and full of rich, comforting flavor. The restaurant is quite small, so expect to be close to neighboring tables, but that's part of its charm. If you're looking for authentic, high quality Italian in Manhattan without the tourist crowds, I highly recommend this spot! read more

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My mom and I wanted Italian food and due to rating we walked over 15 minutes to get here. It seemed like we were the first ones for lunch. Despite out hot it was outside, until we mentioned how hot it was they didn't turn on the AC... we ordered a buratta salad and a pene Ala vodka and chicken cutlet... the cheese on the salad was old and the portion was way too small, like nothing was there... and the boasted authentic Italian meal was lost on us as we tasted the pasta. We've had better many other places. And for what you pay, you certaintly dont get what you should. We didn't like the vibe of the server/hostess who were regarding us a little hostility and just overall it's not worth it. read more

Cafe Luce Midtown East - Italian Near Me - Manhattan, New York

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I eat a late dinner at Luće when I fly into town from LA. It's open late and it's warm and welcoming. Norma makes the vibes great

Went to dinner with a group. The smell of pot wafting off the kitchen staff and waitstaff was noticeable the minute we walked in. Overtook the food aroma. Typical overly sauced Italian American food. Tastes good (not great). Not Italian. Pasta quality was good but the dishes overall were drowning in whatever sauce was ordered. For example the Caprese Pasta description sounds light and fresh but garlic white wine sauce came out weirdly thickened and heavy. Eggplant rotatini appetizer was disappointing in flavor. The eggplant was nice but just rolled around an unseasoned blob of ricotta. The octopus appetizer had a strong fishy flavor and not as tender as I've had elsewhere. The salad it came with was very good. Overall takeaway- there's much better Italian to be found in NYC read more

Stopped in here after a long day walking around. The vibe inside was so nice, it was comfy but also chic. The mushroom Alfredo was absolutely incredible and the rest of the menu looked really good as well. Everyone working was extremely kind and attentive, though our server told us the wine we wanted was only $10 and on the bill it was $12. Not going to cause an issue over $2 but still. Would definitely go back! read more

Cafe Luce Midtown East - Italian Near Me - Manhattan, New York

We came in as a party of 14 and they were able to accommodate us with ease. The food is amazing. Freshly made pastas with healthy servings. Perfect for us out of towners looking for good Italian. read more

Service was excellent. The food was very flavorful and the menu had a lot of unique options. I find many Italian restaurants serve the same dishes (Scampi, Carbonara, etc.) we sat in the front dining area which is small and quaint. If you get cold, don't dir by the door. The whole aesthetic of the restaurant was really cute. Had flowers, open wine cellar and decor. Overall a really good experience and place to catch up with my friends. It is not too loud so my friends and I really enjoyed our meal while we caught up. All of our dishes were very large in portions and very delicious. Highly recommend read more

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The pasta is all freshly made and delicious. It was the best vodka sauce I've ever had. It's a small and intimate place. The fried burrata was also amazing. Highly recommend if you're in Turtle Bay! read more

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. read more

Cafe Luce Midtown East - Eggs Royale - Italian Near Me - Manhattan, New York

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Beautiful cafe with wonderful service! It was airy and tastefully decorated inside. I got to enjoy a delicious, and huge carbonara while getting some work done. Highly recommend for a cute little date night or for solo travelers seeking good pasta! read more

Cafe Luce Midtown East - Carbonara - Italian Near Me - Manhattan, New York

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Beautiful little restaurant with homemade pasta, great service and selection , every dish we had was excellent, highly recommend read more

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I found Cafe Luce on Google Maps when looking for a Italian restaurant to try for an early dinner. The cafe was small but not very full during early dinner hours on a weekday. We ordered the Bruschetta, Lasagna, and Arrabbiata Spaghetti. Everything was delicious! I would love to return to Cafe Luce on my next trip to NYC. read more

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I came here for some wine and dessert after dinner and it was a good time. The inside of the restaurant is a bit small, so seating was a bit cramped but the ambiance was quiet. Staff was very friendly. I got a couple glasses of wine here and the oreo tiramisu, and it was good! The tiramisu was a good portion, decadent, and came with lots of oreo bits (loved it!). Meanwhile, all of the wines I had were also great. Would love to come back to try their pasta. read more

Cafe Luce Midtown East - Oreo Tiramisu - Italian Near Me - Manhattan, New York

We went to Cafe Luce for a weekday lunch. But we had to wait for more than 30 minutes for salad, 45 minutes for pasta. My friend had to go back to work, so she had to take out her pasta. I had to eat my pasta alone. The food was delicious, but it took too long to be served. The waiter was nice, and he explained that they got a big (delivery) order. Since I made a reservation in advance, they should've managed the order much better. They don't have "lunch special" or "lunch combo", so the price was expensive for lunch. read more

This was our first stop once we landed in NYC and it was so yummy! The alla vodka pasta was delicious! The service was wonderful she gave us recommendations and was very helpful. We didn't have reservations but we went before the dinner rush so they were able to get us in. The inside is nicely decorated! My sister loved her pasta the Quattro Formaggi with the fresh ricotta on top was the perfect touch! Highly recommend! Their pasta is top tier! read more

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Excellent East Side restaurant. Very small but made up for that in ambiance, charm, service and food. Highly recommend for 2-4, if more than that I'd call ahead to check availability and let them set up for it. Super high marks to our server, Bruna. She was fantastic. Also note great gluten free options. read more

Oof. The AC wasn't cutting it on this heatwave day. That kind of messed with our experience slightly because we were so warm. However, the food was delish! I couldn't even finish my penne alla vodka because the portion was huge. But here's the secret- it tasted better cold from the fridge a few hours later! Seating is narrow so probably not good for large parties. read more

Cute neighborhood Italian restaurant with a small bar and dining room. Located on the east side just off 53rd. We made reservations on a Sunday night just to be safe and while it never filled up, I still suggest it as you never know and space is limited. It's cozy, quaint, and everything is made fresh. They make carbonara the right way without cream. Last night the special was an eggplant lasagna, which was wonderful. We started with the smoked salmon bruschetta and the zucchini sticks. Everything we had was wonderful. We did not get any bread, but we noticed other tables did so not sure if you need to order that or if it's part of standard service and we missed out. They have a nice selection of fairly priced wines. There is not a full bar. While our food came out quickly in the end, we did not feel rushed to leave. Enjoy! read more

Cafe Luce Midtown East - Eggplant, lasagna, special, and carbonara - Italian Near Me - Manhattan, New York

This is a cute little Italian place tucked away. The staff is so friendly and attentive with great recommendations. We got vodka rigatoni and cacio e pepe and added chicken to both. The vodka rigatoni was incredibly good, and that's coming from someone who doesn't typically like red sauce. The cacio e pepe was good as well with a sauce that's a little cheesier than most. Would definitely come back to this place! Portions are very large, but prices reflect that as well. $8 extra for still water. read more

I don't think I've ever thought about a pasta as much as I've thought about this one. It was creamy and delicious and worth all the hype. read more

Cafe Luce Midtown East - Italian Near Me - Manhattan, New York

Excellent food and outstanding service! The ambiance is cozy, with kids-friendly options. read more

Cafe Luce Midtown East - Alla Caprese Gnocchi - Italian Near Me - Manhattan, New York

Great Italian restaurant... I really enjoyed the vibe of the restaurant. But let me say, customer service... 100 percent. The bartenders were both really nice. I had a glass of Prosecco on happy hour. Then I moved over to my table when my friend arrived. I ordered pasta in pesto sauce. Great portion size for the price, which I didn't consider to be bad for New York and the size of my plate. I could have easily saved half for later. Lots of pine nuts and fresh cheese. I'm not sure if he was the owner or the manager, but he came over to check on us to see if everything was all right. They had a nice homemade foccacia which is an add on, but a really good oil and cheese blend to dip in. read more

Cafe Luce Midtown East - Italian Near Me - Manhattan, New York

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Food was just okay, overpriced. Noodles undercooked, wine was warm, bar was out of some drinks. Tables are VERY close together, uncomfortable. read more

Always so nice and accommodating when I come in. Amazing ambiance service and food. Recommended!

Looking for an easy dinner, found Cafe Luce along a street lined with restaurants, attracted to the homemade pasta on the menu posted in front of the restaurant. Very happy to find this trattoria, cozy and nice vibes, very nice servers and the chef bringing the plates of pasta to us. Each pasta dish allowed us to select the type of pasta which was really different from other restaurants. We ordered the carbonara with spaghetti and the bolognese with rigatoni. Both were delicious and perfectly prepared. For dessert we had the pana cotta which was served at a good temperature not overly cold. The cappuccino was deliciously good and served in an oversized cup bringing back great memories of my visits to Italy. Definitely will return to try the other pastas. read more

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The food was delicious; my absolute favorite was the classic tiramisu. Service was a little slow at times but it was doable. The reason for the 3 stars is due to the space and the pot/cigarette smell that was coming from the back (which is where we were seated). The smell def wasn't appreciated. The place is extremely cramped and I definitely didn't enjoy the constant bumping by the server and other guests. Really ruined my dinner experience. read more

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Cute space tucked away in Midtown to provide a homey and intimate getaway/ambience! While I was initially taken aback by the pasta prices (considering any protein is an additional charge of at least $6), the portions are very generous - you'll definitely leave either full or taking home leftovers! The Meatballs came out very promptly with the delicious, toasted Focaccia. Our pastas were served more delayed than anticipated but it was good to have a break. My Limoncello pasta was zesty (even the server asked me in advance if I liked lemon cause this pasta was very lemony - he wasn't lying!) but it cuts through the heaviness/any greasiness from the egg-based cream sauce. I thought it was delicious and moreish - especially adds a new depth of flavor with some freshly cracked pepper and red chili flakes. read more

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Food and service are great! Ambiance was great as well. I highly recommend this place.

The ambiance is beautiful, intimate and inviting. We went later on a Thursday night and there were only a few other diners with us. The staff was wonderful and attentive. We ordered a few glasses of wine, a Caesar salad, Penne Vodka and Pesto gnocchi. We were very happy with the portions. The pesto could use some improvement, wasn't very flavorful. Everything else was fantastic. Bathroom was cute and clean. Definitely a nice date night spot. read more

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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. read more

Was it the best chicken parm I've ever had? Not quite. But still, we had a very enjoyable experience. The waitstaff was attentive and kind. The pasta was fresh, and the sauces flavorful without being too salty. The portions were HUGE (~$30 an entree). While the restaurant is narrow and can feel crowded, it adds to its rustic charm--I truly felt like I was dining in an Italian kitchen (just be prepared for a bit less personal space). Can't wait to return for more! 5/5 read more

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Yasssssss... Okay, first of all, I have had amazing lasagna. The kind that you refer all other lasagnas to. The kind that you dream about having as a pillow. Or dream about carrying around like a purse. Or living inside like a cute little cheesey house. Or or or.... Okay I'm getting carried away. This lasagna has taken over that top spot in my heart. It was so good and huge and I ate all but the courtesy bite. Not for courtesy's sake, but because I thought I might explode if I ate any more. I still had shopping and tree viewing ahead of me. The apps were all tasty, the wine was good, the atmosphere was phenomenal and cozy af. read more

Cafe Luce Midtown East - Italian Near Me - Manhattan, New York

This restaurant is very cute, very cozy, and I was very drawn to their menu, given you can mix and match different types of pasta with different pasta sauces. When we arrived for our reservation, we were immediately seated and our orders were taken not long after. Service is great. However, the different pasta dishes were simply okay. The portions were substantial, which I appreciated. It's just that I've had better Italian food. I felt that my gnocchi were swimming in olive oil. A friend of mine ordered pasta with caprese but it was rather bland. The best pasta out of the three was the limoncello. I would recommend that one for sure. read more

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Cozy & comfy (a small spot). we sat at the bar next to the window for one glass of wine & to meet up with friends- we never left! The wine tender was friendly & informative regarding the wines & food. The pasta dinners were delish! Other patrons we met, mostly regulars, were also friendly. Will definitely be back to enjoy again read more

The restaurant has two sides of seating and the restaurant was relatively empty, aside from our party. The service was okay, but some items took longer than others to come out. In addition, most of the plates were chipped. I ordered the carbonara and the flavor on the carbonara was good and the portion size was generous. When you order you can pick the type of pasta you want. The pasta texture was chewy, but I would've preferred it to be more al dente. Overall the food was okay, but I would probably try somewhere else next time. read more

Cafe Luce Midtown East - Carbonara - Italian Near Me - Manhattan, New York

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I decided to try out Café Luce with my friend because we were both in the mood for Italian cuisine, and we wanted to try their fresh homemade pasta. The ambiance was nice, and café was cute. The staff was very nice. After reading reviews, I ordered the Orchiette alla vodka (rather than my go-to penne), which was a nice change. My friend ordered the Limonello, which was light with beautifully placed hints of lemon flavor. We shared the Burrata as an appetizer and the Pistachio ricotta layered cake as a dessert. I really enjoyed the shallot vinaigrette drizzled on top of the salad, mixed with the arugula, tomatoes, and the mozzarella cheese. The pistachio ricotta layered cake was light, and it wrapped up the meal nicely. Would definitely like to come back again to try their other dishes. read more

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What a great find! Walking on Saturday night in the area, the 4 of us stumbled on Cafe Luce. With no reservations, we weren't optimistic but happened to pick out with a table in the room by the bar. The tables are tight - not a ton of space anywhere in Cafe Luce - and certainly not room for a wheelchair or stroller. That said, the cozy setting was great for us, and made for a great meal. Service was friendly and prompt, and the food came out very fast - like almost to the point of "jeez that was fast" but having a smaller menu surely helps the kitchen. Top highlights - meatball appetizer, the spicy pasta and the limoncella pasta was INCREDIBLE- got it with Fusilli and it was unlike anything Italian I've ever had. Again, great little place and hope we return. read more