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Luce

4.2 (307 reviews)
PriceyItalian
Closed • 11:30 am - 2:30 pm, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Updated 1 month ago

Luce Photos

Business Info

LUCE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Classy
Upscale
Quiet
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - Luce

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Reviews With Photos

Carbonara*
Cortney B.

Our neighbors recommended we try Luce for our next special occasion. We booked a table a few weeks in advance and sat outside on the patio. For drinks, we had a passion fruit cocktail and an Italian beer. We got the buratta con prosciutto as an appetizer and paired it with fresh bread, it was delicious. I ordered the carbonara for dinner and my husband had one of their specials, a gnocchi dish with short rib. They even brought out a slice of cheesecake for our anniversary. Everything tasted great, we will definitely be back!

Tiramisu
Doretta W.

The experience was overall a very good one. The service was very attentive with a waitress and multiple table attendees for water, bread, dishes, etc. The restaurant was lightly lit with space between tables for privacy and conversation. We started with two drinks ... Rosa and Limoncello. Both were made just right ... served martini style. Bread with a bean spread comes with each table. Meatballs was the appetizer of choice. Flavorful and tender. I chose the marsala chicken plate with garlic olive oil pasta. Lived the chicken. The pasta was cooked al dente. The garlic olive oil, though, had a lot of red pepper and salt. We also ordered the filet with asparagus and potatoes. The potatoes were amazing .. seasoned perfectly. The asparagus was just that side of crisp. The filet cooked to a perfect medium and covered with a deep flavored truffle demi glaze. We followed with a creme brule and tiramisu. I must say I liked the desserts but were not wow'd by either. We were able to follow up the dinner with 30 year tawny port!! They do validate parking for the building garage.

Carbonara
Derek M.

f you're in Uptown Charlotte there isn't a shortage of quality Italian restaurants and @lucerestaurantclt is right up there with the best. I had never been and am so glad I decided to head in on a rainy Saturday to check it out. The service is hard to beat, everyone was incredibly friendly and knowledgable. Their fresh baked bread was perfect. Soft on the inside with a great crunch on the crust. I went ahead and skipped an appetizer and went straight for their carbonara. This is by far the BEST carbonara in the city. It is done perfectly. The noodles were perfectly al dente and the sauce was full of flavor. The guanciale and panchetta were perfectly portioned. Not to mention, the portion size was MASSIVE! The Conte Restaurant Group has always been top notch, Luce is no different!

Halibut.
Destiny H.

We went here last week and really enjoyed everything. We made reservations in advance (however they do have a small cozy bar area) and were seated immediately. We asked to have our meal spaced so we could enjoy our app, entrees and dessert in a timely manner. The food was fantastic and I'm surprised I don't hear about about this place more often. I got the Halibut & I was very impressed with it. Very fresh and a great size. We did two glasses of the wine and I did a classic Italian spritzer and it was great (I'll be back for that alone) everything was excellent and we can't wait to come back.

Shannon G.

Ambiance and service were amazing. My dish was angel hair with traditional marinara, eggplant and vegetables. I added shrimp and they were huge and grilled. Sooo good! The bread was hot, thick and delicious. I took tiramisu home which was a dream. They brought us a desert for our anniversary. I also had a glass of sangria. This place is very romantic and has a patio. Pics are early evening so don't be fooled, it gets full and you need a reservation most nights.

Anthony H.

We recently went to Luce Restaurant for my daughter's 16th birthday. She did all of the research, read the reviews and made the reservation. When you get to Luce, you have to go through the lobby of the Truist building because of construction outside. However, once you get in, you immediately notice the ambiance and atmosphere is well deserving of the great reviews. We were promptly seated and within a matter of minutes our server was over and helped us with the menu, drinks and answered all of our questions. The service was impressive and we never felt like we were being unattended. The food came out quickly and everyone in our party enjoyed their meal. When you look at the menu, it's touches on many tastes so you're sure to find something. Overall, the food, the atmosphere and ambiance were perfect. My daughter was very happy with everything and the staff did a wonderful job of making her feel special.

Eggplant Parmesan Appetizer
Scott S.

I'll try not to gush too much, but oh boy, this place top - down is phenomenal. I do fine dining on occasion in Savannah and Charleston, but they need to step their game up because Luce raised the bar. Pros: - Phenomenal Chicken Parm. Absolutely delicious piece of chicken that was cooked perfectly. I've had chicken parm in Boston and I'd say this one takes it. - Bread. You must give free bread. They do and it's one of the better free breads you'll have. (Not going to lie the beans with it is odd) - Eggplant Parm Appetizer was delicious as well. It was very homey tasting and tasted REAL. - The Red Sauce used on my pasta and chicken parm is my favorite I've had in any restaurant. - My wife's birthday! They really did make it special: They gave a birthday card, got some free champagne, and even wrote 30 on the chocolate torte. Cons: - There was not a single thing I could complain about. So yeah! It was my wife's birthday (the big 30) and we know of It'sQCP from Youtube Shorts so we wanted to try Luce because of all that. Parking for this place is very easy and as soon as you take the elevator down...boom! You take a right and there's the restaurant. Very simple. Also, they do validate and pay for your parking at the parking garage so you don't have to pay $20. Anyway, got wine, got the eggplant appetizer (do get this) and we put our orders in. I did enjoy the inside of this place. It was very simple with a touch of being fancy. It was a good vibe. Servers were on it. They checked and replaced things very quickly; knifes, forks, water, refill wine. I was very impressed by this. My wife got filet mignon and she said it was the best she's ever had...now my chicken parm was perfect. The perfect amount of cheese, the perfect amount of sauce, a perfect crunch at both ends. Man...I'm going to be thinking of that chicken parm way too long. The pasta paired with it was light and refreshing to go with the heavy chicken. I will say, I prefer my chicken parm paper thin and this was a thick chicken parm...but! With it cooked perfectly I made an exception and can gladly say that is a Top-3 chicken parm I've ever had. Also, we had a chocolate torte that was the definition of indulgent. One of my favorite restaurant experiences I've ever had. It was intimate and not crowded. If you go anywhere in Savannah or Charleston I feel like you get lost in the crowd while fine dining and the staff can't make it "special" for your event. Luce hit a homerun with this. I cannot wait to go back for a birthday or life achievement. They have an earned "one of my favorite restaurants".

Meena P.

Amazing food at Luce and such a great place for a pre theater dinner. Top notch everything here. The service is stellar, the restaurant is beautifully outfitted, the chandeliers! Inside Hearst tower, which is currently under construction so Luce can be tricky to find. We all started off with a cocktail. I had the Manhattan, nice and strong! The Negroni, lemon drop and pomegranate martini were all fantastic. They had some great specials, but we went with the mussels and clams. Fabulous spicy Romano sauce, great bread for dipping, and the mussels were great, I'm not a big clams fan. We shared a Rigatoni Buttera, also had another made with gluten free pasta, both were excellent. The sauce was a creamy tomato sauce, with Italian sausage, and sweet peas. The spinach E Pere, was a beautiful salad, with poached pears, caramelized walnuts, pecorino cheese, with a honey balsamic dressing. Nice, fresh, and good to share. Had some time so we had a bottle of wine, a great Montepulciano. Went well with the food! Then a birthday dessert, of a super light tiramisu. Delicious, just the right amount of alcohol in it. Loved the Luce vibe, classic and classy. Definitely be back when I'm at another show uptown

Scallop Risotto
Megan L.

It was good, but probably won't go back. The bruschetta and meatballs were our favorite part. The risotto was good, but didn't love the scallops with it. The lasagna has lotssss of cheese & an interesting flavor. Only the bruschetta tasted fresh which was disappointing.

She M.

We decided to have an Italian evening and went for Luce. It's very close to the Blumenthal theater. The inside of the restaurant feels comfortable and we were greeted warmly. We started with Fritti di Calamari, it was okay. They have complimentary bread with white beans in oil as dip. We ordered their homemade pasta Ravioli Caprese and Creamy Risotto. Both were delicious. The Torta di Cioccolato was delicious paired with a cab franc. Over all it was delicious. For the serving sizes, on the expensive side.

Tiramisu

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2 years ago

The food was delicious when I went for my birthday! I got this rigatoni pasta and the flavor was truly amazing

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2 years ago

Food, service & ambiance set the high bar for imaginative food, professional service and the outdoors seating make Luce a must try!

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Luce Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Luce

Do they make their own pasta?

Hello - Yes, we make all of the rolled pasta such as ravioli in house. We also make a lot of our cut pasta but we make can change day to day. When you order inquire as to which fresh pasta we are serving that day. Hope this helps!

It lists classy upscale is the dress code. Can you wear jeans and a blouse for women or jeans and a button down shirt for men?

It's preferred that you wear dressier pants like slacks with your blouse/button down. However, there were some individuals who were wearing jeans/more casual clothing in the restaurant and it did not seem to be an issue.

Do they have gluten free options?

yes! Best gluten free Italian options in Charlotte.

Im thinking of making a reservation here for prom. Is this restaurant dressy enough?

Yes

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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North Italia - NORTH ITALIA - CHARLOTTE

North Italia

(861 reviews)

$$

South End, Dilworth

Review for North Italia…read more has absolutely become one of my staples in Charlotte.** It's located in the heart of South End--a trendy, energetic neighborhood with beautiful outdoor dining--and one of the biggest perks here is easy parking, which, as any Charlotte diner knows, is always a win. Inside, the restaurant is gorgeous. Think large, comfortable booths, warm lighting, fresh flowers, and a lively but polished atmosphere. I always make a reservation through OpenTable--I'm too old to be waiting around to eat, and I might as well rack up some points and perks while I'm at it. One of the things I appreciate most about North Italia is their seasonal menu. It keeps the experience fresh and thoughtful, and you can tell the kitchen is paying attention to ingredients and timing. I usually start with a glass of wine-- a sparkling rosé or a crisp Sauvignon Blanc--something cold, clean, and refreshing. Bubbles are always a good option for me. They serve a delicious focaccia at the table, which I sometimes indulge in, but the dish that truly stands out--the one I still dream about--was a seasonal ravioli with butternut squash and crispy sage. It was beautifully balanced, comforting, and memorable in the best way. Other favorites: * The Caesar salad--perfectly dressed * The arancini and calamari--always solid starters * The pizzas, especially the cacio e pepe * And yes, the desserts are absolutely worth saving room for Brunch here is also a lovely experience. Sitting on the patio, eating alfresco on a sunny Sunday, reminds me so much of what I loved about California--being outdoors, enjoying great food, and taking your time. Thankfully, there's plenty of shade, so it's comfortable even on warm days. They do offer a happy hour. It's not the most extensive in town, but it's perfectly fine for drinks, a pizza, or a charcuterie board with friends after work. What keeps me coming back: * Consistently good service * Clean, beautiful space * Thoughtful seasonal dishes * Easy parking * Reliable quality Yes, it's a bit upscale--but it's approachable, welcoming, and dependable. And when a chef takes the time to create seasonal dishes that appeal to diners with curious palates, that deserves recognition. Bottom line: A polished, reliable favorite in South End that delivers great food, beautiful ambiance, and a consistently enjoyable dining experience.

Terrible service!! I…read moremade a reservation for 3 to celebrate my mom's birthday at 6:15 Saturday. Busy but not crowded. Beautiful day so we opted to be seated outside. No server ever greeted us or brought water to the table. We watched the tables around us get cleared and cleaned and the server pick up checks from two other departing parties. I'm patient (used to work in hospitality), but when they brought out a bowl of water for the dog with a couple that was seated after us that was too much!! You served the dog before us?!?!? No thanks.

Little Mama's

Little Mama's

(760 reviews)

$$

SouthPark

WOW I am so impressed by Little Mamas. If you haven't been yet, then you are missing out! We went…read morehere for our anniversary, and the staff were so attentive they brought us out a cake and took our photos. You HAVE to get the peppadew peppers and whipped burratta appetizer - I think about it often. We've sat at the bar or at a table, and either is great. I would highly recommend coming back multiple times to try out different seating and food

Found this little gem by searching YELP, and glad we did. Nice ambiance in a romantic darkly-lit…read morekind of dining room, all wood paneling and a nice little bar area where one could dine solo. The waitstaff was excellent (we had Noah), service being spot on without being intrusive. While they do get on with business in order to turn the tables, they'll back off and slow down once they figure out your desires. Our waiter suggested the Stracciatella for an appetizer and we went for it ... it was not the famous Stracciatella soup many are used to, but fresh mozzarella cheese shreds with pistachio nuts on top and surrounded with a very light lemon zest-evoo sauce ... all served with toasted crostini. We had ours with the oven roasted tomatoes as accompaniment ... and this little dish was the 5-star hit of the night. The rest of the food was very good (we had Italian sausage filled ravioli and fettuccine al bruno pasta), and I was torn between 4 and 5 stars, but settled on 4. The food was 5 star stuff but they need someone bussing the tables, and they need to work on the music playlist. We really loved our 5-star Stracciatella, but spent the rest of the meal with those used plates staring at us. All during the meal they played diner music ... good music, but totally out of place in this Italian setting ... we needed some Frankie. All to say 4 star very good ... just needs a few fine touches to match the otherwise elegant experience.

Mano Bella - SouthPark

Mano Bella - SouthPark

(107 reviews)

$$

SouthPark

Mano Bella continues to be a nice Italian restaurant with great food and a cute and small market…read moreselling fresh pasta that gives it a nice vibe. I am a regular here and usually come for business lunch meetings. This time I went for an Arnold Palmer to drink and for food I ate the Amatriciana pasta (fresh bucatini, spicy tomato sauce, pancetta). It had a really nice texture, the sauce was tasty and the right level of rich, and the small pieces of pancetta were just my preferred size to get a not too meaty bite. I had no issue eating the entire serving. I ended with the affogato with stracciatella. EVERYTHING was DELICIOUS! As always, service is friendly and helpful. Looking forward to next time, Mano Bella!

It was worth the try. To start you must get the house focaccia. We gobbled it up and ordered a…read moresecond serving for the table. The oil that you dip it in is also delicious. Forgot to take photos of the bread because I was too busy enjoying it. Oops! We ordered meatballs as an app, and I had the lasagna for my entree. Both were pretty good, though I wish the lasagna had a bit more of a "noodle-y" bite to it, if that makes sense. I felt like I was just eating a bowl of cheese and sauce. The ratio of noodles to cheese and sauce didn't feel balanced, and felt more like lasagna soup, but overall, it was decent. I think I'd try something different next time. My husband had the mussels and said they were okay- basically mussels and tomato sauce. As for the ambiance, it's casual Italian dining experience, and includes a market at the front of the store for take home breads and pastas.

Portofinos - Meatball and Pepperoni Pizza

Portofinos

(31 reviews)

Uptown, Fourth Ward

There aren't a lot of places outside of work, home and the gym which I make part of my regular…read moreroutine. Starbucks comes to mind but only because the app makes buying Starbucks easier than making my own coffee. Since opening in uptown, Portifino has become one of those places. I hate to admit it, but there have been weeks where I have eaten at least one meal there every day. Sometimes twice.... Charlotte isn't known for its pizza. I moved here from up north 25 years ago and growing up I. The northeast sets the bar pretty high in terms of pizza. Portifino's is great. The sauce is sweet and portioned perfectly. The cheese is nice and salty, so you actually taste it. The toppings are flavorful, and again, well proportioned. My favorite is the Caprice which comes with tomato, fresh mozzarella, olive oil and fresh basil. It's amazing. The pasta dishes are excellent. I'd recommend the linguini with clam sauce and throw in some shrimp and broccoli for good measure. The Calzones are HUGE. I get mine with Mushroom, sausage, pepperoni and black olives. The But their subs are really what stands out. The chicken Philly has to be one of the best sandwiches in town. I could go on and on here because I've had almost everything on the menu here but no one has the time or attention spans for that. The service is excellent. It's a family run business and it FEELS like a family run business. They care about what they're doing. The person at the counter taking your order has a stake in your satisfaction. Don't get me wrong, we're not talking about Ritz Carlton Gold Standard. It's a pizza joint run by REAL people. But they're good people, and they actually care. That's better in so many ways. My best recommendation is to go get lunch with a friend, coworker, or even by yourself and sit in a booth by the window, watch the city do its thing and enjoy some real food made by real people. It's a great way to spend your 30 minute lunch.

Portofinos is a local Charlotte chain with 5 locations throughout the city, and as far as I know…read morethis Uptown location is the newest one. While most of their locations seem to be more traditional sit down restaurants, the Uptown location is more catered to the fast paced lunch crowd. When you walk in you will be greeted by the large glass display showing all the different pizza options and yes you can order by the slice! They have traditional options like pepperoni and cheese, some crowd favorites like Buffalo chicken, and chicken bacon ranch, and even some square Sicilian slices including a vodka slice that I heard is quite good. While you order at the counter they will give you a number and bring your food to you. In addition to pizza they offer a variety of sandwiches and pastas. On my most recent visit I wanted to try their cheese steak, but I wasn't sure how large the sandwich would be so to be safe I order a slice of pizza as well. That was a mistake, the sandwich was quite large and came with chips, and their pizza slices are also quite large. It was good but I was stuffed afterwards so learn from me! I'm glad to have more options for pizza by the slice in Uptown, my one gripe is that the pizza is on the pricier side, $7.00 a slice. That's the Uptown surcharge for ya.

Indaco - Pappardelle

Indaco

(363 reviews)

$$

South End, Dilworth

I absolutely loved Indaco! We came here for dinner and it was an incredible date night spot. The…read moreambiance is modern with plenty of lighting and great seating; they have a downstairs section and an upstairs area that overlooks the dining room and kitchen. The service was spectacular, our server gave great recommendations and was constantly checking in to see if we needed anything, including keeping our water refilled. We started with the pesto roasted Brussels sprouts, which were delicious and served as a pretty large portion. For the main, we decided to split the Radiatori Nero. We had never tasted anything like it! The pasta has such a funky, fun texture that pairs perfectly with the sauce because it really holds onto it. The shrimp that came with it were amazing as well, a good size and cooked to perfection. We would hands down order this again! We also got the mushroom pizza, which came with plenty of truffle aioli and a crunchy crust with an incredible cheese pull. All the portions were generous; we actually ended up having enough to take home for another meal! Of course, we could not skip dessert. We got the tiramisu, which is a total must-order no matter how full you are! The cocktails were also great, I tried a blueberry drink, and they have an impressive wine selection as well. Definitely worth checking out and making it a regular spot for date night!

I met a friend here for dinner. The ambience is amazing all of the outdoor seating is beautiful…read more I tried a cucumber drink with vodka which was tasty and I ordered th italian salad. I added shrimp which was 5 small shrimp. I think I was quite shocked when the bill came and my salad ended up being $35. Maybe next time I will try something such as the pizza. Overall the service was great just didn't think the price and servings matched for the dish I ordered.

Luce - italian - Updated May 2026

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