Luce was a very pleasant surprise. For starters the services on behalf of everyone that helped us was absolutely amazing. Everyone there was very friendly, polite, attentive, and respectful of personal space and social distancing. Every dish that was had was nothing less than delicious and what can only home made taste, from the cup of coffee, to the Crostini, and all the way to the main dishes.Keep in mind that due to the current pandemic there is only outside sitting, so plan accordingly. Even considering the outside sitting only, the calm streets around the area, the greenery and the overall surroundings only add to the place.

Had an excellent time here. We came here to celebrate my birthday and found the experience to be quite pleasant. A beautifully manicured aesthetic and some delectably formulated recipes.I would recommend a visit; see for yourself.

Every single thing we ordered was delicious, the staff were super cool, and the outside seating was warm and comfortable even as it was raining. I’ll definitely return on days when I want to treat myself.

My partner and I went here for our anniversary. The food was was well prepared, the staff was knowledge and personable, and the wine was great! The atmosphere was as much as could be provided considering the space they had to work with, with their outdoor seating arrangement within earshot of Burnside. We will definitely be back!

Amazing food! I finally have had perfect pasta :). Everything was beautifully seasoned, light, delicious and perfect. The best bite was the buttermilk panacotta with the delicate pine syrup, superb!

Seriously delicious pasta and antipasto. The radicchio supli were particularly delicious. Portion size for the full order is generous for taking home and half order is great for a meal that will leave you satisfied but not stuffed.Service staff was impeccable as well - checking in at the ideal times and always being super helpful.

Super friendly local spot. I got the pasta menu of the day and got so much delicious food for a really decent price!

Expertly prepared pasta with perfectly emulsified sauce. kind service and massive wine list. comfortable milieu and non extravagant prices. i don’t normally leave reviews, but what more could you possibly want??

This is one of my favorite Portland restaurants. Great food and service!

It’s great but they haven’t updated the menu in over eight years. I never think about going here even though I live 2 blocks away because there’s never anything new.

Had a wonderful dinner, freshly made fococcia and pasta. Service was great. Will definitely go again!

I would have given a rating thats more than 5 stars if I could. Nostrana used to be my favorite Italian restaurant until I found Luce. The handmade pastas are to die for.

Simply said: the food is absolutely delicious. I was overwhelmed by their wine assortment and ended up not trying an, but instead I had a nice three course meal and was truly impressed. I will definitely go back as theres so much more to try.The staff was very friendly and attentive, making sure I had everything I desired.

Small and intimate authentic Italian restaurant. The host are super nice and welcoming. The pasta is so incredibly tasty that half a plate its not enough! Cant wait to go back

I got the meal package to go, and was generally underwhelmed. Things were fine but honestly doubt I would go back when there are other good options.

Beautiful little Italian restaurant off a quieter section of E Burnside. Pasta is tasty and the staff are super friendly and helpful. Great place to take a date!

Bf said this was the most amazing pasta resto hes been at in Portland.... And he was right. I could have eaten more than the full plate of spaghetti and clams but I refrained. Didnt take pics except for the yummy chocolate hazelnut cake half demolished! Cant wait to go back again! Thank you!

AMAZING!!! Seriously though. You are dumb if you dont eat here. Its phenomenal.

Best restaurant and experience in town. The sweetest service, the tastiest of wines and a extravaganza menu.

This is a neat little place that serves such tenderly prepared dishes. Though our wait time to sit down was lengthy (over an hour), it was certainly worth being patient. Our entrees were wonderful, but the star was the Cappalletti in brodo. The broth was lush and the filling of the pasta was lemony, creamy, and surprising. Our server was also really kind, patient, and offered great suggestions. They have limited outdoor seating that offers an intimate atmosphere. I will be dreaming of that poppy seed fettucine for weeks.

Such a rude host - tall, light skin, curly short hair - they were condescending, misinformed, favoring others, and on such a high horse to reign power under the guise of a typical privileged mean high schooler - really felt like we received a racially charged aggression for no reason. this would’ve been our first time here. as minorities, seeing white folks’ ugly side as an initial interaction perpetuates the trauma from microagressions felt from bigger cities like portland. really hope they are able to have a conversation about choosing kindness rather than projecting whatever insecurities they need to work through in the big tough world of the service industry!! it’s a tough time, folks - no need to be so rude.

Wonderful pasta. We had pesto with walnuts and another with bolognais sauce, they were both very good. The salad was very good. The focaccia with olives was exceptionally good. The house red wine was quite good. The store front restaurant was sometimes cold when the outside door was oppened. Service was good. Good desert, and coffee.

The experience at Luce is highly variable: great, average, not worth the money. On my last three visits, the pork ragu was wildly over-salted, the meltingly tender octopus was perfectly seasoned but paired with undercooked potatoes, and a green salad was so gritty that it went straight into the compost.Desserts are good but the slices of flourless chocolate or hazelnut cake look lonely on the plate --both could use the company of a little fruit sauce or whipped cream.The setting is unadorned storefront, portions are modest, and wine pours are less than generous. Ive worked in the food industry, and see all the signs of tight inventory and cost control. But where a full plate of pasta runs $23-24 dollars, the kitchen needs to nail it every time.The staff takes the food seriously--pasta sauces are only served with the correct pasta, for instance. Pasta is handmade and tasty. But the vibe is never warm, generous, or...well, Italian.If you do go, try the lamb pasta. Perfect. And the focaccia? light enough to float off the table.

Yummy food. Super great staff

We walked over to Luce to avoid the wait at le pigeon. The space is very cute, also quite small. We were seated in front of the door despite requesting a different table, which meant our neighbors chair was touching one side of the table and the servers brushing past the other. Our server had an air of pretentiousness when asked about the menu, and seemed appalled when asked for beer rather than something off the lengthy wine list. We ended up calling it after unremarkable starters and bitter house wine, and ended up having a beautiful meal at Tusk just two blocks over. TL;DR Theyre trying too hard. Ive never been so uncomfortable at a restaurant.

Food was really fresh and the bread was delicious. Enjoyed the intimate setting and the fact that you can literally walk through the kitchen.Portions were a bit small but was enjoyable nonetheless.

That soup is liquid gold.

Went here years ago, really loved it. The spaghetti with garlic and Calabrian chiles was a revelation, and I remember eating some very tasty octopus. The pasta prices are quite high, relative to what youll see at restaurants in Italy, and Id ideally like to see them come down a tad.But given how lovely the whole experience was I cant really dock them a star for that, especially since few can compete with them at this high level of quality. Recommended!

Amazing food and charming service!!!!!! We LOVE THIS PLACE and can’t wait to come back. Dreaming of that focaccia !!

Had interesting lunch today. Fennel and Celery salad was beyond a surprise was crisp and tasty.

If I could give this place 10 stars, I would! I dont really like pasta, but I was in love with their pasta dishes😍 The pana cotta topped with pine syrup was divine.

Fave restaurant in PDX hands down. Must visit, the lunch specials are a huge highlight.

Its great they are doing takeout. There have been so many places closed. Their food has great flavors.

Absolutely amazing. The octopus salad is not like anything you have ever had. Sooo good. Also the lamb platter is so tender and well seasoned. Really enjoyed ourselves.

One of my preferred spots for tasty Italian food. The service was very kind and attentive. Menu is similar to a restaurant in El Paso I loved.

Were really lucky to have casual phenomenal Italian food so close. Cant wait for in person dining again, lunch at Luce always feels like an everyday luxury.

My favorite Italian in town. Love their menu setup. You can try several antipasti to get a wide selection of flavors. Focaccia is simply amazing. Every pasta has been scrumptious. Also, a good wine list and great service

Really enjoyed the food and cute little atmosphere. They have a large selection of wine bottles, but fewer available by the glass. Not sure what to get? Our server was friendly and happy to give wine recommendations. For ordering for two, I would recommend picking 2-4 antipasti to share and a half pasta each. Everything was quite delicious!

So overpriced and bougie AF

My favorite Italian restaurant in Portland. Everything is homemade and delicious. The space is very intimate and the staff does a great job of making you feel at home.

Amazing authentic regional Italian food. Great wine list. Great knowledgable service, without snobbery. Ate outside at the little tables for two.

We always come here for the buttermilk panna cotta with pine tip syrup, but the pasta dishes and antipasti are excellent as well !♡

My partner and I had the BEST time at Luce. The server was amazingly helpful and kind, and the food was incredibly delicious and reasonably priced. The anti pastas were so tasty, and the half-portions of pasta are great when you want to try a bit of everything. The ambience is perfect for a date night!

My wife and I traveled to Portland from L.A. and found this little gem of a place. We loved the atmosphere and food. All the food was tasty and fresh. We would have given 5 stars but the service was incredibly slow. We were there for 2.5 hours for lunch including waiting for a table 20 min. Great Value.

The food is always delicious and inventive. The wine selection is unique and interesting. The servers are friendly and knowledgeable. And - you walk through the kitchen to the bathrooms (in a healthy, non-creepy way). Ive been twice for lunch and once for dinner, and Luce NEVER disappoints.

Luce is my favorite restaurant in Portland. I go there anytime I want Italian. The food is fresh and light. The octopus salad is the best octopus Ive ever eaten, seared and crispy yet tender. The linguine with shrimp is delicious and flavorful. Basically everything on the menu is so good. I always leave happy and satiated.

I have always loved Luce. Their food is incredible. They have the best panna cotta Ive ever had. You cant go wrong with any of the main courses. They are all good.

This place is truly what the term hidden gem was made for. Their handmade pasta is the best my fiance and I have had since our trip to Florence. Their service their is also amazing.

Fabulous wait staff! The food was delicious with perfect portions. I had the steak cooked perfectly rare. My friend had the amazing linguini with shrimp. Absolutely delicious! I highly recommend this cozy restaurant for friends, dates and family gatherings.

Wow! Amazing! Had 5 appetizers, 2 entrees, a side & 2 desserts, bottle of wine. Everything was incredible. Definite must go. No full bar. Lots of wine & a couple beers.Whole experience was damn near perfect.

Best Italian place Ive been to in a long time...I had the Spaghetti with garlic and hot peppers and it was simply amazing. fantastic focaccia bread, good wine and outstanding service. Would highly recommend this place!

One of my favorite Portland spots. This small restaurant has exciting Italian food with friendly and very helpful staff. Highly recommended!

Panna cotta is not for sharing. No, you cannot have a bite of mine.

This is my favorite pasta place for sure. I have gone here more that 12 times easily. Their fresh pasta is amazing. Great service. Nice romantic atmosphere. I take myself on dates here as well as charm my friends by showing them this place. Definitely recommend.

Super delicious italian foods with topping of nicest people. Octopus was well grilled and very soft inside. All the salads, pastas, and trout dish were all tasty

My favorite Italian place in Portland. Small, cozy and very intimate. Open kitchen so you could make them make your fresh homemade pasta, everything is made to order, and they are more than happy to talk with you about their process. True passion that is reflected in terrific food. Your stomach will be happy.

We started with fig and goat cheese crostini. Could have eaten thirty of those, no lie. He had the pasta with lemon cream sauce. We shared a side of leeks. I had the stuffed trout. Both entrees were exceptional, as was their house made foccacia. Excellent and deep wine list. Thoughtful, informed service that saw to every detail. You pay for this level of quality, but it is worth every penny.

If someone out of town asks me where to go, I say Luce. I love having a quiet lunch there or a romantic dinner. Start with their foccacia and ask for a recommendation on wine based on what you choose. Everything you order will be delicious, but I personally usually order their linguini with shrimp because theyre really generous with their shrimp and its just plain tasty. If Im feeling a little glamorous Ill get their octopus, their leeks, and a hanger steak to share. 10/10 would recommend.

I had to laugh at the person who said that the portions are small. Maybe he likes to eat at truck stops! Well, the portions at this FANTASTIC restaurant were just perfect, allowing a customer to try lots of different tasty appetizers and creative main dishes on small plates (and larger ones too) at a very reasonable price. We shared maybe 12 different things and had a bottle of wine and the tab for the three of us was only $81 plus tip. I was amazed! Love this place. It was, by far, our favorite restaurant during our four night stay in Portland. Great neighborhood gem in the SE section of Portland. Check it out. Unless you must have very huge portions of food piled on your plate (akin to a truck stop), you will not be disappointed by this high class restaurant with delectable dishes.

Quality over quantity. Take your time, ask about the menu, sip a glass of wine and enjoy a long conversation with old friends. The staff are gifted at creating a dining experience.

This is our go to place for weekend brunch. Quiet, no lines, same amazing food as their dinner menu. The antipasti are diverse and all divine. All the pasta and bread are made fresh in house...and it shows. One of the best Italian restaurants in Portland!

Honestly my favorite restaurant, the Panna Cotta with Pine Bud Syrup is to die for, and their pastas are always tender and flavorful. My favorites so far are the lamb saffron pasta, and the walnut ricotta pesto. The place is small yet cozy, rather than claustrophobic. Come for candlelight dinners in a small, friendly restaurant.

I have eaten there for both lunch and dinner and am totally captivated by the food and the ambiance. It is a storefront place on a busy corner with windows on both sides. It has a mini shop with attractively packaged Italian goodies, pasta, olive oil and better to drool over while waiting for your order. Service is consistently good and Portland-nice. Food is delicious and fresh. Small appetite? No problem; there are half portions on most pasta dishes. They usually have specials and a very appealing menu with more choices than a small place would suggest. Small but perfectly suited wine list. I wish it were on my block!

Loved the home made noodles and pricing. Definitely a low key date spot.

Best meal in Portland

Excellent food. Great service - very knowledgeable wait staff. Lovely space, a small restaurant with great food but we didnt have to wait for a table for 5. Great wine.

Very tasty pasta based restaurant. I would suggest getting several half portions to share as a way to get more variety. The ravioli was delicious. They were very friendly and accommodating as we were there with our 3 year old.

Had lunch here today with 3 friends.Delightful pleasant experience. Small, immaculate bright setting serving excellent dishes. The server was lowkey, extremely helpful and patient in explaining the menu. Highly recommend it.

Ok, here we go.I ordered the fig and goat cheese crostini, which was very tasty with the meat plate, could have had more than 2 though. My girlfriend ordered roasted octopus and potato very well put together. Lots of good flavor. The potatoes were cooked perfectly. I got the Tagliatelle with pork and beef ragu. The sauce was nice, but unfortunately, the pasta was undercooked. Normally a 30 min wait for main course is long but I would been okay with it the pasta was done.-ALSO the waiter touched my shoulder three times, while obviously on a date with my woman. Once, I get. But three times is blatant flirting. It made me uncomfortable. Maybe a different server would have made the experience better. But because of that I probably wont go back. Its a shame really.

Simple but very tasty dishes, excellent wine list and great service. Humble little place serves very fine food.

One of Portlands best kept secrets! Delicious pasta, amazing breads, lovely wines and all the charm of an authentic Italian village cafe! Do yourself a favor and go. I Love Luce!

Nice place for Italian food. You wont be disappointed in the menu and service. This place has a great feel to it.

Beautiful and cozy Italian spot. High quality and fantastic flavours. Great wine list. Grab a bottle and a few plates to share and enjoy the evening. Need more of these in Portland.

Very good, professional service, excellent appetizers and dessert. The atmosphere is super cute, it really feels like someone loves that place.Update: I went a second time and everything was phenomenal. The waiter takes great care of you- he let me try four types of wine before I settled on a glass and met every need without asking. Get the panacotta if you have a sweet tooth- the texture is excellent and the syrup mixes perfectly with that buttermilk flavor.

I had the braised beef in cream sauce and my husband had the beef ragu. They were both delicious. So far my favorite Italian restaurant ever. I could eat here every day

WAY overpriced! It’s nothing that will knock your socks off and $28.00 for a standard pasta dish? Won’t be going back. If the dishes were half the price I would say you’re getting some bang for your buck. Wasn’t very impressed.

I love this little gem. The food is consistently delicious, the service attentive but not obsequious and it’s lovely without feeling like a scene.

The food is delicious, it is a little pricey, no kids menu options and limited beverage options. However, if you are looking for an awesome pasta, it is the place to go

Just wonderful. The food is delicious, simple yet elegant and the service is exceptional. A wonderful place for lunch and dinner. I highly recommend it for everyone. But, probably not great for little ones as the space is on the small side.

Luce is a legit Italian restaurant. It’s a little gem with few tables, great service, and a charming vibe. We loved their homemade pasta. I had the tagliatelle with ragu (bolognese), light sauce without too much tomato. That’s the way we make it in Italy. Leave some space for dessert!

Handmade noodles people! True authentic Italian style. No frills. Like Nonna used to quietly slave over. The cabbage is on point as well.

This place is fabulous! Go on a Saturday with plenty of time to enjoy the food! Its a small place but the food is authentic. The Octopus, potatoes and olive salad is amazing!

Its pretty good. A little pretentious. It has a small menu but everything is pretty good assuming you like the ingredients. In other words are long as you dont dislike the main thing it involves. the sides are small so dont be afraid itll be too much to order a few. I still remember the chard with parmesan weeks later. It has a small dining area but it works well enough.

Every single thing was delicious on its own and even more so together. Service was attentive and warm, honestly I cant think of a single bad thing to say about Luce. Its everything I want out of an Italian restaurant

Absolutely wonderful all around!! Awesome, fresh pastas and cool vibe in this place.. Extensive and delicious wine list and great service too!! A must in Portland

Lunch special: 4 appetizers and half size tagliatelle with house wine was perfect! The lamb pasta with fennel seed was also amazing! Great flavors, cozy atmosphere. Great local place!

Its like being in the Piemonte region of northern Italy. Excellent food. Good wine list with a short but good wine-by-the-glass list. Somewhat pricey. Small room (which is a nice change). Great service. Eat here.

The ingredients were fresh and fine I suppose, but the trout was bland, the linguine good but generic and the shrimp in it cooked too long, the lamb, the best of the bunch for flavor, had undercooked pasta. Given the hype I was expecting something more sumptuous and rich, but I felt that none of the dishes we had were something I couldnt prep at home if sufficiently motivated.And it was hot, very hot inside with room temp (warm) water. I cant imagine eating in here during the real depth of summer. At that point youd be desperate for a glass of cool water.The service was good though, and I was confident the ingredients were quality. So not the worst, but far from the best.

The pasta was a disappointment, especially considering the price. It was watery and didnt have much flavor. The service was great, the bread and olive oil appetizer was very fresh and tasty. But I didnt go to eat a a couple slices of tasty bread. Im starting to think Portland doesnt know what good Italian food is suppose to taste like.

Luce is pretty singular. Though Italian, it is just as much about the atmosphere as the food, but its not fancy.

Low key excellence. Great food, friendly & helpful service.

We have eaten at Luce many times and will continue to return. The food is sometimes exceptional and often very good. The staff are friendly and informative.

Fantastic pasta place! Get half orders of pasta and share with everyone on the table to try all the different types. They are all so good! Very small dining space that becomes very intimate.

Had a great late lunch, bottle of wine, with my daughter, and my cousin food was great, and awesome CSVs.

So good! Great vibes

One of my favorite spots, especially for lunch. The wine list is on point and totally reasonably priced, and though the pasta is gorgeous, Im obsessed with their roasted trout w herbs. Its rarely busy at lunch, but always a good bet.

Just had a lovely dinner with my husband in this little gem of restaurant, the food was very tasty and we were really pleased with the quality, my pasta was absolutely delicious, as an Italian is really hard to find a good restaurant outside Italy, and I am really surprised to have found one in Portland.

Great service good food but a little small and had to walk through kitchen to get to restroom

The food was delicious, fresh and simple. Everything we had was perfect and our server was well inform and just present enough. The large portion of linguine and shrimp was super filling after the antipasta. They did not skimp on the protein in this dish.

Fabulous home made pasta. Very friendly and accommodating wait staff.