Luce brings a distinctive Italian dining experience to Norfolk, blending the warmth of a neighborhood favorite with the energy of a stylish urban destination. Located at 245 Granby St, this inviting restaurant is known for its creative Italian dishes, thoughtfully prepared to satisfy both classic cravings and diners looking for something a little more memorable.
Whether you are stopping in for lunch, planning a relaxed dinner, or settling in for dessert and drinks, Luce offers an atmosphere that feels polished yet comfortable, making it an appealing choice for everything from casual solo dining to special evenings out.
What sets Luce apart is the care put into every part of the experience. Guests can enjoy outdoor seating, dine-in service, delivery, and on-site services, giving them flexible ways to enjoy the menu on their own terms.
The restaurant is especially well regarded for its great cocktails, great coffee, great dessert, great wine list, and local specialty offerings, along with a strong selection of beer, cocktails, comfort food, happy-hour drinks, healthy options, and late-night food.
With a bar on site, table service, and a cozy, romantic, trendy, upmarket feel, Luce is designed to make every visit feel both enjoyable and effortless. Dinner reservations are recommended, and the restaurant gladly accepts reservations to help guests plan ahead with confidence.
Accessibility and guest comfort are also clear priorities at Luce. The restaurant provides a wheelchair-accessible entrance, wheelchair-accessible seating, and a wheelchair-accessible toilet, helping ensure that more people can relax and enjoy the experience with ease.
Customers have responded positively, rating Luce 4.60 out of 5 based on 912 reviews, a strong reflection of its consistent quality, welcoming service, and memorable food. With credit cards and debit cards accepted, visiting is simple and convenient from start to finish.
For guests seeking an Italian restaurant that combines atmosphere, quality, and flexibility, Luce stands out as a refined and dependable choice in Norfolk.
Our Specialties
Every dish tells a story. Explore our carefully curated menu featuring seasonal favorites and signature creations.
Our chef's signature creations featuring locally-sourced ingredients and innovative culinary techniques.
We partner with local farmers and suppliers to bring you the freshest seasonal ingredients every day.
Every plate is prepared with attention to detail, combining traditional recipes with modern presentation.
Our Story
Welcome to a place where great food meets warm hospitality. We believe dining is more than just a meal - it's an experience to be savored and shared.
Our kitchen is dedicated to creating dishes that bring people together, using recipes that honor tradition while embracing innovation.
Photos
A glimpse of our restaurant experience
Food & Drinks
San marzano tomato, bufala mozzarella, fresh basil, sicillian sea salt, basil oil.
Wine and garlic brined cremini and porcini mushrooms, thyme, sun dried tomatoes, smoked provolone cheese.
Whole baby clams, oregano, garlic, lemon, olive oil, grated pecorino romano.
Proscuitto di parma, bufala mozzarella, san marzano tomatoes, lemon misted arugula, shaved parmigiano reggiano.
Chef's selection of italian cheeses.
Toasted goat cheese, walnut pesto, roasted garlic, house roasted peppers and crostini.
Prosciutto di parma, mortadella, capicola, calabrese salami, and sopressata.
Knife cut hard salami, proscuitto di parma and provolone stuffed cherry peppers, arugula.
Garlic brushed grilled crostini topped with fresh cut tomatoes, fresh basil, ricotta salata, and drizzled with basil oil.
Citrus marinated avocado, local honey and roasted garlic mascarpone spread on grilled crostini.
Chilled minced fresh ahi tuna, ground black truffle, chopped capers, micro cilantro, basil oil, lemon, blood orange infused oil, finished with caramelized shaved red onion and luxardo cherry reduction.
Charred spanish octopus, pancetta simmered canellini beans, blistered tomatoes.
Fresh clams stewed in a peppered bacon, shallot, tomato, and clam broth, crostini.
Fresh mozzarella, heirloom cherry tomatoes, basil, sea salt, cracked pepper, basil infused oil, balsamic pearls.
Fresh mussels pan simmered in pancetta, smoked tomato passata and drizzled with in house rosemary infused olive oil.
Portobello, white, and cremini mushrooms, fresh mozzarella, truffle oil, porcini dust, madeira reduction, crostini.
Fresh tomato, celery, parsley with a fennel seed broth, crostini.
Fresh flash fried calamari served with fresh tomato and peperoncini salsa and lemon zest.
Fresh green leaf and field greens, red onions, roma tomatoes, kalamata olives, fresh oranges, lightly tossed in citrus oil, and topped with goat cheese.
Grilled ahi tuna, chopped parsley, fresh green leaf and field greens, red onions, cannellini beans, tomatoes, and pan-crusted pancetta lightly tossed in house infused citrus oil.
Grilled beef tenderloin, grilled romaine hearts, classic caesar, parmigiano reggiano,
A grilled bread salad, tossed with capers. red onion, tomato, minced olives, fresh herbs and lemon.
Tender pork jowl/cheek, onion, fresh thyme, tomatoes, white wine, mafaldine pasta.
Grilled sausage, fresh fennel, peppers, leeks, green olives, and tomato passata over spaghetti pasta and shaved parmigiano reggiano.
Roasted eggplant, carrot, zucchini, squash, tomato, ricotta salata, basil oil, gemelli pasta.
Pan seared shrimp and fresh asparagus with a silky lemon cream, tagliatelle pasta, red prawn elixir.
Shallots, cognac, shaved smoked salmon, smoked provolone, calabrese pepper, penne pasta.
Ground cinghiale ragu over pappardelle pasta topped with roasted pulled cinghiale, rosemary infused oil, shaved parmigianno reggiano.
Large shrimp, clams, mussels, calamari, tomato passata, thin spaghetti.
Grey goose vodka, tomatoes, shallot, rigatoni pasta, red pepper puree, fresh basil, pecorino romano.
Grilled fresh ahi tuna, cannellini beans, fresh parsley, and lemon zest with spaghetti pasta and basil oil.
Roasted cremini mushrooms, fresh crumbled fennel sausage, fresh thyme, cream, san marzano tomato paste, rigatoni pasta, parmigiano reggiano.
Seared ahi tuna, fresh tomatoes, capers, olives, housemade anchovy paste, creamy polenta.
Maine lobster, roma tomatoes. Prosecco, sage, butter, tossed with potato gnocchi.
Atlantic sea scallops atop roasted fennel risotto, and drizzled with caramelized sambuca and candied fennel.
Scallops, clams, chef's fish, calamari, mussels, fresh celery, and fennel seed stewed in a saffron bouillabaisse.
Chef's fish, shaved garlic, fresh tomatoes, baby clams white wine, fresh basil, fresh arugula, sea salt spinach fettucine.
Pounded chicken breast, fennel sausage, house roasted peppers. peperoncini, fresh rosemary, white wine.
Lightly fried chicken breast, eggplant, capicola, walnut pesto, mozzarella and pomodoro sauce.
Pounded chicken breast, proscuitto di parma, charred sliced tomato, fontina cheese, white wine saffron reduction, asparagus.
Pounded chicken breast, capers, chopped mired olives, tomato, white wine and lemon.
Pounded chicken breast, pepperoncini, pancetta, fresh mozzarella, rose' cream sauce.
Hand pounded veal, sundried tomato, mushrooms, cognac and gorgonzola cream.
Hand pounded veal, prosciutto di parma, white wine, fresh sage, butter.
Fire grilled 16 oz bone in chop, candied onions, smoked gouda and marsala reduction.
Bone-in veal chop, panko and bread crumb crusted, lemon caper sauce.
Fire grilled beef tenderloin drizzled with gorgonzola cream accompanied by arugula and grilled zucchini.
Fire grilled rack of lamb, goat cheese, pistachio dust, roasted redskin potatoes, pepperoncini, balsamic reduction.
Housemade mozzarella and parmigiano-reggiano cheese between our country bread and lightly fried, topped with roasted pepper and tomato sauce
Black label chicken breast simmered in imported pancetta, shitake mushrooms caps in marsala cream, pecorino romano
Lobster stock simmered fresh mussels and little neck clams. Shaved garlic, sundried tomatoes, vermentino wine tossed with housemade spaghetti
Breaded and lightly fried to medium rare angus beef tenderloin, smoked tomato sugo house roasted peppers, black truffle burrata
Refreshing, creamy, all natural sorbet, served in its natural citrus shell.
Refreshing, creamy, all natural sorbet, served in its natural citrus shell.
Rich dark chocolate cake layered with chocolate mousse, salted caramel and topped with chocolate ganache, fleur de sel and gold leaf specs.
Rich cannoli cream filling with chocolate chips in between layers of moist vanilla rum soaked cake. Topped with fresh whipped cream, sliced almonds and cherries.
Lemon zested layered cake with mixed berries, mascarpone and limoncello whipped cream. An absolute delicious way to bring in the season.
Light and traditional cheese cake done in the new york style.
Three light puff pastries, with a decadent milk chocolate mousse you will not forget.
Two miniature cannoli filled with fresh chocolate cannoli chip crème.
Simmered and traditional fresh mezzamonica pasta toasted blk. Truffle burrata
Whole branzino herb filled fire grilled thyme infused oils
Wild bear & cranberry sausage yellow sweet pearls peppers cream pecorino romano spinach
Hear from our valued guests
Had an excellent first experience here tonight! I'm still drooling over the Ahi tuna pasta I had. The venue was smaller than I anticipated, but we got a front row seat to the kitchen. Best seat in the house if you ask me! Made for a good show. -- 8.5/10 My teen daughter was not as impressed and says she'd not return, simply because it wasn't her cup of tea. But I'll def be back! -- I felt the balance of flavors were spot on but a tad sophisticated for a teen with little palate. The gents nailed the execution of each dish perfectly! -- 9/10 I was just okay about my cocktail and wine pairing. -- Both of which were merely fine... which was a sharp contrast to how great the rest of the experience was. -- 6,5/10 Parking is metered street parking or nearby garages. -- Account for that in your travel time, and be prepared for a potential walk.
The fresh pasta is amazing. We had the lobster gnocchi, cannolis and profiteroles. All the dishes tasted great. Make sure to make a reservation since they are a small restaurant. Also bring jacket since it’s so small if you get sat by the door it can get cold depending on the weather.
Had a great dinner here! The Luce Spritz was refreshing and delicious. The pasta is made fresh daily, and the seafood tasted like it came straight off the boat. Our waiter was incredibly attentive and informative, making the experience even better. The restaurant is on the smaller side, with limited tables and plenty of bar seating that takes up most of the space — but even the bar is often full and usually requires a reservation or joining the waitlist. Given its popularity, planning ahead is a must.
It was incredible night with a fancy cocktail at the bar seating area. Service was excellent. So satisfied with dessert Cannoli and Espresso Martini, Amaretto Sour were delicious 😋
All of our food was amazing. The Veal was great, the pizza was exceptional, and the handmade pasta was out of this world good!! All the staff were super welcoming and made you feel like they actually wanted you there!
One of our favorites and did not disappoint on New Year's Eve! Luce absolutely delivered. The seared scallops were the highlight for me, perfectly caramelized on the outside and tender inside, sitting over a rich, creamy risotto that tasted like it had been cared for from start to finish, not rushed. The pasta dish was equally satisfying, cooked al dente with a bright, savory tomato base and a generous hit of fresh basil that kept it tasting fresh and balanced. Portions felt right, presentation was beautiful without being pretentious, and the overall vibe made it easy to relax and enjoy the meal. If you want a place that takes flavor and execution seriously, Luce is worth the visit.
We had a wonderful dinner here! Ordered the chicken with fennel sausage and roasted peppers, their version of chicken parmesean, the octopus appetizer, homemade evoo pasta, spinach and their mini cannolis- wow, so good! We also had leftover because their portion sizes were generous! You could tell their ingredients were quality.
Wanted a good Italian food stop to eat at to celebrate my birthday and discovered this gem. Which was delicious! First we started off with the Calamari and Peperoncini Salsa and it was the perfect amount of fried, some places fry calamari too long and it tastes mainly like the oil they fried it in but this was just the right amount of crispy and the salsa it came with was a perfect pair. Next we both ordered a drink I don’t remember nor did I really get a picture of what my boyfriend got to drink but my drink was the Luce Spritz which I substituted the gin for vodka because I am not a big gin fan and the drink sounded good so I just switch it up a bit but the drink was very tasty. For our main dishes I got the Rigatoni con Salsicce e Funghi and it was delicious, the sauce wasn’t too overbearing or runny and was the perfect amount or creamery and had the perfect amount of sauce where I could enjoy it with every bite. My boyfriend got the Smoke Salmon Arrabbiata and he really liked it, I tried it but I’m not a fan of smoked salmon so I was not too big of a fan but the sauce was nice, the waiter did tell us some of the dishes you could substitute out the protein for something else but some you couldn’t so if you come here just know that is also an option for some dishes. But overall we both really enjoyed our experience, though if you’re a person and you don’t like small places where your relatively close to another party you may be a little uncomfortable because it is a small building and the tables are decently close together, we sat on the patio which was a bit more spacious but I believe only a party of two can only sit out there but I could be wrong, but definitely a great place to try for a little date night!
Luce is wonderful! The bartender was super attentive to our group of four at the bar, and patient and helpful. Sometimes it’s hard to get a reservation, but I promise it’s worth the wait. The food is amazing. The goat cheese and burrata apps are delicious, but the calamari is INCREDIBLE. I love the ragu and rig and goose entrees. The tiramisu is perfect, so delectable!!
Fun place. Very loud. Food is fresh and pasta made in house. No changes allowed just like Italia. The Rigatoni vodka was very good al Dante and the appetizers were on par. Waiter worked with me and found a good Cabernet. It is a little pricey but good food. Highly recommend. The bartender made some nice cocktails to order.
Common questions about Luce
Luce is located at 245 Granby St, Norfolk, VA 23510, United States, Norfolk, VA, United States.
You can reach Luce by calling +1 757-502-7260.
Luce has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 based on 912 customer reviews.
Luce features the following accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible seating, Wheelchair-accessible toilet.
Luce features the following service options: Outdoor seating, On-site services, Dine-in, Delivery.
Luce features the following highlights: Great cocktails, Great coffee, Great dessert, Great wine list, Serves local specialty.
Luce features the following popular for: Lunch, Dinner, Solo dining.
Luce features the following offerings: Alcohol, Beer, Cocktails, Coffee, Comfort food, Happy-hour drinks, Healthy options, Late-night food, Small plates, Spirits, Wine.
Luce features the following dining options: Lunch, Dinner, Dessert, Seating, Table service.
Luce features the following amenities: Bar on site, Restroom.
Luce features the following atmosphere: Cozy, Romantic, Trendy, Upmarket.
Luce features the following crowd: Tourists.
Luce features the following planning: Dinner reservations recommended, Accepts reservations.
Luce features the following payments: Credit cards, Debit cards.
Luce features the following parking: Free parking lot, Free street parking, Paid parking garage, Paid parking lot, Paid street parking, Somewhat difficult to find a space.
Business Features
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