Luce Bar & Kitchen Reviews

As long-time patrons of Baci Restaurant, we wait in anticipation for their companion Luce Bar and Kitchen to open. The wait was well worth it and even the recent remodeling was worth waiting for! You'll find a vibrant happy crowd at all times. The weekends get a bit crowded for dinner but a brief wait is rewarded by a seat at the bar, community table or private table. Everyone there is pleasant, friendly and helpful. The drinks are great and there is an excellent beer selection. Aside from the small wine list at Luce, you can order something a bit more rarified from Baci, next door. The menu has pizza, salads, seafoods, pastas and there are always daily specials on the chalk board. While this might sound like bar food, I assure you your order will WOW you. They have an excellent chef and kitchen staff that makes each trip there another pleasant surprise. We've decided to make this place our regular go-to. Baci is still great for a dressed occasion with excellent service and far. Luce is great for more casual friends, family or dates, anytime!

If you're looking for good food, a friendly atmosphere and great service look no further. I went with my son and grandson and we all had a great time. Sebastian. my grandson, had waffles and milk that he loved and ate every bite. I had a Luce burger and marguarita, both were perfect. The service was timely and thoughtful. I would recommend it with or without kids.

Luce is delish. I highly recommend the mules and the pizza! Good time for happy hour and fun patio. It's close to my home so I often go after work and had a smallish christmas gathering here. The inside can be a little noisy and it does get quite busy.

We liked this place so much we ate here twice. On a weekend night it was extremely busy but we were seated within 20 minutes. The food (we all had sandwiches) is delicious and hot; it has a full bar menu as well. Great wait staff.

I stopped here for a late lunch on a weekday to avoid eating hotel food at my nearby lodging. Street parking was easy. Service was friendly. The restaurant's focal point is a beautiful, well-appointed bar. The windows are thrown open to let in the breeze, and quite unfortunately, also the traffic noise and exhaust fumes from the nearby freeway and busy Morena Blvd. I had the California Greek salad which was very tasty and fresh but did not in any discernible way resemble a true Greek salad with spinach, chickpeas, artichoke hearts, and goat cheese. Luce Bar and Kitchen seems like it would be a perfect place to stop for a drink and snack, if only the busy roadways were not so close by.

Wait... am I in the East Village? Or maybe Seattle? Honestly this gastropub on Moreno Blvd could easily fit in any of those great urban eating destinations. Vibe... decor... industrial farmhouse. Cozy yet edgy. I Like It A Lot. And then the food. YUM! Mussels were devine. Lamb tacos - of course! And then last week we tried the Bone Marrow. Only because we saw Bourdaine raving about it on one of his trips we just had to try it. It was rich and delicious. Also we tried their signature pizza. Yes we come here often. The wait is never long. The service is consistent. Did I mention their adult cocktails are worth noticing? Try it - you won't be disappointed.

The restaurant is a special location for all locals in the Morena and Bay park area. It is wxpanding after only 2 years, so that should be a strong recommendation. The menu changes regularly and has many options. The locals have enjoyed the atmosphere and it is an easy place to access.

Place is very cool and atmosphere is nice and welcoming. Not lot of vegan/vegetarian options, and not very accommodating on that but rest of the experience was overall very positive. Food is very good and plenty of cocktails. Definitely worth it to go back for the food! It was Yummy

High tables, relatively small but cozy restaurant. Went at happy hour with a party of 10, needed a rezzie. Great atmosphere. Really enjoyed our pizzas (Margherita and pepperoni). Margherita was authentic tasting with fresh mozzarella and lovely basil leaves, was the best of the 3 Margherita pizzas I sampled on this 10 day trip to California. Will return.

more casual than Baci but food is excellent, a little different with a good choice of sandwiches, full meals, innovative breakfast on the weekend, and good selection of craft beers on tap

This is a place my husband and I visited for the first time on a trip in November. We returned in December a few times as well. The service is fantastic (we really like Bobby!) and the food selection is diverse and delicious! There is something for everyone. There are lots of high-table seating, which we enjoy, and plenty of bar seating as well as lower tables for those who prefer them as well as for families. We were amazed at how many children we saw, but it was a great place for all to enjoy!

Luces is a hidden neighborhood gem in Bay Park. The place is always packed, lunch and dinner. Service is great - hostess does a good job of trying to get everyone seated. There are communal tables where you can be seated with other groups. Might sound uncomfortable, but it really isn't - it either gives an opportunity for friendly conversation or just keep to yourself. The food is exceptional, and the menu changes daily - the specials board is what you need to keep an eye on. Always some of the best mussels that I have ever had - a must try. Calamari is very good, and the parmesian truffle fries are like crack. If you have an opportunity try their brunch - the pork belly hash is awesome with a good dash of horseradish to spice things up. They are also known for tasty mules - although they recently discontinued their famed apple pie mule that needs to come back on the menu!

First time at this restaurant. Arrived around noon for a lunch meeting with a friend. I was greeted by the bartender even before my eyes could readjust\. I dazedly looked around to find a suitable table, I have preferences. Found one and was seated.

Great place, fast service and good food. Was almost full but we gete fast table, all food was good and parking next of place.

We can order drinks and foods cheerfully because of all friendly staff. Cheese and sausage boards go well with beer. Escargot Pizza and Ribeye steak are my favorite!

Three of us ordered different burgers, one got mussels, one lamb tacos, and one ordered Margarita Pizza. Each dish was quite tasty although the lamb tacos were slightly gamey. The French fries were awesome! Burgers were juicy and cooked perfectly. Our waitress was super, Mara. I was having a stomach issue so she got me bar Alka-Seltzer, soda, bitters and lime. Really helpful. Everyone else got to enjoy adult beverages including Backhouse Cab, Barrio Lager, Chronic Amber, and Harland IPA. Located in a very cute, restaurant, bar, and shop filled area. Highly recommend this restaurant.

We stopped in here for a quick Friday early dinner on the recommendation of a friend. We parked across Morena Blvd on the street The place was pretty crowded. We were greeted by a smiling host who quickly found us seats to have a glass of wine while we waited. He was very aware of turnover and within minutes asked if we would consider eating at the bar or would prefer to wait for a table. We chose the bar, which looked interesting and lively and had several diners eating there. Our meal was a shared Margerita Pizza and a tasty Greek Salad. We saw the waiters offering tastes of various house specialites. Overall, it was a pleasant dinner and good experience. Next time we'll bring friends.

When in San Diego I regularly dine at Baci. HOWEVER, on my last visit I happened upon their next door neighbor LUCE BAR & KITCHEN. What an amazing experience. A converted industrial garage open and airy, bustling with loud customer chatter, busy wait staff and a packed bar with the smell of food that will definitely add to your calories in a passive way. Like everything that would be an experience when visiting the port towns along the Amalfi coast or any of the eateries you may find in the Piazza Navona (Rome , Italy) Ok, take your self to the Piazza Navona in Rome walk into a Bar e Cucina . There you have it at Luce. This is special once inside as you wait for your table (no reservations) you are at the Piazza. Now look at the specials on the board and the menu and every dish is made to order.Their specialty pizza's, mussels and Tri-Tip steak sandwich and all their food as they say in New Jersey .."Forget about it" Top shelf kitchen, top shelf bar,top shelf wait staff and a great place to meet and eat. It is true the Italians taught the world how to eat. Now it is up tp you to eat. There is nothing that can compare to Luce for a casual experience with old world ambiance and you don't have to travel to Piazza Novana.

My wife and I stopped by for lunch and fell in love with Luce. The food was excellent and the service was impeccable. We will certainly go back to Luce!

Best burger ever! I have never had a burger that I did not add condiments, this burger was an experience on how a great burger can be. 61 years old and I have found the ultimate burger only 300 miles from where I live. I am working in the area, today I am going to try the lamb tacos.

My husband and I stopped in on a Friday night without a reservation. We each had barely gotten a beer at the bar when our table was ready. The olive bowl appetizer was delicious, as was the calamari, and the pizza we split. We had hazelnut ice cream served between two snicker doodle cookies for a fantastic finish to our meal. This is a neighborhood restaurant, and found parking behind the meat market next door. Definitely going to come back again!

This place is the best. The staff is respectful and friendly and professional. The food is dlish always and the drink selections are thirst quenching. The menu is a fun mix of what is the simplest and best of California eats. Great lamb tacos, super burgers n fries, savory salads and flatbread pizzas and more!

One of the best neighborhood restaurants in up-and-coming Bay Park. I often get their pizzas, rotating between the Margherita and the sweet pizza. The burger is good too, fries are tasty, and mixed drinks solid (and strong). Lots of menu options that are meant for sharing. Always busy. Only downside: sometimes it can get loud.

Stopped for dinner at this corner bar/restaurant in Bay Park. I had the Luce burger and fries and both were as good as any burger I've had in a long time. My wife had the carnitas tacos and they were amazing. A bit noisy, but then again it's a bar. Would definitely go back.

Me and my wife just moved to San Diego a few months ago and this place was recommended by a friend of ours as a very chill and nice place for dinner and drinks and Luce did not disappoint ! Very satisfied ! I had the prime rib burger and a couple glasses of wine. Great food and great prices .

Great Friendly Service with Great Bar and Food! Appitiesiers with Drinks or a Dinner Meal. Casual atmosphere for a Nice night out...

I've been here a few time and it gets quite busy, but we always get a table quickly. This is such a great place for the Bay Park community where the service is quick and friendly.

Great atmosphere and great food! Had the house olives and cheese board appetizers. A sausage platter wasn't on the lunch menu but we requested if the chef could cook one up. No problem. House fries were delish. And the drinks refreshing. The Strawberry Mule was awesome - interesting flavors. You can't go wrong with anything. On top of that, our server Charlie was helpful and very pleasant. Kudos!

We drive by this restaurant every day, commuting to and from work. We just haven't had a chance to stop in (despite the fact that two co-workers have raved about it recently) until we found ourselves in need of dinner before heading to a show over at Brick by Brick. It was chance, really, that led us here. We were stuck in traffic on 5 S, and left the freeway early to take side roads. Around that time, my husband mentioned that we should start looking for someplace to eat, and I mentioned Luce. He'd never heard of it, but was game to try. We found street parking right across from the restaurant, which was fortunate, as the lot behind the place was blocked off (and tiny, anyway). They were doing a brisk business by the time we got there, and all the tables were packed. Oh - before I go on, let me just say that this place is teeny-tiny-itty-bitty. Seriously, they have maybe four "private" tables along one wall, the bar with stools, and four or so "communal" tables. That's it. When we walked in, all the "private" tables were taken, and the bar was full up. Our only option was to sidle up to a "communal" table that was occupied by one lady and her laptop. It was kind of awkward, mostly because the guy who led us there said to her, "I'm bringing you company, I hope you don't mind!" and wandered off before he could catch her glaring at him. Anyway, we perched on some seats across from the suddenly grumpy lady and her laptop, and started to go through the small menu. We were squinting up at the specials board (a chalkboard above the kitchen that was printed in what I would equate to a 6 point font. It was small!) when I noticed that the group at the communal table behind us had left. I made the "wanna move?" gesture to my husband, and he quickly agreed. We gathered up our bottle of water and glasses and migrated over to the empty table. I think it threw the server for a loop, but I much preferred being alone with a chance of newcomers joining us than being forced to sit in frosty silence with laptop lady. At any rate, they didn't make a fuss over us moving, and we were able to place our order. We decided to share the Carnitas Tacos, the Lamb Shank Tacos and one order of House Cut Fries. To this, my husband added a beer, while I stuck with water. Business only picked up as we sat there, and as we were now at the table closest to the door, we were able to watch people come in, hover near the door and peer anxiously around the room for an open table. Most people were told that they could either join one of the communal tables along one wall, or wait for a private table along the other, and of course they decided to wait. But, with no real standing room, or waiting area, they were forced to shuffle back and forth, out of the way of servers and patrons. The food, when it was delivered, was absolutely delicious. The fries came out first and the serving was huge. They came with two dipping sauces - the aioli was our favorite. The tacos came out soon after, and we quickly split them up. It was hard for me to pick a favorite - they were both pretty evenly matched - but when it came down to it, I think I preferred the lamb shank tacos, just because of the extras that were on the taco. The cabbage/veggie/slaw mix added a nice crunch, and the sauce helped tame it down. The carnitas tacos were delicious too, don't get me wrong. Those came with avocado, corn, a different sauce and veggies. I just think it was a bit too much for me, at that time. It's hard to explain. Still, they were both very good. And those fries! Crispy and crunchy and way too addictive for potatoes. Plus, the waiter gave us a little container of their hot sauce - divine! It was like that Mexican chili candy that I grew up on. I couldn't stop eating it, but was afraid that if I kept going, bad things would happen at the show. ;) The service was good, though it was hard to flag down the waiter to pay at the end, mostly because there were so many people he couldn't get to us. I'd absolutely go back, even though I know it's likely to be just as busy.

Not much to look at from the busy road side of the building but sleek inside. We tried and shared several dishes and all were excellent. The crowd was mostly adults but there were families with small kids and ours with teenagers. Relatively casual but some dressed for couples nights out.

Parking is hard to find as there are three restaurants on the same block. The restaurant was busy and noisy, but we managed to find a seat at the bar. Good selection of craft beer and tasty pizza. Overall an enjoyable dinner.

This is a great bar to watch a game, hang out with friends or just have dinner. They have a great menu although I haven't seen some of my favorites in some time: Salmon on black rice with red curry, the short ribs and they recently modified their ceviche and while good...not as good as it used to be. This is a fun place and the servers are nice and attentive even when busy. This is a good place to go with great food...I have to say its a the best restaurant burger in San Diego. God with friend, family, a casual date, your spouse or a business drink if you don't want a quite spot. Come and enjoy!

Very nice atmosphere and friendly staff. Had the pisano pizza and it was excellent. We enjoyed this restaurant.

The food and service is excellent in this wonderful little corner bistro. I love the view out the open windows. We ate so much delicious food and still took home a large bag of food. Love it and so will you.

We stopped in hungry and were lucky it was happy hour on a Sunday around 5PM. The menu is limited but the choices were perfect. Our server was great. She guided us through our choices with authority of the menu. We ordered a Margherita pizza, two burgers and a beet salad for three people to share. This place is a bar but you could bring kids and sit at a table. We had ample food. The Beet salad was one of the best I've ever had. The only thing that could have made it better is some walnuts or something crunchy. The burgers were cooked perfectly and were on a real brioche kind of bun. The bun matters and this one elevated the burger. Baypark, where Luce is, located is a super cool little neighborhood. My standard for an exceptional meal is if it's memorable. I have thought about my food fondly and look forward to going back!

We had lamb tacos and the chef's pizza of the day - both very good. The pizza had frfesh tomatoes, goat cheese and fresh mozzarella - very thin crust. It's a small place with a good bit of noise, so not for everyone. Many kinds of beer - we enjoyed one from France. Took home a dessert of profiterole filled with caramel cream. A few days later I returned for lunch where I had great tomato soup and fresh tuna sandwich. Everything has been very good - and service attentive on these visits. Plan to make it a regular stop.

I stumbled upon this place about an hour before they closed and sat at the bar where I was very well taken care of by Negroni. (Spelling?) He made THE most delicious Margarita I've had in San Diego, and THAT is saying a lot! He muddled a Serrano chile, added Cointreau, Tequila, fresh lime and a dab of Agave nectar for what turned into true genius. So long George's and all of you snooty high-end, over-priced establishments! We had a delicious Pizza and couldn't have been happier. Luce is superb on every level- We will be back!

My family & friends really loved it today, my friends from San Diego told us about the place, the fried zucchini & calamari were fantastic , the meatball sandwich a must,also the chicken sandwich, my daughter had the burger Was one of the best she ever had, the fresh French fries r also great. , the owner made sure we were ok, Erin took care of us from the start to finish. Wonderful lunch with family. & friends, will be back.BRAVO great job. :)

What a fantastic find! Amazing food with a great environment and excellent service. Do not miss the lamb tacos! We also had the pork belly and the mussels... All to die for.

Our whole family loves Luce! It's a corner restaurant on a busy street. Parking can take a little after 6pm, but they have valet parking for 5$. They have a lunch and dinner menu and have brunch on the weekends starting at 10 am. We had everything on their menu and so far and the salmon and tacos are one of our favorites and also their salads. I usually add some fish to the salad. My favorite drink is the Luce mule. it comes in a big mule mug and not one of those tiny kids size ones that you usually get at other restaurants ( like next door). It's very tasty. We try to get there by 5:30 and don't have to wait for a table. Good for the whole family!

I travel often to San Diego for work and this gem was recommended to me by local. It did not disappoint. Nice vibe, sat at the bar and both times service was friendly and attentive. Great little happy hour, the beet salad is to die for and is my all time favorite... I have also had the lamb tacos and their house fries which were both fantastic. I almost forgot the frito misto! Delish.....

We just happened upon Luce Bar & Kitchen after a really long day of golf ... all we wanted was a good beer and some food. We thought Luce was fantastic ... they had a good selection of craft beer and a great little menu, with something for everyone. We had the meatball sub, and the tri tip sandwich ... both of these came with amazing truffle fries. I do wish that more bars/pubs would carry more german style beers like hefeweizen ... there is such an overload of IPA's out there. But we did enjoy the Lillikoi Passionfruit beer that we tried. great little place, friendly staff, great food, good beer. A must-try!

Nice local restaurant, casual environment for enjoying time with friends and watching the game (not a sports bar). Can get busy at times, but the team does a great job getting you seated, typical wait 15-20 minutes, just enough time for a nice cold one at the bar. The team is so friendly, they totally work as a team so that you get great service. The menu offers a nice selection of choices, we have never had anything but a great meal! They do offer large family tables (8-10) , plus they have a nice fire pit table. All outside tables have nice warm heaters if required. If you are looking for a nice casual night out with friends, I would highly recommend. This restaurant has become one of my local favorites when visiting San Diego. PCUSA Rating: A

The 1/2 free rage chicken 3 of us ordered, was not that at all. We all received 2 legs and Thighs each, there was no 1/2 chicken, no breast No White meat at all. What did they do with the rest of my chicken? No one serves that as a substitute for 1/2 free range chicken. Hardly worth the $30 charged. Service however was outstanging.

We were seated. 5 minutes passes, no water, watched friends of waitress arrive with laughing, greetings and seating with water food orders taken and drinks served. Another couple arrived with water and orders.14 minutes later we got up to leave and the waitress ran over with a couple of water glasses and was mad we were leaving, she didn't get it. If you can afford to watch customers walk out while their help gets huffy good luck with your bottom line.

Want to each the game and have dinner with some buddies. Good cocktails and a super burger. The fried cauliflower was phenomenal. Great atmosphere and wonderful food

We had only been to Luce Bar & Kitchen a few times. They closed 3 months ago for a remodel and we visited 3 days after they reopened. WOW what a difference. They've expanded the Bar and added to the setting. We can't wait to work our way through the new menu. Being that Luce is just down the street, we can actually walk, and we will visit them a few days a week.

Limited menu but good prices. Early hoppy hour starting at 3pm. Great tacos. Very limited parking, street parking only.

Busy, noisy upscale sports-type bar with 4 big screens, an open kitchen and eclectic Italian style chef's menu, thin crust pizza served on a paddle, great salads and a very upscale drink menu. Looks very trendy and was far busier than any other venue in the immediate area. Service was friendly and attentive but we had to wait about 10 minutes and there is no waiting area! No outdoor seating but several garage style doors are opened when it's warmer (I saw them open during the same day I visited at night). Overall a great place but I might prefer lunch especially if I wanted to talk!

I'm really impressed by this location. It may not look like a special place from outside but this is definitely the best place I went on my California trip. From the cocktails till the desert everything was perfect and yummy!! Can recommend this place and will definitely come back once I'm in San Diego again

2nd time here. 1st time was for lunch, snacks and beer. This time it was after work, came here and met the family. They already started with the meat platter, calamari, Korean style ribs, all very delicious. I had the meatball sandwich, delicious. Love this place.

This is a local treasure recommended to us while on va action. Excellent service. Delicious food. Great casual fare

Local hangout with a great atmosphere. Part bar and part restaurant. Pizza for the kids was a big hit. They made me an off the menu grilled chicken sandwich. Very friendly waitstaff and the prices were very reasonable. Adding to my list of favorites in San Diego.

Inside of luce is a cool set up - concrete bar top, wood beam ceilings, garage doors for windows. Bartender was chill - offered up 15-16 beers on tap - mostly SD brews. Lots of open seating and the menu looked great. was only there or a an afternoon adult beverage so did not have any food. Only criticism is the location to the 5 freeway....easy access but the open windows = some road noise in the back ground.

Luce is a newer pub in the Bay Park area of San Diego, just east of Interstate 5 and Mission Bay. It has the same owners as Baci Restaurant right next door but it is more of a bistro and much less fancy. They serve a daytime menu of pizzas, Italian appetizers, delicious tacos and other lighter fare. At 5 PM everyday their dinner menu starts which includes all the daytime menu items plus a steak of the day, fish of the day, and other wonderful smaller dishes made from fresh local produce, meat, poultry and fish. Their cocktails are amazing and always fresh. The prices are moderate but the plates not huge. The waitstaff and bartenders are all friendly and attentive. My current favorite are the mussels which are just to die for. Have not had dessert there but those who have similarly rave about them. They are doing so well that they are expanding into the former Renzulli's Jewelry Store (which moved to a local shopping plaza off Clairemont Drive. They don't take reservations but if you go early or late you'll get a table. This is one of several newer restaurants along Morena Boulevard in the Bay Park area of San Diego that has just brought this neighborhood new life. No longer do we have to go downtown or even to Pacific Beach to get a nice meal. Parking is fairly plentiful. Buon Appetito!

great dishes with craft beers, unusually great sandwiches, connected to Baci's next door. Both excellent food. Father owns and runs Baci, oldest son has Luce

We went there is a couple just to have a drink. Ended up trying their food and it was great. Highly recommend the grilled octopus in any of the daily specials are magnificent. If you’re looking for a new place to take your time and have fun this is it.

Smaller restaurant that has a cool, hip feel. Great beer selection and the food was top notch. Biggest drawback was that it was busy and we had to wait, but not much room to wait. Service was good and staff was friendly. It is pretty noisy, so not the quiet romantic spot, but a great place to hang with friends for a drink and/or dinner

I heard about this place from a coworker, and of course had to try. They have a greaaat happy hour, which is pretty much my favorite thing ever. But their burger was to die for (insert dramatic music)- I’m not sure if it’s the garlic aioli or how juicy it was, but the fries also had parmesan and arugula on them, also my favorite. The atmosphere here was cute and the staff was friendly. I now refer to this place as a “hidden gem.” What to order: Good thing this place has ONE burger, but the garlic aioli makes up for any other thing you would ever want. But also Sangria, YES!

My cousin and I were headed to The Kitchen for lunch but when we arrived we were disappointed to find it was shuttered. We searched for a place close by and chose Luce. We arrived before the lunch crowd, which was good, as the seating is limited. The place filled up before we left and even the bar seating looked to be taken. The menu is ok...I was not that impressed. Prices are reasonable for what you get, service was good and the location is easy to reach. I had a salad with grilled chicken that was good but not filling. That said, given all the choices of restaurants in San Diego I doubt I will return.

After reading the reviews I was looking forward to and excited about dining at Luce. The decor is cool and has a vibrant atmosphere. When we arrived and it was quite busy and packed. While I was expecting that based on the reviews they just seemed unorganized in taking names and ensuring people are seated in the order arrived. After standing and waiting for 55 minutes we were finally seated at the bar. However we noticed a table of two just like us was given a table before us even though they arrived after us. We started with the calamari which was very good. I ordered the ribeye , medium. While the flavor was excellent I found the meat tough for being cooked medium and definitely have had better. The side potato's were very good. So while the whole dining experience was average I was expecting a little more base on the reviews. Maybe we just picked a bad night.

I didn't expect much from the location, but found a Gastro pub with good food and very pleasant staff. The bar occupy the center of the room and they have a good selection of good beer. But I still saw families there.

Visited for the first time and it didnt dissapoint! Mike at the bar was amazing. Regardless of how busy they were, they made sure we were taken care of. The restaurant industry is really struggling right they. Everyone is short staff so if you do dine out please BE PATIENT AND TIP WELL. Last and foremost, please ask for Rafael. He was amazing stories to tell! If you dont talk to Rafael its like not visiting Luce.

Great "neighborhood" restaurant. The service was quick and exceptionally friendly. The atmosphere is really nice. It was relaxed without feeling too casual. The food was quite good. We started with fried calamari and zucchini and also ordered the greek salad and beet salad. Everything was good. We'll come again when in the area.

Interesting lunch choices with good service. Loved the beet salad!! Not your typical bar food. Gluten-free options available.

We love Luce! Have been going since it opened! Whether for fantastic drinks or amazing dinner, this local go to is outstanding! Beware, it gets crowded, but they’re always accommodating!

New to this part of town (Bay Park) and looking for some good food and happy hour drinks with friends. Stopped here, and I love the spicy margarita (can’t recall the the drink name) it wasn’t on the happy hour menu (wish it were) but it was awesome! The happy hour menu could be expanded a bit. The atmosphere is an urban baresque atmosphere with farm guest tables to share. There is also an indoor outdoor patio area. Fish taco are very good and the staff very friendly and attentive.

This is a great restaurant bar especially now since they've opened the outside patio. Great food and drinks plus the servers are all really nice.

We were invited here for a Christmas Party and the staff went above and beyond to serve everyone. It is hard to say what was better, the food or the drinks, they were both excellent. I tried to have another bartender at a different restaurant make the drink I had at the party and it wasn't even close to being as yummy. They must make the ingredients from scratch. It's a must visit.

The atmosphere was lively and loud and the decor is pleasant. Ordered their burger based on recommendations of other reviews and found it greasy and disappointing. They do serve plenty of fries with it though. Service was very slow at lunch on a week day - we had to keep trying to get our waitress' attention for every part of the meal - perhaps they were short on staff that day. Overall not a great choice for lunch.

This is one of my favorite local places. Located in a great little section of San Diego some what off the beaten path, but right in the center of everything. they just redid the entire restaurant and it looks awesome. Sitting in here you feel like you could be in the middle of a very large downtown area. the crowd is usually very good. nice, but small craft beer selection. Very nice drinks and bottles if you prefer that route. The food is always on point. the daily specials are always awesome.

I have been to Luce's at least three times and I really like this place. It is not over the top or over done. It's simply a neighborhood bar with good food and a good atomosphere. My friend and I have typically gone during the week and it has ALWAYS been busy, so I am probably not the only one that thinks this place is a great go-to, hang out place with good food. The food is reasonably priced and quite tasty! The only thing is that since it can be a bit crowded during happy hour/dinner hours, the servers do not offer the fastest service, so this is not the place to go to if one is revenous.

I just hope Luce continues to deliver the goods now that I've become attached. Sunday night, I had their marvelous chicken, my companions had the lasagna and fish special and we were all happy. For guilty pleasure, we started out with a bowl of french fries which whisper of truffle oil and a roasted Brussels sprout concoction. Desserts are also exceptional - the cake had a chestnut cream filling The hazelnut gelato was sandwiched between generous sized brownie type cookies - yum. Previously I've enjoyed the braised lamb tacos and artisan pizza. Service is very efficient and pleasant, but since it is a bar, we find a little too noisy at times.

I had a beet salad which was tasty but pretty basic and my husband's meatball sandwich lacked so much flavor we had to request salt, pepper and ultimately jalepenos. The service was good and the ambiance is nice, and though we only did have two dishes, the meatball sandwich was so below average that unfortunately we won't be back. They also had two types of bruschetta on the board as specials for the day and when we asked for it, we were told they were out of both, as well as another item on the board...why not erase the board then?

Small - maybe 10 tables and bar seating - Luce can fill up during happy hour. With a casual, open sided atmosphere, the bar and grill attracts all ages, families, couples and business groups. The chef's specials change often and provide a fairly good choice of pasta, meat, and seafood. But don't ignore the appetizer plates meant to share! The meat and cheese boards offer a good selection of tasty items. The garlic truffle fries are perfect! Drink selection, while not vast, includes a nice selection of wine and beer. The cucumber gimlet and Sereano margarita are inventive examples of the cocktail offerings. Wait staff is friendly and low key. The volume tends to be high, but not deafening. Luce is rapidly becoming our go to place for drinks, good food and friendly conversation.

Found this restaurant on trip advisor. Close to our hotel. Fabulous friendly staff. Great fresh food at very reasonable cost. Would comeback in a heartbeat. In fact, ate here twice.

This is a great place to go for a good meal. The food is great and the atmosphere nice. Great place to meet friends. Like a sports bar, but nicer. The place is recently reffurbed and has good off street parking. If you are a San Diego resident you will make this a regular on your casual dining list. The food is tasty and very well presented.

Great food, atmosphere and cocktails. Off the beaten path but wonderful for date nights. We had the flat bread and Apple mules. So tasty! The service is attentive and staff very friendly. I will definitely be back on my next trip to San Diego!

This was the third time i have been here, and have had a great experience each time. Everything i have eaten here is delicious. The menu is wide ranging with everything from artisan pizzas to seafood bisques to slow cooked ribs. Today i tried the fish tacos, and they were absolutely fantastic--some of the best in the city, which is a tall order for San Diego. Prices are reasonable, staff is friendly. This has become a favorite lunch spot when we are in the area. Already looking forward to my next visit!

I went here for happy hour w/ a friend who lives near by & really enjoyed it. here is a breakdown of my likes & dislikes: What I didn't love about the place -Not the best/nicest location, loud with all the traffic right off Moreno Blvd, you can hear especially with the windows open -Although the hostess should probably know more about the wine selections, they had a good selection of wines & beers. What I really liked about the place: -The food & the vibe were AWESOME. -The place has a great ambiance & decor & it had a good mix of what seemed like local frequent customers & new one -The happy hour prices weren't amazing but the food definitely was, the menu is small but what they do make they make well (that's my preference anyways!) -the staff were all very nice, personable & attentive, good customer service is always well appreciated! :) I'm definitely looking forward to going back, I saw another table with the eggplant app & it looked amazing, cant wait to try it!

Luce is a neighborhood establishment,...that everyone should visit Vibrant small crowd, excellent service complimented by an incredible Ever changing food selection. Lamb, flatbread pizza, beet salad, and A variety of gourmet small plates ! World famous ( or soon to be. ) famous Mules!

We were in San Diego for a day trip and randomly found this place. The restaurant itself is cute. I like the openness. The service was so-so and it took us over 40 mins to get a burger. I ordered the burger medium rare, it wasn't even pink. I ordered the carmelized onions on the side and instead they were stuck on top mixed with the cheesd. The calamari still had cartilage in it that we picked out. Everything was really greasy. Not a fan, wouldn't recommend, and would never go back.

Great food. We've been there several times for lunch, brunch and dinner. Try the Pepperoni Pesto Pizza. The burgers are great, so is the beet salad. We'e never had a bad meal.

New to the area, my guy and I headed to dinner at Luce. Gio was amazing and took such good care of us. The setting was lovely and the food was delicious. Looking forward to our next visit. The pizzas are great and they have an excellent selection of beers and wines.

We were in San Diego for a long weekend. Looked around on yelp for gluten-free friendly restaurants and Luce came up. Very busy Friday night the place was packed. We were greeted right away by a very good host who took our name for about a 20 minute wait. We were offered seats in the bar but decided to wait for a table. The food coming out of the kitchen looked amazing, nice portions well plated and appealing. Once seated our waitress offered us drinks. I ordered a gin and tonic with a splash of grapefruit. They had a nice selection of specials. Quail,fresh pasta, steak, tacos, sandwiches, flat bread pizzas. I ordered the fresh pasta with sunchokes and panchetta and my daughter had the skirt steak with turnips . This is the disappointing part... it was just ok. The pasa had a lot going on the fresh noodles were thick and dry and it came out luke warm not hot. My daughters steak was OK it looked appetizing but the turnips did nothing for the dish. My bill was $60 for two entrees and 1 cocktail. I really wanted to be wowed maybe we just ordered the wrong items.

Found this restaurant on the site. Very pleased. Calamari overdone, but we had the fish tacos and tuna melt and they were great. Great atmosphere.

Randomly looking for somewhere to get a beer and something to eat in the neighborhood of my hotel and decided to stop here. Thoroughly enjoyable neighborhood vibe. Broad beer selection on tap and interesting menu. Definitely worth a visit.

Great atmosphere. Very friendly service and excellent food. Everything tastes good according to the table.

Had two really great lunches at Luce last week. One was a pulled pork sandwich with French fries, and the other was a steak sandwich beautifully prepared, not too salty or sloppy. Our waiter was really attentive, kept refilling my Arnold Palmer without asking. The place reminds me of a German hof bra; I can imagine it is fun in the evening after work. I am not a San Diego local, but if I were, I would try to have lunch here all the time!

Ohhh yes. Minus the mushrooms in my case. Delicious lamb, spinach, potatoes, zucchini, topped with dill hollandaise. Oh. My. Word. Get a spicy bloody Mary (comes with bacon) and you are in heaven.

The food,drinks and service here were excellent! The lobster Cavatelli was amaze balls! I hope it’s on the menu next time I’m in town! We ate here twice during our trip. Their restaurant next door Baci is also excellent!! I will be back for sure!!😎

We chose Luce for a late (9:30pm) dinner and because it was close to us. Even at that time only two tables were free and it was loud. Unfortunately we were seated by some drunk folks but that aside the service was attentive and prompt. We orderd the beet salad (excellent!), the ceviche (okay) and a margarita pizza...also okay. Fairly reasonable prices on drinks and food. Underwhelming overall and we won't repeat the visit.

We met here for happy hour, and loved it. Alex (Alex the great) was working, and he was moving fast since it was very crowded from happy hour on. The carnitas tacos are so very good and cooked perfectly. Oh, and I love the Luce mules, aka: Moscow Mule. The inside is beautiful and this privately owned restaurant is our favorite! Very nice owners...they really care!

Great to have Luce back. Menu has been updated. Service is great as usual. Great local bar/restaurant. We had quinoa and cattail salad, Pisano pizza and fries. Yummy We have been here dozens of times and it never disappoints

This is a pub that attempts to provide like pub style gourmet food. The food prices are very reasonable, but drinks are cheap. This place is not very large and is popular so get there early. For the most part the food is good, but some are just average and or bad as the artichokes we ordered. The steamed mussels were excellent. The service was good and friendly. The decor was pub style and dark.

The place is OK but when you don't list prices on the menu for the drinks, I think that is pretentious. Then the food happy hour (only 1 hour) and expires at 5PM is just a $1 savings - this is just greedy cheap ass management.

Wow this was absolutely a superb experience. We were actually driving to next door restaurant "Baci Ristorante Italiano" as our first choice. We passed Lucy found it very cozy but after looking inside the posh Baci restaurant we quickly decided that Lucy was a better choice for our mood. We got lamb taco as starter and it was amazingly good. As main course we got pizza and burger and it was perfect as well. The service was good, i would have given the restaurant top notch stars, but the waiter forgot our drink order and later cleaned our table even though we said we only went out for a cigarette. We will still drive long way and visit this restaurant again and again, too bad we don't live in San Diego.

Cute tiny neighborhood place!!! They just expanded a few months ago, it is a good addition to the Morena District. The ceviche is very good, Peruvian style. Dinner specials are always good, with extremely good pasta. The Butternut squash soup is very yummy!! They have a good selection of wines. The staff is friendly. They do not take reservations but if you go early you can get a good table.

Love the food,service and atmosphere - it’s my favorite in San Diego .Innovative selections and lovely patio