Fresh, Honest Ingredients
We source locally whenever possible and never cut corners on quality. If it's on your plate, it's because it earned its place there.
The Story Behind pizza luce
Pizza luce was born from a simple belief: great food deserves great company. Founded in 2005 on the bustling streets of New York, our restaurant became a neighborhood staple almost overnight. The name "luce" — meaning "light" in Italian — reflects our philosophy: to bring warmth, brightness, and joy through every dish we serve.
Our founder, Marco Santelli, left Naples with two suitcases and a family recipe book. What started as a humble pizzeria at 235 E 53rd St quickly grew into something much bigger — a gathering place where people share stories, celebrate milestones, and find comfort in honest, handcrafted food.
Whether you know us as pizzaluce, "that amazing pizza spot on 53rd," or simply your favorite place for a slice, one thing remains constant: every dish leaves our kitchen made with the same care and love it always has.
pizza luce
New York
Handcrafted
Since 2005
Italian Roots
View Menu
20+
Years Serving
50K+
Happy Customers
80+
Menu Items
4.9
Average Rating
Mission, Vision & pizzaluce Promise
At pizzaluce, every choice we make — from sourcing ingredients to training our staff — is guided by three core commitments.
Our Mission
To craft authentic, soul-satisfying food that connects people — using real ingredients, traditional techniques, and a whole lot of heart. Every order that leaves our kitchen is a promise delivered.
Our Vision
To be New York's most beloved neighborhood restaurant — a place where every visit feels like coming home. We envision a world where luce pizza means community, warmth, and joy on every table.
Our Promise
Freshness you can taste. Service you'll remember. Prices that make sense. We never compromise on quality — because you deserve the best version of every dish, every single time.
Our Core Values
Everything at Pizza luce is built on a foundation of values that guide how we cook, how we serve, and how we grow. These aren't just words on a wall — they're the principles we live by every day.
Cooked with Passion
Our kitchen team approaches every dish with creativity and care. Cooking isn't just a job here — it's our craft and our calling.
Community First
We're proud to be part of the New York community. From local sourcing to charitable partnerships, we invest in the neighborhood that built us.
Sustainable Practices
From compostable packaging to reduced food waste programs, we take our environmental responsibility seriously — because future generations deserve great pizza too.
The pizza lucs Timeline
From a single storefront to one of New York's most recognized dining destinations — here's how pizza lucs wrote its story, one year at a time.
2005
The First Slice
Marco Santelli opens Pizza luce at 235 E 53rd St with just six tables, a wood-fired oven, and three family recipes. Within a week, there's a line around the block.
2008
Menu Expansion
Responding to overwhelming demand, we expand our menu to include pastas, salads, and our now-legendary garlic knots. The pizzaluce brand begins to take shape beyond just pizza.
2011
New York's Best Pizza Award
Pizza luce wins the coveted "Best Pizza in New York" at the annual food festival, putting us on the map nationally and drawing food critics from across the country.
2015
Catering & Events Launch
We launch our full-service catering division, bringing the luce pizza experience to weddings, corporate events, and private parties across the tri-state area.
2018
Digital Ordering Platform
Pizza luce launches its online ordering system and mobile app, making it easier than ever for customers to get their favorite dishes delivered fresh to their door.
2021
Sustainability Pledge
We commit to 100% compostable packaging and partner with local farms for 70% of our produce, earning the NYC Green Restaurant certification and reinforcing our community promise.
2024
20 Years Strong
Celebrating two decades of pizza, passion, and community. Pizza luce serves its 50,000th customer and announces exciting new menu additions for the years ahead.
Meet the Team
Behind every great dish is an even greater person. Our team brings decades of combined culinary expertise, boundless creativity, and genuine care to everything we do at Pizza luce.
Marco Santelli
Founder & Head Chef
Naples-born visionary who brought his family's century-old recipes to New York. Marco's passion for authentic Italian cooking is the heartbeat of Pizza luce.
Sofia Rossi
Executive Pastry Chef
A Cordon Bleu graduate with a gift for marrying classic Italian dessert tradition with bold New York flair. Sofia's tiramisu has a dedicated fan club of its own.
James Carter
Operations Manager
The engine that keeps Pizza luce running smoothly. With 15 years in restaurant operations, James ensures every customer experience is seamless from order to delivery.
Elena Moretti
Head of Catering
Elena transforms every event into a culinary celebration. Her meticulous planning and deep menu knowledge have made our catering division the go-to for New York's elite events.