TL;DR - Substantial drop in food quality and service. I can't imagine myself visiting this location again, and you shouldn't imagine yourself going here either.
Pizza Luce has always been a place I could rely on for great food and service, but my most recent visit was incredibly disappointing. During my visit I got a Breggfast pizza to eat there, and Gluten Free Bruscetta to go; both were entirely disappointing.
Pizza - I got the Breggfast pizza with their Buffa-Luce sauce... well, at least that's what I ordered. What I got was a pizza crust with some ingredients on it, but no sauce. When I mentioned it to the waiter, he told me it was there. I restated that in fact, no, it was not, and showed him the pizza, and he informed me that I was incorrect and it was there, and then just walked away without another word. So apparently as far as this waiter was concerned, I'm blind and have no taste buds.
Gluten Free Bruscetta - Oh, I'm sorry, did I say Bruscetta, I meant the cheapest, most terrible gluten free hamburger buns you can find. Pizza Luce's GF Bruscetta used to be, hands down, the best around. I believe they got the bread from a local bakery and perhaps they aren't around any longer, but if you can't find a good alternative, then just don't have any. If I had to guess, they just use Schar hamburger buns, though that feels like an insult to Shar. These were terrible; they tasted like cardboard and were soggy.
Pizza Luce was always a safe bet when I was in the area, for both Pizza and gluten free items, but this visit was a joke, and an expensive one at that.
Always the best food. Very large place with a beautiful patio. It is one of my favorite places to go. Everything is always good. Only took a photo of my item last night which was the shroom burger. Beautiful baguette and tasty cheeses to make it the perfect burger. Friends had a poke bowl, Salad and another burger.
My friend needed Gluten Free and they were helpful.
At the bar they also have THC drinks 🍹 One of my favorite places to get wings. Also one of my favorite appetizers is the Ahi Tuna Crisp.
Servers will help you makes choices if you have not been here. Friendly staff!
This is a great option in the North Loop.
BreakfastPizzaDinnerPet FriendlyKid FriendlyOpen Late NightLunchOutdoor SeatingTake AwayVegetarian OptionsVegan OptionsBrunchDelivery
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Melissa Grant
Love love love this place! Amazingly good! The garlic cheese bread is the best ever! The pizza’s are soooo good! They did a wonderful job on the gluten free crust! The atmosphere is adorable and we had the best server ever!
Best breakfast I’ve EVER had. I got the Scromble of The Day. Tomatoes and Chimichurri *chefs kiss* I’m gluten free and the GF English muffins were great.. I got TWO with my breakfast. My dad got the breakfast burrito and he loved it! Super cool spot to check out in downtown Minneapolis.
I’m celiac and finding safe places to eat when I travel is hard. This place was amazing. At first I was skeptical but the young man that was my waiter was knowledgeable and the items are marked on the menu. Food was outstanding! His service was great. He was very kind and attentive.
So 49ER Day party at Crave Rooftop was a lot of fun and the food was delicious.
I was pretty surprised at how extensive their menu was. Oftentimes, when restaurants have a lot of items and different types and styles, it isn't always good.
But when I tell you my bison burger and wings were very tasty. There was lots of flavor and made just the way I wanted. I don't like my wings swimming in sauce, so I asked for light sauce on my wings, and they listened, and it was just how I like.
Their menu even has a gluten sensitive menu as well as a plant based menu. I was impressed with their options.
If you find yourself in downtown Minneapolis, you should definitely check them out. You will not be disappointed!
They had many gluten free items, including the gluten free scone that was still hot out of the oven. The coffee was very fresh and great tasting, many varietals available.
Loved our breakfast. We had a crew of 5 in town for a comic con convention, and there was something on the menu for everyone. Everything was delicious. Breakfast tacos, chicken and waffles, gyro omelet, and more all were delicious! They even had gluten free pancakes for me because I have an allergy.
Delicious! We had the smoked salmon bagel sandwich on an onion bagel and they even had gluten free buns for our GF friends. The sesame latte and blueberry vanilla latte were so good too! Definitely worth a stop!
Amazing staff, I have celiac and our waitress asked her kitchen to make me gluten free cheese bread! It's something so simple and It made my night so much better. She went out of her way on a Friday night to do something special for me without me asking ♥️ thank you for that
CocktailsDinnerOpen Late NightLunchOutdoor SeatingVegan OptionsVegetarian OptionsBreakfastBrunchDeliveryTake AwayPet FriendlyKid Friendly
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Nate Meyer
We had reservations at NoLo but called an audible and went here instead because they had a lot of Gluten Free options.
No regrets, we would definitely go back. We’d go back just for the jerk chicken, so good!
The place is aesthetically pleasing but I would not go back as a person with gluten free/celiac. I only got a Cobb salad with no breadcrumbs which they assured me it can be done with a celiac allergy. About 20mins after my stomach felt awful and still does the next day.
My non celiac friends enjoyed it. This post is just for the gf community.
I eat out a couple of times a month and have not been glutened in a few yrs.
It’s good for what it is. Order at the counter, food brought to table. I ordered a burger and gluten free bun, which was good (a really nice sauce was on it that amped up the flavor). Fries were average. Also purchase a Sanpellegrino soda, total was about $19
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Becca Even
Great atmosphere, welcoming and kind service, diverse menu, and delicious food! Loved that they also had gluten free options. Highly recommend the Gf flatbread!
BrunchBreakfastDinnerOpen Late NightLunchSeafoodVegan OptionsVegetarian OptionsBread ItemsBurgersSandwichesDeliveryTake AwayOutdoor SeatingRestaurant
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J James
It has been our tradition for the last 7 years to celebrate Mother's Day at Freehouse for breakfast. Reservations are easy, convenient and comes with less pressure in comparison to other restaurants on this day. We are parents of 3 young children who need some flexibility but also gravitate toward restaurants that are family friendly. It has been a pleasant experience every time. Inexpensive kid's menu options, friendly staff that understand the complexities of eating out with children, a great selection of gluten-friendly meals are always a bonus and enjoyable atmosphere indoors and on the patio. We keep coming back because they have been consistent and know what to expect while always treating us well as a family. We enjoy the diversity of patrons and appreciate being able to enjoy a nice meal with our kids.
It’s a nice casual place for gathering and dining. The meals were a bit undersized for the price. The soup was a tad too salty. There was an order mix up yet they did take care of it promptly. It would be nice to see more gluten-free, vegetarian and children’s options. You can see through mirrors in the bathrooms to the bathrooms of the opposite gender. Both myself and my son found that a bit unsettling.
The cortado was beautifully velvety, and the latte hit that sweet spot between rich milk and a solid espresso. Both drinks showed care in execution without unnecessary fluff.
Food-wise, the spinach artichoke roll is genuinely crave‑able. Savory, with just the right amount of filling. We also tried gluten‑free pastry from Sift. It wasn’t exceptional, but it’s great to see thoughtful options for dietary restrictions.
The baristas were very attentive. Even at peak times, they were prompt, friendly, and happy to answer questions about the menu.
The space itself walks a fine line between grand and cozy. High ceilings and art installations give it an open, historic vibe, while the clever sound‑dampening keeps noise at a comfortable level. Subtle nods to the building’s paper‑company past add character without feeling kitschy.
Backstory Coffee combines thoughtful design, solid coffee, and conversational service. Definitely worth a visit.
Great drinks and fast service! Went there before a Twins game, and they made sure we made it out in time. Food is great with and a separate menu for gluten-free options.
Great food and drinks. Second time here and can’t recommend enough. Fantastic for gluten free folks too or other food allergies like eggs, etc. Quite accommodating!
Update/Edit: Another great experience. This time it wasn’t as busy and was more quiet in there, but maybe that’s because of when we went. Service was nice and helpful, and even asked for our names to look out for us next time and remember us.
We ate here before seeing The Lion King at the Orpheum. It's a nice walking distance from the theater and a nice atmosphere for a dressed up, special night out.
Service: Outstanding. Our server, Mario, was spectacular. Attentive and personable. He was also kind enough to give us happy hour prices even though we technically weren't sitting on the happy hour side of the curtain. That meant a lot to us as we didn't see anything on line stating these prices only applied to certain tables and was a factor in our choosing this eatery.
Food: Delicious. I appreciated the many gluten free options. I had cornbread and the stuffed mushrooms. The cornbread was amazing! I shared it with my husband but could have easily eaten it all myself. The mushrooms were a bit heavy on the garlic. I would have preferred that flavor to have been a bit more subtle. My husband had the bison burger and enjoyed it. It's spicy but as he described, "a nice level of heat." We had the vanilla bean creme brulee, and it was a wonderfully smooth, flavorful custard.
Drinks: Good. I had a glass of Chateau St Michelle Riesling, a wine I choose often so I knew I'd like it. My husband had the Old Fashioned, which was made with Maker's Mark and just isn't his favorite alcohol, but that's not really the restaurant's fault as he did choose to order it.
Overall, this is a place we'd visit again the next time we're in the theater district!
We loved the breakfast options on Saturday morning, and the HUGE, delicious portions! And...NO WAIT HERE! Down the street the Hen House had an ENORMOUS wait...wwhile we sat right down, ordered and happily were enjoying our meal! Skip the Hen House and belly up to the 8th Street Bar and Grill for AMAZINGLY FRESH, WELL-SEASONED FOOD!
The Southwest Chicken Salad was amazing...so much so that we bought it Friday evening for dinner before running off to the WNBA MN Lynx vs NY Liberty game while on our way to see the Lynx win game 4 of the finals! The walk from the Westin where we stayed to this joint was short and easy...and so was the walk to the Target Arena.
The steak on the steak and eggs breakfast plate/platter was of a VERY generous size alongside what literally appeared to be a MOUNTAIN, I'm talking like like 2 cups (!!) of seasoned potatoes and wheat toast that was so thick I mistook it for a Belgian waffle on another patron's plate when we arrived! The eggs were gently cooked to a PERFECT over- medium. Similarly, the sirloin steak was EXPERTLY prepared to a precise medium with some seasoned butter plopped atop it when it was served.
The ONLY dings this place receives from my review is the server today was crabby and not friendly at all, not wanting to be bothered by our conversation or our questions. Likewise, no one greets you upon arrival, and you enter sort of bewildered while wondering, where's the hostess that all the signs upon arrival state you are supposed to find in order to be seated?! Furthermore, the host refused our request to sit out front saying it was too dusty to eat there...and instead, HE CHOSE for us to sit under what appeared to us to be a dingy overhanging concrete alleyway(behind the blowup/red wavy guy--see photo overhanging, dark area behind where we are posing). Had we had those experiences the evening before when we dined, we likely would not have returned, but the server the night before was accommodating and careful with my need for gluten free options where today the woman literally grew impatient and rushed me along when ordering--NOT b/c they were busy, mind you--they weren't! She sort of rolled her eyes when I asked for no tortilla strips for fear of cross contamination and when I requested no seasoning on the chicken as well as for them to place the salad dressing on the side. I mean, I wasn't trying to be a PITA...I have a severe food allergy, lady! I think someone may have urinated in her cheerios this morning. Who knows? Regardless, her and the host's off-putting ways did not dampen our spirits and enthusiasm for the yummy food we received, thankfully.
My only words of caution?
A) Wear a parka into the bathroom and ensure you rub your hands together extra long under the ICY sink water, or you'll lose sensation in your fingers. NO JOKE...the temperature upon entry into the restroom HAD TO BE an icy 40 degrees! I felt like I just stepped into the restaurant's walk-in freezer...spouse said the same thing, so I KNOW it wasn't just me!
And...B) Do NOT sit outside IF you don't want to smell almost CONSTANT skunk/ Marijuana! It LITERALLY was being smoked at the table next to us! And almost every third walker was actively reeking with it OR actively smoking it as they took their leisurely Saturday morning stroll downtown!
Overall though? This place is worth checking out if you want generous portions, yummy, fuss-free food, and no wait! Our food was served in less than 15 minutes both times we visited and was cooked to perfection both times also!
It was a private party for my cousin and the wait staff was amazing at making sure my daughter and I had a safe Gluten free meal. Food and drink was awesome as well
The only disappointment was that there weren't a few specialty dishes prepared, gluten free. Even eggs Benedict, a pasta salad and a few desserts would have been nice. (Easter Brunch)
We love stopping in when we are in town. They have gluten-free options as well. Kids' meals are very large for the price you pay. Food is so fresh, salads are great. You dont want to miss this one. Gelato is amazing as well.
Visited this location 3 separate times while staying at a nearby hotel over the weekend. The location is great, very clean, staff are friendly and welcoming. My one complaint is on the first day there I asked about if the gluten free breakfast sandwiches were still heated up in their own packaging for cross contamination safety. The person working on day 1 assured me that yes they were. I ordered one then it came wrapped in foil paper so I knew otherwise. Day 2 I asked a different staff member and he assured me that no, due to packaging catching on fire caribou no longer heats up the gluten free sandwiches in their packaging anymore but stated he could place it off on the side to heat to reduce cross contact. He told me that the day 1 worker unfortunately lied to me.
As someone with celiac, I have to put a lot of trust into people preparing my food. I don’t appreciate being lied to at all about food prep safety. I’m glad the day 2 worker was honest with me.
The facility is otherwise clean and nicely decorated with lots of seating options, and the drinks were exceptional every time. If it weren’t for being lied to about food prep I would have given this place a 5/5. Maybe work with your staff on training so that they don’t accidentally harm someone with an autoimmune disease or allergies.
Flip, the owner, was incredibly friendly and went through the menu, ingredient by ingredient, with my gluten-intolerant wife, to ensure that her breakfast would be gluten-free. Really, really nice experience!
Gluten-free pepperoni pizza!! Have had a very hard time finding a gluten-free pizza that doesn't feel like I'm chewing on cardboard! Theirs was exceptional! One of the best that I have found in the twin cities so far!
I've gone here twice now, and their coffee is amazing. I love the personality in the shop, and in the one employee I've seen so far. They sell delicious gluten free pastries and even plants, as well as sandwiches and waffles (which i haven't tried). I am blessed to have found this place and will continue to go. They don't have parking, unfortunately. You park on the street, which sometimes leaves you walking a few minutes.
Celiac friendly
