From a small neighborhood kitchen to Hopkins' most-loved pizzeria — discover the passion, people, and principles behind every pie we craft.
Pizza luce was founded in 2009 by Chef Marco Luciani and his wife Elena, who dreamed of bringing authentic, stone-fired artisan pizza to the heart of Hopkins, Minnesota. What started as a 12-table neighborhood spot quickly grew into a community institution.
Inspired by Marco's childhood summers in Naples and Elena's love of local Minnesota ingredients, Pizza luce was built on a simple promise: every pizza should taste like it was made with love, for someone you care about. That philosophy hasn't changed in 15 years — and it never will.
Stone-Fired at 900°F Our hand-built Neapolitan oven reaches 900°F for the authentic char and airy crust you simply can't replicate any other way.
Locally Sourced Ingredients We partner with Minnesota farms to bring you the freshest seasonal vegetables, meats, and dairy — every single day.
Community First From hosting neighborhood events to supporting local schools, Pizza luce is more than a restaurant — it's a community hub.
Everything we do is guided by three core principles that shape how we cook, serve, and grow as a restaurant and a community.
We believe great pizza starts long before the oven. From hand-kneading our dough to grinding our own spice blends, craftsmanship is in every detail we control.
We serve more than food — we serve connection. Pizza luce is a gathering place where neighbors become friends and every table tells a story.
From compostable packaging to zero-waste kitchen practices, we're committed to leaving Hopkins — and the planet — better than we found it.
Behind every perfect pizza is a passionate person. Meet the dedicated crew who pour their heart into every shift — and every slice.
Born in Naples and trained in Rome, Marco brings 20 years of authentic Italian pizza mastery to every stone-fired creation at Pizza luce.
Elena's vision for community-centered dining and her eye for locally sourced ingredients give Pizza luce its unique Minnesota soul and spirit.
James joined Pizza luce in 2014 after graduating from culinary school in Chicago. He leads daily kitchen operations and develops our seasonal specials.
Sophia ensures every visit to Pizza luce feels like coming home. Her warmth, attention to detail, and genuine care make every guest feel truly welcomed.
Want to join our passionate team?
Get in TouchThese six values aren't just words on a wall — they shape every decision we make, from sourcing ingredients to welcoming every guest through our doors.
We never compromise on ingredients. Every tomato, every wheel of mozzarella, every cured meat is held to the highest standard before it reaches your table.
Hopkins is home. We invest in local farms, sponsor neighborhood events, and give back because our community's success is our success too.
Tradition inspires us, but creativity defines us. We push boundaries with bold flavor combinations while honoring the artisan roots of Neapolitan pizza.
From compostable boxes to energy-efficient ovens, we take our environmental responsibility seriously — because tomorrow's community needs a healthy planet.
Every guest deserves to feel seen, welcomed, and celebrated. We train our team to lead with warmth and to treat every table like a guest of honor.
We taste, we listen, we iterate. Customer feedback and culinary innovation keep us hungry to be better — every single day, with every single order.
From a dream shared over a kitchen table to one of Minnesota's most beloved pizza destinations — here's how we got here.
Marco and Elena Luciani open Pizza luce with just 12 tables, one hand-built Neapolitan oven, and a determination to serve Hopkins the best pizza it had ever tasted. The first night — sold out.
Twin Cities magazine names Pizza luce "Best New Pizzeria in the West Metro," cementing our reputation for bold, authentic flavors. The wait list grows to two weeks.
We formalize partnerships with 8 Minnesota farms, pledging to source at least 70% of our produce locally. Our seasonal menu becomes a signature feature customers look forward to.
After years of turning away guests, we expand our Blake Road location to 30 tables and add an open kitchen concept so guests can watch the magic happen in real time.
We launch our own delivery service — keeping quality control in-house and ensuring every pizza arrives hot, fresh, and exactly as our kitchen intended it. Delivery radius: 10 miles.
We launch online ordering and our mobile-friendly site, making it easier than ever to get artisan pizza on your schedule. Orders through the platform surpass in-store within 6 months.
We celebrate serving over 50,000 pizzas to the Hopkins community — throwing a block party on Blake Road with free slices, live music, and a toast to the people who made it possible: you.
With catering services expanding, a new signature sauce line in development, and community pizza classes launching this fall — the best of Pizza luce is still ahead. Stay hungry.