San Antonio Diners Farewell a Beloved Italian Spot This March

A historic Italian restaurant in San Antonio has announced the non-renewal of its lease and will end operations on March 7, 2026.

Written By Deepali Singla
Street view of Luce Italian restaurant in San Antonio (Source: Yelp by Dennis S.)

The restaurant industry in San Antonio is going to experience a significant shift as a longstanding establishment has announced closure. Luce Ristorante e Enoteca has been offering Italian cuisine to locals for two decades. The restaurant will serve its final meal on March.

Iconic Luce Ristorante e Enoteca to Close in March

Luce Ristorante E Enoteca brought the charm of Italian enotecas, wine bars that offer well-crafted local food with customized wine lists. Pastas, seasonal vegetables, imported cheeses, and high-end sourced meats and seafood are the menu highlights of the restaurant.

Another attraction at Luce is their slow-simmered preparations and detailed presentation. Patrons visit for a high-end yet comfortable dining experience. Careful wine pairing recommendations by the staff enhance the taste of dishes.

Luce Ristorante has been located at 11255 Huebner Rd #200 for the last 20 years. On February 19, 2026, Neapolitan owner and chef Joe Buonincontri took to social media and announced the permanent closure of the restaurant. He mentioned that the lease of the restaurant space will end on April 31, 2026. He has decided not to renew it and serve the community for the last time on March 7.

The reason for this decision was not revealed, and the post ended with, “Thank you very much for all the support and great memories.”

Customers have multiple memories of family recipes of Italian specialities at Luce. Many diners expressed their grief at losing a local favorite through comments on the announcement post. Some remembered how they celebrated their special occasions at the restaurant. While others hope to see the concept again at some other location.

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Deepali Singla is a food technologist by discipline and a seasoned, versatile writer by profession. Her passion for writing emerged during her academic journey. With a strong foundation in research, she excels at crafting well-researched content. Combining technical knowledge with a flair for storytelling, Deepali brings depth and clarity to her work.
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