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VIA VAI - Astoria

4.8
4.8
205 Reviews
$31 to $50
Italian
Top Tags:

VIA VAI is a Chef-Owner run restaurant, serving contemporary and authentic Italian food that one would find in the best restaurants and trattorie in today's Italy.

The restaurant is rustic cozy and charming, with a slate and marble top bar serving only select Italian wines, and local and imported tap and bottled beer, that pair perfectly with the artisanal food prepared every day on the premises, and the brick oven roman-style (thin crust) pizza cooked in the imported Italian oven.

Chef-owner Antonio Morichini is Roman born and bred. He did his culinary education and training in Italy, working in some of the best Michelin-starred restaurants in Rome. His food is loyal to tradition, but forward looking.

Indoor and Outdoor Dining Available, weather permitted.

Make a reservation

2 people
June 2022
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11:30 PM
Booked 8 times today

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    Italian, Wine Bar

  • Hours of operation

    Daily 4:00 pm–10:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (347) 612-4334

  • Website

    http://www.viavai-ny.com/

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Smart Casual

  • Executive chef

    Antonio Morichini

  • Catering

    Cater your next special event with specialty food from VIA VAI. Call us for catering menus and further information

  • Private party facilities

    VIA VAI is available for private events. Call us for further information.

  • Location

    31-09 23rd Ave Astoria, NY 11105

  • Neighborhood

    Astoria

  • Parking details

    Street parking and municipal parking lot in very close proximity, are available.

  • Public transit

    VIA VAI is down the block from the last stop of the N train, Ditmars Blvd.

  • Additional

    Beer, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

Popular dishes

What 205 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Queens

    Fit for Foodies

  • Queens

    Healthy

  • Queens

    Romantic

  • Queens

    Italian

Sort by

Filters

  1. MA

    MARIAM

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 18, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    This place it’s phenomenal, the food was excellent, fresh, the service was excellent, I will defiantly go back soon

  2. A

    Aficionado747

    New York Area

    36 reviews

    5.0

    36 reviews

    Dined on June 17, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excellent cuisine, courteous and helpful service, pleasant environment, reasonable prices. We will certainly return more than once.

  3. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 13, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience5

    Wedding Anniversary

  4. KW

    KarenW

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on June 11, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    I am never disappointed with Via Vai. The food is excellent, and the staff is attentive and friendly.

  5. MD

    MichaelD

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 11, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Via Vai is truly a hidden gem. By far, one of my favorite restaurants in Astoria, and quite frankly, in all if NYC. The food is spectacular and the service just as outstanding. Our server, Samantha, was truly amazing.

  6. C

    Cosmo

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on April 17, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Outstanding! Heard excellent reports from friends so the expectations were high. Via Vai certainly delivered. We had a table of 6 mid afternoon on Easter. The space is great. The service was wonderful. Attentive with great wine recommendations. Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious and we managed to hit a pretty good cross section of the menu for both apps and entrees. We couldn’t stop sharing and spearing from each other’s plates. Can’t even pick out favorites, it was all great!

  7. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on April 14, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Everything was perfect! Food was delicious and the service was great. It was my first time trying, to celebrate passing the bar exam, and the restaurant was able to accomodate 8 people. Can’t wait to go back!

  8. RJ

    RichardJ

    New York Area

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on April 10, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Nice cozy place. Really felt like a guest at someone’s home. The Gnocchi were original and really good

  9. SN

    ScottNY64

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on April 9, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    First time, will not be our last! Food was wonderful, service terrific. Look forward to exploring the menu further.

  10. NY

    NYCtraveler

    New York Area

    31 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    31 reviews

    Dined on March 31, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Delicious food, lovely environment, and warm hospitality!

  11. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 26, 2022

    overall1food1service3ambience3

    Bad overall.

  12. WG

    WeGoOutALot

    New York Area

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on March 26, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    pleasant staff. , Samantha was extremely gracious & wine knowledgeable. made our night.

  13. K

    Kenneth

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 18, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Food was INCREDIBLE. I mean, seriously! Perfect for an anniversary dinner where the food is prepped starting from the time you ordered for the best possible freshness. Perfecto!

  14. GC

    GruberC

    Richmond

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 16, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We took our children & grandchildren for a nice dinner

  15. FH

    FHFoodie

    New York Area

    151 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    151 reviews

    Dined on March 5, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience5

    The food was delicious, presented beautifully, and served up with charm and warmth by the staff. The only criticism would be that the portions were VERY small. I would gladly have paid a little more for each item, if it would have meant receiving more on each plate. Otherwise, it was an enjoyable experience.

  16. KW

    KarenW

    New York Area

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on March 5, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Always happy with my meal at Via Vai. Lovely atmosphere and delicious food.

  17. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 27, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience5

    Service was phenomenal. Ambiance was great, cute and cozy. Food is excellent, portions are not super big and it is a little pricey but well worth it - I will definitely be back!

  18. NY

    NYCtraveler

    New York Area

    31 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    31 reviews

    Dined on February 26, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Neighborhood jewel, with unusually good food, a lovely setting, and great hospitality. The omnivore is crazy about their branzino baked in focaccia, and their spaghetti carbonara. My favorites are their gnocchi and their tonnarelli cacio e pepe.

  19. DC

    DebbieC

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 18, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Food, wine, gelato were all delicious. Samantha, our server, was exceptional!

  20. H

    Hello

    New York Area

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 15, 2022

    overall2food2service2ambience2

    Went on valentine's day. Felt packed in like sardines. Felt like i was sitting in a cafeteria tablr and bench next to other guests. I was so close to the next table I could smell the guy's awful breath. I have been here before and it was really great, but for the holiday they overbooked the restaurant and the food quality really suffered.

  21. SA

    ScottA

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 13, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Food and service are incredible. A wonderful non pretentious restaurant with top tier authentic Italian food.

  22. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 13, 2022

    overall3food2service2ambience4

    Service was poor. We were there for about 2 hours and no one ever came over to our table to ask how the food was or if we needed anything. Food took a full hour to come. We sat for about 15 min clearly finished with our food, no one offered to take the plates, or ask if we wanted coffee or desert so we finally just asked for a check to leave. Food was very subpar for the price range. If it was cheaper I would probably have a better opinion. Very disappointing after waiting so long since moving to Astoria to try this place I really had high hopes and aside from the very nice decor and ambiance it was definitely a let down.

  23. MM

    MeganM

    New York Area

    31 reviews

    5.0

    31 reviews

    Dined on February 12, 2022

    overall5food5service3ambience3

    My husband and I went for pre-Valentines day date night. The food was 10/10. Absolutely delicious.

  24. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 5, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Amazing all around-food, ambiance, service! The gelato was to die

  25. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 4, 2022

    overall3food3service4ambience4

    The wait was long and food wasn’t the best

  26. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 3, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Perfect food, perfect service, and Samantha is a great server and ambassador!

  27. A

    Alejo

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on January 30, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    This was absolutely delicious Italian food and great wine selection.

  28. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 22, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Was good. A little over priced but good.

  29. M

    Marie

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 5, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    A perfect little neighborhood date place with great food, attentive service and good ambience.

  30. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 4, 2021

    overall4food5service4ambience5

    Terrific food!

  31. ES

    ElizabethS

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 28, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excellent food and service. Super cozy interior as well.

  32. VC

    ValerieC

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 27, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Absolutely outstanding meal. The waitress was incredible, the food was to die for. Had the beet & arugula salad, mussels homemade paste special and scallops. Each one better than the next. Tiramisu and gelato and dessert wine also phenomenal. Ambiance is great. Highly recommend!!

  33. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 19, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Always amazing, never disappoints.

  34. JP

    JordynP

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on November 14, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We always have the best time at Via Vai! We booked a table for 8 to bring our close friends to celebrate my boyfriends birthday and everyone loved the food and had a great time. Samantha is fantastic and took great care of us!

  35. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 11, 2021

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    Great value for the quality of food and drink. Professional service and lovely ambiance.

  36. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on November 2, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Service is the best

  37. RS

    RogerS

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 27, 2021

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Small restaurant with a great chef from Rome. Pastas are first rate!

  38. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 23, 2021

    overall5food5service4ambience4

    The food is outstanding, however everything is made fresh to order so plan on being here a while! They do notate this on their menu so I was prepared to be here for two hours with my husband. The homemade pasta is delicious and the gelato….. AMAZING. I definitely suggest making a reservation ahead of time because there’s only about 12-15 tables total in the restaurant. We made a reservation and had no issues.

  39. PM

    PatriciaM

    New York Area

    17 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on October 22, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Good quality

  40. AH

    AHamdy

    New York Area

    43 reviews

    5.0

    43 reviews

    Dined on October 17, 2021

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    The food was exceptional. Arguably the best Duck I’ve ever had. Everything was great and would be back again

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers

  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners
    • Distancing maintained in common areas
    • Extra space between tables

  • Protective equipment

    • Waitstaff wear masks
    • Diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking

  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
    • Proof of vaccination required to dine indoors

FAQs

VIA VAI - Astoria is rated 4.8 stars by 205 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
June 2022
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
11:30 PM
Booked 8 times today
Google Map for VIA VAI - Astoria

31-09 23rd Ave Astoria, NY 11105

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Neighborhood

    Astoria

  • Hours of operation

    Daily 4:00 pm–10:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    Italian, Wine Bar

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Dress code

    Smart Casual

  • Parking details

    Street parking and municipal parking lot in very close proximity, are available.

  • Public transit

    VIA VAI is down the block from the last stop of the N train, Ditmars Blvd.

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Antonio Morichini

  • Additional

    Beer, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Website

    http://www.viavai-ny.com/

  • Phone number

    (347) 612-4334

  • Catering

    Cater your next special event with specialty food from VIA VAI. Call us for catering menus and further information

  • Private party facilities

    VIA VAI is available for private events. Call us for further information.

Featured in

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