An incredible, intimate location with authentic Italian eats. The calamari was tender and had good pieces of tentacles, great dipping sauce, and the Caesar salad was perfect size to split. For entrees the wife and I had the cacio e pepe with crumbled sausage, which had a nice little kick to it and seasoned just right. The gnocchi with the meatballs had excellent sauce and cheese smothered on top. You must book a reservation to lock in a table, but it's highly worth visiting!! read more

Vanda Cucina - Gnocchi with meatballs - Italian Near Me - Warwick, Rhode Island

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More like four and a half Stars Shaved fennel salad. Very good except there were some dead leaves in there which I have to pick out not a big deal but I would hope that they would Pay attention to things like that. Rigatoni with braised pork colon very good tasty I enjoyed it I added some red pepper flakes as well Parking is free and in a lot it shares the parking lot with the seafood place sometimes that can be an issue and there are a lot of signs that the seafood place puts up to make that distinction Also it's a bit busy in terms of getting into the parking lot because of the roundabout Service is great no issues Bathroom is clean. It's a bit claustrophobic and tight in my opinion Overall I think the place is pretty good I would come back, no problems! read more

Vanda Cucina - Shaved fennel salad - Italian Near Me - Warwick, Rhode Island

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I really wanted to like this place, especially given all the great reviews, but after two chances, I don't see myself coming back. We visited on a Friday night. We arrived early, before the restaurant got busy, and sat at the bar. What immediately struck us was how long we sat there without even being acknowledged. The bartender and other staff weren't particularly busy, yet it was probably close to 10 minutes before we even received a greeting. It was awkward and honestly a little strange. We stayed, ordered drinks, appetizers, and fairly expensive entrées. The food was mixed--my partner really enjoyed everything she had, while I wasn't particularly impressed with mine. But the bigger issue was the service. By the time we left, the restaurant was packed, so they're clearly doing something right, but given the price point and our experience, I didn't feel much desire to return. That said, I pass by frequently and kept seeing so many positive reviews that I started wondering if we'd simply caught them on an off night. So we decided to give them another chance. Unfortunately, the second visit was somehow even stranger. We came in around 4 PM on a Thursday. The restaurant was practically empty--maybe one or two tables and two people sitting at the bar. We sat down at the bar and, once again, it was as though we were invisible. No greeting, no acknowledgment. The bartender and staff were chatting with the other two people at the bar, who may have been regulars or people they knew, while we just sat there waiting. Eventually, we ordered two drinks and an appetizer, and everything took an unusually long time considering how empty the restaurant was. Throughout the entire visit, getting anyone's attention felt like a chore. The best way I can describe the experience is that it felt like we'd walked into someone's private club and weren't members. It was uncomfortable and awkward, and I've honestly never experienced anything quite like it at a restaurant. We planned to stay for dinner and order more drinks, but after nearly an hour of feeling ignored and unwelcome, we decided we'd had enough. We left and went to AVVIO in Garden City, where the experience was literally night and day. I can overlook an off night, which is exactly why we came back a second time. But having essentially the same service experience twice, on two different days and while the restaurant wasn't busy, is hard to overlook. Both times, I left feeling like our business wasn't particularly appreciated and that asking for service was somehow bothering the staff. At this price point, guests shouldn't feel that way. Unfortunately, twice was enough for us. We won't be back. read more

Loved this place! It is very small so you definitely want to make a reservation to make sure they have a table for you. Food was delicious. Clams for our appetizer were awesome! Gnocchi and meatballs were amazing! Just a warning, patio seating is not enclosed so if rain is in the forecast then stick with a table inside because if it happens to rain while you're outside eating there is no backup table or seats at the bar to move to inside. We learned that the hard way so just a heads up. Everything else was great. read more

The bolognese was great and clearly homemade. The noodles were a nice, soft texture, cooked well. Honestly the star of the show for me was the insanely fluffy focaccia! It came with several different butters, including a seasonal peach butter, and made a great addition to the pasta. While not cheap, this was definitely an enjoyable meal and I was able to get two servings out of it. Pickup was fast and easy. read more

Vanda Cucina - Hand-Cut Fettuccine, Bolognese, Pecorino, Basil, Focaccia - Italian Near Me - Warwick, Rhode Island

We have been wanting to come here for a while - our friends and colleagues have been raving about it.. FINALLY we did and I am SO happy about it. Make sure you make a reservation well before hand.. it gets very busy. SUCH. Cute vibe inside, everyone is friendly, great layout.. we sat at the bar, had a few cocktails, apps and then dinner (no room for dessert, boo!!! So that's my priority next time) everything was PERFECTIONNNNNNN - from the atmosphere to the service, food and drinks. Delish- we both cleared our plates and left 100% satisfied. I didn't get a chance to snap a photo of everything but I'll update for my next visit (: read more

Vanda Cucina - Italian Near Me - Warwick, Rhode Island

This is probably one of the only places I'd give a 10/10 Italian experience for. Every food item we had was delightful. The flavors were deep and portions good. The service was awesome. I can't speak highly enough of all of the dishes. The vibe is cozy and comfortable. Service was attentive, kinda, and helpful with answering questions. If you are looking for a spot to try, you will not be disappointed by coming here. read more

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First time eating at Vanda, the food was excellent and so was the service. Rob was engaging and knowledgeable about the menu the restaurant. Hope to eat here again soon! read more

Excellent food, wine and service. I had the strip steak - cooked perfectly and full of flavor. Don't let the location fool you this place is great. read more

Chose to make a reservation here for our wedding anniversary dinner and it did not disappoint!! The restaurant is small so if you want to go on a weekend, definitely make a reservation, all of the tables/bar seats were full the entire time we dined. Our waitress, Rachel, was so sweet and attentive. Now for the best part- the food! We started with the focaccia & steak tartare- both were very good. The focaccia came with homemade butter that they change out the flavors of and it was so so yummy. Super crunchy on the outside and soft inside. Dinner we had to go with pastas, cacio e Pepe was fire, the sauce was to die for. Scraped the last of it up with the bread, very good idea. My husband chose the special pasta dish of the night and that was awesome too. House made desserts - tiramisu & a chocolate hazelnut tart. So so so good. We loved it! Would recommend & will be back! read more

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This place was very good food wise. From the savory plates to the sweet desserts. Quality ingredients, as it should be, for the price. Our sever was really nice & attentive. for my plus size friends, this place is TIGHT inside, if you can, ask to sit outside. Parking lot is also super small, but there is parking near by. read more

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Outstanding food! Service is really efficient, seems like the time slots are very dialed in so food came out quick. People on here have said they don't care for the busy vibe but I like it, it's bustling but it's intimate too and 90 minutes is more than enough time for a party of 2 - I'm not trying to sign a lease and move in. I got the bolognese, my wife had the weekend's pasta special which was a cream based sauce with whipped egg yolk and artichoke. Both incredibly good. Homemade bread and donuts for dessert were delicious. Nice cocktails. Not cheap but reasonable for a nicer meal. We're coming back for sure! read more

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Had an amazing authentic Italian dinner here! We ordered the focaccia bread which came with a garlic spread as well as seasonal butter which was very tasty. We also got the calamari which was extremely fresh! The highlight was the cacio e pepe with burrata which was outstanding! My friend had the bucatini amatriciana which she said was also really good. Best meal I've had in a while!! read more

Vanda Cucina - Cacio e pepe - Italian Near Me - Warwick, Rhode Island

Wow! What an amazing hidden gem in Warwick!This place rivals any Nona's Cucina on Federal Hill amd then some. Because there's parking :) Thank goodness one of the reservations didn't show up, and the hostess, Megan, was fantastic and was able to get us seated. Drinks were spectacular as we waited for the table to turn, and our server Rob was amazing and professional and had multiple awesome recommendations. Appetizers included the meatballs, and the mushroom polenta, which was divine. We had a four top, and two of us chose the seafood pasta special, I had the duck pasta, and Dad had the mushroom pasta. I would eat each one of those dishes again in a heartbeat. Dessert was the bundino and it was silky and delicious. Run, do not walk to this place! Be sure to make a reservation, as the space itself is somewhat tight. TEN STARS! read more

Second time we've been to Vanda. Pretty much everyone at the table was underwhelmed with the food. The meatballs are the star of the show they are excellent. The eggplant appetizer is bland and lacks seasoning/taste. I ordered the statler chicken and it wasn't dry but it lacked flavor. Could've really used a brine. I can take or leave this restaurant. read more

Always a great experience here from the food to the service, on the favorites list for sure. The Maldalfine is outstanding! Drink are always creative and excellent read more

Cannot say enough good things about Vanda! The food is consistently delicious, the are top-notch, and the service is always friendly and attentive! Highly recommend--one of my go-to spots! read more

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Fabulous authentic Italian food. Great service as well. I do wish the restaurant was larger.

Wow! What a gem in Warwick. The parking lot is tiny and packed, but I was able to find a spot. The hostess is right outside the front door helping people to their seats. You can choose either outdoor or indoor for your res. The outdoor does have an overhang, but I imagine it's not incredibly pleasant to eat there if it is down pouring. So when you make your reservation just keep that in mind. I was surprised that we were seated at the bar with our reservation, but didn't mind. Sean, the bartender was friendly and made great suggestions. We started off with the Gavi wine which was a perfect summer sipping wine. Of course we had to try the focaccia and the butter of the day was a bloody mary butter. Next up was the nectarine and burrata salad. This was my favorite of the night, it was the perfect combo of salty and sweet-- seasoned beautifully. We then went with the cacio e pepe, which is always a favorite. Finally based on Sean's recommendation we had the butterscotch budino for dessert and it did not disappoint. If you've never had one before it's like an amazingly rich and thick pudding with tasty toppings. Already looking forward to my next visit. They said they switch up the menu seasonally, so there is always something new to try! read more

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Very good Italian food. Nice selection of classic dishes and fun takes. Would definitely recommend the focaccia, which is baked in house, to share. They've got a great variety of pastas to choose from and all of the ones we tried were fresh and flavorful. Would recommend going if in the area. read more

With a little rhyme... Let me be clear, if in RI we will live here. There was no wait and the ambience was great. Service A1, food second to none. There's nothing more they could do, but move closer to you! We were in on a Tuesday early (5:15) fortunately as both the patio tables and inside seats were full when we left! All our menu questions were answered and they even brought out the clams so we could judge size (we like smaller) and then, as requested, picked out the smallest for our appetizer. The broth, clams and bread were spectacular. We ordered a nicely aged bottle of red from a well executed wine list, which was perfect with our meal. Our entrees (duck fusilli and a rich eggplant & ratatouille over fresh made stuffed cannelloni) were excellent. The red sauce on the cannelloni was scrumptious!! Service was perfect throughout. I could go on gushing but if you fly into Providence airport you have to go - lunch served as well! read more

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Incredible experience! The food was so amazing. Our waiter Rob was so attentive and helpful- he added an incredible whimsy and fun to our meal that we needed. Will be back! read more

This is going to be short. Living in San Diego now, when I come home to the east coast I like to get my fill of Italian. This is the place. Everything was delicious. Instead of a second stomach for desserts, I'll create a second stomach for bread. The focaccia bread, was amazing. The meatballs were perfection. The pasta dishes made my taste buds short circuit because they couldn't handle anymore goodness. So yes, I will make sure to come here every time I visit my family. The service was great and the space was small and cozy. Reservations, I would imagine, are highly recommended. I might have dreamt about my dinner, this might be a problem. read more

Vanda Cucina - Heaven - Italian Near Me - Warwick, Rhode Island

We have been customers at Vanda since they opened, however last night was THE WORST EXPERIENCE at Vanda, EVER. We were a party of 6 with a reservation. We had to stand in the parking lot for 40 mins as the party before us was just lingering. Ok, an uncontrollable situation. My daughter in law is 8 1/2 months pregnant so I had her sit in the car. Finally, we are seated and the server seemed to be overwhelmed from the start. It was very crowded and loud and we had trouble just talking amongst our table. Server got my order wrong, said she would correct it, brought the dish after everyone else had finished. Just a bad night all around. read more

One of my favorite dinner spots! The cascio e pepe with housemade sausage, focaccia, meatballs are my favorite eats! The Vanda negroni is exquisite! Staff are super friendly! A real gem in Apponaug!! read more

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I went back and again the food was great but it feels like they don't want you there. We sat outside in the "patio" which is just the parking lot, no heaters. It was warm enough but weird they are taking reservations in October with no heaters. Then at approximately 7pm the outside lights come on and they are obnoxious - they cannot be turned off or dimmed all anyone will say is "they are on a timer" well turn off the timer grab some of those lights you have on the tables inside and put them outside. Our waiter was okay, fumbled through the specials and both my drink and my entree came out wrong. So maybe he wasn't that great. It's just not welcoming my entree was dead wrong it had an ingredient that you would have to order in addition when asked about this addition I said NO thanks I don't eat meat. Food came out, loaded with meat and I was made to feel like it was my mistake. I don't eat meat so I wouldn't have made the mistake. Just odd that after a couple of blunders no one came over to apologize or to check in, the waiter didn't really even think much of it. It sucks to have the whole table eating and you are just waiting on the cold. I think I'm done trying - the caccio e Pepe wasn't as good this time around but might have been because it was a rush job. read more

We went on a Sunday evening at 5 PM and we were able to get a seat at the bar. The bartender was very nice, attentive, and made some really great drinks! We tried the Bolognese Ragu and the grilled pork chop. The Bolognese was delicious, but the pork chop was out of this world! The pickled peppers just went perfect with the thick cut brined bone-in chop. The asparagus couldn't have been cooked any better! What a perfect little place to have a great dinner! All of the staff were very friendly and professional. I have to also thank Yelp for the pictures that helped me pick my perfect dinner. read more

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Okay, to start, the meatballs were so tasty. The polenta and mushrooms had so much flavor. Then the cacio Pepe has such a great cheesy, creamy flavor. The salmon was cooked just right. Service was great. Need to go back and try other items read more

I had to come back to Vanda after my first time there last year and it was as good as it was the first time, perhaps even better! We were promptly seated at the time of our reservation and within no time our server informed us of the specials for the night and grabbed our drink order. We had the housemade focaccia last time and definitely needed some more, so thats what we started with. The garlic puree and butter that came was a great accompaniment with the loaf, it was gone in a matter of minutes. We also had the eggplant appetizer and that was beautifully fried and the dish wasn't very heavy even with a healthy layer of ricotta. For my entree, I had the pork chop that was served on a bed of polenta. The pork chop was juicy and charred well. It was gone in a matter of minutes. The restaurant wasn't as crowded as it was previously and it made for a comfortable environment. read more

Vanda Cucina - Eggplant appetizer - Italian Near Me - Warwick, Rhode Island

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Made reservations, 3 weeks in advance, at Vanda for date night with the wife. We had heard good things about this small Italian restaurant in Warwick. So, we were looking forward to seeing if the reviews were true. Vanda did not disappoint. Cocktails were very well made and all of our dishes were excellent. We used to live in the Federal Hill area, so we are no strangers to good Italian food. I would put Vanda up with any restaurant in that area. Staff is friendly and professional. Everything is made in house from the pastas to the sauces and desserts. The restaurant is very small, but didn't feel overwhelmed by noise. I'm glad I made reservations weeks ahead of time. We will definitely be going back. read more

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Delicious, amazing service, warm atmosphere. Food is fresh and seasonal. A bit pricey for what you are actually getting though and not many options. read more

The food was crazy good. My BF is a vegetarian and there were plenty of choices for him. We will definitely be back. No wonder it's such a popular place. The butterscotch pudding dessert was the best. read more

Got a walk-in seat at the bar. Great service, great food ... the clams were outstanding. The wine list is limited but excellent with reasonable prices. If you love genuine Italian food, this has to be on your list and this review is from someone who has been to Italy many times. read more

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Food and service here never disappoints. But our most recent visit tonight, has me leaving my first review for any restaurant and that's all due to our server, Rob. For only being a server at Vanda for a week, you would have thought he started when the restaurant opened. He was personable, his attention to our table and surrounding tables, he never missed a beat. We will continue to return and ask for Rob for when we go. if your visiting Vanda, ask to sit in Rob's section and you will not be disappointed! Thank you for making our experience that much better! read more

We always pass by on the way to another restaurant so we decided to give it a try. When we got there it was very busy and we didn't have reservation so we did expect some wait. After talking to the staff we were told that they should be able to get us seating after 5-15 minutes so we sat down and waited for a while. After 30 minutes we asked the same staff whats going on and was told I don't know let me check. This is when we decided to leave and go to nearby restaurant instead. I understand that the restaurant is busy but it seemed like the place was very disorganized and multiple groups that came after us were already seated. I would not try this place without a reservation or consider take out. Maybe would come back to actually try the place with reservation and will update review if customer service is better. read more

We lucked out with a last-minute bar reservation and were so glad we did. Toni (sp?) was knowledgeable, efficient, and made the whole experience feel seamless. The food? Outstanding. Every dish was thoughtfully prepared and full of flavor. The place was hoppin'--and for good reason. It's vibrant, well-run, and clearly loved by locals and visitors alike. A unique gem we'd absolutely return to. read more

Great place ! I stopped by for lunch on Friday, and Vanda was packed! It's a cozy place with excellent service and bustling with energy. I started with delicious focaccia bread with a special garlic spread and also seasoned butter. Then I had an eggplant Napoleon that was delicious. Finally, I had special potato gnocchi, nestled on a delicious marinara sauce and smothered with melted cheese and topped with strips of basil leaf. Delicious! read more

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Wow just incredible food. I studied abroad in Florence Italy and this is on par with the food I had there. Pasta is so fresh!!!

Lunch at Vanda was delicious. The arugula and radicchio salad was so refreshing. Both pasta dishes were made to perfection and the sausage in the bucatini was fragrant with fennel. The service was excellent also. Our salad was brought on a big plate and then divided for us at the table onto smaller plates. The ambience is very inviting and bright. This is probably the best Italian inspired food south of Providence. A far cry from heavy sauces and the standard eggplant and chicken Parmesan dishes served in most Italian restaurants. We will definitely be back. Prices are also reasonable. read more

- I visited Vanda for dinner with my mom. This was my first time here, but it certainly will not be my last! o Food We ordered their focaccia to start, which comes with olive oil, a roasted garlic spread, and seasonal butter. The loaf was soft and fluffy on the inside, but still had a nice crunch to the crust - the perfect balance for focaccia. I am a garlic lover, so the spread was delicious! The olive oil was also very flavorful. The seasonal butter was ... honeydew ... which was just OK. It definitely tasted like honeydew melon, but it was a bit of an odd flavor. Though, points for creativity! For our mains, I ordered the Pork Chop and my mom got the Bucatini Cacio e Pepe with added sausage crumbles. These meals were outstanding! The pork was cooked perfectly, the sweetness of the chutney was balanced out by the balsamic and garlic sauce, and that polenta cake was substantial and a wonderful complement to the other components of the dish. My only complaint is that there were only 2-3 pieces of zucchini. I would have like a bigger serving of vegetables. As for the Bucatini, the portion was big, the pasta was cooked al dente, and there was an abundance of sauce and sausage! Nice and peppery, and creamy without being heavy. The burrata on top added a layer of flavor, texture, and freshness (even though it's cheese!) We licked our plates clean! We also ordered dessert to share - the lemon olive oil cake with vanilla gelato a la mode. I thought this dish was amazing! The olive oil cake was moist and bursting with summer flavors. The fruitiness really came through in the cake itself, the compote on top, and the curd on the plate. I also though the gelato was a nice accompaniment, and those crumbles underneath lent such a delightful texture to each bite. o Ambiance From the outside, this restaurant does leave some to be desired. It is located at the corner of a busy intersection and their outside seating is basically in the parking lot. And speaking of parking, it is a shared lot with limited spots. However, once you step inside, the setting is quite quaint. While the space is small, it feels open and airy, yet cozy and intimate. The fixtures and finishes are lovely, and the atmosphere makes for a very enjoyable experience. o Service The staff here was very professional and friendly. I can be indecisive when ordering, and I did not ever feel rushed. Our water glasses were kept full, and our waitress was cheerful. I love when servers are excited about what you order, and she shared in the delight over the dessert we picked. o Value The prices at Vanda are a bit above average, so, in my option, not somewhere that I will frequent. But it's well worth it for a special occasion or a nice treat once in a while. o Overall, Vanda is a great restaurant with absolutely delicious dishes that are crafted with care and professionally presented. And although the prices are on the higher end, the vegetables were lacking in quantity, and the location is not particularly scenic, the menu will satisfy most palates and will leave you full and happy. I certainly have a lasting positive impression of my experience at Vanda. read more

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