Our first time, early on a Thursday evening, we were lucky, without a reservation, to get seated (at the bar - all tables were reserved). Very nice bright vibe. It's a small space with lots of floor to ceiling windows. Our bartender was very personable and made good suggestions. Our meals were both excellent (Hand-cut Fettuccine Bolognese & Chicken Statler) and came out pretty fast. We had a very nice time chatting with our bartender and other guests seated at the bar. We will definitely be back! read more

The food is great and most visits the service is excellent. Went there recently for an anniversary dinner and it was terrible. Elderly gentleman hosting - had not seen him before - and sat us at worst table in the house. Said all other tables [most empty] were reserved. WE had a reservation! Waitress came by and we asked her. She gave us a table in front of bathroom door. Better than the first one but not by much. Overheard elderly guy chewing her out for seating us and even heard my name mentioned in his complaining! Food was great but treatment spoiled the evening. An hour later when we were leaving, some of the better "reserved" tables were still empty!! As usual, we left a generous tip for the server as none of this was her fault. read more

We chose a cozy table to the right Tried to order bottle of merlot,told we don't carry Merlot but waiter recommended $76 bottle of red wine.... real cute....then he brought out bread ,olive oil and garlic paste that was way too salty..... The meal was average at best veal was very small medallion like in size....the steak was good but small.... fish was ok.... Their attempt at fine dining i found comical between the location and the kid waiter....who read the specials but combined the apps and the entres which was confusing....if all these people who compared this restaurant to federal hill keep coming in maybe it will survive..... we found nothing that would make us return....best of luck read more

Casual atmosphere and great place to bring kids. The food was good especially if you like fried. read more

Vanda Cucina - Lobster empanada - Italian Near Me - Warwick, Rhode Island

See all

The food is always excellent here. We recently did a takeout order and the quality was just as good as eating in the restaurant. We ordered the focaccia (they gave us a huge fresh baked loaf - we ate it the whole week!), meatball appetizer, bolognese, mafaldine, agnolotti, and olive oil cake for dessert. Highly recommend eating here! read more

Vanda Cucina - Meatball, bolognese, focaccia, mafaldine, agnolotti - Italian Near Me - Warwick, Rhode Island

The food is amazing here! So is the service. We happened upon this restaurant because I was craving cacio e pepe and I saw that they had a good looking picture of it online. It was even better in person. You must get the bread! It is delicious and they offer puréed garlic, olive oil and a mixed butter on the side to eat with. 10/10. read more

Was given a kindly heads up about this spot from my AirBnB hostess. I'm traveling from out of town and initially thought, hmm I may be too underdressed for this restaurant, but I went inside, sat at the bar, and immediately felt so welcome. The glass of Chianti helped! The ambiance is warm and friendly, as are all of the staff and patrons I met. I began with the meat and cheese board, which was beautifully presented and equally tasty. Next was the arugula salad, and I can not recommend this enough. Next time I would probably request extra figs as they were my favorite part of the dish! I only got pasta after the salad, but after a long day of traveling, the fusilli dish really hit the spot. It was simple, warm, full of comforting flavors. I completely recommend Vanda to anyone traveling up 95! read more

See all

Very accommodating and hospitable. We felt like family and the food was fantastic. The wait staff was knowledgeable and helpful. Overall it was a very enjoyable experience. Plus there prices were reasonable. read more

This is by far the best italian you're going to get outside Federal Hill. Since I've moved to RI I've seen quite a few restaurants come and go from this location. Somehow this place works.... It was transformed from drab to classy/cozy and the food was exceptional. All pasta is handmade on site with a unique twist--highly recommended read more

Finally someone has turned this location into something worth visiting. I have eaten here twice and each time the service has been above and beyond. The servers have been very knowledgeable about the extensive menu items. They are passionate about the food and history of the restaurant. I learned that a lot of the decor is from the namesakes' kitchen. The food is outstanding with many house made pastas and desserts. I've had the charcuterie board, Caesar salad, focaccia, bolognese, gnocchi, amartriciana, cacio e pepe, fish special and the pork chop. All have been exceptional, I will say, on the salty side, but so worth it! read more

I have been dying to go to this place for a few years. There are always people filling the seats when ever we drove by. I was excited to get reservations on a Saturday night. Absolutely amazing flavor in everything we had! Upon first glance of the menu I knew what wanted but then we heard the specials! We ordered both of the Scallops with risotto, steak over rabbi, mushrooms and polenta. Service was Top notch. Food was cooked to order from in a timely fashion. I almost forgot the eggplant appetizer was absolutely delicious. It was expensive but worth ever penny. The quality from flavor to service was more like 6 or 8 stars! I hope you enjoy! read more

My new favorite! Save room for the olive oil cake or the budino for dessert. The focaccia with special butter is a great treat. Everything leaves you wanting it again. My favorite is the fusilli with duck. read more

They lost points this visit. Very good food, love the ambiance early in evening. We have learned to book ahead. First time taking aunt and uncle who were looking for good food an ambiance.... We don't care for the busyness of the scene at peak hours, way too noisy, loses its ambiance. They weren't impressed. Can't hear music unless you go to restroom. ...true story and having conversation was difficult. Mom is vegan, altho they say chef is very accommodating it feels like all three times we've been here with her, choices are too basic and limited for such a fine restaurant. Super big bummer for her especially in a day with so many vegans. She has had their pasta primavera, fancy salads and fusilli and all lacked flavor. Also feels like they look at you crazy when you have special requests doesn't always seem super gracious but we manage it. They were so busy this visit they were bringing our entrees but hadn't cleared bread plates and focaccia board so it felt very rushed and disjointed, Table was cluttered and we were helping move dishes to clear. We get they are trying to get people in and out to accommodate but it shouldn't dampen the experience. Lessen learned for us, 1- go when they open- no crowd 2- don't take my vegan mom- many better options for vegans elsewhere. read more

Very impressed! I would have never known this restaurant was there. Incredible food and great ambiance. We had Mark as our waiter and he was great. Everyone was happy with their meals. Food tasted fresh and was delicious! read more

Vanda Cucina - Salmon dish - Italian Near Me - Warwick, Rhode Island

See all

Must try ! Beautiful decor, delicious food, great service, and all fresh ingredients. You won't be disappointed. The bread and olive oil with home made garlic paste to start with was amazing and it just got better as the meal went on. John was our server and was kind and attentive, I was impressed with how professional he was. The food was fresh and everything tasted authentic and made with love. We had the squash blossoms, ravioli, agnolotti ravioli dish, and the minestra soup, finished off with their blueberry and olive oil cake. The red sauce was full of flavor, and the agnolotti left my husband speechless! It seems as everything here is delicious, you can't go wrong. We will be back read more

See all

Good service. Really nice dishes. I had eggplant rollatini. And a garden salad. My husband's salmon was superb. Don't hesitate. Go

So glad we finally made it in for dinner!! Wife and I Live around the corner and always drive by looking from the outside in thinking it would be to small. VANDA was perfect in all aspects! Sat at the bar and was blown away with everything. Service was very friendly and helpful, we will be back!!! read more

See all

A gem of a restaurant. Delicious offerings, friendly, skilled wait staff, and a welcoming atmosphere. I had the Malfadine Pasta dish on our last visit. It was delicious. read more

The antipasti clams dish is just extraordinary. I could have eaten this on a dish of pasta...I could have eaten this all night! Delicious! Her son, the owner, said it's his mother's recipe. It's fantastic. The olive oil cake is amazing, lemon curd, rhubarb compote, and I ordered the cherry gelato. Great place, great owner, great staff. Loved it all. read more

Amazing service and incredible food! Our first time and we were super pleased with our experience.

Always on point. The food is great! Our kids love it here too!!! But I would say if bringing kids go early it does get filled up and the atmosphere is lively. The bread is so yummy! Thank you for sharing your craft! read more

Delicious food and excellent service, cozy atmosphere and very attentive staff. read more

See all

the homemade focaccia is so so good! great food, cute atmosphere and great for a date night. definitely make a reservation since they're usually booked up! read more

Vanda is some of the BEST Italian in Rhode Island. We've gotten takeout multiple times during COVID, and it's just as good as dining there. The homemade focaccia is what dreams are made out of. The veal is always tender. The gnocchi are like little pillows. Great cocktails too! read more

The meal was excellent!! We met friends for dinner and had a lovely time until the end of the night. We paid the check and was finishing up our conversation when the waitress collected the paid bill. Then the flamboyant male came over and whipped up our napkins almost hitting us in the face. He was extremely RUDE!! There was no one waiting for our table and he could of handled the situation much better by kindly asking us to depart. The food was awesome and it is too bad that this person put the restaurant in a bad light. I was looking forward to a return but not after his rudeness we will not be returning. Please hire better staff that represent you in a better light. read more

Delicious!! The bread was amazing too. Great Service too will go back soon. We love it

I am a 50 year foodservice professional and fussy Italian grandfather -- I am hypercritical when it comes to Italian food and restaurants. Vanda at every point of the restaurant compass is a superb dining experience. Without reservation the ambiance, decor, and dining experience ranks with the best in North America. The menu, food quality, culinary preparation and presentation rivals anything one would find in any in the "foodie" culture of major market like New York, Boston, Chicago or Los Angeles. The arugula/radicchio salad included skin graft slices of excellent prosciutto and a dressing that complimented the bitterness of the greens. The calamari, which has become pedestrian in so many restaurants had a crispness and delicacy that spoke to a light touch with the seasoning of the flour, a frying oil perfectly matched to the delicacy of the protein along with a cooking temperature that produced a perfect texture without destroying the flavor of the finished product. The meatballs from the appetizer menu, which are a favorite of my wife who orders them often wherever we go, were, "the best I ever had". When paired with the house made from scratch focaccia, it was like dipping bread in your grandmother's gravy as you ran through the kitchen on Sunday morning. Our entrees were all superior in every way, with (finally) exactly cooked pasta, sauce developed to a maturity and consistency that took the ingredients to a singular flavor and a presentation that made one take the time to sip the excellent Montepulciano d'abruzzo and just look at the dish like a fresco in Florence before picking up a fork. Finally, one of the most telling signs of a great restaurant is the collective activity of the service staff. In a great and busy Italian restaurant it should be like an opera with everyone a star performer in their own right but collectively an amazing team. That is the staff at Vanda. Having spent over half a century in the business it's the little "tells" that show a great restaurant. One is the humility of the server who offers the menu and wine list with pride and the consultation of a surgeon. Our server was so good I never looked at the menu. I asked here for her recommendations and they were exact to my taste and preferences. The quality and professionalism of her service - and that of the entire floor staff who supported each other like a championship team only went up from the amazing experience of her menu presentation. I don't normally tip 50% - I did last night. I could go on but I'm running out of superlatives. Don't let the location or the humility of the building fool you. Vanda is truly a "rose between the thorns". read more

Incredible authentic Italian. Will visit again when in the area. Beat if reservations are made prior.

Hi- 2nd time dining here. Food was excellent BUT the service and man who sat us had no idea what he was doing and sort of rude. We arrived early for our reservation and the restaurant was empty besides 2 diners sitting at a table for 8. Why would you put 2 people at your 1 only large table? They squeezed our party into a table for 4. We got past that, but then when the man helped our waitress bring out the orders, he had no idea what each plate was. I wish I could say it was his first night, but he was there weeks ago because I remembered his rude demeanor. If you are going to run the front of the restaurant, know your stuff. Food was very good. Place was out of some beer and several wine. How do you run out of Merlot or Pinot Grigio? Have someone run to a liquor store and grab a few bottles (again back to running front of a restaurant and basics 101). Place is way too small and tables too small and set-up in odd areas (outside bathroom, in corner by back room, etc.). There is no where to stand and wait for a table since we couldn't be seated until our whole party was there (when place was empty). Will need to move and work out kinks in order to sustain. Dining out is about the whole experience- not just the food. This place misses several marks. read more

first time there. we were seated outside. waitress was great. food not so much. bolognese pasta, of which there was maybe 3 forkfulls... the bread the best part of the meal. another had a salad, hardley any dressing. t he pasta dish of the day dry... desert was the olive oil cake was ok.... between the airplanes and the rescues (which not their fault) very noisey. read more

excellent excellent italian. Authentic and welcoming ambiance with great food. Bustling environment you will be sure to have fun and enjoy approachable delicious italian food! read more

The first time here, a party of 3. We had the fried calamari, which had the tentacles,( not a fan) I would have preferred them cooked a little more. Also shared the meatball appetizer. This was 3 medium size balls which are homemade, very good, had a dollop of ricotta on top and very tender and flavorful. Wife and I split the homemade gnocchi, they were like mini clouds with a light Pomodoro red sauce, very good. My son had the 12 oz bone-in sirloin, a little pricey at $41 but it did taste great. We will definitely be back to try more on the menu. read more

This was a great Italian meal! Soft lighting, not to loud or busy, and a smaller place. The food was amazing but had a smaller menu to chose from. Drink were also delicious!! Amazing and attentive service! Food came out relatively quick without sacrificing quality! Had a delightful dinner! read more

My wife and I heard about Vanda and made the trip to try Vanda after hearing how good it is. And we were not disappointed! Everything was fantastic and our server, Nick, made sure we were well taken care of. read more

I have eaten here a few times and have always been pleased. The chef specials are a bit different then what I would normally order but all-in-all you will not regret dining here. Oh, and the desserts are fantastic! read more

Wanted to like it but food was just okay. Price of special - vs what you got was a shame. Service was just Barely okay as well. Unfortunate! read more

Was excited to try this place and took my husband out to surprise him. I made a reservation for 6:30pm and arrived 10 min. early. Was told that a table was being prepared. After standing inside the door for 20 min and being ignored, we asked about the unoccupied table nearby, we were told they could not give it to us because they were going to need it for a large party arriving at 7pm. They then said that they were waiting for a couple to finish but they had just ordered cappuccinos and that they had arrived late. After standing and waiting for another 10 min we decided to leave. We were never offered chairs at the bar which were available or an apology. We were tired of standing after 30 min. in front of everyone and were very embarrassed and uncomfortable. We will not be returning read more

Small venue but the food is very good. I recommend trying it, it can be loud but fun, order the bread it is so yummy.

I did not expect perfection from an Apponague round-a-bout adjacent restaurant but Vanda delivered. I've driven by it a hundred times and noticed that the parking lot is always full. We booked online at 6 for an 8pm reservation through their website and were seated on time by a very friendly and accommodating hostess. The salad and soup course, focaccia and the homemade pasta were above par and after 2 espresso Martinis and olive oil cake I forced my self to take an hour walk when I got home. So delicious, so worth it and we will keep going back until we have eaten our way through the menu of mains. I'm not overstating when I say- Better than any restaurant on the hill, IMO. If you are into fantastic service ask for Mark. read more

Tonight was our second time visiting Vanda. Our first visit was quite pleasant and we thought how nice it is to have a new place to visit. The food looks delicious and we enjoy the eclectic drinks. However, our second time there, the bartender lacked professionalism and was quite rude. We had dinner elsewhere and stopped in for a cocktail. As our drinks were getting low, she asked if we wanted something else and the man whom I was with said that he would have another in five minutes. She then told us that she has to let us know what we are doing because there are people waiting in a not-so-pleasant tone. We have had many culinary experiences all over the world and never has anyone said such a thing. So disrespected! read more