I came to Vapiano on a local friend's recommendation. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with my experience on this visit. I doubt I will return. After being seated, the hostess told me that orders must be placed online by scanning a QR code, ordering and paying online, and listing your table number. She said that food would be brought out as it was prepared, so appetizers may come out at the same time as the main dish. Acknowledging this, I decided to place two orders: one order for a mint hot chocolate and a cheese garlic bread appetizer, then wait about 10 minutes before placing another order for a pasta entree. While my drink came out very quickly, I did not see any signs of my garlic bread even 1 hour after being seated. By that time, I had already finished my entire pasta and drink. It turns out that the kitchen lost my first order. If you visit this place, just order everything in one transaction instead of splitting them up like I did. The following is a review of each dish I ordered: Mint Hot Chocolate: There is no mint flavor in this drink. I honestly wonder if someone brought me the wrong drink and I only got a regular hot chocolate. I would not be upset with this other than the fact that regular hot chocolate was a cheaper price on the menu, so if you are considering ordering this drink, just get the regular hot chocolate. Spaghetti Carbonara: This dish is quite good. The flavor is a bit heavy, but that is not too out of the ordinary for carbonara. I would recommend this dish to anyone considering it. Cheese Garlic Bread: This dish was terrible. It is literally a pizza crust with chopped garlic and a handful of cheese thrown on top. I expected to receive toasted bread with roasted garlic and cheese spread on top, and that is not even close to what I got. Do yourself a huge favor and DO NOT GET THE GARLIC BREAD. read more

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I've visited Vapiano's Manchester locations on numerous locations throughout the years, I used to be a big fan: sadly I feel the quality of both food and service has declined a lot in a post-pandemic world which is a real shame. The location is good within The Corn Exchange, you can get into the restaurant via street level on Exchange Square or through the main building. The original famous concept, of picking up a card and tapping it while ordering at the individual station with the chefs, watching them cook up your food, has been ditched for a more COVID-secure QR code. I do think it's a real shame you can no longer order with the chefs anymore especially considering the upstairs area (where the kitchens actually are) is often empty as they prefer to sit people on the ground level. (They haven't bothered to fix the lift in around a year either!) I do find the service here to be a little slow, the past few times I've come in for food, I've been waiting around 30-40 minutes, just for risotto, I have also avoided visiting at peak/busy times, which makes the wait even more frustrating, especially considering that's more than double the wait time used to be. Prices are a little high, this is eased by discounts available for students and healthcare workers, this can be entered as a promotional code via their online payment system. The online ordering system has a service fee of £0.20, again I find this strange and I've never been charged in a restaurant as an ordering fee before. My usual order here is the Risotto Funghi, with added chicken, I'm not sure if they have changed the recipe of late, but more recently the mushrooms have been a little slimy, the chicken has been occasionally bland, that being said the rice is normally cooked and seasoned well. This is one of the limited gluten-free options on the menu alongside the tomato soup (which is good) and the salads, sadly they don't offer gluten-free pasta and pizza which is on offer in other countries. (I used to love their pizza in The Netherlands!) The iced teas are always great, again a little pricey at £4.55 for an iced-tea which is already bottled (the premium glass bottle probably adds to that cost), but it is one of the best-iced teas on the market and is certainly worth a splurge, I'd certainly come in just to enjoy a drink and be happy with one. Would I visit here again? Yes. Vapiano has certainly fallen down the pecking order for me, I hope as soon as they are able to restore their original concept, they are able to go back to their usual high standards. 3* read more

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As for pasta, this place is my all time favourite for consistency and quality whether that be in Manchester, London, Milan, Berlin or even Miami. The new venue in the former triangle is amazing. Go upstairs for great seats and choose your location, don't be shy as you may even have to join a table in exceptionally busy periods. Upon entry you are given a credit type card, which you simply show at each station as you get your food, drink, desert, starter, more food etc... And your bill slowly tots up on the card. You can view the amazing menu on line which is well worth a look if you have not been before. read more

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At last Vapiano's comes to Manchester! I've always enjoyed visiting their London restaurants and have eagerly awaited the opening of their first Manchester restaurant. On arrival you are presented with a card with which to charge all your food to. Each food station, or bar, or drinks server scans your card which you present at the till on your exit to receive an itemised bill. The concept works exceptionally well, especially when a group of friends dine together, there's no awkward splitting of the bill at the end. Great choice of pizza and pasta dishes, all of which are cooked fresh in front of you. Whilst waiting for a pizza they give you a vibrating pager that goes off when your food is ready. Only downside is the draught beer is a little pricey. All prices seem to be the same as in London. The upside of that being that the pizza and pasta dishes are exceptional value. Can't wait for my next visit, I'm sure to become a regular here. read more

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Had a really great time here, all the staff are very friendly and helpful. Food was delicious and fresh. I really like the concept with this restaurant as you just walk in get handed a menu and a like credit card and you just sit where ever you like. Once you decided what you fancy you just approach the relative bar and have your food cooked the way you like it right in front of you! A quick swipe of your payment card and your good to go! The quality of the food is high because of this so if you like Italian food then I would suggest Vapiano be your first stop. read more

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Perfect! I've been looking forward to the arrival of Vapiano in Manchester for a very long time. Fantastic concept. Receive a charge card when you arrive, find a table, then decided whether you want a pasta dish, pizza, or salad, the go to the appropriate counter. On my first visit, I had the Pizza Carne, and it tasted amazing! One of the great things about Vapiano, is that the food is produced in front of your eyes, so you can have a say what additional herbs and spices you may want. You can also add that stuff afterwards, as I did to my pizza, I added spicy Chili flakes sauce. Delicious! I will most certainly be a regular here. read more

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Vapiano in the beautiful new version of Manchester's Corn Exchange is the first of the Vapiano Italian restaurants outside of London here in the UK, and I'd heard interesting concepts about it, such as each restaurant having 40 chefs, and all dishes being prepared freshly every day, so I was looking forward to giving it a try. I'd liken the system used at Vapiano used on cruise ships where your passcard is your perpetual "tab" on board. The same happens at Vapiano. Each guest is given a card, meaning all of their food and drinks choices are added onto the card when they order, so there's no messing around splitting bills, and you can simply pay your bill on your card as you leave. The lovely element about this is that you can wander around the areas of the restaurant for as little or as long as you wish, not feeling pinned down to any one spot, as you simply take your card with you. As we're taken into the main dining area upstairs, its pleasant to see that it's very open and bright, with light wooden furniture, and lamps on each table with fresh herbs and condiments. We're told to sit whenever we'd enjoy, there being lower tables, higher tables, and lounge areas. We chose a lower bench table with a view over the Corn Exchange, and ordered drinks. We were given a wine list, but we don't drink, and usually this means that as a non-drinker, your options are usually Coke, Fanta, or Lemonade. Maybe orange juice. It gets dull quite quickly and happens at a majority of places. I was therefore pleasantly surprised to find a good of variety of non-alcoholic drinks! I chose the Vapiano iced black tea with peach vanilla, which was delicious. A simple thing I liked about the tables was that there are little hooks underneath the tables, allowing you somewhere to hang your coat or handbag. It's little details like this which always impress me. As you can imagine, the menu has a wide variety of pasta and pizza, as well as salads and desserts. Each section has a corresponding chef station in the restaurant where you go and place your order. At first I thought this might feel a bit odd, but the chefs and staff are all very professional and friendly, offering you various choices and options as you order so that your meal is uniquely to your preference, and offering you something to drink to go with your meal. An interesting angle is that they have a huge amount of pastas, which are all displayed like a fantastic pasta pick-n-mix behind the pasta and antipasti stations, as well as tasters of their dressings, including some beautiful balsamic, and even a raspberry and maple syrup dressing which has to be tasted to be believed! As well as the fresh herbs on the tables, they were also literally all over the restaurant, along with big boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables. I tentatively approached the antipasti station, where a friendly chef welcomed me and took our order of both bruschetta and tomato soup, asking whether we'd like some grana padano cheese on top too. At that point it was then actually interesting and enjoyable to watch the food being created, rather than it being awkward as I might've imagined. This was the same at the other stations, where we were also asked how spicy we'd like the pasta dish, if we'd like any cheese, if we'd like extra sauce with the pizza etc. I liked this. It was nice to have it just how you want it, and freshly prepared enthusiastically rather than begrudgingly. After ordering, you're simply asked to place your smart-card on a black panel on the counter, which records what you've ordered and the price, then showing you the total. Brilliant! Dishes that would take a little longer, such as pizza, didn't require you to wait around, as you are given an alert machine, which buzzes and flashes when your dish is ready, allowing you to relax back at your table. For our starter we ordered the bruschetta and the tomato soup. They were absolutely perfect. I've never had a refreshing tomato soup before! We were both very much impressed, and ended up sharing each other's! For our main course, we opted for the ravioli con carne, and the barbecue chicken pizza. Phil R was continually smiling as he ate his pasta, and when I asked why, he simply said "it's so good! It's really really nice!". Likewise, my pizza was delicious and fresh! Really tasty! For dessert we ordered an Italian style chocolate cake called "death by chocolate" which had an intense taste of dark chocolate, and the wonderful thickness you'd associate with a chocolate cake, but with none of the "claggy" taste after a few minutes, as it was surprisingly light, melting away in the mouth. I ordered "Cioccolata Bianca", which was a biscuit base topped with a blend of white chocolate and cream, and then topped with salted caramel and honeycomb in a kilner jar. It was truly as delicious as it sounds!! We really enjoyed it here, and we'll definitely be back sometime for a special occasion! :) Even the toilets were beautiful! lol read more

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It's different and fresh! Will visit again. Pasta was the winner! Ravioli was not fully boiled. Both had good flavours. The desserts were excellent! read more

Vapiano - The winner - Italian Near Me - Manchester, XGM

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It was my second time going to one of their restaurant, I had tried before one in London. I went there with some friends who had no idea how it works, so the receptionist explained the two important points about the restaurant: 1- the dishes are literally cooked in front of the customer 2- you are given a card where they add all your orders. In my case, I ordered a salame pizza, although watching the process of making a pizza may be interesting, I preferred to go back to my friends in the meantime, so I was given a device that would let me know when it was ready. Good use of technology! The waiting time was no more than cooking the other pasta dishes. I enjoyed eating that pizza, as in previous time I had tried the pasta, also very tasty and filling at the same time. In conclusion, I recommend it for a good Italian dinner evening. read more

A large Italian restaurant utilising a unique card system that is given to all who step inside. The card is used to "order" the food and you get to watch the chef prepare it in front of you. Yes you get to watch someone else cook what you ordered which can be exciting the first few times but quickly becomes annoying especially when the place is busy as you have to wait in line. The tables are nice and big with an assortment of "stuff" you can try but the best part is the lighting during the evening giving the place an almost candlelight atmosphere (or maybe Iam imagining things) Overall it's a good place to try some authentic Italian food but maybe improve of the whole "watch your food being made" thing ? read more

Strawberries, goat cheese and pine nut salad with raspberry dressing! (£7.50) This lunch or early dinner light bite is so filling and refreshing. I love how the pine nuts gave the crunch to the salad. Also the tanginess from the raspberries goes well with the creamy goat cheese. If you are feeling hungry you can also add in extras such as meat, fish or more cheese! Plus you can order freshly made garlic breads as a side! This is a must try dish read more

Vapiano - Italian Near Me - Manchester, XGM

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First review back after a while off Yelp, and what a place to kick it back off with! Now this is a tale of two sides really as you can look at how to rate this place with two different views which will become clearer ! Dining mid week with a friend in the centre of Manchester has changed dramatically over the past few months let alone years and from what I can see this is a good thing! Vapiano is not as I'm aware a British enterprise but it's sure finding its feet and settling down here. Enter as you would through a normal door to be greeted by what I could only really describe as a food oyster card. Here a card with nothing on is then able to be charged with what ever meals and drinks you select. So instructions are upstairs to level 2 order your food and then find somewhere to sit. My first issue is that when you do go upstairs you find a plethora of tables but only a few of the stations open to order at. If you are after high class table waiting on I suggest you head to San Carlo ( Fumo Etc ) but here you go up to a station ( starters / pasta and risotto / pizza ) now another issue is if there are three of you and only two pasta stations open one of you will have to wait in line. But that is the nature of vapianos POS. I and my friend opted for a pasta station. Her being veggie it was great to see a good choice on offer to her. I opted for a bold chilli, garlic and salami fusilli dish ( you do pick your own type of pasta (( penne / fusilli / the other curly one ))) and it was fresh , cooked to my liking with a perfect amount of cheese on the top. People who really know me , know if I had a choice I would rather have rice than pasta and that's 365 days a year. But this may be turning my Italian table around a little bit So Experience was good , a slight draw back as between the two of us we wanted to share a garlic bread which was ok 6/10 I had to go and queue at the pizza station for that whilst my pasta was cooking. Strange but it worked Have a try , slight shame that they don't offer a gluten free option as that could exclude a large chunk of your friends if you wished to go here for a group meal read more

My partner had visited vapiano in Germany and was keen for me to try it out. I understood the novelty of going to the kitchen to order your own food then being buzzed when it was ready. But for this self service system you would expect either an increase in quality or a decrease in price. Unfortunately vapiano offered neither; we both got pizzas which were very sloppy, the base not crispy at all and the toppings just wet. Compared to other similar restaurants they cost a few quid more than I would've liked to pay. When I finally faced an actual human to take my payment he asked if everything was alright and I said no, I'd rather have gone elsewhere. I was met with silence. No queries of what was the matter or resolution. On a plus point, there was happy hour on so the drinks we had to drown our sorrows were two for one, as long as you have the same one. Will not be returning in Manchester or anywhere else. read more

Vapiano Manchester City centre is located in the Corn Exchange. There are two entrances to this restaurant; one on the main street or, if you decide to go into the corn exchange, there is one in there as well. As you enter, you are given a plastic card and the staff will explain how to use it. There is some sitting downstairs but upstairs there is lots of seating. The food stations are located upstairs. Some of the tables overlook the Corn Exchange. After looking at the menu and deciding what you would like to eat, you then you go up to the main stations and order your dishes there. There is one station for pizzas and garlic bread, one station that does starters, and there are a few stations where you can order your pasta dishes. Someone will come to your table and take your drinks order. Everything is put onto the card that you was given as you entered the restaurant. If you do not want to have a drink with your meal you can have tap water which is complimentary read more

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Really good for a lunch with me and my friends. Being younger, we worried the staff may be rude to us. However, they explained the concept of the restaurant perfectly and the food was amazing. It wasn't particularly expensive, yet not cheap either. They make the food fresh in front of you, so you know it wasn't prepared hours before. I had cognac pasta and it was personalised (eg spicy, garlic, pasta shape) to my taste. The portions were generous and the atmosphere relaxed yet still remaining somewhat formal. Will definitely be going again. read more

Vapiano - Italian Near Me - Manchester, XGM

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Not certain I'm a fan of the 'going up and ordering your own food and waiting whilst they cook it or sitting down and having to keep an eye on whether it's ready or not' thing to be honest. The pasta I ordered was nice, but I don't personally see the benefit of being able to order your food at the counter unless you can completely customise it as opposed to just make a few changes. It's an interesting concept and will almost certainly do well in the chain-heavy, predominantly-catering-for-the-shopping-market Corn Exchange but for myself, especially when dining with friends, I'd prefer to have a waiter come and take my order so that I minimise the time standing up by the counter away from my fellow diners. It's sort of like a buffet, only with less choice. Good food, unusual idea, not sure it's for me. read more

To be honestly, I am not a fan of pasta, but this restaurant has changed my view. Not just because of the delicious pasta I had, also the environment which is amazing. I ordered a spelt Pomodoro pasta. Surprising me, the dish was full of flavour. The pasta was just cooked to right, not too hard and not too soft. An olive tree is in the middle of the restaurant. Some herb plants on the tables. I picked up some coriander leaves to go with my dish. The most eye catching point is a green wall facing to the entrance which covered with climbing plants. By the way, the staff were very friendly even some of them did not speak English clearly. read more

I was really excited about trying Vapiano as I had heard so many good things about it but I'm afraid it fell a bit short of the mark for me. I really liked the concept of having your food cooked in front of you but the execution in the end wasn't great. The vegetables in the dish I chose were only cooked for a minute or two meaning they were too crunchy and the pasta wasn't cooked well either. I was also a bit confused as it said all pasta was homemade but it was displayed in packets behind the counter. I also wasn't that keen on the garlic bread which was far too garlicky for me. Anyway at least Count Dracula won't come anywhere near you after you have eaten a Vapiano garlic bread. However the card system works well. You are given a card on arrival and rather than paying each counter when you order you have the price put on your card and then pay the total bill when you leave making it much easier. Vapiano is okay if you want a quick and freshly prepared meal but don't go if you're planning a special night out. read more

I don't like the concept of this place at all. Would prefer to be shown to a table and have someone take my order rather than have to queue up at serving hatches. I had a pizza that I thought was undercooked doughy read more