Fantastic! Last time we went, wife and I spent the next 24 hours talking about how great it was. This is a classy date spot, but not stuffy or formal. The rib pork chop is our go-to. Always amazing. We loved the crab pasta on our last visit too. read more

Outside, you see, sort of a blend looking parklets where seating is outside as authorized by the city after COVID. When you walk inside, you step into another world of customer service and elegance. The whole time we were there. The bar was full, and the restaurant tables were full. We were immediately greeted by a hostess at the front door, and one of the hosts opened the door for me as I walked with a cane. Very nice first impression. As I looked around, I noticed high ceilings, and the atmosphere inside was buzzing with energy. It was a little loud, yes, but people were having a great time. The hostess took us to our seat, the three of us, and immediately we met Victor, who brought us a picture of water and set us up with our glasses and bread and butter. Victor was cheerful and welcoming, and it was a very, very nice service that he provided all the way around. We had our menus for a while. Alexis, our waiter came and introduced himself to us and was able to answer precisely what the items on the menu were. And how popular they were, it was extremely helpful. It helped us narrow down our selection. As I looked around, I saw a happy diner seating sumptuous looking meal, and the bars remained so full. The whole time we were there that it was a beehive of activity throughout the restaurant. As our food arrived, I took care to look at presentation quantity and freshness. As I ate it, I made sure to taste all the levels of crafting that they placed into each portion. And we had agreed beforehand to taste off of each other's plates, so we would have the complete experience. First, we received the Antipasti Insalata, which was the Insalata di Spinaci. This is made with baby spinach, grapes, gorgonzola, and champagne vinaigrette. Next, we had the Spuntini arrive, which was the Sfizio di Formaggi. Consisting of Pecorino Fresco and Parmigiano Regggiano cheese. Also, a Squash Blossom stuffed with Ricotta Cheese, Marcona Almonds, the unique Tarallini, and summer Truffle Honey Drizzle. Then our Primi and Secondi Piatti arrived. I had the Tagliolini al Tonno. These were the thin pasta strands, with Tuna Conservato, Castelvetrano Olives, Anchovy, Capers, Tomato, and Calabrian Chili and mint. Our friend tried Trofie al Pesto. This has a Rusticchella d'Abruzzo Pasta "twists,"Genovese Pesto Basil, Pinenuts, Garlic, Pecarino Cheese, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Green Beans, and potatoes. My wife had the Branzino alla Grillia. This was a succulent grilled whole boneless Mediterranean Sea Bass in herbs. With garlic, baby arugula, lemon, and extra Virgin Olive Oil, too perfection. Everything we ate was incredible. It was all understated a little bit, so you weren't overwhelmed by spicycheat or too much garlic but romanced with underlying flavors that were delightful. We finished with the house Tiaramisu and Gelato with big smiles. Service atmosphere cleanliness was incredible. It would be a great place to take someone to when you want to show off great Italian Cuisine. SEE OUR PICS. THE BUZZ: Parking - limited streetside Handicapped Friendly - Yes Reservations - Recommended Greeted - Yes Seated - Yes Ambience - Relaxed casual Noise Level - Lively, loud because of happy diners' energy. Décor - functional seating Service - Yes Cleanliness - Spotless Menu Selection - Great Menu + For Kids Food Style - Italian with emphasis on regions less seen. Presentation - Eye appealing Portions - Plentiful Take out - Yes! Delivery - No Pricing - $ to $$ Outdoor/Patio - Parlet in front. Unique Feature - Nice old building Bar - Full Bar Happy Hour - Yes Good for Groups - Yes Kid Friendly - Yes Music/Live Music - no TV - no Dress - Casual Cash/Credit - Yes Wi-Fi - Yes Website - https://www.viadelcorso.net/ Phone - (510) 704-8004 Address: 1788 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley, CA 94709 Hours: Sunday, Tuesday-Thursday, 5pm-9pm Friday-Saturday, 5pm-10pm read more

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Absolutely outstanding! The food, service and setting are great. The staff could not be more friendly or knowledgeable and the wine selection is fantastic. Can't wait air to return. read more

We went for a celebratory dinner last night, and had a nice time overall. Everything we ordered was good, though I do think a bit over priced. We both loved the beet salad, and the squid ink pasta was delicious. We didn't really appreciate being rushed out at the end with the check handed to us while we were still eating, and a family hovering over us while we were finishing. We did not take a long time and all 4 tables to the left of us had been there longer than we had, but they wanted to combine the tables to the right of us and add ours to accommodate a big family. Wasn't a nice way to end an expensive dinner. read more

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Outstanding service and really interesting menu with good food. Everything we had was freshly made with authentic flavors. The wait staff recommendations on what to order and what wine to get were great. We've spent a fair amount of time eating through Italy. This place is true to the art and flavors of good Italian cuisine. read more

While the food was decent, the overall service left much to be desired. During dinner, one of the patrons fell to the ground, and instead of focusing on the situation, a white male server with a ponytail--who was attending another table--chose to make a comment, "Oh, dinner and a show." While perhaps intended to lighten the mood, this remark was highly inappropriate considering the seriousness of the situation. It showed a lack of sensitivity and professionalism, especially when the patron's health and well-being were at risk. A more thoughtful, considerate response in such a scenario would have been more appropriate. read more

Food, service and ambiance were exceptional on two separate visits to this Berkeley eatery.

Service was friendly and the food was very good. A few of us ordered the pork chop and we all loved it. It was cooked perfectly and was very flavorful. It also came with Romano beans which were good. The pastas looked good too. Others in our party had the pesto or meat sauce pasta and it was clean plates at the end of dinner. I'd come back to try other items. read more

I oscillated between two and three stars for Via del Corso. Taken on its own, if the food were presented under different circumstances, it might have merit 3 or even 3.5 stars. But taken in the context of what they purport to offer, this eatery is a disappointment. In terms of ambience and setting, VdC is loud and buzzing; hard floors and poorly insulated ceilings makes it sound and feel like a frenetic spot. If you want to feel like you're in a busy, happening urban trattoria, this is it. I personally find such places fun and energizing. My senior citizen parents found it uncomfortably noisy. This is not a criticism or a compliment of the venue; it is what it is. But it does cultivate a certain vibe. In terms of the menu, it is also reasonably good. Prices are high, but not unreasonably so. They have a good, although not wide variety of wine choices; and of course, a selection of the now ubiquitous "house" cocktails. The food offerings themselves have a definite northern Italian bent to them (pasta vongole, bistecca Fiorentina, etc.), although there are some more generic dishes. All are well-conceived and described as if something special was being prepared. To the eye, they are indeed appealing. Service was spotty. This may have been to due to the sudden uptick in restaurant patrons after we arrived and ordered. Starters came out in good order; mains took a bit too long; the bill we had to chase down. I will give staff a pass on this one, but it certainly did not enhance the dining experience. Our waiter did say something prophetic, however. When I first inquired about the daily special--a boneless rabbit stuffed with sausage and wrapped in pancetta--I wanted to know how salty it was. His laconic response: "It's present." I chose not to order it, but his comment had legs. And that's where the real problems came: the contrast between the promise of something special and what one actually got. To be fair, there was one good dish: the insalata rossa, with radicchio, olives, oranges and anchovies. It was light and tasty, although the anchovies might have been integrated better into the dish. As for the rest? Non è possibile. The chefs are clearly using quality ingredients, but don't quite know how to use them. The biggest problem boiled down to this: all dishes were far too salty. We ordered three different pasta dishes, and while each noodle was perfectly al dente, the sauces suffered from the overuse of the salt shaker. The converse was true for other condiments: flavors were coarse, as was the case of the cipollini onions and marinated crimini mushrooms in the Antipasto Toscano. Or they were lacking entirely: the vongole tasted of nothing but sodium and a touch of clam; the tagliatelle with a "Tuscan-style" ragu was bland to the point of tasteless. Sadly, dessert was no better. Ordering a slice of the olive oil cake with rosemary, it turned out to be unsubtly sweet, lacking flavor, and unfortunately undercooked. In and of themselves, all our dishes were edible. In the context of a restaurant that seems to bill itself as a bit of Italy in North Berkeley, it was highly dissatisfying. One must wonder whether the owners of a "real" trattoria in Florence (or my Tuscan nonna) would feel good about serving the fare offered here. Or charging for it. Meals garnished with hubris need to deliver. Andiamo. read more

The service and quality of food here is amazing! For our family reunion here, the staff was attentive, the meal was well paced, and the ambiance allowed for open conversation without being too loud or distracting. The steak and the gnocchi were especially delicious. read more

Via del Corso is as good as ever! I have not dined here in years, but an evening in Berkeley for a show at the Greek Theater prompted an early dinner, along with many others! We arrived early for our reservation, but no problem they promptly seated us. The service here was excellent. Our server made some excellent recommendations as he knew the dinner menu and wine list very well. Leave your fancy California wines at home for your meal here. Corso has some really fun and tasty Italian wines, served by the glass, carafe or bottle. I asked for two recommendations based on my preferred style and he was spot on, both were fantastic! We dined on the Lattuga salad (an incredible version of a Caesar salad) with lovely and bright lemon and parmesan dressing and crisp baby lettuces. On to the Tagliatelli with their in house made meat ragu, complete with beef, pork, proscuitto and more! It was heavenly. The main courses were the fresh halibut and the porch chop. I devoured every bite of the tasty and tender chop and my dining companion said her halibut was delicious as well. I can't say enough about the service here. This restaurant is definately a 4-1/2 star experience, and very well could be 5 stars. I hope to go back again soon rather than in a few years :))) read more

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Disappointed in this dining experience--overrated and overpriced As some other reviews had said, the tables are uncomfortably close and you can fully hear and conversations of tables next to you. It was so hard to converse because everyone was yelling over each other trying to be heard. The starter bread and butter was completely cold and the other starters were both minuscule in portion size and underwhelming. The tuna bread was slightly better with its interesting combination of beans, tuna, and herbs, but the risotto balls were flavorless and about the size of a quarter. The Tagliatelle Ragu was fine but you can get the same thing (that's fresher) from Italian homemade for half the price. On top of all of that, the waiters were dismissive and kind of rude which might have been because we were younger. Overall, a regrettable experience. read more

Via del Corso - Tuna Bread - Italian Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Many customers dining here get pretty dressed up, so I was glad I got a counter seat on a busy Saturday. The bartender Justin was really fun to chat with, and I am really glad I tried to pork chop he recommended. I usually avoid ordering pork chop dishes because restaurants make them too dry or use poignant sauces to spice up the flavor, but at Via del Corso the cut was really tender and the flavors complement each other really well. The ice cream in their affogato is from Almare down the street! Overall really warm and welcoming vibes, and it was fun to people watch the big tables and fellow solo diners at the counter. read more

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Excellent food - loved it. Unfortunately forgot to post sooner so I recall much. I know I had the pork chop and ate every morsel on my plate. It was tender, juicy, flavorful. The sauce matched perfectly. read more

Via del Corso - Pork chop - fabulous!!! - Italian Near Me - Berkeley, California

The ambiance, food and service at this place was amazing! I went with 3 other friends and Noelia our server was just the best. She recommended the best of the best in the menu and we were so happy with the food and drinks. I am definitely coming back to try everything else I didn't try. This place is a gem. read more

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LOL so this place is within walking distance from my partner's place and we only just found it. AAAAAAAHHHH For COVID safety purposes, staff wear masks & hand sanitizer is provided. Not much social distancing. We walked in a Friday evening & somehow got a table when another party serendipitously canceled-- after getting seated, we saw other parties turned away....... PURE LUCK. Their outdoor seating consists of a few tables paired with heating lamps, tucked away from the adjacent street & wind by a wooden frame. BROCCOLINI DI CICCIO: How they manage to pack so much flavor into broccolini, I will never know. + super tender. INVOLTINI do SALMONI AFFUMICATO: Love these plump little rolls! The creamy ricotta + briny capers + smoky salmon = mouthwateringly good. CASUNZEI: My first time trying this & having trouble figuring out the correct terminology (Is it ravioli? Is it something else?)-- tasty nonetheless. Sweet & earthy. PANNA COTTA ALLA GRAPPA: Impeccable! My bf's never had panna cotta before. Silky, rich-- yet oddly refreshing. We loved the sauce & candied fruit. Vito was our lovely server-- he's the best! We were wowed by how effortlessly he greeted incoming regulars, gave detailed recommendations, and made conversation with everyone along the way. A true professional! read more

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Actually debating between three and four stars so it's more 3.5 but grading up to give them a benefit of doubt. Maybe it was an off night? Go easy with that salt shaker or the vinegar jar spout, will you? Food : We started with 3 salads/appetizers shared by three of us: zucchini starter; little gem lettuce salad; and their seasonal watermelon salad. Zucchini and lettuce salads were dressed way too tart. Too much vinegar which was regrettable. To offset our disappointment, watermelon salad turned out to be a win- it was refreshing and dressed perfectly. Mains - we each ordered our own dish - (1) grilled pork chop with figs - a bit salty but luckily the sweetness of figs apparently worked to offset. The green pea snaps were very tasty cooked just right. (2) tagliatelle al ragu; simple basic and tasty pasta (3) taglioni with fish slices folded in. This was my order and as much as I wanted to like it more, it was a bit off. Pasta and fish seemed overcooked to my taste; flavors too spicy. There's no need for red pepper in my humble opinion. Overall the flavors lean towards the salty and I prefer a style that enhances and showcase the natural flavors of the ingredients. The waiter was friendly and charming- and observant to offer another basket of bread which was eaten more probably to accompany the tart and a bit salty dishes. We don't normally eat desserts but as it's a birthday dinner, we each ordered a dessert anticipating a birthday recognition as I shared this when I made the reservation. While highlight for our dinner was the dessert, they appeared to have forgotten to add the birthday touch - learning a lesson here that perhaps one needs to remind them as there appeared to be few other birthday dinners being celebrated. Desserts were excellent. They have a full bar with array of drink options- and I realize if you drink alcoholic beverages, accompanying foods tend to be flavored with a more punch to better match. Perhaps the restaurant caters more to those who have a glass of sweet Riesling or sherry to pair with their supper, thus theorizing our impressions. read more

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I've eaten here twice in two weeks! Great wine and cocktails, wonderful food and service. Had the most perfect roasted Monk Fish, beautiful pork chop, and a killer steak! Get dessert! read more

Essentially, a neighborhood Italian eatery. Not a huge menu, but a number of items that piqued my interest. Had the spinach salad to start, and it was excellent. Generous portion. About fresh bread: Too many places bring overly-buttery bread, or buttery-cheesey sticks, or something that one is trying to pass off as garlc bread. This was just great, Bay Area sourdough. The way we used to have it all over the Bay Area (less is more, people, less is more). I had the house negroni to start. Wow, did I pick right. Great drink, not cloyingly sweet, with more than a touch of amaro. Would order again. My main was the cod, which included a thick, generous portion in a large dish of Italian beans and peppers and other vegetables. I also ordered the rosemary patates side dish at 10; while very good, just too much food. My one complaint is the noise level. Hard to hear the people with whom I was dining. It was comedic as we frequently mis-heard each other and needed repeats and do-overs all night. Outdoor seating next time. -- workingman's gourmand read more

We were in the area visiting our daughter and she recommended Via del Corso based on a previous visit...we are sure glad we went! Here is what we liked: - Comfortable, cozy atmosphere - Nice selection of wines at varying price points...we started with Prosecco and then got a nice Chianti for during our meal - The food was excellent! We started with the Bocconcini and Gamberi appetizers, which were a great combination. My wife got the Gnocchi, my daughter got the Agnolotti, and I got the Pappardelle. All the dishes were very tasty. And, we finished with the Torta di Mandorle and some Limoncello...what a fantastic meal! - The service was superb...attentive, helpful, but not overbearing. Bottom line: I would go back to Via del Corso in a minute next time I'm in the Berkeley area. read more

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Everything was wonderful!!! I have been looking for a good steak! Noella was an amazing server and I didn't catch the hosts name but also very sweet and attentive. The steak was amazing ! read more

Wonderful food, great service! My daughter took me there for my birthday, and it was a knockout!

Food was pretty good in terms of freshness and ingredients. We came here for our anniversary and the burratta with the prosciutto was the best thing we had all night. I ended up getting the rabbit and it was alright (a little dry) but the sausage was pretty good. She got the raviolis and they were really good just basic. Server was great but other than that was a little overpriced. read more

My husband and I were wandering Berkeley one evening looking for a bite for dinner. We were going to the Italian place a few doors down but the crowd was a little too mature for us so we decided to try Via Del Corso instead. A cozy lively restaurant that fills up quickly. We were seated by the kitchen and got to see them make the food. I think that made the food even better. I've not had a bad meal yet! read more

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Great service Ambiance is solid Food is great Prices high but on par with the hood Get, pesto pasta, tagliatelle w beef Ragu, gnocchi Norma Would for sure come back! Eat it! read more

Via del Corso - Gnocchi Norma - Italian Near Me - Berkeley, California

The food was great I went there the week before Christmas didn't even know this business was there definitely a hidden gem the customer service was great the food presentation was amazing read more

We went to the Claremont Hotel for our anniversary a few years ago and our room and spa treatments were fine but the food was terrible! And, the restaurant was closed on Sunday, our anniversary! This turned out to be lucky, because we found Via Del Corso was open and had a great meal and wonderful time! The staff were friendly and so were the other guests. We just recommended them to a friend. We live down the peninsula, so it's pretty far from us, but we will be back! read more

It's a great place with great food , all the workers there are friendly and nice and helpful. It was a busy night so it's took a long time to get the food so if you are hungry, just be prepared to wait just a little to long , at list that was our experience. Will go back there again for sure read more

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We have frequented Via del Corso since they opened. It is a little jewel hidden in a neighborhood with impossible parking and the noise level is crazy but we love it, for the staff and for the food. The menu is light, has just the right amount of choices, changes seasonally and is always superb. Great bar, we have lemon drops on our table virtually 5 minutes after we have been seated. This week we devoured the Tuscan Style Chicken Liver crostinis and loved the Pan Roasted John Dory, a fish rarely found on the West Coast. So light, perfectly baked, with a delicious tomato, caper sauce. The service is impeccable with a congenial and charming staff. We are so thankful to have discovered this remarkable restaurant. read more

Came here for my 32nd birthday. Service was quick and all the employees were very attentive. Parking is difficult in this area though. The branzino sea bass was cooked to perfection. The appetizers (sliced yellow fin tuna, warm olives) were both seasoned well and came out in a timely fashion. My boyfriend ordered the chicken breast in brown butter w/ lemon. It wasn't dry and had a good amount of lemon so it didn't just taste like pure butter. My birthday cake (ricotta cheese cake) wasn't dry, but I think it needed a little bit more blueberry compote.Fun time for my birthday!!! read more

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Paid $19 for a glass of wine that the server said was Italy's answer to Pinot Noir. It tasted like a French table wine, the kind that you're drunk on the floor before you realize you are not drinking water. The food was superb. The first plate in front of me was not what I ordered. I was so hungry dog food would have been great. This dish was just exquisite. It was more than half-consumed by the time the server realized it was a mistake. Then, "I'll get you what you ordered." But another dish came out which was once again not what I ordered, but wow, was it good, too! It's bad communication between servers and chef. I'll be back, putting up with any nonsense just to get magnificent food. read more

Now I wasn't going to Yelp this place because I probably would have a hard time getting a seat or a table from too many customers afterwards. A hidden gem in Berkeley with food and service that's out of this world. You can't go wrong with anything you order Chef Massimo and his team will make sure of that. I also have to mention the great service by James, Alex and Isabel. Great team at the front of house . read more

Via del Corso - OMG Branzino a must have - Italian Near Me - Berkeley, California

I've been here 3 times and each time is a wonderful experience with fantastic food and service. What makes this place particularly great is the company. Not one obnoxious soul, and although there are a few Berkeley students, you don't feel like it's a college centered restaurant- because it's not. The menu changes occasionally, but so far the duck linguini, Dungeness crab antipasto, or the more than filling T-bone has left me very happy. The dessert is also, very good. read more

Via del Corso - Budino Al Cioccolato - Italian Near Me - Berkeley, California

All around great place. I sat at the bar (the shorter table) and it felt like baby was in the corner a bit but once we got going with wine and recommendations, it was all in all a wonderful experience with good food. Since I was here on a work trip I figured I'd go big or go home, and ordered way more food than I could handle. The bartender, I think his name is Vito, let me do half portion pastas. So I started with the prosciutto and burrata as an appetizer it was delicious. I've had better burrata but you can't really screw prosciutto up. The staff was engaging and lovely. I can't speak to the dining area or outside but if you want an interesting local experience, sit at the bar. Everyone at the bar, on this particular night were locals and engaged in good conversation. I did a half portion of the butternut squash gnocchi, it was good. And then I did half a portion of the parpadelle Ragu with rabbit. All the food is very rich and heavy. Then I ordered the quail at the recommendation of Vito. The quail was good and it is small but it was a bit over the top. It could've been a much smaller dish actually. There were loads of lentils and greens it's a hearty meal despite the size of the bird. I let Vito pair all the wines and they were all nice and smooth. He gives you what you request for. And then kind of keeps you going on those throughout the night as the food comes so it was like having a tasting menu but not being committed to something specific on a menu. And then I topped it off with the panna cotta at the end. And quite frankly that was the best part. read more

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The place was popular and crowded. Our table was a bit small for 4 people and it was right up the kitchen / prep area. Our server was nice, friendly and attentive. For starters, we had the Crostone con Stracciatella e Pomodorini and the Prosciutto e fichi and they were very good. For our entrées, we ordered the Tagliatelle al Ragù, Branzino alla Griglia and a couple of Costata di Maiale (grilled pork rib chops). The food was very good. Unfortunately, they messed up one of our guest's pork chop order. He got the Pollo alla Sostanza (chicken) instead. The server quickly realized that as soon as they set the plate down. He apologized, told us to enjoy the chicken dish on the house and he would get the correct entrée fired up asap. The dish took a while and by the time it came out, we were pretty much done with our meal. That was a bit awkward as we can see our guest hurriedly consumed his meal. We decided to try the desserts. The tiramisu was delicious! The gelato was good. But the panna cotta was awful. The texture was not smooth or creamy, kind of watery and tasteless. The strawberry sauce did not save this dessert. Not sure if it was just from a bad batch but surprised that they served it. Although our overall dining experience could be better, we did enjoyed the tasty entrées. read more

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Very limited menu. I think the short rib stuffed ravioli had maybe two tablespoons of meat divided into 5 raviolis small place. It was very busy when we were there. Seems like a lot of locals. Place is nice and inviting but expensive for the amount of food. The servers are very attentive. Probably won't be back read more

Via del Corso is located on the Gourmet Ghetto (Shattack Ave) area of Berkeley. It has a cozy interior, with friendly staff and very good Italian food. I was here on a weekday night with some colleagues. We had the burrata and prosciutto, and tagliatelle al sugo for appetizers, which were great starters, and for my main I had the excellent Branzino(sea bass). For dessert I enjoyed the panna cotta al pitstacchio. We had a delightful time. read more

Via del Corso - panna cotta al pistacchio - Italian Near Me - Berkeley, California

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My dad and I had dinner here before we saw Alvin Ailey. He had the tuna tartare appetizer, I had the warm olives. My dad had butternut squash (very yummy) pasta and I had the pork chop. I also had the olive oil martini and my dad had the Negroni. The Negroni and the pork chop were out of this world! Had to take some bites before I snapped a pic lol. Will come back here soon! read more

Via del Corso - Perfectly cooked pork chop with caramelized Brussels sprouts - Italian Near Me - Berkeley, California

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This review is not about the food because we were not able to eat there. We arrived just as they opened on 5 PM on a Sunday evening. Because we didn't have reservations they wouldn't take us. I understand that. However, the hostess was brusque and dismissive. Had she been the least bit interested in us making reservations for another time she would've suggested that or at least said she was sorry and hoped we would try another time. She basically just rudely turned us away. This kind of "service" is indicative of how they treat their customers, so we will not be trying this restaurant. read more

Group of six for dinner. Excellent choices. Loved the Lamb Chops. Very attentive service in a pleasant setting. Will be back. read more