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Villa Nova Ristorante

4.1 (457 reviews)
ModerateItalian, Bars
Closed 11:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)

Villa Nova Ristorante Photos

Business Info

VILLA NOVA RISTORANTE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Happy hour specials
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - Villa Nova Ristorante

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The side salad was generous
robert l.

This old school Italian restaurant is a Columbus/Worthington classic. For many locals it's THE place for Italian or pizza. The hand made food comes in large portions so expect to have a to go box. I suggest the big sampler. Ravioli, spaghetti and meatball, gnocchi and lasagna that comes with a big side salad or soup plus hot bread sticks. All the food is A+ The decor is old school with a lot of brass decor. Most nights the place is busy and you may have a wait but they try to get you in quickly. The staff are always friendly and fun. You won't be disappointed with this local institution.

Bar specials
Mark C.

Looks like a nice local family style restaurant and bar. We had high hopes for the pizzas that we got to-go. Yes they were fresh but the cheese tasted off. Great bar prices and daily specials. Staff is very friendly.

Copper kettles
Sandy W.

Hubby and I went for lunch right when they opened. Our service was excellent and the menu is extensive. I ordered the veggie pizza which was delicious. Hubby ordered a meatball sub which he also enjoyed. The atmosphere is very nice casual with tons of copper kettles all around the restaurant.

Gluten free pizza
Katie N.

I always drive by Villa Nova and see the crowds so I know it's a popular spot. Came with my dad, had great friendly service. Disappointed by the lack of gluten free option. We did get a gluten free pizza that was really yummy, but I don't know that I would come frequently just for that. Happy hour is only on the bar area. Eclectic decorations. Definitely a place to check out at least once.

Spumoni
Kyle P.

I always go to Villa Nova Ristorante for Lasagna and on Tuesday Nights after 4 pm for the large one-topping pizza for $12 to pick up. I had a Spumoni while my friend had Vanilla Ice Cream with chocolate sauce. The Spumoni was delicious and perfect for after dinner from the great Lasagna that Villa Nova has. I rarely get dessert, but when I do I will get the Spumoni at Villa Nova Ristorante. I have never been disappointed in their great service to me and other customers there. The ambiance is the same with the tea kettles around the restaurants.

Chicken Parmesan
Greg M.

Came in on a Thursday night for an early dinner, around 5:30. Was lucky to have got a table. Line out the door when we left. This place is really bumping, and the staff does a good job moving you in and out quickly. The atmosphere was that of an old Italian parlor. Not too elegant, but not a dive either. Started with the Italian Cheese, which was nothing more than fried Pepper Jack cheese curds. I think they were previously frozen, not made from scratch. My daughter had the pasta carbonara and I had the chicken Parmesan. The Carbonara was OUTSTANDING. Bacon gave it a nice Smokey taste. Super rich, and a ton of it! The chicken parm was also good, smothered with cheese, but I question if the chicken pattie wasn't previously frozen and not made from scratch. It was formed just too perfect in the dish. The pasta sauce was delicious and really hit home with what I wanted. Server was a bit inattentive, as I was half way done with my meal before she brought back the red pepper. She was also a bit of a complainer, as I was asking questions about the history of the place and was told there are newspaper clippings I can read in the entry way, which she has never read because she is just toooooo busy when working. Whah, whah, whah is all I heard.

Spaghetti with marinara
Heithem E.

First time visiting this Columbus institution. Straight up red sauce Italian restaurant. And the sauce is good! I had the sampler, with spaghetti, lasagna, and an assortment of ravioli and gnocchi. I couldn't stop eating! I made it through everything but the spaghetti, which I took home with a couple of extra meatballs. Service was friendly and professional. Atmosphere was good mot loud - just lots of friendly conversation. Over half full on a Monday night! Basic solid Italian!

Valerie W.

SUPER popular spot, apparently a neighborhood favorite for generations, and HOPPING on a recent Saturday night. I was lucky to find parking, and that the VERY large group I met up with had made reservations. Check their extensive menu out ahead of time... They offer all the Italian "standards," along with a number of tempting culinary surprises. I went back and forth a few times, changing my mind on pizza, pasta, or something else, and finally went with the veggie lasagna, which came with a house salad. Both were ok, not exactly "earth-shattering," (remember, I'm STILL a bit of a NY food snob, even after 20+ years here in Ohioooooo) but good enough. The food was 3+ stars, good but not quite mind-blowing, but the service was WONDERFUL. Wish I got the name of our AMAZING waitress, who handled our large group like a true PRO. I don't think I've ever gotten better, more friendly, helpful and efficient service EVER in this large a group, ESPECIALLY on a busy weekend!!! Bravo!! Be sure to check this place out if you're in the area, and don't miss their HUMUNGOUS collection of brass cookware!!! :-D

The last bread stick.
Lori K.

Wow! It's been probably 15 years since we've been here. And now we are ready to return! Service was very efficient. One young lady seemed to have the entire front dining room. Sheoved from table to table welcoming guests, taking orders, delivering meals and keep drinks filled. Bread arrived at our table first. My son jumps in because he just left practice and he's hungry. So one else had a chance to try a bread stick My son ordered Seafood Alfredo served with shrimp and scallops. This is one of his favorite meals. The portion was generous but the seafood was not, in my opinion The sauce was creamy and rich. He would order it again saying the scallops were delicious. The large pasta came with a side salad or soup. He selected the house made Italian Wedding Soup. Our option did not include meatballs but there was plenty of chicken in the soup. There was not much spinach in our serving which we appreciated. This was a definite order again item! Hubs ordered a white pizza. It was loaded with garlic and topped with cheese. The olive oil base was perfect on the house made thin crust. Another order again item! But a warning - the garlic really is strong. I ordered the chef salad. Mixed green salad, turkey, ham and one hard boiled egg. I orderedine without tomatoes and without American Cheese It was a good salad with several dressing choices. I ordered the house made Italian The bowl was the same as the side salad with the extra protein. Next time I'm going to order the grilled chicken breast and a side salad.

jeff a.

I love Villanova but I was disappointed they have changed their pizza crust. The 1 star isnt for anything but the new pizza crust all other food was excellent. Your pizza had always been thin & crispy. It was the typical Columbus style pizza crust since the 70s that I personally remember. Its just so different now. Its a fluffy soft doughie crust and not the thin cracker crust you have served for decades. You have great food and now mediocre pizza. Please bring back your old crust.

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Amazing food and service. Casual atmosphere that can get a bit nosier on a game day.

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Another delicious Italian dish made a beautiful evening even more wonderful. Pizzas are fresh and plated dinners never disappoint.

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Ask the Community - Villa Nova Ristorante

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Wow! Where do I begin!!…read more I made a reservation for this restaurant after I friend of mine raved about it. Our reservation was at 7:30p and we were seated promptly upon arrival. Our servers name was DJ, she did an impeccable job. Very friendly, answered all of our questions and was very good at her job!) We ordered the Pasta Fritto for an appetizer and it was incredible. Bread service was included with the meal and the garlic bread was good! We both decided to get Alfredo and it was 10/10. Super creamy and rich, noodles were cooked perfectly. We then ordered 3 different desserts and brought them home to try. We got the Cannoli, Tiramisu and Carrot Cake. They're all made in the bakery next door and fresh as can be. The carrot cake was my favorite! I would highly recommend this place! The ambience was quaint and pretty, staff were incredible, food was top notch and the prices were fair. I can't wait to come back!

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Cento - Woman's hand pulling up pasta from her plate

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4.5(167 reviews)
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My husband and I celebrated Valentine's Day at Cento this year! We had a 5-star experience - from…read morethe service to the drinks to the food! Everything was wonderful! Drinks - my husband had a CBC IPA and I had a Spritzer. Appetizer - we went with the whipped ricotta. This was absolutely delish! The whipped ricotta was creamy, smooth, had a lemony flavor with celery leaves and parsley. Seriously, all of the flavors blended so well together! It was also topped with black truffle and honey (from a local vendor)! The sourdough bread that the whipped ricotta was served with was super fresh and warm (and from a local vendor as well)! Salad - we ordered a Caesar salad as well. I thought that it was super nice that they plated the salad on two plates for us knowing that we were splitting it! Super thoughtful! The romaine was crispy (not soggy), the croutons were freshly made, the dressing had the anchovy flavor that I appreciate in a good Caesar dressing, and the salad was topped with a little lemon zest! I will definitely return just for the Caesar salad! Meals - I went with the Rigatoni and my husband went with the Lasagna. We were informed by our server that the flour used for the pasta is imported from Italy and that the pasta is made fresh daily - LOVE this! The rigatoni was SO good! I love that the pasta and shrimp were all cut into smaller bites! The sauce was absolutely delicious! The flavor was like a mix between a thick tomato bisque and curry! Yum! My husband really enjoyed the lasagna as well! The lasagna was plated into little roll-ups which my husband really liked! Will definitely be back soon - we want to check out the patio once we have warmer weather too!

I've lived in the neighborhood for 12 years now and was excited when I saw this place being built…read more I have been there a few times now - both times I had the Rigatoni and Shrimp with a glass of red. Approximately $45.00. Last night I went and must say - very surprised at what I paid; glass of red $14, ceaser salad $16, added a side of chicken $15.0!!! Thqt surprised me - thats 3 chicken breast at the store lol Each time I have sat at the bar - both inside and out (even in winter). Great ambiance. I love the bar inside - gives an upscale 50s diner with great design and mood. The outdoor bar in winter is very nice and warm - haven't had trouble grabbing a seat at either. Bartenders are nice, very attentive and knowledgeable. Parking is easy, there is valet offered. Overall - a bit over priced for generally good food, but a pleasant night out for date night or girls night out.

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Speck Italian Eatery - Tortellini and Funghi

Speck Italian Eatery

4.4(211 reviews)
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I was totally in love with this space and the food served inside. We ate around 6 PM and it was…read moregolden hour so the lighting was gorgeous. The space is very bright and airy: loved the floral and plant vibes. Our server was kind but maybe a bit apprehensive because we brought our two daughters. Sometimes I feel bad bringing kids but honestly we deserve to have good food even if there are little mouths involved. We had the focaccia starter and it was as pillowy and sumptuous as it looked. Next was broccolini which our 8 month old devoured. I tried the funghi pasta and my husband had the sausage ragu. Both had generous portions. The kitchen made butter noodles for our daughter and she LOVED them. I was pleased they didn't try to doll them up because she really did just want noodles and butter. Finally, the octopus was sooo tasty. The sauce was super flavorful and I love a good bean addition. Delicious meal all around.

Love the spring menu they have out now, I'm going to have dreams about the Cavatelli Sardi! The…read morecitrus flavor was such a refreshing surprise! Highly recommend their Aperol Spritz, probably my favorite I've had in Columbus. I really enjoyed the Cacio E Pepe too, I ordered that as my main dish and shared the cavatelli with a friend. This is such a cute spot, it was perfect for a birthday dinner! Service was great, our waiter checked in often and food came out quickly despite how busy the restaurant was. Definitely recommend making a reservation, but there were bar seats open on a Thursday evening! If you park in the Nicholas Garage, the door opens right onto High Street, next door to Speck.

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4.5(342 reviews)
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I had the pleasure of being in Ohio last night, well for this week, we're in town for my son's…read moregraduation. My son and his wife took us to a an amazing place they stumbled into what may very well be the culinary pride of Columbus: La Tavola, a family-owned, family-run Italian restaurant that feels like someone teleported you straight into Nonna's kitchen... but with better lighting and no guilt about not calling enough. If you love yourself a great, unapologetically stinky pizza and I'm talking Parmigiano-Reggiano and ricotta levels of heavenly funk then this is your place. This pizza didn't just have cheese; it was knee-deep in cheese. Handmade, hand-rolled, and clearly crafted by people who know their way around a dairy situation. The appetizers? Fantastic. The waitstaff? Friendly, attentive, and exactly the kind of people you'd hope are handing you carbs by the plateful. But then, the main dishes arrived. I ordered seared scallops over a bed of handmade buttery fettuccine with capers, and I swear I heard an angel sing. The scallops were perfectly cooked, the pasta was the kind that ruins you for boxed pasta forever, and the whole thing tasted like someone's Italian grandmother blessed the plate personally. If I could say "WAY TO GO!" in Italian, I absolutely would but instead I'll say this: If you're ever in Columbus, go to La Tavola. Go hungry. Go ready to eat like you're visiting family. And go prepared to fall a little bit in love with this place. Family-owned, warm, cozy, and outrageously delicious. Highly recommend.

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4.4(446 reviews)
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Basi Italia is one of those places you almost want to gatekeep. It's tucked away in Victorian…read moreVillage and has the cutest, most charming vibe. The space is super intimate and classy, perfect for a slower, more special dinner. The food was so good, you can tell everything is really high quality and made with care. Everything we ordered felt elevated but still super comforting, which I loved. I got the rigatoni which was some of the best sausage/pasta dishes I've had in a while. The service was also really prompt and attentive without being too much, which made the whole experience even better. Such a good spot for a special dinner or date night if you want something that feels a little more unique and memorable. Next time I'm saving a little more space in my stomach for the Tiramisu!

Where should I start? Made reservations for 5:30 & promptly arrived a few minutes ahead of time…read more The Hostess sat us down in the rear of this quaint little spot & she asked if we are celebrating anything or what? I answered Yes,it's my Wife's Birthday She said Great & Wished her a Happy Birthday. Valet parking right up front of establishment for a nominal price of $10* Nice feature. Sat down & met our server/waiter Egan He went over specials & menu briefly. Then we received our miniscule bread/biscuit as an offering while waiting for our salads that we ordered. Very savory and tasty but small. BTW,as soon as we finished,he took the plates. Just one little biscuit each, like we are little gerbels. ? Egan gave us our water glasses & water bottle. *(First & last time he served us any water)* ‍ Then came our cocktails, my wife's drink was super dry & tart, so she asked Egan if they could freshen it up..."What's Up" & he brought out some simple syrup. The drink was somewhat better, & I finished my cocktail. He took the empty glass & never asked if I'd like another one? He did ask if my wife's drink was better she answered yes. But, no further engagement or query about the drink? Other than like he was talking a survey in order to make the drink better for the next guest,but NOT my wife⁉ Very odd & pisspoor services. This being our 1st time here,we we're anticipating something Grandeur & Services that matches the overhyped & overpriced selections on this limited variety small menu. The ambiance was flat & no music or anything in the background. Just restaurant noise & people chatter. The lackluster & non-enthusiastic dealings from Egan ,our server was appalling. When my asked him something, his reply was "What's Up"?? Areya Kidding me? Are we in a Gym or Dive,Noooooo. We are supposedly in a Higher Upscale Trendy place?? We both were NOT Impressed at all. The Principle of paying a Higher Price for a Higher or Better Experience is relative to the overall experience. Which was non-impressive,we've had better treatment at a Dairy Queen or Bob Evans Again, this was our first & last time coming here There was 2 ladies that actually were very nice & attentive that brought out the salads & main entrée. They were both very professional & kind. Now let's talk about the food. My wife's eggplant parmesan was delicious & she took home the leftovers. My shrimp linguine was very tasty and yummy,just very small portions & 6 shrimp in my entrée. Hardly any linguine, sauce was delicious but definitely NOT a filling meal. Where's the Meat?? One of the two ladies came back & dropped off desert menu...but we declined anything else. Just the bill please. So here comes Egan & I let my wife handle him as she asked him the following. We've heard such great things about this place & we had high expectations & wanted to make the night memorable & special with it being our first time & my birthday. But you seemed less concerned about us & failed our expectations. Then she asked him why didn't you ask my husband or I if we wanted another cocktail*? Also why did you never refill our water glasses? When asked Egan replied again with "What's Up"? In any Restaurant USA a waiter/waitress serves & customarily asks if you like another drink or something else. So before I wrote this review, I asked for my wife's input. She wanted to give this place a One Star But I convinced her that they're was a few bright spots. None of which was our server Egan with his lame uncaring approach to what he thinks is customer service. Unfortunately, NOT a good experience. As a Yelper Elite for 8Yrs now, I've been around the USA & World. I've had countless interactions & quite frankly this place was extremely disappointing. Some places earn their reputation from unsavy or perhaps gullible people that don't know any better. As for Me & My Wife, we are World Travelers & from Coast to Coast have sampled & had numerous festivities & fun....this rates as one of our lowestttttttttt experiences ever

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4.2(1.2k reviews)
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My friend and I went out for happy hour and had such a great time on the outdoor patio. It was the…read moreperfect day to be outside--finally feels like winter is breaking! I ordered two seafood apps: the seared scallops and the garlic roasted shrimp, and both were excellent. The scallops had a perfect sear on both sides, which was a great start, and the shrimp were seasoned really well. For drinks, we both got the Supremo Peach--so delicious and refreshing. I also tried the espresso martini. It was good, but honestly, I wish I had just stuck with the Supremo Peach because the switch was a bit of a shock to my palate. We spent time chatting and really enjoyed the atmosphere. Service was quick, and our waiter was very attentive--he even checked back in with us before happy hour ended, which I appreciated. This experience was night and day compared to my last visit, and I'm really glad I gave this place another chance. For me, this might be the perfect happy hour spot. The apps feel more like small plates, which I love for the variety, and a great cocktail like the Supremo Peach definitely seals the deal. Thanks, Forno!

If you're in the Short North & craving Italian, Forno should be on your list of go-to's! They have…read morea ton of great pizza options, delicious appetizers and amazing Italian dishes! The atmosphere here is very inviting and lively making this the perfect place for a girls night or casual date night. The service here is spot on and they have a really yummy brunch as well! You can't go wrong with any pizza, dish or cocktail when you come here; you've got to give them a try if you haven't already!

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4.4(141 reviews)
3.9 miNorthland
$$$

My girlfriend and I went to Pasqualone's in Columbus Square last evening. To say that we were blown…read moreaway would be an understatement. From the time we walked in the door, a gentleman in the kitchen looked up and said greeted us. (There's a door so you can see into the kitchen from the foyer) I later learned it was Dave Pasqualone himself. We were promptly shown to our table and within a few minutes, a gentleman by the name of Chris introduced himself and told us what the specials for the evening were. Everything sounded great but my girlfriend picked the saccettini with the amatriciana sauce and I had the veal scalopini with a small side of saccettini. The meal was PERFECT! You could taste richness of the homemade saccettini stuffed with cheese. I was told that the pasta for the lasagna noodles are made on site which is used for the saccettini. The veal scallopini was so tender, I could cut it with a fork. Not too many capers, the right combination of butter, white wine and lemon. My girlfriend's amatriciana sauce (she was kind enough to give me a taste of two) had a little bit of a bite to it but not too much. It was mouth watering. We finished off the evening with a homemade cannoli which was superb. Towards the end of the evening, Dave came out into the dining room and personally greeted each table. We learned that Dave was the head chef at Monaco's Palace on Cleveland Ave many years ago. They always had wonderful food. To find this gem of a restaurant in Northeast Columbus, in a part of town where many restaurants come and go each month or year, is like finding a needle in a haystack. This quiet little Italian restaurant is tucked away in an unassuming strip mall that was incredibly popular in the 80's and 90's and has been churning out delicious homemade Italian dishes for over 20 years. We will definitely become regular patrons of this gem of a place. Thank you Dave, Chris and the other members of their staff to make a date night with my girlfriend a memorable experience.

A strip mall by a bowling alley, sign me up! Is probably not what you are thinking. This place is…read morereservation only, and you have to call them....on a phone. It's worth the work! This place is old school and I love it! When I walked in for my reservation the Owner/Chef popped out from the kitchen and said "Good Evening Mrs. Wilson" because well, we were the only reservation at that time. Really impressed my friends lol. We picked the day before Thanksgiving to dine out with friends we hadn't seen in a while. This is a great place for a small group to sit and talk (and be heard) without being rushed. Restaurant was 60% full? Fantastic full premium bar, great wine list and helpful servers. Just top to bottom great food and service. From the menu, it seems like a limited selection of standard Italian fair. Order from the specials, they are chef recommended and always fantastic. Even the basic spaghetti + meatballs is great! Entres $30-50 which is really pretty reasonable. Just me but, I would love more vegetables on the menu as sides with my pasta. Most meals do come with soup or salad. Great for small group (less than 10) but not sure how many they would take honestly. You will get fantastic service, great food, in a nice quieter environment. Looking forward to going back in the new year!

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3.7(181 reviews)
5.9 miUniversity District

Wow wow WOW. When I say this was one of the best dining experiences I've ever had, I am not…read moreexaggerating. This little gem in Victorian Village is a must visit for anyone who loves authentic Italian food and stellar service. I came here with my roommates family for a celebratory dinner and had an amazing four course dining experience. I was intimidated at first by the number of courses, but each dish is in a small tasting format. Not only was the food delish but our water was incredible. He took time to go through each dish and explain the ingredients and origin. You could tell he was super passionate about his job and the food there. I'm going to come back to try their cacio pepe that they mix in a cheese wheel in front of you!! 10/10!!

For the price point let's get some new street numbers above the door so it doesn't look like a…read moremailbox. The experience was perfect. The atmosphere was cozy. The dinner made for an amazing dinner out. The presentation of every dish was remarkable. The service was phenomenal and a pretty cool seasonal menu! We did the four course + started with bread that we enjoyed through the meal. Great experience and made for a lovely dinner. Chris has been wanting to check this place out forever. I didn't care for my main dish and they swapped it out rather quickly. A bit pricy especially if anyone in the party orders drinks but I would say worth the experience.

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Pelino’s Pasta
Pelino’s Pasta
Pelino’s Pasta

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Villa Nova Ristorante - italian - Updated May 2026

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