You must visit Viola Cucina. This food is among the closest of Italian dinners - like I've grown up with - that we've ever enjoyed. The pasta e fagioli soup was delicious and tasted as it should. We savoured it. Our salad tasted garden fresh. I asked for a basic spaghetti with meatballs. Delicious. Their meatballs meet my approval. And that is saying a lot because usually no restaurant meatballs measure up. Except for the meatballs my Grandmother, Mother and I have cooked. This is why I'm tentative about eating Italian out since we grew up making it, ourselves. Everything we tried here falls under the "did not disappoint," category which is an A all around. Even the rustic dining style with sentimental interior home furnishings and decorations. All of it speaks to the heart. They are a warm bunch and will talk to those just passing through. When I'm traveling the Eastern seaboard, I will make it a point to dine at Viola Cucina. read more

Mostly Smoke and mirrors.... At first glance, their website looks impressive, their menu looks authentic, and their staff promised 'everything' made fresh and to order. But upon tasting their food, it was clear, 'Viola' is just another Americanized Italian restaurant. We started with an a la carte order of: 'House made focaccia, roasted garlic spread, evoo, craft butter' This was fresh and tasty. We then shared the 'Caesar: traditional romaine hearts, foccaccia croutons, shaved pecorino cheese. classic caesar dressing.' This lacked any flavour, the romaine was cut into too small pieces, there was no hint of garlic or anchovy in the dressing. But the most disappointing dishes were the pasta dishes: 'Fettucini bolognese, house made, beef, pork, veal ragu, pecorino, basil, calabrian Chili.' 'Scampi viola, squid ink linguini, shrimp garlic, white wine, julienned vegetables, preserved lemon butter.' Although the pastas were freshly made, their textures were compromised; both pasta dishes were not 'al dente'. In fact the Scampi viola was drenched in a dark gravy and greasy. This is just not a very skilled preparation of pasta. A fresh pasta needs very little sauce, and should be dressed very simply so the 'textures' can be enjoyed. I ordered the: 'Zuppa di vongole: fresh little neck clams, vino biqnco, fresh herbs, crostini.' But this dish was replaced by a fried calamari dish. This was well prepared, actually the only star of the evening. This restaurant may succeed on its 'blandness' but will never attract the discerning diner who wants and appreciates authentic Italian cuisine. ~tiaotse~ read more

Came in for a girls dinner. The waiter helped us decide on what to get and did not lead us astray! Everything was super tasty! The place is adorable and cozy, the bathroom was clean and surprisingly large for the general size of the place! read more

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Great celebratory dinner with the fam. Pretty spectacular wine and pasta, can't go wrong here. read more

Viola Cucina - Pasta Special w/ Chicken Cutlet - Italian Near Me - Barrington, Rhode Island

Loved our dinner at Viola tonight - we were visiting Barrington and craving some Italian food. Fresh pasta - the bucatini and fettuccine bolognese were fresh & flavorful, and the focaccia bread and cornbread are must-orders. Phil, our server, was great with making us feel at home our first time here - we look forward to coming back again soon! read more

Viola Cucina - Foccacia Bread - Italian Near Me - Barrington, Rhode Island

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My favorite Italian on the East Bay! Best Bolognese I've had, including Italy! Do yourself a favor and go...and ask for Charlie as your server... read more

This review is just for the bar. I came with a friend for a glass of wine and to check out the ambience with the thought of potentially returning another time for dinner. We sat at the bar and I was immediately impressed they had the little hooks for bags underneath- major points there. Seating and service was fine. The red wine I had, which was $14 by the glass, was not bad, but was served chilled, which is not what I enjoy when drinking red wines. It would be nice if this was noted on the wine list. When we visited, there was just one other couple dining at the tables here and a couple folks at the bar. Aside from the chilled red wine, I really did not enjoy the music they were playing which was mostly Frank Sinatra at what seemed a higher than average volume for this type of music. Maybe this is popular with the over 70 crowd, but definitely not what I wanted to listen to while catching up with my friend. It would be nice if they changed to classical, jazz or instrumental music, which would be more conducive to conversation. The atmosphere is kind of a country chic decor. I was not overly impressed and am not likely to return here. Although the food looked good, entrees were in the $30 range, and at that price point, an enjoyable atmosphere, including music, is important. read more

Viola Cucina - Atmosphere - Italian Near Me - Barrington, Rhode Island

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This is hands down the best restaurant in Barrington, maybe all of Rhode Island, honestly. If you haven't been, stop reading this and go make a reservation. Ali, Don, and Chef Jon are an unstoppable trio! If you love ice cream, do not skip the spumoni. It's life-changing. read more

Viola Cucina - Italian Near Me - Barrington, Rhode Island

I would give this place 10 stars if I could... absolutely incredible food, service, and ambiance. All the staff and owners are so kind/accommodating/welcoming. We've also gotten takeout that was phenomenal. The focaccia and Andrea pasta dish are top tier. I tell everyone about Viola and I would come every week if I was able... so so good!!! Can't say enough good things. read more

Viola Cucina - Andrea with rigatoni and chicken cutlet - Italian Near Me - Barrington, Rhode Island

My favorite restaurant, no question. Amazing food, great drinks, cozy vibe, and the nicest staff. I've moved out of the area and still happily drive an hour just to come back. It's that good! read more

Amazing food, have been here several times and the food gets better with every visit. Take it from someone whose grandparents immigrated here from Italy. This is authentic Italian food and the flavors are off the charts. Easily the best Italian restaurant in the east bay and can rival anything in the state. Tucked away in a small strip mall. You step into a quiet and refined but also relaxing atmosphere. Great date night spot that you can actually carry on a conversation. The restaurant itself isn't large and reservations are a must. There is a large parking lot. A couple of outdoor tables in the summer. Overall a must try when you are in the area. read more

We went for my birthday, and while I didn't take a ton of photos both the cocktails and the food we absolutely amazing. A hidden gem! read more

Viola Cucina - Italian Near Me - Barrington, Rhode Island

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We went to Viola for the first time last night. Even though it's ten minutes from our house, we rarely go out for Italian. Somehow, Italian just seems right for an anniversary, though, and it was a big one for us -- our tenth wedding anniversary. When I made the reservation, I noted the occasion and asked to be seated in a pretty spot, if possible. When we arrived, they wished us a "Happy Anniversary" and led us directly to a quaint little window table. Success! The homemade pasta with ricotta (fresh, cool, and with the lightest touch of lemon) was delicious (I got the fettuccini bolognese and my partner got the gnocchi) -- but the focaccia was the star of the show. It was so perfectly baked, light and springy, and the garlic spread and freshly whipped butter were incredible. We were told they like to experiment with the butter and the evening's flavor was raspberry. I was skeptical as to how it would pair with the savory and herbaceous focaccia but I needn't have worried. It was such a delightful surprise! Would maybe skip the calamari in the future. It was tender but needed a little kick, imo. Really great experience! I think we'll be back soon -- and not even for a special occasion. read more

Start to finish this is a gem of a restaurant. The space is tight so if you are looking for a quiet, romantic dinner this might not be your thing, but if you are looking for a lively vibe with great food and cocktails this is the place. The staff is attentive and knowledgeable about the food they serve. I started with an Italian take on a Manhattan, which was spot on. We tried the seafood salad app special which was fresh and delicious. It contained shrimp, scallops, and squid perfectly dressed with EVVO and tangy vinegar. The portions were large and although on the pricey side offered good value for the quality. The star of the show was the bone in veal parm. A 14-ounce veal chop pounded thin and pan-fried with bread crumbs. The right amount of sauce complemented the crispiness of the veal. I'm looking forward to having the leftovers tonight! Barrington is lucky to have Viola Cucina as would any community wanting great food. read more

Viola Cucina - Italian Near Me - Barrington, Rhode Island

New favorite Italian restaurant in the area! Viola is a very warm and charming small restaurant. We have been here a handful of times since they have opened, and have had a consistent wonderful experience each time. Every meal on their menu is delicious, fresh and flavorful. Their staff are always incredibly friendly and professional. read more

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Food is ridiculously overpriced and mediocre and the owner (?) Don is rude to patrons! Skip it. Go to Spaghetti Land instead!

Donnie (our host) and John (the chef) of this amazing gem in East Bay have brought five star dining to our backyard. The food was a 10. The service was a 10. The ambiance was a 10. You can tell you are in an amazing place when the staff, from the manager to the buss crew , is clearly proud of what they put on the table. The place is small, so reservations are advised. Folks, don't miss this place. It will blow you away. read more

Viola Cucina - Shrimp and fresh vegetable risotto. - Italian Near Me - Barrington, Rhode Island

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Tonight was our third celebration at this amazing restaurant. Tonight we celebrated our40th wedding anniversary. Our table was ready, ambience superb, service phenomenal. And then...the food! Started with focaccia (melt in your mouth), heirloom tomato salad. My husband had their homemade gnocchi...yum! I had a black skin scrod that so satisfied my tastebuds! Served with a nice fresh succotash. Dessert...WOW! A delicious pistachio pudding with a chocolate pistachio truffle. I highly recommend taking your favorite person/persons to a true delight. read more

Amazing new Italian spot in Barrington. We came here early on a weekend evening. The ambiance inside is quite lovely. We got pasta with burrata, pasta with fresh sea food and the chicken scarpariello. Everything tasted delicious, though the pasta with the burrata was the best one. The chicken scarpariello was spicy and very good. The chicken was tender and cooked perfectly; the only thing missing was the polenta. We also got a caesar salad that was very good. For dessert, we got the spumoni and salted caramel ice cream. The caramel ice cream was phenomenal. The owners were very welcoming and friendly. Seating is somewhat limited, so it's prob better to make reservations. Overall it was a great experience. read more

Viola Cucina - a dining room with tables and chairs - Italian Near Me - Barrington, Rhode Island

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Such a lovely spot. I had the best Bolognese I have ever had. And yes the Focaccia was awesome. Ali gave us the best service and she makes a very tasty martini. Worth the trip read more

Wow! I admittedly read zero reviews of this restaurant before I agreed to try it with a friend on a last minute girls night. We (mistakenly) didn't make a reservation but the owner, Don, was able to seat us at the bar despite being busy. The bartender-Zach was phenomenal and was so knowledgeable of the menu. As others have said, this place is an absolute gem! The ambiance, the drinks, and the FOOD, oh my the food! I will dream about the focaccia bread. Do yourself a favor and try this place (and make a reservation!)...I don't see how you could be disappointed. read more

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This is one of the best restaurants we've ever tried. It is a charming interior, with a menu and drinks expertly described by the waitstaff. The food is wonderful, with tempting new specials offered. Reservation is an absolute must. They've been discovered by foodies all over Rhode Island. read more

Our 2nd time at Viola and it was better than the 1st. The food is amazing! Ali is a delight and great bartender and doesn't steer you wrong with your food choices. ( highly doubt there's a bad choice on the whole menu). We love the atmosphere and restaurant as a whole, very cozy and comfortable. Can't wait to come back! read more

Viola Cucina - SPAGHETTONE ANDREA - Italian Near Me - Barrington, Rhode Island

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We had a lovely dinner in Barrington. The space is small but it reminded me of an old school bustling restaurant in that way. The vibe is suburban which suits the location. However the food is the star and it did not disappoint. I tried the bone in veal parmigiana that there are many photos of and it was very good, and fresh. My wife loved her creamy pasta. We will be back - I look forward to exploring the menu. read more

Had a phenomenal experience. From the minute we walked through the door and received a warm welcome, to Phillip our charming server. The food is unpretentious, real Italian cuisine. The wine list offers great quality wines. And the tiramisu was heaven sent! All in all .. 10/10. read more

We came to check out Violas after reading tons of great reviews. Staff was very nice. We got calamari for an appetizer very well-made nice thick pieces fried perfectly. I got the chicken Parmesan, which was not on the menu, but I guess they can make it anytime, and my husband got a chicken dish over risotto. I wasn't overly impressed, it was not a knock it out of the park Italian restaurant. The chicken Parm was very basic not something I would go back for. My husband's dish was OK, I think we were just expecting more from reviews, especially since in Rhode Island, there are tons and tons of amazing Italian restaurants. Maybe there's not much up this way like there is down around us and people are overly impressed. read more

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Wonderful Italian food. Had a hard time choosing. Lovely atmosphere and friendly service. I'd give Viola's 5 stars out of 5. Yum.

Back again.. Such a great spot. The food, the ambience and the service A+. We had such a great experience. read more

Viola Cucina - Italian Near Me - Barrington, Rhode Island

How wonderful! The waiter was fantastic! They wished us a happy anniversary ! The food was amazing and the service phenomenal. I had chicken santbello and the hubby had the pasta special . So good! read more

Our second time visiting this little Gem. Food spot on! Ambiance quint, Ally the owner/bartender engaging and great cocktail specials. read more

Viola Cucina - Ally's special cocktail's. - Italian Near Me - Barrington, Rhode Island

Ali and Don have done an impeccable job with this restaurant. The service is 10/10. The staff is SO well trained and knowledgeable. Special shout out to Charlie- he is amazing. Chef Jon is so intentional with this menu it's incredible. This is exactly how a restaurant should be run. Can't say enough great things! read more

Viola's has become our go-to dining spot, and easily our favorite restaurant. We visit nearly every other weekend, and each experience consistently exceeds expectations. The service is always exceptional, and the food is truly outstanding--setting a standard that no other restaurant, Italian or otherwise, has matched. Everyone we've recommended Viola's to has left impressed and returned for more, which speaks volumes about the quality and consistency they deliver. read more

Wow. I don't know how I missed this spot. Hands down one of the best dining experiences I have had in a very long time. My wife had the swordfish (I love fish but not the biggest fan of swordfish) and it was amazing. My dish, pasta with mushrooms, was one of the nightly special and it was fantastic. Don the owner was very hospitable and Charlie our server provided world class service. The ambiance they packed into a small space is highlighted by a warm and welcoming decor. Can't wait to go back! read more

My husband and I tried this gem of a restaurant last night and can't wait to go back! The atmosphere felt like walking into Nonna's kitchen with the old pictures on the wall and the family vibe you get from Don at the door to our server Charlie who was the best! He was very informative and passionate about the food. We had their delicious focaccia bread that was still warm when brought to the table. We also had the veal and peas for an appetizer. I'm not a veal fan but they won me over. Our entrees were the Braised short rib with polenta and the Cavatelli pasta special. Everything was seasoned to perfection and every bite as good as the last. We had to finish this amazing meal with Viola's carrot cake which is by far one of the best we've ever had. Booking our next reservation already!! read more

Excellent. The service, food and cocktails were impeccable. We had the ceasar salad, espresso martinis, chicken parmigiana and bolognese. All delicious! read more

Viola Cucina - Italian Near Me - Barrington, Rhode Island

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It is very rare that I would post an unfavorable review. We have frequented Viola a number of times, however, this time around was disappointing. We were treated coldly and felt rushed as the check was delivered with dessert even though we spent a considerable amount on dinner each time. Needless to say, turning over tables seems to be their new priority rather than customer service. Customers should be treated kindly and enjoy their meal as business can die very quickly by word of mouth. Sadly, it will be our last time dining there. read more

Just left there after a girls night and the meal was fantastic as per usual! The staff is always friendly, polite and very attentive. The vibe in there is also always so cozy ! 10/10! read more

We had dinner tonight. 1st time. Comfortable. Fresh food such as bread and calamari. I ordered veal Parmesan and remain confused. Bone in butterflied veal. Paper thin and dry with bread crumbs. Little sauce and less cheese. All I tasted was crunchy bread crumbs. I don't understand the bone in? Added nothing. Serve this dish as bone in veal parm. Medium. Not butterflied. Add sauce and generous cheese. $$48? Was over priced for that dish. read more

Service was excellent this evening for our first visit to Viola Cucina. The owner made a nice effort to introduce himself and to give us an overview and history of the restaurant. His personable manber was imbued upon the experienced, knowledgable and friendly staff. Our drinks were terrific and the food was excellent. A modern rustic setting and good lounge music provided a quiet and relaxing dinner. Highly recommended! read more

Celebrating a birthday at this hidden gem, Viola's. With every visit we love it more and more. It all starts when you walk in the door and greeted by Don, then you see the consistently friendly staff that treats you like your the only person in the establishment. The food is amazing and desserts at crazy good. The drinks are perfectly crafted and the ambiance is cozy and feels like I am in a familiar place. Cheers! read more

Viola Cucina - Cheers! - Italian Near Me - Barrington, Rhode Island