Award-winning

VIA VAI - Astoria

Name: VIA VAI - Astoria
Address: 31-09 23rd Ave, Astoria, NY, United States, 11105
Telephone: (347) 612-4334
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.9

4.9

238 Reviews

$31 to $50

Italian

Top tags:

VIA VAI is a Chef-Owner run restaurant, serving contemporary and authentic Italian food that one would find in the best restaurants and trattorie in today's Italy.

The restaurant is rustic cozy and charming, with a slate and marble top bar serving only select Italian wines, and local and imported tap and bottled beer, that pair perfectly with the artisanal food prepared every day on the premises, and the brick oven roman-style (thin crust) pizza cooked in the imported Italian oven.

Chef-owner Antonio Morichini is Roman born and bred. He did his culinary education and training in Italy, working in some of the best Michelin-starred restaurants in Rome. His food is loyal to tradition, but forward looking.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Sept 26, 2023

10:30 p.m.

Booked 5 times today

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
Italian, Wine Bar
Hours of Operation
Daily 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(347) 612-4334
Website
http://www.viavai-ny.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress Code
Smart Casual
Executive Chef
Antonio Morichini
Catering
Cater your next special event with specialty food from VIA VAI. Call us for catering menus and further information
Private party facilities
VIA VAI is available for private events. Call us for further information.

Location
31-09 23rd Ave, Astoria, NY 11105
Award-winning
1. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2022
Neighbourhood
Astoria
Parking Details
Street parking and municipal parking lot in very close proximity, are available.
Public Transit
VIA VAI is down the block from the last stop of the N train, Ditmars Blvd.
Additional
Beer, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

Polpette
Beef meatballs with tomato sauce
Bufalina
Imported buffalo mozzarella and prosciutto
Il Tagliere
Selection of cold cuts and cheeses
Calamari
Fried calamari with herbs and citrus zest
Impepata di Cozze
Steamed mussels, white wine, lemon and black pepper
Salmone
House cured salmon tartare with capers, shallots, avocado and horseradish dressing
Lasagnetta
Mini lasagna with house-made pasta, porcini, bechamel and smoked mozzarella

Insalate / Salads

Cavolo
Kale, arugola, hazelnuts, avocado, green apple and ginger vanilla dressing
Siciliana
Radicchio, orange wedges, pistachios, olives and fennel with balsamic dressing
Spinaci
Baby spinach, pear, walnuts & gorgonzola with lemon dressing
Rape Rosse
Red beets, arugola, melon, pine nuts and goat cheese with house dressing
Mista
Mixed greens and cherry tomatoes with house dressing
Arugola
Arugola and shaved parmigiano with lemon dressing

Pizza Tonda / 12" Individual Pizza

Roman-style thin crust

Le Rosse (with Tomato Sauce)

Margherita
Fior di Latte, basil
Margherita con Prosciutto
Prosciutto, Fior di Latte
Margherita con Bufala
Imported buffalo mozzarella, basil
Funghi e Salsiccia
Mushrooms, sausage, Fior di Latte
Capricciosa
Marinated artichokes, prosciutto, olives, sliced hard boiled eggs, tomato sauce, Fior di Latte
Napoletana
Anchovies, Fior di Latte
Amatriciana
Mildly spicy amatriciana sauce with guanciale, pecorino romano
Parmigiana
Eggplant, basil, Fior di Latte, Parmigiano

Le Bianche (No Tomato Sauce)

Gorgonzola
Fior di Latte, gorgonzola, arugola, truffle oil
Montanara
Fior di Latte, mascarpone, porcini mushroom puree, imported prosciutto di Parma
Porcini
Fior di Latte, porcini mushroom puree, truffle oil
Bufala
Imported buffalo mozzarella, arugola, cherry tomatoes
Fichi
Fig marmalade, gorgonzola, prosciutto, arugola, truffle oil

Primi Pasta Dishes

$14

Pomodoro
House-made tagliolini, tomato sauce, basil
Rotolo di Gnocchi
House-made rolled gnocchi filled with ricotta cheese and spinach, mushroom sauce
Gnocchi
House-made carrot gnocchi with asiago cheese fondue, porcini mushrooms and pistachio pesto
Fettuccine Integrali
House-made whole wheat fettuccine with chicken, sundried tomatoes and black olives with rosemary
Agnello
House-made pappardelle with white lamb ragu, asparagus and truffle oil
Gamberi
House-made black ink tagliolini with shrimp, asparagus, fresh mint and pecorino romano
Branzino
House-made tagliatelle with branzino, black olives, capers, cherry tomatoes and fresh basil
Orecchiette
House-made eggless orecchiette pasta with house made broccoli rabe pesto, toasted bazelnuts and crumbled sausage
Bolognese
House-made fettuccine or gnocchi with beef Bolognese sauce
Vongole
House-made linguine with fresh clams, white wine sauce
Ravioli
Ask your server

Le Paste Romaine

$20. Traditional roman pasta dishes

Amatriciana
Vermicelli with cured pork cheeks, tomato sauce, onion, black pepper and pecorino romano
La Gricia
Vermicelli with cured pork cheeks, onion, black pepper and pecorino romano
Carbonara
Vermicelli with pancetta, eggs, black pepper, parmigiano and pecorino cheeses
Cacio e Pepe
House-made tagliolini with black pepper and parmigiano and pecorino cheeses

Secondi / Main Course

Parmigiana
Eggplant parmigiana
Maiale
Pork filet tenderloin prosciutto and sage saltimbocca, with truffle mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus
Costolette
Mildly spicy braised beef short ribs with creamy gorgonzola polenta
Gamberoni
Pan seared shrimp in kataifi crust, with sautéed spinach and balsamic reduction
Branzino
Ask your server
Meat Special
Ask your server

What 238 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9

4.9 based on recent ratings

4.9Food
4.9Service
4.9Ambience
4.7Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

New York / Tri-State Area
Best Food
New York / Tri-State Area
Italian
Queens
Best Overall
Queens
Best Food
Queens
Best Service
Queens
Best Ambience
Queens
Italian

238 Reviews

OT
OpenTable Diner
Vancouver
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 5 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
First time at this restaurant. For appts we had the meat balls, which were incredibly tender and the sauce delightful. We also had the calamari… beautifully light and crispy and again super tender pieces. For mains we all had different pastas which were clearly very fresh, perfect el dente. I also had the daily risotto, this day it was a porcini mushroom and truffle risotto…this was the highlight of the night. So flavorful, big pieces of mushroom and a healthy portion. For dessert we had the panna cotta and tiramisu both were fantastic. Don’t waste your time going for Italian in Manhattan and spending an arm and a leg. Make the easy trip to Astoria and visit this little gem just steps away from the Astoria-Ditmars subway.
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r
reallybigshoe
New York Area
65 reviews
vip
5.0
65 reviews
Dined on September 7, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
What a discovery! The place was very quiet on a Wednesday night late, but perfect for my "delicate" nervous system. The owner/server was super-friendly. And the food was exceptional. I had the special risotto (with porcini mushrooms, black truffle, and pistachio) -- delicious, if pricey ($38). For the first course, my husband and I shared another special: fried zucchini flowers with mozzarella and a tiny bowl of outrageously good roasted red pepper sorbet. The wine list is both extensive and expensive -- we got the cheapest bottle, a $45 cannanou, which was fine.
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GC
GageC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 5, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The restaurant is beautiful, calm, and inviting. The food is just as wonderful if not better. The pizza is perfectly crispy and the pasta is fresh.
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SH
SyedH
Greater Boston
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on September 3, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent neighborhood location. Superb service. Pizza to do for. Spaghetti like in Rome.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on August 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
As always, Chef Morichini delivers authentic pasta dishes that make us feel like we are back in Italy. And no meal is complete without desert. We enjoyed the homemade gelato and decadent Tiramisu and wrapped up the night with a cappuccino. We will be back soon.
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G
Gino
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 27, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
From the main dishes and down to the bread they served, every detail about dinner was perfect and delicious.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
This is one of the best restaurants in the Astoria-Ditmars area. It’s a perfect experience every time.
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RT
603RT150
Los Angeles
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on June 25, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our 2d time at Via Vai for dinner. Overall excellent. Excellent meal ball appetizer, salad, pastas & pizza. Service quick & friendly.
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IB
IzzyB
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
One of the best pasta places I've ever been in in NY. The pizza is a nice crunchy thin crusty, but the true beauty is in the fresh pasta. The fettucine bolognase is amazing and the daily specialty ravioli is wonderful
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C
Carlo
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was The food was superb very authentic Italian cuisine. The pastor a La matrigiana was exceptional. and the pork dish tasted Devine . I will certainly come back and try some of the other dishes on the menu. Thank you Stella for your service.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
18 reviews
vip
5.0
18 reviews
Dined on April 14, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience3
Dinner was superb and absolutely delicious. The appetizer meatballs and sauce rivals what “ my Italian Moma used to make”. The MAIALE pork dish with truffle mashed potatoes was sensational . Pasta carbonara out of this world . Even the home made pistachio ice cream was magnificent . WINE list excellent . What a gem.
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RT
603RT150
Los Angeles
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on March 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We were a party of 4 for dinner on Sunday 3/15/2023. First time for all of us. We shared the meatball appetizer which was excellent. All of us then had different pastas, all from off menu items. All the pastas seemed home made and were also excellent. Post dinner espresso was also excellent. The server was very professional. This is a wonderful Italian restaurant. We will be back.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Tampa
6 reviews
vip
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on March 8, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience5
I thoroughly enjoyed. Will be back on my next trip to the area.
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C
Cosmo
New York Area
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on January 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Although unassuming from the outside Via Vai never fails to deliver on a wonderful experience. Service is friendly, attentive, and never steers you wrong with a good wine recommendation. The food is outstanding. The meatball appetizer is a must! With this last visit our party’s order included a couple of the pasta mainstays from the menu and two specials, the shrimp ravioli and the branzino. All were delicious! Finish up with a couple of tiramisu and some gelato, …. Pretty perfect.
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JP
JennP
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 20, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Cozy, great service and delicious food! Not many tables, so reserve in advance.
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f
frankg
New York Area
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on January 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great and cozy little spot , will deff go again. Nothing about this spot disappointed us.
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S
Stefanie
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 1, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
A little local gem! Always a great spot for a delicious meal and a great wine list. A nice variety of cuisine, mixes it up from a lot of other Italian spots in the neighborhood.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 30, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fantastic holiday dinner, the pasta was next level. The service was fantastic.
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M
Magicchic
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 11, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
As one of my favorite restaurants to eat classic Italian, Via Vai never disappoints. The food is delicious and the ambiance is perfect for any occasion. It’s just the sweetest Italian spot I know of in Astoria.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
9 reviews
vip
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on December 4, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful place - great food and service!
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KA
KARENJ
New York Area
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on November 16, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
My friend and I had carbonara and dumplings which were both great. We had a nice conversation with the hostess and enjoyed our meal very leisurely. Their wine selection is very large, but the small servings are over priced.
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NY
NYCtraveler
New York Area
34 reviews
vip
5.0
34 reviews
Dined on November 10, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We both greatly enjoyed our meal at Via Vai last night. The food was excellent - he loved his maiale, a pork filet tenderloin with prosciutto and sage saltimbocca, and I my tonnarelli cacio e pepe. I enjoyed my glass of verdicchio. The place is so comfortable and conducive to conversation, and the hospitality continues to be warm and welcoming. Lucky to have this place in Astoria.
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AR
AlexandraR
Miami - Dade
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on October 27, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food and service were amazing! The tables are pretty close together so you hear the other parties conversations but overall great place with really good food!
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l
lisaa
New York Area
11 reviews
vip
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on October 22, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food was amazing and the service was terrific. Had pizza pasta and shrimp. It was all delicious
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l
lulu
New York Area
28 reviews
vip
5.0
28 reviews
Dined on September 27, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
The food was fresh and delicious, especially the pasta dishes. Our server was friendly, attentive and helpful.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 23, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience5
Even with only one waitress, the service was great. Food was excellent. Get the spaghetti carbonara
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GD
GiorgioDS
New York Area
26 reviews
4.0
26 reviews
Dined on September 18, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience3
The two of us enjoyed our dinner at Via Vai. But I want to alert Open Table members to the fact that the current menu is not the one at this site. We were surprised by how few offerings there were--things I was looking forward to ordering based on the menu at OT. Only a few pizze and paste, only 3 salads. Possibly the menu here at OT was the restaurant's pre-pandemic one and, like many places, they cut down their offerings because of supply chain and other issues related to Covid. That said, the food was very good. The evening's special appetizer was fiori di zucca, which was prepared similarly to mozzarella in carozza, with zucchini flowers layered like a sandwich with a mozzarella and anchovy filling. Delicious. My partner enjoyed his salmon tartare with avocado antipasto. I had the bucatini all'amatriciana, one of the classics of Lazio cuisine, and it was very well prepared. My partner's pizza bufalina pizza was excellent; light, perfect dough, good sauce, and first-rate formaggio. I hope Via Vai restores some of the old menu items but we'll be back anyway.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on September 16, 2022
overall3food5service3ambience4
Need to hire more servers. One person can’t do everything
1 person found this helpful
SW
StephenW
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 27, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent and subtle Italian food. One of the best in town.
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KH
KyleH
London
16 reviews
vip
5.0
16 reviews
Dined on August 20, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was phenomenal, the vibe charming, and the staff excellent. A delightful place for a date.
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RG
RonaldG
Orlando
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 14, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We feel that the restaurant has wonderful ambience, superb food, and is priced reasonably well for the quality of the food that is offered.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on August 13, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Chef Morichini never ceases to amaze with amazingly authentic creations. The menu features classics like cacio é Pepe, Amatriciana and Bolognese to delightful standouts like white lamb ragu w asparagus and finished off w truffle oil. Finish the evening off with one of their amazing gelato’s or a silky smooth tiramisu.
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S
Seanie
New York Area
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 31, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Second time eating here. The food is excellent and Samantha, our waitress, was a pleasure. We’ll be back! 😀
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MD
MichaelD
New York Area
5 reviews
vip
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on July 28, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent food and service. Highly recommend.
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MA
MARIAM
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 18, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
This place it’s phenomenal, the food was excellent, fresh, the service was excellent, I will defiantly go back soon
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A
Aficionado747
New York Area
43 reviews
5.0
43 reviews
Dined on June 17, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent cuisine, courteous and helpful service, pleasant environment, reasonable prices. We will certainly return more than once.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on June 13, 2022
overall4food5service5ambience5
Wedding Anniversary
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KW
KarenW
New York Area
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on June 11, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
I am never disappointed with Via Vai. The food is excellent, and the staff is attentive and friendly.
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MD
MichaelD
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 11, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Via Vai is truly a hidden gem. By far, one of my favorite restaurants in Astoria, and quite frankly, in all if NYC. The food is spectacular and the service just as outstanding. Our server, Samantha, was truly amazing.
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C
Cosmo
New York Area
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on April 17, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Outstanding! Heard excellent reports from friends so the expectations were high. Via Vai certainly delivered. We had a table of 6 mid afternoon on Easter. The space is great. The service was wonderful. Attentive with great wine recommendations. Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious and we managed to hit a pretty good cross section of the menu for both apps and entrees. We couldn’t stop sharing and spearing from each other’s plates. Can’t even pick out favorites, it was all great!
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Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitising
- Surfaces sanitised between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitised menu provided
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Sanitiser or wipes provided for customers
Physical distancing
- Limited number of seated diners
- Distancing maintained in common areas
- Extra space between tables

Protective equipment
- Waitstaff wear masks
- Diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking
Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
- Proof of vaccination required to dine indoors

FAQs

VIA VAI - Astoria is rated 4.9 stars by 238 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Sept 26, 2023

10:30 p.m.

Booked 5 times today

31-09 23rd Ave, Astoria, NY 11105

Dining areas

Additional information

Award-winning
1. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2022
Neighbourhood
Astoria
Hours of Operation
Daily 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
Cuisines
Italian, Wine Bar
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress Code
Smart Casual
Parking Details
Street parking and municipal parking lot in very close proximity, are available.
Public Transit
VIA VAI is down the block from the last stop of the N train, Ditmars Blvd.
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Antonio Morichini
Additional
Beer, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.viavai-ny.com/
Phone number
(347) 612-4334
Catering
Cater your next special event with specialty food from VIA VAI. Call us for catering menus and further information
Private party facilities
VIA VAI is available for private events. Call us for further information.

VIA VAI - Astoria

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information

Nutella Pizza

Tiramisu

Carbonara

Antipasti / Appetizers

Polpette

Bufalina

Il Tagliere

Calamari

Impepata di Cozze

Salmone

Lasagnetta

Insalate / Salads

Cavolo

Siciliana

Spinaci

Rape Rosse

Mista

Arugola

Pizza Tonda / 12" Individual Pizza

Le Rosse (with Tomato Sauce)

Margherita

Margherita con Prosciutto

Margherita con Bufala

Funghi e Salsiccia

Capricciosa

Napoletana

Amatriciana

Parmigiana

Le Bianche (No Tomato Sauce)

Gorgonzola

Montanara

Porcini

Bufala

Fichi

Primi Pasta Dishes

Pomodoro

Rotolo di Gnocchi

Gnocchi

Fettuccine Integrali

Agnello

Gamberi

Branzino

Orecchiette

Bolognese

Vongole

Ravioli

Le Paste Romaine

Amatriciana

La Gricia

Carbonara

Cacio e Pepe

Secondi / Main Course

Parmigiana

Maiale

Costolette

Gamberoni

Branzino

Meat Special

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Cleaning & sanitising

Physical distancing

Protective equipment

Screening

FAQs

How is VIA VAI - Astoria restaurant rated?

Is VIA VAI - Astoria currently accepting bookings?

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information