Vita Nova - University of Delaware

4.8

642 Reviews

$31 to $50

Contemporary French / American

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 23, 2024

9:00 PM

Good for special occasions
Good for business meals
Charming

Vita Nova is the signature student-operated restaurant which is part of the Hospitality Business Management program at the University of Delaware.

Vita Nova features a "Best of Delaware" award-winning lunch buffet Mon-Fri and elegant fine dining Wed-Fri during the fall and spring semesters. For lunch, the students offer fresh, local dishes including gourmet salads, soups, pastas, entrees, fire-roasted flatbreads, cheese board and mini sweets. The five-course dinner begins with a fusion-inspired appetizer trio and choice of salad, followed by intermezzo and your choice of entrée. The evening ends on a sweet note with a decadent dessert.

Thank you for your support and being an important part of our unique student learning experience!

Additional information

Dining style
Fine Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Contemporary French / American
Hours of operation
Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–12:30 pm Dinner Wed–Fri 5:30 pm–6:30 pm
Phone number
(302) 831-0500
Website
http://www.lerner.udel.edu/departments/hrim/vita-nova-restaurant
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive chef
Chef Alison Rainis, Chef Gretchen Sianni
Private party facilities
Vita Nova offers private dining throughout the year. The Bistro Room is also available for rent for business meetings, retreats and private events. For more information, please e-mail us at vitanova@udel.edu.

Location
Trabant University Center-2nd floor 17 West Main Street, 17 West Main Street, Newark, DE 19716
Neighborhood
Newark
Cross street
South College
Parking details
Effective 9/1/18, the Trabant parking garage changed to a license plate based system. The system uses an app called PassportParking that you can use to add time from your phone should this be necessary. For more information please visit www.ppprk.com. We recommend estimating 3 hours for dinner & 2 hours for the lunch buffet and the bistro.
Additional
Bar Dining, Beer, Cocktails, Non-Smoking, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 642 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.8Service
4.8Ambience
4.7Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Delaware
Best Overall
Delaware
Best Service
Delaware
Best Ambiance
Delaware
Best Value
Delaware
Innovative
Delaware
Good for special occasions

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Vita Nova at the University of Delaware offers a "fine dining experience" with "exceptional service" and delicious, well-prepared meals. Guests rave about the attentive student staff and innovative menu. Despite occasional reservation challenges, it's praised as a "hidden gem" and a must-visit for special occasions.

642 Reviews

J
Jaclyn
Philadelphia
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on December 4, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I try to score a reservation each semester that Vita Nova is open, it is a wonderful evening out! I am always impressed with the staff, they do a fantastic job. The food is consistently delicious each time I visit, and plated appealingly. I can't wait until next semester!
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 4, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
The food was great. Our server Kaitlin was such a delight. I had asked for my food boxed from one of the other table attendants and never got my food back.
Is this helpful?
G
George
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 4, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
As a regular customer, it's hard to beat the quality of the food, the service and the overall experience.
Is this helpful?
B
Barbara
Baltimore
38 reviews
5.0
38 reviews
Dined on November 22, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful food and service, as usual. Neither of the entrees were gluten free but they gave us some gluten free savory scones that we just loved. And they did have turkey and lots of salads and 2 desserts we could eat. Will definitely go back again.
Vita Nova - University of DelawareResponded on December 5, 2024
Thank you for sharing your experience. Our chef and students are always happy to adjust our dishes when able, or to make something specifically tailored to our guests needs. We'll look forward to the chance to prepare for you again!
Is this helpful?
G
Gary
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 19, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always an excellent dining experience. Food is wonderful, student interns do great work, and the management is outstanding. Overall a first class dining establishment!
Vita Nova - University of DelawareResponded on December 5, 2024
Thank you very much!
Is this helpful?
J
JOSEPH
Philadelphia
14 reviews
5.0
14 reviews
Dined on November 13, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Dining at Vita Nova is always a delight. It is truly fine dining with attentive servers, good food, and a lovely atmosphere. I only wish it were easier to get reservations. It is a very popular place with limited seating.
Vita Nova - University of DelawareResponded on December 5, 2024
Thank you! We do keep a waitlist and will always do our best to get you in during the semester!
Is this helpful?
J
Jo Anne
Philadelphia
11 reviews
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on November 7, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Introduced a new friend to Vita Nova, Newark’s hidden gem. She said she felt like a queen! (We love this place!)
Vita Nova - University of DelawareResponded on November 13, 2024
Thank you so much for sharing! We love to hear that!
Is this helpful?
B
Brad
Philadelphia
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on October 30, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Everyone enjoyed their meals and interacting with the wait staff. Very enjoyable and relaxed experience
Vita Nova - University of DelawareResponded on November 5, 2024
Thank you!
Is this helpful?
S
Steve
VIP
New York City
31 reviews
1.0
31 reviews
Dined on October 30, 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 4
Very poor experience. We have been there 4 or 5 times in past two years but this was first bad experience. Food was cold. Scallops rubbery and pasta dish had little taste. Knowing these are students we were gentle in our feedback but clear. No follow up from manager, etc. We were told the usual manager, Nick, was on vacation and it was obvious he wasn’t there based on the experience. I hope they can use this as a teaching moment but sadly we eon’t be back to know.
Vita Nova - University of DelawareResponded on November 5, 2024
Mr. Fields, thank you for your feedback and for the chance to continually strive to better meet our guests expectations. We are sorry that at your recent visit we did not uphold the standards that we are known for and proud of. Our student manager did relay your feedback after talking with you during dessert and I'm sorry I wasn't able to remedy your dissatisfaction with the meal before it was eaten. He did appreciate you talking about golf with him and felt very encouraged by your conversation, so we thank you for leaving him with that kind input. Again, we apologize that you didn't enjoy this experience and we wish you all the best.
Is this helpful?
E
Eric
Philadelphia
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on October 25, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Thoroughly enjoyed our (four people) visit just like our visits before. Our challenge is always getting a reservation. Even though, it is a buffet format, food was great: tasty and warm. Table side service was great: friendly and attentive.
Vita Nova - University of DelawareResponded on November 5, 2024
Wonderful! I will pass the kind words along to Matt. We appreciate you joining their experience!
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FAQs

Vita Nova - University of Delaware is rated 4.8 stars by 642 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 23, 2024

9:00 PM

Google Map for Vita Nova - University of Delaware

Trabant University Center-2nd floor 17 West Main Street, 17 West Main Street, Newark, DE 19716

Additional information

Cross street
South College
Neighborhood
Newark
Hours of operation
Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–12:30 pm Dinner Wed–Fri 5:30 pm–6:30 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Contemporary French / American
Dining style
Fine Dining
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Effective 9/1/18, the Trabant parking garage changed to a license plate based system. The system uses an app called PassportParking that you can use to add time from your phone should this be necessary. For more information please visit www.ppprk.com. We recommend estimating 3 hours for dinner & 2 hours for the lunch buffet and the bistro.
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Chef Alison Rainis, Chef Gretchen Sianni
Additional
Bar Dining, Beer, Cocktails, Non-Smoking, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.lerner.udel.edu/departments/hrim/vita-nova-restaurant
Phone number
(302) 831-0500
Private party facilities
Vita Nova offers private dining throughout the year. The Bistro Room is also available for rent for business meetings, retreats and private events. For more information, please e-mail us at vitanova@udel.edu.

Vita Nova - University of Delaware

Make a reservation

Additional information

Menu

What 642 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is Vita Nova - University of Delaware restaurant rated?

Is Vita Nova - University of Delaware currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information