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Vita Nova - University of Delaware, Newark, DE

Vita Nova - University of Delaware

4.8
4.8
642 Reviews
$31 to $50
Contemporary French / American

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 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

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

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

  1. 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?

  2. 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?

  3. 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?

  4. 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?

  5. 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?

  6. 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?

  7. 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?

  8. 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?

  9. 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?

  10. 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!

    Is this helpful?

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
7:00 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.
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