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Vita Nova - University of Delaware, Newark, DE

Vita Nova - University of Delaware

4.9
4.9
643 Reviews
$31 to $50
Contemporary French / American

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Neighborhood gem
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 643 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
  • 4.8Food
  • 5Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.9Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Vita Nova at the University of Delaware offers a unique dining experience with gourmet meals prepared and served by hospitality students. Guests praise the "exceptional service," "delicious food," and "relaxing atmosphere." The restaurant is a "hidden gem" with a "superb gourmet dining experience" and "great value," making it a must-visit spot.

643 Reviews

  1. Rebecca

    Philadelphia3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The lunch buffet had a great selection. The food was hot, well seasoned and excellent presentation. The service was attentive. Great value!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Timothy

    Philadelphia1 review

    4.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The food was not up to what we've come to expect from Vita Nova. As always the service was excellent.

    Is this helpful?

  3. OpenTable Diner

    Philadelphia2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 3, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The lunch buffet was fabulous- the salmon was perfectly prepared and the crème brûlée was top notch. We celebrated my grandson’s birthday and he was most happy!

    Is this helpful?

  4. Kathy VIP

    Philadelphia4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 27, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Having lunch at Vita Nova is always a pleasure. The food is delicous and the service is impeccable!

    Is this helpful?

  5. Jennifer

    Philadelphia4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 19, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    This restaurant is a training restaurant for students at University of Delaware in the Hospitality Management program. So, all of the servers and line cooks are students in training. It gives the restaurant the nervous energy of Restaurant Wars but also makes anything that happens in the dinner that isn't quite right seem endearing. The food was delicious. There were lots of gluten-free options including gluten-free bread. It was a unique and wonderful dining experience that I hope to have again.
    Vita Nova - University of DelawareResponded on February 26, 2025
    Thank you for sharing and for understanding what we are doing here. Our guests are a wonderful part of the experience! We look forward to serving you again!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Ed

    Philadelphia1 review

    5.0

    Dined on February 19, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Excellent food and service. Highly recommend for lunch. Can’t wait to try dinner service.
    Vita Nova - University of DelawareResponded on February 26, 2025
    Thank you! Yes, dinner is a whole different experience we hope you will enjoy!

    Is this helpful?

  7. Sharon P VIP

    Philadelphia27 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 12, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Another wonderful lunch at Vita Nova! Service was excellent.
    Vita Nova - University of DelawareResponded 5 days ago
    Thank you for your continued support!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Jaclyn

    Philadelphia6 reviews

    5.0

    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!
    Vita Nova - University of DelawareResponded on January 15, 2025
    Thank you for being an important part of our student's education!

    Is this helpful?

  9. OpenTable Diner

    Philadelphia3 reviews

    3.0

    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.
    Vita Nova - University of DelawareResponded on January 15, 2025
    We're so sorry. You should have been given your bag at the front door before leaving. We apologize sincerely!

    Is this helpful?

  10. George

    Philadelphia1 review

    5.0

    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.
    Vita Nova - University of DelawareResponded on January 15, 2025
    Thank you so much!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Vita Nova - University of Delaware is rated 4.9 stars by 643 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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