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: 4.6

4.6 (280)

$31 to $50

Italian

31-09 23rd Ave, Astoria, NY 11105

Make a reservation

2 people

Jul 5, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 2 times today

About this restaurant

Romantic
Neighborhood gem
Good for special occasions

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.

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$31 to $50
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
Neighborhood
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

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 280 people are saying

VIA VAI - Astoria reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.6

4.6 based on all time ratings

4.7Food
4.5Service
4.5Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

280 Reviews

B
Brandon VIP
New York City34 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 7, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We were blown away by this experience. It is an unassuming vibe that knocks it out of the park. The food, the friendly but professional service, the charm… we can’t wait to revisit!
VIA VAI - AstoriaResponded on June 10, 2025
Thank you so much you are very kind and even us we can’t wait to see you soon
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J
Jason VIP
New York City17 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 31, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great dining experience. Food and service was amazing. Food was seasoned and executed to perfection. We will be back soon.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia County1 review
5.0
Dined on March 19, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
VIA VAI is a charming, cozy restaurant which was perfect for our anniversary dinner. The food was exceptional and the service was personal and attentive. It reminded us of being in Italy. It was a weeknight and uncrowded, so I could understand if the vibe is a little different when more people are there. Still, the quality of the food is worth a trip.
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S
Sara
Greater Boston5 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 22, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Stella is great! The food was amazing and somehow gets better and better. One of my favorite restaurants in NYC. This is my 4th time coming here — will be coming back for sure.
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K
Katherine
New York City7 reviews
3.0
Dined on February 15, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 3
I dined at Via Vai for the first time on Valentine's Day so I was prepared to cut them a little slack in most review categories as it's an overwhelming day for a lot of restaurants. I booked my 7pm reservation well in advance. I was called on 2/11 and informed that their booking service (Opentable) had allowed people to continue to book after the restaurant had closed reservations. They told me I could not have my 7pm reservation and the only available options were 6pm or 8:30pm. I accepted the 8:30 reservation but had to rearrange my childcare plans to make this work. We arrived at 8:25pm to find 3 other couples waiting in the front of the restaurant. Based on pictures I had seen, they had added more tables to space, making it very claustrophobic. They had also removed their bar stools and put tables tucked under the bar. We waited until 8:50pm to be sat. They also were not going in any kind of reservation order, the woman at the front was just trying to remember who had come in in what order. She tried to sit us sooner but we were honest that another couple had arrived before us so they should be sat first. Once we were eventually seated, it was hard to even get to my seat as the tables were crammed so close together. A waitress took our order and then never came by the table again. Someone else brought us bread, we had to ask for water from a busboy even though with our food order my husband has specifically asked for water. Another server brought us our food but no one ever checked in with us again. We had to ask for the bill after sitting with empty plates for at least 15 minutes. While I do understand that it was a very busy evening, the service was absolutely terrible from the get go and while the food was good, it makes me not want to try Via Vai again.
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B
Bella VIP
New York City1 review
5.0
Dined on November 29, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I absolutely LOVED the food. Estella was amazing, beef ravioli was delicious. I will definitely comeback to eat here.
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B
Beth VIP
New York City15 reviews
5.0
Dined on November 17, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 2
Just like being in Italy. The freshest ingredients and perfectly prepared meals. The pizza, pastas, bronzino, short ribs salads were excellent! Great wine list and excellent service. I highly recommend this very casual restaurant.
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M
Michael VIP
New York City28 reviews
5.0
Dined on October 27, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Live in the area, been here several times, never disappointed. Highly recommend.
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P
Pagona VIP
New York City22 reviews
5.0
Dined on October 22, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This is a gem of a place. Love the consistency and quality of the food. The service was great. The children also approve of the pizza and pesto dish.
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K
Karam VIP
New York City6 reviews
5.0
Dined on October 12, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Italian cuisine of the highest caliber! We just got back from a vacation in Italy a month ago and this food was up to the standard of the best restaurants we dined at in Rome! Truly felt we were transported back there. Don’t miss out on Via Vai!
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FAQs

VIA VAI - Astoria is rated 4.6 stars by 280 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Jul 5, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 2 times today

31-09 23rd Ave, Astoria, NY 11105

Dining areas

Additional information

Award-winning
1. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2022
Neighborhood
Astoria
Hours of operation
Daily 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
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

About this restaurant

Dining areas

Additional information

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

FAQs

How is VIA VAI - Astoria restaurant rated?

Is VIA VAI - Astoria currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information