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Vita Nova - University of Delaware, Newark, DE

Vita Nova - University of Delaware

4.9 (648)
$31 to $50
Contemporary French / American
Trabant University Center-2nd floor 17 West Main Street, 17 West Main Street, Newark, DE 19716

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM

About this restaurant

  • Charming
  • Good for special occasions
  • Good for business meals
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 648 people are saying

Vita Nova - University of Delaware 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

4.9
4.9 based on recent ratings
  • 4.9Food
  • 5Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.9Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Philadelphia County

    Best Service

  • Philadelphia County

    Best Value

  • Delaware

    Best Overall

  • Delaware

    Best Food

  • Delaware

    Best Service

  • Delaware

    Best Ambiance

  • Delaware

    Best Value

  • Delaware

    Innovative

  • Delaware

    Healthy

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Vita Nova offers a "unique and wonderful dining experience" where University of Delaware students gain hands-on training in hospitality. Guests rave about the "excellent food and service," diverse gluten-free options, and a "relaxing ambiance." The lunch buffet is a "great value," featuring a variety of "delicious items" and mini desserts.

648 Reviews

  1. Amy

    Philadelphia1 review

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Took my UD student to lunch for her birthday. It was great!!!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Barbara VIP

    Baltimore44 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful dining experience. as usual. Many gluten free choices plus they brought us delicious savory gluten free scones. Extensive wine list. Excellent service.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Seth VIP

    Philadelphia1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 18, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fantastic experience for student workers, gaining career experience in the field. Food was excellent! And what a value for the lunch buffet.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Pete

    Philadelphia2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 18, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always a great experience. I especially like when the students share what they hope to do after school.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Colleen

    Philadelphia1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 16, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It was our first time dining at Vita Nova. We had an amazing experience. The food was delicious and the service was outstanding. The students do a great job running the restaurant and serving the tables. We will definitely come back again!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Michelle

    Philadelphia1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wow! We’ve been meaning to try Vita Nova for ages and it did not disappoint. Creative, delicious options in a lovely atmosphere. UD students provided excellent service and a wonderful experience!

    Is this helpful?

  7. Alessandra

    Philadelphia1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A most unique dining experience. The food was delicious, the service quite professional and the ambiance was relaxing. The luncheon buffet featured so many delicious items that it was necessary to have a little of everything the first time through the line, then go back for the dishes that were exceptional.

    Is this helpful?

  8. John VIP

    Philadelphia194 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 8, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fabulous food Superb service - fine dine professional service Great atmosphere Wheelchair accessible

    Is this helpful?

  9. Brad

    Philadelphia11 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on April 3, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food, service and ambiance is always superb. An experience that everyone should have.
    Vita Nova - University of DelawareResponded on April 7, 2025
    Thank you for your feedback. It's always helpful to hear what areas our students can continue to learn and focus on.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Barbara VIP

    Baltimore44 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always a 5 star experience. Food, service, wine selection are fantastic.
    Vita Nova - University of DelawareResponded on March 19, 2025
    Wow! Thank you so much!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Vita Nova - University of Delaware is rated 4.9 stars by 648 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Philadelphia County
  4. Delaware
  5. Newark

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
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