Via Vecchia

“Great atmosphere, great service, great food! Have been here before, came to Portland again for a week, wanted to try again. Needless to say we were so pleased, we came back a total of 3 times! The atmosphere is great. The main dining room is bright, busy, and beautifully decorated. However there is another dining area in the back that is darker, and more like a speakeasy vibe which we love. There is also some outdoor seating in the front which we sat at once. There are a couple of tables out front for two people that I don’t think we would like, as they are isolated by themselves between the busy sidewalk and the building. The staff is excellent! All very attentive and friendly. The have a sommelier on staff who helped us pick a perfect bottle of wine one evening, then we saw her helping out set up another table for the next guests. When we were seated in the back bar area (our favorite), “Charlie” took care of us. Very attentive but not overbearing, and can make great cocktails. One evening he didn’t like the looks of a cocktail he made for another guest, so made it again. When we asked what the cocktail was, he explained, then made another and gave it to us on the house…nice! The food is amazing. During our visits we had charred octopus, Caesar salad with white anchovies, and a savory pork and prosciutto ragu were among the items we tried. Everything was delicious, our only regret is we didn’t have the opportunity to sample everything on the menu! Reservations are suggested, especially if you want to sit in the front area/bar. However with the ample seating, we were able to show up two times without reservations and were seated right away, once in the back bar area, and once outside in the normal outside seating area. Prices are respectable for the dishes and presentation, not excessive for what you get. Would I come here again…absolutely! Would I recommend…most definitely!”

“The atmospheric date night of your dreams. The vibes were immaculate. The host was super kind - we arrived early and our table wasn’t ready so he recommended a local spot to grab a pre-dinner drink (also excellent, called Room For Improvement). The bartender/waitress was a doll. Pleasant and invested. There was a great cocktail (and mocktail) menu. I loved the inclusivity for those of us who don’t drink. And the food!!?? Next level. We got the octopus and the focaccia to start. Perfectly cooked and seasoned. Then for our main(e) course, I got the chicken marsala and my husband got the radiatori. Truly top 10 meals either of us have ever had. The gnocchi under the chicken in my dish was enough to write home about. Perfect texture. Just buttery, pillowy goodness. For dessert we got the limoncello tiramisu to share. From top to bottom, this place is incredible. I would make the trip out here time and time again for this restaurant. Pricey, yes. But worth EVERY penny.”

“I arrived solo, early on a Monday evening, without a reservation. I was greeted warmly by two people and seated at the bar. Sabrina at the bar made me feel welcome from the moment I sat. Having done my homework, I asked Sabrina if it would be possible to prevent any kitchen surcharges from my bill. She understood completely and took care of that with an agreeable smile. Throughout my dinner, her service was flawless. It was also interesting to watch her make some artistic cocktails for other guests. Sabrina helped me choose the perfect Italian wines for each course of my dinner. My first course was the whipped ricotta and grissini. The grissini were ordinary but acceptable. My second course pasta was cooked to al dente perfection. The vodka sauce had a complex flavor of fresh tomatoes, with just the right acidity and Calabrian spice. The smooth ricotta topping was a lovely counterpoint. Fried crispy cipollini onions added welcome texture but no detectable flavor. The sound level was very nice. (See pic) The look is stylish with lots of historic architectural detail and interesting features. I will put Via Vecchia at the top of my list for future visits to Portland!”

“Food and cocktails expertly prepared. This is a fine dining experience in a cozy sophisticated atmosphere. The back bar is warm and inviting. Sitting at the bars provides an equally good experience as a table - don't hesitate; watch the expert mixologists! The food quality, preparation and presentation are top shelf. Servers from wait staff to bartenders are professional and adhere to a high standard of quality and customer focus. A great place for a special evening out or anytime one is in the mood for an experience that is a cut above the normal fare. Two cocktails we especially enjoyed were the Hot & Dirty Martini and Romeo is Bleeding Cocktail. The Lumache and Radiatori pasta dishes are a good choice.”

“On a quiet winter Sunday evening in downtown Portland, when the streets were nearly empty, ViA VECCHiA was absolutely buzzing. We arrived to a packed restaurant and waited only about 10 minutes for our table—a great sign right away. The ambience and décor are truly next to none. The front room alone feels warm, festive, and refined, with a perfect blend of high-end elegance and cozy holiday charm. But the real surprise came when we were led to our table in the back room. It is massive—at least four times the size of the front—with both upstairs and downstairs seating, a stunning large bar, and dim, atmospheric lighting. The space is beautiful, lively, elegant, and incredibly comfortable all at once. Walking into that back room was such a delightful surprise; I couldn’t stop smiling at how vibrant and inviting it felt. The food was absolutely delicious. We had the risotto, the Lola Rosa salad, one of the pastas, and finished with tiramisu—every dish was outstanding. I also truly appreciated how accommodating they were with my dairy intolerance, offering thoughtful alternatives without compromising flavor. Service was impeccable from start to finish, attentive without being overbearing, and they have an extensive and impressive wine list to match the experience. ViA VECCHiA feels like a destination restaurant—warm, energetic, and memorable. It’s the kind of place that makes you forget the cold winter night outside and reminds you why Portland’s food scene is so special. We’ll absolutely be back. 🍷✨”