I feel compelled to write this review due to the very poor experience I had with my partner in Vita on Valentine's Day. We paid a large deposit upfront and were not made aware that there was only a set menu available on the evening. This information was also not on the website. It seems nobody in the restaurant was made aware because we heard every couple mention this as they arrived. The set menu was limited in options and was priced at £40 for 3 courses. The food was poor to average in quality. My calamari was undercooked and not seasoned. The main was OK but nothing special. There were only two options for dessert because three of the options were unavailable, and it was clearly an afterthought. Staff were rushing around, bringing food to the wrong tables, and they didn't take our plates for half an hour after we finished eating. We had to ask for the bill twice and they mixed our bill up with another table. As we left the restaurant, we were not even acknowledged. The restaurant was not even busy by this point. Instead of providing good service on an evening that is important to many people, I feel that this restaurant was driven by greed and I shall not be returning.

We had dinner last night in this beautiful restaurant in Welwyn. The village is very beautiful and at night time all the pubs and restaurants are open. It is parking spaces which it is always great to have near by. We booked for six thirty and we were for tables arriving at the same time, all couples. The waitress were students, lots of them and they did a very good job. The food came as we ordered. The pizza was very tasty, same as the salad and the risotto. We wasn't fully up so we went for desserts. Good choices of tiramisu and profiteroles. I wanted to taste the coffee but probably another time during the day. They have near seventy sittings between up and downstairs. Big groups of people went straight upstairs. The owner comes out from the kitchen to talk with customers. Very friendly atmosphere and cosy place to celebrate with friends and partners. Very recommended restaurant for the variety of dishes in the menu.

We ate here last night, after recommendation from people who had been here a few years ago. Our overall experience was uncomfortable and disappointing, as soon as we arrived the service was very slow, with only three, very young, front of house staff, who were clearly under a lot of pressure from the manager/owner. The manager/owner repeatedly shouted and swore at the staff for the service, which I think created more pressure on them. Not only did we notice but other tables around us also heard and felt uncomfortable. The way he spoke to his staff was disgusting and no one should be made to feel the way the staff felt last night, with a couple of them on the verge of tears while still having to serve customers. Not only this, the food was disappointing with one of the meals being a pizza which was drenched in oil. We we will not be returning.

We booked Vita for a valentines day meal, after looking at the main menu. Which looked lovely and had some good recommendations. When we arrived we were given a set 'Valentines day' menu. There was no information or indication on the website that this would be the case. The menu had no prices to indicate the cost of the set menu. The food was average at best, buschetta and Deep fried mozzarella to start. My partner had salmon for the main meal and this was on the edge of being cooked. My chicken was nice. We skipped dessert. Then when the bill came it was £95.45!?! £45 per person set menu is a ludicrous price for the food we were given. Also, no drink included in the £45. This is a lesson to me to confirm the price before eating, and not presume it will be reasonable. Not impressed with the obvious greed of the owners in overcharging. I'm afraid we won't be going again.

I honestly don’t know how this restaurant has the audacity to say it’s is Italian, pizza drenched in oil, hair (not head) found in pasta, wine marked up 7 times and very poor. I understand there has to be a mark up but that is pure greed. Really the main problem is the attitude of the owner, a bully to his staff, taking advantage of customers who want to support a local business, hygiene of 3 not great really should be much better. Careless attitude of an owner who doesn’t give a damn about anything apart from making money. Last straw was at the end of the meal we were asked to pay cash or bacs, no prior warning that they couldn’t accept card payment

Went on a Monday evening for a birthday dinner for my girlfriend having found most other options not open on Mondays. Very glad they weren't as this place is fantastic.....delicious from start to finish. We will certainly be back and I cannot recommend this place highly enough. Best Italian meal I can remember.

Very cozy, food was pretty good, staff were very friendly and we had a nice conversation throughout the whole of our stay with a couple next to us I would probably go again 👍👌

Vita Ristorante is fantastic. The staff are so friendly and welcoming, and the food is so delicious. The most authentic Italian I've had outside of Italy! Really recommend to anyone able to visit this restaurant, situated in pretty Old Welwyn town. We made the journey from Milton Keynes and did not regret it!

We’ve been eating at this family run restaurant for years and I’ve come with family, friends and bought my colleagues for work lunches and evenings out too. It’s the best Italian food around, and the chef (who is also the owner) is clearly passionate about the food he serves and wants customers to enjoy it. He often takes time to come out of the kitchen to chat with clients and check they’re happy with their food and enjoying themselves. The front of house staff are also always great and deal with a sometimes very busy restaurant really well! Highly recommend Vita whether you’re popping in for a pizza or having a 3 course meal! We’ll be back soon!

Is I could give less than 1 start I would. Terrible! The 2 girls get bossed around by the guy with the long beard to serve table, clear tables, etc....but more importantly than that, the foods is horrid. Worst pizza I have ever tasted! Precooked base, probably from Tesco....bad quality condiments, all around very yuk! Avoid this place!

Arrived to find booking had not been written down! Slow service. Had to ask twice for glasses for the water. Foid order eventually taken. Meal OK although looked as though my rissotto had been thrown on plate. The Affogato was very poor - extremely small scoop of ice cream floating in very watery coffee. - £5.95. Eaten here several times before - service up and down. Some guests seem to have preferential treatment.

Went for a group meeting reserving the upper floor and with a preordered meal plan with a fixed price of 35 of pounds without drinks. The reserve was at 6:30PM, starter was set on the table at 7PM, but the already preordered main meal was not ready until 9PM, which they forgot to serve in despite of me asking for it repeatedly. After everyone else had finished their meal, I had to get my meal as take away as we needed to leave the place. paid 42 pounds in total for a soft drink and the fixed meal. overall terrible experience, not recommended for event, big groups or in general.

After using the restaurant for at least 5 years we were disappointed with the meal the size of the starter has gone down less than half what it use to be and gone up in price, one dish that was served was not as the menu stated and got charged for a wine that we did not order but that qas rectified at the time of payment because I complained the head man or chef came and talked to us and accused my partner of being in a bad mood before we got there . Needless to say it is the last time we will eat there which is very sad as we have had some great meals the there in a wonderful friendly atmosphere, maybe just a bad night all round but it was enough to stop us eating there anymore just to add one more point if you can't have salt in your meals stay away

Very nice little restaurant with excellent service and great food. All the waiting staff are very welcoming and keen to please. The chef came out a few times to interact with the customers. The food came out very quickly and each dish I had was very flavoursome and well presented. Recommended.

Just had a lovely dinner in Vita. Food is always delicious and staff were very polite and helpful. Really good value for money also! Looking forward to our next visit! 5 stars to the chef!

Very taste food, good variety. The staff were excellent. I would definitely recommend this restaurant

We went into this restaurant for the first time on the 1st of July 23. We did not book and luckily we got a table straight away. The menu is large and varied, both my wife and I had a starter and a main meal. The dessert we shared. With this and two bottles of wine the total cost was around a hundred pounds. All the food we had was freshly made and full of flavour, the only downside was the dessert. Banofee pie, not so good but that didn't ruin the night. All the staff were very friendly and knowledgeable, the chef kept coming out to talk to people. When we were in there we were told the card reader was not working so cash or a bank transfer was needed. This was not a problem for anyone

Dined here earlier in the week and it was an absolute delight. From the warm welcome to impeccable service, the evening was memorable. The staff's friendliness stood out, and they were attentive without being intrusive. The Rump steak was a highlight—cooked to perfection and bursting with flavor. The menu offers diverse options with a focus on quality ingredients. The cozy ambiance and inviting decor added to the overall experience. In summary, exceptional service, delicious food, and a great atmosphere make this restaurant a must-try. Can't wait to return!

We loved this place and the owners but haven't been around for a while. We decided to order some food and collect it as we did not want to sit in a restaurant. On arrival, they asked for some more patience despite the restaurant was empty (just opened for the dinner service - 6PM). After waiting for another 10 mins they brought me the food but one of the items were not what I ordered so I needed to wait another 15 mins to get my order. I recognised at home that another one of the order was also messed up (sea food instead of chicken so wasted...) but at that time I did not want to go back again and start complaining... :( The food itself was average, definitely not up to the standards of the very caring previous owner. :( I miss them a lot. I don't think I will return in the near future despite the waiters being nice (4 of them, don't think any of them was over 18...).

Vita was lovely, I must admit I have always preferred Aqua but as it's gone, Vita is now the only option, if you want Italian in the village. The food was good, bar the dessert. Tesco's Tiramasu is better, was very runny and not v flavoursome. Not sure there is much of an atmosphere but it was pleasant, staff were lovely.

Very friendly and great service. Truly enjoyed seafood pasta and tiramisu. Their lunch special is fantastic. Just add 2 pounds and you'll get a glass of wine and a hot drink!

Great restaurant, two Chicken Zaffarano Risotto as usual to standard I’ve enjoyed eating here for decade. Greeted served with friendly service as ever by owner/chef. As always chef delivered risotto to table with friendly service. Great unpretentious restaurant that’s about the food quality, authentic taste value always enjoyed here

We have been there once before and the food is fabulous. I would highly recommend the food but maybe as a take away. The staff were very attentive but we are now put off this resturant by the way the owner/chef spoke to/shouted at his staff throughout the evening. It put a huge dampener on our evening as the staff were very nice, friendly amd attentive. Also, the heat is at full blast so we were sweating.

Visited twice now. Each time the food tasted good; especially enjoyed the chicken Risotto. Drinks a touch pricey and the sparking water was rather flat. However friendly and attentive service staff appeared to cope well despite the busy table service. If sitting downstairs, choose a table away from the door, especially on a cold night; could probably use an internal porch if space allowed.

My partner and I have been here a few times by ourselves and with friends and every time the food is delicious and service is exceptional!

Really great food 5 stars ... but had to knock off a star for the big guys overall abruptness/rudeness. Maybe leave it to the ladies who were very polite and served us diligently. Not withstanding... it's definitely worth a visit.

Great, we had the lunchtime menu which consisted of a small glass of wine, either a pasta or a pizza plus a coffee. We had pasta and it was very tasty. Excellent value but a word of warning, they get very busy so advisable to book in advance.

Two of us went for dinner this evening. The food was fantastic, and the service was excellent. Every member of staff was friendly and welcoming, and super accommodating. The chef duplicated one of starter dishes, but gave it to us free of charge anyway, which was a nice gesture. Definitely recommend, and we will be booking again soon. The only thing is, if you wanted to leave a tip (which we did), they couldn't add that onto a card payment....so remember to take cash with you for their well deserved tip!

Had a fabulous meal with friends Friday night, great food, great wine and amazing service!

Delicious tasty food and friendly/helpful staff. However, I wish the portions were larger as I went away feeling hungry.

Best Italian food in the area for sure! Really tasty and staff are super friendly.

Ordered take out tonight very slow they forgot my garlic bread the young girl just kept saying it’s coming with a laugh not at all professional not at apologetic. Garlic bread under cooked as they definitely forgot it. I won’t be rushing back.

We booked a table for lunch by phone for our wedding anniversary. When we turned up they were closed even though they were expecting us. They could have phoned to let us know as we are not local. We went to Aqua and had a wonderful meal instead.