La Vela Italian Restaurant

This Italian restaurant offers an exceptional dining experience. The menu is full of fresh, authentic flavors, complemented by a stunning view. While we encountered a minor issue, the management’s and staff’s response was outstanding - they handled the situation with genuine professionalism and generosity. Their commitment to guest satisfaction elevated the evening and left a lasting impression. Highly recommended!

Food- Yes to the appetizers. Octopus was charred to perfection and tender not rubbery. Plating was spot on with sweet potato hash. Mussels were small, clams were great, broth was on point. Fettuccine Zafferano was good, the shrimp could have been blackened, needs a little bit more flavor. Scallops were large. Crab meat was just there. It needs that hint of citrus or side of caper sauce. Free dinner rolls and oil balsamic garlic dip. Do get their HOMEMADE Limoncello Blush! Happy Hour $8 app and $1 of drinks, check available days. Service- Host was very sweet and apologetic for barely any wait and said thank you for coming. Server was highly knowledgeable and sold specialities listed and daily specials. Refilled water without asking, very attentive. Runners asked who got what but should assist with bussing tables after appetizers. Great staff overall. Atmosphere- Marinate onsite, the treetops need trim because it was blocking waterway views. Looks like they also have outdoor heaters. Indoor and outdoor accommodation. Bar seating is available.

Went for our anniversary dinner and the price is well worth it. The service and food were absolutely amazing. I highly recommend the linguine 7 fishes. The tiramisu and creme brulee were also amazing. I believe we've found our new date night spot. Reservations are definitely recommended as it is a small place and fills up quickly.

Outdoor seating is the best. Inside can get a little loud but sitting on the deck is fantastic. This place never disappoints.

This place is great. After a show in the local area our family of three stopped in about 30 min before closing. Our hope being to grab something to go "IF" the kitchen was open. The team was wrapping up but in a gesture of great customer service fixed our family a fresh great tasting meal start to finish of appetizers, main course, and desert with outstanding table service. Customer Service like at that is rare these days. La Vela, THANK YOU! 5-Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐we are loyal return customers.

Exceptional food at a good price. My family had a fantastic time here! The restaurant is small and sits on the second floor of a building right by the water, but the dining room itself is lovely. We had the lunch positions, which felt appropriately sized and well priced—the $12 fettuccine bolognese is a special note for its size and taste. Very delicious! Our waitress was helpful and quick to provide refills and bring our food out. I’d recommend reservations before arriving—as mentioned, the dining room is small, and while there’s an outdoor balcony to eat, the overall space is limited. Will definitely come back again!

I really enjoyed my experience at la vela. We sat at the bar and the bartender was kind and attentive. The food was amazing and I especially enjoyed the result of the day which was short rib. My old fashioned looked watered down by the color but I was wrong. It was wonderful, sweet with a bite. The one drink was strong and enough for me to feel it. I will be back and recommend it to others.

I recently moved to Southern Maryland and quickly learned that this was the must-visit spot. I first dined here in early June and had a great experience—drinks were excellent, the food was delicious, and the service was outstanding. However, my most recent visit with my in-laws wasn’t quite the same. We arrived with reservations and stopped by the restroom, which is located downstairs at the main entrance. Unfortunately, there was no toilet paper. I mentioned it to our waitress, but by the time we left, the issue still hadn’t been addressed. The restrooms were also not very clean, which was disappointing.For appetizers, we ordered the calamari, mussels, and bruschetta all of which were phenomenal. The drinks were also on point. Our server was kind, attentive, and truly made us feel welcome. For the main course, I ordered the linguine with seven fishes. Sadly, I didn’t love it. The crab meat tasted either overcooked or not fresh, and it was served ice cold with very little flavor. While I wouldn’t call myself a crab expert, it just didn’t taste right to me. The salmon in the dish was also dry and had overly crispy parts. Despite this less-than-perfect visit, the restaurant still remains one of my local favorites. I would recommend it to anyone visiting the area or living nearby just hope for one of their better nights!

Excellent service and ambiance. I was seated outside with a view towards the boat slips. It was a nice treat. We made reservations online and everything went off without a hitch. Everyone was a bit dressed up so I was the only one in flip flops, but all in all it was a memorable experience. We were served bread with seasoned oil and we both enjoyed the filet mignon with asparagus and mash potatoes. It was yummy and we wished we would have saved room for desert. This place is a nice treat if you don't mind paying for a good meal or have a special occasion to celebrate.

Dinner in Solomon's Started off well, the New York Sour not only looked good and tasted even better. The fresh bread with olive oil and balsamic was traditional and great. The bruschetta was nice, I would have preferred the balsamic on the side but still very good. My main course was the crab risotto special. Nice flavor, make sure you ask for the parmesan. The table shared the cannoli, the ricotta had a nice flavor and texture. Overall really good meal at a reasonable price.

Great food and a great experience. Definitely make a reservation if you can, gets quite crowded! Pricey, but well worth it especially for a special occasion. The staff are very helpful and service is very quick. We were able to get a few drinks and an appetizer (bruschetta, very good!) quickly. I had the Gorgonzola truffle gnocchi, it was incredible. So creamy and flavorful, I cannot wait to go back for more! Even better with the complimentary bread rolls. I also really enjoyed the dessert key lime martini, such a fun punch of flavor! Looking forward to heading back to this place.

Excellent fresh Italian food with large portions. The staff always go above and beyond. We look forward to going again soon!

We had a great time celebrating our anniversary. This was our first time here and will not be our last. The food was delicious and service was quick. I underestimated the size of the lobster ravioli. I was stuffed by the end of the meal. I would definitely come back again.

Great food. Husband had the salmon panini and he loved it and we shared the calamari and we both loved it. Sat on the heated porch with a lovely view of boats and boat activities. Can't wait to come back

Maybe I went on an off night, but I really was not impressed with the food. The calamari was the best dish, in my opinion. The scallops were a bit under cooked (the yellow dish). I will say that our server was fantastic.

This was our first time in the area, and La Vela was highly recommended. Our seats were out on the patio so we had a good view of the boats and water. The food tasted amazing, the calamari was fried very well, the Barata was fresh, and my crab ravioli was perfect! Our waitress came by several times to check in on us and was very helpful with recommendations.

Lobster ravioli is always a must! The rest of the food was great too tho! And the service is always superb. Whether inside or outside, it's a cozy little spot that does not disappoint. Perfect for an intimate date night!

We went to la vela to celebrate our anniversary this year. It was our first time here and it was a little odd to discover it's located upstairs. It's a very cute space though. Limited seating, ambient lighting, a lovely view of the water if you sit with your back to the bar. It was decorated for the holiday, too. I will mention the wicker seated chairs inside are not the most comfortable--I had read this in another review as well. The reservation system asked if we were celebrating anything--and we did say that we were--but it was never mentioned at the restaurant, so that was little odd. Our server was polite and professional, with a great knowledge of the menu. We ordered the grilled octopus appetizer to try something new; we ended up sending it back because he didn't like it. It was beautifully presented, and the hash that came with it was delicious, but it had too strong of a char taste for us. We ordered the shrimp gondola and caprese instead; both were very tasty and equally well arranged. He ordered an old fashioned from the bar and said it was very strong (which is a good thing coming from him). Bread and oil was served with the appetizers. Our entrees arrived at the table in a timely manner: not too slow, not too fast. His shrimp and crab pasta was good, though he did say it wasn't what he expected---he didn't elaborate so I'm not really sure what he expected. I had the salmon ai ferri and enjoyed it quite a bit. It was lighter but still a good portion of food and the flavor was there. We had the cheese board dessert as well. He was skeptical of cheese as a dessert but came around quickly and actually became very impressed with the selection of complimentary flavors. They did not tell us the names of the things on the board so I cannot say for certain what our favorite parts of it were, but it was thoroughly enjoyable--especially when paired with a moscato d'asti. The canola dessert was excellent too; in my opinion it had a taste similar to a strawberry pop tart. All in all, a lovely late lunch and we would come again sometime.

What a great restaurant just wish I lived closer. The food and service were excellent. Mandi, the manager was extremely helpful.

Very nice place. On the water. Relaxed atmosphere. Service was ok. The food was ok. Nothing to write home about. I won't complain. It was edible. The desert however was delicious. All this being stated, I don't think I will go back.

Stopped in on a Sunday evening after spending the day poking around the area - we had noticed La Vala was quite busy the night before, so made it a point to visit. We had called ahead & were seated immediately - very nice views (Girlfriend was not a fan of the wicker chairs used in the inside dining area however). We ordered Salmon ai Ferri & Duck al Vino - both were quite good. Service throughout was well paced and the overall experience was quite good - keeping up our good-dining streak on this vacation. I'd return to La Vela when in the area...

La Vela was a great find. Extremely good food, great service and a beautiful location on the water. This restaurant won't disappoint. Highly recommend. I suggest making a reservation.

So - good place. The Solomons side of SOMD dining needs a bit of competition. From living in Annapolis for years, it is on par with No Chesapeake / Eastern Shore dining. That's a good thing. Very similar to its 2 sister restaurants in St. Michaels and Kent Island. Concur with others the menu is a bit pricey - especially for SOMD. IMO the dining options in SOMD are becoming a bit more upscale and folks can stay local instead of heading to DC / Balt for a similar experience. Dishes were good. Wine / booze selection very good. Service was good. Setting was good. Better than the Dry Dock experience from before. Highly recommended.

Nice place. Upscale for Southern MD. Good food, drinks, service and location. Xxxxxxx

This is one of the best hidden treasures in southern Maryland. The food is so good and the service is fantastic. Highly recommend

We started with the calamari for an appetizer which was good. I got the fettuccine in boar sauce which was pretty good, not exceptional though. Our table also had the fettuccine zefferano (really good!) and lobster ravioli (also very good!). I'd been craving pasta and would've liked a traditional Italian meal (fettuccine Alfredo or lasagna) which sadly they didn't have anything that basic/classic. Everything was good, nice atmosphere. The bar was busy for a Saturday evening. We sat inside but had a view of the water.

We returned here in August to give it a second try. Unfortunately, we find the prices to be a bit too high based on what you're getting. We had the clams and mussels appetizer, and they were so tiny. As in the most of the clams were smaller than the size of a dime. I ordered the Mediterranean salad and added scallops. The salad was $23 for what was essentially a side salad with three scallops. On a positive note, my husband had the Italiano sandwich and didn't have any complaints, but he didn't rave about it either. We chose to sit outside this time and I will say the view is nice and our server was friendly.

Great food here! It's very nice inside, well above average. Its small and can be hard to get a table, they are very nice. They can't do carry out when they become very busy. I have been a few times and when I eat in, I get the duck or steak which is delicious. When I order carry out I get the gnocchi, which is perfection. You can tell they make it because they are like soft little pillows from heaven!

The Veal Saltimbocca is delicious. The service and atmosphere was great. Shrimp Gondola and cream of crab

Good portions, good quality. Best gnocchi my wife and I have ever had. Plus, the wine selection is great as well. I got the Rosa chicken, the chicken was juicy and the meal tasted great.

Amazing drinks, amazing food, amazing staff!! So good, definitely recommend. I wanted to lick the plate after eating the grilled Caesar, one of the best salads I've had.

Celebrated a birthday at this fine Italian restaurant on Solomons Island. Every dish we ordered was superbly prepared and served. Try the flat beard (pizza). And the pasta w/ wild boar ragu.

Wife and i wanted something different to eat so we heard there was a new Italian restaurant that just opened not long ago. We arrived around 3pm the restaurant is on the second floor don't know if there is an elevator so call before going is you can't do the steps. The hostess stand is at the top of the step she asked if we had reservations we said no, there is 1 table with 3 people and 2 people at the bar 12 other tables empty. She sat us a a tiny table we asked if we could sit at a bigger table she had to check if the table was reserved, she returned said we had to be finished by 5. If we weren't finish by 5 it would have been the restaurant fault for not getting the food out, we were finished around 4:15. We understand with small restaurants like this to just eat and move on to allow other to enjoy the food, we don't need to sit and talk and take up a table like some people do with people waiting if there's no one waiting then fine sit and relax but be ready if people come in. First we ordered the calamari and friends, great name for an appetizer comes with fried calamari, carrots, zucchini and cherry peppers with a sauce. Wow, it is very good lightly bread and fried perfect. I ordered the Old Fashion on the menu, it was good next time I would not get the lemon twist. Wife ordered the shrimp scampi with linguine, this is an excellent dish with great flavors would definitely recommend this. I had the fettuccine bologna's it was very good noodle cooked perfectly. We were so full that we didn't get dessert maybe next time we will skip the appetizer. Can't wait to return.

Great menu, fresh seafood, and impeccable service at reasonable prices. Highly recommended!

Outstanding food, service, and views. We liked it so much that we went back a send time on our short visit to the area.

Delicious Italian! Great bread, great pasta, great wine, great location. Awesome service.

Food is really good. Good quality for the money and our waitress, Allison is the best!

Very nice little restaurant. it's small but very nice and clean. All the food was delicious and came out quickly but not rushed. And it was hot and had good flavor. I will be going back

Wonderful restaurant. Beautiful location! We had no issues with parking, we showed up at 3pm on a Saturday and it seemed to be the end of a crowd. Waitstaff was incredibly friendly and were accommodating for my family and my two year old! They don't have a kids menu but they easily cooked up some chicken tenders and fries for our little one. They also have high chairs, but we decided to not use it. Food was outstanding, the pasta was perfectly cooked and the drinks were on point. We will definitely be back! Can't wait to try more things on the menu!

I ordered a takeout meal for 4 people and here's what we ordered: Penne Caprese:. Noodles were fine but the marinara sauce was pretty flavorless. You'll see a reoccurring theme on this point. Gnocchi with gorgonzola: this was voted as the best dish of the order. The gnocchi was well cooked and the creamy gorgonzola sauce was very nice. Crab soup:. This was the dish that got us to order from here in the first place. The person that ordered it said that it was still delicious. Chicken Parm: The noodles were cooked fine and the chicken was fine, but as previously noted, the sauce was pretty boring. It was described as just chopped tomato's. We like tomato's, but we like flavors a little more and their tomato sauces we're lacking in it. Mashed potatoes:. Pretty good, no issues. Asparagus:. Pretty good, no issues. Bruschetta:. Now I LOVE a good Bruschetta, and order it whenever it's on the menu. This was probably the most boring one I've ever had. As with the sauces, it just tasted like chopped tomato's on bread. There really weren't any flavors to be had. It advertised a balsamic drizzle, but from what I saw it was so minor I must have missed it. The bread was flavorless as well, and the arugula was probably the only thing in there that gave it a contrasting flavor to the tomato's, but it looked more like a salad tossed on top than an accent garnish. I was very disappointed in this dish. Canoli:. Couldn't tell you because they FORGOT TO PUT IT IN MY ORDER !!!!! The one thing I was looking forward to and they forgot it. On a good note, the credited me back the charge for it, so their manager was right on it and very friendly. Would I go there again.... I wouldn't, but my wife would. The lack of flavor, the messed up order, and the higher price points than most area restaurants will likely keep me away. I'm sure I might get dragged there by my wife one day, and when that happens, I hope it's a much better experience.

We Went for our anniversary. Food was really good. Good service. Will definitely be back.

We had enjoyed the Dry Dock, the previous establishment at this location, but saw the new tennant was getting excellent reviews. Since we came to the marina by boat and had a 2 minute walk it was an easy decision. The whole experience was first rate! Our server, Abby (?), was personable and efficient. The featured Italian Chardonnay was excellent. Although there were many temptations on the extensive menu, we were drawn to the Branzino, which we enjoy whenever we find it. It was delicious. Tasty and attractively presented. We also had the green salad with blueberries and candied walnuts which was equally delicious. The salad is ample for two to share. The ambience is cheerful and both indoor and outdoor tables have delightful views of the marina and creek.

The restaurant was a treat. Wonderful interior. The food was delicious. A nice selection of Italian entrees. The appetizer menu had a variety of tasty dishes. The staff was attentive and polite. I would go there at least once a month.

One word... "Damn"... We heard about La Vela and always wanted to try it out. Well, we were able to get a baby sitter and escape for a quick date night on a Thursday. First recommendation... If you think you don't need a reservation at 5-530 on a Thursday, you are wrong. We got LUCKY and got the last table when we walked in. So the TLDR version of La Vela Italian... great service... great food... amazing atmosphere! The down and dirty... We started off with the Grilled Octopus as an appetizer. Cooked to perfection. It had a nice crisp char to it but melted in your mouth when you bit into it. They garnished it with a sweet potato hash with a pesto drizzle and some sort of lemon sauce. With all the flavors meshed together, I could have ordered 3 more of them and just called it a meal. Wife had the Hunter Chicken. It was amazing. It had venison sausage that wasn't gamey one bit. The sausage itself was sweet but had just a subtle bite to it that we think was a bit of sage possibly? That mixed with the marsala sauce and mushrooms just knocked it out of the park. A great permanent addition to their menu. And to my plate... I had difficulties choosing. The risotto special was a Beef Tip Risotto with a red wine reduction with pancetta, mushrooms and tomatoes. Or I was going to go with the Duck al Vino. Since the duck was on their menu I opted for the risotto and was NOT disappointed one bit. Not sure what kind of beef they used but it melted in my mouth. It was definitely a heavy meal but it was one of those satisfying ones that you almost would want to wear a pair of sweatpants for! All of the flavors melded together and was extremely satisfied with the choice! Overall experience I give it a 5 out of 5. Remember... make a reservation... don't trust a phone app also even if it says there are tables available... Come hungry... leave happy and satisfied!

This area has long needed a real Italian restaurant. We have been there for lunch and dinner- food is varied and fantastic. Parking is a bit of a problem next to the marina and when the marina gets into full swing in the warmer months this may be a limiting factor. Wine list is good and varied- the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc was a perfect choice for us at lunch with friends. Has a nice view overlooking the water. Excellent value.

This restaurant is a welcome addition to the Solomons Island dining scene. The upstairs outdoor dining porch overlooking a lovely marina is very pleasant and the white tablecloths make the experience seem a little more special. I had an exceptionally delicious linguine with clams. My husband's lobster ravioli was good but not amazing. The salad was fine. Service was not as attentive as we would have hoped; hence, the four stars. Also, there is a charge when you make a reservation. Regardless, we had a lovely time and a delicious meal. Definitely will be back.

Excellent seafood restaurant. Fresh and delicious! Nice atmosphere right on the water. Great service and food was prepared very nicely. Highly recommended.

I am traveling in for work and was completely ignored by the bartender.. was verbally attacked by a customer I guess only locals are only welcomed here!

Our new find (after suggested by a friend) was just what was needed after a busy day and with pangs of hunger pressing us. The calamari appitizer was first out and was delicious. Just enough for us until the entrees arrived. I ordered the fried green tomatoes and she ordered the combination shrimp and scallops. The tomatoes were excellent and quite filling for me. But it took 20 minutes after my order came out and some prodding of the server that her order came out. He admitted he had made a mistake and that was why there was such a delay. For two scallops and two shrimp with a garlic spinach center, we were charged $28 and she was still hungry. How disappointing!

Newly opened Italian upscale eatery in the building that previously housed the Drydock restaurant. Fairly pricey menu, with a la carte pricing for side dishes. Very small inside with limited seating. Recommend getting a reservation. Open for lunch and dinner.

La Vela is easily the best restaurant on the island. There's a handful of good restaurants in southern md I would recommend to people and this is number two after one visit. We started with the Burrata which was delicious- I just wish I had more balsamic. For entrees I ordered the mignon, it was perfectly cooked, melt in your mouth and had a delicious demi glaze. My boyfriend had the linguini 7 fishes. Equally delicious and the portions did not disappoint. For dessert we shared an espresso martini and tiramisu. The martini was smooth with hints of chocolate and the tiramisu was so fresh with hazelnut on top. The restaurant is rather small so I don't recommend for large parties- I also didn't see an elevator and the bathrooms are on the main level where the restaurant is up a level of stairs. As I mentioned, best on the island by far. We'll be back!

Expensive but worth it. I found the food to be top notch. Best is Solomon's island for sure.

After three days of turkey and leftovers, we all had a hankering for Italian. We were not disappointed - all of the food here rocks! We split the meatball appetizer which was amazing! The linguini with clams, bolognese, and amatriciana were equally delicious. Will definitely head back here again soon.

I was really excited to try this place. I sat at the bar and the bard tender was very friendly. I place and order for just clams and requested cocktail sauce to accompany them. Once the arrived I had to ask again for the cocktail sauce. As the steamed clams were cooling I was told that the didn't have any and it was recommended to try them with marinara sauce. Definitely not a sauce for clams in my opinion. So again as my clams were cooling I had to ask for ketchup as I can eat anything with that. I also had to ask for a napkin and recieved cocktail napkins. For a place that sells seafood I just can't fathom why they wouldn't have any cocktail sauce. They lost alot of money from me yesterday as I was there to put down some food!

James the bar tender was great! He made the best espresso martini and service was excellent. We had the tuna special was extremely delicious. I think the espresso martini should be on the cocktail menu, and james should get a raise I'm thinking $150,000 a year

Excellent Italian food had in Solomon Island. Service was good. Getting table is hard when you walk in. Reservation is best option or call hour ahead to get table.

Great dinner. Drinks were delicious and strong. Shrimp scampi was perfectly cooked. Fettuccine Zafferano was very good. Shrimp were a bit over cooked but the scallops and crab were excellent. Branzino didn't look that great but the first taste with that sauce was heavenly! Definitely recommend the Branzino and La Vela. Oh, and the tiramisu was a great finish to a fine meal with good service and a beautiful view!