Ottava Via

Five Stars - A Detroit Gem That Keeps Getting Better We stopped into Ottava Via on a Sunday night, and wow—it was just what we needed. It had been pre-COVID since our last visit, and it was really cool to see how much they’ve expanded both their space and their menu. The vibe is still just as warm and welcoming as we remembered, with that eclectic, messy-family-style decor that makes the place feel like home. I had one of their pizzas, and it was absolutely spot-on—fresh toppings, perfectly cooked crust, and bursting with flavor. Our waiter was fantastic: attentive, easygoing, and full of great recommendations. We also loved seeing the back patio still open, complete with a cozy fireplace and bocce court—such a fun touch that sets this place apart. It’s clear Ottava Via still has a lot of heart, and it’s great to see them going strong. We’ll definitely be back soon to explore more of the menu!

Hands down one of the best Italian meals I've ever had. Even though they were quite busy, the staff was always attentive, prompt and very friendly. It was quite cold while we were there However the manager happily gave us a tour of the patio and ball courts. All around an amazing experience.

I live close to Corktown and Ottava Via is my go to spot. I love it there! The staff is fantastic, including Jorge, Ayesha, Claudia, Mariah, Christina, Jasmine, and Tim. The food is consistently superb, and the cocktails and wine list are carefully considered and curated. The atmosphere is relaxed, inviting, and feels like you’re stepping back in time. I look forward to many more magical experiences there all year long!

This was our second time at Ottava Via, and both visits were exceptional. Today we started with the tomato basil soup, followed by the Truffle Butter Pasta and Ragout Alla Bolognese. Everything was exceptional! The service was also very good, but our server forgot a couple items, thus a 4 star.

Amazing food Berry was our bartender/Server and was phenomenal. Great atmosphere and with our first time and definitely won’t be our last. The host of the door was very friendly and immediately greeted me and my friend with a smile. Everything was wonderful thank you for a delicious dinner all of the staff was wonderful

U would wish you live near those apartments downtown so you could dine/carry out often here. Place was really nice. Packed enough that feels like a bar but designed well to feel like it’s a small restaurant in Italy. Appetizers were cooked to perfection.

I eat here every time I come to Detroit. The pasta is awesome, especially the cacio e Pepe. The small plates are delicious as well. Highlights are the roasted garlic and goat cheese and the polpete. Caesar salad is super proper also. Service is always attentive, friendly and on point. Lastly the Basil Ginger lemonade is so yummy and refreshing.

I have been wanting to go here for years bc I always hear good things and it did not disappoint. The apps were outstanding- burrata and calamari especially great. The pizza was excellent- had a classic stone oven crust. And the pastas were also a hit. We will be back.

Every time I go to Detroit, it's my goal to try at least one new to me place each day. My Yelp collection for the city is massive, and it can get overwhelming! Luckily we were staying across the street at the Godfrey, so it was an easy decision to stop in to Ottava Via for a snack while in town recently. The vibe inside was very cute, old-school Italian restaurant and it was decorated for the holidays - so cozy. We were seated right away but I would recommend a reservation. We just wanted something light to split, so we got an order of the cacio e pepe and the Caesar salad. The food came out pretty quickly and was delicious. I love a good cacio e pepe but don't often order pasta at restaurants - this dish had me wondering why I don't often order pasta at restaurants! It was almost as good as the best version of this dish I had in Chicago once. Like an adult buttered noodles - comfort food at its finest. The salad was super fresh and savory and I loved that they include anchovies! (Of course you can request them be left off the salad.) Our server was attentive and polite, and I would absolutely come back for a full dinner sometime.

Went here for my friend's bday with our girls! Our server was Izzy and she was super sweet and helpful. We shared the calamari for an app and it was nice and crispy and the sauces were yummy as well. I ordered the Pasta Alfredo and added chicken and it was delicious. The chicken was soo good and crispy. Everyone else also enjoyed their pastas and pizza. We got the complimentary birthday dessert which was some sort of Nutella pastry which was yummy but the bday girl couldn't have that so we ordered the tiramisu. It was their take on a tiramisu and it was okay I've had better. Our check was able to be split so she gave us an option to split it into two cards but looking back this didn't make sense to do because everyone ordered different things and makes it more confusing to pay each other back. Also don't love that bread service is charged.

This place is an amazing establishment! From the service from Amber, our waitress. To the food that she presented to my wife and I before we had a chance to look over the whole menu. She sold us on the Chef Specials, the Mediterranean Sea Bass meal & the Swordfish meal! Both were amazing. Then to the calm, relaxing color of the lighting inside the seating area. It had old historian vibe. although the patrons were somewhat louder than a calm atmosphere. It made for private conversation between my wife and I. We'll be back soon!

While in Detroit we decided to give Ottava Via a try for an Italian dinner before going to the Detroit Grand Prix. What a great Italian restaurant. There wood fire stoves are cooking bread and pizzas. The bread is absolutely amazing. It is served with a delicious olive oil and butter mix. We also gave the pappardelle Bolognese a swing. To my surprise it was one of the best pappardelle Bolognese I've ever enjoyed, served with a small scoop of ricotta is absolutely delicious. We also had an order of calamari friti which was cooked to perfection tender and Light served with two different dipping sauces which were both exceptional. And the pesto pasta was exceptional seasoned perfectly and the serving size on everything was more than expected. Our server Steffanie with two F's was very pleasant helpful and attentive to all of our needs. Overall I have to say we had a wonderful evening sitting outside with a beautiful fire going enjoying a marvelous Italian restaurant in downtown Detroit. If you're anywhere near Michigan and Trumbull make sure you stop and grab a bite at Ottava Via. Oh my goodness I almost forgot dessert upon Steffanie's suggestion we had an order of the tiramisu. This is not your ordinary tiramisu it is a roll of deliciousness in every bite tender and tasty mascarpone cheese wrapped in a delicious espresso flavored wrapping sprinkled with powdered chocolate and a magical sauce. If you're anywhere near this place grab one to go and one to show.

Came here on a Monday night for a birthday dinner and it was great! The service was very friendly and helpful. The pasta was pretty decent as well! I also love how cozy it is inside! The bread service was by far the best thing about this dinner, make sure to get it!

Got the classic spaghetti and meatballs and it reminded me of a homemade meal. The tomato sauce was tangy and flavorful and you could tell it wasn't from a jar. Meatballs were tender and full of flavor with a nice crust on the outside. I liked the portion size because it was filling without being too much. Staff was attentive and made sure we were happy with everything. It was busy but still felt laid-back inside. Great spot for a low-key dinner with solid pasta.

Ottava Via is always a fantastic choice! I met up with a friend who recently moved back to Michigan and wanted to check out some restaurants in Detroit. I've been enjoying his experience as he explores all the new spots around the city. When he suggested Ottava Via, I knew it was going to be top notch! Good thing for us, the Dirty Martinis were on point and the short rib entree was delicious. We ended up splitting it along with the rice balls. We will be back.

Stopped in with a few friends on the Thursday after Christmas for dinner. We were told there would be a 45 minute wait but we got in after about 20 which was a nice surprise. We all got drinks, I got the fruit smash mocktail which tasted like liquid apple pie and was sooooo yummy. We split a couple of appetizers, I normally like my calamari pretty crispy, theirs was a bit on the chewier side but it tasted very fresh and I loved the sauces that came on the side. The arancini was pretty small but also tasty, the order only comes with 3 but you can add on additional balls for a couple dollars. We also split the pesto pasta and the cacio e pepe. The cacio e pepe was perfectly creamy and well seasoned and the pesto was very tasty as well, the pasta tasted fresh and nothing was super heavy. They were slammed so service was a little short but still very kind and attentive!

The general vibe of the restaurant was really nice, I loved the decor and lighting. It is also reasonably priced, especially for corktown. Cute little spot. Reservations aren't taken for parties under 5, so we walked in, and got seated in about 30 minutes, not a long wait at all! I came here with three friends and we wanted to get some appetizers and entrees to share, our server recommended maybe 3/4 apps and 1 entree, or 2 apps and 2 entrees, we went with the latter and got the calamari, arancini (comes with three, we paid extra for a fourth!), pesto, and cacio e pepe. I honestly think we could've ordered another entree or two, but it was enough for a light dinner. The cacio e pepe was probably my favorite dish, super creamy texture and noodles were great :) Also the non-alcoholic drinks were delicious!

Ottava Via This was the first restaurant I visited during my trip to Detroit. This Italian eatery was very inviting, but may have been better suited for dinner due to its dark ambiance. I started with the bread service. I can't put the finger on the type of seasoning of the bread, but it was soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside - and not too crunchy that it scratched the inside of your mouth. The butter was even better. Most of the olive oil that came with the butter flowed out of its hole, which was a disappointment, but even without it the butter was amazing. I had to force myself to stop eating or I wouldn't have room for anything else. For my main I ordered the margherita pizza which was different than I expected. The mozzarella was much stronger than any margherita pizza I've ever had and it overpowered the pizza sauce, which with certain bites tasted slightly off. For the most part though, these flaws were minor and the pizza was quite enjoyable. Their lunch service was quick and pleasant, and I was very grateful that it wasn't too loud. If you want to go out to lunch with limited time to eat, this is your place! I could've easily been in and out in 20 minutes, but the restaurant is very comfortable and the staff were efficient. I would give it 3.5 starts, only because the food was alright and the staff were professional enough, but not necessarily personable.

Wonderful Italian restaurant in Detroit! Pizza, pasta and dessert all amazing. Try the truffle pasta, bolognese, bread service and Caesar salad. Can't recall the name of the dessert, but it was amazing.

Dining solo, I sat at the bar. Great service. Great food. A nice vibe, with easy listening music in the background.

Happy, fun staff knowledgeable about the menu. Able to order Limoncello Spritzers not on menu. Those were a bit shy on the Limoncello. Ordered the bread plate, which was ample for two people, came with a nice garlic whipped butter. Tuscan potatoes, Arancini, salad, garlic shrimp were all average. Good, but nothing spectacular/original. The patio ambience is summer casual with an ear catching Yacht Rock playlist. Enjoyable.

Found this place after exploring Michigan's central station Such a good Italian restaurant! It gets busy fast, my friend and I were lucky to have been able to snag a reservation and was able to be seated no problem (we came in while they had to unexpectedly close for an hour). The food is so good! Very savory and their meatballs were not dry. Our waitress was so nice also! Very knowledgeable and helpful with ordering food and drinks. Overall ambience of the place was really nice too. Definitely will be coming back. Parking wise, there's street parking all around that you'll have to pay either by the app or the meter machine (highly recommend the app tho so you don't need to go out and add time to the meter)

I've been here twice now & both times I was impressed & excited! My sister and I came & sat outside. The inside seemed a bit too loud for us, so outside was the perfect place! We split the Caesar Salad to start. The egg was a surprise to us (a pleasant one). Would recommend. They offer with or without anchovies. My sister and I are always willing to try new things. I asked the waitress what pizza she recommended and she said the Artichoke! I'm glad I went with it, it was so good! Disclaimer: they have no ranch! But this is the type of pizza where it doesn't matter too much! My sister got the short ribs & it was delicious! It's her favorite meal! I will say, I've been here before and this is the only time where it was more tough and low key kind of burnt :/ still delicious, still 5 stars. To drink -- my sister got a Shirley Temple & I got a Ginger Basil Lemonade! Both were sooo good!! Overall, I highly recommend for a date, girls night out, or celebrating a loved one!

We had the best time playing bocce, eating AMAZING food, drinking delicious cocktails and enjoying the friendly and professional service. This place is a gem.

My husband and I immediately liked the rustic atmosphere of the place. The waitress was quick to take our orders. To start, we got a bottle of wine and the bread service, which includes a huge piece of warm bread with garlic butter and balsamic sauce, and it was just perfect. The pasta was delicious and the sauce was perfect. We finished our meal with a great mood.

They have a great patio. 3/4 of us got the truffle butter pasta and it did not disappoint. Wish I took a pic. We also got the bread to start which was fresh and delicious. The butter was good. And we had an arancini appetizer. Great spot. Only prob is parking. Prob my mistake. I parked too close to a stop sign and got a parking ticket. Ugh. Don't make my mistake.

Had a night on the patio for my birthday. Had drinks and delicious food on an amazing summer night. Great calamari! Will definitely be back!

Came here sunday night. Ambience was nice. Not too crowded. The service was great, food came out quickly and the pasta was amazing. Must have!

My fiancé and I love this place so much that we go out of our way to eat here at least once a month (we call it our monthly quota). It's relaxed enough to pop into without a reservation and get seated in a reasonable amount of time, but upscale enough to feel special. The drinks are great - I usually get a martini and my fiancé love the five spice old fashioned. Bread service is a must order, and real ones know to ask for extra butter. I rotate between the truffle butter pasta or the Caesar salad. If you get the truffle butter pasta, you'll get major props from the staff if you add short rib. It's wildly good. If there's something to celebrate, we're probably going to Ottava Via.

Went here as a last minute Anniversary and WOW was it worth it. Had the Ragout Alla Bolognese and it was simply spectacular. Made from scratch, flavorful, and the ricotta on top was light and perfect to help cool the dish down as well as add a creaminess to the sauce. Added a meatball to it and that was also very good. Service was great and the drinks were good as well. Definitely will be coming back to try their other dishes.

Great food and drinks with a really cool atmosphere and ambiance. Service was adequate for a very enjoyable meal. The bread was amazing!

Ordered the bolognese with extra meatballs. Got home to realize the meatballs were not there. When I went back to pick to pick up instead of apologizing for messing up the order the girl who helped me acted like she's doing me favor or someone how it's my fault. Bolognese was trash 2/10. The meatball was decent. Overall this place will not be seeing my money again

Friendly and busy. Bartenders working very hard. Food very good. Prices reasonable. Great place to go with friends. No reservations. You need to get there early on a weekend if you don't want a long wait. Parking a bit of a hassle. Located across the street from the Godfrey Hotel.

Food was amazing. The small plates were a little bigger than expected. Service was great.

Fantastic ambience. The place is comfortable, well-lit, music is at the perfect level for conversation. Our food and drinks were all fantastic. We tried several dishes on the menu, and all were a hit. The branzino, bolognese, and truffle butter pasta were especially delicious. And the service was perfect. Everyone we interacted with was very friendly and helpful, and our server anticipated our every need. Overall, this was a wonderful dining experience, and Ottava Via is exactly what I expect a great restaurant to be.

Ottava Via is a warm, inviting space with friendly people, delicious food, and hasn't missed yet. We've been a few times, but this is my first review. The hubs and I stopped in for dinner on a night out. He opted for the Penne Alla Arrabiata with a meatball and I had the Ragout Alla Bolognese. Both sauces were delicious and flavorful, the meatball and pasta were like someone's nona was in the kitchen making sure the chef did it right, lol. When you're looking for comfort food, or a nice hot pasta on a cold winter night, you just cannot go wrong at Ottava Via.

I sat at the bar. The bartender was nice and attentive. I order shrimp pasta and a virgin mojito. I enjoyed the drink. The pasta was okay. I'll probably return to try something else.

Food everything was fresh tasted amazing. Service was great great atmosphere great service. Great ambience was greeted with smiles and intensity at the door. It was an extremely amazing first impression and I look forward to coming back. I believe they mentioned they were in business for over 12 years. Well that's phenomenal for a restaurant to be in business for 12 years and maintain a prominent footprint in the community.

Gave 4stars because the food was bland. Service was great, atmosphere was awesome. My husband, son, and I went in on a Sunday afternoon at 4pm. There was no wait for a table and we always request our food quickly because our son is 9months old. We ordered the Caesar salad, broccolini, salsiccia pizza, and burrata classico pizza. The caesar salad was bland and dry. The broccolini had great flavor and the sauce was AWESOME but the broccolini was undercooked and tough. The salsiccia pizza was also bland. The burrata pizza was the star. I would go back and try different food. It was expensive for two people to eat out and the food just missed the mark.

YUM! such a good Orion restaurant in cork town. They have a huge patio, the service was great and the food was excellent. The bolognese and Alfredo were SO good and the bread service was price but worth it! I'll definitely be going back to try pizza next time!

The Garlic and Goat Cheese and Pecorino Plate were great starters! The Short Rib and Pepperoni pies were outstanding with a great crust and just the right amount of burnt edges. Outstanding meal and even better service!!!

I had a wonderful dinner experience at Ottava Via. I was staying at the hotel across the street and wanted to go somewhere close by for dinner, my selection was really based on proximity but I'm so happy at chose this restaurant. I sat at the bar and the service was good, the bartenders were very attentive and helpful in ensuring I knew the options. The music was really great as well and the overall vibe of the place was upbeat and lively. I order the Pecorino plate, Caesar salad and gelato to eat and the pecorino plate was amazing. I had planned to get an entree but I was so full from the amazing small plate, I decided to just get a salad to go with it. The Caesar salad was unlike anything I've ever tasted. It has real whole anchovies and a soft boiled egg which made it one of the most unique Cesar salads I've had before but tasty. The lemon curd gelato was perfectly creamy and well flavored. I great way to end the meal. Overall this was a wonderful dinner experience. I can't wait to go back and try the truffle butter pasta.

An absolutely amazing place and the food is out of this world. My first time here and it did not disappoint. Do yourself a favor and try this place out. Wow!

The best gluten free pasta I've had in a long time! The truffle butter sauce was heavenly! Great cocktails, family loved the fresh table bread, and the pizzas (not gf) were a huge hit with the table. I want to bring more people here and try more things

Decent spot if you're looking for generous portions at a reasonable price, but don't expect anything too exciting. The pasta dishes are large, so you'll definitely get your money's worth, but the flavors are pretty uninspired. It's very typical North American-style Italian, with sauces that overwhelm the pasta rather than complement it. The drinks were okay but lacked any real flair or creativity. On the bright side, the service was excellent--attentive and friendly, which made the experience much more enjoyable. Not a bad choice for a filling meal, but if you're after authentic or elevated Italian cuisine, you might want to look elsewhere.

Delicious food! The branzino was unbelievable! Great customer service as well. Solid, solid Italian food

The small plates are delicious! We had the Calamari, Pecorino Plate, and Garlic shrimp. I will be back for those, and to try the others. I also had the Branzino which was perfectly cooked and the salsa verde paired perfectly. The truffle pasta was flavorful and great even without adding protein. However, the Fettuccine Alfredo pasta dish was the only thing I wouldn't order again; the sauce thin and the noodles were overcooked.

The service was incredible and the ambiance and atmosphere were delightful and old world charming. Then came the food. The pizza had nothing on it. Did I say, nothing? Yep, that's right! Nothing! Embarrassing indeed!

Hands down one of the best Italian restaurants I've ever been to! And that is coming from someone who has family in the Italian restaurant business. Great location in cork-town private large back patio with fireplace and bocce ball. Doesn't even feel like downtown Detroit! amazing atmosphere entire staff and owner were very energetic, fun and welcoming also knowledgeable in everything on the menu and don't even get me started on the MENU very simple yet absolutely amazing dishes every appetizer is perfect my favorite is the Calamari or any of the multiple "small plates" to choose from. They are also well known for their pizza and the margarita is a must try. Great selection of wine and hand made cocktails. For the upscale quality of food everything is fairly priced as well. After first time there went right back the following weekend lol and plan on coming here more often during the summer!

They have a very versatile menu! Everything on the menu is phenomenal! The waiters will help you and guide you! The it's super fresh and authentic

The food at Ottava Via is always wonderful! If you want a delicious dinner then I suggest you grab a table or sit at the bar and enjoy all the hard work done by the fabulous kitchen staff! Our bartenders and wait staff have always been so kind and such a pleasure to add another layer to a wonderful dinner!

Lovely space. Much bigger than expected. Great outdoor area. Fantastic menu. The Arancini & fungi pizza = delish. The service was great too. I can never do a meal & dessert, so I'm looking forward to going ba k for espresso & dessert. YUM,

The ambiance and decor of the restaurant was great. A lot of items in view raise questions for me personally, but I didn't ask anything :) Our waitress was friendly and helpful. Her recommendations did not meet my taste but I went ahead and choose 2 entrees and took the leftovers with me. Their pizza, a pepperoni came with olives and onions. Different. The olives were not the type I expected. Picked them off. This pizza was good hot. Eating the leftover, not so much. I ordered their fettuccini Alfredo. It was average. Leftovers not so great. I also ordered the beef and vegetable soup. This was pretty good.

10-17-2024 We had an excellent dinner here. Super fun night time vibe and Joshua our server was great! We ordered a pasta and a pizza and a salad and each item was finely crafted with punchy flavors and savory delights. Thanks for a wonderful time!

Great food, great experience, great venue. We sat at the bar and really enjoyed ourselves. We will be back! The bread service and pizza are top notch.

Visiting the Motor City tonight to take in a Yo Yo Ma concert, I needed some good food to finish the experience. Headed towards Corktown and looking at Yelp for Help. We found it! We walked into a packed Ottawa Via with a massive bar and inviting seating. We chose an outside table to take in the last bit of summer and the smell of a wood burning fire. We started with a small plate of Arancini, fried rice balls with prosciutto and topped with red sauce. The bread service had fresh, fire oven baked bread and a whipped butter with garlic, parmesan and something else? The main was Ragout Alla Bolognese, made with veal and pork served over wide pasta and finished with ricotta cheese. The bolognese was amazing and the homemade pasta was fresh - yum! Street or garage parking was easy to find. Service and ambiance was flawless. If you can get a table, you will love your choice of Ottawa Via, I did.

I really enjoy the ambience of this restaurant. I sat outside on the veranda. I typically go for dinner however, this time I went for lunch - the restaurant was fairly empty and the service was pretty quick. I ordered the chicken/sausage Alfredo, as well as a Caesar salad. First time having anchovy in a Caesar salad-- it was flavorful, but not my go to. The Alfredo was somewhat bland today. Overall, I still enjoy myself and I also still recommend this restaurant.