Via Emilia Italian Restaurant

Having recently moved to The Woodlands, my wife and I have been exploring local restaurant options. We found "our sushi" and "our Mexican" places, and after our first visit, Via Emilia is "our Italian" restaurant. We entered and were surrounded by warm, low lights and deep-dark wood - we felt like we were at an upscale Manhattan restaurant, though we did not need a reservation four our Tuesday evening visit (I would imagine it would be good to have one, particularly on weekends). We were immediately seated, and shown a great drink menu and wine list, as well as an excellent menu with the perfect number of options to choose from (all of the classics and some options we had not seen before, all sounding very authentic). Our waiter was Victor, and he was extremely attentive, prompt and courteous, always available but never overbearing. We ordered the carbonara and a penne dish with a gorgonzola sauce, as well as a side of Italian sausage. While we waited, Victor brought some bread and oil, and that was very good; crusty, soft and porous. The meals came very quickly, and perfectly hot. My first bite of the carbonara brought me back to a similarly appointed restaurant in Rome - instant nostalgia. The penne was exceptional as well, and I only regret not being able to order multiple items (all the more reason we will be returning). Unfortunately, a small emergency came up and we had to cut dinner short. The manager was walking by and asked how everything was, and we informed him that we must leave. Without hesitation, he reassured us this was no problem, brought our check and asked Victor to box and bag our food; we were out the door in under five minutes. This above and beyond care for clientele is the mark of a business where people care, and we felt that care at Via Emilia. We can't wait for our next visit!

This spot was amazing. It reminds me of a romantic getaway for two. I took my wife here for her birthday and she truly enjoyed herself. We were in awe of the live Pianist. It was a pleasure to see a smile on my wife’s face as happy birthday was played. We truly enjoyed our meal, the service and the ambiance.

My daughter wanted to try this place. We went there after work and I really did not know much about this restaurant. The ambiance of this place is elegant and had date night vibes. It looked like an expensive restaurant but the prices were reasonable. My daughter opted to try the spinach ravioli and I ordered chicken parmesan. Both the dishes came out very good. Full marks to the chef's team. I am not someone who is easily impressed with Italian food unless it is very good. We ended our dinner with creme brule.

Everything was perfect—the atmosphere, the service, the food, the dessert, and even the live piano music! 🎶 My family had a wonderful time, and my kids loved it here so much they said it deserves five stars. We’ll definitely be back.

From the outside it looks very unassuming. Walk in and you will be pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere is that of an expensive restaurant with live piano music in the evenings. The food is great and so is the service.

Perfect spit for a romantic date or an elegant family dinner. The place features low lighting and it feels so cozy.

Our server Omar did an exemplary job with making my friend’s birthday a night to remember. The pianist was absolutely splendid and played happy birthday as to make sure there was not too much attention drawn. Our food was absolutely amazing and was triple checked that my friend’s allergy was not going to act up. I believe that this is an amazing spot to go for amazing food, amazing service, and a memorable evening for friends and family!

Came here for lunch with 2 girlfriends (one recommended this place as this was her go to Italian restaurant) @ The Woodlands...and this restaurant delivered A). quantity & quality of food (buon cibo! Spettacolare!) B). service was excellent (our server was Alto who was attentive, but didn't "bother' us much) C). atmosphere: fine dining, dark wood furniture, low lighting, table cloth, zero - low noise (but then again there were only a couple of tables at time of our reservation). I would return here again with my family who would visit me here in Texas.

Very grand experience! The ambience was warm and inviting! Food ten out of ten, Di Gamberoni, Chicken Parmigiana, Calamari with amazing marinara sauce and Tres Leches cake and Espresso Martini well made. Laura B. was the best server and so friendly! I highly recommend Via Emilia!

The ambiance of the restaurant is absolutely incredible. It feels like you've been transported to an upscale, old-timey Italian restaurant in New York. The set up is beautiful - dim lit and romantic with Mr. Sinatra playing in the background. Although I came for lunch, I can only imagine it gets better for dinner. I ordered off of the lunch menu and ended up getting the Chicken Caprese, it was accompanied by angel hair pesto pasta. As a huge fan of Caprese salad, I was pleasantly surprised to see that a traditional salad dish be transformed into a palatable entree. The chicken was juicy, and the Balsamic Glaze, tomato, and cheese served as the perfect cherry on top. Unfortunately, the pesto pasta wasn't doing it for me. It was very fragrant, but also very bland. Every other aspect wow'ed me though. The cappuccino was delicious. The complimentary bread was soft and fluffy, and the service was top-notch. Everything arrived quickly and my server made sure to have me out in time to get back to work. She even packed up my food for me. Thanks girly! After dining here, I thought to myself that I either have to bring my partner on a date or take my family for a nice dinner here. I'm hoping that the bland pasta was just a fluke... I guess we'll see for next time!

Good food and atmosphere. This is the closest thing to "Mob" Italian food in The Woodlands, maybe Houston. Sometimes they try too hard. I don't need the balsamic AND Italian dressing on the caprese salad, but other than that... this place feels like a NYC upscale Italian restaurant to me. The piano player comes and plays in the bar after 630p on Saturdays (when I usually go!). Cinzano!

A very very good Italian restaurant. Dont let the location fool you! The food and ambiance was very nice!

My husband and I frequently go to Via Emilia in the Woodlands, Texas. We have never had a bad experience there. We have eaten at tables and we've eaten at the bar. It is always exceptional service and exceptional food. I highly recommend it.

We had the pleasure of dining at Via Emilia a couple of months ago while planning our wedding! We met up with out wedding coordinator and the DJ for dinner here, and let me tell you, our socks were blown! Food was delicious, we had minestrone soup, pasta, and calamari and everything was delicious. Our server was very kind and patient, helped us pick out a wine, also brought out a whole display of desserts! There at piano playing in the background, it was just lovely. We're planning on being back soon! We were so distracted by the whole wedding talk to take photos but next time we'll be sure to post some photos!

This gets a one star review for its poor management and communication skills. My wife and I booked a table for 8pm on the 8th and arrived at 7.53 to be told our table was "not quite ready". We went and sat at the bar. I purchased a gin and tonic and discovered the gin selection is sorely lacking. No Aviation, Botanist or Hendricks. At 8.19 we were asked by a server if we were another party, who clearly were being seated ahead of us and were asked if we would like to eat at the bar. I declined. Just after 8.30 the maitre d told us our table was ready and simply expected us to accept the delay. No offer of compensation such as paying for the drinks was offered. I told the maitre d that this was unacceptable only to be given a lame and vague excuse and a less than authentic apology. At that point we left. Rather than the maitre d proposing a solution to the issue I was asked to say what the restaurant could do to make things right. So they wanted me to fix their problem. I went there to eat, not negotiate a bad dining experience. By the time the table was ready we had lost our appetite. When I booked for 8 that is when I wanted to eat. This restaurant needs to up its game.

I loved this place so much! Everything was amazing! The shrimp pasta hit the spot! It was light but flavorful! Truly reminded me of Italy! The mussels were tasty and so were the bacon wrapped dates! Those are must try appetizers. We went on wine Wednesday so they had half off some wines so we definitely got a bottle. The ambiance was a little on the darker side but it wasn't too bad. The service was good as well very attentive! I totally recommend this place especially for a work dinner.

The food was absolutely exquisite. Authentic Italian elegant ambiance. Loved your eat with the live piano music. The wait staff were friendly, helpful and professional great find. Adding it to our rotation

We ordered $750 worth of catering. I get there and they told me that I have to check in with the bar. The guy at the bar finally comes to where I am at and says the food will be out shortly. He comes and puts over 9 trays of food on the bar and says here you go, thanks. He does not offer to take it out, I don't have to sign anything and the manager who sees me taking out all these trays in a total of three trips never offers to take anything out instead just opens the door. What poor service, makes customers feel unappreciated! This will be the last time I caterer from this joint.

The food is always excellent, the portion sizes exceed expectations. The ambience is always comfortable. The service runs hot and cold.

Very good Italian food! This is a great place for a date night or celebration dinner.

We have been going to their restaurants for maybe 20 years and today's lunch was no exception to our past experiences! Ours server, Chad, was amazing! He was so polite, helpful and an awesome server! The food was beautifully plated, served promptly, piping hot and never forget DELICIOUS! They had an artichoke special stuffed with Crab and OMG it was delicious! The sea bass is always a favorite as well as the pear salad! And NEVER pass up desserts! All their desserts are made in house and are FABULOUS! And even took one home to enjoy later I also love that they have a more casual side and a more evening dining room with another decor that is more evening. And cannot wait to see that they are opening up a new concept! i can't remember the name but we are definitely going to try it out!! And love that Carlo, the owner, is still in the restaurant and we got to say hello and also meet his Mother! The only thing missing is the fish tank with the kissing fish inside lol!

Service was slow. Food was ok. No reason to recommend reservations- the place was empty.

Via Emilia in The Woodlands is a fancy Italian restaurant with outstanding food and excellent staff. The upscale atmosphere makes it worth every penny!

The establishment is very nice and clean. Service was prompt. Everything was delightful from drinks, to appetizers, entrees, and limoncello cake. The waitress was pleasant. Would return to try other entrees.

Our meal was fantastic! We enjoyed a very well prepared and served meal. We shared all of our dishes and our server (Eric?) was excellent! We will certainly come back again.

All the dishes at Via Emilia are hand crafted and delicious! The food had such depth of flavor that you could taste every element, from the wine in the braised short ribs to the capers in the lemon chicken. The service was also amazing! Brett tended to our every need. The manager even popped by to make sure we were enjoying our meal. We will be back!

All good, especially pumpkin ravioli to die for!! Great cocktails too!!! Service great!!

What a hidden gem! My mother in law wanted to take us to a nice Italian restaurant and this place had great reviews, now I see why! They had a live pianist, exquisite customer service, and excellent food. We had the pleasure of having Tonali as our waitress. She was kind, knew the menu, and extremely personable. I can't wait to take my husband to this restaurant! I ordered the beef short rib, asparagus, and garlic Parmesan risotto. The short rib literally slides right off the bone. Everything was excellent. I also ordered the tiramisu - I shared it with my two sister in laws, it was so rich and definitely enough to share. I also want to make a point to say my water never went below half a glass! Everyone was extremely attentive! I highly recommend this restaurant! We will be back! The food was a onderful, authentic and full of flavor! Thank you chef! Thank you Tonali.

Very romantic atmosphere inside. Lights are set like a candle lit dinner. Food was delicious and service was top notch.

Via Emelia is a wonderful Italian restaurant with an old world feeling. The employees are wonderful and the food is fantastic! We had a dates, goat cheese, and bacon appetizer that was fantastic. My husband and I enjoyed the lamb shank and the antelope dishes offered. Above all, Patric Z was a fantastic true Italian waiter. He was gracious with his knowledge of Italy and was very enjoyable to talk to about the differences in our cultures. He steered my husband perfectly when sled his opinion between choices of dishes. Don't miss out on this great place!

I have lived in The Woodlands for 7 years after moving from NY and have not had a good traditional Italian meal yet I had heard about Emilia's but after being thoroughly disappointed trying other restaurants I didn't want to make the effort. Finally went last week and I am really glad I did. I was ready to be disappointed but the ambience was great, service was excellent and every course that we ordered was done the right way. I ordered the meatballs as a litmus test because most places don't make them right and after one bite I knew that the kitchen knew what they were doing. The chicken park was good, osso bucco was excellent and they even made me an affogato without asking what it was. Enjoyed every minute being there - it was like a favorite place back in NY and we will be going back a lot more often.

This place is amazing 100% recommended Traje a mi novia aquí y fue una de las mejores experiencias el ambiente es muy limpio y son muy atentos en todo momento y los postres muy deliciosos

If you haven't been to this restaurant save your pennies and go. Our first visit to this amazing restaurant was today on our 39th wedding anniversary. The charm of the interior, the ambience , the well trained and the tasty menu only precedes the beautifully prepared foods that will satisfy your palette beyond belief. We had the beef short rib and the linguini with clams for the main course. Each was amazing.

Great ambiance, delicious eggplant parmigiana. Awesome wine selection and food options

The best Italian food! Great service and atmosphere is perfect. Love their happy hours too.

Have enjoyed every dinning experience we've had here over the past several years. High marks for their cocktails, the wine selection, and of course the food. Of particular note; Lary P. the server, is perhaps the most exceptional we've had since moving to The Woodlands area. Knowledgeable, attentive, and the perfect amount of charm that truly enhanced the entire experience. Bravissimo Via Emilia.

Amazing experience! The food was authentic and delicious with a great ambiance to surround it. We got to try a variety of items and each one left us stunned. Additionally, the service was great! Our waiter, Patrick really added to the whole experience through sharing his expertise and love for his Italian heritage. I highly recommend and will be asking for Patrick next time we go!

This is one of the best Italian restaurants I have been to. I've been wanting to try this resturant for awhile and I'm so glad we choose to eat here. This is the perfect atmosphere for date night or any intimate night, the decor is so old world and pretty. We had great service, everyone was super nice. Now the food was just wow it was so delicious. The bread that came out was so light crispy buttery and garlicky and it's served with this olive oil balsamic sauce. It was so good we got two baskets of it. The Caesar salad was great the dressing was flavorful and you get a nice portion. Our entrees were fabulous, my husband said his Lemon Chicken was perfect that it very tasty with the lemon and pasta that the chicken was perfect. My seafood pasta was excellent it came with so much seafood and that red spicy sauce is so good. The Lemon Tiramisu was to die for it was super light and creamy with limoncello flavor it was great. The drinks were also very good as well. Overall we had a great experience here and I would highly recommend coming here for date night or any special event.

I am Korean, and I experienced discrimination here. (They placed us in a super dark area, and then the food was extremely salty - unless mistakenly poured the salt over the pasta)

Beautiful restaurant, very intimate ambiance, and exceptional food. The servers make you feel like a priority.

Why did we wait so long to try, what turned out to be, one of the best restaurants in The Woodlands? I could kick myself for depriving myself of this gem for so long but instead I'll just be grateful for finally getting my heinie in here! We dined for the first time only three nights ago and now I'm about to make reservations for a special family dinner here for tonight. We ordered the squid ink seafood pasta and the pork medallions- both absolutely delicious but the pork medallions with the perfect Parmesan risotto & crispy shallots was just one of those dishes where everything comes together in perfection and you simply can not wait to enjoy it again! For dessert we had the cake flight...okay, there is no cake flight on the menu but I couldn't decide between the limoncello or amaretto cake so, both it was. Amaretto was the star for me and I'll be ordering it again tonight. Bryce was our waiter and he was outstanding and such a delightful person! Truly, everyone we encountered, from hostess to other staff refilling waters to managers dropping by our table, were caring and attentive. We also appreciated the atmosphere- decor and piano player really rounded out a spectacular dining experience. Thank you to all!

What a hidden gem in the Woodlands! Don't let the outside fool you, because the inside is absolutely beautiful! This spot is perfect for a romantic venture or date night with its low lighting and beautiful dining rooms. As a bonus, they provide beautiful live music in the bar area with the melodic sounds that resonate from the piano. This adds to the romantic atmosphere and gives it an extra elegant feel! We were seated immediately and promptly taken care of by our very friendly and accommodating waiter. It was his first week here but I went with his recommendations on what to try. He was spot on with the Chicken Emilia. The crusting and toppings were perfect but I opted out of the sun dried tomatoes. The blended creamy sauce created for this dish was one of my favorite parts. For the side I substituted the asparagus with the rosemary potato slices. Very delicious! The presentation and flavor were absolutely wonderful as well. My husband opted for an all Italian favorite which is the Spaghetti Classico. What a beautiful dish with a very savory sauce blended in. The meatballs were created to rounded meaty perfection which makes the perfect centerpiece to the perfect dish! We were far too full for dessert but they had such a huge variety that I know I'll be back to try at least one. Overall this restaurant gives off such a genuine Italian feel. As far as authentic look, feel, and dishes go, this restaurant has everything you could ever ask for.

So .. now being from the Guido state of NJ, it's always hard to find a good Italian restaurant in other states. Last time we read reviews on an good Italian restaurant here in Texas.. it was one step above an Olive Garden. This time we found a good one!! Don't be alarmed that this restaurant is in a strip mall. Living in NJ (strip mall capital).. good things are at strip malls. Wasn't expecting the inside to be so pretty. To start we had the following appetizers.. Mussels.... they were plentiful in a delicious broth. Burrata with prosciutto and figs and excellent. Burrata was tasty. Pears with Gorgonzola cheese was surprisingly fantastic!! The flavors mixed together complemented each other. Dinners Eggplant parmigiana was delicious. Not cut too thick. Perfectly crisp cheese on top. (sauce was a tad sweet but still very good). Pork medallion with broccolini and carrots. Pork was very tender and flavorful. Pork chop with peppercorn sauce with a side of Parmesan risotto was excellent. Pork chop was cooked perfectly with just enough char on the bone (love the bones). Dessert Bread pudding was awesome!! Lemon-cello cake was good. Chocolate cake was great. Creme brûlée with berries. All appetizers, entrees and desserts were perfect sizes. Service was phenomenal!! Very attentive and offered great suggestions. Definitely will return!!

Our new favorite Italian in The Woodlands. Food, ambiance, service, everything was incredible! We can't wait to go back

Food, ambience, and service - all top notch. Our server was Larry, he was exceptional.

Via Emilia is your new go to spot for authentic Italian in The Woodlands - you just might not know it yet. Classy atmosphere pairs perfectly with the incredible offerings coming from the kitchen (where an true Italian grandma is the executive chef). I've been there solo, on date night with my wife, with my whole family and with large groups. Never had a bad plate or bad server or bad experience. You must try this spot and any of their sister locations - Avanti. You won't regret it.

Amazing food and service. Always enjoy the piano player as well. Wonderful spot for conversation.

Delicious authentic Italian food. My linguini was awesome. I taste the Limon, wine, butter, capers, fresh gamberi, fresh pasta. Not too salty. Everything in right proportion....I'm satisfied with the yuminess. I ke the tiramisu over the tres leches. I find the tres leches too sweet and has coconut flavor. The tiramisu is just right, not too sweet and could be shared between 4 people after having a generous entree. Service was excellent!

I was afraid we were over dressed when we came upon this spot in a shopping center. But we were immediately set at ease once we stepped inside. It is such a warm and elegant place making you feel both welcome and special. We were greeted at the door and quickly sat. No time passed before our server was bringing water and introducing themself. White wine mussels, wedge salad, and Barata to start. Seafood pasta with squid ink pasta, gnocchi, veal chop, a red snapper in lemon butter and caper sauce over pasta. Tiramisu to go. So...it was way too much food. Most of us had left overs and had to take dessert to go. My husband and I intended to split the squid ink pasta and the wedge salad, but the waiter said that would not be enough. That was definitely not the case. I loved every dish but not all were Wows. My favorites were the White Wine Mussels and the Snapper. The gnocchi fan said theirs was bland compared to the rest of the dishes. (We all swapped bites). The squid ink pasta lacked richness but the mixed seafood inside was perfect. The veal chops was delicious. The prices were not nearly as high as we expected. The portions were very generous. Service was good. We went at 5pm on a Saturday and there was plenty of parking. We will definitely be going back.

Everything! My Dinner was beyond delicious! They have an extensive wine selection! The server was very knowledgeable & personable! I loved the atmosphere... like being in an Italian village. The overall service and dining experience was excellent!!!!

We chose Via Emilia to celebrate our anniversary. What a great choice. We loved the atmosphere the food was maybe the best we've ever had. Service was exceptional. Such a great find in The Woodlands. We will be back soon and bring our daughter and her family.

Manager is a joke. Witnessed him barking orders at the older gentleman to fill waters while he paced around in his suit doing nothing. Service was great at the beginning but went downhill. 4/6 of our dishes came out while the other two didn't come out for another 15 minutes. While waiting, we could see the manager chatting at the host stand not aware of anything going on in his restaurant. Once our server notified him about our missing dishes, he came over and said it would be a few more minutes. He brought out our final dishes then went right back to the host stand. The dish he brought had hard noodles which was disappointing after already waiting 15 minutes. This was our first time here and we will not be returning. You would think on a busy night like Father's Day, your manager would be more aware of customers and their experience!

So, today I feel I showed the support for a struggling business YELP is encouraging. I'd seen Facebook posts for the past 5 months for VE and was finally able to drop in for lunch. $27.00 with modest tip later, I'd had a small glass (4 oz?) of wine, and 4 dates stuffed with goat cheese and wrapped in bacon. Presentation was ok, and service was excellent. Atmosphere outside was harshed with loud truck passing, and warm humidity, but made better because I could here the live piano inside. Sadly,returning soon will not be an option. Not sure how prices this high can be supported. Hoping a menu appears soon with lunch specials and prices that keep the lights on for me and Via Emilia!

Visually really appealing but way too salty. Would have given it at least a 4 star it wasn't because of the salt.

Always so good. Consistent. Live music. Great food. Love the burratta. An old school spot that always is fun.

Alton was a wonderful server. I have been here several times and it just keeps getting better! After being to Italy twice in my life, this place brings back so many memories from there! It truly is authentic. The atmosphere is always nice !

This is the stuff that dreams are made of. I literally can eat here every single day and never get tired of it. Food is amazing. The restaurant is beautiful.