Vita

We love coming to Vita! Whether it’s a quick stop for their home made gelato or a night out for dinner, we know we are always going to get a solid product. The pasta is very fresh, and they offer a variety of other Italian dishes which always hit the spot. And the gelato is 10/10. Best spot in Philly!

We’ve always loved dining at Vita — for the food, the atmosphere, and the warm hospitality — but hosting our wedding party there took everything to another level. From the moment we started planning, the owners Massimo and Ana made us feel completely supported and understood. They took care of everything — the decorations, the food, the organization — with such thoughtfulness and care, it truly exceeded our expectations. The space looked absolutely beautiful on the night of the event — elegant, cozy, and full of charm. It felt like an extension of everything we already loved about Vita, just elevated for such a special occasion. As always, the food was outstanding. Every dish was perfectly prepared, full of authentic Italian flavor, and served with impeccable timing. We knew it would be good — because it always is — but somehow it was even better than we imagined. Our guests were blown away! The entire evening ran so smoothly thanks to the amazing staff, who were kind, professional, and incredibly attentive. A heartfelt thank you to Massimo and Ana for making our wedding celebration unforgettable. Your passion and warmth shine through in everything you do, and we’re so grateful we could celebrate such an important moment with you. If you’re looking for a place that combines excellent food, beautiful ambiance, and people who truly care, Vita is it.

Disappointed, we ordered four dishes. Beef tartar has no flavor. Crudo fish hard to chew. Risotto is okay. Steak is ridiculous, definitely not high quality steak, when you put that much sauce on it, you don’t taste the meat, but the texture is obvious, not good. And the flavor is not good either. We also had the tiramisus, grocery store level quality. In my opinion, either everything is pre-prepared, or the chef is that bad. Service is ridiculous too, waitress didn’t smile at all, took my cocktail away before I finished and ask me if I want another one. Please learn what is customer service, or go to an eye doctor.

Highly recommend this Philly gem with a fun, speakeasy entry experience. Started with Focaccia and Broccolini Caesar - AMAZING! Balanzoni dish was fresh and the portion was just right. Went out front to Vita’s Gelateria for dessert. So many options, made in-house! The dark chocolate was superb! The owner even took time to greet our table and engaged in our banter. 5 stars!

What a nice quant little gelato spot in the city, I take the train down probably once a week now to walk around, get myself an affagotto. With the flavors changing so frequently makes it great, pistachio is So so good, the people are awesome at the counter, always friendly and cheerful. Haven’t had the pleasure of eating at the restaurant yet,but there will be a day.

I gave it two stars because the waiters were nice and the esthetics were beautiful. The food was horrible, the bread was hard the menu was very limited. The only thing I like was the carrots 🥕 the chicken didn't taste bad but it was not seasoned well. & the food took over a hour to come so I won't be going back. The pasta was not good either very bland and no taste.

Vita has become one of my favorite go to restaurants in the city. Everything is so cozy, the employees are so fun and friendly, and the food is unbelievable. From the people serving the gelato, to the hostess, to the servers, to the owner, everyone start to finish provided us with an amazing evening. Couldn’t recommend more for any and every occasion!!

Great Italian spot in Philly. Loved this place! The food was really good, super fresh, and full of flavor. Everything tasted homemade and comforting, just like good Italian food should be. The vibe is cozy and relaxed, and the staff was friendly and helpful the whole time. Portions were generous and the prices felt fair for the quality. Definitely a great spot if you’re craving Italian food in Philadelphia. Would 100% come back!

I discovered Vita through Tiktok when I was looking for a place to host my birthday dinner at, and they really came through! For starters, it's really cool that they're an ice cream shop out front, with a hidden speakeasy-style restaurant in the back. You can get a reservation through their website, but for larger groups, you have to email them. I emailed & spoke with Massimo Boni to coordinate - for groups of 9+, they offer a pre-fix family style menu with a minimum of $75pp (food + drinks). Massimo walked me through the dishes and offered great suggestions to help me tailor the courses to my guests, all while keeping dietary restrictions in mind. 10/10 experience, and super fast response! For the pre-fix menu, we were able to get 2-3 antipasti, 3-4 primi, 1-2 secondi, and 1 contorno from the menu. I ended up getting the Gamberi, Stracciatella, and Arancini for starters, then the Balanzoni, Vodka, Bolognese, and Cappalletti for the pastas, and ended with Ribeeye steak and Zucchini chips. My favorite was probably the Arancini and the Rigatoni vodka, the flavors were amazing. I equally liked the rest of the dishes, though I will say the Ribeye steak was a bit too salty for my liking. The zucchini chips had an addicting crunch and were a favorite in the group. Overall would come back here again, and the service was also great!

Went here for some dessert after dinner at a nearby restaurant. Have hear did this place many times and was on the list to try, so made sure to leave room to try it. Has an appealing large glass window that allows you to into the store from the street. Good bright lighting that isn't overpowering but enough to make the space feel light and warm. Walked in and automatically greeted by the staff behind the counter. He was so welcoming, kind and helpful in choosing flavor pairings. I can't remember which two I got, but I know they were delicious and paired well with one another. Plan to come back to try other flavors and do want to try the restaurant one day. At the very least, go here and get yourself some gelato!

Cool Speakeasy Vibes, Great Service -- But a Bit Pricey for What You Get This restaurant is a hidden gem--literally. It's a speakeasy-style spot, and I won't spoil the surprise by naming it outright, because the unexpected reveal is part of the fun. It definitely took me off guard in a good way! Service was a highlight of the night. Our server, Faith, was absolutely wonderful--super sweet, genuinely attentive, and made the whole experience feel warm and welcoming. The ambiance is cool and trendy, though I will say the lighting was a bit too bright for the vibe they're going for. A little dimmer and it would feel much more intimate and moody--something you'd expect from a speakeasy-style restaurant. As for the food: * The whipped ricotta appetizer with rosemary and honey was phenomenal--easily one of the best bites of the night. * The rigatoni vodka was creamy and delicious, super satisfying. * The bolognese was fresh and flavorful, though it could use just a touch more seasoning to really stand out. * The balanzoni was actually a standout--unique and very tasty. * The cappelletti Genovese was just okay; nothing wrong with it, but it didn't wow us. Overall, the food is solid, with some standout moments--but portions are very small. If you come in super hungry, you may leave still dreaming of a giant slice from Lorenzo's (which, fun fact, is only 6 minutes away and roughly the size of a blanket). The main drawback? It's overpriced for what you get in terms of both quantity and overall wow-factor. It's definitely worth trying once for the experience and ambiance, but not necessarily a place you'll be itching to revisit. Final verdict: 4 out of 5 stars. A cool spot with great service and some memorable bites--but with a few tweaks, it could go from good to amazing.

I'm not a big ice cream person but I really liked this shop. It's was small, well lit, and friendly. I got the Dubai chocolate ice cream and it tasted amazing.

Best stop near rittenhouse for gelato! Such a cute store and I heard there is more to see as well! They change the gelato flavors every week too

Came for a birthday celebration. Food was good, different than what Im use to but still good. The kale salad I liked surprisingly. The shrimp were probably my favorite. Steak had a sweetness to it but I loved the flavors. The risotto was ehh Ive had better. I just think they need a bigger bathroom area because the line was a little wait for the ladies room in the basement. Friendly staff

Vita has been expanding its dessert selection. I had the cheesecake with Nutella topping and it was divine. For Nutella lovers like me , I highly recommend it. Smooth and creamy with some pieces of crunchy Kinder and enrobed with generous amount of Nutella. The latest addition that I tried today Is key lime pie bar topped with beautifully torched sweet meringue. Perfect for spring.

I really, really wanted to love Vita/Behind the Red Door, but unfortunately it fell flat for me. The experience itself was so fun and unique with the password and hidden door, and the decor was super cute. Our service was unfortunately a little on the slow side, which was odd considering we were one of the first tables for dinner and it was pretty empty. For drinks, we had one non-alcoholic option (shout out for the options!), and I opted for the When One Door closes but asked to sub tequila. Unfortunately it was not my favorite and was not what I expected, but maybe others love it. For food, we started with the whipped ricotta and zucchini chips (normally a side), both of which were delicious. Oddly, our waitress offered us extra bread for the whipped ricotta (which we opted for), but then it never came and our waitress never came back while our starters were at the table. I also picked the scampi risotto for my entree, and it was not at all what was advertised or what was expected. I was expecting a white wine/butter/garlic sauce, but instead it was red/tomato based and had a serious kick (but the menu did not have a chili pepper). I would not have ordered it had I known what I would be getting. We opted against dessert, mostly because we were disappointed and confused that they didn't offer the same flavors in the restaurant that they did in the gelato shop out front. They did offer us a complimentary gelato as we were celebrating our anniversary which was super sweet and appreciated. In all, I think I had high expectations and Vita just did not hit the mark for me. I'm glad I tried it, and I would go back if asked, but I don't think I'd suggest it myself.

I mean, who doesn't love a speak easy and fresh pasta?! Pro tip- they actually make you whisper the magic words to go through the "fridge." First expectation- I was shocked as to how large the restaurant was for being a speak easy, and boy was it PACKED! It had a sexy vibe to it- dimmed with lush velvet chairs, and cherubs galore. Aesthetic on fleek. The menu is seasonal, which does complicate things with how fiercely this place books up. Luckily, the featured menu at the time (December) looked divine. Cocktails were good, if I remember correctly. What could be bad about a traditional espresso martini, right?! Appetizers: No way can you go to an Italian joint and not get the focaccia bread. It was superb- salted to perfection with a delicious sun-dried, whipped butter. We also opted for the fried zucchini- YUM! and lastly, my favorite, the crudo...the citrus added suched a delicious brightness to the dish- I could eat that over and over again. Our party of four went with four different pasta dishes...because, duh, you have to try *everything*! I'm writing this way after the fact so I don't remember the name of every pasta, but it doesn't matter- they were all DELECTABLE! Even the gluten free option for my husband was to die for. We also got the chicken to try and that was equally as delicious as the homemade pastas. One star off for not having a larger variety of protein entrees, but I get it...pasta's the star, here! I can't see myself running back here, but it was a great dining experience. I definitely recommend giving Behind The Door a go.

Made a reservation to "More Behind the Door" a little speakeasy behind a gelato shop. We got our password 30 minutes before our reservation. The restaurant itself was nice and the staff were incredibly helpful. We ordered a salad, pasta dish and the steak to share between the two of us. The salad had a great bite, the steak was cooked to perfection, and the pasta was the star. pro tip: ask for bread to soak up all of that amazing Parmesan broth! Highly recommend the tiramisu!

My husband made a dinner reservation for us at Vita last month. Like many other foodies, he was drawn to Vita's speakeasy concept. We didn't need to provide the password to be let in to the restaurant from behind the gelato counter. We were seated within a reasonable amount of time upon entering the restaurant. Our server was very nice, but you can tell the restaurant was understaffed, as there were only 1 or 2 servers taking orders in the entire restaurant. My husband and I kicked off dinner with a few appetizers, including the Arancini, the Chrysanthemum Caesar, and the grilled whole prawns. The Arancini was perfectly fried and tasted fine. The Chrysanthemum Caesar Salad was a nice and slightly elevated Caesar Salad topped with Chrysanthemum flower powder. As for the whole prawns, parts of it were burnt. The flavors were good, and had the prawns not been burnt, it would have been a great dish. For our main courses, my husband and I shared 3 pasta dishes, including the Bucatini alla Amatriciana, the Tagliatelle Ragu Bolognese, and the Rigatoni alla vodka. The best pasta dish was definitely the Taliatelle Ragu Bolognese, but the Rigatoni alla vodka was also good. The salted cured meat in the Bucatini could be less fatty. Overall, the pastas were comparable to Tulip Pasta's, Cicala's and Via Locusta's. After all that savory and fatty food we just ate, we were really craving citrusy, fruity gelato, but the only gelato that was offered on their dessert menu was a chocolate, rose, and pistachio trio. If we wanted other flavors, we would need to order them outside from the gelato counter. Out of our own convenience, we went with the gelato trio on the dessert menu, which was still good, but did not quite hit the spot for us. When my husband and I were ready to leave, we were instructed to exit from the back door, so as not to give away the secret entrance behind the gelato counter. We walked out into a small patio, and let ourselves out into the back alley way, where the dumpsters were. The restaurant's garbage stink wrapped around us as we quickly walked out of there. Knocking off one star for this.

I learned of this restaurant through the TikTok app. I was excited to dine at a "secret" restaurant that I didn't even look at the menu until after I made the reservation. lol The front facing business is dessert; specifically gelato. I love the aesthetics of gelato. The display, the colors, the clean sleek look and here at Vita's is a large red door that looks like an old Frigidaire door but bright red. Thirty minutes prior to your reservation time, you will receive a text message with the secret word or short phrase. When you arrive, you give that word or phrase to the scooper or cashier and they will check your name to confirm your reservation. From there you walk through the red door. The restaurant is dimly lite making it a little difficult to read the menu but that's an easy fix with the light in your mobile phone. The cuisine at this restaurant is Italian. I was not familiar with a lot of what was on the menu so after a google search I settled on Focaccia (yes bread was my antipasta/starter) and pasta with bolognese sauce. I enjoyed the focaccia and the accompanying spread made of tomato butter, coriander and, fennel seeds. Delicious. For the entree my partner and I ordered the Tagliatelle Ragu Bolognese. The dish was okay, not one of my favorites. For dessert we enjoyed a vanilla and chocolate ice cream. That was yummy. I like the setup of the restaurant but I didn't have anything to eat that would put this restaurant back on repeat visit list.

This might be my first time having gelato, can't remember but honestly it was super good. The texture is light, fluffy, and creamy. They have some really interesting flavors like maple date, pumpkin spice (seasonal), pistachio, and guava (rare find!) I ended up getting a small of their pistachio (which seems like their most popular since the bin was almost empty compared to other flavors) and Oreo. Pistachio flavor was amazing, salty, not too strong, and didn't taste artificial. Oreo was classic. I'd come back and try the speakeasy restaurant in the back!

This review is for the speakeasy behind the gelato bar! The restaurant gets booked out pretty far in advance but there seemed to be more last minute availability- just need to set an alert on Resy. First thing- the vibe when you walk in is awesome. Super classy, moody, elegant. Would be a great date night spot. We had a reservation but still had to wait about 10 minutes to be seated. For food, we ordered the whipped ricotta and arancini to start. Both were delicious! The ricotta might have been my favorite thing we ate all night. The arancini came with a yummy spicy sauce. For entrees, we got the butternut squash pasta and ricotta ravioli. The butternut squash pasta was a little too sweet for my taste- could've used some salt or maybe a spiced component to balance it out. The ricotta ravioli was lovely- super light and delicate flavors. For dessert, we got a chocolate torte. We were pretty unimpressed with this. It didn't taste like high quality chocolate and just didn't have a lot going on. It was served with a delicious gelato, though the flavors didn't quite go- I think the gelato was basil or rosemary? They apparently switch up the menu often so I would definitely come back to keep trying what's new. Our waiter was also really helpful and nice. He had great recommendations and was very open to our feedback on some of the dishes. Overall, this is a great addition to the neighborhood.

I first came to Vita back in October. Parking: very very hard! There's a $15 parking garage on Litmer between 15th & 16th. Atmosphere: low light and noisy. Service: server was very slow. Wait time between courses was over 35 minutes. Drink; the green one wasn't good. I sent it back Food: Focaccia with tomato butter & whipped Ricotta with sourdough. I didn't like the sourdough. I took the whipped Ricotta and mixed it with the tomato butter and put it on the Focaccia. That changed the game!!! Delicious!!!! Shrimp: it was mushy Ceasar salad was good! Pasta with butter squash and hazelnut in a broth. Sooooo good!!! Our entrees took so long that we had to takeaway the following: Steak: omgggg!! Sooooo delicious!!!!!! Red snapper: very tasty!! Broccolini was cooked just right! Fast forward, I was there 17th Nov and Ben was our server. Ben was awesome!! Very knowledgeable and have good service!! This made the dining experience so much better!! I came with 2 other ppl and they thoroughly enjoyed the above dishes. We added the mushroom pasta and it was good!! Red Wine, lemon drop and Bourbon drinks were hot!! Massimo made his round to our table. He's so engaging! Great guy. We stopped to the Gelato shop. The guys up there are so nice. I had the dark chocolate, Pistachio and passionfruit mango and it was so good!!! Very smooth and creamy! The person I invited enjoyed hers as well Overall, Massimo said if I come a 3rd time? I'm a regular!

Overall: the food was great! Delicious! We enjoyed every dish. The beef tartare and the red snapper were really nice ways to start off the meal. The red snapper had bright flavors from the citrus and the tomato dashi had a subtly comforting flavor. The beef tartare was more on the salty side but probably because it needed to be since it's rare? All the pastas were creamy and delicious. The portion sizes are quite small for the prices so we ended up having to order 3 pasta dishes for the two of us and more food. Also note that parking is hard to find around here unless you pay for garage.

This review is for the restaurant! You walk in through a secret door into a low lit restaurant. Everyone is super friendly from the moment you arrive. The service is top notch. We were celebrating our anniversary and got a free desert! I had the whipped ricotta and the rigatoni allá vodka. The whipped ricotta was AMAZING and honestly the best part of my meal. It had a nice, sweet taste to it. One serving is big enough to share with up to 4 people. The pasta was good, but I've had better. The rigatoni was cooked al dente so it was a bit chewy.

Vibes: sleek, small gelateria that hides a casual, surprisingly spacious Italian restaurant with an outdoor patio; bring a friend or a few Tasting notes: Meatballs: very savory, slightly crumbly texture; very salty tomato sauce; paired bread was just a touch too burnt and dry Rigatoni: al dente pasta; sauce was more on the tomatoey side Pollo al mattone; extremely salty chicken but tender meat and crispy skin; somewhat imbalanced with the pile of fennel Zucchini chips: good chip size and excellent coating Gelato: we ended up getting amarena cherry and pistachio out front which were both lovely and rich in flavor but not too heavy Other thoughts: - Meatballs came before the drinks even though the order was taken at the same time - Some down time between dishes - Appreciated the clean dishes and silverware with each course Impression: very average in terms of food especially for the price point and difficulty with getting a reservation, would just come back to the gelateria at most.

The red door experience! Love the password required entry and the whole setup. The entire staff was amazing and helpful in making our anniversary a delight. Attentive and quick service without being too bothersome. Onto the meal: - the antipasti of choice were sourdough & Nonna's Meatballs. The whipped ricotta just melted away on your bite and the sweetness of the honey was a great taste. My only minor complaint was at the end of it you're left with more of the olive oil and bread than anything else on your palette. Nonna's meatballs were smaller than expected but it was perfect for an appetizer. The sausage itself had a hint of sweetness to it while being complimented by the basil, Parmesan, and tomato sauce. My primi was the Balanzoni. Though the meal wasn't huge I think it was more elegant in terms of how it felt post eating. Very flavorful meal, and the sauce was an excellent creamy and rich flavor, I tried to eat it by itself. The meal left you satisfied but not stuffed which is great. I did not have a dessert as I wasn't a fan of the available gelato flavors. The limonata was a mocktailndrink to dip with its citrusy zest. As the ice melted and it watered down, the drink began to find a fine balance to fully drink it down.

We were excited to visit this hidden gem, behind the Red Fridge Door. Very cool entrance and layout..with friendly staff to show us to our table. Cocktails were inventive and tasty! Starters were surprisingly larger than expected, so if you want to save room for the entree, split an app. Entrees were beautifully laid out and certainly better than expected portions. As far as overall unique flavors...well.. Everything was good, fish, pasta, etc. Just not amazing. Very nice, good, etc. Just now blown away. as we hoped. So basically, curb your expectations and enjoy the hidden restaurant vibe.

I wanted to book this restaurant for my birthday because I love restaurants with fresh homemade pasta and I love trying new places. This place is new so we had to stay up till midnight to get reservations when they released the next months. I liked the speakeasy concept and the ambiance. The cocktails were ok. I ordered the bottoni. It was ok but a little too tart, too much lime flavor I think. My friend also ordered it and didn't realize it didn't have red sauce so he didn't eat it and gave me some of his. We ordered a gelato dessert that was good and got more gelato later in the front of the restaurant too. The meal was good but seemed a little overpriced. All the pastas were pretty standard there is nothing really inventive. I'm glad we tried it but probably wouldn't return.

Finally found out what's behind the red door - and it was worth the hype! We arrived at the gelato shop on the front end and let the workers know we had a reservation for the restaurant. We were led to a red door and walked into a full service restaurant! Inside it's spacious with lots of seating, a full bar, and even some outdoor space! We checked with the attendants inside the restaurant and were lead to our table. We enjoyed some amazing food and drinks were so inventive and went down easy. The service was great and we enjoyed the ambiance plenty. Definitely worth checking out!

Vita is a cool speakeasy inside the gelato shop. Smaller than I expected but simple... kind of underwhelming. It was rough getting a reservation but we made it. Food/drinks were ok. Only complaint is they did take a while to bring out our entrees after the appetizers. The Arancini was my least favorite.. there was no real flavor. Food: 3/5 | Service: 4/5 | Ambience: 4/5

Great service, the food was tasty, I ordered the ricotta toast, rigatoni with vodka sauce, caesar salad, and the pear ginger gelato. I have been daydreaming about that ricotta toast & gelato everyday. Cool concept of needing a password to get through the red door.

Food and service top notch! Try the ribeye and homemade pasta dishes, won't disappoint...

So this is for the front of shop, gelato only. Really cute storefront with great service. The old fashioned refrigerator you see is a ploy! It's a door leading to a "speakeasy " in the back. Kinder Bueno was a great flavor.

I had the most phenomenal eating experience here for my 40th birthday! The service was excellent, each plate so memorable and the ambiance can't be beat. Who doesn't love an alluring red door that leads to the restaurant behind a gelato place? I definitely need to go back soon.

July 4 special- raspberry, lemon, butterfly pea tea coconut vanilla- love the combination. Fresh, not too hard or soft, visually pleasing, and fast service. Special thanks to EatsWithDeezy's IG for the visual and his variety of food. Would love to see him write some Yelp reviews and see him at Elite events if he is allowed. The staff was friendly and very quick. Gran Caffe L'Aquila gets the most notice for their gelato and it seems to suit the mainstream well but Vita's unique creations at least with these flavors I had fit my vibe more.

It was a spectacular night at Vita in Philly, More Behind the Door edition. Everything we ordered was fantastic. Matt, the guy in front of the door, was so kind and able to get us seated at the bar. Our guy Spencer was knowledgeable since he advised us to order what we ordered. The ambiance is dark, perfect for a first date or last. Whatevs. Here's a must order: Bistecca alla Fiorentina Bistecca alla Fiorentina Bistecca alla Fiorentina In case you haven't caught on. This dish was spectacular. It's the freakin sauce that took this steak to the next level. 8.6/10

This is a review for the restaurant! You walk in through a fun secret door into a very well designed and comfortably laid out dining area. I was wearing a mask and the hostess asked me if I wanted to be seated by a window for better circulation, which was very thoughtful. We were a party of two and ordered two apps, a side, two pastas, a dessert and three glasses of wine - the bill all in came out to $190. This is a pretty good value for center city! I didn't find the portions lacking. Service was present but not as attentive as I would have expected. We were a late seating with not many folx left in the dining room and I still had trouble finding our server for more wine and water. Otherwise our server was very pleasant and helpful when we were ordering. We felt a bit rushed as the staff started asking if they could pack up our food and we were only an hour into our seating. I did order dessert after everything was packed up and I was able to finish it at my pace so maybe they're still working out kinks in timing? Everything we ordered was seasoned and cooked well. We got the arancini, meatballs, zucchini chips, cacio e pepe, bolognese and peach panna cotta. It was all beautifully presented. However I couldn't help comparing to Fiorella, where the food really WOWs me and becomes a fond memory. I thought everything here was delicious and would happily recommend this place as it is more comfortable than Fiorella, but given the whimsy of the secret door - I was hoping to feel more magic, more je ne sais quoi with the food.

Fun speakeasy hidden behind a gelato shop! Service was very slow, we sat at our table for a long time before our server finally came over. She also barely checked in throughout the meal. The food was delicious but portions are extremely small for the price. Drinks were fantastic! The Devils Shoulder was perfectly crafted and the espresso martini included a fun twist of orange zest. The restaurant did recently open so I'm sure they're still working through the kinks. Would definitely go back, but only for dessert or drinks.

Good gelato, friendly staff. If you get the medium cup, you can try upto three different flavors. I got a medium with only Pistachio and my husband got Mango, Coconut and Amaro Cherries. I think Pistachio is hands down their best flavor (at least of the four we had) with the Coconut and Mango coming a close second. My husband loved the Amaro as well. The coconut cake in the display case looked very inviting and I was eyeing it the entire time but that is for next time.

I stopped by Vita for some Friday night dessert. It's a pretty small spot inside but has a couple of seats. The employee was helpful in providing samples of a few flavors. Vita has a few signature flavors which are available daily as well as several that are rotated in and out of availability depending on timing. I went for a classic pistachio gelato in a cup. I think they serve a pretty generous portion for the size by filling the cup with a heaping scoop. The gelato flavor and texture were excellent. I could taste that it was made with real pistachios; it tasted very fresh and had no artificial flavor at all. Overall, I had a solid experience at Vita. I wish there was a bit more flavor variety available, but the high quality of the gelato is present throughout everything I tried. Vita isn't my top favorite gelato spot in the city, but I would recommend anyone in the area to give it a try.

Delicious gelato right on the park with classic flavors. My go-to while I was in Italy recently was a mixed pistachio hazelnut flavor combo, and I went with a similar pistachio / Ferrero roche option upon arriving here at Vita. Service could not have been better. The team here is super kind and efficient, offering up recommendations and samples. The gelato itself is VERY good. I would say not the best you can get in town (though a close second) but it's somewhat similar to what you'd get at a gelateria in Italy, minus some of the creaminess and freshness. Large amount of gelato for a good price (under $5) makes this a great sweet treat in the neighborhood to enjoy this summer and beyond. So happy to have this spot nearby!

What attracted me to Vita was the "secret restaurant" concept - not going to lie, I fell for the gimmick - but also the food had high reviews on other sites. I booked a spot for four of us ladies and when we walked into the gelato shop, it was honestly pretty fun to have the fridge door opened to be led into the restaurant. Inside, the restaurant was quite large. The menu is pretty big and they also have seasonal specials, which sounded delicious - there were plenty of vegetarian options across the apps, pastas, and sides. We ordered a bunch of things to share, specifically the arancini, whipped ricotta toast, cacio e pepe, and a stuffed pasta with mushrooms. While portion sizes were slightly small, both pastas were pretty good (really creamy and saucy which I often miss with restaurant pasta dishes). The arancini was tasty especially with the sauce it was served with as well, and the ricotta toast you cannot go wrong with. Overall a cool experience and a fun place for a ladies' night out!

A small store with gorgeous decor and a cool red fridge door that has "Vita" written on it. Definitely a cool photo op! LOVED that the flavors weren't overly sweet! I did a half and half. The first time I've ever had an Oreo gelato where I didn't feel a tiny bit sick/stuffed after eating it!! The cinnamon flavor was also delicious. The store had such unique flavors, like Rose. I realize I'm not the biggest fan of gelato's texture though... it's too soft! But that's perhaps what makes it less sweet. Just a personal preference!

When you enter the ice cream parlor you tell the attendant the password "mangia". Once seated you get lemon sorbet to cleanse the pallet. We ordered the INSALATA VERDE and the HANDMADE STRACCIATELLA for apps. I ordered the garden of Eden cocktail which was delicious, loved the passionfruit foam. Pastas - we got CAVOLO NERO and MAFALDINE CACIO E PEPE Overall, everything was delicious and service was great.

They have just recently opened more behind the door! I snagged a reservation off of resy on a sunday a little later. very fun idea of having a restaurant behind the fridge door! Appetizers: prawns had good flavor and the oil that was left from them was lovely to dip your piece into. Ceasar salad was odd, there was only one type of green and it felt very overlooked, it needed a filler, it was like eating little tree branches Main course: I am gluten free so I went into this assuming there would be no pasta option, however they did (penne) so I got the pasta with guanciale and it was good (probably better with their pasta) Dessert: the gelato trio which was lovely and a good portion size for yourself or to share if you NEED dessert but are feeling full overall very cute space and decent service, looking forward to trying again and getting a heavier main course

A nice addition to the neighborhood. Staff was friendly and offered up samples to help make our decision. I ended up with the dark chocolate and pistacchio. Loved the dark chocolate. It was rich and creamy. The pistacchio flavor was on point. However, the texture was off. It was really thick, not very creamy and almost had a chalky texture. There are bar 4 seats inside.

3.5 stars First time at Vita. Cute door to enter the speakeasy via the Gelato restaurant. We were not required to say the secret word that they text you. Short wait for the table. We ordered arancini, zucchini chips, bistecca and pesce. The arancini and zucchini chips were good app options. I had my first arancini in Italy and this one was made well! The bistecca was good- would have preferred less sauce for this entree. The pesce was really disappointing and small especially for that price too ($43). The skin for the pesce was crispy but overall minimal flavor. The vinaigrette salad on the bottom helped give it some flavor. Garden of Eden - passion fruit foam was good. Drink was a little too sweet/tart for me. The issue with Vita is the long wait for food. The apps came out in a reasonable amount of time. My one drink took a while too. I ate my apps slowly so I could wait for my drink to come. The main dishes took about 1.5 hour to get to us. We server and hostess came over to check in/apologize a few times. If we didn't order apps then we would have been starving and contemplate canceling We didn't get dessert as we planned- in fear it would take a long time especially since it was getting close to 10pm (our reservations was at 7:30pm). Suggestion for management is to add at least another kiosk. Staff members were noticeably in line to put orders in and check tables out. Overall, it's okay. The wait time made put a little damper on the dining experience.

Vita's 'More Behind the Door' restaurant was kind of a bummer. Other than the allure of the speakeasy entry vibe and neon sign, the restaurant was lackluster. For the price, the food was sub par in comparison to surrounding Italian spots. The prawns and chicken were over-charred and the mushroom mezzaluna could've been far more flavorful. Most disappointing was the dessert, which was a chocolate tart smothered in caramel sauce with a side of mint basil gelato which had a very odd taste. Our server was kind and attentive, but the clearers were rushing to get the dishes off the table while we were still eating.

The service was somewhat slow, but the food exceeded my expectations, offering a delightful range of flavors. The ambiance was inviting and contributed to a pleasant dining experience.

Definitely fun to give a secret password and open what looks like a fridge door into a restaurant. At least the once. Nice service/friendly staff but food is just okay. Of the three pastas we tried, the rigatoni is the only one I'd order again. Stracciatella was solid.

This review encapsulates both the speakeasy style restaurant and the gelateria. The restaurant is difficult to get in contact with -- there's no phone number, just an email, which isn't helpful when you want to call to let them know you're running late. There's a a few parking lots located down the street, but due to location, finding any a street parking is near impossible on a weekend. Highly recommend to Uber or take public transport. The restaurant is nice with indoor and outdoor seating, and the bar has an array of handcrafted drinks. The whipped ricotta had a great flavor as it was topped with olive oil and honey, but there was a lotttt of ricotta. Portions for pasta were pretty small, so don't expect the huge portions of you would find it a homey Italian restaurant. To me, the rigatoni vodka was just fine but nothing to write home about. The gelateria is a much different story. I tried the stracciatella and dark chocolate. The dark chocolate was extremely rich and so delicious. Although there's a lot of hype about what's behind the red door, I think you're better off just sticking with gelato.

The icecream shop is cute! Small environment, a semi-small selection of flavors but the quality speaks for it. Service was fast and simple, the generous server was scooping my partners small cup and kept scooping more and asked "do you want more" and added on saying it wasn't an issue lol. Worth the price with how generous they are, and very sweet!

cute neighborhood gelato spot turned hidden italian restaurant! the italian restaurant is tucked away behind the red refrigerator door. my date and i started with the arancini which was absolutely delicious. for our mains, we got the cacio e pepe and the bolognese. for how popular spot is, the pasta was nothing special. portion sizes were reasonable, the food was decent, but there are much better italian spots in philly. behind the red door was a mediocre experience, it truly did not live up to the hype. i am, however, a fan of the gelato here! they have a wide range of flavors, and the sweet treat is a perfect pick me up after dinner. i'd come back for the gelato, but not for the food. 4.5/5 for the gelato, 3.5/5 for the food.

FOOD Vita is a great gelateria offering a variety of flavors-- from classic vanilla to specialty flavors like tiramisu. $5.75 for a small cup, it is on the pricier side, but the gelato itself is rich and creamy. For the same price, you can also mix and match 2 flavors, and you can mix and match up to 3 for the larger size. Isgro pastries and various coffee drinks (e.g. affogato, latte, americano, hot chocolate) are also available for purchase. SERVICE The staff are wonderful and friendly. AMBIANCE Limited window seating is available inside the store. During warmer months, it does look like the floor to ceiling windows can open to the street for a welcoming atmosphere. PARKING Paid street parking is available at a limited capacity, and garages are also present nearby.

We walked into Vita and there was a long line. We moved to the front of the line ( without waiting in the long line) and gave the secret password and was then able to enter into the secret speakeasy restaurant behind the red door. We were seated immediately. All of the plates were just enough food. The rigatoni vodka was dente with some "bite " to it. The bolognese was very good. The meatballs were small but good. I ordered the Garden of Eden for my cocktail. I recommend using a straw due to the foam in the drink. After dinner, we went back to the entrance of Vita to try the gelato. I ordered a small cherry/ vanilla. The small size was very filling. There are only about 4-5 seats near the window. So plan to purchase the gelato and go unless you are lucky enough to snag a seat.

The speakeasy feel and vibe were good. The portions very small for the prices (and I'm no stranger to fine dining in Philly) and the menu was limited. Cocktails were good but, again, smaller pours than typical.