Vito's Italian Restaurant

WOW!! This Place needs the 10 star option!! The food was Delicious! The atmosphere was Wonderful! And the service—Franco was THE BEST waiter! He knew just what we needed even before we asked, served with distinguished poise, even sharing several card tricks that astonished us!! We’ve lived here a year and this was our first time, but we will go back! Highly Recommend!! (I did not want to ruin the atmosphere by snapping pictures so these are from our to-go’s!)

There are many wonderful restaurants in Jacksonville and this is one of them. Scott expressed and delivered with his goal of making the dining experience wonderful. The food was exceptional. We had Vito’s salad and the traditional Chicken Parmigiana . The pace of service was just right. A very enjoyable evening. The owner Vito circulated asking how the dinner was. Owner involvement is very evident at Vito’s ! Try it you’ll have a wonderful evening with family or friends.

First time here, food was fresh and delicious, flavorful and not overly priced. But that’s not the best part, our server Scott was phenomenal and made sure we were informed, welcomed but never bothersome. Highly recommend this place for a date night.

OMG ..really the best Italian restaurant since long & many years, very popular. Their food is very yummy and tasty. You of course need to call and make reservations before going there. Chef Mr. Giulio is the owner and he personally comes to your table, talks and asks for food or any concern you have. Great hospitality. The staff is very humble and friendly. We went for the mother's day celebration and had Dinner, and of course we had called earlier and booked a table. The price is reasonable like other places. They also have some specials. Garlic Breads are served. And salad or soup (per your choice) served with your main course meal/ plate. We loved it so much that we will go again soon. Please look at some pictures we took, which are attached here.

This is our third time at Vito's. We live close to an hour away, but after the first time we visited we have come for two special occasions one being Mother's Day, and today for my son's birthday. I will say each time they have exceeded our expectations. We request the same server Scott every time we go and he's attentive friendly, and even remembers our names. Two of the owners Francesca and Julio have taken the time to stop by our table and say hi, and the food has been authentic. It has become our family's go to place for special events, and for authentic Italian!

First time eating there. The food was delicious.! Our waitress was very attentive. Anything we needed. She was right there to help. I was there to celebrate a birthday with family members. The setting was very nice. I would say the only downfall was that the wait staff kept circling our table, like sharks, trying to take plates away from us before we were even done eating. At one point, we felt like we just needed to give them our plates even though we weren't finished. Overall, I was very impressed and I would go back again and would recommend this establishment to anyone who asked for a good Italian restaurant.

This was our first time dining in this place. If I could give them 10 stars I would. Service, food, drinks and decor are to fall in love with. I didn’t even get a chance to take a picture of our appetizers, they were gone within few minutes. Food is delicious and makes you want to come back to this place again. It’s not cheap, but I can assure you it’s worth every penny you spend.

I’ve been here a couple times now, excellent food and service.

Love Vito's! Such a friendly environment with great food. Our favorite is the Brie app. Good selection of wines. authentic cuisine.

Host seemed a bit scattered when we arrived and directed us to seat ourselves outside for faster service that was not communicated to the server. Our server quickly recovered and got us menus and drinks. Patio was perfect for a nice night outside and a little less noisy for a family dinner. The garlic rolls and EVOO that was served was so simple yet very tasty. A little disappointed they were out of the portobello app we settled for an easy Brie. The Brie was perfectly warmed and creamy. Calamari is a simple dish so no surprise there. Loved the eggplant, was filled with cheese and the sauce was great. Chicken parm was crispy and very good. What a great find in fruit cove.

One of our favorite Italian restaurants in the area. Food is high quality and service is top notch. My favorite entree is the Chicken Francese followed by their Chicken Parm. Nice wine list, too.

The restaurant is tastefully done and it would have been a perfect evening had one of the employees, I'll say manager, owner, or chef wasn't out at a table for a good 15 minutes or more laughing at the top of his lungs with a group he apparently new well. They were all so loud that it made for a very comfortable situation. After that was over we ordered some of the most delicious calamari with marinara that I have ever had. The garlic bread was good as well. I ordered the chicken parmesan which was very good but my husband and sister's ziti was awful. It was overcooked, over sauced and had way too much ricotta. I love ricotta but it was way too much even for me. It tasted like it was just warmed up in a microwave. I'm not saying it was but it tasted that way. We may go back and give it another try and stay away from the ziti.

Food is decent service can be hit or miss. The servers do slot of talking about one another in ear shot of customers. I had 2 apps and both good the baked bries special was yummy but a little sweet would have been ok with just one of the sauces. The mozzarella was yummy and the pizza was good. Our sever was great and honest and knowledgeable

Love Vito's for family dinners, date nights, big gatherings and client dinners. The ambience is perfect for all of them! The food and beverages are outstanding, the live music a plus, and the experience worth repeating! Vito comes to your table almost every time you dine and really makes you feel like a VIP and part of the family. Their lamp chops are the best in the city, and their original Vito's salad and Italian wedding soup are superb! We love Vito's! We've tried tons of their regular dishes and specials and signature and seasonal cocktails and are never disappointed! We do walk in and reservations when needed, mainly for large groups, and never have a problem! We were not impressed by Enza's, and felt they were over-hyped and over-priced for their terrible location right next to a grocery store. Vito's is in a great shopping center that is classy and elegant. You feel proud to drive clients up and can stroll around the pond out front on a date night. Vito's for the win for Italian in Mandarin and Julington Creek!

It's not often I grant a restaurant 5 stars. But this place would get 10 if I could. Every single thing from beginning to end was fabulous. Starting with being able to make reservations, and upon arrival you're seated within 5 mins max. The staff are friendly at the door and the family aspect of everyone working there makes you legit feel like you came over to your uncles house to have some Italian food. The ambiance is perfect. It's perfectly dim inside, with music playing from the band or artist(if you're going on the weekend). This will take your dining experience up a few notches...being able to enjoy some good music while you stuff your face. Can't beat that. Cleanliness is king in this place, and if you pop your head in the kitchen to holler at Mr. Vito...they will literally take no issue with that. The restrooms were perfect and everything. I had the best pizza that I've ever had here, and you can build your own. The crust is made fresh daily and for the gluten free folks, you can enjoy this with no issues. Mr. Vito gave us free LemonCello shots, and was determined to make sure everything was perfect. 10/10 would definitely recommend.

Had to give a 5 star review for a delicious Mother's Day dinner. Amazing how they can serve almost 500 dinners to perfection, served hot, timely and plentiful. Service with Evelyn, flavor of all our dinners, superb. Thank you!

Went to Vito's for dinner last night and it was really great. The food was amazing and the service was on point, quick, efficient, and not overwhelming. We had the amazing spaghetti carbonara and my son had a Sicilian style pizza with pepperoni . The calamari appetizer was delicious as well. The restaurant was busy, so it was understandably loud with all the people. By the bar area there was live music. I must say I was happy to see it busy and everything running smoothly. They are running a very efficient operation and the service was excellent, as were the dishes coming out of the kitchen.

Best Italian I've ever had! Amazing! Service exceptional! Wonderful ambiance! The owner was so nice and made sure we had a great time

Phenomenal service and great food. Loved our server Franco. Ample portions. Quick service and reasonable prices. Atmosphere is large family hall and the bustle and energy is great.

What a beautiful place with beautiful people working here. The dining room is very nice. The host and greeter eager to sit us. We had reservations and I was glad we made them the place was packed. The every table was elegantly made up with cloth tablecloths and clean bright silverware with cloth napkins. The bathrooms were clean and tidy. Menu was very Italian which made us very happy our party was 6 and we had veal to lasagna it was all outstanding. One if not the best ITALIAN RESTAURANT IN THE AREA. DESSERT WAS EVEN BETTER OUTSTANDING FOOD, OUTSTANDING SERVICE, We will be back.

Great food and service. Ambiance matched the clientele. Looking forward to dining here again.

I've heard good things about Vito's and finally me & my party of 3 visited on a Friday night. I made reservations earlier so we did not have to wait long. Requested a quiet spot & they did not disappoint. We started our meal with baked Brie appetizer. It was worth all the calories. Super yummy. Though the menu had so many items to choose from we selected traditional Italian dishes such as Lasagna, Eggplant Parmigiana & Pasta Primavera. The pasta sauce was rich & fresh tasting. The food was very tasty and the service was great. The staff was constantly checking on us to make sure we were having a nice time. I do regret not coming here sooner. Although this restaurant is a bit far, it's so worth it. I will be back for sure.

Wow! We had such a great experience at Vito's! Everything we had was FANTASTIC! Also, the atmosphere is lovely! We started our meal with calamari with spicy marinara and it was OMG good. My husband and I both got the Vito's salad which was fresh and flavorful. I ordered a daily special which was cheese manicotti in red sauce. It was so good. We don't remember why my husband ordered but it was also good. Kids ordered cheese ravioli and couldn't have been happier with our choices! We will be back!

Came here after going to 2nd Bay Brewing which is right in the same plaza. The food was phenomenal! Service was a bit slow, and the bread to start was old, but it didn't bother me too much. The lost star is for the credit card fee if 4% added to any bill if you pay with CC. We paid with cash and the served acted like getting change was hard and inconvenient. Credit cards are big these days, so many points and reward for dining out and eating "local." Not sure what the though it's with charging me this fee when the proxies for the dishes are already high as it is. Overall, the food was great and I will be back. Just have to bring cash each time.

Food was ok. Alfredo sauce really had no taste at all. Service was lacking. Server never refilled water or Coke at all during the meal and she was non existent after we received our food. Much to our surprise when the bill arrived there was a 3% service charge on the bill? We will not go back to this place.

This is my absolute new favorite restaurant. I would recommend reservations, we got there at 5 and it quickly filled up. First, the server and staff were amazing. We had our 7 month old and everyone was super nice and interacted with her. Not expected but just genuinely happy to see her. We ordered some meatballs for her to snack on and they came out quick as requested. My fiancé and I shared the Sicilian pizza and spaghetti and meatballs. Both were amazing. I love saucy spaghetti and this hit the mark for me. Loved the flavor of the red sauce. LOVED the meatballs. We didn't get dessert because baby was starting to get fussy. This is our new Italian take out/ reservation spot. Hands down. Only note I have is the bathroom could use some remodel. I felt it was noticeably older compared to the restaurant which is stunning. It wasn't terrible, but it didn't fit the rest of the place if that makes sense.

Do I recommend this place? A 2 big thumbs up, friendly owner, good ambiance, good service, and very good food. The owners food recipe came from their family tradition which originated from Palermo, Italy. If you want a complete meal, appetizer, soup, salad and entree, make sure you come in hungry and take your time eating because their portions are quite big. It can be good for 2 people. Finish it with dessert and coffee and I'll say it's magnificent. They do have entertainers in the main bar.... the artists are great with jazz and Boada nova music, if you have kids get a bay sitter so you can enjoy the night but the restaurant welcomes family and big group as well. High recommendation from me , I love food specially Italian recipes.

I have never had a bad meal here. Chicken Parmesan is delicious. Service is great! I would highly recommend

Voted best Italian restaurant In Jacksonville Florida area. Having lived in Italy for two years and NYC for many years? I agree. Excellent cuisine and authentic. Several so called Italian restaurants in this area "dress up" their recipes to attract customers. Sorry, not real! And in several cases tasteless. Service is great and love the ambience.

AMAZING LOVE THEM SO MUCH. Sweetest staff, just like family!! Amazing food Everything is fresh and home made. It is homey and charming!!

My wife, daughter and I had a wonderful dinner at Vito's last week. Thankfully, we made a reservation because it was packed. We were greeted promptly and taken directly to our table. The hostess was pleasant and welcoming. Our server was cordial, knowledgeable and very efficient with his service. We each had salads and bread prior or ordering our main courses. My wife and I had a nice glass of wine as well. My wife had the gnocchi, while my daughter had the chicken cutlets and I had the Grouper Parmigiana. We all enjoyed our meals! The entrees were prepared perfectly! The portion sizes were great. That worked out well for me since I was able to enjoy my wife's leftover gnocchi the next day!! One of the highlights of the dinner was that we were visited by both Giulio Teresi(owner) and Art Irwin (Chef). It was great to meet Giulio , and, while we know the chef, it was very kind of him to check in on us. Unfortunately, we didn't get to meet Francesca. We will be back.....and next time I will be having a dessert!!

Delicious!! Please don't ever stop baking pizza with this EXACT dough/bread:cheese:sauce ratio PLEASE cause omgggg my toddler and I loveeee it. Born and raised in NY I have to say this was a taste of home. Thank you guys so much for having by far the best pizza out here and delivering it to my door still warm.

Food was delicious first and foremost. Lasagna and bake ziti was worth this review. This was our first visit and right away while waiting to be seated you notice the wall full of local awards. The servers seemed pleasant and were very responsive. The only thing I'm picking on here is the reception area the floors had not been swept and there was a cabinet there at the entrance that had not been swept under in quite awhile. Very visible as your sitting down waiting to be seated. We love our local eateries and would definitely come back for another visit here.

We went to Vito's for the first time for Valentine's Day and we will definitely be back...often. Can't wait to bring family with us when they come to Jacksonville. The food is amazing. The menu is so big it was hard to choose. The prices are very reasonable. Staff was friendly and just wonderful all the way around. Especially on a busy night. They were prepared for the busy night and everything went smoothly. They had plenty of staff working to make sure everything was done in a timely manner. It was decorated so nicely for Valentine's Day! We can't wait to go back!

Every trip to Vito's is a delicious, delicious experience. The service, drinks, live music, meals, bread OMGosh and desserts will fill your belly and leave you craving more. What you will find in this hidden gem is a warm, welcoming, cozy, romantic local restaurant. Sit in the bar, on the patio or in the dining room this team is always attentive and there's a great chance the chef will stop by to check in on your meal! Tonight we had the opportunity to try the "chef's special bread" I highly recommend. If they sold it by the loaf I would gain 1,000 lbs - it's that perfect. Ty Vitos for another flawless dinner! We will be back again and again.

Came on a Tuesday evening. Our server asked if we needed a minute after we just sat down, but then she never checked on us for for over 15 minutes. We had to ask someone to look for our waitress. She then apologized after she finally came out. It wasn't that packed and there seemed to be plenty of servers and bus boys walking around. Our salads came out with our bread and the kitchen forgot my dressing on the salad. Again, my server brought it out and clearly hadn't glanced at it. The food came out and it was delicious as always, this is why we come here, however we usually are matched with excellent service--not tonight. After i hadn't eaten a few bites, my server came over to my and asked bluntly, "did you stop?". I was slightly put off by her phrasing, but I was full and ready to box my food. The experience will definitely make me reconsider a next visit.

So, we've met both sisters, Rosalia and Enza, who both have their own Italian restaurants, so we opted to try the Brother, who owns Vito's. Like his sisters, Guilio does not disappoint. The stuffed portobello mushroom as an app was delicious, with cream cheese, spinach, capers and sun-dried tomatoes, drizzled with olive oil to finish. I had some of the most amazing veal Marsala I've ever eaten, and mamas veal alla Rosa was reportedly excellent as well. Our server, Tina, turned out to be the 3rd sister of the family, and the hostess that seated us was her daughter. Service was impeccable, with Tina recommending the veal alla Rosa over the veal Francese for my wife. The inside of Vito's is very classy with soft music in the background. They have a full bar, but no draft beers, only bottles. As an added bonus, we got to meet Giulio, the owner and chef and tell him about how we found out about the family.

Huge fan! Life Vito's and their Vito's salad is legendary - do not miss! A little pricey but the staff is always amazing and friendly so you don't mind !

Great atmosphere, great service delicious food! We went for the first time and regret not ever going sooner. The restaurant was outstanding from beginning to end.

Vito's is our go-to Italian restaurant. I have to update my previous reviews to rave about our experience a few days ago. I chose one of the specials on the menu, and it exceeded all expectations. The food is always good here, but this one was over the top. The description was simply Short Rib Ravioli, but there was so much more. Ravioli fatta in casa (made in house) with short rib filling and Sherry cream sauce. With an amazing lobster and sweet pea risotto (yes, chunks of lobster!), sauteed spinach, and roasted roma tomatoes. Definitely the gastronomic orgasm. Vito (not his real name) stopped by the table, so I got to tell him how fantastic this dish was. They should put this on the regular menu!!!

Local Italian with a cool Tuscan vibe, dark wood stone arches and multiple levels. Overall we had a good meal, although there was a little bit lacking on the dinner accompaniments. The complimentary bread was a little tough, like they were a little lacking in freshness, perhaps because we were there on a Tuesday. The salad was basic. They could add some flair to make them a little less ...meh... nothing special. I ordered the shrimp pasta with a tomato creme sauce. It was well prepared and very flavorful. The shrimp were large and plump, better than expected. Service was friendly, and I felt bad for the server that she had a hard time talking over the large party, We sat upstairs and there was a large boisterous party seated next to us, and the dining area echoed the loud party making it impossible to have any table conversation, it honestly ruined our dinner with friends. The noise is something they can't control, and not affecting the review... I think I would prefer to sit downstairs next time, as the tables seemed to be a little farther apart. Overall a good meal with good service.

A very nice variety of dishes that so far all tried have been excellent. Gluten free also has a nice selection that my wife appreciates. Our servers have been prompt and helpful and the restaurant itself is extremely neat and tidy.

A real Italian restaurant so close to home - we finally tried their pizza (to go) and were not disappointed. Why anyone would buy a chain pizza when this is available for an extra $2 or so and you support local. Well executed and larger than your normal pie. Sauce was tasty as was the crust. We've eaten in house before and the dining area is well appointed and service was solid. I remember our first visit was very crowded and their food quality justifies it. Hopefully they can survive the Covid protocol as this location has been cursed for the last 3 establishments. I'm sure rent is high - personally I think they need to do a better job advertising.

Jennifer was a great server. Jokes and great times the whole evening! The baked Brie and the soup had to be my favorite starters. The cheese was definitely nice and melty and the almond spread on top was such a nice touch. I really enjoyed my eggplant. It was super cheesy, which is always a plus for me.

All the above. Good service, fast service. Quality food. Like the outside eating. Nice ample servings.

Love the steak and onions sub; my wife enjoys the meatball sub. Friendly staff is eager to please. One drawback: it's very small. I would recommend for a good family meal.

Sept 17, 2020 My husband was in the mood for chicken Parmesan and he did not want to make it...okay. He research the area for GOOD Italian and Vito's came on several venue so we made reservations though a Thursday night. Once inside with masks two couples came in with no masks! I asked a server and she said they did not need mask to come in but servers needed to wear masks! WHAT...is that St Johns policy? I can't believe it or just a local restaurant's policy? Anyway the food was good, the garlic bread could have been cooked longer but the balsamic herbed dip was delicious! The Italian salad was good but certainly not special. My saltobocca -chicken breast, prosciutto with spinach on spaghetti was great; I had enough for lunch the next day ($20). My husband chix Parmesan-was 4 out of 5 to my him; sauce was good and enough cheese. I'm just not sure on the Covid followings??

This is our go to guilty pleasure for Italian. Enjoy eating at the bar and always take our parents there when in town. Haven't been disappointed in a single bite yet! Excellent service and never a long wait.

Love the clams & the short ribs the cocktails are great & the staff is friendly. I definitely recommend trying the lamb it's always so tender.. Very clean restaurant t !!

I did not realize this was the original Vito's from Baymeadows Road. The interior was beautiful and very welcoming, including the staff at the front reception area. Our waitress (I do not have her name sad to say) was great, however, the food, not sure about. The Chef is very set in his ways and does not deviate from what he wants to do so special orders are out of the question. For example, the egg plant I wanted made with no red sauce, rather the garlic and oil. I was told "he will not do it." I will return if others select it but not sure I would rush back on my own. Side note, the egg plant did look great as my aunt got it.

Me & my aunt decided to go for dinner here for girls night. It was delicious & the service was great! Italian is my favorite but it's hard to find good Italian food. Vito's did not disappoint! We didn't have a reservation but the wait was maybe 15 minutes. We got the stuffed mushroom appetizer. It was super rich & delicious! I got the lasagna & a side of meatballs. It was like so great! I can't wait to go back & take my mom. Our waiter, Franco, super friendly & had me in stitches laughing! This place really was a great time out. And even though they were super busy, we never felt neglected.

We often get take out from Vito's. The food is fresh, authentic and quite tasty. I'm not crazy about ordering online from here because I typically receive a call back saying they do not have the soup or dish I'm requesting (even though it's on the menu they never have it). Service for takeout can be a challenge sometimes as they may forget to include the salad or soup once in awhile. The ambiance and service in the restaurant is terrific, and the chef himself will come around to all of the tables to make sure everyone is happy. Yummy Italian food, y'all.

Love the food! Best Italian restaurant in town! The Shrimp Alla Rosa is scrumptious and so is the lasagna. Haven't had a bad meal.

Vito's was recommended to us by a friend, and we were really looking forward to a great experience. Sadly, we were disappointed. The food was good but the experience was lacking. Upon entering the restaurant, we were greeted by a less than friendly Maiter'd. The maître d' is an extremely important face to a restaurant as they often set the tone for the evening. I didn't catch his name as I don't believe he told us, and the man didn't even offer up a smile. He sauntered us back to a table that was squished in between several booths, behind us and to the side (all empty). I asked if he had anything more private, and he responded with "No, this is a good table, you'll like it." Ummmm okay, thank you for not even acknowledging our concern or even being somewhat polite. He just turned and walked away. As a point of interest the more secluded booths remained empty for our entire visit. Our waitress came and took our drink order and we waited for a good 10 to 15 minutes. Then another waitress came and asked if we would like something to drink. At that time we informed her that someone else had already taken our order. Apparently there was a mixup on table numbers, which I understand as mistakes do happen. Our Proseccos came and we enjoyed a lovely drink. We ordered a bottle of wine with dinner, and it was also very good! I do not mean to come off overly picky, but my husband and I view dining as an experience. The mealtime is a slow dance--enjoy each course....this wasn't the case at all. Once we got the waitress situation fixed it was all very efficient---boom boom boom bread----check! Salad-----check----entree -----check------Oh????? You'd like dessert???? Here you go dessert and bill (simultaneously!)------check! No, "Is there anything else? Would you like more coffee or a cordial?" Nope, just check snd see ya later. If you're looking for a tasty and somewhat quick meal much, like a New York or New Jersey diner (which we adore, by the way---it's just not the experience we were expecting), you will not be disappointed. Just don't expect a quiet and pleasant date night experience. (Read loud, and let's turn this table and get them in and out quickly). I should have researched this place more thoroughly. It IS an Italian family restaurant and they have a different ambiance---laminated menus, tables being bussed with the container AT the table instead of clearing the dishes, paper covering the tablecloths, Parmesan cheese in a shaker instead of someone coming to grate fresh on your meal, check right with the dessert, should you INFORM the wait staff that you'd actually enjoy some dessert, someone friendly greeting patrons at the door and escorting guests kindly to their tables. We just expected a more "fine dining" experience. Pros- the entrees were pretty good (chain quality...nothing extra special) Salad - fine Bread - good Chocolate cake - good, what you'd expect Service and ambiance-meh We will not go back as a couple, we thought perhaps we might give them another try with our kids and granddaughter in the future. But probably not as we are finding a lot of great dining options in our area these days. Side note: My husband and I were sharing our experience with our son and daughter-in-law at Sunday dinner. It just so happens they had visited Vitos almost 2 years ago and had a very similar experience. So maybe our experience was not the anomaly I had hoped.

If you're looking for a true "hole in the wall" slice of Italian perfection...this is your place! We frequent this restaurant each time we stay around the corner and we have yet to order a dish that didn't leave our taste buds craving another bite. Service is always stellar and my guess is there's a wild, angry Italian mob boss running the kitchen because it's perfection on every plate. Calimari? Yes. Eggplant Parmesan? The best. The road seems sketch. Avoid the adjourning hotel like it's hosting a new strain of the plague. But give this place a shot. You'll want to come back for more.

Food was fantastic and the service was impeccable! Can't wait to come back soon! Highly recommend

Recalled the days of visiting Italy to me. The bread and olive oil was a nice touch. We had the cheese pasta, spaghetti and cradle salad. We're trying all the places close to our house and it always has a crowd out front. Service was attentive and useful. The food is fresh and well prepared. Can't wait to try new dishes as we go visit again.

Took my sister in law there for her 75th birthday and the quality of service and food was terrible. The server was non existent. Bread came out cold, couldn't remember drink order. Three of the four dishes that were ordered came out lukewarm at best. This was a really nice place to go to but not anymore. Most of the steak or seafood menu now states at market prices. Just sad that the family that owns it, is letting it fall apart. Next time I want crappy Italian food I will open a can of Spaghetti O's. At least it will be hot.