VIVO Italian Kitchen

Italian restaurant · Hollywood Hills

VIVO Italian Kitchen

Italian restaurant · Hollywood Hills

1

100 Universal City Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90068

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VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null
VIVO Italian Kitchen by null

Highlights

Pizza, pasta, comfort food, cocktails, great service  

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Placeholder

100 Universal City Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90068 Get directions

universalstudioshollywood.com

$20–30 · Menu

Information

Static Map

100 Universal City Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90068 Get directions

+1 818 622 0424
universalstudioshollywood.com

$20–30 · Menu

Features

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wifi
outdoor seating

Last updated

Sep 1, 2025

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The Golden Globes Awards Dinner Goes Completely Vegan - Eater LA

"VIVO Italian Kitchen is a Northern Italian restaurant that has opened in Universal CityWalk, offering a range of traditional Italian dishes." - Mona Holmes

https://la.eater.com/2020/1/3/21047170/golden-globes-awards-vegan-dinner-2020
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Ann Nguyen

Google
Had a wonderful lunch at VIVO in the Universal Studios area. From the moment we walked in, we were impressed by how beautiful and inviting the restaurant looked. The ambiance is cozy yet stylish, perfect for a relaxing meal. We started with the meatballs and a glass of red wine, such a comforting and flavorful start. The baby kale Caesar salad was fresh and delicious The Piccante Miele Prosciutto pizza had the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. The star of the show was definitely the lasagna, rich, hearty, and seasoned just right. The staff were super friendly and attentive, and the service was top-notch. It really made the whole experience feel special. If you're in the area, especially visiting Universal Studios, this is a great spot for lunch. Tip: Do valet parking and don’t forget to get your ticket validated at the restaurant. Left full and happy, will definitely be back!

AJ Park

Google
After a long day at Universal Studios we were STARVING so we were craving carbs. Our server was very friendly and gave us good recommendations. We devoured our food. My Old Fashioned was made correctly. It was an early dinner so we didn't have to wait but it did fill up by the time we were done.

Alex A

Google
Friendly staff and stylish décor make Vivo feel a bit more upscale than your typical park-adjacent restaurant — but don’t come expecting peace and quiet (or mocktails, sadly). 🍹 Drinks: No mocktails and no substitutions for cocktails, which is a letdown if you’re skipping alcohol or have a specific preference. 🍽️ Food: * Lasagna is heavy on the ricotta, which makes it super creamy — I really liked it * Tomato sauce has a bit of a spicy kick, not your average marinara 🗣️ Ambience: Feels classy thanks to lighting and interior design, but it’s loud enough to make a meaningful conversation tricky — so maybe not your date night destination. Overall, a solid option if you’re hungry after the rides.

Flor Tirelli

Google
My friend and I dined at Vivo Italian Kitchen in Universal CityWalk yesterday at 1:40pm, and unfortunately, it was a disappointing experience. I ordered a carrot, celery, and onion soup, while my friend had pasta with schnitzel. The service was painfully slow—we waited far too long for our food to arrive, which was frustrating given how hungry we were after a day at Universal Studios. Worse, both of us ended up with food poisoning shortly after the meal. The carrot, celery, and onion soup I had and the pasta with schnitzel my friend ordered clearly weren’t prepared or handled properly. It’s a shame because the food initially looked promising, but the slow service and the severe stomach issues we experienced afterward made this a place we’ll never return to. I’d caution others to eat here at their own risk.

Lara Getselevich

Google
It’s an amazing restaurant with the authentic taste of Italy. We tried the Venetian salad, grilled salmon with veggies and baked potatoes, Quattro Formaggi pizza, and Margherita pizza—everything was very fresh and extremely delicious. I highly recommend this place and will definitely return. ❤️

Ethan Chang

Google
Awesome food! At first I thought it was small for the price but oh did the taste make up for it! The pizza wasn't oily, it was freshly made and the pasta was amazing! And don't get me started on the service being amazing and so friendly to complement the environment! Would come again 100%!

Chelsea A

Google
We visited during one of the busiest weekends of the fall—Universal Studios' Horror Nights—and although the restaurant was packed, we were seated quickly, which was impressive given the crowd. While the service was a bit slower than usual due to the high volume of customers, it didn't detract from our overall experience. The food was outstanding, perfectly seasoned, and very flavorful. We started with a garlic bread board, which was delicious, and followed that with shrimp pesto spaghetti topped with salmon. The combination of flavors was excellent and left us very satisfied. If you're planning a visit to Universal Studios and have time for a sit-down meal, we highly recommend this restaurant. It’s a great spot to enjoy a delicious meal amidst the excitement of the area.

Geovanna L

Google
Visiting from out of town and saw this cute Italian restaurant outside the Universal Studios and wanted to try it. The lady upfront (Amaka) was very rude to us. I think she needs to work on her customer service skills. She did not say hello when we arrived (we had to address her first) not a smile nothing. She barely talked to us and had nasty attitude we had no idea we were waiting on. There was this lady that was helping the table next to us that had a smile when interacting, welcomed us when we came in, told people Amaka would be right with them upfront etc. she is a beautiful red haired server. I believe her name tag said Kristyna. She is the perfect example of the attitude you would want in your restaurant. The food was edible but could be better (had the Alfredo and got some chicken that tasted weird). Overall, has potencial but needs to do better.

Matthew C.

Yelp
Great staff!!! food was great! Nice location. The brussels sprouts did not disappoint. We got the mushroom pizza and it had a lot of flavor. I will come back
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Jennifer E.

Yelp
Food service was great, place was nice and food was great. The restaurant lighting was nice and dim, not super bright. They have plenty of options for you to pick from. I would recommend.
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Nicole R.

Yelp
Ehhhh kind of bummed ... The restaurant is lovely. It felt as if there was one waiter as it took a moment to be greeted. We were one of of 4 maybe 5 tables. The waiter seemed to have a bit of a hard to with taking each of our orders - drinks were mixed up when delivered to the table- I just didn't feel very relaxed I ordered the 4 cheese pizza. So greasy, no sauce, the crust was the best part. No flavor at all. My Son liked his spaghetti and meatballs - his girlfriend had the fettuccine and she enjoyed that as well Mom ordered the chicken parm with spaghetti and said the chicken seemed like it may have been frozen as it was very tough. My Son had a bite and agreed. My Mom also commented on all of the oil on her plate. Again, lovely restaurant but I wouldn't recommend or go back.
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John T.

Yelp
It is what it is. You don't come here for the haute cuisine; you wind up here. You come here because you're at CityWalk and you're coming to/from the park. Or, you're on a work trip. I was the latter. Admittedly, I wasn't excited about a pre-planned dinner at a restaurant that exists only in service to its Universal overlords but the experience was fine. After a brief turn on the [not Yellow Brick] road, you'll happen upon Vivo. With a decent patio at front and plenty of seating inside, I imagine that getting a seat isn't an issue at any time. That's not a shady comment. It's a plus. Even though the banquettes were comfortable, I opted to sit outside to have less of a chance of meeting Ms. 'Rona.* Since we were a group, we had full run of most of the menu items. Table service was reserved for clearing plates and the occasional drink order. I was trying to watch my gluten intake so I had to dodge and weave but managed to taste a few items. I started with the Caesar Salad. It's what you expect although there was kale mixed in with the romaine. The kitchen could accommodate gf requests, so I tried the squid ink pasta with seafood. It was fine. Serviceable. It was an accommodation and not what they're known for so mmv. More successful was the drink menu. The Strawberry Rye (rye whiskey, angostura bitters, strawberry puree, agave, lemon juice, and a sage leaf for decoration and a little taste) had my name and number all night. That was the menu item I was best acquainted with by the night's end. Because of that liquid dinner, I took part of the (custom?) chocolate cake (in a cup) dessert. Not gf but by that point (and after [redacted number] cocktails, neither was I. I didn't eat much. I drank a lot. The servers were friendly. There's patio seating. It was fine. You're at CityWalk. *She's still out here in these streets.
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Cindy C.

Yelp
We came on a weekday for a party of 2. We were able to get seated quickly. We initially opted to sit outside but it got super windy; the staff was able to accommodate us and give us a booth quickly. FOOD I went in without much expectations as most Italian food tastes similar to me (haha even ones in Italy). They did a great job with the caprese salad with taste and presentation. The meatball spaghetti was flavorful. I liked the fettuccine the most; the shrimp was fresh, and the grilled chicken was super flavorful and moist. AMBIANCE Their interior design has a very nice ambiance. The lighting was perfect for me as I am not a fan of super dimmed places where I could barely see my food. SERVICE The staff that helped us was super nice. He came to check in on us and helped me with parking validation. PARKING If you park at the Jurassic parking, it'll bring you straight to the restaurants and food courts. The restaurant validates your parking so it's $10 for the first 2.5 hours.
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Vivian A.

Yelp
COVID-19: Social distancing is not enforced at this establishment. Some of the staff wears a mask. All customers are not expected to wear a mask. It's optional now. The staff also wears gloves when handling food. There are some hand sanitizers available for customers to use. This place is available for take outs and has some indoor & outdoor seating available with no limited capacity. They are not sanitizing in between customers. COVID-19 Vaccination Proof: This establishment currently does not require proof of vaccination. While I was dining in this establishment with a friend days ago, I asked if they had any special offers and they weren't offering any at the moment. They currently don't have happy hour. They also do not allow pets in their establishment UNLESS it's a service animal. Parking: The parking lot for this establishment is pretty massive since the restaurant is located in Universal CityWalk. Most parking spaces are pretty big. Food: My friend and I had ordered the stracchino stuffed bread to share. It was super cheesy. You could really taste the cheese and the olive oil. The cheesy stuffed bread was crispy on top and chewy and cheesy on the inside. It came with a side of arugula. I'm not a fan of arugula, so my friend ate all of it. Hahaha I ordered the bolognese. The pasta was cooked just right. Not too soft, yet not too hard. The meat sauce was thick, rich, and full of flavor. The ground beef was cooked with onions, garlic, and tomatoes because you can really taste those ingredients when you dig in. They weren't stingy with the ground beef either. Decent portions. Drink: I ordered a peach Bellini. It was super fruity and refreshing. Just what I needed. Staff: The staff here are very nice, friendly, and knowledgeable. Lisa was our server, and she just brought a chill vibe to the table, which I loved. She checked in on us and was attentive to our needs throughout the dinner. Great server. They accept both cash and credit cards. There is no credit card minimum. I would definitely come back for the service, atmosphere, and food.
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Elana B.

Yelp
This place packs a lot of flavor! Considering I typically find the food within universal to be generally lackluster, I would actually eat here again. The cheese filled bread to start was probably the star of our meal. We could have ordered three of those for dinner and been happy. Because it's one of the closest restaurants to the entry/exit of the park, there tends to be a longer wait time. My chicken pesto panini was just okay. The ratio of chicken to bread was off. But the homemade potato chips are fire!
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Stephanie B.

Yelp
This is a delicious choice if you are at City Walk. After spending the day at Universal Studios, it was lovely to come into this beautiful restaurant with excellent service. Our friendly server even warned my daughter about the size and refillability of her requested beverage. My girls loved their lasagna and fried cauliflower. The Venetian salad was very good - the "fresh" mozzarella was not fresh but was standard mozzarella balls but the salad was otherwise outstanding. The Brussels were best in class - crunchy with an awesome Caesar like dressing. They had a great selection of wines by 6 oz and 9 oz pours. I was disappointed that there was no birthday treat for my LO. But it may be because of the toursity vibe. Iit was otherwise a great meal.
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Eric H.

Yelp
One of the better spots in Universal City walk. You can sit down relax and have a decent meal. The Meatballs Marinara Appetizer was not without flavor. The Steak Tagliata with a side of spaghetti was also good. Cucumber Coolers were tasty. Sitting at the bar, it took a while for the service to get going, but like most places, they seemed to be understaffed. Not the friendliest servers in the business, but eventually, it all came together.
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Erik G.

Yelp
The food was pretty good. We were all hungry and tired which is never a good combination. We asked for a table of 5 and were told to wait 15 minutes which was odd because the restaurant wasn't full. Perhaps, they wouldn't to make it seem like they were busier than they really were or they didn't want make the restaurant too busy for the kitchen to handle. Who knows! I just thought that odd and a torture for us hungry people. Our son got a kids' meal order of spaghetti with a large meatball and a cup of milk. It was quite good. Our son liked it! We ordered two personal size pizzas for the table. The pizzas were pretty good. Thin crust with a nice crunch. That kind of wood fired style pizza. The price was a bit steep, but to be expected given the location. The service was pretty good. It was pretty attentive in the beginning. However, it was kind of difficult to pay. I had to track down the waiter and go to a certain station to pay with Apple Pay which was inconvenient system. They should bring the machine to the table for the customer to pay. This is not a diner style restaurant where you pay at the front. Just a suggestion.
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Elisa P.

Yelp
Got lunch here on a Tuesday afternoon and the restaurant was not busy. Our waitress was very friendly and attentive throughout the meal. We sat on the patio and it was really nice both indoors and outdoors. It has a very clean and fancy environment and the food was really good too! I got the chicken parmigiana and my friend got the chicken piccata. Both were cooked well and the pasta was not soggy. Would come back to eat here!
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Cole L.

Yelp
It's a great place to eat after a long day at the Universal theme parks. The service was good, the food was delightful, and the atmosphere was inviting. I made reservations on the Universal app and didn't encounter any issues, even though we checked in a few minutes after our reservation time. Once I checked in, it was about 15 minutes before our table was ready. The service at the theme park restaurant was decent, but the waiter forgot our order, and we had to return to confirm. I would recommend writing down the order and not trying to memorize six different peoples meals. The dinner was the highlight of the evening. Everyone loved what they ordered and finished every bite. The beef Carpaccio fell apart slightly, but it was still very delicious. The gnocchi had a lot of seasoning, and the chicken Alfredo was very creamy. Vivo is an excellent choice for dinner at Universal Orlando CityWalk.
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Sun S.

Yelp
Stopped by here after a day at Universal Studios. Not impressed. Chicken piccata was way too salty. Small portion size for the price. Service was a bit cold. No discount for annual pass from Costco.
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Jacqueline T.

Yelp
We came here for lunch as group. Great service with a causal ambience. We were seated outdoor which was very nice and pleasant. I ordered a chicken soup as my appetizer. I shared a salad and the Marguerite pizza with my co worker. The food came out prompt and it was very delicious.
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Anastacia H.

Yelp
At the last minute VIVO was able to accommodate a party of over 40 on the patio. The patio had heaters which made it very comfortable for our party. Quick to get drinks and appetizers out to all the tables. The servers got all the orders in during that time and constantly checking on refilling drinks or getting more drinks from the bar. The appetizers and meals were delicious and pretty quick. This is the place for spending time enjoying a meal with family and friends. Great service!
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Diele K.

Yelp
Located within Universal Studios CityWalk is VIVO Italian Kitchen. On a Friday evening, we were able to get a walk up and seated within a matter of a few minutes. Our waiter was quick to greet and even offered both suggestions for drinks, the specials, and items to start that they'd recommend for the three of us dining that night. The Limontini at a price point of $14.50 was delicious, refreshing, and very reasonable in price comparative to the area/back at home. It was a great way to start the meal, and the stracchino stuffed bread along with the bread board came shortly after the drinks. Both were delicious, though we preferred the bread board as it was perfect for dunking in the marinara. Our meals came out in a reasonable time, and I loved the simplicity of the spaghetti with marinara. This was not on the menu and I'm so glad I asked if they could accommodate a vegetarian version of the Spaghetti and Meatballs on the menu. My parents also enjoyed their meals and said they could see returning if we return to CityWalk in the future as the dining here is cozy and less crazy than dining in the park. If you like Italian, this is a great dining option.
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Justin M.

Yelp
5 Stars all the way!!! Feels like a pleasant getaway from the (good) chaos that can be CityWalk + Universal Studios. Came with a friend a few weeks ago (her clever choice) & I was delightfully surprised that this place felt like an elevated change of pace amongst the touristy destination (CityWalk) & it's equally entertaining amusement park, Universal Studios. Granted I'm a local who's spent most of my life in L.A., I've lost count of how many total times I've been to Universal CityWalk. That said, although this lovely establishment has been open for a few years, only now have I really had the chance to experience Vivo. Now, don't get me wrong, you're not going to find a 5 Star / Michelin rated Italian establishment, but Vivo is still lightyears beyond anything you would typically expect at a tourist destination / attraction (not that there's anything wrong with the fast-casual or neighboring chain restaurant within CityWalk). That all said, the atmosphere inside the restaurant is such a pleasant "escape" from the huge crowds & especially all the crying babies (sorry, not sorry). This really is the place for a more intimate & classy vibe. I went with a "Strawberry Rye" for my cocktail. For someone who loves his whisky & strawberries - this was THE way to go. I highly, highly recommend this. For the appetizer, we went with the Stracchino Crescenza Bread. The bread was perfectly toasted & the cheese baked inside was perfectly ooey, gooey , & stretchy. I kind of wanted to take a pic of the cheese pull, but I also wanted to keep my dining experience classy. I highly recommend it. As for the main course, I opted for the Shrimp Fra Diavolo. It seems like most pics of food are for this very dish & for good reason. It was quite divine. There were plenty of shrimp, the pasta is perfectly al dente, & the sauce for it was so robust, rustic, & had the perfect amount of heat (I tent to like things on the spicier side). The dimly lit interior adds to the calming atmosphere. For someone who can get pretty anxious around larger crowds, this place feels like such a nice haven. Don't worry about the "fancy schmancy" aspects of having to dress-up or making reservations. Neither are required, but you still get to enjoy a very classy atmosphere (especially for a restaurant located right next to a theme park) & a finer dining experience than any other nearby establishment in CityWalk / Universal Studios has to offer. Also, huge, huge shoutout to Lisa for being the warmest, most hospitable server that anyone could ask for! Be sure to request a table under her if she happens to be working (evenings). I will most definitely be coming back & will be sure to recommend Vivo to anyone who plans on stopping by Universal CityWalk / Universal Studios Hollywood. Thanks, VIVO Italian Kitchen! Also... If management happens to be reading this review, please recognize Lisa for her outstanding customer service (this coming from someone who has never met her, but has worked as a server myself). If you ask me, the team is very, very lucky to have her & she deserves a raise ;)
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Robbin M.

Yelp
First let me introduce our fabulous server, Paige. She was kind, efficient and absolutely extremely helpful. I had chicken piccata with angel hair sub instead of spaghetti. Delicious! We also ordered an Italian salad with shrimp. It was tasty but a bit skimpy on the 4 small pieces of shrimp. Only complaint. Chicken Fettuccine and pasta primavera. Ate outside and although refreshing a bit loud. Not their fault but loud nonetheless. Overall a great choice
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cynthia a.

Yelp
We visited on a Friday afternoon. They seemed to be short staffed as we had to wait to even have our drink order taken. I also noticed someone at another table received the wrong plate and waited quite a long time for his new plate. My friend and I enjoyed our entrees, but the garlic cheesy bread wasn't that great. I was also displeased that we're wasn't any soap in the women's restaurant and there's only one sink. If you're in city walk and craving pasta or pizza give Vivo a shot, but don't set your expectations too high.
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Alyssa B.

Yelp
The food was delicious! We got a calzone and a salmon dinner as well as some cheesy bread for appetizers and the food was great! The service was also pretty good! There was one woman who was sooooo sweet and she was conceding multiple tables and she was honestly working HARD! She was so kind and cracked some jokes with us too! Also, I loved the setting! The vibes were very chill, low lighting, they also had outdoor seating and it was so good! I absolutely want to come back.
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Susan L.

Yelp
Stopped by for dinner after spending the day at Universal. What I ate: - Brussel sprouts: These were delightfully tart and zingy from the balsamic vinegar. A nice way to start the meal - Fettuccine Alfredo with chicken: Pretty standard, and well cooked. The addition of the peas helped keep the flavor fresh - Sausage pizza: This was a nice mix of savory and cheesy. The pizza itself was only okay. Not the best pizza, but satisfactory Pros: - Plenty of seating inside and outside. We came in for dinner rush and were told the wait would be around 25mins, but they seated us fairly quickly, in about ten minutes. - Staff were friendly and upbeat - While the manager didn't stop by our table, I could see her working hard bouncing around the tables inside and out - Bathrooms inside restaurant - Family friendly - you could tell most people were coming to eat after the day at universal. Plenty of strollers and children eating. They did have a children's menu for kids up to 9 Cons: - I'm so used to most italian places offering bread that I was a bit confused when we didn't get any. What was weird was that there were already small bread plates for us on the table. I guess only to be used if we ordered the bread app? - Prices were okay. I think a bit inflated for the location and compared to the quality of the food Would I come again? If I was in the mood for pasta after visiting Universal theme park

Joshayra V.

Yelp
I loved the food! The Brussels sprouts were amazing! And I ordered the mushroom pizza and added prosciutto! It was delicious!! I am definitely coming back! Also the drinks were made Exceptionally well!! Would highly recommend!
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Ron S.

Yelp
We went here on a Saturday night. I thought it would have been very crowded but we got a table right away. The service is great and we had our cheese bread plate quickly. It was not to bad. Lots of cheese and flavor. That was the one thing that had me give them 4 stars. Then the food came. I had the spaghetti and meatballs. When I eat it I could not taste any spice,Italian or other. It was very bland. Thankfully they had salt shakers or it would have been bad. The pasta was a little over cooked and the meatballs tasted like they came from a store. The wife had the primavera pasta. She liked it but said the zucchini was a bit spicy. All in all the price was good and the service was great.

Angelique S.

Yelp
First time at Vivo tonight even though we've been to City Walk many times. Great food and definitely loved the atmosphere. Huge shoutout to our server, Kaylie, whose cheerfulness truly was infectious and made a loooong day really that much better. She was attentive, very sweet and just so upbeat with all of her patrons. She did not lose momentum for a second. Thank you so much for an amazing experience, Kaylie!
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Gladdys C.

Yelp
Food was good and good portions also. The restaurant was very beautiful inside. As for the server we had was rude, he didn't check up on us, when asking questions about the food and drinks he seemed like we were inconvenience to him. It wasn't busy since there were plenty of tables inside and out; also other servers were around so he wasn't the only one serving everyone.
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Sara N.

Yelp
Been here twice prior to going into Universal Studios. We got the Brussel Sprouts to share which were pretty good and also the Caprese Salad which was also really good. My friend and I shared the Spaghetti and Meatballs which was good. (Sorry writing this like a month later lol which means the place is good, if it were bad I'd write one right away) I forgot which pasta we got the 2nd time but it had a lot of veggies, I personally prefer the spaghetti. In Citywalk I've been to bubba and the Mexican restaurant and I prefer the one. I use to love Bubba Gump but they took away the broth so I'm sad.
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Torito M.

Yelp
I was here Saturday night 9:30pm, I got the Salmon it was too salty. All though there was empty tables the waiter was too slow, finished my meal and never showed up to offer refills on the dinks. This restaurant doesn't even offer chips or bread for starters. Definitely wouldn't recommend this place.
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Garen A.

Yelp
Definitely a solid choice if you're in CityWalk, but would not make the trip here otherwise. Very standard selection of Italian entrees (they have all the expected items - pizzas, pasta, salads) at reasonable prices (won't break the bank). We tried the prosciutto pizza (crust was good) and I had the fettuccine Alfredo with chicken. Nothing really stood out as exceptional, but everything was decent. One good thing about this place is that it usually has a bit less of a line than some other restaurants on CityWalk (maybe bc it looks a bit higher end, like it's quiet and on the pricier side, which could discourage families with lots of kids) which is appreciated if you're just looking for a place to eat after a long day at the park. Overall a decent choice, but only if you're already at CityWalk and not willing to travel for food. Stay Cheerful
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Deanne R.

Yelp
My son noticed this place on social media.... While visiting universal studios we stoped here for dinner. Food was yummy. We were seated right away/it wasn't too crowded. But my negative was the waiting....we waited for an hour to get our food and appetizer??? It wasn't busy??? But if our server would have communicated that they were running behind or something? That would have been helpful,and I would have been more understanding. In the beginning we did think well it's maybe normal... maybe they are cooking from scratch lol.... But we saw people that were there after us and already eating??!!! No refills No checking up on us No check.... I had to flag her down for it.... Every one else was nice. In the end our server did apologized for the wait but by then it was over we were out the door.
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Carolina O.

Yelp
Everything we had was delicious and filling I had a margarita Fresca and it was the perfect balance of flavors and not too sweet very tasty. For entrees we had the chicken parmigiana and the prosciutto and arugula pizza: which were both super yummy and love the brick oven taste. I only wish they had like a little side salad but everything was very yummy and I would definitely eat here again. The service was also very great and speedy and everyone was friendly. The place was also very cute inside. A must try if you're at citywalk!
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tina a.

Yelp
After looking at a bunch of different restaurants, we did decided to go in here. It was a really nice restaurant great ambience and the servers were very professional and efficient. We split a salad and we got a pizza with mushrooms and grilled onions. Was it good. The grilled onions added such a different texture and flavor and the mushrooms were big and meaty.is a thin pine and you hold it up to eat it, but it was so good. It was really happy with everything here and I will definitely be back.
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Paul H.

Yelp
Great service and outstanding food! I had the lasagna and it did not disappoint especially with a glass of smooth Chianti! Service from Taneise was great and we appreciated her recommendations especially with the tiramisu to end the evening!
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Sofia P.

Yelp
Was initially drawn in by the front patio, it has really cute outdoor seating. The serice was adequate. The food did the job. However it was pricey for what it was. It was still a pleasant experience though
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Alisha S.

Yelp
Popped in here for lunch while at Universal and what a lovely surprise! Food was very tasty. Pizza was that amazing NY style (I'm not a New Yorker so forgive me if I get this wrong) thin crust. My son said his pesto spaghetti was some of the best he's ever had and we also shared the brussel sprout appetizer which was so yummy. Service was friendly and accommodating when we were waffling about inside vs outside. A nice 9 oz pour of white wine and was ready to face the crowds again. Highly recommend over fighting the crowds at Universal for mediocre fast food.
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Quintin E.

Yelp
Elevated Italian Cuisine at Universal CityWalk! Was able to sit down an enjoy a meal with my beautiful date after we walk around and took in the local magic that is a rampant Friday night at CityWalk with live music, active families, merriment and lights. We put in a table for two under Robert and killed a little bit of time before being seated at a very spacious table. Our server was super kind, warm, and friendly... If not for all the wine and good food, I might remember his name and be singing him high praise by name!! He was super attentive the entire night, as was everyone we had the pleasure of interacting with. I had the primavera, which, like a lot of Vivo's incredible dishes, is vegetarian by default, but some awesome vegan friendly options with no or very few modifications. Their menu consists of pasta, pizza, insalates/salads, anti-pasta appetizers, and more... With green dots near the veggie friendly dishes and a very knowledgeable collection of amazing servers to guide you as needed with preferences or restrictions. Some gluten-free options as well, though not clearly labeled (as ingredients interact and their might be trace amounts of wheat). Highly recommend a carafe of wine as it's a little more than two glasses. Paired a nice Pinot Grigio with my pasta, which was light and flavorful but still filling, especially with our shared salad as a starter. Robert had the lasagna, which was very unique in style. It was more dense, cake like, flaky, and still lightly rich as he described... A very good portion that he almost couldn't finish, but did enjoy. I felt all the dishes are perfect in size with the potential for leftovers, but saving your appetizers for dinner and having a light lunch, you can definitely fill up You have the option of dimming on the patio with passersby directly across from Hot Topic between Sephora and The Crepe Cafe. The inside is well lit during the day or night... Plus, aside from a good selection of vino at Vivo, they make some impressive signature cocktails and carry a few solid beers and craft beers as well. Enjoy this full service, full bar Italian eatery 7 days a week from 11AM to close (9PM daily). Very kid and family friendly as well as persons with disability friendly. They do their best to accommodate any and everyone.
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Matthew C.

Yelp
Haven't been to universal city walk for quite awhile, and noticed new restaurants had opened up. Saw this during my stroll around and had to kill time while I was waiting for my flight home. I was here with two friends and we decided to give this spot a try. Service was indeed fast with the orders. I don't seem why people had terrible experiences but I enjoyed my short time here at this restaurant. The cheese board was my starting for the appetizer and to end it as my main course, chicken fettuccine Alfredo. Both were delicious! They provide indoor and outdoor seating at your own convenience. Indoors are air conditioned so if you don't like to sit outside, well inside is right at your comfort.
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Tessie E.

Yelp
Tried this place last night. We put our names on the list since they said there's like 15 minutes wait so we decided to walk around and got a call after like 10 minutes. The service was great and the food was good. The ambiance was also good although we didn't like that we are seating by the door and it's a cold night. They were going to move us but it will take another 10 minutes wait so we decided to stay where we were. Overall we enjoyed our dinner here and will come back. Oh and parking was $10 in the general parking building which I think is better than the preferred parking.
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Chelsea A.

Yelp
We came during one of the most crowded weekends of the fall. We came during a horror nights weekend at Universal Studios. Overall, the service was a bit slow, but the restaurant was packed. We got set really fast to say that it was so crowded. The food was exceptionally well and was seasoned to perfection. We shared a garlic bread board and had shrimp pesto spaghetti with salmon. We definitely recommend this restaurant if you're going to Universal Studios and have time to sit down and eat.

Julie N.

Yelp
We placed our order for 2 pasta, 1 pizza and garlic bread. It took 40 minutes to get the bread, and another 20 mins for the rest of food. One hour wait!!! The food was okay, the pesto pasta portion was really small, not worth 24$. And pepperoni pizza looked odd, I think even Domino pizza puts their pepperoni more evenly
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Cathie P.

Yelp
We left universal studios to take an early break for dinner before heading back for the Harry Potter light show. We decided to give Vivo a try. We started with an order of the Stracchino Crescenza Bread which we all agreed was the highlight of the meal. My daughter and I shared the Margherita pizza and the Bolognese. The pizza crust could have been baked longer, it wasn't crisp enough to hold its shape. The taste was okay. The bolognese was prepared with bucatini. The pasta was cooked to my liking and I enjoyed the dish. My husband ordered the shrimp fra diavalo. He likes things spicy but I feel all you tasted was the spice because the chef was too heavy handed with the chili peppers. All in all, I thought this was a decent choice for a somewhat reasonably priced sit down meal away from the park crowds. I can't give 4 stars because I feel there is room for improvement but this place definitely deserves a chance.
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Alexander T.

Yelp
We got our table right away and I ordered the spaghetti and meatballs and for an appetizer we got bread witch was good and when the food came it was amazing but the mozzarella cheese was just little mozzarella balls on the side
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Seanna W.

Yelp
Honestly probably one of the worst managed restaurants I've had in a long time. We were given a table quickly on a Thursday night but asked to switch because it was so cold with the open door and breeze. The manager, Andrea, refused to move us to another table (there were more than 2 readily available but she insisted it wasn't possible). She was pretty rude about it but we figured, if others are seated quickly, sure. But there was no line or wait. Literally took 15 more minutes for a party to be seated there while we were visibly cold. Wine test was given in a scotch glass. Even bringing our own wine was refused. No small bowls available (what?) for sharing soups. 3 coffees ordered and only 2 came out. Our server, who was EXTREMELY nice and the only reason this isn't a 1-star, had to wash more mugs to get the 3rd coffee out. The food itself was good, pretty decent. Caprese salad, Sicilian chicken soup, chicken parmegiana and primavera with shrimp+chicken. Pricey but ok considering the touristy spot. The staff was so nice but seemed deathly afraid of overstepping or saying something wrong and had to run everything by Andrea.
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Jocylin B.

Yelp
The service was speedy and attentive when dining here even on a busy night. We came around 7:00 and waited 45 min to be seated. It was fairly busy tonight and lots of people were still trying to get a table as we were getting seated. The ambiance was cozy and at a moderate noise level for the size of the restaurant. Our server was really friendly and was able to get us drinks asap and an appetizer of meatballs. The food was good and well seasoned. The only thing about my pasta was that it had a little bitter aftertaste so I'm not sure if that was just mine or if that's how the piccata comes.

Kelly K.

Yelp
What a great place with great food after a long day of walking around eating crappy food in the park! The place was packed but our party of four got right in (Saturday at 6). We ordered bolognese, lasagna, stuffed bread, and chicken parm. And drinks ere really good, we had margaritas and espresso martinis. Pasta was house made, sauce was great. See pics!
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Olivia P.

Yelp
The service at this ambient place is always so nice! The food is always exquisite every time I go. This place really makes you feel like you're in some royal place eating yummy dishes fit for a king, or queen! The particular waitress, Krystina, was so sweet, and checking in ever so often on me. 10/10 would eat again!!
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Lori A.

Yelp
What a treat after seeing Wicked to come in for a delicious vegan/pescatarian meal. Husband's birthday, Thanksgiving and Kaylie was such a sweetheart. Made sure everything was gluten-free for me so sweet so thoughtful and we definitely would come again and ask for her section! Delicious food and who knew that they validate I always stayed away because the parking was so expensive come and enjoy
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Danielle S.

Yelp
I ordered the chicken Alfredo with peas and it tasted amazing. Cut to two hours later and I clearly got food poisoning. I hadn't eaten anything for about 5 hours prior to that so there is no doubt that the restaurant gave it to me. It has now been two days and I'm still unable to hold any food down. My friends ordered pizza and meatballs and had no issues. So, try at your own risk.

Barry V.

Yelp
Good service, good food, really nice decor. Relaxed, pleasant experience. Reasonable prices. Better than you'd expect in such a touristy spot.

Laura G.

Yelp
The service in this place was great but all of our food came out cold. My daughter had the Fettuccini Alfredo with Chicken and shared with my husband and they both got food poisoning. I called and spoke to the manager to report it. He said, "it's never happened before". He wanted to give us a discount if we went back. Sorry I can never give a restaurant another chance after food poisoning. After reading the other reviews I seen that the same thing just happened to someone else with the same dish. I will be reporting this to the Heath Department.