My husband and I came here to celebrate our anniversary. Let's just say we have found our new FAVORITE restaurant! Our server Jason was phenomenal and recommend his favorite dishes. WOW wow wow!!! Everything was so good will be back every single chance we get! read more

When was the last time you had homemade pasta at a restaurant? Honestly, I don't even want to eat Italian anywhere else after coming to Vai's. Unless it's in Italy. Walked in with starving teenage boys on a Sunday after noon. The place was packed. Ordered a Margarita pizza with 6 slices for an app. We have high expectations of this one and we were all so busy eating it and looking up. Wondering is this really this amazing. Hell yes, it was. The sauce, the crust. The amount of sauce. Etc. all hit it just right. Second app was a plate of fresh cut fries. Once again this place does not cut corners. Perfectly fried with a crunch and sea salt on top. That was a busy plate getting gobbled up before our entrees showed up. For my entree, I got the mushroom parpadelle with shrimp. I had no clue until I started to eat it that it was homemade pasta. In my head I kept thinking there is no way this is not made in house. I asked the waiter and yes indeed he said they are making pasta all day long. With the amount of people in this restaurant. I can only imagine how busy that kitchen is creating this soft and fresh beautiful pasta. If you have ever made pasta. You know how much time and work it is. Sorry, back to my dish: the shrimp we cooked to a perfection. Quality high, the mushrooms were fresh and I could not wait to find more. If you want Italian. Skip the chains. You will not get this quality and love like this place. read more

VAI's Italian Inspired- Kitchen + Bar - Wild Mushroom Pappardelle with shrimp - Italian Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

ANNIVERSARY DINNER RUINED!!!! Background: We were on the fence of what to do & where to go for our 28th wedding anniversary. We live in Plainfield & were planning on doing a steakhouse downtown Chicago but decided to stay semi local. We planned this way ahead of time to avoid any hiccups. We decided to skip the Naperville steakhouses & decided to give Vai a try since we were in the mood for some good Italian food & the reviews looked promising. I was going to make the reservation via open table but decided to call instead (BIG MISTAKE). This was well over a week before our anniversary last week. The young lady assured me that it was better doing the res over the phone rather than using open table.....well ....dumb me believed her. We were excited to try this new place out & when we walked in we were greeted (not really) with 3 young girls that seemed stressed, agitated & were gossiping about someones food & were giggling amongst themselves while they were constantly looking at their phones. I gave the girl my name & she said there was no reservation under my name....WOW!!! Really? ....after a few moments checking she said she could squeeze us in.....ummmm....excuse me??? Squeeze us in??? We had reservations that YOU MESSED UP!!! We told her it was our anniversary & just wanted a quiet table. We were nice & didn't make a fuss because we really didn't want to ruin this special day.....well.....they sit us in a booth near the party room that people were drinking & laughing super loud....we kindly asked the waitress if we could be sat somewhere else away from the party room....she disappears for a few mins then comes back all serious & says "follow me"....we were apologizing.....ON OUR ANNIVERSARY!!!!....she just said "its ok".....wow!! Ok sorry for making you work. Well.....she just walked us over to the OTHER end of the party room which was even CLOSER to the noise!! Seriously??? We AGAIN...told her can sit in the corner near the window.....she took a deep breath & said....let me check....at this point the bus boy came over because i think he saw our faces & that we were inching in our seats. HE was super nice & apologetic & actually called over the manager. We thought.....ok maybe the manager will help. NOPE!! The manager and the waitress got to our table at the same time & the waitress said it was ok to sit by the window. The manager looked at us like we were the problem. We kindly told her it was our anniversary & we just wanted to be away from the noise. She just said..."ok....she'll take care of you....happy anniversary..." rolled her eyes & walked away. We were not looking for a handout!!! We just wanted a quiet dinner with good service. We ended up walking out after a couple minutes because we were prepared to spend several hundred dollars....& it wasn't going to be here. We ended up going to a brewery in Plainfield & made the best out of a bad situation. I rarely if ever give bad reviews but this one struck a nerve on a very important day for us. Its nice to see that the owner responds to peoples concerns here. If he reads this....please for the sake of your future new customers.....have better front end staff that KNOW customer service.....good service sells!! I am a business owner & can tell you that is our crown jewel. Some employees are trainable & want to be taught....others are there watching their phones and looking at the clock. We gave Vai's a shot. Unfortunately, there were multiple failures in a 15 min span. Regardless of the hype of the food being good.....we won't be back for a 2nd chance. read more

This is one of my favorite go-to restaurants! The customer service is always top-notch, and the staff consistently makes every visit enjoyable. My favorite dish is the beef brisket pasta, it's always delicious. I like to switch up the appetizers each time I visit, and I've never been disappointed. I definitely recommend making a reservation, especially in the evenings, since the restaurant fills up quickly. It's absolutely worth the visit! read more

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Service: Make sure you have a reservation booked on busy nights like Friday & Saturday! Our server was friendly. Ambiance: The restaurant was very busy! Food: 1) Fried Zucchini appetizer: The dish was refreshing and light because the zucchinis were lightly battered and the sauce was a good complement. 2) The Chicago style pizza: Really good thin wood oven fired pizza. The pizza has the Chicago gardinera Spread over Italian sausage and pepperoni. Good unique flavor! read more

VAI's Italian Inspired- Kitchen + Bar - Dinner Chicago Style Neopolitan Red Pizza - Italian Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

This place was fantastic. Everything our group ordered was so good. I recommend the zucchini frites as an appetizer! The spicy chicken tortellacci was really good. The sauce had so much flavor and I loved the noodles. I would absolutely order that again. Pizza looked good too, and the chicken Marsala was also a hit with the person who ordered that. My water glass was never empty and the server was polite and friendly. Make a reservation! It's a big place but it gets busy. read more

VAI's Italian Inspired- Kitchen + Bar - Dinner Spicy Chicken Tortellacci - Italian Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

There was a very live vibe. I felt positive energy the minute I walked in. The acoustics were great as well, I was able to carry on a conversation at normal tones. Though full our server was there quickly. We had a bottle of wine. They have a nice list. We had the wings which were great. They were spicy and light on then salt. The pasta and the Chilean Sea Bass were amazing. Last, I felt like I received a lot of value for the price. read more

Updated Review. We loved Vai's so much last month we decided to go again for dinner on a Friday night. We had reservations but we noticed it had a 90 minute time allowance. We were seated immediately as it was not that crowded. Our server Emily took our drink order but never went over their Specials or asked if we had any questions. We ordered the Wood Grilled Shrimp and Avocado Salad to split and a Roasted Chicken and Pesto GF pizza. I was afraid we would not have enough food so I ordered myself the Chicken Wings Diavolo. (Wings were tasty but very small) I asked her to bring the salad out first and the pizza and wings afterwards. As our salad was served,the other 2 entrees came out immediately afterwards. Since a different person brings out the food,our server had no idea how fast the pizza and wings were brought out or did she follow up with our order. The GF crust on the pizza was amazing! We also noticed that their staff walks around with an iPad checking on the status of each table or booth adhering to their 90 minute rule. Annoying. I hate to be rushed and even tho their food is amazing,for the price point,I am not sure I will go back on a weekend night. read more

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Very happy we had a birthday celebration here. Was somewhat craving seafood but the Cajun seafood was not open on Monday. So get all ladies here for a nice dinner. We shared a bunch of items. VAI's salad had a generous portion of cheese, 4cheese bread was awesome, mushrooms Prosciutto pizza was really good. I particularly enjoyed the Baratta with honey and jam, combining with a toasted bread which gave me such a nice mix of the good. From short rib pasta, seafood in red sauce, and other entrees, my personal favorite is Chilean see bass. Just grilled to perfection with black risotto as a base. Will have to get more next time. The restaurant was so generous for our 3 ladies having a March birthday. Each of us got a separate regular size dessert: cheesecake, chocolate cake and cinnamon sugar roll. Each of them was tasty. My favorite was the chocolate one. We got a very sweet waitress who took care of us. Thoroughly enjoyed the evening here and hope for a lot more time. read more

VAI's Italian Inspired- Kitchen + Bar - Deserts - Italian Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

This time back here we had a reservation on a Friday night and food was excellent but service was meh. Too many young teen hostesses running around trying to look busy. They were apparently monitoring the tables to make sure you didn't overstay the 90 minutes allowed. Not a welcome practice but sign of the times I suppose. The manager on duty this time looked like he really didn't want to interact with anyone. Our server did the minimum. We split a delicious salad and pizza and my husband also had some pretty small but nicely spiced Diavolo Wings. The pizza crust was excellent for being gluten free. I liked that the shrimp were warm and served on the side rather on the salad so it didn't wilt. We will return but avoid the weekend to enjoy better service. read more

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First time at Vai's, and I can see why it has so many great reviews. The patio offers a wonderful atmosphere, the prices are very reasonable, and the portions are generous. The arancini is an absolute must-try! The cheesecake with the Oreo crust was insanely delicious! read more

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I got the steak with my gf to split, SO DELICIOUS! I believe it was the hanger steak, wish I took a photo it was that good.

Came here with a party of four and were promptly seated. The decor of the place is very cozy complete with multiple bonfires and fireplaces! Their menu is very large and we appreciated all the dietary restriction markings. - kale salad - the favorite! They were generous with the avocado and berries! Not overly dressed and light! - vodka pasta - it seemed the pasta was made in house, a bit doughy and sauce was slightly acidic and less creamy, mild spice - lemon crème brûlée - amazing!!! - tiramisu - light and fluffy, not dense but would have loved a bit more coffee flavor - whipped ricotta - standard, fig addition interesting touch - margherita pizza - foldable, again doughy, mild flavor - chocolate cake - amazing!!! - white wine cake - a signature for them, pretty interesting, almost tasted like apple pie! What makes this place stand out is the exceptional service!!! Thanks again! read more

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I had dinner this past Monday night with a very special date. I had the spicy chicken tortellacci. It was amazing. Mary Kate was our server. She gave us the best experience for our dinner. 5/5 stars for Mary Kate! The short rib + Rigatoni was also amazing. The Malbec was perfect. Atmosphere, decor, drinks, food, and everything were the best I have experienced in Naperville in 24 years of living here. I will be back many more times. Great job VAI and Mary Kate!!! read more

Very warm and cozy place. The staff were very patient with my indecisive in-laws who changed their minds 4 times and asked a ton of questions. I wish they'd had bread service instead of the garlic bread that came with the dinners. I wasn't a fan. The scallops were perfection, but I felt the risotto was a bit bland. I also thought the portion was small compared to the other dinners we ordered. My husband's Ravioli with bacon was by far my favorite. My FIL scarfed his chicken milanese too. However, the rigatoni in the bolognese was very undercooked even by the Italian Al dente method. It was tough. I'm definitely going back, but I think I'll try some different items. read more

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The food was delicious and they were very accommodating to those of us in the party with food allergies. Our server was friendly, but we had an issue with separate checks and ended up trying to do the split without asking. The booths are a tight squeeze if you're bigger and hard to get out of. read more

Vai's in Naperville was amazing. The staff was very friendly. The food and drinks did not disappoint. This was my first time at the restaurant so I didn't know what to expect, the atmosphere was laid back and comfortable. I will definitely be back! read more

My wife and I had a birthday party to attend (in the same area), which thankfully was in Naperville and of course had to come back to VAI. Though they have plenty of seating, I do recommend a reservation as this place is very busy and had plenty of parties going. Since we are part of their email list it was made even better by their offering of $25 off purchase of $75 in your birthday month or $10 off $60 purchase or more the month after (pretty sweet!). Additionally, they were so kind as to send a complementary white wine mini cake for dessert. Was really yummy! We tried some different items this time. My wife had Chicken Pesto Woodfire Pizza which she raved about. And I had the Pork Shank.the provide a large knife but didn't know why, considering it was fall off the bone tender. Maybe for the fire roasted asparagus? Also came with cauliflower purée which was so much better and tastier than mash potatoes. Bravo! Maddie, our server was wonderful. Bright, engaging, informative, attentive. VAI has a star! The owners or managers (not sure which) also visited to ensure everything was to our liking and only added to Maddie's care. If you haven't been to VAI, it's a must try. If you have, you understand why. read more

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We got here around 5:30 on a Wednesday afternoon and they were semi busy. Good sized dining room and Bar with indoor fire place, a good amount of outdoor seating and a fire pit in front. We weren't too hungry so we decided to order a couple of drinks to start. Got the "It's Delicious" (Gin Cocktail) and it was tasty but a little too sweet for me. For snacks it was the Campari Tomato Burrata Caprese (wood grilled tomatoes-yes!), Fritto Misto (just right fried Calamari, seafood and veggies-delicious!), and Wagyu filet sliders (tasty Beef with pesto aioli). Service was fast and friendly. By the time we finished around 7, they were busy. Voted Best Italian in Naperville for a few years and for good reason. We will be back for lunch/dinner. read more

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As usual, the experience was amazing! The server was super friendly and attentive. The manager stopped by to check on things as did the owner twice and we had a nice chat with him. The waitress made it a point to say how much she loves the owners and enjoys working from them. I love supporting local businesses and good people! The food was phenomenal in true Vai's fashion. We make the trip from Elgin and it's so worth it! read more

VAI's Italian Inspired- Kitchen + Bar - Date night at Vai's! - Italian Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

Quality Italian restaurant. Our service was great. Our server was very kind and knowledgeable. If you are there earlier in the dinner time you can see families with kids there and as the evening progresses there are few kids. Very comfortable environment. We had the Asiago gnocchi and the house chopped salad. I recommend both of those. We shared the Soppressata and honey pizza. The flavor was good but I did not like the soggy crust. I picked up a piece and it flopped over. read more

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Da best! Crabcake best in Chicagoland. And Omg on the meatballs, chicken Milan, gnocchi dish, and the cake named after the owner Sandy! Crab bisque was perfect. The Carmel budino.....I nearly burst because I was so full but I couldn't leave a bite behind Been on my wish list to visit forever and sooo happy I finally made it. Place is hoppin so make a reso and GO. We sat by the exterior fireplace which is cool. Vibes 101....crowded but organized and no wonder....everyone wants to be in there! Next up will be Sunday lasagna and the burger! Just a wonderful experience surrounded by wonderful people. Chef Wegner knows what he's doing as always! Don't skip. I'm a pro. This place rules and Sandy (and Gary and Brian) rocks! read more

VAI's Italian Inspired- Kitchen + Bar - Side meatballs!!! - Italian Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

The food in this place is five star!! I simply don't have one complaint! I made a reservation for my husband and I for 7:15. We walked in at 6:50 and we were being lead to our table at 7:20. The restaurant is modern, open and welcoming. The lighting fit the atmosphere perfectly. Upon sitting down, we were greeted by our waiter within 2-3 minutes of sitting down. His name was Trey and he was awesome! Trey was knowledgeable about each section of the menu and gave the experience and confidence necessary for us to trust his word. We started off with drinks and the zucchini fries! Omg! The aioli sauce and the flavor packed in the fries were a match made in heaven! My husband and I had to make ourselves stop eating them so that we would have room for our entrees. I ordered the Braised Pork Shank on a bed of mashed potatoes with asparagus. Just see the photos....it tasted as delicious as the photo. Wanted to try the Parmesan aioli sweet corn and this corn made me put my head down on the table due to awe! I could have eaten the corn all night. Wow!!! My partner had the Herb Roasted Chicken thighs and Gnocchi. The gnocchi itself was cooked to perfection. I have to say, we paid for my meal with pure joy and satisfaction. We can't wait to go back!! read more

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Food is absolutely amazing. The service is wonderful and the ambience is incredible. I highly recommend this restaurant and the service that they provide. read more

We arrived about 15 minutes before closing after attending a funeral, and the staff couldn't have been more welcoming. They kindly seated us in the patio room. In the rush of closing, there was a bit of a mix-up--communication between the host and waitstaff slipped--so it took a little while to get our orders. The owner came out personally to apologize, which was incredibly thoughtful. She brought us two complimentary appetizers--Zucchini Frittes and Asiago Gnocchi--and both were absolutely delicious. The wine list was excellent as well. I had the four-cheese ravioli--amazing! My husband ordered the fettuccine Alfredo, which he liked a lot, though he thought the noodles were a little firmer than he prefers (he's picky!). I also tried the cheesy noodles and they were killer good. Despite being the last table on a rainy weeknight, the service remained excellent throughout the evening. We're so grateful for their warm hospitality. Highly recommend dining here. read more

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By the way.....when I got home I made a nice dinner for my husband and me. We will not recommend VAI'S to anyone ....there are many restaurants in the area that are consistent in food, service and genuine hospitality. read more

Always delicious, consistent, warm. Order online. Ready for pick up matched with the time it would be ready

6:15 reservation on Thursday night. Seated immediately. Place was packed! Prompt greeting by our server, Mary Kate. We ordered chicken parmesan and chicken marsala. Both were absolutely phenomenal. Service was impeccable. Love this restaurant. The food is some of the best I've had. I highly recommend Vai's. read more

VAI's Italian Inspired- Kitchen + Bar - Chicken Marsala - Italian Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

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Was staying in naperville for a night and had a craving for italian food. Found this place on yelp and it didn't not disappointed. Upon walking in was greeted quickly and found a seat at the bar. The ambiance at the bar and restaurant was one of fun and the smell of great italian food and garlic was everywhere. The service at the bar was great and i order a kentucky bourbon barrel beer (bartender said that was his favorite) and it was tasty. when the food came it was hot temperature wise and so delicious. If you are in naperville area and looking for an italian restaurant this is the place to go! i can't wait to return! read more

VAI's Italian Inspired- Kitchen + Bar - Dinner Vodka Pasta, so delicious - Italian Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

What a great place, a trip to Naperville is not complete without hitting Vai's. Atmosphere, food and service are all outstanding. Prices are fair for the experience. Pix reflects a couple of "Hawaiian Bigeye Tuna", "Short Rib Rigatoni", "Spicy Peppered Shrimp" , and "Italian Doughnuts"...each were so gooood! read more

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This place is really good. Staff is great! The food was wonderful! Bathrooms were clean. The whole restaurant was clean. Went on an early Saturday night. Started at the bar. Great selection. I got an ice cold draft beer and the wife got a great mocktail. The bar staff was working their asses off. We had 6 in our group. 3 different apps and all great! Everyone loved their meals and their desserts. My wife absolutely loved the polenta and incredibly tasty delicate meatballs. Only negative is how loud it was. I realize it was Saturday night and it was super packed, so I'm not holding that against them. Still a great experience. read more

VAI's Italian Inspired- Kitchen + Bar - "It's Bubbly" a non-alcoholic drink. - Italian Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

Good atmosphere with a covered outdoor patio that was busy but service did not suffer at all. Staff is on point with water refills, recommendations, grabbing dirty dishes, etc Our food came out looking good and tasting delicious. We went for Mothers Day weekend and were excited to go here since the other reviews were great. I got the surf & turf special & it was cooked to order perfectly. My husband got the chicken pasta dish & it was spicy , pasta cooked great & chicken moist & flavorful. Tiramisu was smooth creamy & would get every time! Can't wait to go again to try more delicious food! Go check it out over a chain restaurant! read more

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My girlfriend Diane and I have been coming to Vai's Italian Inspired Kitchen + Bar since we first started dating in September of 2023, and somehow this place continues to exceed expectations every single time. Tonight felt especially memorable and worthy of a proper review. We usually avoid Friday nights because Vai's is almost always packed... and after tonight, it became crystal clear why. Diane and I were craving a standout meal, a little comfort, and a relaxing evening together. What we received was far beyond dinner service. We were treated like valued regulars and genuinely welcomed from the moment we arrived. Pete, who I believe is the manager, recognized us immediately and encouraged us to put our name on the waiting list despite the crowd. I'm grateful he did. While we waited, we sat outside near the fire on a cool evening, which added another layer of warmth and ambiance to an already inviting atmosphere. Within minutes, Pete came outside personally to let us know two seats had opened at the bar. That level of attentiveness matters. As soon as we walked in, Eliot and Mallory greeted us with smiles and authentic positive energy. Not forced. Not transactional. Genuine. They made us feel appreciated simply for being there. Even on one of the busiest nights imaginable, they engaged with guests with the same warmth and attentiveness we've experienced during quieter weekday visits. In the background, Morgan was crafting cocktails with precision while still finding time for a familiar nod that quietly says, "Good to see you again." That kind of hospitality cannot be faked. We ordered our favorite dish, the Lobster & Shrimp Rigatoni and once again it was exceptional. Rich, consistent, perfectly prepared, and easily one of the best dishes in Naperville. Without us even asking, the kitchen thoughtfully split the entrée onto two plates. That small gesture perfectly captures what makes Vai's special... attention to detail seems woven into everything they do. From the fire outside to the flowers inside, from the cocktails to the consistency of the food, Vai's creates an atmosphere that feels welcoming, polished, and sincere all at once. Authenticity and respect seem embedded in the culture there. Tonight was a standout evening for us, and I'm genuinely glad we decided to stay despite the crowd. Pete, Eliot, Mallory, Morgan, and the entire staff - thank you for reminding us what great hospitality looks like. Outstanding indeed. read more

Delicious food every time I go! Great ambiance and friendly staff! Highly recommend. Love their pasta dishes.

Our dinner at Vai's was indeed superb! I celebrated my milestone birthday this past Sunday and Vai's did not disappoint. KJ was our server out on the patio & he was VERY patient with us throughout our time there. He was very attentive & knowledgeable and friendly too! Our food from appetizers to entrees to dessert were delicious. We will be back! Keep up the great work! read more

Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Drinks: 5/5 Ambiance: 5/5 Great dining experience I'd recommend. Appetizers were delicious and all our entrees were amazing as well. Just looking for an excuse to go back read more

Recently my sister and I hosted an 80th birthday party for our mother at Vai's (her absolute favorite restaurant). From the initial planning session with Tara to selecting the menu and then finalizing the details prior to the event, everything was absolutely perfect. The menu that we chose included many crowd favorites and was absolutely delicious. We enjoyed lunch and mingling on the enclosed patio. Our servers, Morgann and Brianna were so attentive and kept an eye on everything including the timing, any refills and all of our guests needs. We all had a wonderful time and our mother can't stop smiling from such a wonderful event. Thank you Vai's! read more

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Came back to celebrate my birthday and everything was just as sensational as my first visit. Our waitress Jazlyn was amazing, and all our plates looked and tasted fantastic. VAI's is quickly becoming a family favorite and deserves all the praise it gets. read more

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The wait was a bit long on a Saturday night but understandable because the seabass was out of this world will be back every time I visit this area for sure fantastic! read more

Food was delicious. We ordered cocktails, three small plates, cappuccinos and two desserts. Service was fast, courteous and attentive. Ambiance was bright out on the enclosed patio and inviting. read more

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