Perhaps I'm not as with it as I used to be,* but I've never heard of Vapiano. Apparently it's an international chain. I only knew it served pasta, and I was ravenous and walking by. Upon entering, some guy just handed me a card of some kind and jabbered at me in German. Not wanting to seem like more of a moron than I am, I just nodded and walked past. Apparently the cards are like those punchcards you get at Katz's: the staff records what you ordered and you check out at the end. (Don't lose the thing, or you're going to owe them $50.) In any case, you get in line, grab a tray and then order from one of the a la minute cooks. There's pizza and pasta, but I usually avoid pizza outside of NYC because I eat entirely too much pizza in NYC. You can choose from a host of different types of pasta, and then you choose your sauce combination from four different price tiers. The cook then makes it all happen in a [traditional Italian] wok. You then go grab a seat wherever you can find one, and stuff your face. Strange ordering system aside, I see this chain taking America by storm because it's a fat man's DREAM. I know this, because I was even satisfied by the enormous portions, although the drastically overdressed salad turned me off a bit. However, the bread was excellent, the fresh pasta of surprisingly high quality, and the sauces we chose were not half bad. It is a cafeteria atmosphere, but the prices are correspondingly cheap, and I do like the touch of having fresh basil and rosemary on the tables for your use. I'm generally not a fan of chains of any kind, but I've had much worse meals for much more money, and I'd do it again. _____________ *I used to be with it, but then they changed what "it" was. Now what I'm with isn't it, and what's it seems weird and scary to me. read more

I had been to Vapiano before. It really used to be much better. I speak german, so my experience had nothing to do with that. To be honest, I went in with the expectation of getting decent food, but I certainly wasn't expecting anything spectacular. What I got was horrific. I came in and was greeted, but the guy at the counter didn't even say hello. I thought to myself, "Okay...whatever. His thing." I then proceed to the pizza counter, where it was not at all clear where I should order. The cook then just ignores me, and keeps chatting with his colleague. I stand there for at least two minutes. Un-helped. There is no one else at the counter. The guy behind the counter looks like he has seen batter days. He messed up on the computer and had to void my order. I ordered a cheese pizza and a bottled ice tea. The cook puts around six or so pizzas into a compartment, and rings everyones buzzer at the same time. My pizza is cold when I get it. And burned. The guy didn't even bother to cover more than half of the pizza with tomato sauce and cheese. It was so dry. Like dust. The whole thing cost me 11 Euros. Total rip off if you ask me. Cross this one off the list. Couldn't even eat half of the pizza because it was not even a pizza. It was a burned cracker. read more

A Franchise Italian can this work ? It can. Update: They have lost a lot since their initial opening. Nowadays, especially this subsidiary appears to be poorly managed. Cooks of rather sluggish and lazy appearance don't seem to care a lot about that others intend to eat what they prepare. It's extreme here, but I notice similar tendencies at their other outlets as well. Probably this has just been due to the concept's overwhelming success in recent years. When entering the location through its only entrance, I was suprised by the number of people who obviously had already made Vapiano a crowded 'In-Location'. After receiving my RFID-card from a very friendly hostess at the cashier's desk, I passed by the bar and lounge area, which let me into a large room with long tables (somewhat similiar to a beer garden) and several counters where a dozen chefs were busy preparing fresh italian food on customer's demands. Though the speed clearly makes the service suffer. For the newcomer orientation is somewhat difficult here, since there are no guides helping you out on where to order which one of the offered specialties; an the cooks are way too busy for long explanations. The food itself is as hummy as you would expect, after having watched its lively preparation, though some herbs like oregano or thyme may not have hurt the pasta's taste and my assigned cook could not really keep his own promise of a 'medium'-cooked tuna on my pasta. But that's all been corrected by the fresh basil and rosemary growing on literally every table, awaiting a demanding customer to pick their leaves off. While queueing for the next portion it hit me, that it my not be bad to have access to the data that had been stored on my RFID-card's account so far, to avoid trouble with probable booking accidents, when finally paying at the restaurant's exit. Aside all that I have to admit being convinced by the concept's success and in most cases the high quality of the freshly prepared food and ingredients either. read more

I remain underwhelmed. I don't mind the RF card technology or not having a waiter. But the food quality is really only average. Pizzas are OK but not outstanding. The "homemade" pasta isn't made by some Italian Mama lovingly kneeding egg and flour. It's just a prepared flour mixed with plain ole water and stuffed through a processor, i.e. exactly the same as what Barilla does in the factory. Real homemade pasta with egg has a delicate texture. Vapiano pasta is just gummy. But hey, it's homemade so it must be good, right? OOtherwise the Frankfurt location needs to hire extra people to clear tables of refuse and clean the danged restrooms (!!!). For the same money I can find many Italian joints with better food and service. read more

I walked past the place on Great Portland Street (on the former site of Mash) and have always been intrigued about the food. An interesting idea that you get made-to-order food and drink at various stations that get recorded on a RFID swipe card. A sort of reverse Wagamama if you will. Only downside is the queues. A pizza can only cook as fast the oven will allow it, so I opted for pasta. The menu allows you to choose from a number of sauces and types of pasta and the chef takes a box of premeasured pasta (presume it's fresh as the cook time is less than a couple of minutes) and then prepares the sauce for you. Your average station can only handle two customers at a time though. But there are clever things like the automatic pans which lower and then rise when the pasta is cooked. Given the number of customers that were queing they manage to turn around the dishes pretty good (it was hot in the building though - as it was 29 degrees outside - a rare Frankfurt summers day) and the food wasn't bad. But you gotta feel for the chefs as the pressure to turn around dishes was intense. My total wait time was no more than ten minutes which is impressive. Bill was a reasonable €8 for a bowl of pasta and a soft drink. Don't go in there expecting gourmet Italian. Overall it's a good place to grab a bite before going to the movies and it's away from the main shopping craziness so relatively peaceful to eat. read more

I like the idea of having your food freshly prepared in front of me, or being asked about the type of pasta, how much garlic and chili I'd like, and I wouldn't mind standing in line for it - if I found a place to sit down afterwards. During lunch hours it is almost impossible to find a place for more than one. Everywhere people without food or drinks are occupying seats waiting for the others arriving with the orders. While they're waiting you could've finished your meal, instead you walk around until your food is almost cold. The food is really nice (for the price), but it can be very frustrating. Come here in unusual hours or just by yourself and you'll be fine, otherwise I recommend going somewhere else. read more

This was a unique experience for me and I thought the food was just fantastic! I am a vegetarian and had the ravioli con ricotta e rucola, with a side salad. Fast (made in front of you while you watch) & yummy! read more

Vapiano - Ravioli con ricotta e rucola + insalata mini - Italian Near Me - Frankfurt, HE

Food was cold. Portions small. Service bad. There was not a lot going on but still it took ages for the food. They did not clean the tables and when asked to do so it was done but with little enthusasm. No thanks there are enough other more decent places around read more

Was totally disappointed by this Vapiano. The kitchen was so filthy, they cooked my pasta in a water that was so filthy, i suppose they cooked the whole shift pasta in it. After they served it, th epasta was half-way cooked, uneatable. Portion was way too small for a 10€ meal etc. I can say only one more thing: "Vapiano you will never see me again!" read more

Went here and met a guy that spoke spanish (Thank god...idk German haha) Food was great and the ppl were very nice!

I live in Atlanta and went to this Frankfurt location in 2007. It is 2011; the food was very good, so good in fact that it has stuck in my mind this whole time and I had to find out the name of this place 4 years later. Like one other review, the card, lines, and waits can be strange and are not the best, but I feel whatever you point at will be delicious. And I just found out there are US locations. read more

My colleague recommended Vapiano during our stay at Frankfurt. The establishment was quite busy even during the happy hours, which was an encouraging sign. Upon entering, we were handed a card, which served as a debit for everything you ordered in the restaurant. That part was quite straightforward. Walk a little more and you will enter the courtyard area where a huge crowd was in about ten different lines. The food was cooked by order in front of you, which is a positive experience. However, due to that setup, everyone is just waiting for the person in front of you to move on, and in turn created a lot of congestion. I was about the sixth person in line, and it took me about 15-17 minutes to get to the front. Food was fresh and decent. I would give it 3.5 point if i am being honest, since the store's setup isn't too friendly for people on the go. On a side note, If you are a single guy, this might be a good joint to hang. There are a lot of attractive girls dining here for some reason. read more

Had lunch here on a Sunday which meant finding an empty table to sit at was not too much of a problem. I think my pasta was a good effort - salami with rocket and ricotta - but it was under seasoned and had a bit too much butter (and no lemon juice). My friend's calzone was much better and pretty authentic. This is the first Vapiano I have ever been to (there is one off Oxford Circus in London) and I mostly wanted to try it for novelty reasons. I think I was probably unwise in hoping for a totally Italian food experience where clearly, modifications were made to suit local quirks eg curried duck pasta! All in all, I enjoyed the food well enough and satisfied my curiosity about their unusual service format. If I go again I would go for their pizzas. read more

I already know Vapiano from various cities and I usually like it. There is no point in complaining about the service cause thats just not the idea here - you go and order, wait in the queue and watch them make your food and then find yourself a table. When you leave the establishment you pay (works with a card). I always really like the athmosphere and interior, especially the tables and chairs and the fresh herbs on my table. The food is usally good, there are lots of choices for every taste. We had some drinks today before lunch that looked and tasted really nice as well. I tried the glutenfree pasta for the first time (it's new) and its always Penne (no matter what you order) and it was definitely cooked far to soft for my taste and an italian restaurant. They fell apart when I started eating them. The taste of the sauce etc was fine though. It's still fast food, not a high standard restaurant and you get what you would expect I guess. read more

Vapiano - strawberry prosecco and campari orange and olives :) - Italian Near Me - Frankfurt, HE

Der einzige Vapiano bisher der sehr sauber ist. Die Pizzen und pastagerichte schmecken wie beim Italiener und nicht wie bei pizza Hut. Die Bar ist gut gemacht und der Service wirklich gut. read more

It's just fine. They make great pizza's..

Had a good meal here. They speak English and the food was great. Interesting concept you get a card and go up to the station you want( pizza, pasta, salad) place your order and then take it back to eat. The best part was the pasta. It is very fresh made to order. The worst part was the line for the pasta. Took about. 15 min wait to place my order. In the end it was worth it. Also affordable. read more

I like sitting outside whenever I go here, since it feels a bit stuffy and hot inside. For pastas, so far I have tried penne with mushrooms and penne with green pesto. Definitely a fan of penne with mushrooms, it tastes especially good with chilli garlic (ask for it when they're cooking your sauce), pesto was meh, I can get a similar result by using a jar of store-bought pesto. And as for pizzas I have tried so many of them that it'd be easier to list the ones I didn't try. It's usually very well cooked, the crust is thin and crispy. One problem is it takes too damn long to get a pizza! I understand they're getting a lot of orders but they might want to invest in a bigger oven so they can cook more at the same time. Otherwise, fresh ingredients and really friendly cooks in both stations. Haven't tried the salad and antipasti stations yet, but I'm planning to try those out soon! read more

Wir sind gar nicht erst zum Essen gekommen. Überall lagen Teller und Essensreste der Vorgänger herum. Hygiene? Nein Danke!

Great food but this location is smaller and more crowded than vapiano's other location in Frankfurt

More of a place to be seen rather than a place to go for a good meal. Lots of want-to- be hip and happening types hang out here. I use to like this restaurant for its food but the quality of the food preparation has gone down hill. Last two times I had paste there it was badly done and I have decided to write it off my list of restaurants. However if you want to hang out with the Huge Boss straight leg black jeans and Ralph Lauren polo shirt wearing crowd it might be the place for you. Oh and don't forget your sweater which should be worn on your shoulders, then you will fit right in. read more

Get ready for a self serve experience. Have to wait in line to order separate dishes. Got an anti pasta only bc they were out of the main course pasta I wanted. Was in and out very quickly. Would have enjoyed better service or any service at all read more

Really great Italian food. I do not know why I was eating Italian food in Germany but I saw it and, being from an Italian family, I wanted to try it. The food was pretty darn good. I would come back if it weren't for that I live and ocean away. However, it does get pricy if you are eating as a family. read more