Via Lago - I will be sad to see you go! A staple in Lexington Center for 37 years announces retirement/closure at the end of May 2025! Providing cafe and breakfast items followed by lunch and dinner in the restaurant along with a corporate catering business, I was a customer of all for many years. When I used to work in Lexington Center, stopping for a coffee or pastry in the morning or the occasional lunch was always a treat from Via Lago. And getting their catering services was also a frequent highlight for the office staff. Unfortunately, Covid and revised hybrid work schedules have decimated the work catering business as well as the in office workers running to lunch places and Via Lago is no exception. Thank you for all of your delicious staples, welcoming ambiance, and friendly staff throughout the years. You will be missed! read more

My friend and I made reservations after a Christmas Carol's service on a Friday night. We were a few minutes late to the reservation but were told there was a 30+ minute wait. We were not pleased but luckily we didn't have to wait that long. Our waitress was fabulous, efficient and informed, answering our questions about the menu. I had a glass of Shiraz and my friend had chardonnay which was served in a warm glass (fresh from the dishwasher maybe?) so she sent it back. Our waitress cheerily supplied a glass at the proper temperature. I ordered the squash risotto and scallops -- and my friend ordered a chicken tortellini dish. The scallops were big and cooked to perfection. I love risotto but don't make it, so I order it whenever I can, and this was delicious. My friend was well pleased with her dish, For 8pm on a Friday night the place wasn't too crowded and we had a relaxed meal where we could hear each other talk. Except for the wait at the beginning this was a perfect experience, and I will be back. read more

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Visited for the first time and enjoyed it quite a bit. Our waitress was excellent, very friendly and attentive. The food was good. I had the Acorn Squash Risotto which came with scallops. The scallops were perfect but there were bites of the risotto that was slightly undercooked. My wife got the pasta with chicken and butternut squash. It was delicious. I would get it again. For dessert we had a nice bread pudding. The clientele leans toward the retirement crowd. I believe we were the youngest guests by a good margin, but the atmosphere doesn't reflect that and I left a little confused why there weren't more families eating there. On top of good food and friendly service, the prices were reasonable. Entrees were almost all under $25. Bottom line, Via Lago is worth a visit. read more

Via Lago - Pasta Shells with Roasted Butternut Squash - Sandwiches Near Me - Lexington, Massachusetts

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The Swedish Meatballs are to die for. Ask the owner why the Swedish meatballs arent on the menu any longer.

Food: - Chicken tenders: Amazing, fries tasted frozen but still good. One tender came cut open is it to prevent salmonella? - chicken Parm grinder: nine out of 10 really good marinara sauce is very good. One of my favorite grinders. I am really picky in this definitely delivered. Ambience: Walked in and was a bit confused. Turns out you go to the back deli order and then see yourself food is been brought to you. Tables were a bit dirty crumbs on the seats and tables. Could use an update, but looks can be deceiving food was very good. Service: service was great. Everyone was nice and accompanied us with anything we needed. It's a great stop if you're in Lexington and need a quick bite to eat. read more

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Breakfast and lunch site. A casual pleasant place. Order at counter and bring food to you. Tasted homemade from soup to salad to sandwich.

Rude and unprofessional staff/management who will steal from you while also lying to your face about it. On friday (2/21) I popped into Via Lago for two drinks, tipped over 20% and left. But when I went home I realized my earpods were missing. When I popped back into the store, smiling and politely asking if anyone found them, I was immediately told I was crazy and it was "physically impossible for items to missing there." My great grandparents actually owned a restaurant, I have enormous respect for hardworking wait staff and food service employees. But when I tried escalating the issue to a manager, days later, she too was dismissive and rude to me. She accused me of levying theft allegations which I never spoke of, and she only offered to take my information down after it was clear that legal services were involved. I was a semi frequent customer but I will never return here again in my life and I strongly encourage everyone else to avoid this place too!!!! Il Casale has Italian food in Lexington too, but the staff there are much more polite and well trained. Do yourself and your valuables a huge favor, if you want decent service, food and professionalism, go anywhere else read more

At the suggestion of a friend I was visiting in Lexington, we had dinner at Via Lago, and I'm so glad we did. My main course, Penne Bolognese was excellent, as was the Caesar Salad. My friend reported that he was delighted with the salmon he ordered. Service was crisp and professional. The staff noticed right away that my elderly friend has a little difficulty getting around, and they politely offered assistance. Though he declined help, the gesture was appreciated. Nice ambiance: not overly fancy or trendy. Spotlessly clean. Overall great experience! Next time I'm in or near Lexington, I know where I'll go out to eat. read more

I love stopping by this spot for lunch. I can walk into the back at the counter and order something to go. The only thing I don't like is how there are no descriptions for the food in the lunch area. So they typically have 3 different types of quinoa salad, etc. and it is hard to know the difference. Sometimes the staff isn't sure either. I usually just grab a bowl of the chicken soup to go on my break. The staff is friendly and they have lots of regulars and always make nice conversation and seem genuine. The prices are very reasonable too! read more

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We had an outstanding dinner experience at Via Lago last night. After a very stressful week, my mom, siblings and I wanted nothing more than a relaxing, tasty meal, without breaking the bank. We got that and then some, at Via Lago. Two of us ordered the beef tenderloin sandwich, served with perfectly cooked French fries. Delicious! And very moderately priced. Mom ordered and loved the penne bolognese. She loved it. The other sibling ordered a chicken, pasta, pumpkin dish, which she loved. Again, all were very fairly priced. Lastly, our server, Ashley, was fantastic. Very attentive, friendly, helpful and kind. We will definitely be returning to this lovely local gem! read more

Went to this restaurant at recommendation from Lexington visitor center. Orzo chicken salad very bland. Sicilian salad bland. Quinoa salad bland. Better with some salt, and that is from someone who eats a very low salt diet. Serving size was good for the price. Biggest drawback was staff attitude. The lady who served me at the counter was gruff. She said pick a drink and I'll bring this out to you, and pointed to some very large plastic cups on the deli counter. I started to take one and said boy this is big, and she yelled at me "no, you have to look behind you." Then I took a soda from the wall behind me which I could not see upon walking up to order and turned to find a seat. After taking one step, a man from a different direction yelled at me "you have to pay for that first." I apologized, paid, ate quickly and left. read more

Once ordered a Thai chicken wrap. Didn't think there was any chicken in after a few bites. Took it back to ask why. They opened the sandwich and lo and behold all the chicken was at one end of the wrap - not evenly distributed. Most recently ordered a corned beef sandwich on pumpernickel with Swiss cheese and mustard. Got the sandwich on two very thick slices of bread, a few thin slices of dry corned beef, swiss cheese and no mustard. This is no NY deli by any stretch. The meat and cheese didn't even cover the bread. Looked like it was just carelessly slapped together. I brought it back the for mustard. The lady opened the sandwich and slapped a dollop of mustard in the middle of each slice without spreading it to cover the bread and closed the sandwich. Looked like a 12 year old made it. This used to be a good place with higher standards. Apparently there was a change of ownership and sandwich quality has gone down. Soups are good though. read more

So this was my first time come here to celebrate a 88 year old man birthday.... the service was the slowest I ever seen arrived at 7 pm got served hour and half later.... I would not recommend anyone to come here unless you want to starve .... the food was not that good .... no one offered refill water .... had to ask twice to put the heat on .... needless to say ... after take bite of the cheese ravioli it was cold ..... the pasta was raw ... and the ricotta tasted old...the tomato sauce was watery no flavor might as well eat raw tomato. read more

Via Lago - Cheese ravioli that took 45 mins to make - Sandwiches Near Me - Lexington, Massachusetts

Via Lago is an excellent catering service with fresh and great food! I have tried the Hummus & Vegetable wrap as well as the Mozarella, Tomato, Basil Sandwich and enjoyed both very much. The food is much better quality than other catering services I have tried. read more

We went to Via Largo the other night, one of our favorite places. The food and service is always great. I was a little disappointed that the Cosmo I had ordered was only filled 1/2 -2/3 of the glass. I order this drink all the time and it has always been to the top. I had heard after the fact from a few people that have been there recently they experienced the same thing. You pay for a cocktail drink it should be a full glass. read more

Via Lago - Sandwiches Near Me - Lexington, Massachusetts

Love Via Lago!! Their food is always delicious!! The employees are friendly and fast!!! It is nice to be able to look out over Massachusetts Ave. in Lexington- a definite place to go!!!! read more

Great lunch spot! I've met up with friends and clients here many times and have never been disappointed with the wait time or food. Great sandwiches, soups and salads. Friendly staff and the gentleman ringing up your order is a riot! Place your order, fine a seat and they bring your meals. Street metered parking or in the lot behind the restaurant. read more

Fabulous food, great service, nice wine selection & yet now the worst mixed cocktails! After many years(15+) a group of over 20 friends has frequented Via Lago, mostly in as two couples, groups of four to six or a couple of us at the bar. Really liked the variety of delicious food this neighborhood eatery offers, the atmosphere & the wine & cocktails. Now because the cocktails are SO horrible, NONE of us frequent Via Lago. We have spoken to the bar manager Joyce to no avail-she is contentious! Not a decent cocktail & yet you are still charged $14.00 for a ONE ounce Kettle One martini!!! NO Way! read more

One of our favorite places. Great specials. Fish is fabulous great waitstaff and bartenders

Perfect lunch spot. Food was great and a great value. It was a bit crowded, but it was lunch time and I still found a place to sit. Street parking was available nearby without much of a walk. The staff was incredibly kind and helpful. Not in area often, but if I am around lunch time I am going to stop here! - Amazing, coming here whenever I can! Food, service, ambiance, value and restrooms on point. read more

I come to the bar quite often and although the food is not the most refined, it is good value. The bartenders are great and it's a neighbourhood joint so you'd see many familiar town folks here. Don't bring your mistress here if you don't want a gossip spreading. Great place to hang out. read more

Via Lago - Vandeberg "melee" from south Australia - Sandwiches Near Me - Lexington, Massachusetts

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Great Italian restaurant!!! There is great foods. I love the beef chilly and shrimp chilly bowl. The staff are kind. They make a place for us our English conversation class. Thank you so much!!! read more

I came here for a quicky lunch with family who live in town. I like this location and think the service behind the counter is lovely - the place is also attractive and clean. I got a caprese sandwich - Mozarella,Tomato and Basil. It was fresh and delicious. My only negative from this experience would be that while I understand the staff wants to clean up the area, do they have to do it right where I am eating. If you did not want us to sit and eat, why did you take our eat in order and then direct us to this area to sit. It felt like a very passive-aggressive way to get us to hurry up and eat and leave. read more

For years, Via Lago has not only served wonderful food but has also done it while keeping their prices down. I would say this is the best restaurant for the value oriented customer who wishes to eat really really well and not break the bank.. The staff is friendly and the atmosphere, around the bar can be lively. There are also spaces for quieter more intimate dining without any pretension.When my wife and I contemplate moving we comment that the biggest loss of leaving Lexington would be Via Lago. It's a wonderful neighborhood hang with terrific food. read more

I have eaten here several times when we have catered lunch at work. We've had several dishes including sandwich platters, pasta dishes and several vegetarian plates. Today I had the grilled steak soft taco and it was very tasty. Although it was a little pricey at $7 for two small tacos, I think 3 for $8 would be a steal. It's a soft taco, grilled carne asada (guessing from taste) steak, fresh pico de gallo some lettuce and cheese with sour cream and salsa on the side. The tortilla's were grilled for a short amount of time as the wrap was warm and soft enough to wrap with just a tiny crispness to them to keep it firm. The ambiance is cafe like, they have a bar and a few tables to sit at and will bring your food to you if you are eating there. Of course, on a nice sunny day there is no reason to eat in as you can sit outside on the benches or on the grass nearby. They have a limited breakfast menu that is in force from 7am - 10am. The service was fine, not bad or good, the food quality is good and I love the location. read more

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We made 6:00 reservations. We got there at 5:50 and we're seated immediately. We were given water and menus. At 6:10 no one shows. We walked out and I commented that we had been waiting for 20 minutes with no service. The three servers and the hostess we're sitting up front twiddling their thumbs and playing on their phones. Maybe the food would have been good but I would have never known cuz the service sucked read more

I visit downtown Lexington regularly and was looking for a quick lunch takeout spot. They have a pretty easy set-up during the pandemic environment. You can order and pay ahead for your food. When you enter the restaurant, you can go straight to the back where the food counter is, and it is a one-way route. They put your take-out back on a counter with your name, and then you can grab it and walk out the door which is a separate entrance. We ordered a few sandwiches to go, including a BLT, Chicken Quesadilla, and some pressed sandwiches. Everything tasted good, and it was an easy take-out experience. In the restaurant, there were lots of attractive items visible in their glassed food counter. Unfortunately we weren't able to get their tiramisu to-go during the lunch take-out, so I believe only certain items may be available during lunch vs. dinner times. They had outside tables, and attracted a fair amount of dining customers during the sunny day I visited. read more

I have made it to heaven! After sampling Via Lago's "The Fresh Pirate" cocktail I can honestly say it's the best summer drink in Lexington MA..... I came in parched and dehydrated after a long day of physical and mental work. As I pulled myself up, chin high, above the bar my lazy eye wandered to the cocktail special of the evening.....THE FRESH PIRATE....Hand made by the Via Team it consists of: Buccaneers brew lime and raw sugar muddled with treasured Papa's Pilar Rum and Patrons orange liquor. So if you have your panties in a twist or your tight whites in a wad then come on down and join me for a freshly made FRESH PIRATE! read more

Via Lago - THE FRESH PIRATE! - Sandwiches Near Me - Lexington, Massachusetts

FRUSTRATING! I come here for lunch 2 to 3 times a week with my husband and I actually enjoy it. Even though the set up is a bit strange it works and the day staff are lovely. However, for dinner......I wont be coming back. We came here 2 weekends ago with another family and 4 tweens. We had a nice waitress but the moment the clock hit 10PM the busboy came over and stuck his fingers in all our drinks (that we were drinking) and started clearing up. He told us it was time to go and literally rushed us out of the door. We had ordered food, were still drinking when this was going on. And to make it worse the waitress felt so bad she gave us ice water in to go cups and apologized. Lunch is good here but NOT FOR DINNER! And its sad because this is one of the few places in Lexington with a liquor license. read more

Via Lago is a great local restaurant; they update the menu regularly so always something new but also have great regulars dishes. I love the baby green salad and cod! read more

This is a great place and I do come here often but this morning I just ordered an egg sandwich and a bagels to go. I was told to seat and wait as it would take 15-20 minutes. really? Perhaps my order was too challenging to cook to? but I am out in less than 5... cool read more

I ordered the Greek salad with grilled chicken today for lunch takeout and was impressed enough to come on Yelp and write a review. Great mix of salad, feta, olives and delicious unique dressing and it even came with bread. read more

I've been to Via Lago twice and I've had a good experience both times. On my most recent visit I had the 3 Cheese Artichoke and Spinach dip, Penne Bolognese, and the Apple crisp. The Artichoke dip was cheesy, garlicy and delicious! I scraped up every last bit. The Penne Bolognese was also very good. I dislike when restaurants make the sauce too sour and watery. This was not at all the case with my Penne Bolognese. The meat ragu had plenty of Parmesan, which gave it a nice creamy texture. On my previous visit I had tried to order the Apple Crisp but they had sold out. I finally got my hands on it this time, but I was a little underwhelmed. The apples were really sour which sort of made the desert hard to eat. The crumble was very crunchy, but not in a good way. Even though it was super busy, the service was fast and friendly. Overall, it's definitely going to be a regular spot for us. The entree and appetizer were awesome and I would like to try another desert to compare it to my apply crisp. read more

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I was gonna let this slide because I enjoy their food but today I place a lunch order Whoever took my phone order was extremely extremely rude. It was a woman. I still place the order Because it was for me and my coworkers. From now on I will be taking my business elsewhere. This lady does not need a job! read more

New to town and have been trying to find a family owned restaurant/deli that provides take out lunch food. Came across this place on Yelp. Hoping I found my new go to place for lunch. Doesn't look like a take out place if you walk in the front door. The take out is way in the back. Either way had a FRESH baby greens salad with a HUGE piece of FRESH grilled chicken breast. Good balsamic but I would like to taste a bit of honey in it. Looking forward to lunch again real soon! They had quiche, Sandwiches, soups, salads. Breakfast and dinner too! Everyone was friendly. The gentleman at the register made me aware of his to obtain the daily specials. The other women behind the counter were teasing him. Over all my first visit was a four! Let's see if we can keep it or move it on up! read more

I have been frequenting this restaurant for many years with family members, friends and clients. It's a pretty comfortable neighborhood restaurant and they do a nice job with the food and eclectic seasonal menus. Unfortunately, they have a manager, Joyce, who is the most rude, unfriendly, unprofessional person I have ever experienced in a restaurant. I have been in the food and restaurant industry for decades and I am astonished that the owner keeps her on. In addition to the above, she has been instructing the bartenders to make half cocktails and to water down the martinis and manhattans if people want them dry or extra dry. $14 for half a drink! I've known several people who have worked here and they've left because of her, so she's just as difficult to the employees as she is with the customers. Sadly, they have lost my, and many other's business. There are many other restaurants in the area that serve fantastic cocktails along with delicious food. Shame on you, via lago :( read more

The bread was very good. The good stopped there. Food was bland, and the service was worse. I don't think I've been to a place with so many rude employees. Just obnoxious! Unless you're a regular, STAY AWAY! read more

The service at Via Lago doesn't look anything like the service when I wrote my last review. I have been in a number of times over the past few months and the service has been courteous, helpful, and much faster. I believe I was speaking with Joyce when I was there, and she was friendly and welcoming. The food has always been good, and now the service matches it. I highly recommend Via Lago. read more

My wife and I live in Lexington and have been eating at Via Lago for 22 years since we moved here, maybe coming 6 times a year and consistently have had an overall great dining experience. We always find the food is delicious (and believe me, my wife won't settle for average food). I don't understand why the rating isn't higher. read more

I've been coming here since the 90s. I don't remember the service ever being super friendly but I thought it's cuz I was a teenager. I would definitely quantify the service as surly now. On top of that, the toasted bagel wasn't toasted and he "Meat Omelette" did not have any meat! Normally I would brush aside oversights from the kitchen but add on pissy servers and I'm done with you. read more