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    Violas

    4.2 (537 reviews)
    ModerateSeafood, Italian
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Order Violas Takeout or Delivery

    Violas Photos

    VIOLAS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Violas

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    Janice B.

    Delicious! Service was super friendly and very professional- almost formal. I do wish they cleared our table more often or quicker because our table wasn't large. The mussels were tiny but the flavors were good. Calamari was fried perfectly. The clam linguine was plentiful and delicious. The aperol spritz was not my favorite but the Pinot noir always works. Ambiance - it's dark and loud, lots of Italian decorations and very crowded.

    Steak with chimichurri & Greek salad with side of meatballs & bread.
    Amanda J.

    Always great food and service! Always make a reservation, as they are steadily busy. Their pizza, cannoli, and seafood are also great.

    Lobster bisque
    Bill B.

    Absolutely phenomenal dinner at Viola's Italian Restaurant - 5 stars aren't enough! We've been coming to the St. Augustine area for years and somehow never made it to Viola's until Friday afternoon, huge mistake on our part, because this place is a gem. From the moment we walked in, the cozy, family-run vibe wrapped around us like a warm hug. Our server (shout-out to Maria!) was an absolute delight - knowledgeable, funny, and perfectly attentive without hovering. Now, the food. Holy wow. Started with the **Lobster Bisque** and I'm still dreaming about it. Rich, velvety, loaded with lobster meat, and that perfect sherry finish that makes you close your eyes on the first spoonful. Hands-down one of the best bisques I've ever had, and I've chased lobster soup from Maine to Key West. For my entrée I went with the **Mango Blackened Redfish** and... are you kidding me?! Perfectly blackened crust with that signature Cajun kick, gorgeous flaky redfish underneath, and then this bright, tropical mango salsa that somehow ties the whole plate together like magic. The sweetness of the mango cuts through the heat in the most brilliant way. Came with garlicky green beans and the creamiest risotto I've had outside of Italy. I cleaned the plate and seriously considered licking it (I showed restraint... barely). Everything feels fresh, made-from-scratch, and served with genuine pride. Portions are generous, prices are shockingly fair for the quality, and the wine list has some lovely Italian selections by the glass. Viola's isn't just a restaurant - it's the kind of place you leave already planning your next visit. If you're anywhere near St. Augustine, do yourself a favor and go. We'll be back sooner than later (probably next weekend, let's be honest). Thank you, Viola's, for an unforgettable meal!

    Seafood with saffron risotto
    Mark M.

    Went to Violas on Sunday. Was able to make a last minute reservation. Stated with the bruschetta which was good and then ordered the special of seafood and saffron risotto. My wife ordered the cod in a Mediterranean sauce. They both were very good. Our server kept checking on us and did a great job.

    Three top setting
    TC B.

    Lauren was excellent! Great customer service. Even better food. Four of us had different meals. All were delicious. Plenty of food. Garlic bread was tasty! Lots of seafood and Italian food options. We were not disappointed on our first visit. This would be a regular spot if we lived in the area. Highly recommended! Fun little place. Friendly staff.

    Marisa D.

    Initially told a 45 minute wait but she'd get us a drink if we wanted to wait. We agreed... she brought us a drink and within 5 minutes said, there's a seat at the bar if you want to sit there! We took her up on that - and ended up paying for our drinks ourselves since we didn't wait. But the bartender was pleasant, the food was plentiful, and very good. We'd return.

    Chicken Piccata and Branzino fish special
    Katherine R.

    This restaurant is a hidden gem! We had a reservation and the hostess was quick to seat us. Our waitress was incredible and had a great attitude that immediately brought a smile to my face! Our food was amazing and very fresh, although a little lacking in seasoning for my taste but I just have different tasebuds. Nonetheless, the food was delicious and I was able to finish my chicken piccata in one sitting without feeling sick (as pasta usually makes me a bit tired). The fish was fresh and cooked to perfection however the vegetables were a bit plain tasting in comparison. The restaurant was small but had ample space with dim ambient lighting. The music was a tad louder than the average restaurant so I had to repeat myself a few times but it wasnt that much of an issue. If im ever in town, Id visit violas again :)

    Lobster Bisque
    Sam A.

    Violas is a hidden gem with great Italian food and friendly service. We stopped in for a late lunch/ early dinner yesterday after a day at the beach. We were impressed with the quality and flavor of the food, and service. For appetizers we had the mozzarella stick and toasted ravioli. Both were tasty and not greasy at all. Lobster bisques warmed us since we ran into Violas from a torrential FL afternoon downpour (we arrived a tad drenched from rain). For entrees, our table of 3 had Shrimps and Grits (grits were more like polenta, fried into triangle wedges and topped with a delicious sauce and shrimp), Lasagna, and Chicken Marsala. The wait staffs were attentive, removing plate and refilling our water glasses throughout our meal. Portions and price were extremely reasonable for what we ordered. We will be returning again given how memorable the meal. We were too full to enjoy their desserts on this visit but want to return to try their lava cake, tiramisu, and fried cheesecake. There is a lack of delicious offerings in the area based on our many experiences of "meh", so-so, meals that did not prompt repeat business to the other restaurants in the area. This is why Violas was such an unexpected find for us. I hesitate writing this reviews cause I did not want to spoil this hidden gem with crowds but it was because of the rating in Yelp and the previous reviews that made me want to share our Violas experience. See you at Violas soon!

    The best Moscato I've ever had in my life

    Everything about this place is amazing. We recommend it to everybody. The food is outstanding. The service is outstanding. It's just such a great Italian restaurant that you don't get a lot from being down in Florida. Love the owners also if you're thinking about going here and having dinner, do it, you will not be disappointed.

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

    Absolutely one of our favorites! Wonderful customer service and food every visit! Great wine list too!

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    1 year ago

    $21 for 4 raviolis that tasted like not so fresh fish (lobster). But besides that 4??? How is that acceptable?

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    1 year ago

    Food & Service were outstanding. Portions enormous. Being able to make reservations two weeks in advance a great feature.

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    1 year ago

    Violas is a quaint hidden treasure. The food is excellent along with the service. I would highly recommend giving this place a try!

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Great people and great food. It's our annual tradition when we visit St Augustine. The owner is wonderful.

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    A must stop when we are in St. Augustine! Great food, service and atmosphere. I've never had a bad meal!

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    4 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Great food and service. Sat at the bar both times we've eaten there since reservations fill up fast.

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    2 years ago

    Food is always good. Can't go wrong with viola. We stay in the area once a yr and always eat here on our way home.

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    2 years ago

    The food was prepared properly. I had my dinner delivered, and I ate it all. I will have food delivered again!

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    Page 3 of 14

    Ask the Community - Violas

    Didn't see it in the menu but so they have a cauliflower crust pizza?

    Hi, I'm wondering if you allow outside wine, and what your corkage fee would be?

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    My partner and I went here Just Because (and to use a Resy credit from AMEX), and it ended up being…read moreone of my favorite recent dining experiences. Arrival: There are parking lots nearby--expect to pay around $15-25. As we walked up, there was live jazz music playing in the courtyard, which set a really great vibe right away. Service: Our waiter was attentive and timely without being overbearing. Food: Everything was amazing. We started with the bread service--the truffle butter was definitely the highlight (we didn't care too much for the ricotta spread). FYI: the little cubes that look like white cheddar are *not* cheese...I learned that the hard way by biting into a square of butter. For dinner, I had the cacio e pepe and he ordered the 100 lasagna. Portions were a bit smaller than expected, but honestly fine after filling up on bread. For dessert, we shared an affogato--the espresso wasn't burnt (which is surprisingly rare), so that was a big win. Overall: After the Resy credit, parking ended up costing more than the meal, which is kind of wild. Only downside was that there are just two restrooms, and there was a line when we went. Great time overall--will definitely be back.

    We finally got to check out Saint which is a from scratch Italian spot that really focuses on house…read moremade ingredients, and it definitely left an impression. We started with the bread appetizer, which came with several types of fresh bread and an incredible lineup of spreads like whipped ricotta, truffle butter, regular butter, and honey. Every bread had its own distinct flavor and texture. Next up was the sausage appetizer featuring both a sweet sausage and a spicy sausage, all made in house. They were cooked perfectly and served in a flavorful sauce with peppers that tied everything together. The balance between the sweet and spicy was so good. For my entree, I ordered the lasagna, and it was pure comfort. It reminded me so much of the classic lasagna I grew up eating, layered with rich Bolognese and a creamy bechamel sauce that made it feel both nostalgic and elevated. My boyfriend went with the steak (I believe it's a New York strip) and swapped a few of the sides to his liking. The steak was absolutely cooked to perfection, a beautiful medium rare. I may or may not have stolen about four bites... and yes, it was worth it..... We were way too full for dessert, but we did enjoy a bottle of wine with dinner which made the whole experience feel like the perfect date night. The service was fantastic, the food was memorable, and it's definitely a place we'll be coming back to for many more dates!

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