Vesuvio Ristorante Italiano in Sunderland

Beautiful food, great service and a very cosy atmosphere. I think this is one of the best Italian restaurants in the area and would highly recommend to anyone!

I’m always rather sceptical about the honesty of reviews in which people shower accolades on eating establishments. A lifetime of working in the media and writing dining-out reviews for publications of various kinds (newspapers, magazines and, more recently, social media platforms) has convinced me how easy it is to manipulate gradings for food quality, service, value-for-money etc. So, it was with just a little apprehension that we (the family) gathered at Vesuvio’s for my birthday party celebration. It’s a bijou but atmospheric Italian restaurant in Houghton Le Spring which has been awarded nothing but five-star assessments by diners. The owners, I suspected, must have a fair few friends. But no . . . at the very outset I have to say that they are well-deserved! I don’t believe in detailing the specific dishes our party tested. My advice to readers is always ‘go and see for yourselves’. But let me just say that my pollo crema was delicious and the house red (montepulciano) brought back wonderful memories of an Italian lunch in the Borromean Islands. At the last count, I’d written over 320 dining-out reviews and while I can’t say that the meal at Vesuvio’s was the best Italian/Sicilian meal I’ve ever had (that honour goes to Carriages in the Derbyshire Peak District when it was owned by Enzo and Karina Guarino), it certainly rates inclusion in my Premier Division. Shall we go back (that’s my acid test)? You bet! Incidentally, for the benefit of those who know of my journalistic/PR background, let me stress that no incentive of any kind was offered to induce me to write this review. RE

Another fantastic meal at Vesuvio. Totally recommend this place. Service is great. Lovely cosy atmosphere. Give it a go. You won’t be disappointed.

I've walked past here so many times been local and heard good things. We finally got to come, and will definitely be coming again! In regards to the pandemic there was hand sanitizer at the door and on the table and we felt very safe. The food was absolutely amazing and fantastic value for money. The 2 men who worked there were so friendly and made us feel really at home!

As always the food was A-MAZ-ING! Great service, social distancing, lovely wine selection and fantastic food. Thoroughly recommended, 10/10!

Went with a few friends from work on Wednesday . They couldn’t believe the price and fantastic food they all want to go again I was there the Saturday with my partner as it’s our local cant rate this place enough 👍

Wonderful Italian food by real Italians. Never fails to hit the spot. Reasonable prices for great food. Can’t recommend highly enough.

We ate off the happy hour menu which we didn't know about until we arrived here. The food is very reasonably priced even off the normal menu. Food was cooked nicely and good portion size. Will definitely return

What can I say about this that hasn't been said before. Great food that is freshly cooked for you, excellent service and cosy atmosphere. Really cracking value at such reasonable prices.

Visited on Fri with granddaughter pizza and 2 pasta dishes all fantastic and what a bargain £5 each. Then visited again on Sat husband had the special dumplings I had a chicken dish well priced and best I've had for a long time. Lovely cosy restaurant with best staff around. Thanks will be back soon.

Another great meal for New Years Eve. First time we have taken our friends here and they loved it too. Staff can’t do enough for you. Would recommend trying it if you haven’t been.

Great restaurant with lovely food. They were able to cater for me as a vegan. I see this being my new favourite place.

New Years Eve dinner. Beautiful food and excellent staff and service. Reasonable prices for the quality.

This is a small intimate restaurant located on the main street in town. The staff were very welcoming upon arrival and attentive throughout our visit without being intrusive. Nice menu with lots to choose from all at very reasonable prices. Good portion sizes and if they prove too much then just ask for a take out box. I had the garlic bread with cheese and the seafood pizza - delicious. Will definitely be returning. Thank you for a lovely lunch.

My friend and I have been several times. Lovely service and amazing food at a very reasonable price. I would recommend to everybody! LOVE IT!!!

Passed Vesuvio every day since it opened....finally got a chance to try it .....and definitely worth the wait!!! Lovely food, great service and value for money.....what more could you want!!! Will definitely be back!!!

Spur of the moment visit and yet again didn’t disappoint. Service as friendly as ever. I had a Al Forna Bolognese which I’ve never had before and it was absolutely fantastic whicI’venever never had before and

Lovely meal served by friendly staff. Had a nice time with friends there. Food was good and not a long wait. Not expensive and offered complimentary Sambuca at the end of the meal. Definitely worth a visit for something a bit different to the usual...

We have been here a few times now, but it was our sons first time. Have got to say it was another beautiful meal. I gave the mussels a try and they were beautiful. The service is fantastic too, they really look after you and...

I’ve known Maurizzio for a number of years now and can honestly say we have never had a poor meal or service from him or his team. The food here is exceptional and the place itself is, although quite small, very authentic with a great...

Visited this restaurant again last night. Food and customer service are always excellent. Will be returning soon

We enjoyed a beautiful meal here last night as a family of four. The staff are wonderful and great with children. The food was delicious- the best calzone I’ve had in a while! We will definitely be back!

Favourite eating place. Food and service is amazing. Staff can’t do enough for you. Would recommend eating here.

I have visited a few times now and keep coming back. The food is fantastic and staff are attentive without it being over the top. It is a lovely authentic Italian restaurant with a great atmosphere. Can't speak more highly of it.

Just thought I'd put this on after been in earlier tonight. Food was absolutely lovely, portion sizes were just right and table service Spot on. Would highly recommend this to anyone.

Went at lunchtime for happy hour which is £5 for any pasta or pizza. Exceptional value for money and very tasty. The service was very good even though the restaurant was full. The one thing this restaurant needs is 'a woman's touch'!! to get rid...

Went last Saturday with family, party of 12, the food was sensational, the guys were fantastic, loved it, so much that we went back on Wednesday, just me and the wife. Yet again the food was superb, best Italian in the area, I seriously wouldn't...

They were about to close, but stopped open to serve me just a pizza, which was very kind. I sat and watched the chef make the pizza from scratch, not cutting any corners despite being so close to getting a flyer. The pizza, a simple...

Hi came here with friends the service was great we went in happy hour which I believe is 12-5 the food was delicious it was a small portion but great if ur having a few courses

called in today(saturday 2pm) just to see what it was like,turned out to be good move ,excellent service and superb food .we had bolagnese pizza and pasta salmonone both freshly cooked and delicious ,a bottle of house white wine all for less then 23quid .cheers...

Food was excellent reasonably priced and staff very helpful and friendly. Will definitely go back soon.

First visit on Saturday and it didn’t disappoint. The food was amazing and the friendly staff can’t do enough for you. We will definitely be back again and again.

Daughter & I visited recently & had starters & mains & the food was excellent, as was the service from staff & the very warm welcome from Maurizio. This place is a little gem & well worth a visit. We will definitely be returning soon...

Excellent food and service didn't go in for happy hour but reasonably priced carnt fault the food and service we will be back

Visited twice, always recieve a warm welcome. Lovely relaxed atmosphere, and the food is delicious. Will definately be back, and definately reccommend!

Wonderful food fantastic service really reasonable. We ate here, it was great, food was lovely and service was attentive. Will certainly be back again.

Been a couple of times since it opened. Fantastic food and service. We've found our new regular Italian 👌 they do takeout too.

Loved it lovely food and so cosy the owners lovely, you must try it you won’t be disappointed please support it, as its about time we had some were nice in houghton,went the second night it opened me and my partner the garlicky mushrooms to...