Villa Vinci in Down

Fabulous food, welcoming staff, and great atmosphere. Seabass and salmon are just delicious. Apparently, music on Friday night, good reason for another visit.

What a great spot. We lunch here occasionally and have always been very satisfied indeed. Food, service, atmosphere and price all first class. This time I had the seafood linguine. Outstanding. An abundance of salmon, smoked fish, mussels and big prawns in a lovely white sauce. A little hidden gem well known to locals.

Had a lovely meal here last night for my mum's 75th birthday. Food was gorgeous. Would recommend the steak sandwich, which was cooked to perfection. Pasta dishes also first class. Great atmosphere and we were commenting on the range of ages who were eating there. Staff very helpful and attentive. Will definitely be back. Thank you.

Excellent mussels with Nduja! A great combination. I was not impressed with the pizza. Maybe a bad choice on my part.

Very busy wee spot in Newcastle and despite how busy it was, the e service was great. The whole place had a great atmosphere and the food was really good and well priced too!

Booked earlier today. It was a busy place for sure. We had salmon and lasagna for mains and sticky toffee for dessert. A nice bottle of New Zealand sauvignon blanc, to compliment. Excellent food and service, must go to restaurant.

First time in Villa Vinci and was very disappointed to say the least. 3 of us ordered lasagne, expected it to come with at least a bit of lettuce/garnish. No it didn't, it came in a dish on its own with a slice of toasted dry ciabatta. More cheese than anything else in the lasagne and mine had apool of tomato cookies oil around the outside. I definitely won't be back to Villa Vinci. Staff were very pleasant and helpful but I'm afraid the quality and presentation of the food totally let the whole thing down!!

Fabulous, fresh menu. Busy, friendly and welcoming with an excellent choice. Well organised restaurant, staff work hard and together which adds to the experience. Food choice was good and reasonably priced. Quality was excellent. What people didn't eat they took away with them which says loads! We had the seafood pasta and sea bass the first night and the shared platter and pizza on the second. Nothing was left. Thank you Villa Vinci - we will be back when in Newcastle again.

A delicious meal. The service from the 3 staff on duty tonight was so friendly, helpful, excellent. Well done. We had a lovely dinner and evening, a relaxed , cosy environment. Thank you all. from a mum and daughter.

The food was just average. I got the Brie which was tasteless. Pizza was lovely. My husband’s burger was burnt. The female manager was extremely abrupt with no personality at all. I was told my table was at the window. When I sat down she said not there that’s for a party of four coming in. I moved to the table beside it. Five minutes later two ladies were placed at the table I was told to move from not a party of four. I was still eating and the waitress came and removed my husbands plate before I had finished. The male manager is a lovely man.

Went here 7/6/2024 the staff were extremely friendly the food was absolutely amazing highly recommend will definitely come back

The weather was awful, it was a Monday night so we weren’t expecting too much. The restaurant was busy, service was prompt & friendly. Shared a Greek salad to start followed by lamb shank & rvioli. Generous portions, delicious & fresh. Authentic tiramisu & Irish coffee to round off. Thank you.

We had the most wonderful evening at Villa Vinci last night. The food was exceptional, compliments to the chef .... it was delicious,well presented, generous portion size, served hot and good value for money. We were waited by Fergal, what a pleasant, attentive and personable young man. He made us feel welcome and we all commented on how well he did his job. The other staff were all very friendly and attentive. The restaurant has a lovely atmosphere and we were almost the last to leave. Thank you for a wonderful evening, highly recommended.

The food was fresh and full of flavour. The service was brilliant too. Great vegetarian options also. We will definitely be visiting again.

We didn’t have a table booked and the host was very accommodating. It’s not easy when out with family to find a suitable gluten-free and vegetarian pizza, however, on this occasion the pizza was absolutely tasteful at a reasonable price. If we ever returned to Northern Ireland, we would most definitely Come back again. Thank you Villi Vinci for being so accommodating.

Music was a bizarre choice for an Italian restaurant to say the least?? The food however, was outstanding!! We were all so impressed with how amazing EVERY DISH was!!! We couldn't stop sharing so we could all have a taste of everything! Absolutely loved it!! Also, the staff were so so friendly and welcoming. We have a wheelchair user in our family and they were so accommodating and helpful, making sure we did not feel awkward and everything was totally smooth. Couldn't ask for more. Though I must say, the tortellini was a lot smaller than the other pasta dishes, especially the spaghetti. Either way, we could not recommend this place enough, gorgeous gorgeous food.

Excellent food, service, staff friendly

Didn't even get a chance to book table as staff member answered the phone while talking to someone else and then hung up. Tried again but constantly engaged

Great food and service. Quiet,clean place. Staff was extra kind.

Highly recommend. Great pizza. Reasonable price

Used to love going here what have you done to the steaks wasn't impressed but went back still wasn't impressed went from raving about it to not wanting to go back

We stayed in Newcastle for the night in the avoca hotel. I was recommended this restaurant by a friend so booked a table here. The restaurant was very busy, very bright and the tables are very close together. Our table was crammed right up against the bar. I ordered a glass of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, at £8.50 a glass it was disappointing the wine wasn’t adequately chilled..at the top of the menu there’s a section entitled “while you wait” so we ordered the bread and dips. Unfortunately this arrived at the same time as our starters. I had the chicken wings which were flabby and not crisp. My husband had bruschetta which was fine but definitely lacked flavour, no garlic no salt no basil. When the waitress collected our plates she saw we didn’t finish our starters and she asked was everything ok and I said it was alright. She said just alright? And I said yes. She didn’t question further. Our main courses were fine. After we finished we waited 15-20 minutes before someone eventually came to clear our plates and ask if we wanted dessert. At this stage I didn’t and we requested the bill. We then waited another 10 minutes and no one came to us so we put on our coats and walked over to the till. The service and the lack of flavour lets this place down.

This is an amazing restaurant and the food is sublime, the service was great and staff are very engaging with you, we came on a recommendation and we weren't disappointed. Great place great staff great food 👋👋👋

I would not recomend the carbonara pasta...very bland...watery....chicken tasted very poor quality...very disappointing..and wasn't cheap...please think twice before ordering this...have made better myself .

Usually a fantastic place to eat, it didn't meet usual standards this visit.

Couldn't recommend this place enough!! Staff were fantastic when I arrived with my mum who is in a wheelchair, couldn't do more for us (even in the middle of a absolutely packed service). The food was spectacular and there is a fantastic range of options. Extremely well priced, especially for the quality we received!! Service was 1st class, super speedy, friendly and accommodating. As we arrived in the middle of a storm we were even given an umbrella to head back to our hotel with!! Big big thank you guys!❤️

That was the best garlic pizza I had in my life. Reasonable prices and delicious food.

Great wee restaurant. Friendly staff and amazing food 👌

Lovely Italian restaurant with great atmosphere

Lovely food, great menu with lots of options, friendly service but was waiting a very long time for a bill/ card machine

Very good food. The only drawback is the size of the dishes.

Good menu with an extensive choice for lunch including choices for vegetarians. Also flexible for adapting changing to dishes.

Just brilliant from start to end lovely staff lovely food lovely drinks. This place is always jam packed for a reason. They put the S in Service Smile and Satisfying the Customers/ Friends from Start to End. We also caught a hit of the solo musician when he came on. Guys keep up the awesomeness

We have visited here for a meal a few times at weekends but more recently while walking our dog in Newcastle we would have called in for a drink as they have seats sitting outside, and I particularly like the strawberry daiquiris as it’s hard to find a good one anywhere else. Unfortunately today my husband was turned away when he went in to order a drink for us while I sat in the seats outside with our dog. He was told you can’t order a drink without food, by the man himself who has served us JUST drinks outside, only a few weeks ago. On this basis we won’t be returning here for any reason and will happily call into one of the other dog friendly venues in the town, I’m sure they will appreciate the custom more.

Great night out at Villa Vinci. Was very busy but good service, food choice and quality was excellent. Always enjoy going back here.

We really love eating here very cosy and the food and staff are lovely.

Excellent food for both myself, my husband and our 2 young children. Service was great, staff were friendly and helpful. Special thanks to the manager who gave my son £5 for his 4th birthday! He was so pleased and we were so surprised at how generous this was. Thanks again :)

Food very nice, great atmosphere

Food is really tasty here. Only downside is if you want a quiet restaurant you dont get it here as it is always booked out and the tables are very close together. But you go out to eat mainly for the food and we always get a pizza and a steak sandwhich and its always solid 8/10, really nice.

Great staff and food excellent and well priced great value for money.

We really enjoyed our meal at Villa Vinci, I want to give it a 5 but all and all the food was only good not great, except for the Panacotta, that is an absolute must. Really nice atmosphere and good service. We were there in October and a reservation was not necessary but I can see how that place would be packed in the summer.

Excellent food. Outstanding customer service

Beautiful restaurant with a lovely relaxed atmosphere. Several good vegetarian options. Pizza was delicious and good value for money. Staff helpful and polite.

Lovely meal, ambience and friendly staff.

Very tasty food. Quick service.

Excellent food and service. Definitely worth a visit

Fabulous Italian food with an Irish twist. Loved it

Mainiot ruoat ja ystävällinen palvelu.

Great food great service so good went back again the next day

Absolutely Fantastic. The waiter was unbelievably funny and had us in fits of laughter throughout the night. Thoroughly enjoyed it. The food tasted amazing and the portions were huge. Will definitely be visiting again.

One of my most favourite restaurants in that area, each time we ware there, food was always delicious, service was great, atmosphere was amazing. It is highly recommended to make a booking as they are always busy. Very friendly atmosphere, and food just amazing... Tiramisu... can't use words to describe it... They have kids menu also available, same as vegetarian food and gluten free, so everybody will find something for sure... Very friendly team, always ready to assist if needed. For sure I will come back there... 100% recommended...

Food top class . Atmosphere great but was a bit put out by young man who took my payment after the meal. Was rude and didn't when say thank you. Otherwise excellent Owner great

Thoroughly enjoyed an impulsive decision to eat out. Staff were very friendly and helpful, especially the Manager. This totally added to our experience. Food was excellent!

Excellent meal. Book, don't just turn up!. Food nicely cooked and served up. Lamb shank with olives on the side..superb.

Villa Vinci was excellent as always. Brilliant food and lively atmosphere. I make a point of dining there when in Newcastle. It is advisable to book ahead as it is always busy.

This place was so good we ate there twice. The pizza was authentic with delicious home made sausage. The calamari and anti pasta dishes perfect. For dinner everyone hade the frute de Mar with scallops, shrimp, calamari, clams and mussels in a perfectly cooked bed of pasta. We drank 4 bottles of wine and the owner sent over lemon cello after dinner drinks. This is a must stop in Donnard New Castle

Great food, staff exceptional nothing is a problem.

Food was really good but the service was very poor. We ordered wine which did not arrive until after our food order. We mentioned this to the waiter when the food arrived but he seemed to ignore our remark. When we paid our bill we said to the waitress but she ignored the remark also. We arrived shortly after lunch time so it was not busy. The waiting staff seemed to congregate around the till talking to each other rather than seeing to their customers needs.

The food was amazing, from appetizers, to starters, to mains, to dessert. 4 of us are here including a child of 9yrs old. Everyone was catered for and according to my son, " They do the BEST pizza EVER". All the food was on point and the service was fantastic. Every server knew the menu and how all the food was served, cooked, sourced.They are a credit to the business. As for the chef.... well.... we will definitely be back to get more of the amazing food they produce!!

Always fantastic service with Eric and co 👏 Great food a child friendly what more could you ask for 10/10

Sloppy pizza is amazing! Nice atmosphere as always, friendly staff. Not the first time I’ve been and certainly not the last.

3 words I think , absolutely first class

Food delicious, waiter (Slovakian) very good and friendly. Well done to him.

Good service. Food was enjoyable.

Snelle bediening, goede sfeer. Zeg ja tegen de pizza, maar nee tegen de crème brûlée.

Ordinary at best. Slow indifferent service unimpressive food added up to a huge disappointment

Great food and the singer on Friday night was fantastic. Love the atmosphere

Have to honestly say this was one of the nicest Italian restaurants I've ever set foot in, it didnt get off to the greatest start because I had booked a table for 2 a week in advance but unfortunately on arrival still had to wait until 8pm to get seated. The boss man certainly made up for this by giving us our drinks for free so I'll get over it, But let's get to the food. The starter was absolutely exceptional the mains was absolutely to die for, i would travel from Belfast to Newcastle every single day of the week to eat at this restaurant. Also may I add this place is so affordable, our meal only came to £32 and if we had of been charged for the first set of drinks then it would of only cost £45 which is just amazing. To close this off I would just like to say thank you to the amazing staff for you great hospitality and excellent service. Will we be back? Does a bear S*** in the woods? OFCOURSE!

Delicious food, and great staff, our go to restaurant any time we are in Newcastle

Phoned to book a table for 7:30pm to be told none available so booked for 8pm only to arrive to a closed restaurant and no answer on the phone. Not impressed by this at all

Excellent food and service. Well trained staff and great atmosphere

After telephoning our booking on the Thursday we arrived on the Saturday to be told we had no booking ! After stating that I rang it through the owner said we could have the table for 4 , after being seated and may I add we had our 74 year old mother with us we ordered our food , very disappointing as was tasteless , and also the table of 15 behind us which I must state was very loud we couldn’t hear ourselves think or even have a conversation was a total off putting experience! Food not why we expected and when asked when paying the bill was all ok I explained about the whole experience and got a oh sorry about that ! An absolute no no and wouldn’t recommend this restaurant! Would have had a quieter meal at McDonalds

We popped in without a booking. They were full but happy to seat us outside which we were happy to do as the weather was lovely. Food and service was great.

Lunch with family,really couldn't fault the service or the food..my steak sandwich with chips and gravy was excellent,kids loved their pizzas and there were cleared plates all round 👍

Very nice place, top service and good food

Lovely food and very nice staff loved it can't wait to go back.

Really good service and really good food. Highly recommend checking it out if you're near Newcastle. The brie wedges were the star of the meal. Go try.

Good food however slightly overpriced.

Oh dear what a disappoiting takeaway . It was the worse food . I would have rated this restaurant good in the past and was a regular customer . However my opinion has changed and will be dineing in other restaurants in Newcastle in future .

The best pasta place I have been to!

Drinks were served on time drinks were absolutely gorgeous credit to the bar staff Sunday evening was quite busy but we absolutely enjoy yourselves

Had a lovely family meal today at 430pm. Very lucky to get a table but when we phoned they were so helpful. From we walked in the service was impeccable, so friendly and attentive with lots of staff on duty. It was great to be able to go out again and to be honest it was as if they never had a break as it was so natural for the service to be so good. Kid friendly which means so much and it was so busy the buzz was great. Food top class and I was about to finish my pint when the waiter asked did I want another beer,it was so good, he was very friendly and had a great manner which was so relaxing because we haven't been out in so long and with kids it can be stressful but he had a joke with the kids which was lovely. I has steak which was divine, mv wife had lovely pasta dish and pizza for the kids. Very reasonable price. I recommend that you bring a cash tip for the servers because they deserve it. Really great to see the hospitality industry back in style and I definitely will be back here and will recommend to all my friends and family.To all the staff I say well done and the owners it's clear its a happy workplace and staff are extremely well trained in being so nice to customers.

Great food and Staff and a wide choice of food , The restaurant was fully booked but they thankfully rang us back as the had a cancellation

I ordered a caesar salad ,when it arrived I just took one look at it , it was not what I expected,there was lettuce ,croutons, ,bits of bacon and a not sooo tasty white sauce.It looked more like a bowl of cabbage.There just seemed to be like there was something missing.I have got caesar salads else where and their made up with chicken with croutons bacon, tomatoe,cucumber,cheese with a garlic sauce,boiled egg,much nicer.Also the prices are over the top.Would think again before I would go back to Villa Vinci.

Amazing restaurant. Superb food and service. Well worth an early booking and a walk across the street from Slieve Donard. Stayed here two nights and ate here three times.We have travelled alot and this is not something we ever do. On top of the amazing quality of the food, the portions are enormous. Everything we tried was top quality at a very reasonable price. We felt embarrassed going back so many times but we will be back again in the future!

Visited Villa Vinci for lunch. My Wife and I had pizza. The pizzas were lovely. The restaurant was clean and tables and chairs were cleaned after each customer. The Staff were friendly and efficient. Prices were very good.

Had a wonderful night with friends here during the week.. Food was so tasty and very reasonably priced.Seafood pizza was a big hit as was the seafood spaghetti along with our other meals...Didn't have space for desserts but will have one next time. Staff and customer service was excellent..Already booked here again...

Fantastic lunch in the sun. Shared a pizza, chicken caesar salad and a couple of pints of Peroni. Great service, quick food and a nice hot pizza

Pre booked dinner here about a month ago, during a 2 night stay in Newcastle. Necessary given indoor dining was reopening and restaurant very popular.Service was very quick, all necessary covid precautions in place and everything seemed clean and sanitised.Staff very pleasant on arrival, minimal wait whilst table was set, but nothing untoward.Starters: both of us had Tomato and Mozarella salad which was lovely and refreshing, good sized portion. Would have preferred beef tomatoes rather than normal tomatoes given the choice.Mains: I had sea bass fillets which I must say was delicious, served with green beans and baby potatoes. My friend had salmon served with broccoli, and she opted for baby boiled potatoes rather than mash. She said it was one of the nicest salmon dishes she's ever had. We also ordered extra sides of seasonal veg and green beans with chilli and red onion, def recommended.We didn't have dessert as we were suitably filled. No pressure to clear the table once we had finished.Only minor complaint, no toilet roll in the ladies toilet.Definitely plan to return in the future with my husband.

My family and I regularly dine out here as the food is always delicious and the staff are very friendly. I recently paid another visit with my sister and a friend, post lockdown, and we were very impressed by their COVID measures - they have full size screens between tables which made us feel like we were in our own little booth, and all the staff were wearing face masks. Our food came quickly and as per it was very tasty - our family favourite is the “bistecca panini” , a ciabatta steak sandwich with heaps of mushrooms, onions and fries, side salad and a pot of very tasty sauce. As always will return in a heartbeat!

Due to Covid restrictions the restaurant is only offering takeaway but don’t let this put you off, our meals were delicious and piping hot. I would definitely recommend the pasta dishes, with garlic ciabatta, yummy

Great food and service. Can't raise the staff highly enough. This was my first time here but I'll definitely be back!

Excellent food and service. Thank you

Visited as a family of 8 recently. 2 tables of 4 due to covid restrictions, both situated beside each other only with the 2metres between us. Staff were welcoming, helpful, and very friendly. Food was delicious. I had a baked pasta dish which was devine. Other meals included pasta dishes, pizzas and even s burger. All food was very good. No complaints whatsoever. Can't wait to call again.

Food was lovely, service was excellent

Booked a table here while staying in a nearby hotel as a treat for our last night. We were very disappointed with the food.I ordered a pasta dish that had chicken in it, which in my opinion came from a packet of sandwich chicken. I didn’t touch it. My husband got the fresh fish which he said was nice but tasted microwaved.We were not asked once was everything ok, even when I sent back my food.We love Italian food but would not return here if we were ever visiting Newcastle again.

My wife and I booked in for dinner whilst we were staying in Newcastle. Hospitality and the food were absolutely amazing with all the social distancing measures were in place. Just perfect. Would highly recommend this place...

Food and service very good although background noise quite loud and beside group of teenagers who added to the noise

We visited during a recent stay at the Slieve Donard Hotel. The food here was on par with that from the Hotel. We enjoyed pizza and pasta and both dishes were delicious. The bill came and it was so reasonably priced. Also, the staff were super friendly and made it a pleasant experience.

Despite a lot of restaurants in Newcastle not adhering to social distancing, Villa Vinci has got it sorted. Very careful with their customer service topped with very tasty food. Great service from pleasant staff. All and all this one is a must if you are in the area. We hope to return again soon.