Vapiano

It’s a somewhat strange place honestly. You get a card when you go in, then scan your card at stations where cooks prepare your food. Then you take your food and choose a table (with very uncomfortable seats). You can go up to the bar and order a drink the same way. Every time I’ve eaten here my food (various pasta dishes) has been mediocre and way over-​salted. I hated my martini suggested by the bartender. It was insanely sweet (garnished with gummi bears!) and just not drinkable. Somehow my husband still likes the place, but I find it to be just ok.

When we walked in there were so few people that I actually half thought the place was closed… ample seating choices were bypassed in favor of bar seating, where we were greeted by the host/​bartender/​only non-​cook there, Alamar, a Vermont transplant that had much to share with us fellow New Englanders over the two hours we were there.
As many of the other reviews have indicated, the self-​service aspect of the restaurant is intriguing. You get the chance to chat a bit with the people that will be making your food for you, so talking about the menu, their favorites, changes you might want to make, etc. all makes for a cook that takes pride in what they will be delivering to you in +/​-​10 minutes.
As John (below) mentioned: Upon arrival you receive a card that stores all the information about what food you ate, and then you take it to the front when you are done, pay there, and walk out. Dining designed for your own pace.
Sure, it takes some of the traditional «elegance» out of dining out, but the fusion of fast-​casual and fine dining works well here. I don’t always have time to sit down for a meal and when I am on the go sometimes I want more than just a Panera/​Subway type meal.
The food was great — we had the Insalata Mista and a Caesar Salad, as well as the Verdure and Caprese (add chicken) Pizzas. Everything was extraordinarily fresh — fresh like they picked the basil for the caprese off the plant behind the counter.
A fair amount of wine and beer were on a significantly discounted happy hour (and we lucky enough to receive happy hour priced drinks for the entirety of our visit to celebrate our collective New Englandness.)
The stools aren’t the more comfortable things in the world but the food and atmosphere more than made up for that.

To be fair we came here because we were hungry for Italian. We left before we ate because we were looking to be served and to relax on some nice, comfortable chairs. Here you have to go up to each food station to order and the backless stools at the tables had seats that were hard as a rock. Some other time maybe but not this night. Enjoyed Carrabba’s instead. Just what we were looking for.

4 ½ STARS
What a great place this is. Apparently it’s an international chain, but I haven’t seen one before. It’s quite Euro in design and set-​up. It’s Italian style food such as pasta, salad and pizza.
Upon arrival they give you a credit card for use there, then you go to the cooking station you like & place your order. They’ll put the amount on the card, then cook your meal for you. You present to card and pay when you leave.
We tried the lunch pizzas ($ 5.95 each) — Americano which had sausage & pepperoni and Margherita which was essentially cheese. Both were delicious.
I’m not sure why more people don’t wander into this place. It’s really nice.

This place is so amazing!!! I wish it wasn’t 2−½ hrs away from me! I go every chance I can get. Everything is homemade and fresh. There are even fresh basil plants sitting on the table (as well as other herbs) for you to add to your food if desired. Homemade soups, pastas, pizzas and incredible salads. It really is a shame that the place is so empty every time we go. Very nice though for a quiet meal and even more nice when its raining outside and the metal roof echos the rain drops. Wonderful place… can’t wait to go again this weekend :)

Need to visit again.
The Vapiano concept came very highly recommended by a European friend. It seems like a good concept that needs refining in this particular location.
At Vapiano in Fort Myers, I missed having free wifi, normally available for this kind of establishment. Worse still, the very aggressive network from Calistoga next door kept trying to connect, but wanted my email address, but without any clear promise not to spam.
Beer was great! Cold and served in the proper (different) glasses for the two different countries we tried. Food was OK, but I must be missing whatever has caused others to rave. Friendly staff. Pleasant surroundings. Tables needed cleaning, however. Not certain this concept works as well in a suburban shopping center, as in a city.

I’m continually blown away by the lack of customers in this place given the fact that they consistently produce very good, scratch made pasta and pizza at a very reasonable price.
Walk up pasta and pizza stations put you face to face with the man/​woman who is going to make your meal providing for a great chance to interact with people who actually, you know, can cook.
And therein, most likely, explains the constant availability of tables here. We Americans simply can’t get our arms around the whole «self service» concept. Scratch that, those who «are» comfortable with the cafeteria process would much rather line up at an Old Country Buffet or some such debacle where quantity trumps substance when it comes to food.
Those who are willing to forego the tableside service are in for a true treat in the form of very well made fresh pasta that only requires a couple of minutes cook time while the chefs throw together some true classic sauces and an occasional riff on the adventurous side. I’ve yet to find a pasta that disappointed me, although I must admit I find myself leaning towards the Carbonara or the Alfredo — diet be damned.
Pizzas are equally as delicious thanks to a crispy yet chewy crust that’s one of the best in the area. Toppings such as proscuitto and argula tend to elevate the status.
The atmosphere is fairly hip and would probably be quite enjoyable if a few more people would bother to show up. All in all, despite my aversions to chains (this is one, albeit a European one) — I highly recommend a visit or three to Vapianos. And get there soon, so I don’t have to find a new spot.

Vapiano is truly a unique European dining experience. the different food stations are all making fresh to order food from pizza to pasta and salads. they serve a very good product in a upscale cafeteria fashion. it is a fun hip place to casually dine with friends.

A very different concept, but I like it. Get a card when you walk into the restaurant and they use that to charge your purchases at the bar, food stations. No wait staff so you basically go to the various cooking stations and order your own food — very easy and they are very helpful. Nice, open restaurant, comfortable mix of communal tables, smaller tables — really nice layout that is good for groups. Food was very good, very good salads, pizza. Manager and bartender were very friendly. Lots of people ordering pasta dishes and everyone seemed to be having a nice time. I would definitely go back and I hope they expand to the west coast.

First time there… food is prepared in an open kitchen, you have the choice of 8 reg pastas and 2 whole wheat then comes your sauce of choice. The chef then cooks your food right in front of u. The kitchen areas are well lit and clean. I ordered the whole wheat fusilli and had it made with a carbonara sauce which was fantastic and oh so fresh. A very generous portion was given, they also have a bar which I’ll have to try next time;) I can’t wait to come back and try more dishes.