Open Monday - Sunday 11.00 - 24.00
Vapiano is an innovative European concept serving made-to-order fire roasted pizzas, fresh, house-made pasta and hand tossed gourmet salads.
Vapiano
Italian Restaurant in Marylebone
8 / 10 from 4 reviews
Address
19-21 Great Portland Street
Marylebone
London
W1W 8QB
19-21 Great Portland Street
Marylebone
London
W1W 8QB
Telephone
020 7298 0082
020 7298 0082
Cuisine
Italian
Italian
Region
Marylebone
Marylebone
Opening Times
Monday
Opens 11:00 - Closes 23:00
Tuesday
Opens 11:00 - Closes 23:00
Wednesday
Opens 11:00 - Closes 23:00
Thursday
Opens 11:00 - Closes 23:00
Friday
Opens 11:00 - Closes 00:00
Saturday
Opens 11:00 - Closes 00:00
Sunday
Opens 11:00 - Closes 23:00
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All In London Review
The epitome of new age, quick-eat dining
Split over two levels, it appears that Vapiano’s interior designer may have been suffering from bipolar disorder; a mix match of modern solid wood furniture and squishy red sofas are scattered in opposing ‘mood’ areas splogged over the venue. High picnic benches dominate the centre of the floors. ‘Chill out’ sections cosy up on armchairs snuggled against the red walls with odd clusters of black framed London city photographs hanging above them. Near the front wall-to-ceiling windows is the ‘tree’ table. Yes that’s right, a circular table built around a tree. There is even a glass encased log fire burning on the top floor balcony. Sandwiched somewhere between an Ikea canteen and a bachelors living room – oddly it works.
Once seated, you’ll find no menu or waiters ready to take your order. The open kitchen, lining the back and left side of the restaurant, consists of food ‘stations’ where diners queue up, order and watch their dishes cooked in front of them. Specialising in Italian cuisine the ever-varying menu is a mix of salads, pizzas and pasta dishes. Like a higher class version of Subway, you select the components. Ordering a pasta dish, you first select from ten types of pasta, then say “yes” or “no” to the extra ingredients potted in a patchwork of tubs behind the glass counter. Your personal chef then cooks your dish in front of you in the sizzling stainless steel pan – making an acrobatic display of the job.
On entering, diners are given a ‘credit card’. Like an oyster, you swipe the card at the station you select your food from, swipe at the bar machines when ordering drinks, then pay the total on the door when leaving. The best part; there is no service charge, the worst part; if you lose the card it’s a £50 fine.
The salmon special (£8.50) is a delightful twist on the classic carbonara with a creamy sauce, hints of garlic, and melt-in-the-mouth fish. The juicy tangerine segments provide a tangy balance to the soft salmon taste.
Amongst the olive oil and balsamic vinegar, tables are also dressed with individual basil potted plants – a sweet display as well as a fresh ingredient you can hand-pick and add to your meal.
An impressive range of cocktails (£6) and wines are available (starting at £3.35 per glass). For the less adventurous spirits, mixers and bottled beer also grace the drinks list.
A pleasant spin on ‘fast food’, Vapiano is the epitome of new age, quick-eat dining; perfect for the après Oxford Street shoppers for a swipe-and-go or half-time retail refuel.
Reviewed by Rebecca Wynter
Published on Apr 14, 2011
Reliable Italian fast food
Upon entering Vapiano, a smiling waitress gave us each a swipe card. With this we could approach the canteen style counters where we could order pasta, pizza or salads, and swipe our individual cards against a reader which then charges the card the appropriate amount depending on the order, saving all the hassle of having to split a bill at the end of a meal. “Do you know calzone is a folded pizza?” the waiter had asked me as I ordered. “Erm, yes” I replied whilst wondering how many people had complained they’d got the wrong dish. He then gave me a device akin to a buzzer which I gawped at for long enough for him to realise I had no idea what it did. “It will buzz when your pizza is ready for collection”. How frightfully high-tech, and efficient, I thought.
There was a separate bar for drinks which worked in the same way, with a variety of average priced wines on offer. As soon as I returned to my seat my little gadget flashed and buzzed; a playful child would have a great time here. Our pizzas were absolutely huge, and we lamented not getting one to share as I expected to end up wasting half, however I was more than a little horrified for the sake of my body shape when I managed to consume the whole thing at ease. A combination of salami, ham, artichokes, mushrooms, mozzarella and oregano, with the thin doughy base folded over, it was a tasty if rather stodgy pizza.
We had no space left for desert despite the cakes having morbidly appealing names such as ‘Death by Chocolate’, however we did feel we could squeeze in a cocktail or two. The cocktail menu consisted of only had mojitos, caipirinhas, or a vodka and berry juice drink, therefore I opted for my current tipple of choice, amaretto and apple juice. My friends’ caipirinha and mojito were very good, and very strong might I add.
The swipe card makes this a good idea for large groups, saving time and nitpicking over the bill. Perfect for starved shoppers on a budget, the dishes are filling and affordable; Vapiano is essentially a much better quality Pizza Hut.
Reviewed by Leila
Published on Aug 26, 2008
Best For
London's most tech-savvy restaurants
Grub for geeks
This pizza and pasta chain has a simple method for avoiding complex calculations when splitting the cost of a meal between a group. Each diner is given a chip card which scans the items ordered, even if everyone orders together, then when it comes to paying individual bills are produced.
User Reviews
jennymordue
Aug 3, 2012
Great place to go for a quick snack! And conveniently located behind Oxford Street :)
Anonymous
Nov 18, 2008
I was impressed with Vapiano. After reading mixed reviews about it, when I went I was really impressed and would go back again. For me I think the self service method worked really well and make the evening more relaxed because you don't have to up and leave as soon as you finish. The food deserves the most mention though; being cooked right in front of you makes it that bit more exciting and very fresh of course! One other thing that I have to mention is that it is also open until midnight, which I think is great for late night bites or after the theatre drinks/foodx
Anonymous
Sep 24, 2008
I thought this was a great restaurant to go to for freshly cooked Italian food. The service system makes it ideal for fast lunches but also good for relaxed dinners or drinks. Good atmosphere and decor- very nice place!
nikki_london
Jan 25, 2005
it was amazing last saturday - we went for dinner and ended up staying to the very end... music and a dj that is beyond good. the service was poor as there were too many people - but if you go a little early and stake out a table and are prepared to wait for table service its decent. avoid food - not that great and service was muddled. menu needs a revamp too. but on a sat night - its perfect for drinks, a dance and definitely a good night out...
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