Vapiano Review: Has it Lost its Charm?

I remember the first time I was introduced to Vapiano; “You mean I get to see the chef cook right in front of me? no way!!” It’s been my happy place ever since. To be honest, I have a few of those, but that was probably “the one”. Whether a special occasion, or a bad day that needed a boost, Vapiano was my go to.

As we all know, Covid changed a lot of businesses; Social distancing, delivery only, or shutting down entirely. So in 2021, it was inevitable for Vapiano to suspend normal business. They switched to QR codes and customers ordered and paid on their phones. However, we’re at the end of 2024; Covid is no longer part of our lives in any meaningful way.

So we’re left with the same prices, and lose the experience that’s made it unique to begin with. And somewhat awkwardly, you’re prompted to tip when you order. There’s virtually no service involved. You do all the work on your phone, get no help from servers, and pay upfront.

Lunch Menu offer

Here’s the good news: the dishes are still beautiful, and the prices are very reasonable. Vapiano’s Carbonara is one of my favourites, but I was pleasantly surprised with their £8 lunch menu offer; a good selection of basic pasta dishes starting at £8, which you can fully customise and add extras if you wish.

I tried the Vodka Tomato Penne and was not disappointed:

So while it’s hard to shake off the disappointment, here’s another way of looking at it: forget about the old Vapiano. It’s gone. Here is the new value proposition: a high level Italian place in city centre, big enough so you can virtually always get a table, and order quickly on your phone without having to wait for a waiter.

Verdict? if you frame it that way, Vapiano is definitely still worth it. But for those of us who remember the good old days, it’ll always leave a bitter taste.

Visit Vapiano

Vapiano alternatives

Vero Moderno, Salford

If you’re after a proper Italian restaurant, and possibly feeling like you’re in Italy for a few hours, try Vero Moderno. Everything from starters to Pizza and Pasta is beautifully cooked, and you get a glimpse of the kitchen in action.

Visit Vero Moderno

Rigatoni’s, Altrincham

Sadly, Rigatoni has now closed its Ancoats restaurant, so only the Altrincham branch remains. A small selection of Pasta dishes and each one is a hit. One can only hope they bring back their famous Garlic Bread which was simply to die for!

Visit Rigatoni’s

Gusto, Manchester

Gusto can be a little hit or miss, especially when it comes to wait times. Once the food arrives, all is forgotten! Gorgeous dishes each time. Prices are on the higher end so make sure you’re comfortable with their menu.

Visit Gusto