Vita del Lago Info
Amenities
Service options
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Outdoor seating
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Takeout
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Dine-in
Highlights
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Great cocktails
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Great dessert
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Great wine list
Popular for
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Solo dining
Accessibility
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Wheelchair accessible entrance
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Wheelchair accessible parking lot
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Wheelchair accessible restroom
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Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
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Alcohol
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Beer
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Cocktails
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Coffee
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Comfort food
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Hard liquor
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Healthy options
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Small plates
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Wine
Dining options
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Breakfast
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Brunch
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Catering
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Dessert
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Seating
Amenities
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Bar onsite
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Restroom
Atmosphere
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Casual
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Cozy
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Romantic
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Trendy
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Upscale
Crowd
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Groups
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Tourists
Planning
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Accepts reservations
Payments
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Credit cards
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Debit cards
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NFC mobile payments
Parking
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Free parking lot
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Parking
Best KPortal Reviews
We decided to take a little road trip to Michigan City today to check out a few shops and try a new restaurant. We walked into Vita del Lago and were greeted by the owner Lynn. She was so warm and friendly and happy to give us a tour of her beautiful restaurant. We were there early and the first guests for the day. We chose a seat in the front window area. The place is so warm and cozy with a little rustic. If you are looking for atmosphere this place has it! We ordered a few drinks and enjoyed some delicious bread and oil and cheese. She decided on the mushroom ravioli, I went with the Cavatelli. Both meals were delicious!! We both can’t wait to go back, it’s worth the hour drive. Oh yea be sure and notice how soft and nice her napkins are, Lynn puts her love in all the details.
Absolutely phenomenal, when I crave Italian this hits the spot like no other. Stop going to Olive Garden, spend your money here, it's worth it, I promise. The ravioli, lasagna, meatballs, the gnocchi with pesto and goat cheese. The bread and oil.
Felt like family, like I've been here before. And I will be!
I would go to Chicago to get this type of meal, and now it's blocks from my home and I could be more happy.
The restaurant is beautiful, and absolutely come as you are!
Everything about this place was fantastic! The food, service, ambiance! What a great place in Michigan City! At the recommendation of the owner we ordered a salad, pasta, and meat and shared, and I HATE sharing when it comes to food. Everything was delicious and we were so full! The meatball lasagna is a great dish! This just became my new favorite Italian place in the area. It is a la carte but totally priced well.
The exterior is unpretentious and could easily be missed if you didn't know what to look for. The decor was tasteful and pleasant. The service was outstanding and the food was wonderful. We started with the Caprese appetizer. Followed by Mallorcan stew. The wife ordered the Toasted Italian sandwich. While the Cavatelli Arrabbiata was my entree of choice. The Caprese was a subtle delight and perfectly set the tone for the smoked pork and slightly sweet tomato-basil tones of the Mallorcan stew. The sandwich had a delightfully crunchy crusted bread not too hard and exquisitely soft underneath. The Cavatelli Arrabbiata was the perfect level of spicy and with the optional Italian sausage, took me on a carousel ride of texture and taste. Vita del Lago is one more compelling reason for us to drive the 90 minutes it takes to get there. We will be back, and sooner than later.
My husband and I stopped in for our weekly date night, and we were blown away! First, the restaurant is simply charming in an old-world European way. We loved it. The staff and owner made the visit even more enjoyable. Then there was the food. Oh my!!!! We asked for the meatballs, and the waiter asked which marinara sauce we wanted. They have a spicy version, and he suggested mixing the two. Oooh, the flavor of the sauce was phenomenal, and I have never had such delicious meatballs. EVER! We asked for more bread so we could finish the sauce. It was that good. I chose the special for the evening, three cod filets with orzo. It was simply Devine. It was spicy but not so spicy that you couldn't taste the other flavors. The cod was seasoned perfectly and cooked to perfection. My husband went with the hot honey shrimp linguine. He said it was wonderful. Then dessert time. I went with the gelato, thinking I'd get three little scoops or one fla or. Of no. I received a huge scoop of lemon, pitasio and chocolate! Mercy! the flavors packed a punch! And there were surprises in the middle of each. My favorite was the lemon. But they were all terrific. My husband chose the Pastel de Nada. Creamy egg custard in a flakey pie crust. It was really good!! If you are planning on going out, make the trip. You will not regret it!! Thank you for a wonderful evening!
Vita Del Lago is a cherished destination in downtown Michigan City, serving up authentic Italian cuisine and an exciting surprise: a weekend brunch that's as enchanting as it is delicious.
My recent brunch experience here was quite exceptional. Though we were the only patrons in the establishment at the time, we received attentive service from our waitress, and the quality of the food was outstanding. I enjoyed Cannoli Pancakes, a delightful twist on a classic dessert, while my companion savored an intriguing orange and anise toast dish.
This harmonizes with my past dinner experiences at Vita Del Lago, where every meal has been nothing short of excellent. Notably, the lasagna is a must-try: a hearty dish that's so good you'll finish it in one sitting despite its generous portion size.
The restaurant's ambiance effortlessly combines elegance and comfort, with an upscale vibe that's never oppressive. On pleasant days, the patio offers an enchanting space for alfresco dining.
Vita Del Lago also boasts an extensive wine list, ideally curated to match their delicious offerings. Coupled with fair prices considering the high quality of food, the restaurant delivers excellent value for money.
Don't leave without considering their dessert menu. I once had a 'miracle cake' that was truly unforgettable, cementing Vita Del Lago as a place where every course is a delight.
Whether you're planning a casual brunch, a pleasant meal, or a special date night, Vita Del Lago—with its authentic Italian dishes, well-paired wines, and inviting ambiance—is a gem awaiting your discovery in Michigan City.
The meatball was so good. We think it's veal, very soft and the red sauce tasted super fresh, tomato-y not sweet. Shrimp orecchiette was also good but I'd add extra protein. The white sauce tasted cheesey and soft but light. Will come back!
Vita del Lago in Michigan City!
On our way home my wife and I were evaluating our evening experience that we had just enjoyed and were hard pressed to think of a time we had had a better, complete date night adventure from a restaurant. Many places were exceptionally good on the food front and we enjoyed them very much, Cool Runnings, Bon Viet, Ivy's Bohemia House... are a few of our top contenders we have been blessed to try out and have (or at least tried to) revisit. Vita del Lago is absolutely in that tier! Food quality and flavors is among, if not the BEST we have EVER had.
Then there is the atmosphere! Our evening together was very pleasant as the venue was such a comfortable and warm setting. The number of other guests was extremely light (which no doubt helped with the more romantic tones) and the softly played music of soft rock from our younger years made it just that much more enjoyable. I told my wife that this place is somewhere a young couple could come and enjoy a romantic dinner with each other. In that regard I have to rate them, HANDS DOWN the best restaurant we have ever visited since we began these Friday Date Night adventures.
We did agree that, for Italian, this was the BEST meal we have had.
The complementary bread and seasoned oil with grated parmesan was warm and good. We decided to sample the meat ball appetizer (I believe we were told it was the owner's grandfather's or great-grandfather's recipe). Our waiter suggested a blend of the marinaras they offer, both tomato based but with with a spicy kick, the meatballs were tops, and combined with he marinara sauces... YUM!
She went with the special of baked cod on smoked paprika orzo, the fish was as near perfect in how it was cooked as well as in seasoning. The orzo was an exceptional pairing with a touch of heat, that intensified throughout the dining, and she enjoyed it immensely!
I got stuck on the brown butter and hot honey seasoned Shrimp Scampi with fresh made linguini, I had to try it and was glad I did. The sauce started with the sweetness of the honey and after a few bites the heat started to kick in... an excellent combination!
As she was feeling the heat from the main entrée she made her mind up that she needed ice cream or something to cut the heat, cue the gelato! They offered a dessert called Gelato Bombs and it was just that. 3 exceptionally large portions of Lemon, Pistachio, and Chocolate Gelato. Each layered in flavor, the lemon (wonderfully tart) being her favorite.
I was going to have to try the Pastel deNada, Spanish custard in a puff pastry shell, satisfyingly sweet and a perfect pairing with a good strong coffee.
A top 5 for the Teel's! Go!
Quick Facts About Vita del Lago
Today
Opening Hours
| Monday | Closed |
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| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 02:00 AM - 08:00 PM |
| Thursday | 02:00 AM - 08:00 PM |
| Friday | 02:00 AM - 09:00 PM |
| Saturday | 02:00 AM - 09:00 PM |
| Sunday | 09:00 AM - 07:00 PM |
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