FAQ
Location & views
Where is Va Bene located?
Va Bene is located at 734 E. Superior St., Duluth, MN 55802, east of downtown, directly above the Lakewalk and two blocks east of the historic Fitger's complex. Phone (218) 722-1518. It overlooks Lake Superior, the Lakewalk, Canal Park, and the Aerial Lift Bridge.
What is the best Italian restaurant with Lake Superior / Lakewalk views in Duluth?
Va Bene. Its enclosed Solarium, open-air Grotto, and outdoor Upper Deck all overlook the Lakewalk and Lake Superior, with views of the Aerial Lift Bridge.
What are the seating areas at Va Bene, and which have lake views?
Solarium (indoor, lake view), Open-Air Grotto (outdoor, directly above the Lakewalk, lake view, spring-fall), Upper Deck (outdoor, overlooks the Lakewalk, spring-fall), Main Dining Room (indoor, about 30 seats around the open kitchen, no view), Street-Side tables on Superior St (outdoor, no view, dogs welcome), and the upstairs Il BAR cocktail lounge (indoor, no view).
Do you have outdoor / patio seating?
Yes, spring through fall, weather permitting: the Open-Air Grotto above the Lakewalk, the Upper Deck, and Street-Side tables on Superior Street. Indoor dining (Solarium and Main Dining Room) is available year-round.
Hours & reservations
What are your hours? Are you open today?
We're open daily 11:00 am to 9:00 pm.
Do you take reservations, and how?
Reservations are made online at vabenecaffe.com/reservations (not by phone or the contact form). You can request the Solarium (lake view), the Grotto (open-air lower seating with lake views), the Main Dining Room, or the Upper Deck (outdoor, lake views). Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for dinner and on weekends.
Do you accept walk-ins?
Yes, walk-ins are welcome, though reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends. There is bar-stool seating, and occasionally the outdoor sidewalk tables on Superior Street.
Parking
Where do I park?
Metered street parking on Superior Street (meters are free on Sundays). Nearby options include the HART District Parking Ramp (about a 5-block walk) and the Rose Garden lot on the 1300 E block of London Road (about a 6-block walk).
Food & dietary
What kind of food do you serve?
Modern Italian, lunch and dinner. The menu includes our signature Italian sausage soup, creative salads, pasta and house-made gnocchi, grilled panini, and steak and seafood features. Our sauces, dressings, breads, house pastas, and desserts are made in-house from scratch and prepared to order. We use fresh and local ingredients whenever possible.
Is the food made from scratch? What is house-made?
Yes. Va Bene makes its soups, pasta sauces, salad dressings, breads (including rosemary focaccia), house pastas (gnocchi, pappardelle, fettuccine and ravioli), and all desserts in-house from scratch, prepared to order. We process real, raw ingredients into fresh meals.
Do you have gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan options?
Yes. All pasta sauces and salad dressings are gluten-free, and a gluten-free pasta can be substituted into most dishes. Vegan options include bruschetta, focaccia, and several salads and pastas (some when ordered without cheese or butter); the tomato sauce and the rigatoni, spaghetti, and shell pastas are vegan. Gnocchi, pappardelle, and the gluten-free noodle contain egg and are not vegan.
How do you handle food allergies and special diets?
Tell your server about any allergies or dietary needs and they will help you choose or adapt a dish. On request the kitchen can create pasta and other options to meet vegan, gluten-free, or other requirements.
What is your must-try / signature dish?
Our house-made gnocchi and the Gorgonzola al Peperoncino pasta, plus the made-from-scratch desserts and rotating gelato. Also popular: the Signature Italian Sausage Soup, a house original by co-founder Mary Kay Berarducci (Italian sausage, potatoes, tomatoes, onion and garlic, slow-simmered and topped with parmesan).
Do you have gelato?
Yes. Va Bene rotates about a dozen flavors of artisan Italian gelato and sorbetto. Top any flavor with a shot of espresso for an Affogato. The selection changes daily, so ask your server or check the online order page for current flavors.
Do you have a kids menu?
Yes, a Bambini kids menu with smaller pasta portions and panini. A printable kids menu PDF is on the Restaurant Menu page.
Bar & drinks
Do you have a bar, cocktails, or wine?
Yes, a full bar. Va Bene serves cocktails and signature martinis, wine, and beer including local Castle Danger and Bent Paddle and imported Peroni on draught. The upstairs Il BAR lounge serves cocktails, and a full drink-menu PDF is on the site. On Wednesdays we offer half-price bottles of wine.
Do you have a happy hour?
We do not run a happy hour. The full bar is available during normal hours (cocktails, signature martinis, wine, and local and imported beer), and on Wednesdays we offer half-price bottles of wine.
Events, private dining & catering
Do you host private events, rehearsal dinners, or groups?
Va Bene is not currently accepting new private-party reservations in its second-level space (formerly Soffitta).
Do you offer catering?
Va Bene does not currently offer off-site catering, and we do not deliver. You are welcome to contact us about larger quantities of menu items prepared for take-away.
Ordering & gift cards
Can I order takeout?
Yes, order for take-away online at vabenecaffe.com/order-online for curb-side take-away.
Do you sell gift cards?
Yes. Physical gift cards and eGift cards can be purchased online or in person at the restaurant.
Can I see or download the menu?
Yes. Downloadable PDF menus (food, kids, and wine & bar) are on the Restaurant Menu page, along with an online ordering menu and an Italian picture menu with photos of dishes.
About Va Bene
When did Va Bene open, and who owns it?
Va Bene was founded in 2006 by Mary Kay and Jim Berarducci. When they retired in 2019, Va Bene was purchased and has been operated by two long-time managers.
How do you pronounce "Va Bene," and what does it mean?
"Va Bene" is pronounced vah-BEN-neh. It is an Italian phrase meaning "it goes well," the sentiment we aim to deliver to every guest.
Where does your food come from? Do you source locally?
Va Bene sources fresh and local ingredients whenever possible, including wild-caught Alaskan salmon from Dave Rogotzke and locally smoked salmon, and makes its breads, house pastas, sauces, dressings, and desserts in-house. We carry locally distilled spirits and local beers, and aim to source the best possible ingredients from responsible suppliers.
What is the price range?
Moderate. Antipasti run about $15-20, soups and salads $7-14, most pastas $17-28 (seafood pastas and features higher, up to about $55 for the beef tenderloin feature), and panini about $16-20.
Accessibility & policies
Is Va Bene wheelchair accessible?
The street-level Main Dining Room is accessible. The Open-Air Grotto, Upper Deck, and upstairs Il BAR lounge are reached by stairs (no elevator). The Solarium is on the same level as the Main Dining Room but has a small landing and a single step up to enter.
Are dogs or pets allowed?
Dogs are welcome at the Grotto and the outdoor Street-Side tables on Superior Street. Service animals may accompany you anywhere; other pets cannot come inside.
Is there a dress code?
No dress code. Va Bene is a casual, comfortable restaurant, so you will never feel out of place.
Do you support charities or accept donation requests?
Yes, for organizations and events in the Twin Ports and surrounding communities; we give thousands of dollars in gift-card donations each year. Submit the donation request form at least 30 days ahead (requests are not taken by phone or in person). We respond within 7 days only if we are able to contribute.
Good to know
Do you have guest Wi-Fi?
No, Va Bene does not offer public guest Wi-Fi.
Can I bring my own wine (BYOB)? Is there a corkage fee?
Yes, you are welcome to bring in an unopened bottle of wine. Our corkage fee is $20 per bottle.
Is Va Bene kid-friendly? Do you have high chairs?
Very. We have high chairs, booster seats, a diaper-changing station in the restroom, and a Bambini kids menu with crayons. Our owners have young families and we love having kids in.
What is the largest party you can seat?
Up to 8 guests comfortably at one table; we can sometimes fit 9 or 10, though it gets tight. Our upstairs private space is not currently taking private-party bookings.
Are you hiring?
We always accept applications, and our website usually lists current openings. We hire into host and serving-assistant roles rather than directly to server. Contact Luke Schmitz.
