KEVIN NGUYEN
I was truly impressed with my experience at VENA – from the food to the atmosphere, everything was wonderful. The bánh xèo (Vietnamese sizzling crepe) is outstanding: perfectly crispy, filled with shrimp, pork, and herbs, full of authentic Vietnamese flavor.
The bánh mì here is truly one of a kind. VENA makes its own Vietnamese-style baguette fresh in-house – crispy on the outside, soft and fragrant inside. Honestly, you won’t find a better bánh mì anywhere in Ithaca. Every bite is a perfect balance of textures and flavors, capturing the authentic taste of Vietnam.
The restaurant’s atmosphere is elegant yet cozy, with warm golden lighting and stylish Vietnamese décor. The staff are friendly, attentive, and the food comes out promptly, making the dining experience both comfortable and memorable.
In short, VENA is a must-visit for anyone who loves Vietnamese cuisine. Delicious food, beautiful space, and excellent service – I’ll definitely come back and recommend it to all my friends!
… moreRobin Palmer
Had to visit this new Vietnamese restaurant in Ithaca. Very happy we did! The food was so good! Great combinations of flavors. Being vegetarian, I’m always a bit concerned with having enough choices at restaurants. I was so happy to see several vegetarian options here. There is enough to satisfy everyone, I think. The staff were very friendly and quick to answer questions as they busted around the restaurant serving patrons. Well worth a visit! Vena is currently one of the top restaurants on our list for Ithaca. Being so new, the restaurant hasn’t gotten a chance to link a menu to Google so I’ll post some pictures here. This was the menu as of November 2025.
… moreNina Chan
The food and the place itself is very authentic, the bahn mi was delicious, reminded me of home, would come again and would recommend. If you like viet food, or been looking for banh mi, definitely give it a try, as well prepared fresh and fast. The owner is very sweet, and thoughtful. Thai tea was also good and reminded me of home as well.
… moreWang Jack
Best Vietnamese food you can have in town for sure! Have this three days in a row.
… moreBrittany Patton
We’ve been on the look for a good banh mi and found it at Vena! The food was delicious and the staff was so friendly. I really recommend giving it a try
… moreJames Statts
Highly recommend. Very nice atmosphere and lighting. Adorable spot with great food. We were just walking by and stopped in because it looked inviting. We got the Vietnamese pancake as an app and it was delicious. The vegetarian pho also splendid. The owner came to talk to us and is very nice. We will be back for sure.
… moreEric Koivisto
Ate there last night with sister and brother in law – really good food and love the new place! We will go back and explore our way around the menu. Highly recommend this family’s new adventure.
… moreLivy
The service was wonderful and swift, and the food was absolutely delicious! Loved the cozy atmosphere, and couldn’t believe the prices (so affordable!)
Will definitely be coming back.
… moreNhat Le
The food is really good and authentic. The place is cozy and well-decorated. Will defo come back later. Really recommend trying out the Grilled Pork Banh Mi
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