Located in the heart of Michigan City’s Uptown Arts District, Vita del Lago (“Lake Life”) features Italian and Spanish fare blended with influences from our experiences and passion for creating a memorable dining experience. Our menu will not only offer familiar dishes rooted in the traditions of Southern Europe but also some adventurous options which are sure to test your culinary curiosity…
Maria Kovass
This place is a gem! I am very picky about Italian food. I had an Italian mama! lol. We loved this place! Not many Italian places get it right. This place does. Beautiful outdoor patio and indoors has a wonderful ambiance too. Prices very affordable.
… moreKathy Connelly
Moved to Michigan City from Chicagoland 14 months ago. I’ve spent my life in great restaurants and Vita Del Lago has quickly become my favorite restaurant here. The staff continually
does a great job and the food is phenomenal. Super cozy and home-cooked food in a great environment. You really can’t ask for much more. Definitely give it a try!
… moreTony Mitidiero
I’m tellin’ you, this is about the best sausage and peppers you’re gonna have! I’m Italian and grew up on some hard-core Italian food and restaurants. What makes this place legit is the spice. A little legit heat here. This sauce is OFF THE CHAIN!!! As good as it gets. Tastes a lot like my Mom’s. And that’s saying something. I want to try everything on the menu. The owner takes it seriously for sure. A new favorite of mine.
… moreMichelle Mussman
I’m writing this review to save you all money. Literally, go elsewhere. The food was way over priced for what you got. My husband ordered salmon. It literally came out on a tiny plate with just a piece of salmon. No rice, no veggies, no nothing. I ordered a side salad with my dinner. $9 for a bowl of lettuce with the plastic wrapping still on my cucumbers. My Mother ordered the kettle chips for an appetizer. Those came out like a bowl of soggy potatoes. We also ordered a side of Spanish mushrooms…those were drenched in some type of red oil and they did not taste good. What did taste good was the warm bread!
The atmosphere was really nice, warm, and inviting. The restaurant itself had a smell to it…I called it a faint sewage smell. Our waitress was lovely but we could tell she was becoming annoyed with us.
… moreJeannie Hill
We were driving from WI to Holland MI and came across this lovely restaurant to have lunch. There are exciting renovations going on in this Uptown Arts District, but it was well worth our time locating in the midst of street closures. We enjoy dining experiences that offer culinary expertise that also embodies the essence of ‘Lake Life and historical buildings.
Don’t miss the in-house made bread with a dipping olive oil and herb companion.
For appetizers, I highly recommend the Baked Goat Cheese, Tomato confit and rosemary ciabatta. We were torn between ordering the fresh burrata u bruschetta, apricot prosciutto, oysters rockerfeller, meatballs and marinara, toasted baguette.
My Mediterranean Salad was very, very tasty. It comes with large lettuce leaves on the side so that you can eat it as a wrap if you wish to. All ingredients were fresh, but the secret must be in the sauce.
We are very impressed with the family recipes that inspire this exceptional Italian food at restaurants.
Currently they lack a website but can be found on Facebook, Google, and Yelp. We had no problem finding curbside parking over the lunch hour. They have beautiful men’s and women’s restrooms and both front and patio access are street level. Meaning, they offer easy handicapped access.
It is amazing with this small staff accomplishes. Our waitress was exceptional, and we enjoyed the opportunity to meet the restaurant owner and operator, Lynne Leckie. This wonderful place truly was a gem in our travels. We plan to come back and try more on the menu. The atmosphere is tremendous; it took us by surprise. W permitting, the large patio is a great place to hang out with wonderful plantings and decor. The entire location can be booked for special events.
I highly recommend taking in the exceptional dining experience.
… moreJames “Liam” Biggerstaff
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.
… moreBrien Akers
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.
… moreD A
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!
… moreLisa Teel
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!
… moreDale Holsti
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.
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