Villa Nova Ristorante has been feeding Columbus’s cravings with big Italian-American comfort food, pizza, and a nostalgic dining-room experience since 1978.
The restaurant grew out of the former Vogue Lounge, which Frank and Donna Colleli transformed into a restaurant and bar.
Today, it remains a go-to for pasta nights, pizza dinners, family gatherings, and hungry visitors seeking a longtime Columbus favorite.
This is the kind of place where a full plate and a relaxed evening belong together.
How Villa Nova Ristorante won locals’ hearts
Villa Nova Ristorante won local hearts by serving Columbus families and visitors since 1978.
Frank and Donna Colleli transformed the former Vogue Lounge into a restaurant and bar, creating the foundation for a longtime neighborhood favorite.
Frank’s experience with earlier Central Ohio restaurants, including Frankie’s Pizza and Franco’s, helped shape Villa Nova’s comfort-food approach.
The restaurant has remained rooted in familiar Italian-American food, giving diners pasta, pizza, sandwiches, and hearty entrées in one welcoming place.
Its menu gives groups plenty of choices, so pizza fans, pasta lovers, and classic Italian-food diners can all find something satisfying.
The memorable Taco Pizza has also helped give Villa Nova its own personality, pairing beef, refried beans, taco sauce, lettuce, cheddar, and tomatoes on a pizza.
Pasta specialties such as Pasta Nova and the Pasta Sampler give regulars new reasons to return with a big appetite.
Guests have praised items including warm garlic-butter breadsticks, house salad, Veal Parmigiano, chicken tortellini, wedding soup, and pizza.
Friendly service and a welcoming atmosphere are also frequent themes in customer feedback.
The restaurant’s vintage décor and brass tea kettles add personality that diners remember after the meal.
Villa Nova also serves private parties and catering, making it a venue for birthdays, family events, and group celebrations.
Its long hours make it easy to visit for lunch, dinner, or a later Friday or Saturday night meal.
That blend of history, hearty food, memorable décor, and dependable hospitality is why Villa Nova remains a Columbus favorite.
Food Highlights
- Taco Pizza: Beef, refried beans, taco sauce, shredded lettuce, cheddar, and tomatoes make this pizza one of Villa Nova’s most memorable menu items, especially for groups ready to try something different. 🌮🍕
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Pasta Nova: Rigatoni comes with red-pepper cream sauce, mushrooms, onions, grilled chicken, and shaved Parmesan, making this namesake pasta a must-try for diners who want a rich, savory house specialty. 🍝
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Pasta Sampler: Lasagna, ravioli, gnocchi, and a meatball come together on one generous plate, making it a smart pick for first-time visitors who want several Italian comfort-food favorites.
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Seafood Fettuccini: Shrimp and scallops are served with fettuccine and Alfredo sauce, giving seafood lovers a creamy, filling pasta option for a more indulgent dinner. 🦐
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Chicken Milanese: Breaded chicken is served with angel hair pasta, tomato cream sauce, and shaved Parmesan, creating a satisfying dish with crispy chicken and comforting pasta in every bite.
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Lasagna: Layers of pasta, meat, and cheeses make this house favorite a classic choice for anyone craving familiar Italian-American comfort food. 🧀
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Deluxe Pizza: Extra cheese, pepperoni, ham, sausage, mushrooms, onions, and green peppers create a loaded pizza that is ideal for diners who want plenty of toppings. 🍕
Atmosphere
Villa Nova has a vintage, casual, and family-friendly feel, with booths, murals, framed pictures, and copper kettles featured throughout the restaurant.
Guest reviews describe the décor as interesting and welcoming, with brass tea kettles helping create its recognizable old-school personality.
The room feels fitting for family dinners, birthday meals, pizza nights, and relaxed evenings near the bar.
Bottom Line
Villa Nova Ristorante is worth visiting for its long Columbus history, filling Italian-American comfort food, and broad pizza-and-pasta menu. 🍝
Come for a memorable specialty such as Pasta Nova, Pasta Sampler, or Taco Pizza, then enjoy the restaurant’s vintage décor, friendly atmosphere, and late Friday and Saturday hours.
Address: 5545 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214
📞 (614) 846-5777
🕔 Open Sun–Thu, 11 AM–11 PM | Fri–Sat, 11 AM–12 AM