Via Pre Penang Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in George Town

I had high hopes for Via Pre, having heard great things from a friend who raved about their pasta, but unfortunately, our lunch turned out to be quite disappointing. My friend and I ordered two antipasti to start: the Bruschetta Bisunta and the Salumi & Formaggi for one. The Salumi was fresh, and the bruschetta was decent—nothing too memorable but acceptable.

The real letdown came with the mains. We ordered the Spaghetti Pesto with Prawns and Scallops and the Special Pasta of the Day, which was a Truffle Pasta with sausage and mushrooms. My friend had previously enjoyed the truffle pasta, so she requested extra truffle and cheese to make it saucier, but the results were far from what we expected.

When the pastas arrived, both were bland to the point that we had to ask for salt just to make them palatable. The truffle pasta had no truffle flavor at all, and the mushrooms tasted off, as if something was missing. The sausage was fine, but it couldn’t salvage the dish. My friend, who had tasted this exact dish before, immediately noticed that it was not up to standard.

The Pesto Spaghetti was worst. It came with just three prawns and two tiny scallops, which tasted as though they hadn’t been thawed properly. The prawns were mushy and seemed to have been frozen for ages, the spaghetti tasted worst then a normal store bought pasta and the pesto sauce lacked any of the characteristics of a good pesto—there was no nuttiness, garlic, or the fresh aroma of herbs. It was a lifeless dish.

Service-wise, the front of house staff were warm and inviting. They provided helpful recommendations and were attentive throughout. However, the ambiance was lacking. Although the air conditioning was on, it wasn’t working properly, and we found ourselves eating in discomfort, sweating as the meal went on. We had to ask for a fan to be turned on just to get some ventilation.

We shared our feedback with the front of house, who admitted that a different chef had prepared the meal and even remembered my friend from her previous visit. As a gesture of goodwill, they offered us a complimentary crème brûlée. Sadly, the dessert was just as underwhelming—the sugar top had no satisfying crack, and the custard felt more like plain cream than a well-made crème brûlée.

While the gesture was appreciated, it didn’t compensate for the overall disappointing meal. Despite the glowing reviews on Google and a strong recommendation from a friend, this experience makes it unlikely that my friend and I will be returning...

Booked a table during lunch for our belated wedding anniversary and been wanting to visit this restaurant for years and it did not disappoint. We happened to be there on Halloween eve and the restaurant was tastefully decorated according to the theme. We were seated opposite the bar at first but we change our table later as I needed to work through lunch and my laptop needed to be charged. The service staffs Alamo and Ariff was kind to allocate a table by the window where a wall plug is available for the laptop charge. We have ordered our food prior but they dismissed the inconvenience with a smile and swiftly relocate our basket of bread and drinks.

We ordered the Roasted Eggplant with Melted Morzarella Cheese for starters recommended by Alamo and it was really good. For someone who doesn't like eggplant this dish was very well done. It does not have the gooey taste I find in most eggplant dishes and it is not heavy despite it has melted cheese. Next we ordered the Wheat Spaghetti with French Beans and Bacon. They ran out of sausages hence the bacon was replaced. It was my first time eating wheat spaghetti and it does not give you the feeling of heaviness after eating. The sauce is light despite there is use of cheese in it and the flavour of bacon blends well with the sauce. Very tasty. We shared a pizza with parma ham, and rocket salad drizzled with olive oil and shaved buffalo mozzarella. Loved the combination and the crust of the bread. As a lover of thin crust, the thickness of the bread was just right and it still holds well despite eating it hours later as we have some packed back for our son who was in school and a big fan of pizza! Italian pizza is something you have to try at least once in your life. It's where pizza is orginated from.😊 We ended the meal with tiramisu and it was really good and not overly sweet though I was a little disappointed that the taste of rum was not distinct or it would have been perfect.

Thank you to the Via Pre team and chefs for the wonderful lunch. Each serving food was nicely platted. The service staffs is always smiling, attentive and patience when attending to our needs to ensure we had a great dining experience. Coming from a hospitality industry myself, I've come across many dining experiences and I would to congratulate the management of Via Pre for doing a great job in training your team. Your team is definitely a asset. We will definitely revisit. Keep up...

Unforgettable Italian Dining Experience at Via Pre Penang

My wife and I had the absolute pleasure of dining at Via Pre Penang, and it was a culinary experience that exceeded all expectations. From the moment we entered, the restaurant’s inviting ambiance and authentic Italian charm set the stage for a truly memorable evening.

The food was exceptional in every sense. We started with the sharing meat platter and cheese, a beautifully arranged selection of premium cuts and artisanal cheeses that highlighted the dedication of the kitchen team to quality and authenticity. It was the perfect introduction to the meal that followed.

The carbonara, a classic Italian dish, was executed to perfection. The creamy sauce, made with authentic cheese, was velvety and flavorful without being overly rich. The pasta was cooked al dente, allowing each bite to deliver a delightful balance of texture and taste. The pizza was equally remarkable a showcase of simplicity done right. The thin, perfectly baked crust, fresh tomato sauce, and generous toppings reflected the skill and passion of the kitchen staff. Each bite transported us closer to Italy.

Desserts were nothing short of spectacular. The tiramisu cake stood out as the highlight of the evening, with its light, airy layers and a balanced richness that made it the perfect conclusion to our meal.

What truly made our visit unforgettable, however, was the outstanding service. Mr. Rahid and his team exuded professionalism and warmth, ensuring every guest felt at home. His personalized recommendations, attention to detail, and engaging demeanor left us laughing and filled with joy throughout the evening. It’s rare to encounter a team so dedicated to creating an exceptional dining experience, and it was evident in every interaction.

Our gratitude also extends to the kitchen staff, whose expertise and dedication brought each dish to life. The seamless collaboration between the front-of-house and back-of-house teams was evident in the flawless execution of every aspect of the evening.

We left Via Pre Penang with full hearts and a deep appreciation for their commitment to authentic Italian cuisine and exceptional service. This is a restaurant we will eagerly return to, bringing friends and family to share in the joy of such an extraordinary dining experience. For anyone seeking authentic Italian flavors served with warmth and professionalism, Via Pre Penang is an...