NOVI Enschede | Italiaans restaurant — Restaurant in Enschede

Novi used to be my go-to place in Enschede ; whether for casual hangouts, catching up with friends, or simply enjoying good food. I’ve been a regular customer for over 5 years, and for a long time, I rated this place a solid 5/5. The food? Always excellent. The longtime staff? Friendly, warm, and professional ; never had a complaint.

However, my recent experience on 24th May has left me deeply disappointed and, frankly, unwelcome.

That evening, I came in with a group of five. We sat down at a table that, apparently, had a reservation 30 minutes later. We were fully prepared to finish up within 20 minutes, more than enough time before the next guests arrived. But instead of being treated with the usual courtesy and given a heads-up or offered an alternative table, we were rudely confronted by a young female staff member.

She pointed her finger at us and spoke in a very disrespectful tone, essentially telling us to leave the table. What made this worse was her demeanor changed the moment she realized we were immigrants. Her attitude felt discriminatory and dismissive, something I’ve never experienced before at Novi.

We weren’t even asked politely to move, let alone offered another table. We had already ordered drinks, which we ended up canceling out of frustration. The whole interaction was humiliating — being treated as if we were a nuisance, not valued customers who’ve supported this place for years.

It genuinely saddens me to say this, but this incident has changed how I view Novi, especially knowing that such behavior is allowed to happen. One rude employee can tarnish years of positive experiences.

I sincerely hope the management sees this and takes it as constructive feedback. The Novi I knew valued respect, warmth, and hospitality — not...

This was the first time we dined in here. Normally we just grab borrel and bites on the terrace, which is lovely. I was amazed at how gorgeous the interior is. And our dinner was delicious from the bread all the way to dessert. They even remade our daughter's pasta when she was freaked out by the sauce and wouldn't eat. The service suffered a little because they were absolutely packed. But everyone who helped us was lovely and attentive. My pasta carbonara was, although not traditional, one of the best I have had. Prices were reasonable for what you get and the wine list was not extensive but still interesting. Looking forward to going back now that I know what...

Perfect for a weekday dinner - nice outdoor seating, big portions, and a decent choice of drinks. The pasta is really the star of the show here - go for the medium one that comes with bread and a small salad. Other dishes fall a bit short for the price, but are still an okay choice if pasta is not your thing. Desserts can safely be skipped - but you'll be full from the pasta anyway. Overall a decent mid-range Italian, great choice for a not-too-fancy dinner...