North Florida
Guests can expect scratch-made pastas, pizzas, and tapas when Via Canaletto II opens in South Daytona in 2026.
Image from Via Canaletto II website
SOUTH DAYTONA, FL — Via Canaletto II, a new Italian and Mediterranean restaurant from owner Leon Geller and Chef Antonio Mazzella, is set to open in early 2026 in South Daytona. An exact address is forthcoming.
The restaurant follows the success of the team’s original Via Canaletto location in New Smyrna Beach.
What to Expect
Via Canaletto II will combine the group’s signature scratch-made Italian cooking with a more casual, welcoming atmosphere. The design will feature what Geller describes as an “industrial chic” look with both indoor and outdoor dining. Plans call for roughly 120 to 150 seats across indoor and patio spaces.
The new South Daytona restaurant will occupy a redeveloped property that Geller described as a “beautiful” mid-century space that his team plans to renovate with an industrial-chic design, featuring multiple outdoor dining areas, a front patio, and a large back deck.
Guests can expect house-made pastas, sauces, and cheeses, along with wood-fired artisan pizzas, Mediterranean dishes, and European-inspired tapas. The restaurant will include a full kitchen, a full liquor bar, and a taproom-style setup featuring local craft brews.
Images from Via Canaletto II website
From New Smyrna Beach to South Daytona
The new restaurant builds on the success of the team’s original Via Canaletto in New Smyrna Beach, known for its Italian fine dining and elegant coastal atmosphere. That location was developed inside a restored century-old home and offers a traditional fine-dining experience with an extensive wine cellar and full bar.
Via Canaletto II will carry over the same scratch-made Italian dishes but in a more approachable, casual setting. “Our first restaurant is what we call beach fine dining,” Geller told Business Debut. “This new one will keep the quality but have a more relaxed, industrial-chic look and menu diversity with artisan pizzas, tapas, and local craft beer.”
Chef and Menu
“Chef Antonio’s sauces are all made from scratch—his marinara, meat sauce, pesto, lasagna, and burrata,” Geller told Business Debut. “We’ll carry over fan favorites from our New Smyrna Beach location but also add new artisan dishes.”
Chef Antonio Mazzella was born on the island of Ponza, Italy, and learned to cook in his family’s kitchen before spending decades operating restaurants in Italy and the U.S. “He pours his heart and soul into everything he makes,” Geller said.
Ownership
A U.S. Marine Corps veteran and lifelong Volusia County resident, Geller emphasized that Via Canaletto II is a family-run, disabled veteran–owned business. “South Daytona has been the most small-business-friendly city I’ve ever worked with,” he said.
Opening Timeline
Via Canaletto II is targeting a February or March 2026 opening.
Hours
The restaurant plans to operate six days a week for lunch and dinner, with potential plans for an upstairs speakeasy-style lounge if approved by the city.
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Dining and Cooking