Bella Italia

This place blew our minds! We cannot believe this is a chain of 90-120 restaurants from the U.K. because everything tastes homemade. We loved the shrimp Sorento appetizer, house salad, chicken Marsala, and warm spinach salad with prawns and scallops. We will visit this wonderful hidden gem every month! The food and the service were wonderful!

Enjoyed a great meal here to celebrate a birthday. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Andrew was a speedy and attentive waiter.

It was very delightful, so we're the staff. The chef was amazing seriously. Very tasteful to the fat cat wine down to their pizza. Didn't get a chance to catch any pics due to everything being delicious to pause for a second. Try it out the setting is nice and dim. Also a bit fancy we would live to come back again for our family dinner!!👍😊

Perfect definition of an Italian restaurant. The food is outstanding, even regular pasta is delicious. The bread is amazingly good. The staff is friendly, but professional in the best ratio. Music inside is always appropriate. Don't come here if you're in a hurry, waiting time can get annoying, but its worth it. The atmosphere in general is perfect for a date with your love. I recommend this place.

This is my new Modesto fav for Italian cuisine. The focaccia bread is served fresh with a red pepper paprika cream cheese spread that is amazing. Their mozzarella caprese appetizer is one of the best and their creamy alfredo sauce pairs well with the bread and cheese spread...I was so full and the waiter was so good with the refills (i know, but that says a lot in my book). I can't recommend this place enough and I may hit it up before I head back to the Bay just for the bread and mozzarella caprese appetizer.

Excellent food! The best Italian I’ve had ever, can’t believe we stumbled across it in Modesto 😍 Can’t wait to return!

Went there for a quick lunch before heading up the mountains to Yosemite. We got a couple of salads, and a spaghetti and giant meat ball for the child. Excellent, authentic Italian food and great service! Would go back there again if ever in the neighborhood.

A great small mom and pop Italian restaurant with great food and a cozy atmosphere. Perfect for date nights and family gatherings alike.

The service was absolutely brilliant. Our waitor was kind, courteous, and not overbearing. The minestrone soup here was fantastic and the overall aesthetic of the resturant just made me feel good. I ordered the penne pasta with marinara sauce and opted to add chicken on top of that. The sauce was very refreshing and had a unique tomato taste to it that you wont get anywhere else and the seasoning of the chicken was gave it a nice garlic flavour that didn't overpower the dish. My partner indulged in the bruschetta, which was organized beautifully, and again had a unique taste that you just won't find anywhere else. The prices were also very affordable for the quality of food and service that you recieve. My compliments to the chef and the staff, made for a wonderful date.

This is definitely one of Modesto's best kept secrets. Staff is super friendly, nice atmosphere, and the food is so good!

My favorite spot in town. I personally haven't had a dish here I haven't enjoyed! Always filled with lots of flavors that work well together.

This restaurant takes cleanliness seriously. The busser disinfected the table and chairs immediately after each family. THANK YOU FOR THAT! The food had great flavor, shrimp was fresh, bread was dense (yum), the outside of the crab cakes were good but wished the inside wasn't mushy (for me, I like a little crunch/crisp to my crab cakes), salad was excellent. The dessert was truly delicious. It was chocolate, strawberry, and pistachio GELATO! 1st time here, great job.

+1

There were some persistent flies at our table but maybe thats because we were sitting at the window. Food was great, wife was happy.

ALWAYS a excellent treat to stop in for authentic Italian food.. ! Super clean, prompt freindly service, and comfotable dinning room.. The food is delish, cooked to order, and generous for price.. Great little hidden local spot!

Dinner tonight was fabulous. I had the chicken Marsala and it was really good. Had creme brulee for dessert - yum. Also tried my friends tiramisu - yum. Service was amazing ....will go back for sure

After dropping off my car carrier to my old pal Oscar Mendoza, so he can get his cars down to the Riverside Concours d'elegance next weekend, we headed straight to the Bella Italia Restaurant. Being in Modesto with a tried and true Mexican...I expected tacos! But...Man-O-Man was I pleasantly surprised, the food was amazing! Well worth the trip. 5 ☆☆☆☆☆

Good environment and atmosphere!!! Awesome service!!! Our server is amazing!!! Delicious food, which is served relatively fast!!! Love their cioppino and pasta!!! Highly recommend them! And you wouldn’t want to miss their desserts! Would recommend trying their “bombs”! We dined as a family of five! It is about $20 - $30 per person!

I'm so glad my husband and I decided to go inside this cute family own Italian restaurant. Don't let the outside fool you, inside is really cute and well decorated with Tuscany look The food is so good, my husband had the cioppino, we were quite surprised how big the bowl was and let me tell you, my husband is a big cioppino eater, this has to be by far the best cioppino he had ever had since we moved out here in the valley from the bay area, it's probably better then any bay area Italian restaurant, even I wish I had gotten it, I got the baked rigatoni and I really loved it, portions are huge , we both had to take ours home. We recommend the homemade tiramsu , this has to be the best tiramsu we had ever had, I almost don't want to write this review because I don't want too many people knowing about this secret gem, also because we didn't need any reservations. Service was excellent, very friendly family. Definitely we be coming back

Amazing restaurant with plenty of good food. The atmosphere is very nice and the staff is amazing. They have plenty of different pizzas as well as a special “bag lunch” that I love to order for takeout. I love the bread with a special cheese they serve when you order their food!

Absolutely love this place. Our boss always use them to cater events and they are just so delicious! First time trying the crab cakes and I am not disappointed!!! It’s light and crispy and the Alfredo sauce pairs with it so well! Their clam chowder is delicious, has a lot of different flavors in it like carrots and celery as I’m used to the old fashion potato’s and clams but it taste really good. And as always… their appetizer bread is so soft and fluffy and buttery. You do not even need their butter spread but I wouldn’t have it without it!! I will definitely be back!

We have dined here for 10+ years and we always have the greatest experiences. Everyone here is friendly and on their game! The food is filling and delicious. I highly recommend dining here for good wholesome Italian food.

Fantastic food and the people here are so nice! Highly recommend the cheese tortellini with the pesto alfredo sauce. EDIT: We liked this place so much the first we had to come back since we were in the area again. We met the owners and their son. Such a great family! They really have a passion for their restaurant and the people that come here. I have never had such a wonderful dining experience before. You must make time for this place!

Ryan S

Amazing restaurant with plenty of good food. The atmosphere is very nice and the staff is amazing. They have plenty of different pizzas as well as a special “bag lunch” that I love to order for takeout. I love the bread with a special cheese they serve when you order their food!

Alisa Logan

Absolutely love this place. Our boss always use them to cater events and they are just so delicious! First time trying the crab cakes and I am not disappointed!!! It’s light and crispy and the Alfredo sauce pairs with it so well! Their clam chowder is delicious, has a lot of different flavors in it like carrots and celery as I’m used to the old fashion potato’s and clams but it taste really good. And as always… their appetizer bread is so soft and fluffy and buttery. You do not even need their butter spread but I wouldn’t have it without it!! I will definitely be back!

ab6485

We have dined here for 10+ years and we always have the greatest experiences. Everyone here is friendly and on their game! The food is filling and delicious. I highly recommend dining here for good wholesome Italian food.

Zebidiah Buck (Zeb)

Fantastic food and the people here are so nice! Highly recommend the cheese tortellini with the pesto alfredo sauce. EDIT: We liked this place so much the first we had to come back since we were in the area again. We met the owners and their son. Such a great family! They really have a passion for their restaurant and the people that come here. I have never had such a wonderful dining experience before. You must make time for this place!

Todd Raymond

Went there for a quick lunch before heading up the mountains to Yosemite. We got a couple of salads, and a spaghetti and giant meat ball for the child. Excellent, authentic Italian food and great service! Would go back there again if ever in the neighborhood.

American Angler

After dropping off my car carrier to my old pal Oscar Mendoza, so he can get his cars down to the Riverside Concours d'elegance next weekend, we headed straight to the Bella Italia Restaurant. Being in Modesto with a tried and true Mexican...I expected tacos! But...Man-O-Man was I pleasantly surprised, the food was amazing! Well worth the trip. 5 ☆☆☆☆☆

Rachel Windsor

Good environment and atmosphere!!! Awesome service!!! Our server is amazing!!! Delicious food, which is served relatively fast!!! Love their cioppino and pasta!!! Highly recommend them! And you wouldn’t want to miss their desserts! Would recommend trying their “bombs”! We dined as a family of five! It is about $20 - $30 per person!

A & E

I'm so glad my husband and I decided to go inside this cute family own Italian restaurant. Don't let the outside fool you, inside is really cute and well decorated with Tuscany look The food is so good, my husband had the cioppino, we were quite surprised how big the bowl was and let me tell you, my husband is a big cioppino eater, this has to be by far the best cioppino he had ever had since we moved out here in the valley from the bay area, it's probably better then any bay area Italian restaurant, even I wish I had gotten it, I got the baked rigatoni and I really loved it, portions are huge , we both had to take ours home. We recommend the homemade tiramsu , this has to be the best tiramsu we had ever had, I almost don't want to write this review because I don't want too many people knowing about this secret gem, also because we didn't need any reservations. Service was excellent, very friendly family. Definitely we be coming back

Ordered takeout for a relative to celebrate a special occasion. Everything was packed with care, sizeable portions, and delicious. Prices are reasonable for the quality and quantity. Will order again!

Just Great Italian food period. We've have ate there off and on for dinner and lunch for years now. I've been meaning to try other Italian restaurants in the area, we have a hard time with that I guess. We do take out too, and it never fails to disappoint. It's not a great choice after the holidays if you're trying to shed a few of those kilos. It's great comfort food. I don't have a favorite dish, reward yourself and try it. Ciao.

Been eating here since COVID. My bad, I called right before close on accident, but my wife was super hangry because she works real hard and then coaches cheer for fun. So, they were almost closed, but took my order anyway. Great people, great food and great service!!

Great little Italian resturant that my mother loves to visit. Owners and family thay run the place are all very friendly and inviting. Great food too.

Yvette Ramirez

This is definitely one of Modesto's best kept secrets. Staff is super friendly, nice atmosphere, and the food is so good!

Steve O

Just Great Italian food period. We've have ate there off and on for dinner and lunch for years now. I've been meaning to try other Italian restaurants in the area, we have a hard time with that I guess. We do take out too, and it never fails to disappoint. It's not a great choice after the holidays if you're trying to shed a few of those kilos. It's great comfort food. I don't have a favorite dish, reward yourself and try it. Ciao.

ryan kegley

Been eating here since COVID. My bad, I called right before close on accident, but my wife was super hangry because she works real hard and then coaches cheer for fun. So, they were almost closed, but took my order anyway. Great people, great food and great service!!

Everett Becerra

Great little Italian resturant that my mother loves to visit. Owners and family thay run the place are all very friendly and inviting. Great food too.

I have had food catered from here and it was delicious. I came here recently and it didn't taste as good. I ordered baked chicken cannelloni and the chicken has a weird texture. The dish was baked but I don't think it was baked enough because the it had milk like substance on all the sides.It was suppose to be cheesey with chicken. It was really running. It had good taste , just didn't enjoy it. Maybe don't try this dish

+1

The food was really good. The service was good as well. My only complaint was the decor could really have used an update. Droopy ceiling fan blades for instance. It was really dark and dated. The windows were dirty. If they updated the decor to match the quality of food and service it would really elevate the visit to another level.

Bella Italia is very nice place for dinner while in town. It is not the best ever, but we were quite happy with almost everything we ordered. The place is really pretty and the prices are fair. We just loved the service. We were seated straight away. They have a nice wine list. Our server knew the menu well and was fast but we never felt rushed. I would make a reservation. We were there on a weekday and ate early so we were in great shape. Most of the food we had was great. The minestrone soup was just perfect. We also loved our salads. I had the chicken marsala and it was just so melt in your mouth wonderful and packed with yummy mushrooms. We also had the ravioli in a white sauce that was so good. I would get that again. Finally, we had fried ravioli and it was good, not great. That I will not try again. There is just too much thick crust for me, but you might love it. The ravioli within the crust was very good. All in all we would come back. We just loved the service, the calm atmosphere and the vast majority of the food. Give them a try.

Decided to try out a different type of Italian restaurant and came here.. My appetizer was actually the best (Portobello Mushroom with the Pesto sauce) The bread comes with this spicy type of butter that I've never had and was really good. Overall the food was good but not amazing. In regards to the time, it was actually slow (only 2 parties already served at the time) and the food still took about 25 minutes to come out; not necessarily a negative but just wanted to note that. Service was good and friendly. It's a nice little spot if you want to try a different Italian place.

Great food. Friendly staff. Not as pricey as I thought it would be. Didn't get 5 stars cuz it took a while between apps and entrees and my 7 year old should've gotten her food first. Other than that we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. 2 glasses of wine, 2 sodas, a small margherita pizza, child size pepperoni pizza, 1 cup of excellent clam chowder, and 2 seafood entrees, plus delicious table bread and a beautiful dessert for exactly $100 tip included.

Always a fav. Ordered to go. Chicken Parma, spaghetti meatballs ,pizza margarita, clam chowder white and fried calamari It was good foods. It was prom night and packed. Luckily the huge group had just left. After Covid. It must have been just awesome to be out with high school buddies.Anyway, we met the chef and my question was how do you order calamari that is with rings and tentacles. U know, the small ones. So he made some up and brought us some and to my delight exactly what we luv. What a nice chef. We’ve had other Italian restaurants and to our dismay got fried strips, like French fries. Noooo. Reply where your favorite locations to visit. Anyway, post wherever your palate takes u.

Overall the staff was friendly and food was tasty. I got a chicken parmigiana that came together with veggies and pasta (basic Barilla), the chicken parmigiana itself was good, but the pasta and veggies that came with it were very cheap and not very authentic, paid $15+ for my plate and wasn't very happy with the choice. Although my plate wasn't what I expected, the mushroom and cheese ravioli were delicious.

Eddie B

Always a fav. Ordered to go. Chicken Parma, spaghetti meatballs ,pizza margarita, clam chowder white and fried calamari It was good foods. It was prom night and packed. Luckily the huge group had just left. After Covid. It must have been just awesome to be out with high school buddies.Anyway, we met the chef and my question was how do you order calamari that is with rings and tentacles. U know, the small ones. So he made some up and brought us some and to my delight exactly what we luv. What a nice chef. We’ve had other Italian restaurants and to our dismay got fried strips, like French fries. Noooo. Reply where your favorite locations to visit. Anyway, post wherever your palate takes u.

Ricardo Aranha

Overall the staff was friendly and food was tasty. I got a chicken parmigiana that came together with veggies and pasta (basic Barilla), the chicken parmigiana itself was good, but the pasta and veggies that came with it were very cheap and not very authentic, paid $15+ for my plate and wasn't very happy with the choice. Although my plate wasn't what I expected, the mushroom and cheese ravioli were delicious.

Jason Shultz

The food was really good. The service was good as well. My only complaint was the decor could really have used an update. Droopy ceiling fan blades for instance. It was really dark and dated. The windows were dirty. If they updated the decor to match the quality of food and service it would really elevate the visit to another level.

Elizabeth Lascheid

Bella Italia is very nice place for dinner while in town. It is not the best ever, but we were quite happy with almost everything we ordered. The place is really pretty and the prices are fair. We just loved the service. We were seated straight away. They have a nice wine list. Our server knew the menu well and was fast but we never felt rushed. I would make a reservation. We were there on a weekday and ate early so we were in great shape. Most of the food we had was great. The minestrone soup was just perfect. We also loved our salads. I had the chicken marsala and it was just so melt in your mouth wonderful and packed with yummy mushrooms. We also had the ravioli in a white sauce that was so good. I would get that again. Finally, we had fried ravioli and it was good, not great. That I will not try again. There is just too much thick crust for me, but you might love it. The ravioli within the crust was very good. All in all we would come back. We just loved the service, the calm atmosphere and the vast majority of the food. Give them a try.

Nate F

Decided to try out a different type of Italian restaurant and came here.. My appetizer was actually the best (Portobello Mushroom with the Pesto sauce) The bread comes with this spicy type of butter that I've never had and was really good. Overall the food was good but not amazing. In regards to the time, it was actually slow (only 2 parties already served at the time) and the food still took about 25 minutes to come out; not necessarily a negative but just wanted to note that. Service was good and friendly. It's a nice little spot if you want to try a different Italian place.

Matt Dearden

Great food. Friendly staff. Not as pricey as I thought it would be. Didn't get 5 stars cuz it took a while between apps and entrees and my 7 year old should've gotten her food first. Other than that we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. 2 glasses of wine, 2 sodas, a small margherita pizza, child size pepperoni pizza, 1 cup of excellent clam chowder, and 2 seafood entrees, plus delicious table bread and a beautiful dessert for exactly $100 tip included.

The chairs for all the tables lack cushions or built-in padding. They did not have music on. The baked rigatoni was alright, but could have had more cheese. For dessert, the chocolate fondant cake piece was just okay, however, the off-white cream beside the piece was delicious. They have hot tea, but the server did not ask if I wanted more hot water after I began drinking it.

Good food and service to match. Portions were good and price was ok. It got busy fast so might want to arrive a little early. I had the shrimp linguine which was better than I remember from another place in town. My wife had the chicken parmigiana fettuccine which was very good. The kids tried the sausage calzone which was huge . Dessert was the canoli nice and tasty . We will be back.

Ernie G

Good food and service to match. Portions were good and price was ok. It got busy fast so might want to arrive a little early. I had the shrimp linguine which was better than I remember from another place in town. My wife had the chicken parmigiana fettuccine which was very good. The kids tried the sausage calzone which was huge . Dessert was the canoli nice and tasty . We will be back.

I went to this place recently, the service was great. Very family friendly restaurant, quite small but sweet. They food didn't have much flavor, I got the Prawns Ala Santa Margarita dish. The shrimp was over cooked, the pasta barely had any sauce, and only flavor was the tomatoes and sun dried tomatoes, it was quite disappointing for an Italian restaurant.

Ivy

I went to this place recently, the service was great. Very family friendly restaurant, quite small but sweet. They food didn't have much flavor, I got the Prawns Ala Santa Margarita dish. The shrimp was over cooked, the pasta barely had any sauce, and only flavor was the tomatoes and sun dried tomatoes, it was quite disappointing for an Italian restaurant.

Ordered chicken parmigiana worst I’ve ever had. Cheese was burnt And chicken was chewy. Not worth eating Spaghetti had very little sauce not tasty at all. Tasted like a TV dinner will not return. Bread was delicious.

Kinda hard to purchase a meal or at least put together an item when there’s no dollar value to the item it almost seems like they pick and choose. The price is bearing on who they speak with. Be careful prices will change without you knowing it and it’s just them getting over on you the customer when they can

Drug rep ordered lunch for our department. Two large pizza and other food. My co worker found a hair in the crust of her pizza. Called restaurants to asked if they could just refund pizza cost. The owner said for us to bring the pizza back. Explain to her we are at work. She could care less. Salad was frozen food was just bad and customer service as well.

this is probably one of the worst restaurants I have been eating so far....the food is not italian by any stretch, canned, pre-packaged and deep frozen ingredients, salty, no other tatse what so ever - just try something else, hardly can be worse...