Bella Trattoria Italian Bistro

Marco Daniels

It's for a Christmas celebration for two. We had a booking and were admitted and seated after 20 minutes. The appetizers are small like really small budgeted bite-size Caprese and tomato even the bruschetta (see pictures) compare to the price. I think it's a rip-off. They can do better than that. We came for the experience and not for the small bite-size appetizer. The main dishes (spaghetti with meatballs and innkeeper's pasta were good and decent portions. Tiramisu is okay nothing to get excited about. The ambiance is next to nothing. We were just literally on the pavement covered with window glass that they called the restaurant. I was expecting a very nice restaurant inside the mission inn. The service could be faster and the waiter could be a little quick and alert. I waited for about 10 minutes for a soda refill and waited about 20 minutes for the tiramisu to come to the table. It was an okay experience. I could have gone to las Campanas or Duane’s. Just stay away from this one. It was not a romantic and chic place to be.

“MEH” about covers it. My wife booked us a 5:30 reservation to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. It appears outdoor was only available, didn’t appear busy and we asked to be seated to the left since the sewage smell didn’t seem as strong on that side. Hostess said she only had a small table for two. That side of patio was completely void of any customers and there was much roomier available table 3 feet from us. Not sure why we had to be at the mini table. First the beverages came and they brought my wife the wrong drink, my soda was flat. Then bread and appetizer came out. My wife’s meal came out first. She waited a while then started eating while it was still warm. She really paced herself otherwise I would have watched her eat her entire plate and then she would have had to watch me eat mine when it finally came out. They had to come out at least 10 minutes apart. The waitress and hostess were nice, the food was ok, but it just didn’t add it up to good dining experience.

Mike Wickstrom

“MEH” about covers it. My wife booked us a 5:30 reservation to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. It appears outdoor was only available, didn’t appear busy and we asked to be seated to the left since the sewage smell didn’t seem as strong on that side. Hostess said she only had a small table for two. That side of patio was completely void of any customers and there was much roomier available table 3 feet from us. Not sure why we had to be at the mini table. First the beverages came and they brought my wife the wrong drink, my soda was flat. Then bread and appetizer came out. My wife’s meal came out first. She waited a while then started eating while it was still warm. She really paced herself otherwise I would have watched her eat her entire plate and then she would have had to watch me eat mine when it finally came out. They had to come out at least 10 minutes apart. The waitress and hostess were nice, the food was ok, but it just didn’t add it up to good dining experience.

I was on a trip with my family from OC to Palm Springs. That was a perfect place to stop for a coffee break. We ordered some pizzas for kids and for ourselves and some drinks. Everything was OK, so a couple of days later, on the way back, we decided to stop there again, and that was the biggest mistake. We've been ignored by the waitress for a while. I asked other employees to call her a few times. 11am. Monday. There was just one table and us. She was busy just with one table. She was serving them really slow and not paying attention to other people around. When another couple occupied another table, she took their order and not our after long waiting. Then I ordered a cup of coffee latte but she brought me a glass with almond milk. Then I asked for a cup of regular warm milk for kids, and she brought a glass with sweet almond milk. Then, 40 minutes later, we got our overbacked pizzas. The way it looks, you can see on the photos I attached. It's bad... Guys lucky to have this good location, but service...

Alex Fedosov

I was on a trip with my family from OC to Palm Springs. That was a perfect place to stop for a coffee break. We ordered some pizzas for kids and for ourselves and some drinks. Everything was OK, so a couple of days later, on the way back, we decided to stop there again, and that was the biggest mistake. We've been ignored by the waitress for a while. I asked other employees to call her a few times. 11am. Monday. There was just one table and us. She was busy just with one table. She was serving them really slow and not paying attention to other people around. When another couple occupied another table, she took their order and not our after long waiting. Then I ordered a cup of coffee latte but she brought me a glass with almond milk. Then I asked for a cup of regular warm milk for kids, and she brought a glass with sweet almond milk. Then, 40 minutes later, we got our overbacked pizzas. The way it looks, you can see on the photos I attached. It's bad... Guys lucky to have this good location, but service...

There were a lot of crumbs in the calimari. The menu is very limited with only meat dishes for the main course. However, there are margarita and cheese pizza for vegetarians. Our server, Iris, was good, and the other wait staff too. The dining area looked nice with a view of holiday shoppers.

Was so excited to go and try this resturant I was truly disappointed. But our server Kitty was so warm and friendly. $16.00 for 3 little meatballs that didnt really taste that great dont mind paying if food is good. Won't be going back.

I was disappointed with what the waiter described as an abbreviated menu due to the holiday crowds. We ordered the meat lovers pizza; it was just okay. Service was somewhat slow and inattentive.

I should have listened to the reviews. We went for Valentine’s dinner and it was not what we expected. The short rib tortellini was very bland and only came with six pieces. The spaghetti bolognese was just okay. The chicken parmesan was served with grilled chicken strips, and there was barely any parmesan. The Caesar salad had almost no dressing. To top it off, my drink glass was cracked at the rim. All of that came out to $140, plus $20 for valet since they don’t validate. Definitely disappointing for a special occasion.

Paul B

I was disappointed with what the waiter described as an abbreviated menu due to the holiday crowds. We ordered the meat lovers pizza; it was just okay. Service was somewhat slow and inattentive.

Kagamusha SW

There were a lot of crumbs in the calimari. The menu is very limited with only meat dishes for the main course. However, there are margarita and cheese pizza for vegetarians. Our server, Iris, was good, and the other wait staff too. The dining area looked nice with a view of holiday shoppers.

Geena

Was so excited to go and try this resturant I was truly disappointed. But our server Kitty was so warm and friendly. $16.00 for 3 little meatballs that didnt really taste that great dont mind paying if food is good. Won't be going back.

We just got home from this restaurant, and unfortunately, it was a major letdown. I honestly think the real chef must have been off for the 4th of July—because whoever cooked today clearly wasn’t a professional. We were shocked that a restaurant connected to the Mission Inn Hotel would serve food like this. The dishes were completely bland, like someone forgot to add salt—or any seasoning at all. My cream sauce was watery and flavorless, nothing like the “lemon flavor” the waitress mentioned. My son said his pasta was the worst Italian food he’s ever had—and that even our leftovers at home taste better! It was also uncomfortably hot inside, even though we were seated indoors with supposed air conditioning. Service started off friendly, but then the staff disappeared. We waited forever just to ask for basic things like salt, and no one checked on us during the meal. To be fair, our waitress was polite and smiled even after we gave feedback, which we appreciated. But overall, I wouldn’t recommend this restaurant unless they seriously improve both the food and the experience.

It's for birthday celebration, but the mood was totally killed, the WORST SERVICE I've ever got in my life! We were arrived 5:30, no much people at that time, but still wait around 15 mins to be seated, usher said outside section would be warmer since there's heater so we chose outside. It took more than an hour for a server to take our orders, while we patiently waiting for our food, a male staff with a black cotton mask moved our heater to accommodate other guests without even a word! We were a bit confused and pissed! We tried to get a new one but they excused and let us hanging in the cold waiting. Few moments later, new guests joined our section, they got immediate attention and the same guy bring a heater immediately to their area while leaving us shivering in the cold. We were so angry! Is that because we're the only Asian out there so he treated us like that?! Totally disrespectful and unacceptable! We tried to ask other server for help but sadly nobody cares, we were so disappointed. First time leaved NO tips for this horrible service. DO NOT GO THERE IF U R NOT WHITE!!!!

Angela H

We just got home from this restaurant, and unfortunately, it was a major letdown. I honestly think the real chef must have been off for the 4th of July—because whoever cooked today clearly wasn’t a professional. We were shocked that a restaurant connected to the Mission Inn Hotel would serve food like this. The dishes were completely bland, like someone forgot to add salt—or any seasoning at all. My cream sauce was watery and flavorless, nothing like the “lemon flavor” the waitress mentioned. My son said his pasta was the worst Italian food he’s ever had—and that even our leftovers at home taste better! It was also uncomfortably hot inside, even though we were seated indoors with supposed air conditioning. Service started off friendly, but then the staff disappeared. We waited forever just to ask for basic things like salt, and no one checked on us during the meal. To be fair, our waitress was polite and smiled even after we gave feedback, which we appreciated. But overall, I wouldn’t recommend this restaurant unless they seriously improve both the food and the experience.

Lori Law

It's for birthday celebration, but the mood was totally killed, the WORST SERVICE I've ever got in my life! We were arrived 5:30, no much people at that time, but still wait around 15 mins to be seated, usher said outside section would be warmer since there's heater so we chose outside. It took more than an hour for a server to take our orders, while we patiently waiting for our food, a male staff with a black cotton mask moved our heater to accommodate other guests without even a word! We were a bit confused and pissed! We tried to get a new one but they excused and let us hanging in the cold waiting. Few moments later, new guests joined our section, they got immediate attention and the same guy bring a heater immediately to their area while leaving us shivering in the cold. We were so angry! Is that because we're the only Asian out there so he treated us like that?! Totally disrespectful and unacceptable! We tried to ask other server for help but sadly nobody cares, we were so disappointed. First time leaved NO tips for this horrible service. DO NOT GO THERE IF U R NOT WHITE!!!!

Showed up for our reservation but they said there were 4 groups ahead of us to be seated. The group of 6 in front of us also had reservations, but were told their table wasn’t available and there was no eta on how long it would be. The hostess could have been texting or calling people about how late they were running but instead she just stood there staring off into space. We didn’t even bother eating there. We went across the street to Probation and it was great. Highly suggest probation instead.

Do not go here! Fine dining price but food was room temperature. I didn't feel well after eating. Service was SLOOOOW! Waitress showed up 30 mins after we sat. We ordered everything right away because we knew her chances of coming back was slim to nil. Food came another 30 mins later. By that time my tweens were ravenous and hangry. No refills on drinks, bread or to check if everything was OK. After another hour. My kids and I were so done with this place. My son had to go up to ask the hostess to print the check. Waitess came back to return my card, BUT STAYED AROUND PRETENDING TO CLEAN UP TO MAKE SURE I LEFT HER ATLEAST AN 18% TIP! I was so mad and uneasy (like being pressured into buying a timeshare). I waited 2 days to write this review. It made us never want to eat out again.

The food was very bland. The Alfredo pasta tasted like noodles and straight butter. It took forever for a sever to come and ask for our order and even more time waiting for our appetizer. Very disappointing for the amount of money each dish is.

When you book a reservation 3 weeks out, show up 10 minutes before your 5 pm reservation for two and then wait till 5:30 and only get in because you say you have to leave soon that's a crap experience. For an Italian restaurant the menu is very limited. The pasta was overcooked and barely warm (for 32$) and the pizza was less than average. Service started well but she asked twice if I wanted the ckeck

Should have trusted the previous reviews.... Restaurant is set inside a "corridor" next to The Mission Inn Resort. Had dinner there with 45 degree temp outside... AND in that corridor - with NO HEAT (they have ceiling fans for summer but can't bother with heat in winter?). We ate with our coats on. We both ordered chicken parmigiana and it was the worst ever had. Overcooked, tough, could barely chew it. (We are both 4th generation Italian and know what good chicken parm should taste like.) We ordered some bread to go with the salad and only option was their "Focaccia bread"....5 slices of bread with a little seasoning on top....for $16!!!!!! What a ripoff. Will never go back. (Maybe it's more comfortable temp-wise in the summer but not unless food improves dramatically...?) Much better choices elsewhere in Riverside.

On 02/07/26, I was excited to take my family of 6 to enjoy a bit of fine Italian dining. We had an early dinner reservation at 4:00 pm. I thought because this is a historic location, The Mission Inn, that this might have been a good choice to dine. To my disappointment we ordered our food, which included pizza, pasta dishes, spaghetti, and Ceasar salad. Rating the pizza of 5 score being the highest, it would be 2.5, not bad but not what we thought it should have been. Now for the chicken parmigian, it was a 2, because it was very bland and almost no flavor. As for the other pasta dishes it was much of the same even for the spiced dish we ordered, which also lacked flavor and the alleged spiced taste to it. Even their Pepsi product that we were served lacked the Pepsi taste. The Ceasar salad was not fresh or tasty as an Ceasars salad should be. About the most enjoyable part of this dinner was the toasted bread. For six members of my family, which included no alcoholic drinks other than 1 Pepsi, was a ridiculous almost $300.00. A better choice would have been to stay home and prepare store bought frozen Italian foods. If you love to be disappointed and to spend your hard earned money, they by all means make your reservation for this terrible “Italian”, restaurant experience in my opinion.

We had three couples our best friends celebrating the 3 wife’s Birthdays all in December. We decided to try this restaurant. This was the worst Italian food I have ever had. When we made our reservations we did not know they were going to have a limited menu for the Christmas time. The had 3 items on the menu. Plus some Pizza. Did not match the menu on line. After paying $25 to park time 3. $75. 00 total. We were seated. We should have left but we decided to stay. Absolutely the worst Italio food I have ever had. Who ever the cook was. Can’t call them a Chef. Greasy crappie food better Italian food at a gas station. Never going back don’t waste your money

If you’re considering making Bella Trattoria part of your evening plans, let me save you a night of disappointment: don’t! This is by far the worst “Italian” restaurant I’ve ever been to. To start, the tables are folding tables and the service staff lost our reservation. Next, we got seated and presented with a “menu” that only had 11 items on it TOTAL (other than pizza). We ordered two appetizers (focaccia and a Caesar salad). They did not have anchovies, their focaccia was just French bread with garlic powder on it, their salad dressing was premade, and the cheese was tasteless. We ordered two glasses of prosecco, which came warm and flat. My wife ordered a mocktail from the “full bar” and was given a mixture of orange juice, cranberry juice, and peach syrup. We asked for the check, and got handed an $80 bill. No one came to ask if we were ok or why we were suddenly leaving 15 minutes in to a dinner reservation on New Year’s Eve. The couple next to us got served their entrees, left them on the table, and asked for their check as well. They looked awful. The service wasn’t terrible, but the servers look dejected and probably are embarrassed to be serving slop. I’m not sure how this restaurant is still in business - I guess it’s purely due to being attached to the Mission Inn. Nonetheless, this is a disappointing, high-priced disaster that will ruin your evening. Avoid!

Connor Tibbetts

If you’re considering making Bella Trattoria part of your evening plans, let me save you a night of disappointment: don’t! This is by far the worst “Italian” restaurant I’ve ever been to. To start, the tables are folding tables and the service staff lost our reservation. Next, we got seated and presented with a “menu” that only had 11 items on it TOTAL (other than pizza). We ordered two appetizers (focaccia and a Caesar salad). They did not have anchovies, their focaccia was just French bread with garlic powder on it, their salad dressing was premade, and the cheese was tasteless. We ordered two glasses of prosecco, which came warm and flat. My wife ordered a mocktail from the “full bar” and was given a mixture of orange juice, cranberry juice, and peach syrup. We asked for the check, and got handed an $80 bill. No one came to ask if we were ok or why we were suddenly leaving 15 minutes in to a dinner reservation on New Year’s Eve. The couple next to us got served their entrees, left them on the table, and asked for their check as well. They looked awful. The service wasn’t terrible, but the servers look dejected and probably are embarrassed to be serving slop. I’m not sure how this restaurant is still in business - I guess it’s purely due to being attached to the Mission Inn. Nonetheless, this is a disappointing, high-priced disaster that will ruin your evening. Avoid!

Jon Pelletier

Showed up for our reservation but they said there were 4 groups ahead of us to be seated. The group of 6 in front of us also had reservations, but were told their table wasn’t available and there was no eta on how long it would be. The hostess could have been texting or calling people about how late they were running but instead she just stood there staring off into space. We didn’t even bother eating there. We went across the street to Probation and it was great. Highly suggest probation instead.

James McConnell

We had three couples our best friends celebrating the 3 wife’s Birthdays all in December. We decided to try this restaurant. This was the worst Italian food I have ever had. When we made our reservations we did not know they were going to have a limited menu for the Christmas time. The had 3 items on the menu. Plus some Pizza. Did not match the menu on line. After paying $25 to park time 3. $75. 00 total. We were seated. We should have left but we decided to stay. Absolutely the worst Italio food I have ever had. Who ever the cook was. Can’t call them a Chef. Greasy crappie food better Italian food at a gas station. Never going back don’t waste your money

Don Peirson

When you book a reservation 3 weeks out, show up 10 minutes before your 5 pm reservation for two and then wait till 5:30 and only get in because you say you have to leave soon that's a crap experience. For an Italian restaurant the menu is very limited. The pasta was overcooked and barely warm (for 32$) and the pizza was less than average. Service started well but she asked twice if I wanted the ckeck

Maria San Juan

The food was very bland. The Alfredo pasta tasted like noodles and straight butter. It took forever for a sever to come and ask for our order and even more time waiting for our appetizer. Very disappointing for the amount of money each dish is.

Y Z

Do not go here! Fine dining price but food was room temperature. I didn't feel well after eating. Service was SLOOOOW! Waitress showed up 30 mins after we sat. We ordered everything right away because we knew her chances of coming back was slim to nil. Food came another 30 mins later. By that time my tweens were ravenous and hangry. No refills on drinks, bread or to check if everything was OK. After another hour. My kids and I were so done with this place. My son had to go up to ask the hostess to print the check. Waitess came back to return my card, BUT STAYED AROUND PRETENDING TO CLEAN UP TO MAKE SURE I LEFT HER ATLEAST AN 18% TIP! I was so mad and uneasy (like being pressured into buying a timeshare). I waited 2 days to write this review. It made us never want to eat out again.