Ciao Bella Ristorante

This restaurant is small, and usually pretty busy. Had to wait a little while even with a reservation, but that's to be expected given their size and how busy they are. The servers are absolutely amazing. One woman there recommended a wine for me (I don't like wine) she offered to let me sample it. Now I order it every time. The food is outstanding. This little place offers the best ribeye I've ever eaten. Unfortunately they will be closed for a few months due to renovations. However, I'm excited to go back in December to see their expansion. To the cooks (which are brothers and owners, I just found out) AMAZING job!

Happy hour menu extends to food as well as drink. I got a burger that was so big that the guy next to me asked how I would get my mouth around it.

We love this little gem of a restaurant. The seafood is always OUTSTANDING! The chef will make adjustments as you like (ie: more spicy, no mushrooms, etc). Recommend making reservations as they fill up quickly. One of our favorite date night spots.

I came in with no reservation and even though they were fully booked I was able to sit at the bar and order a full meal. Vince the bartender was super nice and helpful. He was fast and attentive and got what we needed before I could even ask. The food was delicious! we had the mussels and clams for an appetizer which was amazing. I had the spicy salmon and prawns for dinner and my guest had stuffed calamari. Both dinners where so delicious! I will definitely be going back soon! Great seafood with lots of flavor! Best dining experience I've had in a long time!

We have loved our food every time we have eaten here. Had a special this time with giant prawns. Impressive plate of food! I love the lasagna and I can make three meals out of it. My husband loves their very vegetabley minestrone soup. It is not in a red sauce. We tried their fried asparagus and really enjoyed it. I had their ravioli and the meat was great. Not like most others I have had that were like ground meat. This had real chunks of meat. The atmosphere is very friendly. No fancy decor but the great service and good food make that unimportant.

This place is a gem! The food is absolutely amazing, and they consistently nail it with both their regular menu items and the specials. The portions are generous, making it a great bang for your buck without compromising on quality. It's not just a restaurant; it's like stepping into a home away from home. The warm and welcoming atmosphere makes you feel like part of their family the moment you walk in. Plus, the drinks are top-notch! Overall, a delightful experience every time.

Took food to go but also have ate in... Had the fresh coconut encrusted halibut with mixed veggies and mashed potatoes seasoned with butter and garlic. The portions were generous and the lemon butter sauce for the halibut was divine...halibut cooked perfectly. When I have dined in servers are attentive and very thorough in explaining dishes. The pricing is very fair for the great quality and overall quantity and I would go back there again! The other half of our party got the beef short rib special and were very happy with the large ribs! Previously when I ate in I got dessert and it was excellent as well...

Ciao Bella truly exceeded our expectations. From the moment we arrived, the service, food, and overall atmosphere were absolutely amazing. We hosted a special celebration here, and the entire team went above and beyond to make the night memorable. A special thank you to Anita and her staff for their warmth, professionalism, and attention to detail. They made everyone feel welcomed and taken care of, which means everything when you are celebrating something important. The food was outstanding. Every dish was flavorful, fresh, and beautifully prepared. Not a single disappointment at the table. Several of our guests had never been to Ciao Bella before, and they could not stop talking about how delicious the food was. Many of them are already planning their next visit. The ambiance was just right. Elegant, comfortable, and inviting. It created the perfect setting for great conversation, laughter, and memories. If you are looking for incredible food, top-notch service, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere, Ciao Bella is the place. We are truly grateful for the experience and look forward to coming back again.

This place is very good! It's a bit pricey but you get what you paid for. Well worth it. Great Ambiance and nice patio seating.

I went to Ciao Bella Italian Restaurant for my daughter's birthday, and we had such a wonderful experience! The food was absolutely delicious, fresh, and full of flavor. The staff was very welcoming and attentive. A special shout-out to our waitress, Irene, who was so kind and helpful, and she provided excellent service Highly recommend!

Ciao Bella Italiana is a gem of a restaurant nestled in [location], offering an exquisite dining experience. From the moment we stepped in, the staff made us feel truly welcome and attended to. The ambiance is simply beautiful, perfect for a relaxed dinner or a celebratory evening. Now, onto the food - outstanding doesn't quite capture it! If you're a seafood lover, this is your haven. The freshness of their seafood is unmatched, with daily specials that showcase their commitment to quality and flavor. We were fortunate to be hosted by the owner, whose hospitality added a personal touch to our visit. The menu is diverse, catering to all tastes with a range of options beyond seafood. Whether you're craving traditional Italian dishes or something unique, Ciao Bella Italiana delivers. This was our first visit, and we're already planning our next. If you appreciate impeccable service, delectable cuisine, and a warm atmosphere, look no further than Ciao Bella Italiana. Highly recommended!

Food was amazing I had the mussels and clam pasta highly recommend

Food is pretty good, large portions. Took awhile for the table to get their drinks, other than that would definitely recommend!

This place was absolutely amazing from the moment I walked in service was a 10 of 10. The atmosphere is amazing. Food was a 100 out of 10. I would 100% recommend this place whether is for lunch or dinner. Let them know that Walter sent you because this place is amazing. Should definitely be on your list of places to eat, the Ribeye w/Prawns was out of this world 😍

My husband and I came here for the first time and we were not disappointed! The food was amazing, better than any other place that we've been to before. The atmosphere was very calm and relaxing. The staff were excellent and beyond friendly! We will be coming back again in the near future!

I would be back. Had a great experience. Food was food. The waitress kept checking up on us.

First time visiting, it appeared there were two server's for all the tables which it appeared were mostly occupied. There were definitely lag times in-between requests/orders. Comfortable atmosphere, friendly hostess and very sociable server with warm insight to the menu. Menu options were varied and several caught our eye as possibilities. Slightly disappointed that one dish came out almost 15 minutes before the other, so much so that their dinner was finished before mine was served. Food was delicious, so well done! The cocktail ordered was delightful. We wanted to partake in a couple of desserts, since a request for a to-go box took two requests as it was forgotten about, we were resigned to the fact the wait for the dessert would be more than we would appreciate. Will absolutely be returning and highly recommend even with the hiccups/snafus/delays

BEST FOOD EVER!! A little pricy but worth every penny. Wait staff is exceptional, great bartenders, good wine list, always great specials with generous portions. 👍

dan raylowe

Ciao Bella truly exceeded our expectations. From the moment we arrived, the service, food, and overall atmosphere were absolutely amazing. We hosted a special celebration here, and the entire team went above and beyond to make the night memorable. A special thank you to Anita and her staff for their warmth, professionalism, and attention to detail. They made everyone feel welcomed and taken care of, which means everything when you are celebrating something important. The food was outstanding. Every dish was flavorful, fresh, and beautifully prepared. Not a single disappointment at the table. Several of our guests had never been to Ciao Bella before, and they could not stop talking about how delicious the food was. Many of them are already planning their next visit. The ambiance was just right. Elegant, comfortable, and inviting. It created the perfect setting for great conversation, laughter, and memories. If you are looking for incredible food, top-notch service, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere, Ciao Bella is the place. We are truly grateful for the experience and look forward to coming back again.

Vinny V

I went to Ciao Bella Italian Restaurant for my daughter's birthday, and we had such a wonderful experience! The food was absolutely delicious, fresh, and full of flavor. The staff was very welcoming and attentive. A special shout-out to our waitress, Irene, who was so kind and helpful, and she provided excellent service Highly recommend!

mp espinoza

Ciao Bella Italiana is a gem of a restaurant nestled in [location], offering an exquisite dining experience. From the moment we stepped in, the staff made us feel truly welcome and attended to. The ambiance is simply beautiful, perfect for a relaxed dinner or a celebratory evening. Now, onto the food - outstanding doesn't quite capture it! If you're a seafood lover, this is your haven. The freshness of their seafood is unmatched, with daily specials that showcase their commitment to quality and flavor. We were fortunate to be hosted by the owner, whose hospitality added a personal touch to our visit. The menu is diverse, catering to all tastes with a range of options beyond seafood. Whether you're craving traditional Italian dishes or something unique, Ciao Bella Italiana delivers. This was our first visit, and we're already planning our next. If you appreciate impeccable service, delectable cuisine, and a warm atmosphere, look no further than Ciao Bella Italiana. Highly recommended!

David Reynoso

I would be back. Had a great experience. Food was food. The waitress kept checking up on us.

Shy

Food is pretty good, large portions. Took awhile for the table to get their drinks, other than that would definitely recommend!

Walter Anaya (HomesByWalterA)

This place was absolutely amazing from the moment I walked in service was a 10 of 10. The atmosphere is amazing. Food was a 100 out of 10. I would 100% recommend this place whether is for lunch or dinner. Let them know that Walter sent you because this place is amazing. Should definitely be on your list of places to eat, the Ribeye w/Prawns was out of this world 😍

Jade Barnard

My husband and I came here for the first time and we were not disappointed! The food was amazing, better than any other place that we've been to before. The atmosphere was very calm and relaxing. The staff were excellent and beyond friendly! We will be coming back again in the near future!

Leslie Vaughn

First time visiting, it appeared there were two server's for all the tables which it appeared were mostly occupied. There were definitely lag times in-between requests/orders. Comfortable atmosphere, friendly hostess and very sociable server with warm insight to the menu. Menu options were varied and several caught our eye as possibilities. Slightly disappointed that one dish came out almost 15 minutes before the other, so much so that their dinner was finished before mine was served. Food was delicious, so well done! The cocktail ordered was delightful. We wanted to partake in a couple of desserts, since a request for a to-go box took two requests as it was forgotten about, we were resigned to the fact the wait for the dessert would be more than we would appreciate. Will absolutely be returning and highly recommend even with the hiccups/snafus/delays

Debbie Carrillo

BEST FOOD EVER!! A little pricy but worth every penny. Wait staff is exceptional, great bartenders, good wine list, always great specials with generous portions. 👍

claudia r

This was my first time going to eat here and it was all good, me and my bf started off with appetizers of shrimp scampi (forgot to take pic) the sauce was so creamy and buttery delicious. My entrée was the lasagna, every piece was yummy. It was just to much for me so I had to take home. The service was on point always coming to refill water and soda. Will recommend to friends and family.

Soni Sandhu

Late valentine's day reservations were available.. lamb was amazing.. a couple overheard that we were newlyweds and gave some awesome advice and surprised us with dessert!

Ciao Bella exceeded every expectation. From the moment I arrived, the service, food, and atmosphere created an unforgettable experience. My surprise birthday celebration was handled with such care and attention that the entire evening felt truly special. I am deeply grateful to Anita, her team, and the chef for their professionalism, warmth, and dedication. Every detail was thoughtfully handled, and the level of service made me feel genuinely valued and celebrated. That kind of care means everything during a personal milestone. The food was exceptional. Each dish was beautifully prepared, full of flavor, and clearly made with pride. The chef truly outdid himself. Every course impressed, and not a single guest was disappointed. Several guests were visiting Ciao Bella for the first time and are already planning to return based on the quality of the food alone. The ambiance was elegant, comfortable, and welcoming. It provided the perfect setting for meaningful conversation, laughter, and lasting memories. Ciao Bella delivered outstanding food, gracious service, and a warm, refined atmosphere. I am sincerely thankful for such a memorable birthday celebration and look forward to returning again soon.

Ciao Bella Ristorante is one of those Modesto gems you almost don’t want to share — cozy, classy, and consistently good. I ordered the filet mignon with mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables, and it was outstanding. Cooked well-done just as I asked (without being dry), it came out tender, flavorful, and beautifully plated. The rosemary mushroom cabernet sauce added just the right depth without overpowering the dish. The atmosphere strikes that perfect balance between elegant and relaxed, with warm lighting and friendly, attentive service. The pace was unhurried, but it’s clear the food is made fresh, so it’s worth the wait. It’s definitely on the pricier side, but you get what you pay for — quality ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and an experience that feels special. Perfect for a treat-yourself evening or a nice dinner out.

Very nice night celebrating our friends birthday at Ciao Bella. There were 9 of us together enjoying the food and each other's company. I had the coconut halibut. It was a nice sized portion of halibut and covered in toasted coconut. The sauce that came with it was so good on the halibut. Everyone enjoyed their meal and the excellent service provided by Pam.

JoAnn Barnes

Ciao Bella exceeded every expectation. From the moment I arrived, the service, food, and atmosphere created an unforgettable experience. My surprise birthday celebration was handled with such care and attention that the entire evening felt truly special. I am deeply grateful to Anita, her team, and the chef for their professionalism, warmth, and dedication. Every detail was thoughtfully handled, and the level of service made me feel genuinely valued and celebrated. That kind of care means everything during a personal milestone. The food was exceptional. Each dish was beautifully prepared, full of flavor, and clearly made with pride. The chef truly outdid himself. Every course impressed, and not a single guest was disappointed. Several guests were visiting Ciao Bella for the first time and are already planning to return based on the quality of the food alone. The ambiance was elegant, comfortable, and welcoming. It provided the perfect setting for meaningful conversation, laughter, and lasting memories. Ciao Bella delivered outstanding food, gracious service, and a warm, refined atmosphere. I am sincerely thankful for such a memorable birthday celebration and look forward to returning again soon.

Victoria Prevost

Ciao Bella Ristorante is one of those Modesto gems you almost don’t want to share — cozy, classy, and consistently good. I ordered the filet mignon with mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables, and it was outstanding. Cooked well-done just as I asked (without being dry), it came out tender, flavorful, and beautifully plated. The rosemary mushroom cabernet sauce added just the right depth without overpowering the dish. The atmosphere strikes that perfect balance between elegant and relaxed, with warm lighting and friendly, attentive service. The pace was unhurried, but it’s clear the food is made fresh, so it’s worth the wait. It’s definitely on the pricier side, but you get what you pay for — quality ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and an experience that feels special. Perfect for a treat-yourself evening or a nice dinner out.

Lemmie Klein

Very nice night celebrating our friends birthday at Ciao Bella. There were 9 of us together enjoying the food and each other's company. I had the coconut halibut. It was a nice sized portion of halibut and covered in toasted coconut. The sauce that came with it was so good on the halibut. Everyone enjoyed their meal and the excellent service provided by Pam.

Really enjoyed the experience and drinks are really nice. Great place for the price.

Its a Small places To pricey for the quality of food .close enviroment .food took along time to Service a little slow, but the food was excellent.

Solid restaurant. Good food, reasonable prices and good service

Amazing food and amazing service. Always has delicious specials and staff are very attentive. The front windows have a lot of glare and I wish they would update them.

The Sea food pasta I ordered came in a light garlic sauce it was ok, I think what happened when I seen the dish it reminded me of Ciopino so I started to crave a little more spice instead of a light garlicky sauce. Halibut was tasty. Staff was on point. Been here a few times and looking forward to returning.

Phil M Briones

The Sea food pasta I ordered came in a light garlic sauce it was ok, I think what happened when I seen the dish it reminded me of Ciopino so I started to crave a little more spice instead of a light garlicky sauce. Halibut was tasty. Staff was on point. Been here a few times and looking forward to returning.

Grace

Its a Small places To pricey for the quality of food .close enviroment .food took along time to Service a little slow, but the food was excellent.

I want to start by saying the food is Excellent, thank you Chef. It’s a cute place and the girl at the front desk was sweet. We did not have a reservation but there was room on the seating chart. We were appreciative. The young lady got us water and menus. We sat for 25 min while other people were attended to. We watched bread and drinks come and go while we waited, plenty of staff moving and grooving. Eventually the same girl came back and told us our server, a young gentleman, would attend to us soon. 5 min later he came, he took our drink order and food order and left. 15 min later the same young girl asked if we had gotten bread, we said no and she went and got us some, it was delicious... 10 min later our drinks came. Mine was not what I ordered. I tried to flag someone down to let them know..the bartender was away from the bar, so I just started to drink it..but it was bad. The food eventually came out and was worth the wait, fresh, well plated and tasty. Good food takes time. We go out to eat quite a bit, and we have been dying to try this place and the food did not disappoint. I am sure we won’t be back, BUT, if you read this, get a reservation, dress up a bit, and speak up for your service and definitely enjoy the food!

Pros: we were seated promptly on a Saturday evening with no reservations. The service was good. The atmosphere was nice and there were heaters on the front patio which made it enjoyable to sit out there. Cons: it took quite awhile for our food to come out. I’m generally pretty understanding about that sort of thing, especially when it’s busy, but I think we waited around 45 minutes or so. I could’ve gotten over that, but the reason for the 3 stars is that the food just really wasn’t very good. My husband got chicken Marsala and it was really sweet which threw me off. I understand Marsala wine can be sweet or dry but I would think you’d use a dry wine for a savory dish. I got shrimp fettuccine Alfredo and it had very little flavor, like the shrimp was good but the pasta tasted like plain noodles. It wasn’t BAD per se, but I would’ve expected better. I probably won’t come here again because I make really good pasta at home for a lot less money.

While our first 2 experiences were absolutely delightful, our last 2 experience were nothing short of a disappointment. We had made reservations for 7pm. We were repeatedly told just 5-10 more minutes while they setup our table. My husband and I ended up not being seated till almost 8:30. We saw people without reservations sat before us and it was very frustrating. Our most recent experience was with ordering take out. While my husband did originally order the wrong meal, he called to correct it. We ended up get 2 of the same wrong order. They did refund us for one if the meals but then told us they were too busy to cook the correct meal we ordered. While the food is delicious, the service and overall experience is lacking.

The restaurant is so popular that we had to wait one hour before we sat at our table, even with a reservation. The food did taste good but the portions were on the small side. The server was excellent! The price for four people with three drinks came to $200. Overall, I don't think I'll visit again.

Noisy atmosphere. Very average and generic food. Veal piccata was bland as was the salad. Pasta heavily sauced. The prawns were well cooked but again the seasoning was lacking. Tiramisu was literally drizzled with Hershey’s syrup. This is not an authentic Italian restaurant. I’m pretty forgiving but the ratings do not accurately reflect the quality of the food and ambiance.

Its a small place so we had to add our name to the wait list for 30 mins for a table for two. Once we got a table we ordered scallops appetizer and we were told they were sold out. It was only 6pm I would assume they would have more. During dinner my food was over seasoned and the fish was over cooked. I tryed to say something to our waitress and she blew us off by saying that the owner was indeed the chef and everything he made or touched was perfect. So in other words there's no room for criticism or improvement. We paid for dinner and never came back.

Michael George

Noisy atmosphere. Very average and generic food. Veal piccata was bland as was the salad. Pasta heavily sauced. The prawns were well cooked but again the seasoning was lacking. Tiramisu was literally drizzled with Hershey’s syrup. This is not an authentic Italian restaurant. I’m pretty forgiving but the ratings do not accurately reflect the quality of the food and ambiance.

Dom Dom

Its a small place so we had to add our name to the wait list for 30 mins for a table for two. Once we got a table we ordered scallops appetizer and we were told they were sold out. It was only 6pm I would assume they would have more. During dinner my food was over seasoned and the fish was over cooked. I tryed to say something to our waitress and she blew us off by saying that the owner was indeed the chef and everything he made or touched was perfect. So in other words there's no room for criticism or improvement. We paid for dinner and never came back.

Most overpriced food I’ve had in a long time. Serving size is small and taste is marginal.

The food was okay, but the service was extremely slow. We had a reservation for five, and two of us arrived on time, but the restaurant refused to seat us until the rest of the party arrived. On top of that, we were never offered bread, olive oil, or vinegar. When we finally asked, they only brought out a few small pieces of bread. Overall, very disappointing experience, and I will not be returning.

shokoo J

The food was okay, but the service was extremely slow. We had a reservation for five, and two of us arrived on time, but the restaurant refused to seat us until the rest of the party arrived. On top of that, we were never offered bread, olive oil, or vinegar. When we finally asked, they only brought out a few small pieces of bread. Overall, very disappointing experience, and I will not be returning.

I tried to call when they opened and no 1 answered. So I go up there and was told that it will be 45 minutes for takeout. OK that's fine. I had some questions about menu items and specials for the day( they are not very clear) the host didn't seem to know much and kept going back to the kitchen to answer my question. Then she comes back after I already been there waiting 20 minutes. Just to tell me that they aren't taking any more takeout orders! Unbelievable then she says that I can come back in a couple of hours to try again.

First, let me say the waitress was friendly. We were seated within 10 mins but it was a Tuesday night so not busy. We had a small child in a carrier however, yhey do not have high chairs to set it in. It took several minutes after being seated before being asked what we would like to drink, then several mins to get our drinks. The waitress said she would be right back with bread. 10 mins later, she brought four very small, thin, round pieces of bread for four adults. One piece was the end piece of a loaf about the size of a quarter. Then we didn't see the waitress for another 10 mins. She never asked to refill our water. The section we were in was half empty, only four tables occupied in our area and the occupants all had been served so she wasn't busy! Finally, she took our order and 30 minutes later we got our food. We were all disappointed. My halibut was mushy not flaky. The pork "special" was dry and not special at all. Four dinners no dessert, no coffee, no wine or liquor the bill was close to $200. I don't mind paying that for four dinners if the food and service is good and didn't take 2 1/2 hours. The only reason I am giving a one star is because if I don't, my comments would not be posted.

Food was gross and the service was awful. Let me put it this way, I order a simple meal shrimp fettuccine and the sauce was broken and tasted like white gravy. If you know you know. There was only 4 other tables beside us and it took almost an hour to get out food was cold and the waitress won't even come to us. We actually had to ask other servers to help us.

It is sad to say last night was our LAST visit to Ciao Bella for a very long time. My girl and I LOVE this place for it's food and usually the service. But last night was the exact opposite. Our server with the short hair treated us like burdens - She didn't introduce herself - (Even the other servers were more friendly and helpful.) But asking for basic things like napkins and refills took forever and a day. My girl asked for cheese on the pasta and was given the smallest amount in a ketchup cup. We had to ask for bread and when it was brought out - we were told "we ran out of bread baskets" and was given 3 small pieces of bread on a tiny sauce plate..Drinks and refills took 20 minutes to get. MIND YOU, the restaurant was not busy. By the time we got our food we weren't really hungry anymore just annoyed.. She was quick to take our plates away making us feel like we should leave. So we did & will NOT be back anytime soon. Still left a generous tip because I too was once a server/ bartender.

The service was great! The food was subpar and falsely advertised as “Fresh”! The Atmosphere was nice and clean. The Lobster Ravioli was advertised as Fresh. I was not fresh and was definitely frozen, the Ravioli contents were a pasty imitation Lobster with bits of red in it. The server removed the charge for the Ravioli. My Shrimp Pomodoro was a Soup instead of a sauce. See the picture of what I was served and the other that shows a true Pomodoro sauce. Our server offered to pay for our dessert first and we bypassed her gracious offer. She ended up removing the charge for the Lobster Ravioloi. Both meals were completely flat and not seasoned correctly. The charges for both meals should have been removed or they should have offered another meal for a new visit and a make up for the horrible meals they served. I will never go back based on 2 things, mis-advertisement and the fact they charged me for meals that were absolutely horrible. To say I’m disappointed with the quality of the food would be an understatement. My recommendation is pass on the food. I will say the Bar seemed to be very popular. Please see the photos of my meal which they say is Pomodoro sauce and a correctly prepared Pomodoro sauce.

Richard Selby

The service was great! The food was subpar and falsely advertised as “Fresh”! The Atmosphere was nice and clean. The Lobster Ravioli was advertised as Fresh. I was not fresh and was definitely frozen, the Ravioli contents were a pasty imitation Lobster with bits of red in it. The server removed the charge for the Ravioli. My Shrimp Pomodoro was a Soup instead of a sauce. See the picture of what I was served and the other that shows a true Pomodoro sauce. Our server offered to pay for our dessert first and we bypassed her gracious offer. She ended up removing the charge for the Lobster Ravioloi. Both meals were completely flat and not seasoned correctly. The charges for both meals should have been removed or they should have offered another meal for a new visit and a make up for the horrible meals they served. I will never go back based on 2 things, mis-advertisement and the fact they charged me for meals that were absolutely horrible. To say I’m disappointed with the quality of the food would be an understatement. My recommendation is pass on the food. I will say the Bar seemed to be very popular. Please see the photos of my meal which they say is Pomodoro sauce and a correctly prepared Pomodoro sauce.

We had a Valentine’s Day reservation here and it was a complete disaster. We arrived on time and waited 15 minutes, only to be told they were out of food. How does a restaurant accept reservations for one of the busiest dining nights of the year and then run out of food before 9 pm? It was already 8:45 pm, and because of their poor planning and mismanagement, we were left scrambling with nowhere else to go on Valentine’s night. This was beyond disappointing — it was unprofessional, inconsiderate, and honestly ruined our evening. If you can’t handle holiday reservations, don’t take them. We will not be coming back.