Both the best burger in Lexington (I had to try it to believe it) and also the best piccata I have had in YEARS. Great service and ambiance top it off. Oh, and they have decaf coffee. Bonus points there! read more

Really enjoyed lunch at this establishment! Pictured is the Penne Gorgonzola with extra grilled chicken. It was perfect. The service was nice and friendly and the ambiance was so delightful. Calm and inviting. We will be coming back when craving Italian! read more

Bella Notte - Penne Gorgonzola - Italian Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

Had to make a visit given all of the community hype. Verdict - good but not great. Host staff was friendly but having a bit too much of a chat/hang to pay much attention to guests. Service was good - friendly but seemed a bit disinterested. I chalk this up to a late ish (7:30) reservation on a very busy Saturday night. Sometimes you just got to get thru it. The bread/oil was yummy. The caesar salad was fine - nothing to write home about. Same for the manicotti (my go-to dish to test out a new-to-me Italian spot). The component parts were each fine but nothing sparkled. Wine list also seemed a little uninspired - particularly on the reds which I would expect to be a bit more interesting at an Italian restaurant. May give it another try but not in a rush. read more

This place is so delicious I may dream about it tonight. You walk in and the decor is so stunning There is a lighted tree in the middle of the restaurant. Love it They have seasonal add one to the menu which my daughter got the butternut squash and pumpkin cannelloni with sage. She was very happy. I ordered the penne pesto. Yummy. We shared crispy Brussel sprouts which were the best I have ever eaten. I also ordered a banana foster martini. Enough said Kaitlin was our server and she made our experience so great. Her smile and conversation completed the experience read more

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Bella Notte seemed to be a popular spot for Italian food in Lexington. Our family had a nice meal here. The restaurant is large, broken into several smaller dining rooms. The entire restaurant was full when we dined on a Sunday evening. Our waitress was friendly and doing her best on a busy evening. We had a party of seven and our food arrived a little staggered, instead of all at once. The Chicken Piccata had a nice tasting sauce and was a large portion. The chicken had a heavier breading than I'm used to with piccata and was a bit dry inside. My House Salad was good and I liked the Italian dressing. My husband enjoyed the Ravioli with Meat Sauce. The prices here were reasonable for an Italian restaurant. It's definitely an affordable spot to have a meal. Bella Notte is a good family friendly spot to enjoy an Italian meal. read more

Bella Notte - Chicken Piccata - Italian Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

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Outstanding Italian!loved the bread service at the beginning. Also, very quaint inside.

The drinks and bread were very good. Ambiance is pleasant, the place is clean. My sister ordered a chicken dish over orzo with asparagus. She said the chicken was flavorful, orzo cooked just right and perfectly grilled asparagus. I ordered the baked rigatoni with crumbled sausage and pepperoni. The flavor was good but it was light on the meat and extremely light on the cheese. The Service was impeccable. I would try this place again but choose another dish. read more

On a Saturday afternoon, while shopping with my wife, the Fat Man thought some Italian food was what this day called for. So, we found ourselves at Bella Notte off Nicholasville Road in Lexington, Kentucky. Bella Notte offers rustic Italian trattoria known for its wood-fired meats, freshly baked bread, pasta, and wines. We started with Meatballs al Forno. They were topped with arrabiata sauce, mozzarella & provolone cheese and served with homemade ciabatta bread. The meatballs were moist, flavorful, and tender; they melted in your mouth. The arrabiata marinara is chunky with great acid and pleasant heat, while the provolone is melted well and has an excellent stretch. The bread had a good char and butter level, and it paired well with the sauce. We split a Caesar Salad. The salad dressing is creamy with a tang, and the amount of dressing is spot on. The croutons offer great crunch and texture to the salad, which comes with shaved Parmesan cheese. My only knock is I would have liked more cheese. My wife ordered the Penne Gorgonzola with grilled chicken, bacon, sun-dried tomatoes, crushed red chilies, and gorgonzola cream sauce. The noodles were cooked perfectly but still had a good chew. The bacon crunch and chew were excellent, as was the salt level. The chicken was tender and flavorful, while the sun-dried tomatoes offered a sweet note that cut through the heavy, delicious, creamy sauce that coats the dish magnificently. I went with Chicken Parmesan, which comes with hand-breaded chicken, mozzarella and provolone cheese, basil, spaghetti, and marinara. The noodles were cooked al dente, and the marinara was chunky, adding a good salt level. The breading on the chicken was crunchy and flavorful. The chicken was tender and juicy; it had excellent flavor. We also split the Crispy Brussels sprouts with cayenne pepper honey and parmesan. The Brussels were tender with a good chew, the honey was sweet, but there was little heat, and the Parmesaaddedds saltiness to the dish. Bella Notte has a full bar and an extensive menu with all your Italian favorites. The waitress was phenomenal. The Fat Man says that Bella Notte is Fat Man Approved with 3 chins. read more

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Great Food. Great Service. This was the restaurant we enjoyed the most during restaurant week. read more

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The atmosphere in this place is unique and interesting. In the main room there is a large, full-sized tree in the middle that is lit with a ton of lights. It's beautiful. There is a bar, and then several other dining areas that include tables, booths, areas that look like horse stalls and a barn. All very neat. The main menu is good, but the seasonal specials are why we go there. They are amazing! I've had special ravioli, short rib, pappardelle, and more. They are available all day during the weekends, but only after 5 on weekdays. We've had apps with heirloom tomatoes and special bruschetta trio that was awesome. This is an amazing place to try...the specials!! Other menu items are good too. Waitstaff has been hit or miss with efficiency. read more

Group of 5 had a fabulous dinner on the back patio with a roaring fire in fireplace. My favorite dish is the Scallops over Linguine (usually a weekend special, since the scallops flown in fresh). I remembered to get some pictures this time! (Shout out to Claire for the excellent service). read more

Bella Notte - Scallops over linguine special - Italian Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

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This was the first time I have been to Bella Notte. I'm usually not one to pick Italian but i went with a group a friends for a birthday. We made a reservation and was sat quite quickly for our reservation time, the waitress has waters ready for our party, menus out and she checked on us frequently without being excessive. The bread they bring to the table was hot and good "basic" bread. The oil they have on the table added extra flavor. I ordered the zucchini fries which were very crispy and the dipping sauce added another level of flavor they needed. I also ordered the chicken parm. I was unfortunately underwhelmed as the breading was soggy. The spaghetti with marinara was just okay and not much of it. I wasn't blown away by any of it but again Italian isn't my first choice of cuisine. My friends really enjoyed their dishes though. Zucchini Fries 8/10 Chicken Parm 6/10 I'd return to try something difference since my friends were so pleased. I ranked it higher than I probably would have simply because Italian isn't something I usually eat so I'm trying to be fair in that aspect. read more

Bella Notte - Chicken Parmesan Pasta - Italian Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

Very Italian feel, service is excellent. Food quality and quantity are amazing! Perfect place for lunch or dinner! read more

I want to eat here everyday of my life that I am not physically in Italy. I literally yearn for their seafood linguine. I can close my eyes and see straight out to the Mediterranean Great service and atmosphere too. read more

Great food and Great Atmosphere. The service was kinda poorly. But like the food was great the portions is right on the money and exquisite taste. Didn't get over full just enough to fill and real satisfying. Like I said the waiter needs some people skills and pay attention on refilling drinks and focus on taking care of customers. read more

The waitress was attentive. The food was fresh and delicious..we Sat on on patio. It was a little hot but comfortable. read more

I haven't been to Bella Notte in years, but recently had their food at an event that they catered. The salad was the best of the table. There was penne in a tomato sauce with vegetables, weirdly topped with whole green beans. Questionable. The other dish was the ubiquitous Fettucini Alfredo. I looked back and forth at the serving dishes, trying to decide between the two. Should I just have a large portion of the salad? I decided to have some Fettucini and had to mix it first as the sauce had pooled in the bottom. In retrospect, I probably should have stuck with salad. 84 read more

Bella Notte is now a regular for me! I have celiac disease so I have a strict gluten free diet and they are extremely accommodating to my needs. They prepare everything separately and I can have just about every pasta dish with no problem! The waiters have taken care of me and reassured me of no issues with my diet and I've had a pleasant experience each time! The dishes are delicious & I always have a good time here. Highly recommend! read more

Bella Notte - The beautiful tree inside. - Italian Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

The bread!!!!! The lasagna!!!!!! Sauce and cheese best flavor ever. We eat out a lot - this is the best lasagna I have ever had. I don't order much but the pictures looked so good I had to try it. Wife had piccata - very light and tasty, chicken pc- great flavor and light. read more

Great carrabas clone, only better. This place will not disappoint. I found myself shoveling food into my face it was so good.

Awesome .. great food and absolutely a fabulous manager and staff! So welcoming .. favorite new joint in Lexington .. will always be 1st stop .. read more

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Not to be written off as a standard "next to the mall" restaurant, Bella Notte has been a Lexington Italian dining staple for over two decades. The group also owns Smashing Tomato and Bella Cafe & Grille- also yum. My book club met here recently and we had a great dining experience! We made reservations on a Thursday when they offer half price bottles of wine. I'm glad we had a reservation because the restaurant was packed. Bella Notte is well known for their serving guests complimentary warm bread with olive oil and herbs for dipping- what better way to start off a meal?! I ordered the "wood grilled salmon salad" and it was a delicious entree- I would order again! Our group had great service and a great dining experience. read more

This is a very nice restaurant with great atmosphere! We were seated under a large tree with a huge amount of foliage. In the leaves were lots of little white lights creating a very nice ambiance. At this time there are no restrictions in place. Our server brought us some customary bread. Their bread came in one round loaf and was served with a blend of herbs, garlic, and extra virgin olive oil. I ordered the Chicken Parmesan. The portion was not overwhelming which I liked. It was more normal size than oversized like so many restaurants do. The marinara sauce was good and the pasta cooked just right. She ordered a Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad and loved it. The granddaughter ordered Chicken Fingers with Fries from the kid menu and finished it so she could order dessert. For dessert she ordered the Tiramisu. I don't usually like that coffee taste but this tiramisu did not have an overwhelming taste, it was much more subtle. I was able to enjoy the dessert. We look forward to coming back soon! read more

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Kameron with a K easily the best service my team and I have ever received at a restaurant. We were on a tight schedule and told him, he got us in and out of there by the exact time we asked him. The food was good, the wine was great we only wish we had more time for dessert! Kameron was very nice and fast, he was also extremely patient and understanding. He was fantastic! read more

Very pleasant atmosphere, aside from the large family gathering next to us. Music was not overly loud or obnoxious. Food portions were excellent and taste was excellent as well. Food came out hot. Fresh bread from the oven. Service was immaculate and attentive. read more

Very good bruschetta and penne pasta dishes. We are two out-of-town customers. Second visit for one of us and would return when in town again. read more

Great food packed with flavor. The service was very friendly and prompt throughout the meal. With plenty of seating available inside their incredibly warm and inviting establishment decorated in a semi-rustic manner, it is great for groups small or large. The prices were quite fair and the portions generous, also appreciated the option with most items on their menu to either get an individual or family style serving. Would recommend if you are ever having the craving for some Italian read more

Outstanding food with first class service, great place to have dinner date with friends, family and your loved one!!!

Great food, warm atmosphere, & great service, one of the best dining experience, highly recommend!

Friendly staff, nice atmosphere, absolutely delicious food! The manicotti was divine, love ricotta cheese. The noodles and the sprinkled cheese on top got melty and crispy, which was even better. The sauce tastes great. Not a fan of meat sauces, but theirs was really yummy. Would love to come back here! read more

Bella Notte - Italian Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

This was a whim. But it paid off with delicious food, quality cocktails, and great service. We went with standard fried mozzarella but it was tasty. My Old Fashioned was perfectly blended and my wife's Strawberry Hugo "hit the spot." I am a manicotti fiend and the star was the tomato Basil cream sauce. I used the bread to sop it all up. So good. My wife's Chicken Marsala was grilled and amazing. Nice decor and a fun place with very attentive staff. read more

Bella Notte - Chicken Marsala - Italian Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

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The food is amazing. First time I visited, I found hair in my Caesar salad but honestly the food was so good I just picked it out and moved on. However, went back a second time and found hair in my food AGAIN and my friend found a bug in her drink. Super disappointing because the food is amazing but I can't go somewhere that I have consistently found stuff in their food. read more

Loved it! I got the penne pesto with shrimp! Ugh, so amazing I would definitely get it again. My mom got the fettuccine with chicken! So rich and creamy! And we absolutely loved the fried calamari! That chipotle dip was delicious. Definitely will be back many, many times. read more

Bella Notte - Penne pesto and Fettuccine Alfredo Classico - Italian Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

Ambience is nice. 9. Service was friendly and prompt. Food was very good. Would come back again. 8/10.

Love the ambiance of the restaurant,however, make sure to book an appointment during the weekends since the spots fill up quick.

Date night! Apps and wine with my love. Impromptu eve... Sat at the bar, got some Caprese salad and calamari (not pictured... didn't last! Food was terrific. Great service at the bar. Delicious food! 4.5 stars if possible to give! May be a 5 star if at a table with full service! Definitely going back! read more

Bella Notte - Date night - Italian Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

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Great pasta restaurant! I've been here a handful of times and each time I've enjoyed my meal. They have a good variety of pastas and the bread is so good!! Great atmosphere with plenty of seating. I would recommend making a reservation on the weekends. Overall great menu, service, and environment! read more

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Food 3.5 our server 5 hostess 3 Our server was fantastic, grate attentive young woman. My husband and I shared the scallops and chicken Marsala. My friend ordered the fettuccine Alfredo. We were all content t with our food. Big servings and we had two servings of their warm bread which was served with a mix of olive oil and blend of flavorful herbs. We close the deal by sharing two desserts, chai (masala) flavored crème brûlée )great caramelized crust and flavor) and donuts and coffee, 3 deep fried donuts drizzles with coffee flavored warm sauce. Great to satisfy the sweet tooth. My usual old-fashion was good. Generous servings and nice take home containers. read more

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My husband and I first visited this location 26 years ago. We moved away but came back to Lexington in 2024 to bring our son to UK. We love Italian food and have traveled to Italy several times. So, when we say that we found our meal at Bella Notte to be superb, please understand that we speak from experience. We had a glass of wine each, the fried zucchini appetizer, two entrees, and two deserts. Our bill was only $120 with tip! The aioli with the fried zucchini is divine and the zucchini spears are "barely breaded" and perfectly seasoned. My husband had the summer special pork tenderloin with the coffee rub. He loved it! I had the penne Gorgonzola and felt badly when I could not finish the generous portion. We ordered desert intending to take it home, but my husband couldn't resist the perfectly balanced tiramisu and finished it all! I had the ricotta doughnuts which came with a basil oil and raspberry sauce. They were a great cap to an excellent meal. Our server was Allie (Ale? I might have misheard how to spell her name) and she was extraordinary. The manager, Kyle, came by to talk to us after he heard we came back after 26 years. If you are in Lexington and want good Italian food, this is your place! Bravo! read more

My friend and I sat at the bar on a Sunday. The apps and food were super tasty! The dining room is absolutely beautiful with the large tree in the middle. The only reason for 4 stars is the food and service were quite slow. Luckily we weren't in a rush though! read more

Bella Notte - Drinks and apps at the bar! - Italian Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky