My favorite restaurant in Salem. Each time we sit down, we start to wonder why it has been so long since our last visit. This is truly a gem in Salem. We have never had a bad meal, in fact some of the best meals I have ever had, have been at Bella Verona. The staff is attentive and very friendly without being intrusive. Reservations are highly recommended. read more

My husband and I loved Bella Verona! Bella Verona was recommended to us by several Salem residents (bartenders and our innkeeper). The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable. The space is small and can be loud, but this seems to add to the homey atmosphere. The daily specials are written on a chalkboard and passed from table to table as needed. As appetizers, we had shrimp in a cream sauce and eggplant. Both were delicious. We both ordered specials as entrees, veal stew with homemade pappardelle noodles and pumpkin ravioli. The veal was tender and just amazing. The filling in the pumpkin ravioli was slightly sweet and absolutely delicious. This was without a doubt the best meal we had while in Salem. If we had dined here on our first night in Salem as opposed to our last, we may not have eaten anywhere else. read more

We had a reservation and had to wait 25 minutes with a couple who was very unhappy because they had given their reservation to someone else. The space is tight which could have been cute but was just uncomfortable. The food was mediocre. I was hoping for had made pasta but everything tasted like it was packaged food. read more

So cozy, hidden little gem. I had a TERRIBLE date at this restaurant but the staff went above and beyond to make me feel better after he left (I told him to leave because I intended to have a good dinner and indeed I did). I will definitely be back, just with better company. read more

I had an absolutely fantastic time at Bella Verona. It was my second time visiting, the first time during off season. Our waitress, Tara, was an absolute sweetheart and gave wonderful suggestions when we were deciding on our food order. I ordered the Tortellini Mantecati and added Prosciutto (as recommended by Tara) and it was the most delicious pasta dish I have had in YEARS! I can't wait to come eat there again the next time I am in Salem! read more

This is Italian cuisine at its finest: Simple preparations of quality ingredients, cooked with care and blessed with sauces that enhance, rather than overwhelm, the dish. The results are mostly exceptional; occasionally only delicious. Check the menu at http://bit.ly/1A2WwBM. In many restaurants, the list of specials is to be tolerated until the waiter goes away and you can get to the menu. Bella Verona is one of those places where one might want to pay attention to the specials: by in large, they live up to their billing. Bella Verona is a v small room. If you're claustrophobic, expansive of gesture, or lack an indoor voice, this may not be the place for you. Otherwise, BV provides a comfortable space and outstanding service. Last night's dinner was typical of our experiences at Bella Verona. From jump starters to desert, we could not have asked for a more enjoyable meal. The service was exemplary. Our waiter made excellent recommendations and took v good care of seven of us all without hovering. Dishes came and went, glasses were refilled, and our conversation was rarely interrupted. We went full throttle: 2 bottles of wine for the table, jump starters, main courses, desserts, coffees or lemoncellos. All together it worked out to less than $60 per person plus tip. If you check the menu (link above) you'll find you can have a thoroughly enjoyable evening for less or pull out the stops even further if you so choose. All in all, Bella Verona is worth going out of your way to get to. If you're a tourist staying at Salem's Hawthorne Hotel, it's right across Essex Street from your room. If you're in Boston or Cambridge, consider driving up or taking the commuter rail to Salem. Walk or cab the 0.9 mi from the station. (Walking gives you the happy excuse to enjoy desert.) read more

The family style meals were ok but definitely did not inspire the northern Italian food Kudos for the caesar salad which closely approximated the real thing. Also, thankfully, the pasta arrived a perfect al dente. This place is most definitely a tourist trap in front of the Hotel. Moderate kitchen skills at home will easily surpass this experience, very small and uncomfortables tables, small restaurant . read more

I really love this place. I tend to stick to the specials and have not been dissapointed. The wine is good, atmosphere is great. This is a tiny place so we tend to go when it is not tourist season. I recommend reservations during the busy season unless you have an early dinner. I also wanted to mention that even though the description says not great for kids, we always bring our 4 year old and they are great and accommodating with him. We've always brought him and have for years. read more

Food was good, but I wouldn't say the best Italian food I've had. The price for portion is a bit much as well. I also don't think the staff is prepared for a busy day because it did take a while to get food and to get our orders taken. read more

I absolutely adore this little place!! Went for my birthday with my daughter and husband. She's a picky eater, yet loved the chicken broccoli Alfredo. Every dish was presented beautifully. The wait staff super nice and recommended dishes to my husband (who can also be picky). The location is perfect because it's not dab smack in the middle of Salem. Needless to say, we will be returning. read more

Took the family to dinner, son thought the waiter was the Best Waiter Ever!!! The food, atmosphere, and service where exceptional and the experience for the family was unforgettable. If you find yourself close to here around dinner time try it and see if I am wrong. It's not cheep, but its worth it. read more

Bella Verona - Italian Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

Skip it- there are better restaurants. Food was meh, portions were small, caught the owner touching bread out of the toaster oven with his bare hands. read more

I love, love, love this restaurant. Everything is made with care, everything is delicious, and it's a place where we take our time, and enjoy the atmosphere as well as the meal. It's very small but very accommodating. Best to call ahead and make reservations. I love the little chalkboard with specials that they bring to the table and describe to you. The service is outstanding. I highly recommend the stracciatella soup. And amazingly, their warm bread is perfection with a little butter (you have to ask for it, otherwise it comes with an olive dip). My Italian grandparents would have loved this place and that's the highest praise I can think to give an Italian restaurant. read more

Adorable little tiny place with yummy fresh Italian food. I really wanted to try the pumpkin raviolis but ended up getting something different. Waitress was sweet. read more

Bella Verona - Italian Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

See all

Great place. First time diner here food was quality Italian. Keep it simple and I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Thank you yelpers for great reviews, I came here based on them. I just got back from Bella Verona; and completely satisfied. They didn't mind that I was dining by myself, and the welcome was very warm. The food was excellent. The bread they serve comes with an olive tapanade and was so rich in flavors - and went well with the house chianti. For an appetizer I had the baked calamari, delectable! For dinner I tried the eggplant & shrimp in a spicy sauce (thanks to a fellow yelper) I had them put it over linguine for an entree, it was excellent. The Tiramasu was the best I have ever had, and my cousin makes a mean tiramasu, Verona's was better! Please please please try Bella Verona if you are in town. Food like this is a form of art. Because of Bella Verona, I will have to be more critical (in a good way) of restaurants, because Bella sets the bar above the rest! read more

We were going to be in Salem and checked out Yelp to find a good restaurant. We ended up going to Bella Verona. When we arrived at 7:30 on a Thursday night it was empty and we were brought to a little table in the corner. The atmosphere was cozy and dim. The lighting is wonderful...everyone looks good! It felt very romantic and not long after we arrived a couple, obviously on a first date, arrived. By the time we left several more tables were filled. Our server was attentive and eager to please. We split a caprese salad...yummy! The bread offering was initially paltry, but they kept us well supplied. The tapenade spread that is brought with the bread was a nice touch. We split a half carafe of house Chianti. The BF got simple pasta with red sauce, his favorite thing, and we split a special for that night, two chicken breasts, lightly breaded, with sauteed mushrooms and topped with Fontina cheese. I added a side of grilled polenta and LOVED it! We were both thrilled with this dish. It was simple and so good. We loved it so much, we are going back tonight! And we live almost an hour away! Definitely try Bella Verona. You will love it. Great for a date night. read more

My husband and I went to Bella Verona to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary. Since it was a Tuesday, the dining room was pleasantly empty - good because it is so small! The waiter/host reminded me of one of my brothers. He sat down at a table next to us to read us the specials. We ordered a bottle of Spumante champagne to start off. We don't know anything about wine and it ended up being very sweet, but that went well with my entree, lobster ravioli. The saffron sauce was excellent! My husband likes to play it safe and ordered the Penne ai Formaggi, which is basically just ziti with cheesy sauce, but he loved it. The prices are very reasonable and the service is friendly. We should hit this place more often! read more

So good ordered the shrimp and scallop linguine and by far that is my favorite pasta and by far they place had best I ever had paired with a nice red wine so smooth! Appetizer was yummy eggplant stuff with cheese I don't remember the name but that was also very delicious I was hoping I wound get to full off of the before my linguine came out ! For dessert I had the lemon sorbet in a frozen and rather large lemon I couldn't even finish it and a cannoli what a meal made my day and I'm from Ny and I am still craving this dish thanks to this place ! A bit small and quant inside but it didn't matter the food was over the top . Deff going back for more worth the drive !! read more

Bella Verona - Italian Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

See all

Let me start off by saying Yelp IS the reason why we went to Bella Verona in the first place! Thanx to the stellar reviews, I had to try it and ALL of were extremely pleased!! My bf and I took my mother and husband out for dinner and really enjoyed the whole experience: awesome authentic italian food, extremely affordable, warm atmosphere and excellent service. What a great find!! Thanx Yelp reviewers! :) Well done. read more

This is where I want to go for every special occasion. It is my favorite restaurant on the North Shore. Only a handful of tables, which makes it even more special. The food is divine, ambiance is perfect, the service is impeccable. I feel like family when I go there. We have brought our two young boys, who always surprise us and rise to the occasion. They insist on dressing up and acting like adults when we bring them there. Reservations are a must. Enjoy! read more

I will start by saying that I had one of my TOP 5 best times dining out ever in my life, and if you read my Yelp profile, I like to eat. lol My wife and I went back and fourth for about an hour on New Years day about where to eat. Finally we decided to just go to Bella Verona, what a good decision. The food was absolutely amazing, I ate the all'Amatriciana, well my wife ate the Chicken Parma. We had a bottle of the Montepulciano D'Abruzzo, what a good combo. We ended with desert and cappuccino. I can not remember the last time I left a restaurant feeling so pleased, I have eaten here a few times back in the day, but for some reason, never think to go there. I won't be making that mistake again. Food is amazing!!!! Everything a small Italian restaurant should be a little piece of the North End, in the North Shore. read more

Vday dinner with my wife and new born. This place never ceases to amazing. Food was great, and special attention even as our reservation was on vday dinner. Best Italian place around. read more

We didn't have a plan and I found thus place on Google. We were lucky to get a seat and had such a great meal.

Without a doubt one of (if not THE) best Italian places I've ever been to (and I've been to Italy!). Make sure you call in a reservation! The place is VERY small, and can be completely packed around holidays. My favorite dish is the veal bolognese. It's always tender, and the bolognese sauce is wonderful. read more

So going off just the taste of the food i'd give them 5 stars no doubt. Their food is amazing! Everything tastes wonderful... Buuuut when you are paying $22 for a pasta dish and you get 5 raviolis then it can be little let down. The place is cozy, intimate and last time I checked BYOB. Staff is always very gracious. The place is small, very small. Sometimes you'll be sitting only a foot away from the next patron. Great place for a date but make sure your man isn't ravenous when you arrive or he'll leave hungry. read more

I had the most amazing experience at this hole in the wall Italian restaurant, located in a witchy city. I wasn't the only one fond of this restaurant as they had a wait time of about an hour and a half. The wait was WORTH IT. The service was amazing and I appreciated how quick they were once you sat down at a table. I took each recommendation the server gave and was not disappointed. My favorite thing on the menu was their seasonal pumpkin ravioli in a creamy cheese sauce. I had no shame in licking the plate. My friend and I chatted, laughed, and enjoyed delicious food and wine for over 2 hours. This meal was a treat for the both of us and a celebration of our friendship so we chose to indulge on a starter and dessert. Both were impeccable and no crumbs were left. If you happen to find yourself in Salem, MA I highly suggest stopping by Bella Verona. This place is one I dream about going back to & I will remember/treasure it always. read more

We went for dinner on a recommendation from a local resident and were very impressed! Service was friendly and professional, he atmosphere cozy and intimate. Our appetizers (Insalata Caprese and the Shrimp in tomato sauce) were well flavored and proportioned. The soup of the day (Pasta Fagioli) was also wonderful. We ordered two entrees: Spaghetti Bolognese (simple and edible, but would not order it again - our only real disappointment) and "Maiale alla Veronese" (delicately seasoned sauce over perfectly prepared pork loin - the highlight of the evening). This is a wonderful little restaurant for a quiet evening in Salem and I was pleased with the recommendation. read more

a very cute little resteraunt with Great service. the food was all really good, very authentic Italian. It is better than you expect at the door! read more

Bella Verona - Italian Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

Great Italian in the burbs! Parking is always available on the street. Love the wine carafe offering instead of ordering a glass. Very good service from our waiter with your entree coming out quick and hot! Only my pet peeve with these tiny spaces is you are sitting so close to the next table you feel like you are having dinner with them which AGAIN you know I hate this kind of set up. Wish they had stuffed calamari! Hint. Hate to tell u its really good because then I will never get a table when I want it, but they deserve to be known! read more

Love this place- the ambiance, the service and mostly the food. We went here for a friend's bday and everything was perfect from the appetizers to the desert. Fresh, great tasting chicken and broccoli with a customized level of red pepper flakes and the special eggplant shrimp appetizer and wine were all stellar. It's been a while since I came to this establishment but I cannot wait to go back. read more

Awesome food, awesome staff We have been there twice in two weeks. Last week and tonight We cannot wait to go back

How this establishment has 4 stars is BEYOND me. We walked in for an early dinner after a day of exploring the Haunted Happenings in Salem today. We were seated right away which was nice considering there was a 2 hour wait for other restaurants. Within minutes of seating us, we were given bread but no olive oil and vinegar which I found a little strange. Once we saw how big the portions were, my best friend and I decided we would share a plate of the chicken and broccoli with ziti to which they then told us they would charge us an extra $7 to share a plate (how are you you going to charge someone just for eating off the same plate? Lol). We asked to switch out the broccoli for mushrooms, which we received but our dish didn't come with chicken like it was supposed to. When we flagged down a waitstaff to let her know (who I assume is one of the owners), she merely shrugged her shoulders and said "okay". No apology whatsoever. They ended up bringing us a small plate of sad looking breaded chicken (seriously I've had better chicken at fast food joints), to include in our dish. Overall, the dish was mediocre at best. I had a few bites of my moms fettuccine dish and was taken aback at how hard the pasta was. Thank God they didn't see that, or they probably would have charged us to split it. It was just terrible. We asked for Parmesan cheese which came in a shaker to sprinkle on our meal and even that was terrible. It tasted old and stale. When we received our check at the end, we noticed an extra $9 charge for the chicken... the chicken that was supposed to have been included in the dish we ordered. We flagged down ANOTHER waitstaff and we politely explained to her that there must have been a misunderstanding. She was apologetic and understanding and told us she would take care of it. Not even 3 minutes later, the other owner came up behind my best friend and I and rudely shouted at us, telling us that we had ordered a "special" dish and therefore we would have to pay extra for the chicken. He was so loud that he drew attention to our table and completely humiliated us. I calmly pointed to the menu and showed him what dish we had initially ordered that they messed up on, and he lowered his voice, apologized, and walked off. One of the waitresses smiled and apologized for his behavior and told us he tends to "get a little aggressive". Uhhh what?! I'm sorry but that's just unacceptable ESPECIALLY when you're talking to a customer. They brought us a new check with the correct amount and apologized again but we walked out of there feeling unsatisfied with both the food and the service, and honestly, a little humiliated still from the encounter with the owner. We would have rather endured the 2 hour wait at a different restaurant. Won't be returning next time I'm in town. For what we paid here, we expected much better quality and service. Save your money, you're better off going to Olive Garden. Or just eat scraps you find on the floor, it may be less hard than the crusty pasta we just ate. read more