I used to love coming to this place in college, partially because the prices were actually cheap enough for me to afford, especially for the North End. There are a few dishes they do really well and a few that are the definition of mediocre. Lasagna, eggplant parm: Delish. Ravioli, fettucini alfredo: pretty bland and unremarkable. The alfredo sauce in particular just tasted like cream rather than cheese sauce. Everything I've gotten here has come out nice and hot though, and they've improved their bread from the former sub rolls they used to serve. I always found the service by the younger waitstaff to be nice and friendly. I have experienced some grouchiness by the owners but I always thought their crustiness was kind of charming in a way, (plus it keeps the place from getting too touristy) but after reading some of the horror stories of the service by other people I feel a little less tolerant of their rudeness. read more

Well, I think we went in for dinner at the worst place possible! Food : - we ordered carbonara and bolognese that looked like reheated pasta put in a microwave and served. - I had carbonara : the sauce awful ! - before pasta they brought us "fresh bread". Basically the lowest quality of bun, the one that you reheat and has a gum-like texture. Don't go in! Try other places! read more

What a delicious, delightful lunch. We had ziti marinara and shrimp scampi - excellent. Especially my pasta marinara which was perfection. And very generous portions. Anthony the owner adds even more flavor with his authentic humor and interesting stories. I highly recommend if you're in Boston or visiting. read more

We went here after walking around and not wanting to wait in line for a few hours and not want to spend over $30 per dish. We got in, were seated quickly and at this point everything seemed fine. The only reason this place gets 2 stars is the fact that everyone really enjoyed their dishes. The food came out relatively quickly and was good quality for the $13-$20 price. HOWEVER, the meal was completely ruined based on the older bald man waiter. As other reviews have said about him, he was terrible for all forms of service. He was very short with everyone and was constantly reaching in front of you, leaning his body against you and spilling water all over the table. At one point he came up to the table and sighed so one of us said, "oh rough night?" He then went on lecturing us about how our generation has no social skills and he grew up in a different generation. Never to trust our generation and how we are going to screw up the future of the country. From then on out the meal was ruined. No one wanted to enjoy themselves considering the man who I believe is an owner would lecture us again about something. We sat the rest of the meal quietly as the whole atmosphere of a great meal with friends was ruined by the rude waiter Lastly, when we wanted to split the meal into 3 separate bills he just said "No, I can only do one" and walked away. I don't know what restaurant is not willing to help their customers in an age where cash is rarely carried, but apparently Bella Vista is one of them. I never have complaints rise to the level of effecting me returning to a restaurant, but the rude service and terrible atmosphere because of their rudeness has guaranteed I will never return to Bella Vista, but judging by my experience there, they don't really care. read more

Bella Vista was recommended to us in 2013 by someone who had been there & loved it. We took our large family there then and have been back as a couple every trip since then. The food is delicious & the atmosphere is perfect. The chicken parmigiana and lasagna have been our favorites. The bread is sooo good. The service has been consistent from one trip to the next. This is a restaurant I now recommend to anyone who is looking for an excellent dining experience. I'm already looking forward to our next trip. read more

Bella Vista - Outside looking in Bella Vista - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Highly recommend the lobster fra diavolo - it comes in the shell, so if you're not up to it get the shrimp & scallops fra diavolo which is every bit as good! Don't expect anything fancy or a wine list. If you order Chianti - you'll get the house Chianti. It's a cozy family run restaurant. I've read the reviews complaining about the service and/or owner - it's the same service you would expect to receive in most restaurants in Italy. You're not at The Bristol Lounge, so just get over it! read more

Haha... it seems that everyone who's reviewed this place agrees on the quality of the service.. or the lack thereof that is. We were in line down the street to have dinner at Giacomo's but the wait was over 3 hours long and everyone was way too hungry. We decided to stake out a restaurant with a shorter line and spied Bella Vista. We ended up waiting almost an hour though because the restaurant only has 2 tables that seat up to 6 people. If you have more than 6 people in your group, forget about sitting together because there is no way in hell the people here will push tables together or anything because apparently it's way too much effort. The food is good although I didn't like my veal Cacciatore. It's probably just personal preference because half the dish was green bell peppers and I just don't happen to like them that much. The veal was incredibly tender although I felt like it could have been seasoned a little more. The Chicken Margherita was delicious though.. the chicken tender, the potatoes crisp... The Arriabiata was spicy and good. But the best part of the meal had to be the antipasti salad. The chunks or Parmigiano Reggiano in that dish make you feel like crying.. the prosciutto and salami are delicious as well. The service left a lot to be desired. It was slow.. and they were so rude! For me, the food isn't worth being treated like crap at a place where you're paying for something. For you parents out there, this place doesn't have a high chair so bringing a baby along to eat might be somewhat of a hassle. read more

I'm surprised by the overwhelmingly negative reviews on this place. Perhaps I place a little less emphasis on service; or I simply didn't feel like I was treated badly enough to warrant knocking off a couple of stars. The prices at Bella Vista were very affordable, and especially so considering that it is in the heart of a touristy neighborhood. The bread that was served to us might have been regular white dinner rolls, but having them served hot really made a world of a difference. My lasagna was top-notch. The sauce was tomatoey and sort of soupy - which I actually prefer to thick gloopy pasta sauce. The mozarella and beef in the lasagna really went well together. My boyfriend's veal saltimbocca was delicious too. They served a half-portion of pasta alongside it too, which was a nice touch since that wasn't indicated on the menu. The sauce was very complex and very tasty. This place was a nice find that shouldn't disappoint. read more

I loved this place! We were in town for a wedding and while walking around we stumbled upon Bella Vista! The staff are beyond friendly and make you feel so comfortable and welcome. We were sat in front of the window which I loved, because who doesn't love people watching?! The food was delicious! I would t say it was super unique to the area or anything but definitely worth checking out and enjoying while in the area. We even got to watch a parade during our lunch so it was a lot of fun! read more

I'm thoroughly impressed, especially considering the prime real estate Bella Vista holds on Hanover Street. The prices are more than fair. The food is basic, well flavored and very good. The portions are large, but not two-meals-, roll home- or skip dessert-large. The wine list is fairly impressive considering both price and selection. Even the house wine is pretty respectable. It's a small restaurant, but there's an okay number of tables. Dinner this past Friday was at 7:30. No reservations. No wait. I was shocked to find anywhere in the North End like that, never mind our place of choice. It's cash and Amex only. We thought that Amex was an odd card to select if you were only going to accept one. But a reasonable number of people have them and from what I understand, they're the most reliable credit card company. (which is probably why their charge to businesses is the highest) Fewer credit card companies to pay off means lower meal cost to me. That's fine with me. The only draw back I saw was the hostess. She's a small, gruff Italian woman, who is apparently there every night. She won't seat you if your entire party isn't there. And she won't have you wait in the vestibule, even if there's a blizzard outside. The same woman took our orders. An after-thought antipasto was never ordered due to the business-like round the table style in which she took our orders before briskly walking away. In the end, we didn't end up missing the salad, our entrees satisfied us so completely. But that was it. That was the only hitch to the entire meal. I figure she's like the mean gate keeper or dragon you have to get past before being granted access to Princess Pasta. And really, if that's the biggest hurdle I have to jump to have dinner here, I'm okay with that. read more

Get the house wine, any pasta (you can't go wrong) and enjoy your night! The bread however was cold.. and didn't taste too good... I wish they could improve that. read more

No crazy long wait, friendly and helpful staff. Delicious food. Very reasonably priced. Highly recommended. read more

A wonderful homemade Italian meal. Good wine, honest food, and decent service. Totally recommended. For people who like their servings large, and rich in taste! Um jantar italiano maravilhoso. Bom vinho, comida honesta e serviço decente. Totalmente recomendado. Para pessoas que gostam de suas porções grandes e com muito sabor! read more

Came here for pasta with a coworker. We both left feeling rather disappointed. The food is just 'ok'. There are far too many options in Boston's North End to waste a meal here. Alfredo sauce was rather bland. Just cream sauce and fettuccine without any flavor. The chicken parmigiana was fairly dry & served with a side of spaghetti. Service was just ok as well. The waiter seemed friendly however spent all of his time with a table of 4. Barely even came over to check on our meals. Honestly, the best part of the experience was the delicious warm crusty rolls served as we sat down. Try other options in the North End. read more

Came here because they didn't turn us away at 9pm on a weekday. Order the lobster fra diavolo, a veal dish, and some soup. I love sodium but this was way too much. Lobster was cooked perfectly but the taste was masked by the overly salted pasta. Veal dish, the potatoes were good. Sauce was salty AF. The veal tasted funky. Like cafeteria meat loaf from elementary school. Mom had to add water to her soup. The bill. Our party was of three, the owner added a $10.00 tip to our bill. Wtf, lady. Did you not see one of the server boy almost accidentally shank my sister with one of your knives? Though I doubt that knife would have done much damage considering how ineffective it was to cutting the veal. Nonetheless, he spilled sauce and other food bits onto my sister. I do tip well but 1) I don't appreciate you adding the tip to my tab and 2) your server spilled food on my sister's Versace scarf. But bitterness aside, when I got home I got a colon detox. read more

A very cute, quaint place with decent Italian food. Maybe a bit touristy and the service is meh (the Italian waiter/manager was a little stuck up) but I enjoyed the experience. The bread they brought wasn't that fresh but it was warmed up nicely. The lunch menu was cheap and pretty good. One could choose from lasagna, chicken parm, eggplant parm, chicken ziti and broccoli, and others for $7. The chicken parm was alright. The breading was a bit soggy and didn't stay on the chicken well. The chicken was also not of the best quality. But damn the tomato sauce and spaghetti were good. The tomato sauce was amazing, with the right amount of salt and sweet. The ravioli was also saved by the tomato sauce. I just want the sauce to take home. read more

Came here on a total whim. I was here with my mom in town visiting and a friend who lives in the area, and on a Saturday night, of course, everything was booked in the North End This is a small family owned restaurant and the service and food are both fabulous quality, with generous portions. Even the $10 glass of house wine was poured to the tip of the glass! We enjoyed homemade tortellini, shrimp scampi and a seafood pasta dish I ordered with a wine and butter sauce. We all had a great time, had plenty of leftovers and a nice time getting to know the staff. read more

Decided to give Bella Vista a try while walking down the North End. Simply amazing, authentic and best Italian food I have ever had! Tony was an amazing host! Highly recommend! read more

Stopped in here this weekend for a cheap lunch with BF and his family. Cheap, huge portions but totally generic Americanized Italian food. I had the calamari marinara. The sauce was watery and the calamari was rubbery and tasted too fishy. The rest had eggplant parm and lasagna which they liked. The best part of the meal were the hot rolls which were perfectly crisp on the outside and soft inside. read more

This was a very standard italian restaurant. The prices were relatively low, and the decor and music were very traditional and on par with many other destinations in the north end. The service was decent, but did not go above and beyond, and the food left me feeling full. Don't expect it to revolutionize the way you think about fine italian dining, but for the price, you will be satisfied that you had a good meal. read more

Classic menu items for the American version of Italian comfort food dinners. The house wine is actually pretty good and a decent pour, so try it if you just want a glass. I had the veal piccata which comes with a side of pasta-Just what we needed after a long day's walking. Servers took good care. Prices are good as well. read more

Been eating here since a kid. Always a pleasure. The calamari is a amazing and plentiful, a must appetizer. Can't wait to come again this summer for their delicious entrees (red sauce is a family recipe and great!) And generous portions to enjoy it all! read more

This is truly a great place amidst some of the best Italian restaurants in the North East. But... don't expect to be catered on like at a 5 star. The true charm of this place is that it is rustic in the tradition of backwater places you might find in Florence or Naples. The staff/service is nothing special, but the food is great homey Italian, and you can get house wine in a little pot (1/2 carafe) like in the old world. My wife had Chicken Verdicchio, which was very good. I had Veal Saltimbocca, which was amazing. In the rustic tradition, all meals come with vegetable, roasted potatoes, and pasta. If you are looking to be pampered, this place is not for you, and you will probably give it 2 stars. If you are looking for a nice relaxing Italian experience, this is the way to go! read more

This is one of the restaurants that doesn't get a lot of hype, but it's totally up there with the best restaurants. The service was great, no drama, or people acting like they are waiting to get discovered, server was awesome. My food was fantastic, a chicken dish. This is another place I'm putting on my frequent visit list when I am going out to eat.... read more

It's disheartening to read some of the reviews about the staff here, but the reviews were only seen after our first experince at Bella Vista. We did not experinece any mistreatment or rude behavior. We arrived for an early dinner on a Thursday night, right at 5PM. We entered just as the owner was arriving. We were treated respectfully, table of 6 with no reservation. Our meals were brought out quickly, all were delicious and portions were quite adequate. We had two veal dishes, a shrimp fra diavalo, ravioli, and a pasta fagiole (as an entree). I thought the wine prices were a bit high...lowest priced bottle of house wine was $37 and it was mediocre ($10 per glass). The food prices, however, were very reasonable, with most entrees between $16 - $20. We were offered extra bread with our meal. Did not have dessert there, so can't comment on that. Our service by the female owner was nice enough - no problems whatsoever. I would go again, but I sure hope I'll never meet the mean bald waiter! read more

Good food and cozy atmosphere. The place is small and cozy, great for a date or dinner with family. Was a great place to celebrate my birthday! read more

I flew as a plus-one from Dallas just to eat at Bella Vista, two nights in a row. The Eggplant and Chicken Parm combo is unlike anything anywhere else, except my Grandma's. Lucia is indeed a doll and made us feel right at home the first night! Five years had passed since the last visit. Too, too long. read more

This restaurant was fantastic, being Italian, I find comfort in my nationalities' cuisine, and this restaurant lived up to and even exceeded my expectations. After a very disappointing day trying to do the North End Pizza tour with my grandparents and cousin, we all found ourselves in front of the wonderful restaurant that we first ate at 4 years ago, the experience we had here made our entire day more than worthwhile. The service was very attentive and friendly, and the food was delectable. The atmosphere felt extremely authentic and welcoming. If you are ever in the north end, I would totally recommend going to this gem of a restaurant. I am more than impressed. read more

My friends and I were visiting Boston for the weekend and we were STARVING. We happened to see Bella Vista and saw the chalkboard with the lunch specials for a good price. I am Italian so I am really picky about my food, so I was a little nervous. But they really impressed me. I ordered the fusilli, broccoli and sausage. It was light, but really, really good. And the portion size was excellent. My friends also enjoyed their dishes as well.The cappuccinos were really great too. I would definitely go back here the next time I visit Boston. All the comments about the bald waiter- I could understand how he can be considered a little crass, but he was really very nice to us. Also remember that Italians are just kinda crass in general. Sometimes anyway. LOL. read more

Very authentic Italian food, the chicken parm and Antie pasta is phenomenal. But the customer service is terrible, they are very rude and weird vibes. Very unfriendly and seems like they don't want you there. I've been going here for years but I think I'll take my business somewhere they appreciate the customers. read more

Fantastic gem of a location, superb menu and outstanding food. Tony is a amiable and animated host. Portions are more than fair as are prices. 3 of us popped in due to comfortable looking space and all loved our food. Wish I could find Italian this good in LA. I'll be back before I come home. read more

I don't venture out to the North End often, but boy am I glad I did last week! That's because I ended up at Bella Vista for dinner which was completely spur of the moment 'cause we were standing outside. Personally, I felt the staff here were actually rather friendly, unlike what a lot of other reviews are saying. The food was excellent. I had the chicken carrozza which was not only delicious, but was also affordable and plentiful that I had enough for lunch the next day. It was even better the next day with all the sauces soaked in! read more

Had dinner here may 2019. Excellent Traveling back from California and will have dinner here at Bella vista sometime week of August 26 2019 Looking forward to it read more

This place looked cute but it was almost empty during dinner rush on Thursday, but I think I know why. The staff were not very friendly. They weren't rude, but they were not good. Very dry, did not feel welcomed. So I checked yelp to see if anybody else had similar experiences and people have. Food is okay, nothing worth coming back for however, the fettuccine all alfredo has little flavour. The best part of my meal was the warm bread they served at the beginning. Also tip, they do not spilt checks. read more

Fresh loaves of bread were definitely the highlight of the dinner experience. While the bread was outstanding the food did not quite meet the standard of the average North End restaurant. It was good but not great. The dish we thought would be the best--chicken parm was the least impressive. It was small, the cheese was skimpy and the marinara was a little bland. The environment and service was also not to the typical North End standard. All in all we did enjoy ourselves but it was less about the food and more about the company. read more

This is my favorite restaurant. The food and atmosphere are very homey and comforting. The staff are very nice and service is quick. I usually am not able to finish full meals, especially when they are pasta dishes. But, the food here is so good that I finish it quickly. It's in a good location with lots of windows. The decor is nothing crazy, but still nice. Something about this restaurant just makes me so happy and I wish all the staff the best. read more

The Linguini with Seafood and the Ravioli are delicious! The sauces made of the restaurant are absolutely amazing. The restaurant has a nice atmosphere and the service is average. A plus about the service is that you don't feel rushed at all. The price is also a little cheaper than other places in the area, but the food is still good. read more

WHAT A FIND! We wound up here because other places we're not socially distanced for COVID. The food was excellent, hospitality and service outstanding. This is a small family-run restaurant. Our waitress, Lucia, made recommendations. They were all excellent. To start, we did a plate of fried calamari. I usually avoid these because most places over bread them and make them too greasy. These were lightly done and perfectly crisp. We had a sea bass in a marinara sauce. The fish was succulent and could not have been prepared and cooked more perfectly. I had a chicken parmesan which was delicious. The Chianti by the glass was very nice. It's good to see a North End family running the place and to see the family resemblance among the people working there. This place turned out to be a total surprise to us and if your experience is anything like ours it will be delicious and delightful one. Tell Lucia that the group of clowns (professional clowns) from Texas and New York recommended them. Mangia! read more

A seriously good italian restaurant - good food, great portions, excellent wine, quiet family atmosphere. It seemed like a family-run place, so the servers weren't pros, they were cousins/nieces/nephews of the owners. I didn't find them rude, just young and used to running the show in their family's joint. The bread was hot from the oven, and we passed our plates around to share bite of ravioli, tortellini, and chicken saltambucca, which were all really delicious, and raised our glasses to toast our luck in stumbling across such a hidden gem. A word of warning: Bella Vista only takes cash and American Express. read more

Bella Vista serves up a simple menu of standard Italian favorites-- done right. My tortellini alfredo was creamy and not too heavy, and L's fettucini bolognese was hearty and flavorful. The servings are huge, and at $11.95 each (the seafood and dishes are a little more), sure to fill your tummy for more than one meal. The service was prompt and efficient, and we were charmed by the red roses on the tables. I was really pleased to find that even though tourists (like me!) run amok in this Italian section of Boston, a great Italian meal is still to be found. read more