Considered by many to be one of New Haven's best spots for Breakfast and Brunch, an address nearly three miles Northwest of Yale's campus cutting down on college traffic and making it a distinctly locals-only sort of place, Bella's Café played host to a memorable meal on Saturday morning mostly on the merits of its Food but also due to the customer service. Originally opened in 2000 and still packed over seventeen years later, the counter and tables at 896 Whalley Avenue available via walk-in only beginning at eight o'clock Tuesday through Sunday, it was no more than thirty minutes after Bella's opened for business that parties larger than one were being informed of a wait, the benefits of arriving early and traveling alone yielding a spot at the Bar where Coffee was filled quick, though the man acting as host could not seem to keep from bumping into chairs throughout the meal. Offering all-day Breakfast until 3:00pm on weekdays and 4pm on Weekends, Saturday and Sunday seeing no less than six specialty items plus an equal number of Mimosas added to an already respectable menu, it was with a tall chair shifted away from a man and woman talking politics that options were perused and an order placed, the Croque Madame Soufflé skipped due to the presence of Mustard that was never in the original recipe even though many places seem to think it should have been. Using seasonality as a guide during warmer months and serving a heartier menu during Autumn and Winter, Bella's famous "Italian Style" French Toast so popular that a gluten-free version was created to join Griddles, Eggs, Omelets, Salads and Sandwiches, it was after considering the local favorite that the decision was instead made to invest in two specials, the flip-side to quick seating being that a solo diner can only eat so much. Waiting perhaps thirty minutes for the bustling kitchen to produce an order, the barman and his female co-worker checking in frequently and keeping Coffee topped off, it was now with a fair number of folks standing in the foyer that two large plates were set down carefully with sides of warm Maple Syrup from Vermont, the Buttercream slowly slipping off a stack of three fluffy Pancakes made with Flour and lots of shredded Carrots plus Buttermilk, Pineapple, Coconut and finely chopped Walnuts. Quickly understanding what Westville residents have been raving about, the Syrup almost unnecessary as the Pancakes themselves were nicely balanced and plenty sweetened by Fruit and Frosting, it was moving on to Bella's Sticky Bun French Toast that taste buds once again were delighted, the lack of Syrup provided for this plate completely justifiable as each buttery housemade Biscuit was soaked with creamy Custard and layered by a sugary Cinnamon Smear. read more

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I love Bella's Everytime I go I'm never disappointed. Always great specials and my favorite is the shrimp grits and eggs. Staff always on point. Atmosphere is always welcoming. Can't wait to try another great dish. read more

Bella's Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

We were initially told it was a 45 minute wait, but we were seated right away! I think we got lucky. The challah French toast was good-The syrup was really sweet. I got the eggs Benedict & enjoyed it! The potatoes it came with were fabulous. 3 breakfasts & 2 drinks cost $66 including a nice tip. read more

Time for an update!!! It's been quite a while since I have visited Bella's Cafe and I needed to come in here and update my review because, well, Bella's is STILL SO GOOD!!! They've renovated and expanded their dining space! And for when you are waiting, they have seats in a covered area out front. We got there at about 11:30 on a Saturday and were seated in less than 20 min. We chose to sit at the counter if it became available before a table, and it did. The server who helped us, a young male, was great.. he kept my coffee full and had a great disposition. We also sat next to a very friendly couple who I shared some light conversation with. The brunch specials are so enticing, I had to choose from Jamaican French Toast, a "New Yorker" omelet, Red Velvet Pancakes, and Black and Blue pancakes.. to name some of the items featured on this weekend's brunch menu. I chose the Chilaquiles (layers of tortilla chips soaked in rancheros, topped w/ Mexican cheese, over easy eggs, grilled steak, red onion, guacamole, and sour cream). I've included a picture, this breakfast was pretty epic. I must mention that the coffee is very good as well. Bella's Cafe did NOT disappoint! Love the updates from the renovations/expansion.. keep it coming, Bella's! You NEED to try Bella's!!!! The specials are always so unique and SO GOOD!! If you get there early enough you will not have to wait but, the place is kind of small and very popular so... You're going to wait for a table if you go at prime time. I have also waited for a pretty long time for food but, again, it is a small place (with a small kitchen) so you have to expect to wait when it is a busy time. My boyfriend and I are recognized since we visit frequently and always get such a warm welcome from all the staff! We love this place and consider it a favorite. See you soon, Bella's!!!! read more

Bella's Cafe - Chilaquiles - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Seriously delicious brunch. The best latte, amazing French toast with bourbon maple, pecans, berries, and omelet with wild mushrooms and goat cheese!!! So good. Excellent service, easy parking out front. Will def be back. read more

The food and the sangria we ordered were tasty. However, we waited an hour and a half for our food and when we finally got it it was not what we ordered. Then we waited over another 20 minutes for our correct food order to get to the table only after I went inside to check because some time had passed after receiving the incorrect meal. Also, wait staff did not check on us in between drinks and the meal, or to check if we wanted more drinks. Upon asking the waiter for some sort of compensation or something he asked his manager and the manager said there was no way there was anything they could do for us. I've eaten at Bella's before in the past and was impressed by the food but we were extremely disappointed during this repeat visit regarding the wait for the food, the incorrect order, and no sort of action to make the mistakes right. read more

One of my new favorite breakfast spots. It is a little pricey but the food is definitely worth it. I ordered the Eggs Benedict special of the day and my sister ordered the challah french toast. Both were made fresh and to order and were delicious. I have come here a couple times now and have never had to wait and the service has always been amazing read more

Bella's Cafe - Eggs Benedict and Challah French Toast - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Went there a year ago and still can't stop thinking about how good the food was!! Definitely would recommend coming here.

We ate a very late lunch there yesterday and really liked it. The food was delicious (I had the eggplant ciabatta [$13] and my husband had the smoked ciabatta [$12], both of which came with a small amount of potato salad). My sandwich included goat's cheese and my husband's included gouda cheese, plus they both included roasted red peppers. Although they were pricey, the terrific taste made it really worthwhile. Our server was pleasant, the place was spotless (including the restroom - and it even had artwork on the walls), and there was a really nice Halloween display on top of a shelf in the restaurant. read more

Best place for brunch! Be ready to WAIT! Get there early to put your name on the list and then go get coffee across the street at pistachio and walk the small green by the library. There's also a bunch of little shops to waste time. Food is amazing, service is great if you happen to get Melissa as your server. Everyone is nice but she's a favorite and never disappoints. Every weekend the brunch menu changes. Great for morning dates, special events, and family breakfast. read more

One of the best breakfasts I've EVER had!! Literally everything was Dynamite! A bit of a wait but that is to be expected for excellence. Bravo! Keep up the great work! read more

Fantastic spot just outside of New Haven! Service was good and fast, but not rushed. The look is very cozy/homey and they have lots of seating. Their carrot cake pancakes are to die for! Giant stack of them, 4, brimming with delicious flavor and topped with sweet cream cheese butter, yum!!, and maple syrup! I also had their creme brûlée latte which was delicious and rich. Their regular brewed coffee was pretty good too. Friends got the shrimp and grits skillet, which came in an actual skillet, and the lemon cake French toast which was very Instagram-able. Overall it was an excellent brunch spot! read more

The best brunch spot in New Haven. If you want upscale and unique breakfast food (plus some lunch options) this is the place. Unique flavors, classics with a twist, good mimosas, real fruit juice, actual maple syrup, decadent french toast--just a few things that come to mind. It's not cheap, but the price is worth it. Their recent Summer 2018 revamp makes the place twice as big and more modern. Last visit our food came swiftly and it was a Sunday. Here's hoping the updates mean a bigger and faster kitchen always. You still will likely have to wait for a table on the weekends, but just take a stroll around the Westville Village area because there are shops, galleries, and more to see. They take your phone number to call you when ready. read more

Bella's Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Bella's is a neighborhood legend. The food is always great and the menu specials make trying to decide what to order interesting. I always get poached eggs and grits but my friends order one of the specials!! Today I was served by MELISSA -- so kind and accommodating! Plus she made you feel at home. Never trying to rush you out. Another shout-out to ANTHONY!! We love him, too! read more

I can't believe the horrible experience from this restaurant. Order the fried fish, which came crispy on the outside and under way cooked on the inside. When I sent it back, it was returned to me the exact same way I sent it back just on a different plate!. Seriously....smh. So when I advised the server, then the manager comes over to apologize, and to say it was the last piece and they were closing. Last piece to me was fine, just cook it! Anyway they took it off my bill because they were closing and couldn't offer me anything else. Although, we saw fresh food coming out as we were leaving. read more

Like Leslie Knope, breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, so I tend to be very critical about any breakfast I consume. I ordered the Tuscan Omelet and my friend ordered scrambled eggs and pancakes. I was in disbelief when I tasted my omelet. There was a melody of flavors I never experienced in my life. Every forkful in itself was a unique experience because - right before I discovered the flavors - they would fade from my pallet and I would have to (once again) eat another bite to rediscover what I just lost. One word for that omelet: addicting. Five starts for the food. I hate to remove one star, but it had to do with my treatment when I first arrived. The hostess was less than inviting, and if the cafe didn't have so many great reviews on yelp, her less-than-thrilling greeting would have sent me away. Tip: Arrive early! This place is small and gets packed very quickly. Seems like Bella's should buy the place next door! read more

Bella's Cafe - Tuscan Omelet, potatoes, and rye bread. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Breakfast! Excellent service - very attentive and friendly. Saw staff disinfect each page on the menu as well. Got here right at 8:00 am when they opened and we weren't the only ones so I'd recommend coming early to avoid any wait times. Mimosas were delicious! Can't wait to come back and bring friends here. read more

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Second visit was in prime brunch window on a Sunday. The wait for a party of two was 45 minutes to an hour. This time I brought my partner to try them. I had a special Banana Foster French Toast and a special sausage Apple and Chicken. He had the Tuscan Omlet and a short stack of pancakes. Visiting again, I am realizing their service IS a bit slow. Not to a terrible point, but plan to hang out and chat before food arrives. If you need a quick meal, this might not be a good stop. As for the dishes this time, my favorite bite was the sausage. It had good flavor and texture-wise was moist with a good amount of 'chew' to it. The french toast special was good but rubbed me wrong with a strong rum flavor. My partner tried it and said it was mostly my preferences against alcohol-y flavor, but that it was on the heavier handed side. As for the omelet, "the asiago was sharper than expected. A little too much for my undistinquished palatte. But well made and portioned," according to partner. I thought it had a rich depth of rustic veggie flavors and the asiago went well. The side potatoes and biscuit were both classic, basic, and delicious. The pancakes "were good 10/10. They were a bit larger than expected though, for a short stack (two plate sized pancakes for the $5.00 shortie). Soft and fluffy texture with a lot of flavor." Overall, glad I came back and hope to come again! read more

Bella's Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Wonderful breakfast spot. Good prices and excellent food. The staff is also exceptional.

After being all six months without going out it was a pleasure that my first place that I went out to eat for breakfast what's the Bella's treatment was super and the food was so good. Menu sanitize right in front of us table and chair they were taking all the precautions to make sure that the clients are secure. Thank great service!! read more

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Love Bella's I've never had a disappointing meal, can get crowded at time so don't come too hungry read more

Bella's Cafe - Over the top Waffles - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Live guitarist playing Beatles tunes? Check. Fresh-pressed, un-concentrated orange juice? Check. A hearty portion of crispy potatoes? Check. Dreamy challah french toast??? CHECK. We sat at the bar, which was perfectly lovely and drastically reduced the wait, as we went at a high traffic time. Many people were leaving as we entered though, and despite this, we still waited about 25 minutes for our food after ordering which was a little bit of a bummer. It was, however, worthy of the wait because every bite was delicious. The price point was fair, especially given the portion size. The service was friendly albeit a little sluggish at times but not outside of reason. Bella's is in a really cute neighborhood, so even if you have to wait they have outdoor seating or will take down your phone number while you peruse the local shops! Definitely will return. read more

Absolutely the best breakfast place in CT. The Italian French toast is amazing, their homemade syrup and homemade whipped cream just enhance the best French toast. Their grits are creamy and could compete with any southern grits. Coffee is strong and delicious. Their eggs are very good too. Service is outstanding- attentive but not annoying and they never rush you. It's worth the wait any day. Ambiance is welcoming, homey and tasteful. Overall fantastic!!! read more

Loved it! I had the veggie omelet Eggs were so fresh you'd think they just got them this morning! Delicious fresh spinach and sun dried tomatoes. Home fries perfectly seasoned and great coffee. My wife had challah french toast with fresh cinnamon wiped cream. So good! Mike was a friendly professional and terrific server! We'll be back and soon! read more

Highly recommend! Delicious food with generous portions, good service and lovely decor. Perhaps a bit pricey for breakfast/brunch, but worth it! Looking forward to returning next time we're in town. read more

I have a love / less-love relationship with Bella's! Its food is absolutely top notch; I've never had a bad meal there. However, due to its popularity, it's kind of a victim of its own success. It's always packed on weekends for brunch and the wait is extremely long. No advance reservations, so you can't be sure whether you'll wait 10 minutes or more than an hour. Understandable - but even when they're not busy on a weekday, there's a hard and fast rule against a single person having a table - you have to sit at high tops at the counter. The staff can be harried and a bit brusque. Yet ... the FOOD - so delicious! Only go if you have hours to wait and great company while you do. If so, Bella's is absolutely worth the wait! read more

I have upgraded my review from a 3 to a 4. I went there yesterday and like always my first choice, they ran out of it. So I went with the burrito and sticky bun French toast and some blueberry pancakes. Everything was delicious. I eat a lot... I ordered 3 dishes and a side of toast and my wife ordered a meal and a side of sausage. They were 6 dishes on a small table which was a but uncomfortable and that is the only reason, I give it a 4 vs a 5. Customer service is important and I believe the waiter noticed that we have a lot of food coming, could have escorted us to a bigger table, specially when they were some that were available. I am not losing sleep on it! Food was great and there was no wait to be seated. read more

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Had breakfast here in July, went to have lunch. Only, to find out they no longer serve lunch, very disappointing and they didn't have their liquor license yet! The last time I was there, was able to get a wonderful mimosa with my lunch. The breakfast was good..had to get a doggy bag! However, this is not my first choice for a breakfast spot. read more

Great food, a lot of options. The portions were filling and reasonable. Not many vegan options though. read more

Bella's Cafe - Brunch special lattes - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

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Absolutely love this place. Have been coming here for years ! Absolutely every meal is delicious, staff is incredibly grateful and have been there so many times, our waitress literally knew our order by heart every time we went. Love that they opened an additional seating area to the right since the place gets pretty packed, especially on the weekends! But they take reservations as well, so be prepared. It'll definitely be worth it! read more

They're customer service keeps getting better and better, so I had to bump them up a star. Tried the Dutch Baby brunch special this morning, it was superb. They practically had to roll me out of there, I was so full (think Violet's blueberry scene in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). Good service, great menu, good eats - Bella's is winning in the New Year! read more

Bella's Cafe - Dutch Baby - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Some good some bad. Let's talk about the good 1st: -Rustic farm feel -Clean & inviting -clean bathroom -well lit -nice decor -knows how to cook their eggs WELL! This was a big deal to me. -large portion sizes...also a BIG deal. -good food allergy awareness -guests are happy (based on overall stars) -creativity w/ menu items -WAFFLES! Let. Me. Say. Again. WAAAAAAAAAAFFFFFFFLLLLLEEEESSSSSSSS...SSSSS!!!!!! Amazing & cooked to a buttery crispy goodness! Say WHAT?!!! Slamming the TABLE GOOD! So darn GOOD! Thank you! -the food u get here shows they put mad LOVE into what they cook and how they cook it. SUPER DUPER BIG DEAL! Super. Ok, now the bad, I'm sorry for even saying anything bad... -I wish the menu had more options -seltzer.... NO SELTZER?! What do u mean no seltzer? They have a bar area and no seltzer? This was by far the deepest pain I have ever felt from a food establishment (ok exaggeration noted). It. Still. Hurts. Bella's, just a quick tip, please invest in seltzer. It's a growing fad. Really it is. (Please don't hate me.) Seltzer. -peach mimosa didn't taste very peachy -water. Water sounds so simple, not a huge deal kinda thing and maybe u may think, whose this nitpicking diva jerk anyway? Water, their water tasted bad. Like, bad. It tasted earthy & slightly rusty which made it even more painful for not having seltzer. The presentation of their water was nice (as u'll see in the pic). But oh how deceiving. -service. Service by our waiter was very rushed & not so much engaging. I know it was busy in there but I've been to restaurants where it was super busy but received great service. Example: we asked a question and it was a quick one word or one short sentence answer and walked briskly away. There was definitely an uninviting feel. read more

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This place was extremely good. Their special changes monthly !! Everything was so good. I admit the wait is a bit long, from getting a table to waiting for the food. It's took over 30 mins for our food but that's how busy they are ! And how good their food is!! The vanilla chai tea was very good and not overly spiced. The crab dumplings were stuffed with crab and had this amazing sweet sauce. The chorizo hash was delicious. The chorizo itself had a kick but not over powering. The proportions are huge ! Everything was so good and totally worth the wait. Last time we went they ran out of their brunch specials. Shrimp and grits is an delicious alternate that's always on their menu read more

Bella's Cafe - Shrimp and grits - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

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Bella's Cafe is a delicious and intimate brunch spot in New Haven. We went as soon as it had opened on a weekend day to avoid the breakfast/brunch rush. Much to our surprise, the place was packed within a half hour of opening. We sat at the bar expecting fast service but much to our disappoint, the food took at least 45min-1hr. We ordered pancakes and shrimp and grits (with chorizo). The highlight was the shrimp and grits, it was a delicious combination of flavors and the biscuit paired well. The portions are large and we had leftovers that we quickly devoured as soon as we got home. Only giving the place 4/5 starts due to the very slow service (and inattentive staff) but the food was overall good enough that I will be back. read more

Bella's Cafe - Shrimp and grits - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

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Food - 5 stars We stopped in here for an early breakfast on our way to another event and what a great breakfast it was. My dining partner ordered blueberry pancakes which were light and fluffy with a good side of sausage. I ordered the tres leches French toast special. First of all, it was so much food, I skipped lunch and just had dinner. The "French toast" was like creme brûlée bread pudding with a caramel sauce. (I could have skipped the whipped cream.). This was accompanied by some scrambled eggs, two links of sausage, and the best home fries ever! Service - 3 stars Service was ok, just not matching the food. We were seated and served fast enough but I never was offered a refill on my coffee and our server only checked with us once just after we received our food. The place still had some empty tables when we left, so it wasn't crazy busy. The "host" was standing right next to us the entire time and did nothing except seat patrons. Parking is street but there is a municipal lot a 1/2 block away. You can get in with a wheelchair, but a sign is smack in the middle of the cart way when you enter. This place looks like an old bar (Bar is now counter seating and the tables are jammed back to back along the wall - definitely tight for a wheelchair. The restroom does not meet ADA requirements. Go for the food, but the service will have that millennial malaise. read more

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The best spot in Westville for breakfast. Bar none. Bella, why won't you stay open all day? :)

Great food, service was great. Small place so the tables are packed in, and in my case I was repeatedly elbowed or bumped by the table behind me. Food was very good. The pancakes will make your head explode when you see how HUGE and fluffy they are. Will be back for more! read more

They have two sides for seating but it's small so the wait was absolutely ridiculous - over an hour. But the food was tasty. It is a little pricey but worth it. The French toast was mouth watering. And the poached tuna dish was cooked to perfection. Try their speciality coffee drinks! Very good, nice strong coffee. Parking is a pain - as in any city location; but after waiting for an hour I was able to move my car to the front when some people left. There are parking lots available around for free. read more

Bella's Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

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Went here on a Saturday. Don't do it! This place is slow & food is subpar. Heard the owners a real pain.

One of the best places I have visited for brunch and it is truly a Connecticut treasure! It is located in a cool part of New Haven with nice sidewalks and lots of stores to check out. The hostess quickly greeted us and we were seated within 10 minutes. The food was divine! Pancakes, French toast, and the burritos are a MUST HAVE! And our waitress was very attentive and helpful. We will definitely be back! read more

Bella's Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut