Love this place, great food, great atmosphere. It was pretty authentic as far as i could tell. And we had a party of 10, and they managed to squeeze us in last minute. Very gracious.... read more

My friend being me here for the first time yesterday. The spaghetti was really good. I had the seafood one with white sauce. It came out with a big paper bag and the stuff will help you to get the food out. It looks really cool. My friend had the lobster one which is also amazing and big. However I don't think the service is fantastic so I have 4 stars. read more

For the price (very reasonable) this is one of the best places for Italian. The only negative is it gets extremely busy, definitely recommend making a reservation. read more

I highly recommend this place if you're ever in the Russell Square district in London. 'Nuf said...!

Food was excellent. We all had great food and the ambiance was great. One of the waiters was a bit terse, but it was clear that he was very stressed so it's water under the bridge. I would definitely recommend this place. read more

A friend and I visited Ciao Bella in mid January I had never been there before and it was a last minute decision on a Wednesday night. They were busy but the man who greeted us warmly at the door told us to pop into the pub next door for 20-30 minutes and he would come and get us. 20 or so minutes later he duly came in, carried our drinks and led us to his restaurant and our table. I can be a hearty eater at times and this was the first time in a while that I have been overwhelmed, we shared a starter of lovely garlic bread starter which we couldn't finish and when my pizza arrived it was awesome and tasted spot on. The staff were friendly and cheerful and I do think the man who looked after us went well beyond the call of duty in coming to collect us form the pub. I would definitely go back and it would be churlish not to give it anything other than full marks. read more

I love this place. The food is good, the prices are great, the people are accommodating. Sure, it's a little hard to get a table, but that should tell you something about how good the restaurant is. I love that most of the people you see are old men in suits or young college students. A great deal is to be had here. I'm from New York, and this reminds me a New York italian restaurant. read more

We ate here twice on a recent visit to London. The food and ambiance were very good. The service was also very good. Very accommodating to young children Very good pizza! The olives and parmesian cheese is a nice touch. If we ever get back to London, we will definately make it back. read more

Fantastic Italian we just found (courtesy of Yelp). We really enjoyed everything about this place - food, atmosphere, service, wine, price. We will be back. read more

Nice outside seatning. The pizzas are very good, and compensates for the somewhat bad service. Staff is helpful and does all the right things, but they appear stressed and are not that nice. read more

Always a great meal. I love the pasta cartoccio. The place is lovely and the food is simple and delicious. Wine process are reasonable. I've never had a dessert here so I can't comment on them. read more

This Italian restaurant is able to successfully cater to both the wealthy local population and students on a student budget from nearby Goodenough College and LSE. The pizzas are delicious and can be ordered at the table or for take-out. Hors d'oeuvres comprise olives, bread sticks and delicious chunks of parmesan cheese. This reviewer was disappointed to find that refills cost extra, especially as the service can be a bit slow, especially during busy times. The wait is well worth it, though. The pastas are delicious and varied and the ingredients are fresh. Leaving Ciao Bella you feel like you are leaving your own private corner of Italy and re-entering the reality of London streets. This might well be the wine speaking... read more

Decent italian food and a great price for central London. The homey atmosphere makes this place even better.

Nice cosy italian restaurant. I like coming here with friends. They always serve our order quickly and I've never gone there and not have a table even without booking. So I recommend if you're fan of pizza and pasta. read more

Very cheap and good atmosphere but the wine tasted homebrewed, maybe my fault for letting the waiter chose. The bruscetta was tasty but very far from anything that an Italian would eat. Maybe I have been in Italy and gotten spoiled earlier though. Had the seafood pasta which was very taste. Gave an extra point for it. Just hope I do not food poisoning. There was a piano player there the evening I went which was nice. read more

Best Carbonara I've tasted. Very good service. Were really nice to my kid. The piano player could have taken some time off, but other than that it was great. read more

I always try to steer clear of simple meals like spaghetti bolognese or carbonara as I like to try new meals that require some difficulty in cooking when dining out, but Ciao Bella's carbonara is so tasty that I never have to spend time browsing the menu as it's such an easy choice. Their portions are generous, and I really love that all the waiters and staff are italian which gives the place a nice authentic vibe. I would recommend booking a table upstairs as the downstairs area is very squeezed for space in comparison to the more spacious and lively top floor. read more

we were a party of six on a saturday lunchtime - with some teens wanting pizza and some adults wanting something a bit more sophisticated. The staff were friendly, helpful, efficient and very authentic Italian, and the food good especially the vongole served in a steamed bag. With a very drinkable Valpolicella, coffee and soft drinks we all had two courses each for £150. Would go again. Busy but not crowded. read more

My favorite Italian restaurant. I love the food here it's freshly made, right out of the oven and delicious. The place is a must for every pizza and pasta lover. Also, the service is on a high level so you won't get unattended for long. read more

Dined there on 30-10-2014 with a group of sixteen. Food was amazing, the piano-playing relaxing and the staff super helpful afterwards to the extent of running down the street to hail a taxi for one of our group who had mobility issues. read more

I've been here 4 times now. There's always a que to get in. But that's because people like the quality Ciao Bella has to offer. It's not the fanciest restaurant in the world and do not expect to eat something unusual. Look at it as going for dinner round your favourite aunt or uncles. The waiters are your family, the food portions are big and hearty! The price matched the dish perfectly! They even serve gluten free food and as a major pasta lover who has issues with gluten this is my dream come true!! Don't have huge expectations, judge it on the dish you eat... read more

Great authentic Italian, huge portions and not huge prices. Very busy usually but friendly staff even if you do have to wave them down to get their attention sometimes. Well worth knowing about this place read more

so happy to have found this place - great Italian food, reasonably priced, with a real neighbourhood feel. Grab a table outside and watch the world go by. I will be back! read more

I get pasta carbonara everywhere I go, including Florence a few weeks ago, and this is HANDS DOWN the best I've ever had. Service was great, and the house red wine was pretty good for £3.75. Would 100% recommend. read more

Has a genuine homely feel and is clearly well established. The food is simple but great quality and generously portioned. My Irish Coffee was the best I've had in ages. Would definitely go back. read more

The food was really good. Service was good but a little slow at times. Really great late evening alfresco dining.

Excellent service and great brick oven pizza!! Brought my parents here from NY and they agree the American hot pizza is something they will crave when they go back! read more

Inexpensive Italian restaurant with wide ranging menu. Excellent pizza and pasta; decent house wines.

amazing restaurant!! the only down side is the tables in there are very close together hence not that most comfortable place. However, the food is amazing and reasonably priced for the expensive london city. I had their carbonara which was very rich and amazingly good. My friend ordered their lobster pasta which was awesome as well. We shared a calamari, loved it!! Would definitely go back if I go back to London! read more

EXCELLENT found this by using Qype before visiting Bloomsbury. The staff were very friendly, attentive and great with my children aged 8 and 12 , the food is simply delicious and reasonably priced, even the wine didn't break the bank. It was so good that even though we were only in London for 3 nights we returned here for second meal that was equally as good as the first. Plates were cleared at both meals and anyone with two children and a wife thats the fussiest eater ever will know this is quite an achievement. If you like Italian you'll love this restraunt. read more

Just perfect, as if I were in Italy. Nothing funcy, just perfect italian food, wines and staff. The place is Also like a little peace of Italy. read more

One thing I can't handle is bad service. It's simple, the food is amazing (hence the 2 stars), but the service is poor. It got to the point where I had to ask if there was a problem. My suggestion, call in and pick up your damn order! read more

My favourite Italian in London! The food is delicious! Brought some friends over (visiting from overseas and been to all the overpriced and stuffy restaurants) and it was the best Carbonarra they've ever had! Linguine al pesto is amazing and pizzas are always perfect! Live piano in the evenings, pretty busy all the time but service is always great. Strongly recommend. read more

As an American, I don't know a lot of good neighborhood spots in London. Too often I'm in a tourist place of some kind. After consulting Yelp, I found this place near where I was staying, but some reviews said reservations are needed. I had no car, it was about 20 minutes by foot, and it was about to rain. But the alternatives were not great. When I got there, a waitress said it was full, no chance, outta here. Before I could leave the owner spotted me. He was very disappointed but also said they had no seats and advised me to go to the next block where there were one or two places that were OK. Before I got more than ten steps away, he called me back. A couple were leaving. While I waited he brought me a glass of wine -- on him. Maybe it was because I'm as gray-haired and aging as he. No matter. The chicken _______ with a cream sauce was very good, but not as great as the hospitality. I'll be back. read more

i actually crave ciao bella all the time! i just think its good value for money and a great place to go when you just want to chill and have a laugh! the service is good and everytime i go the food is amazing, dont think ive ever had a bad meal there!! the atmosphere is really italian based but thats what you want when you go to an italian restaurant!..the owner is always there everday of the week which is a really good sign.. it does get really busy everyday but thats all part of it! it is what it is! BRILLIANT! read more