Pizza Beast is back! Stopped in at Labella Pizza and left with mixed feelings. The pizza itself was pretty mediocre--average size slices, limited topping options, and nothing that really stood out flavor-wise. The garlic knots weren't much better; the sauce tasted like it came straight from the can with no seasoning, leaving everything a bit bland. For what I got--2 slices, 2 knots, and a coke--it came to $17, which felt expensive for the quality. The dining area was empty during my visit, and the location is tucked into a shared strip-mall parking lot, which takes away from the experience. On the plus side, the service was good and the staff were friendly, which is why I didn't rate lower. Overall, it's an okay spot if you're hungry, but don't expect anything beyond average. read more

La Bella Pizza Bistro - Pizza Near Me - New Paltz, New York

Before you come for me, the service at La Bella is pleasant. Located in a strip mall in New Paltz, this place is spacious and has a thorough menu- which is why I came here during my lunch break. There is something so satisfying about a grilled salmon filet on top of a savory crunchy salad. Which is exactly what I went for. I ordered the beet+orange+feta+walnuts salad at the counter to eat here. Time was ticking for me and mentioned to one of the guys I rather take it with me. Price was fantastic for a green salad and a hefty piece of protein. However, half of my salmon was raw. Listen, I love eating sashimi- but it's one thing to eat it- and it's another when you get an undercooked fish filet on a bed of greens. The piece of salmon in my salad was substantial- and the only edible parts were the crispy, cooked edges. Had it been temped to like just barellllllly opaque, I would've enjoyed it. But, it was an immediate garbage toss. read more

La Bella Pizza Bistro - Salmon Looks Great- But It's RARE. Medium-Well Would've Been Fine For A Salad. - Pizza Near Me - New Paltz, New York

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Couple months ago I stopped in for a slice of pizza. I asked for it well done and I have to say it was the worst slice of pizza I have ever had in my life. read more

Stopped in here after my daughter's powerlifting competition with a large group (20 people) of very hungry people. The owner showed up a little after we arrived (she knows my brother in law) and she was great...made sure our food came out correctly and apologized for one item coming out late and her team forgetting one slice (we had plenty so the extra slice wasn't necessary). I had a Stromboli with chicken and prosciutto that was absolutely delicious. Most of the crowd had pizza which was also very good. A little thicker crust than I usually prefer, but the taste was excellent. I don't get up to New Paltz often, but I'd come here again. read more

La Bella Pizza Bistro - a woman standing at the counter - Pizza Near Me - New Paltz, New York

First thing this place is very clean and organized, definitely not rundown dusty place, just something that is refreshing. Service I was kind of mixed on, since I wanted to check the menu quietly and figure out what I wanted, and I got pretty peppered with let me know when your ready to order, trust me there was no rush since I was only customer in the place, it was very slow. Now after waiting the 20 minutes I got my food and man it was night and day, way more friendly and non pushy, like asking if wanted a salad since I forgot the dinners come with one and I passed on it since not really a salad fan, was nice of them to give me cheesy bread in place of it. Plus asking me if needed forks and knives. Money talks I guess when comes to degrees of service. Shrimp scampi was delicious, the sauce was right level of savory, salty and lemony, pasta was al Dante, shrimp was well cooked and seasoned and really wish I got more for the price. Beef empanada was great, plenty of meat and seasoned just right without being overblown spicy, plus the crust was still crunchy, but one note was it was kind of oily. Cheese sticks, they were alright, not something I had before, but if had to put it to words, it's like very soft pizza cut into slices, there not too much removed from something like cheesy sticks at little Caesar's. This plus is definitely a B+, very good, but can't reach A status. read more

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Food is great, service fantastic and the personal touches by the owner made our night special.This place is a secret gem that more people should discover. We have known this for years- try it out you won't be disappointed read more

Service was great. Ambiance was good. Food was very good. I got a small pizza, thought there was a miscommunication and that I had gotten a medium or larger. was supposed to be 14" was easily 18. Very good, thick chewy crust. Wife got burrata raviolis. came with garlic bread, salad, nice presentation on ravs. Enough food for dinner next day in hotel room, lunch on the road next day and dinner that night when we got home. bring your appetite! read more

Delicious fresh pizza, friendly staff. Great place for a quick lunch. The eggplant parm hero is also huge and yummy!

My coworker and I were working upstate and decided to try out this Italian eatery for lunch. It was quaint and cozy. We ordered some of the pasta dishes and wasn't disappointed. The food was good and filling. We didn't order any pizza but from the looks of the pizzas behind the counter, I'm sure it's worth it. Overall, if we're ever working in the area again, we will definitely visit this place. read more

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Nice little surprise! We came here with our daughter, who loves their pizza. My husband and I ordered the arancini appetizer, which was delicious. He ordered the penne with pesto and I had the shrimp scampi for main courses and both were very good. Although service was a bit slow because they were short a few people, our server couldn't have been nicer. We'll definitely be back when in New Paltz! read more

As much as I love pizza - and their pizza is good - I still think they should change their name to "Italian" Bistro in case people think they are only a pizzeria, as their Italian food is fantastic! The sauces in the two eggplant dishes as well as the Stuffed Peppers, their homemade bread - mmmmm! They also have the best discount (or tied for first) on the New Paltz Discount Card (15% off). I do wish they served dinner during their last hour (9-10pm) instead of closing up shop too early - it's hard being a night owl in this college town - but otherwise, bella! read more

I am going to be completely honest their pizza is awful! I've been there probably about 5 times and every time I tell my self that it's going to be great but it's not. They are also insanely over priced for the special slices almost 4 dollars. Not worth it. Most pizza places also have larger slices in the counter window but they are actually smaller. They are convenient which is why I think they are still open. 3 out of the 5 times I've been their the owner ignores me when we are about to order. She always seems very overwhelmed and stressed. I am not sure about their actual food. Only have had the pizza. Won't ever go there again, I rather go up the road to a different place. read more

People were incredibly warm and helpful! Pizza was delicious will definitely be coming back. Felt like a big Italian hug when I walked in

Well I should have trusted my eyes. Though the crust wasn't awful, this is subpar pizza in every other way -- gummy cheese, tasteless sauce. Not even as good as the dollar slices in New York. Plus we had a cannoli which was about the worst ever -- no flavor, all sugar. Foodies avoid. The place was antiseptically clean, though. read more

Haven't tried the pizza yet, but the chicken parmesan with linguini was very good. Salad and bread were also excellent. The waitress (Maria) was great! read more

Stopped in when passing through New Paltz and wanting some pasta. This is mostly a pizza place but the eggplant parm and chicken parm was good and came with a salad and bowl of pasta. Simple and good, with a very entertaining server too. Casual atmosphere, good food, good prices. read more

So the story goes like this: I pick up my daughter this summer from her first trip to sleepaway camp, and on the way home I tell her she can get anything she wants. She opts for nature's perfect food - pizza. We wind our way through the Gunks and into New Paltz, there's no parking downtown (of course) so we keep driving down 299 on our way home, and I'm thinking there's gotta be a decent slice joint in one of these strips. Right? Right! We were both pleasantly surprised. I had a couple slices of their Sicilian-style specialty slices and they were really, really good. The little one went for her go-to (plain with sausage) and devoured every bite. So yeah - the pizza here is solid. read more

My food came over 30 minutes late, we live just 5 minutes down the road from this place, it took an hour and a half from the order time to get a salad and panini, both were ice cold. Never ordering again. Unhelpful staff and unsatisfactory food. read more

A restaurant has to be pretty confident about its food to play the food network on a big screen in its dining room, and La Bella's is not misplaced. We stopped here for lunch on our way through the state, and were delighted by the pizza. Many different flavors are laid out on a large counter, making it easy to select a slice that looks good to you. I chose a meat pizza, which was loaded with tasty, top-quality pepperoni and sausage. The dining room is spacious and comfortable. The restaurant's only real drawback is the lack of Coke products, though my kids were thrilled that they had San Pellegrino sodas. read more

The caesar salad was over dressed with dressing. The roasted garlic parmesan wings, although asked for crispy, were dry and difficult to get down. The Bianco pizza with pesto was excellent!! I just had wished I realized the one young lady working at the counter was not experienced enough to bring the salad first, then the wings, and pizza last. The pizza was brought, the salad showed up on the scene 10 minutes after the pizza, while the wings showed up about 20 minutes after I had eaten two slices of pizza. They became very busy, and it seems as though the woman "behind the scenes" was micro managing, and she had forgotten what her job was. Which seemed to me that the salad and wings were her job. They called in another server, that seemed to know what was going on and she brought it all back together again. it a very clean establishment. Maybe a little bit of training for the young lady, and not at the busy hour by another person who has a job to be done also. read more

I think they're the perfect local pizzeria. The pizza there looks like works of art. In fact, yesterday when I was there, there was a local artist / photographer named Jillian Mari Brown arranging food on tables near the window to take photos. Jillian's work is being exhibited on the walls there this month. La Bella is having an exhibition opening for her at the restaurant on the 15th. (http://localsearch.poughkeepsiejournal.com/sp?skin=&aff=1002&eventId=87446). That support of the community says a lot. The restaurant is nicely decorated inside and a pleasure to sit and eat in. They have free wifi and encourage people to sit with their laptops and have lunch ,meetings there, etc. Great idea. Every slice of pizza I've had there has been delicious. Great job, La Bella! read more

La Bella Pizza Bistro - Just a delicious slice of pizza with tons of fresh basil in their newly redecorated restaurant. - Pizza Near Me - New Paltz, New York

Stopped in on our way back to Jersey to grab something for the road. The staff was friendly and helpful. Ordered a cold Italian sandwich and slice of pizza to go. Pizza was a 4 star, great crust and a nice sauce. Unfortunately, the sandwich was a dud. The meats and cheese were OK, as were the toppings. It was the bread the destroyed the sandwich. Too doughy and it had no (traditional) crunchy Italian bread crust. Maybe I'm too accustomed to the NYC area Italian breads. Definitely would stop by again for the pizza. read more

The guy who makes the pizza is one of the best people of NP. How they don't have an award for that man is a shame. Always will to drop what he's doing no matter what it is to take you're order. Pizza is pretty good. The garlic Knots are tremendous but after an hour you'll be paying for it on the terlit. read more

I moved into the Modena area about a year ago and was so happy to find a pizzeria/restaurant that I actually liked and until tonight we have never had a problem with the establishment. We ordered a hot chicken cutlet sub with mayo and American cheese and garlic wings. The wings were good, no problem there. The sub on the other hand was quite a different story. Here's what they made: chicken cutlet, tomato sauce, American cheese and mayo. Who eats mayo and tomato sauce on the same sandwich. When my boyfriend went to pick the order up, he checked and told them they made the wrong sandwich. An insanely nasty woman (I would like to call her something else but I'm not a nasty pig like she is) began to argue with him and yell at him because HE ordered it wrong. The sandwich had to be ordered cold she yelled. He was so taken aback by her attitude, he was tongue tied. She yelled we shouldn't have ordered on Line, we should have called it in. Siting that she hated the the online order system... who cares what you hate? My boyfriend is a nice guy and just took the order after it was corrected and left. I am not so nice. If you don't like having to deal with people why the hell are you in the food service business? Your business by definition is a business of customer convenience. We will never spend another dime here (we usually order at least once a week) and I truly hope no one else does. After working all day and trying to get home, NO ONE needs to be treated like this... a big f-you to this sad little woman. read more

I can't say enough good things about Maria and her restaurant. My wife and I held our rehearsal dinner for 55 people here 4 days ago. Maria was incredibly accommodating and worked with us to make sure we got exactly the event we wanted. Maria was excellent in communicating the various menu options, the cost estimate, and setting expectations. She closed the restaurant to dine-in customers from 7:30-10 and made sure our guests were well-fed and attended to. Now for the food. It was the night before my wedding and I wanted to make sure I didn't over-eat because I didn't want to feel or look bloated on our wedding day. That went right out the window as soon as I tasted that pizza. I ate eaten myself sick on 6-7 Sicilian pieces and wasn't the least bit regretful (maybe a little) because it was so damn good! Then Maria brought out the cannolis for dessert. I told myself only one or two because i was already full. They were so good I ate six -- SIX!!! Whatever you do, get the cannolis. They are filled fresh at the restaurant. We don't go to New Paltz often but we are now going to make special trips just to visit Maria for some pizza and cannolis. read more

Great pizza very clean the atmosphere is good the owner is hilarious and very nice I recommend to anyone who wants the best pizza and food in Newpaltz read more

Great vegan pizza. The owner isn't friendly though. Multiple occurrences where she has been rude to me while I'm in there.

Best pizza in town! I've had a few other menu items and they have all been delicious. Great food, friendly, attentive staff, comfortable atmosphere. When I want pizza, I go to LaBella. read more

I have traveled all over the United States, and have eaten in many fine restaurants. None compare to La Bella. Fine Italian food served in a great atmosphere. Anthony and his mom Maria treat everyone like family. If you are looking for the very finest pizza in Ulster County (NY for that matter) stop in. You will not be disappointed. Delicious. read more

I would give them negative 100 stars if I could. Very RUDE service, their food is not even that good. I called to ask if it was possible to get a calamari pizza for my mother in law as my brother in law just passed and she was feeling like eating that and first the girl put me on hold to find out if it was possible. When she was back i apologized if it was an inconvenience and she said in a very loud tone "YES! IT IS AN INCONVENIENCE FOR US TO DO THAT RIGHT NOW WHEN WE ARE SO BUSY!" I just cancelled the order and hung up. Not to mention the OUTRAGEOUS price of it. NEVER AGAIN will even consider giving my money to an establishment who treats their customers like that! read more

Just okay pizza, not horrible but not good. The crust is half the pizza and tastes like cardboard, the pizza wasn't cooked enough the cheese just sorta sat on top. The sauce is a bit acidic tastes like it's from a can. read more

Had a piece of pizza with my family. It came out to $2.75 a slice. The cashier was sitting at a table near me sucking on her fingers and getting shit out of her teeth. I had children with me and she was dropping a bunch of f bombs while getting mad at some guy she was talking to on the phone. She shouldn't be talking like that at work with that language. read more

Good pie, came in near close and they were willing to throw a fresh one in for us. Appreciate the service

Used to like this place because they have a vegan option. However after the last two times we ordered they failed to put broccoli and broccoli rabe and fresh garlic on the pie yet I paid for it. The garlic knots are never heated properly which make them stale when we eat them. I spoke to some stoner kid left my name and number with him for the owner to call me and she never did. now we go to Rocco's for dough and make vegan calzones and pizza at home. La bella is a hot mess and don't even care enough to try and fix a problem with someone who is in their community. read more

Good, not great food. Horrible service. Waited on line to pay my bill and cashier let all the regulars pay before me. No sign stating $5 minimum but told as I was paying. Pizza is good but not worth the rudeness of the staff. read more

The pizza here is terrific! Great service, great ingredients, this is a gem worth visiting when in town. We order here to go all the time, they are never slow. Also LOVE the flag on the outside of the building, so proud to see this when we pull up to eat! Keep up the great service! read more

We used to be HUGE fans but in the last few months the experience has not been quite as good. Our take out last night included mediocre entrees (overcooked chicken parm and tasteless bolognese). The garlic knots were mostly flavorless. About a week ago, went in to grab a couple of slices for my daughter and they had no plain cheese pizza available so got pepperoni and took off the meat before cooking. Just not much flavor and the guy behind the counter was not very approachable. read more

The pizza itself was ok (I thought for me it could have used more sauce) but I knocked off a star because of the service. The front didn't know how to use their app coupon system and one of the guys was chewing on a floss tip. The parking lot was also an absolute mess. Kinda disappointed overall. read more

A friend and I were dropping off my son at college after spring break. It was about 6:45 on a Sunday evening and a bit busy. The waitress/owner came over and apologized for the wait: "I'm a one-man show tonight. My college student decided to take another day off for spring break." We chatted for a bit, then she was picking her teeth with her fingernail. I wanted to walk out, but we decided to stay anyway, as we were both tired and had a long drive back home, So we placed our order, a chicken parmesan sub, which we split. It was very good, although the chicken was a bit dry. Bathroom was clean and stocked. Then it came time to pay. The order cost more than we expected, so I asked how much the sandwich was. She told me a price that was more than 10% higher than the menu price and showed me the menu at the counter that indicated "the listed prices are not the actual menu prices." Okay...So she proceeded to rudely tell me that she is a small business owner, and that her prices hadn't gone up in 4 years, her $9,000 computer had crashed, and that new menus weren't printed up yet. I wasn't trying to be cheap, just trying to find out the cost of my sandwich. So I went to pay and put it on my credit card. She said angrily, "oh, a credit card. I'm not getting the full cost. I'll charge you the menu price. I want to be able to sleep at night." I insisted that she charge me the menu cost, since now I had a better understanding of why the menus weren't updated. She could have listed the new prices on paper and stuck them in acetate sheets, a quick and easy solution until she gets her new menus. I went to this restaurant when I was a college student over 30 years ago, when it was called Capri Pizzeria. It was usually quite busy and the food was quite good. I had never received from them the kind of service I received with this new owner. With all of the other pizzerias in this college town, it seems to me that the current owner would want to make the customer happy, starting with treating each with respect, even when they ask questions about something. read more

As many of the reviews note, the pizza is good, the service atrocious. The owner, Maria, has a coterie of regulars whom she devotes her attention to, while others have to wait an absurd amount of time to pay or be served. I have been a regular customer at La Bella's for over seven years, because I find their pizza preferable to any other local establishment, but nearly every time I leave I swear never to return. If anyone can recommend a comparable pizza joint in the area, I will give up La Bella and its appalling service right away! read more