Bella Italia Avis 

My 17-year-old son and I were visiting England for the first time and chose Bella Italia near Paddington Station because they offered many gluten-free options. Unfortunately, what should have been a pleasant evening turned into a very disappointing experience.

The food itself was good and the atmosphere was acceptable. However, we were seated right next to a door where both guests and staff constantly passed through — despite the restaurant not being full. From the moment we sat down, we felt rushed. We were asked to order almost immediately, before we had even had time to properly look at the menu.

I asked what was gluten-free, and we were told to scan a QR code to access the gluten-free menu. The link never worked. I then asked the staff to explain the menu so I could understand what I was able to eat. Instead of helpful guidance, we received vague answers. When I asked why the risotto was not gluten-free, I was told it contained a “special rice” that was not gluten-free — which was confusing and poorly explained. That said, I do appreciate that they did not claim something was safe if they were not 100% certain.

We ordered several small plates and main courses and specifically asked for everything to be served at the same time. They agreed — but that did not happen. We also ordered drinks that never arrived and had to remind them. No one checked on us. No one asked if we wanted more drinks. Instead, staff came to clear plates that we had not even finished. Not a single smile. No sense of hospitality or service.

When they finally brought the bill, we had actually planned to order dessert. But by then, the experience had already been overshadowed by the lack of service and basic attentiveness.

If we had received even minimal attention, a smile, or any sense that they valued us as guests, we would happily have stayed longer and ordered more food and drinks. Instead, we left feeling rushed, unwelcome, and that the experience was not worth the money.

It felt like the priority was turning tables quickly rather than providing a good dining experience.

Very disappointing. What should have been a lovely evening was completely ruined.

I don’t know normally write a review, but I feel I need to tonight. I waited behind a lady and her daughter approx 8yrs old, she was asked whether she wanted 2 menus or a child’s menu. The manager then came to myself and my 24 year old daughter who has Down Syndrome, we were shown to a table of 2 where I was given a menu and a child’s menu + crayons were put down in front of her. I quickly removed these to save her embarrassment and upset, when I asked the manager for another menu, she questioned me if this was what I wanted! My daughter may have a disability, but this doesn’t mean she’s a child. It was very hurtful in the way one individual’s attitude presumed she knew things about my daughter, especially when I accepted the manager for who she is!!

I was 3 yrs ago was everything brilliant. We decided to come back now omg. Waste money, food disgusting, the place dirty and staff just ignored people not friendly. Also long time waiting for the starters. This place is a rubbish

Very overpriced for mediocre food! Shocked at the price! It was £92 for two Spaghetti Carbonaras, a diet coke, a Fanta, a fruit mocktail and two scoops of Gelato. This is the first time l've been to Bella Italia, and it will be the last!

Ordered a starter - sharing plater, on it was literally four mushrooms cut in half, for two people! Dry, thin garlic bread, the worst i've ever tasted! And a pile of tiny square chopped tomatoes for £16. What a total rip-off!

The spaghetti carbonara was dry, had no sauce on it, and had three, tiny pieces of chicken in it and a few, tiny chopped pieces of very fatty, hard, ham. No flavour. I left most of it! It was just a plate of dry spaghetti.

The waitress asked me if I wanted a box to take it all back home in🤣 the best box for this underwhelming dish, is the bin! I'll give the whole experience 1/10 simply because the staff were friendly and polite!

Our Polish waitress really added to the authentic Italian experience!

Great experience yesterday afternoon at Bella Italia Hampstead Valley. Assisted by the best waitress on Earth: Bhakti, we will deeply miss you! Excellent service, delicious pasta, amazing promotion and perfect atmosphere. We love Bella Italia!

Large party seated on L-shaped table meant spent evening looking at someone's back. Service very slow and food overpriced.

This was our first visit to Bella Italia in Exeter . I booked a table for 6 several days ahead. When we arrived, our table wasn’t ready and we had to wait until someone had laid it. The service was slow and the staff unfriendly. My son ordered the signature lasagne which was overcooked. Really disappointed.

We went to the restaurant on Sauchiehall Street today 2 adults and 2 teenagers
Food was terrible Pasta was tasteless and full of cooking oil.
They didn’t even bother asking how the meal was.
First time visiting that place wasn’t planned but defo won’t be going back.

Would rather have went to McDonalds

The food was really good,can’t complain even with the portion sizes,but the service was disgusting.the starters which was only doughballs was 45 minute wait and the meals to follow was no better..no service with a smile or even manners for that matter,nearly left us without taking our full order and looked bewildered that we was not finished…if you want good food with horrid service this is the place for you

Extortionate family meal out. 2 pizza, one lentil pasta dish. 2 starters. We ordered olives to share at £5 we received a small saucer with exactly 10 very small olives, 50p an olive!? They were not even good olives, could have bought better at the supermarket. My partner was horrified. We didn't complain, because we assumed the main course would be better value. To be fair the pizza was OK, I mean it's pizza, so basic and not hard to get wrong. It was nothing special though. The pasta was warm to cold, no sauce, dried up lentils and floppy translucent bits of tomato, it was tasteless with just strong black pepper as the main flavour. So very disappointing. We didn't stay for dessert. The drinks were expensive and service was slow. The meal cost over £80, wow, so awful. We won't be returning.

A big thank you to the Bella Italia crew at Covent Garden for their exceptional hospitality. The food was delightful, and the staff was warm and welcoming. My friend and I had a wonderful time, with Sujoy truly being a standout. I enthusiastically suggest visiting!

Lovely service!

The service was painfully slow. We were not asked if our food was ok or offered any more drinks. One of the six meals was cold and had to go back. There were so many empty, untidy tables and there were very few people in the restaurant.
I feel like the staff need better training as most of the food tasted nice but the service ruined the experience

Various offers that do not cite an exception for Birmingham are not available at this outlet. That’s the case on Sunday 21st December. May apply throughout. This is not mentioned for those offers or when making a booking online.

We had a meal here before we went to the theatre. Such a wonderful experience. Fab service from the lovely smiley Crystal. ❤️ from the moment we arrived to the moment we left Chrystal was just amazing. She was so attentive and super efficient. Next time we are in Oxford we will most certainly be returning and hope we get Crystal again. Fab food best service. Great atmosphere. Xxx

Went to the store in MK and the service was super slow!!! On top the restaurant was cold and dirty. The food is not worth it, you pay a lot and it's not great and portions are small!! It's a rip off

My experience really bad, slow service ,tasteless food expensive ready meals. Overpriced
Save you hard earned cash better stuff from a supermarket.

Dudley castle gate branch. Very empty and therfore no reason for not having a good experience. Food was warm to cold, was reheated and brought back, then found the ingredients i said I didn't want were still there, Sent back and declined any further food, cheap chain and no real chefs or kitchen staff, basic microwave food. Calamari was like left over bits rather than rings, had better food at home

I only ever write restaurant reviews if exceptional and in this case it was exceptionally bad.

I have just paid £70 for 3 mains and 3 soft drinks and the only way to describe them is like cheap micro meals, I was tempted to refuse to pay but realised I would have to chalk it up to experience and never go again.

The pollo cacciatore was pasta, canned tomatoes and a few pieces of processed chewy chicken, it allegedly contained pancetta but I never found any.

The spinach and ricotta cannelloni was tiny and tasteless and the burger and chips was dry and tasteless, all 3 meals were tiny and left 2 of us still hungry.

I’d give this place 0 stars if it was possible. Absolutely shocking.

The food wasn’t too bad, service ok.
I ordered calamari as a starter (£8) I was expecting rings but what I received looked like left over scraps, I didn’t want to complain in front of my guests.
I don’t think I would go back!