Upscale Italian cuisine served in a snug space popular with Upper East Side neighbors.
At a glance
#248 of 605 Bars in New York #146 of 254 Italian restaurants in New YorkLocalGuideWorld score: 4.40
Rating breakdown
-
5 ★68%
-
4 ★17%
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3 ★5%
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2 ★3%
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1 ★7%
Quick facts
- What is the rating of Bella Blu?
- Bella Blu is rated 4.4 out of 5 based on 382 reviews.
- How does Bella Blu rank in New York?
- Bella Blu is #248 of 605 Bars in New York by LocalGuideWorld score (rating weighted by number of reviews).
- Where is Bella Blu located?
- 967 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10021, United States — 3.5 km from the center of New York.
- How can I contact Bella Blu?
- Phone: +1 212-988-4624 · Website: bellablunyc.com
After an exhausting few days, I decided to treat myself. Fantastic experience and authentic Italian. Cannot recommend enough!
Real Italian food! Feels like being in old Italy. Wood oven for pizza. Very interesting menu.
Yesterday, I called Bella Blu and ordered food over the phone. What can I say, I’m old school! Bella Blu is my favorite restaurant in the NYC because they have consistently amazing food, a great atmosphere, and the staff is wonderful! I walked in, chatted with a waiter who I knew had been working there for a long time (20 years). As I’m looking around, it feels as though I’ve been transported back to Italy. A few short minutes later, I pick up my food and head towards the 6 train. My husband and I stopped by Starbucks to grab a quick drink and nibbled on some of the decadent food from Bella Blu (we were on a tight schedule). He loved the chicken dish and my goodness, that Mezzelune I ordered was divine! We then hopped on the train which was unusually slow, and as I’m walking through the park nearly three hours later, it dawned on me that I completely forgot to pay for our food! I was a thief who had brought shame onto my family! Upon realizing this, I called Bella Blu and they were so kind and forgiving. I paid for the food and they didn’t charge me for the dessert. I absolutely adore Bella Blu and every single person that works there. This restaurant comes highly recommended from a Native New Yorker. <3
Stumbled across this restaurant on one of the steamiest Saturdays in the city. Loved the anchovie pie!
The 4 stars is due to not being seated even though they only had 5 minutes to open. We felt that we could have been seated instead of standing in the doorway looking at empty, set tables and standing in the way of servers going back and forth from the indoor seating to the outdoor seating.
The 4 stars is due to not being seated even though they only had 5 minutes to open. We felt that we could have been seated instead of standing in the doorway looking at empty, set tables and standing in the way of servers going back and forth from the indoor seating to the outdoor seating.
Honestly one of the best Italian restaurants in the east side. The food was cooked to perfection and was extremely delicious!! The service was excellent and the atmosphere was nice and cozy. Will come again on my next visit to NYC.
Always a good sign when you’re greeted with “buena cera.” Authentic Italian at a reasonable price. Appetizers and soup were delicious. The tiramisu is a must. Will return.
Update Sep 2021
Post pandemic the restaurant has a really great outdoor seating area and they really do their best to find you a seat on busy evenings.
The pizza and pasta remain very good with a very decent selection of wine by the glass.
I had a pleasant experience overall. I just had a pizza (Quattro Stagioni) which was really good and good and tasteful ingredients.
Many of the patrons are regulars and seem to be happy to come back.
The service was prompt and friendly.
While I did not have any wine they have an extensive Italian wine list.
Post pandemic the restaurant has a really great outdoor seating area and they really do their best to find you a seat on busy evenings.
The pizza and pasta remain very good with a very decent selection of wine by the glass.
I had a pleasant experience overall. I just had a pizza (Quattro Stagioni) which was really good and good and tasteful ingredients.
Many of the patrons are regulars and seem to be happy to come back.
The service was prompt and friendly.
While I did not have any wine they have an extensive Italian wine list.
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