A nice little spot with a vibrant atmosphere tucked away in Olde Raleigh Village. We stopped in for dinner before a concert at Lenovo Center and so glad we did! The service and food were amazing! The Eggplant Rollatini was the best I have had. The eggplant was cooked to perfection. My compliments to the chef! I recommend making a reservation to avoid a wait. We called ahead and were able to get in however, they filled the tables rather quickly before 5:30 on a Thursday evening. Definitely adding this place on our list to visit regularly. read more

Bella Monica - Eggplant Rollatini - Italian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

We checked out the cutest little Italian place right next to the grocery story by our house & we were shocked with how amazing it was! First off the staff was incredible! Our waitress took such good care of us! We sat outside in the cutest little outdoor nook. Here's a breakdown of what we loved and what we didn't love so much: Complimentary bread -- loved! Dip it in the balsamic glaze & olive oil! Caesar salad -- not a fan Bruschetta -- it was pretty good. The bread was too hard & I wish it had some fresh mozzarella on top. But otherwise it was good. Spinach stuffed shells -- loved! incredible Highly recommend! The marinara sauce is amazing & the cheese blend was creamy and delicious. Meat lasagna -- loved! So dang good. Blueberry cheesecake-- loved! so dang creamy and fresh tasting with the blueberries. It is a seasonal dessert so I don't know if they still have it. Tiramisu -- loved! fantastic, do not leave without getting some! Overall we loved it & can't wait to go back! read more

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We came here for lunch and let me just say, the staff was amazing! When we sat down, though, I noted how it kind of smelled like a nursing home. Then we got our drinks and the lemonade was not that zesty. Then we got our food, and it sure tasted like nursing home food. We had such high hopes and it was all I could do to choke down my meatball sub. we also ordered the steak sandwich and it had like two pieces of roast beef on it. overall, very underwhelming read more

Bella Monica - Meatball sub - Italian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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First the ambience, it's cute and quiet conducive to good conversation. The service was OK. Now to the food. The lasagna was very good, although I found it a little pricey. The bruschetta appetizer is not worth the money just to have tomato spread over a piece of bread that crumbled at the first bite Lastly, the bread they brought for the table at the beginning was awful. It was so hard. I could hardly cut it with a knife. Needless to say, we did not eat it. As an opener, I believe that if in an Italian restaurant where they make pizzas, if you're not going to serve a fresh bread out of the oven, don't serve it. From the get-go it was a No for me. The bruschetta did not impress me. Thankfully, the lasagna was very good although a bit oily read more

A fantastic local gem. Food is flavorful and serving are generous portions. Service was fantastic and our waiter Andrew really knew the menu and gave great recommendations. The restaurant itself feels like a classic Italian diner with a real family feel about it. read more

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The bruschetta is sooooo good. Pick 4, can easily make this a dinner. The chicken parm is enough for leftovers and is fantastic. Great wine selection, too! Friendly staff, fast service. read more

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Bella Monica really impressed me overall with their 5-Star service and delicious Italian cuisine. As a native New Yorker from Long Island, I know Italian food. I visited late this evening with a friend after making a 7:45 reservation on OpenTable. Karen was our waitress and she provided excellent service. There were several other waitstaff working our table who really contributed to an enjoyable dining experience. We decided on both a Beet Goat Cheese salad and the Pear Salad to start. Focaccia bread was brought to the table along with the salads. Our waitress recommended the Aragosta Verme white wine and it was excellent. We both had the Meat Lasagna which was perfect. Almost as good as mine :) Perfectly garnished with all the Italian herbs and baked beautifully. For dessert, I helped myself to the Toffee Bundt Cake which comes with vanilla ice cream and garnished with mint leaves. I also had a decaf espresso. Everything was perfect. This was a girl dinner gone right for once in the area. Overall beautiful presentation of the cuisine and excellent service. My new favorite restaurant in the Raleigh area. read more

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We had a perfectly pleasant evening here a few nights ago. First visit for us, and arriving a little early for a 6.30 reservation, were quite surprised to find the place already humming and almost full. The food was excellent, the ambience cozy, and the service seamless. The manager, Blair, stopped by our table towards the end of our meal to thank us for visiting and inviting us back. A very nice touch. We ordered the bruchettes quartet, the sautéed calamari, and shared the chicken Parma, all delicious. This bistro certainly has that "je ne sais qoui" feel to it, and we'll definitely return! read more

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Decided on Bella Monica for my birthday dinner. I had heard many positive reviews over the years, but had never been. It's in a shopping plaza adjacent to Harris teeter. Plenty of parking. We made a reservation for 6pm and arrived a little early, but it was no issue & we were seated promptly. Just outside the door was a Happy Birthday greeting in chalk on the sidewalk which I thought was a nice touch. Once seated the hostess asked whose birthday it was (mine! ) and sprinkled Happy birthday confetti on the table. So cute. Our server was kind & friendly and took our drink & appetizer order. We ordered the garlic bread without cheese. The bread was crunchy & flavorful and the marinara sauce was delicious. We ordered rigatoni Alfredo, Calzone with ground beef & sausage, chicken parm and the spaghetti with shrimp scampi. The meals were all very good. They brought a birthday cannoli with a candle & we ordered tiramisu. The cannoli shell was crunchy and the filling was sweet & delicious. The tiramisu was excellent. Great evening at Bella Monica and I see why it's well liked. We'll have to try it again. read more

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10 star rating needed! Dining out with food allergies is scary, can be very unsettling and can be make you feel like you are an aggravation. This was my first time dining at Bella Monica and hands down it was the most comforting, welcoming and enjoyable experience I've ever had dining out with food allergies! The restaurant was full for our lunch time visit, yet they were so attentive to my allergy needs! For allergies they place a special colored plate (see green plate in pic) on your dining table so that all staff/servers are aware of an allergy diner--this was such a comfort to see the carefulness and seriousness the restaurant takes food allergies. The staff deserves 10 stars on their own! Thank you!! Aside from my food allergy needs---THE FOOD WAS AMAZING!! The Brussel sprouts are a must with brown butter and pancetta for an appetizer. We had steak flatbread on their homemade dough with flavorful tomato sauce and perfectly, thin cut steak. The shrimp scampi spaghetti was so light and fresh, sprinkled with green onions and tomatoes smothered in garlic and oil. For those that suffer food allergies or anyone looking for delicious Italian food -- THIS IS YOUR PLACE! The ambiance was vibrant and fun for lunch, but I could see could be romantic for evening enjoyment. They have indoor and outdoor seating. Bella Monica--What a treat!! Thank you so very much to Bella Monica for making my dining experience safe and DELICIOUS! *My allergies for those wondering--soy, nut, cabbage, carrot, pea read more

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We asked our personal Ai assistant where I could find the best Italian restaurant in the triangle with vegan options. This spot was highly recommended as they had a dedicated vegan menu. As it was my first time there I was anxious to try as many of the vegan options as possible. Michaela was my server and she was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. She let me know that the vegan meatballs were made in house and were highly recommended. I started with the bruschetta and it was one of the best that I have ever had. Great crunch on the toast and the tomato topping was delicious. Then came the house salad - which was yummy. Next, I ordered the spaghetti with the house made gravy (which is a marinaras) with the vegan meatballs. The sauce and meatballs were the best that I have had! The meatballs are pea protein based and better than the run of the mill store bought varieties! On my way out, I ordered a pizza with veggies for later in the day. To further sample the cuisine of course. It was a thin delicious crust and a marvelous sauce. They do not offer plant based cheese so I took it home and added my own Violife mozzarella. Very tasty!! If they can add a vegan dessert option or two I will definitely be back even sooner. They do have an outdoor seating area in the side and on the front. In the front was a birthday gathering and the ambience looked to be amazing to share a group gathering. Thank you Michaela! read more

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Tried this place years ago with my sister and I've been searching for the name ever since. Now that I found it, I will be returning on my next trip to Raleigh! I remember the pizzas were AMAZING, but I can't stop thinking about the mussels. The mushroom-leak crema was my favorite sauce ever. I still dream about those mussels. Can't wait to try it again! read more

I ordered a salad for lunch and added grilled chicken to it. Hardly any salad greens, nuts, cheese and chicken and they charged $30. Absolutely ridiculous and no worth it whatsoever. In fact, they should be embarrassed charging that much for a lunch salad, pasta dishes and sandwiches are way less. That salad should have been $14 tops for lunch! I eat out often and I've never paid $30 for a lunch salad before. read more

The pizza was OK. To call it neopolitan is a bit of a stretch. The restaurant was very nice and the service was great! There were many other options other than pizza. The pizza crust was very thin and almost cracker- like. I will eat here again just not pizza. The place was kind of fancy and many people were eating here Mi read more

Worth the visit! I love dining at Bella Monica. I have eaten here at least 15 times. As a gluten-free diner, it is not often that I am able to choose Italian as a cuisine option. Bella Monica has made this possible for me. The gluten-free menu is quite expansive and includes soups, appetizers, several pasta and sauce dishes, salads with protein options, seafood and meat dishes with sides, and desserts. They even offer gluten-free focaccia bread. They serve all food for gluten-free individuals on different colored plates so that the back-of-house employees and front-of-house employees are on the same page. I love that aspect. It is smaller than the large chunk they serve non-gluten-free diners, but hey, beggars can't be choosers. I usually dine alone and around lunchtime; however, I have dined there for dinner on two occasions. The seating at the bar is comfortable, and there is usually only one person working behind the bar, so it doesn't feel too hectic. They offer outdoor and indoor seating, and I find both to be extremely comfortable. In the winter, they light the outdoor heating lamps, making the temperature tolerable. My favorite appetizer there is the oven-roasted mussels in a mushroom leek cream sauce. There is so much flavor packed into this dish. It is a nice change from the traditional white wine with chorizo or sausage. It is not heavy and is well-sized for the price. Even though they serve gluten-free pasta, I choose the gluten-free chicken parmesan with Nana's gravy over a bed of spinach. The chicken piece is large and crunchy on the outside with tender, flavorful, moist chicken on the inside. The Nana's gravy is well-composed and not too acidic. And of course, the melted cheese is a wonderful touch. When I am in the mood for dessert, I order their gluten-free tiramisu. It was rich, creamy, and espresso-forward. read more

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We were seated at a table by the door and the bathrooms were around the corner. Everyone who went to restrooms passed by our table and some bumped into our chairs because we were sitting parallel to the wall and the chairs stuck out. That was uncomfortable. Also it took a very long time to get our food and when we did get it, it was not super hot and it tasted mediocre. I had the eggplant rollotini and it was ok. My friend had the spaghetti scampi and it was a small portion with the tails left on the shrimp. Not a fan. This restaurant used to be a lot better. read more

Finally tried this restaurant for lunch today and what an awesome experience! Love the cozy atmosphere and there is outdoor dining as well. We were warmly welcomed and sat immediately on a busy Saturday at lunch. We ordered a margarita flatbread pizza and rigatoni with the house gravy. OMG, it was all beyond delicious!! The pizza was perfectly cooked with a nice thin crust, generous toppings and great flavor. The pasta was al dente and their gravy was full of nice flavors. The house made bread with oil was also very good. Our server was very attentive and answered our questions and made suggestions. We were visited by one of the owners or managers as well. It's nice to be appreciated! All the food we saw being served looked so good! Very sorry we have not been here before, but will definitely be back soon! Highly recommend this Raleigh locally owned restaurant. read more

My partner made us reservations for 3:45 for Valentine's Day. A couple was waiting to be seated when we walked in for our reservation. They were seated outside promptly and we were seated right next to them a moment later. However, we waited 25 minutes as the couple next to us received drinks and apps. We did not even have a waiter come to take our drink order. We were very excited to try this spot out for Valentine's Day.. but given that in 25 mins the couple sat directly next to us were able to complete their appetizers and have their tables cleared and we had not even been greeted by a waiter/waitress, we left and will not be returning. Disappointed is an understatement. read more

Stayed in Raleigh for work and found this local gem on OpenTable. It was pretty busy when we got there but we were able to get a table. Everyone is really nice and attentive. They have a huge wine list! The food is delicious!!!!! I had eggplant rollatini. I tasted the sauce first and I can honestly say it 1000000% authentic! My co-workers had the meatballs, squid ink pasta and a pizza. Everyone licked their plates clean! I got the tiramisu to go and devoured it back at my hotel room. It was soooooo moist and delicious! Highly recommend this place! read more

Bottom line: Great lunch meal at Bella Monica, the Whole Wheat Penne selection was delicious as well as light as it does not have a heavy sauce component. Service and atmosphere were good. If I could give half stars, I'd say 4.5 stars here. The Deets: Now that I think about it, I cannot believe I have not reviewed Bella Monica until now as these guys have been here in Raleigh for quite a few years. I was working near the area and got the chance to catch lunch there recently. We were greeted at the door promptly and given our choice of table or booth, so we went with a booth midway into the long narrow restaurant area. The server was pleasant and helpful, and started us off with some bread for the table. The bread looked like a square slice of sponge cake to me drizzled in olive oil, but tasting reveals that it is a light airy type of bread that I enjoyed (I am not a fan of hard crusty type breads so I loved this version, see pics). For my lunch meal, I went with the Whole Wheat Penne menu selection that includes chicken, arugula, mushrooms, roasted tomatoes, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, Parmesan-Reggiano, and pine nuts. Reading the ingredients, it sounded delicious and light and when it arrived, the impression from the description proved correct (see pics). I really enjoyed this dish, wonderful flavors blending together without being heavy. I would definitely get this one again, it was great as it ticked most all the boxes of a nice Italian flavor profile without a heavy sauce. I would say 4.5 stars for this lunch visit to Bella Monica, and would love to visit again in the future. read more

Bella Monica - Whole Wheat Penne (chicken, arugula, mushrooms, roasted tomatoes, garlic, EVOO, parmesan-reggiano, pine nuts) - Italian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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This is a very quaint restaurant. It is very small and close inside but it has a great ambiance. The food is respectable and the service is incredible. A place you would take friends for a drink and some great food. read more

The restaurant motto is viva, ama, mangia or live, love, eat. You can feel that the Monica family is very involved in the restaurant. The interior decor is more eclectic than traditional Italian restaurants, with fun colors and chandeliers. A private room in the back is perfect for parties of about 15. Everyone in my party loved their food from flatbread appetizers to rich desserts. The "flatbreads" are really circular pizzas with thin crust. A kids menu and special menu is available in addition to the regular menu. The menu has sandwiches, entrees, appetizers, and more. One of their specialty drinks is multiple types of spritz. Of course, they have a great wine list like any Italian restaurant. The dessert where they pour espresso over the ice cream has such a fun presentation that caught everyone's attention. The staff was friendly and professional, and parking is free in the strip mall lot. Outside seating is available including heaters and clear plastic walls for chillier days. read more

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My husband, daughter and I had dinner at Bella Monica last Thursday before taking our daughter to the airport. We all enjoyed the cozy unique atmosphere and the service and food were all very good. We all would highly recommend and definitely will go again! read more

Bella Monica has been around for 22 years so that is a testament that they are doing something right. The restaurant offers both inside and covered outside seating. I had made reservations so we were seated inside. The restaurant has a large menu. I went with the housemade alfredo and added some shrimp. I could have gotten it as a side portion or an entree portion. I went with the larger size and it was large so I had another meal out of it. Service is attentive without being intrusive. Parking is easy here as the restaurant is located in a shopping center. read more

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Really fantastic food here. The vibe was very relaxing and set the tone for a great night out. Ordered the baked ziti and it came out piping hot and was delicious. Heavy on the cheese, but it fits so well for a pick-me-up meal or just a treat for yourself. The customer service was fantastic, the waiter was very kind, and the food came out at a reasonable time. Highly recommend you come try this place out if you haven't yet! read more

Bella Monica - Baked Ziti - Italian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

When I'm in Raleigh this is a number one go-to. The food is always incredible and the service equally so. We love sitting at the cozy bar. We split the stuffed shells and still have food to take home. The pumpkin ravioli I passed on this visit because it's sooo deliciously rich. Maybe tomorrow night! read more

Bella Monica - Spinach Stuffed Shells - Italian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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My wife & I have been in the area for almost 2 decades, now. How have we not stopped here before? The food is good, the service is pretty good. definitely worth mentioning. Our server anticipated us needing boxes and refilling waters. I wouldn't necessarily order the mortadella philly again, though. I'd never had it before and it was okay, but not my cup of tea. My bride LOVED her eggplant dish. Loved the interior of the place - very nice ambiance, reminded me of growing up going to places with my grandad, some of his favorite restaurants. Yes, it brings back memories of simpler times. Got there early on a Friday afternoon and while the place didn't fill right up, parking was sparse. Thankfully I have a disability placard in my car so I can usually find a spot close by. read more

Best pizza in Raleigh. Best pizza in the Triangle if you ask me. Bella Monica is my husband and my favorite neighborhood spot to eat at or to get pizza to take home from. The service is great the food is amazing (the lasagna is *chefs kiss*), and they've got a great wine list. Perfect for a date night or family dinner. read more

Bella Monica - Lasagna. Pizza: the Amore + grilled chicken and onions. (Our favorite!) - Italian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

The food was fine , the lady who took my to go order ( chicken parm sandwich for 16.24 ) asked if I wanted change from a 20 , she never once smiled , said please or thank you and then tried to shame me into giving her a 3.76 tip , ( for what ? ringing in my order with a surly attitude ) it was pathetic for her and what an awful look for this restaurant. The food was good enough but her horribly rude behavior ( this employee has no business dealing with guests and should be a back room employee , if at all ) will prevent me from ever returning , I sent a note to the owner in the mail to ask him to call me to discuss this , two weeks later and still no call , maybe he didn't get the mail but based on the service i'm sure he has heard these complaints before and his failure to respond seemed like one more indication that neither he or the employee cares about the guest. Do what you like but I will never walk thru the doors again . read more

We love this place. When I am in town this is the place we always to go. Waiters and food are top notch. My go to is the lasagna. Great serving size. The garlic bread is so good. Don't really care for the free bread they bring to the table so order bread. We love the outdoor seating. read more

Omg. Everything is great here. Bread, Wedding soup , salad, desert don't miss out

today I was thinking about having some good food and i invited my cousin to come along with me. The food was delicious and tasted fresh made. The service was very professional and quick as well and I loved the atmosphere of the restaurant. I will have to come back again and bring a date with me to this fine restaurants. read more

Italian Food for me is always a hit or a miss and that's why I usually don't go seek it out but I'll definitely be going back to Bella Monica. Tucked away in a shopping center off of Edwards Mills road in Raleigh, Bella Monica serves up a great selection of Italian food. It was 6 of us and we shared a couple of appetizers and got our own entrees. Everything I ate was flavorful and cooked perfectly. Here is what we ordered: App 1 : Sautèed Calamari : I was a bit skeptical about the sauteed calamari since I've usually has the typical fried version but it was really good. The basil sear gives it a unique flavor. App 2 : Crab Flatbread App 3: Bruschette : We got 2 Tomato Basil garlic and 2 Cannellini beans rosemary garlic. I don't like tomatoes much so I tried the Cannellini beans and it was great. App 4: Roasted Garlic Bread with Melted Mozzarella cheese : You can't really go wrong with garlic bread :) For the Entree, I got the Shrimp Scampi. The pasta and the shrimp were perfectly cooked and the portion size was also pretty good. I'll definitely go back to try their pizza and dessert! read more

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I live near Bella Monica and I've heard about this restaurant for a long time, I'm so glad I finally had the opportunity to try it out! We rolled up about 5:30pm on a Saturday and hadn't thought about reservations, luckily they were able to seat us at a two top, the bar was open too. We ordered the bruschetta, it was tasty. If I were to order it again I would just get the tomato instead of a mix and match w the cannelloni beans. It was a lot of beans for me. They offered their house focaccia bread which had olive oil and some seasonings, it was a different approach for focaccia, it was so tall! It was good and I was glad to give it a try. The best part about the meal was the Eggplant Parmigiana. They don't bread and fry their version and it was some of the best Eggplant Parm we have ever had. We split one order and they plated it for us that way. Plenty of food to go around for us. I enjoyed seeing the different plates and pizzas going out, and I can see why there is so much buzz about Bella Monica! read more

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Stopped by for a celebration and enjoyed my time here. The food was flavorful. The servers and staff were attentive. I'm looking forward to returning and trying the lasagna (the one that passed by me on it's way to another table looked amazing.) read more

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Absolutely wonderful experience, came here for dinner with a friend and ended up having such a great time between the wine, food, and service. All of the food is great so you can't really go wrong with that you order. I personally recommend the spinach stuffed shells and pear & gorgonzola salad. It's quite a casual ambiance so you can go in jeans or leggings. read more

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My first time here was on a week night and I did not know to make a reservation, so I was fortunate to get in. I was greeted at the door and made welcome. A young man came with some water that was very appreciated. My waitress came quickly and after a few questions, I decided to try the spaghetti and meatballs. It was a real "test" of the "gravy". I have been looking for good "gravy" since coming to this area, and I finally found it here. I was surprised at how good it was, and was even more delighted when I saw many small meatballs instead of one or two giant ones like most places. Oh my, those meatballs put me over the top! The flavor was just awesome! The small piece of bread with oil and onions was brought, but it was not near as good as the dish. There is a very small bar and there are tables both inside and out, but this is a smaller place that provides a nice atmosphere. The noise level was great but I had to laugh at the country type music being played. I will return with my family next time as this is my #1 pick for Italian in the area so far. read more

THE BEST!! My family has tried them all in the area and we were very impressed today. The watermelon salad, chicken parm and stuffed shells were FABULOUS. Really good staff and service was excellent. Will recommend and be back! read more

3.5 - I got the baked ziti. I personally didn't think it was anything special. Extremely cheesy, so if you enjoy plenty of cheese you might like it. The gravy wasn't bad, just very plain. I wish they had a build your own option, I saw they had Alfredo, a basil sauce and garlic sauce, but it only came as a side dish. Being vegetarian, there were only three dishes available and they all had the gravy. read more

Bella Monica - Baked ziti - Italian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

This was a great recommendation for dinner. Bella Monica has a lovely, warm, atmosphere. The manager, Eric, recommended, a good bottle of wine and was very helpful. The wait staff was friendly and professional. We had, Mussels (the sauce had a great flavor), Lasagna and personal pan, pizzas. All our food was delicious and the portions were generous, so we shared deserts. Will go back read more