Ciao Bella had been on my restaurant list for a while, and it absolutely lived up to the anticipation! The restaurant is beautiful inside with a classic Italian feel. The décor is elegant and inviting, and halfway through dinner the lights dimmed into what we jokingly called the "sexy dinner lights," making the atmosphere even more warm and cozy. One thing I really liked is that every entrée comes in multiple sizes, so you can order the portion that fits your appetite. I wish more restaurants offered that option! We started with the Parmesan Crusted Shrimp, and it was a great appetizer. The shrimp had a light, crispy Parmesan crust and came with two delicious dipping sauces. I ordered the Lasagna, and it was exactly what I was hoping for--rich, hearty, cheesy, and full of flavor. One entrée at the table was the Chicken Fettuccine, and we all laughed because none of us expected the pasta to be bright green! It turned out to be spinach fettuccine and ended up being a favorite. Another person ordered the Seafood Linguini De Mare. It wasn't their personal favorite, but that was simply a matter of taste rather than the quality of the dish. I had a Red Ruby Spritz mocktail, which was refreshing and beautifully presented. The others enjoyed their drinks as well. The portions were generous. Even though we were completely stuffed, we still couldn't pass up dessert! The Crème Brûlée was outstanding with a perfectly crisp caramelized sugar topping and silky custard. The Budino was incredibly rich, decadent, and one of the highlights of the night. The Salted Caramel Gelato was also enjoyed. Service was friendly, attentive, and never rushed. The restaurant has a wonderful atmosphere that made us want to linger. One funny tip: the bathrooms were spotless, but the toilets are surprisingly low! I almost sat down much faster than I expected. so be careful. Overall, Ciao Bella was a wonderful dining experience with delicious food, generous portions, beautiful décor, and a relaxing atmosphere. I'll definitely be back! read more

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We came here for dinner and had requested patio seating in our reservation notes. When we arrived, we were seated inside even though there were several open tables on the patio, which was a little disappointing. Our server was friendly, but she did accidentally bring the wrong wine, and overall the service was just okay. Unfortunately, the food was the biggest letdown. We ordered the caprese salad, chicken parmesan, and halibut, and while everything was cooked well enough, none of the dishes really stood out. The flavors felt pretty flat, and there wasn't anything that made us say, "Wow, I need to order this again." For the price point, I expected much more. The restaurant itself has a classic Italian atmosphere which made the disappointing meal even more surprising. We had planned on ordering dessert, but after our mains we decided to skip it and head elsewhere. Overall, I really wanted to love Ciao Bella, but the food just didn't live up to the reputation or the price. There are several Italian restaurants in the Twin Cities I'd choose before coming back here. read more

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Came here on a date night and absolutely loved it! There is a large parking lot with free parking! There is a patio area outside and PLENTY of inside seating! We were greeted when we first came in and sat quickly as we had reservations. Our server was AMAZING!! I truly wish I could remember his name because it's been a while since we have had service THAT good! He was attentive, explained the menu, and had good small chat! The managers here also check on our table and that was appreciated! The ambiance here was clean, felt upscale and cozy. The food here was fabulous! Make sure you get the bruschetta!!! All of the desserts also looked very good! The pasta was out of this world good! We did go out of the box and got a steak. The steak was supposed to be medium, but was not medium all the way through. It did taste good though! If you are looking for a nice spot to have a date, this is definitely a solid spot! read more

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Our server Kari made our experience perfection. She was very attentive, accommodating and knowledgeable. Our food was fab. I had the blue salad and seabass. So good. We sat on the side of the restaurant after we were sitting in the middle which was unbelievably loud. This restaurant has been around a long time and it's always been a problem. I can't believe they haven't invested money to change that. read more

Visited Ciao Bella for a family dinner and had a great experience. The ambiance, service, and food were all wonderful. I ordered the Linguine Bolognese and paired it with a Riesling, both were delicious. The only thing I would have changed was having the noodles cooked just a bit longer. Our waitress was fantastic, and everyone was very friendly. I would definitely recommend Ciao Bella and look forward to returning when back in town. read more

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Although expensive, this is my favorite Italian restaurant in the Twin cities. In the summer, they have a fantastic, beautiful deck and the food is wonderful. This is my go to for any important affair. read more

The food and service is always remarkable! It's a nicer upscale place to get Italian food! This was my top favorite spot to get pasta for a while but I feel the quality change ever so slightly. I do recommend! read more

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A convenient go‑to for casual business syncs. Caio Bella delivers exactly what I need when I'm meeting someone for a quick work catch‑up: consistently great service, a friendly team, and a menu with enough solid options to keep everyone happy. It's easy, it's comfortable, and it always has the right vibe for a productive conversation without any fuss.The food selections are very good, the atmosphere stays relaxed, and the service keeps things moving smoothly. It's the kind of place you choose because you know it'll make the meeting feel effortless--and that reliability is why I keep coming back. read more

Ciao Bella - Herb Grilled Organic Salmon - Italian Near Me - Bloomington, Minnesota

Ciao Bella has been a regular spot for us for years and this last visit did not disappoint. We had cousins in town and wanted to share this special place with them. First, I want to say that Charlie was awesome to have as our server - so adorably friendly and professional. We started with the popcorn shrimp and crab cakes. The truffle aioli on the crab cakes is divine! We moved to Caesar salads and then I had the sea bass special which had a lemon risotto and a short rib that melted in your mouth and came with roasted root veggies. Finally, although we were stuffed, we opted to have their crumble of the night which was a wild berry crumble that was tart and sweet and buttery crumble - yummy. read more

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Always a consistent 5! Never met more friendly and knowledgeable staff. Lunch today hit the mark in this beautiful restaurant. A tad noisy, but will be back for always excellent food choices! read more

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Ample parking, nice ambiance and great service -- off to a strong start before we even sat down. We ordered a few dishes to share, and everything came out fresh and beautifully presented: * Fettuccine with Chicken - Rich, flavorful, and loaded with fresh herbs, almonds, and tender chicken & added sausages as well * Rainbow Trout - Perfectly cooked with a bright, buttery sauce and topped with greens and roasted tomatoes. * Crab Cakes - Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and paired with delicious dipping sauces. * Tiramisu - Light, airy, and the perfect sweet finish to the meal. Service was attentive without being overwhelming, and the whole dining experience felt smooth and relaxed. With plenty of parking and consistently good food, Ciao Bella is definitely worth the visit. Highly recommend! read more

Ciao Bella - Italian Near Me - Bloomington, Minnesota

I had a nice dinner here. My server, Jordan, was great. Super friendly with good recommendations. I was dining solo and he made me feel very special. Even brought me a little candle on my dessert plate because it was my first time dining in the restaurant. Environment is large and loud especially in the bar. Side table was still 76 db so it's not a romantic spot. Special cocktail, pear old fashioned, was very nice. A bit of spice with a sweet overtone. Red pepper linguine with scallops had a very nice flavor. Personally I'd do chicken instead of the scallops as chicken can handle the flavor better. Lemonetta dessert was good. Not too tart smooth with a nice crust. read more

Ciao Bella - Cocktail menu - Italian Near Me - Bloomington, Minnesota

I have been to Italy twice and got the chance to experience true Italian pasta....Ciao Bella in Bloomington MN is the only restaurant I have found to come even close. The food was so good and they have a ton of gluten free options! We started out with the Cauliflower which was a pleasant surprise very flavorful. Then I got the pesto squid ink pasta, that was my first time trying squid pasta and it was good!! What stole the show was the pesto sauce. Lastly for desert I got their lemon tart and it was the perfect way to top the night The restaurant was very cute and plenty of space!! Also our server was very attentive and helped us narrow down the best thing to get. I will definitely be back and be bringing my friends here. read more

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Craving good pasta? Too broke to hit up Italy? Ciao Bella has you covered. Ever since I had the luxury of tasting the herb linguini years ago, it's haunted my dreams, in the best way possible. I've never even been able to recreate it at home. Every bite with its savory, flavorful tenderness, the perfectly cooked lamb and chewy al dente pasta, will have you tossing and turning at night, craving more. One bite will make you rethink your dumb, frugal life as to why you lackadaisically grabbed that dried up boxed pasta that's currently collecting dust in your pantry waiting to be put out of its misery by pairing with some highly-processed, maxed out sodium level, jarred sauce (also dusty). Nevertheless, the herb linguini with braised lamb will always be my go-to order (please dm me the recipe, I'll keep it a secret). Country hopping here too, as you step into the Italy inspired patio area, it's a surprisingly charming escape. You're in for a great experience. The staff is pleasant and easy to work with. It appears many staff enjoy being there. read more

Ciao Bella - Herb Linguini with Braised Lamb - Italian Near Me - Bloomington, Minnesota

One of my favorites. The atmosphere is beautiful and since moving out of Minnesota it seems as though they extended the patio. Service was good. Food is always spot on. Great wine selection and lots of food options as well. You must order the Ciao Bella salad. That's a fan fave read more

Ciao Bella - Patio - Italian Near Me - Bloomington, Minnesota

First timer and I asked for recommendations. The made 3 suggestions, but warned me one was too spicy for him. I said that wouldn't be a problem for me so I ordered the spicy crab spaghetti and it was amazing. Although he must have no spice tolerance because while it was tasty and you could taste a hint of heat it is definitely not what I would call spicy. Plenty of crab in the dish as well. The tiramisu was kind of average in my opinion but good. Do not come if you are on a budget as it is pricy read more

We went here for a family dinner and it was delicious! I had the full size bolognese and it was perfect for a meal and leftovers. The service was INCREDIBLE our waiter was very attentive and patient with our large group. For a Friday night, food came out very quickly! A perfect place for a date night or family dinner. read more

Ciao Bella - Tiramisu - Italian Near Me - Bloomington, Minnesota

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This is the place for authentic and high quality Italian food! They use filtered water for everything and their pasta & bread are made fresh daily!! This restaurant is spacious with a ton of seating, however I highly recommend making a reservation because it's very busy! The servers were so kind and helpful! We got a few of their bestsellers and let me tell you it did not disappoint! Their tortiglioni rossa was creamy, packed with flavor and absolutely divine! The spicy crab spaghetti doesn't look like it would have much flavor but it definitely had a kick to it! The crème brûlée and tiramisu were the perfect way to end the dining experience here! read more

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AMAZING! This restaurant is going to be highly visited from me. The waitress we had was so knowledgeable and attentive- she asked about allergies at the beginning and shared all recommendations on the menu. I went with a friend and we each got our own entree and shared the cauliflower appetizer. I would be back for the GF Cacio e Pepe! read more

The ambience is really nice, and service is good overall. It was really cold in there, though, which makes it hard to want to stay very long. Pasta, salads, appetizers were fairly good, but nothing really stood out for most of us in the group. Was okay. read more

Stopped in for a late dinner while in town for a youth sports tournament - and we are very glad that we did. Jordan took excellent care of us - timing the food at a great pace, and making stellar recommendations along the way. The Brussels sprouts were sweet and savory, the meatballs amazingly tender and the pasta was clearly top notch. A warm atmosphere made the meal feel even more enjoyable. We'd highly recommend a visit if you're in the area - even our picky teen enjoyed everything we tried. read more

Ciao Bella - Pepperoni, Goat Cheese and Jalapeño Pizza (substituted out the pepperoni and tagged in) - Italian Near Me - Bloomington, Minnesota

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Came to Ciao Bella for lunch and had an absolutely wonderful experience, mostly thanks to our server Kassandra M.! She was incredibly attentive, super nice and timed everything perfectly. She also gave us some great menu suggestions. My guest had the Sea Bass and i had the lasagna with a strawberry lemon aid to drink. The atmosphere here feels upscale, and the service from Kassandra truly elevated our lunch. Highly recommend asking for her if you visit!" read more

One of the best spots around, although it can be hard to get into without planning. Atmosphere is classy but energetic and loud.

Great food. Great atmosphere. Great service. Really enjoyed our evening . Wine list was great as was the menu

Get the spicy crab Spaghetti week worth every morsel of food deliciousness great location as well!!

This restaurant delivers a perfect meal every time! We came here for a special occasion celebration, and had a wonderful meal. It's a beautifully appointed restaurant, with white tablecloths, warm wood tones, and a kitchen visible to the restaurant. The acoustics are the only negative; it's quite loud in the dining room when it's full (and it has been every time I've been here). We started with a Caesar salad and a slice of their wood fired pizza for an appetizer (and took the rest of the pizza home for another meal later). The crust tastes like it has a long ferment, and the toppings were tasty. The sauce tasted fresh, they didn't skimp on the cheese, and the sausage and pepperoni had some zip. The braised meatballs in the spaghetti were tender and flavorful. The lasagna was made with a bolognese sauce, and the mozzarella had that chewiness that feels like fresh mozzarella. We were full from our starters + entree, but took a tiramisu to go because we didn't want to miss out; I'm glad we did so, because it was perfection. (Plus, it might be my favorite dessert). The staff here operate as a well oiled machine: everyone from hostess, to waitstaff, to bussing staff know their areas of expertise and execute flawlessly. read more

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Ciao Bella, most certainly. :-/ I wish my first (& likely only) experience at the highly anticipated Ciao Bella were everything I read it would be. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't the 4- or 5-star meal I had excitedly hoped it would be. The interior of the restaurant was nicely decorated, simple, but attractive. I appreciated the beautiful floral arrangements outside the restaurant. What worked? The service. We had a great server who did a stellar job welcoming us and taking the time to discuss the menu with us. He made several recommendations, of which we opted for the Scallops. He said they were his favorites, they became ours. The Scallops were fantastic! Perfectly cooked in a browned butter sauce, they were seared and served to perfection. A definite must-try if you visit. What didn't work? The rest of our meal. Sadly, the Burrata Caprese salad was nothing to write home about. From the picture alone you can see the simplicity of this dish was uninspiring. I am a self-proclaimed Chicken Parmigiana connoisseur, and this one unfortunately fell short of the mark. The pasta sauce was beautiful, with all the leading players present: fresh garlic, basil, oregano, and parsley, wonderfully seasoned and just the right consistency. Why they poured that delicious sauce over the driest and toughest piece of fried chicken breast will remain a mystery to me. The breading was bland, fortunately the sauce covered it up. The truly unforgivable participant, however, was the chicken itself. It wasn't served cold, but texturally it felt as if it had been fried earlier and reheated to order. No shade in that game, but that's not my ministry. I would not recommend the Chicken Parm. I wasn't too fond of the spaghetti served with the CP; also slightly bland, and the noodles were undercooked and far from "al dente." The other dish our table sampled was the Dry-Aged Pork Chops, served with a hash brown-type casserole. The hash brown was okay, but it was cold when brought to the table. Any potato dish served any other temperature but hot, won't be appreciated the way it was intended to. The pork chops should've been listed under what worked because they were probably the only main dish item that also hit it out of the park for our table. Overall, it was okay, not great. Some elements made up for the ones that fell short. Would I recommend it? Ehhhh... There are other options to consider, but if you're curious, like I was, about why it's so difficult to obtain a reservation and what people love about it, check it out and be the judge for yourself. read more

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Best Italian restaurant in the twin cities. The wait staff especially Michelle is amazing. And you can't beat the ambience.

We were blown away by this place. Simple as that. We just left a terrible restaurant downtown Minneapolis (we don't live in MN) and were driving to our hotel and this place was on the way. We both remembered seeing it on Yelp but somehow we missed it (shame on us!!!). Anyhow, we were sat on the patio outside and it was beautiful. Tiffany was our server and took amazing care of us. We asked if they could do the Walleye for us but we wanted it pan fried. It was the best walleye we have ever had!!! We already decided to come back for lunch tomorrow! This place is a gem! You must try it if you have never been here. Ask for Tiffany-she is world class and will make sure you are having the best dining experience. Cheers to you Ciao Bella! Thank you for a great experience!!! read more

Ciao Bella - Sautéed Walleye - Italian Near Me - Bloomington, Minnesota

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The food is amazing it's absolutely incredible the crowd it's sophisticated customers who also dine there. It feels great to be surrounded during lunch. The vibe was classy and the server made the experience great and welcoming. read more

Service is a little slow but expected. My pasta is so creamy and nutty. We came here for a casual Sunday dinner and vibes were great. read more

Ciao Bella - Italian Near Me - Bloomington, Minnesota

Ciao Bella is a decent Italian spot but I feel it falls short of what I was hoping for. My meal was ok but nothing spectacular especially for the price. Service was fair but the environment was uncomfortable from the poor acoustics to the uncomfortable chairs. They desperately need some kind of an acoustic barrier between the dining room and bar. The noise carries and makes it very difficult to hear your table conversations. I wouldn't go out of my way to return. read more

Beautiful setting, attentive staff, and expansive menu make Ciao Bello a great choice for date night or family night out alike. A few favorites include: pesto sea bass, spicy crab spaghetti, seared ahi tuna, and the roasted chicken. read more

There was ample parking. It did not take much time before getting seated. The seats were very comfortable. Especially the booth seating. The pizza was amazing. So was the ravioli. It was first time having ravioli in a long time. The waitress was very attentive. The chilli flakes helped jazz up the ravioli. read more

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I've lived in the area a long time but not sure why I haven't heard of this place sooner! A friend invited me out for dinner and we found a place half way between our houses. This is a large restaurant with a large outdoor patio, that we were lucky enough to enjoy in late October. The menu has a lot of great choices. We were in the mood for pasta but the pizzas going by past us looked delicious! I went with the chicken fettuccini, I was intrigued by the "Pinot Grigio cream sauce", and it did not disappoint. The service was exceptional and the food was good. One remark I want to make is that the inside part of the restaurant was very loud so I did want to mention that. read more

Ciao Bella - Grilled Vegetables - Italian Near Me - Bloomington, Minnesota

I dined here for the third time this past Sunday night and I just love Ciao Bella. Every time I dine here, our servers are just incredibly delightful. Our server this last time with the infectious laugh was so good to us! It's also one of the most gorgeous patios in the area & I love the smaller portions options. The beef tenderloin crostini, gelato sampler & calamari are some favorites of mine. read more

If you are gluten free go here and have the in house pasta! It was Pappardelle and it was wonderful!!! I had it with the Spicy Scallops sause but was informed that i could choose what ever sause they were making. They also had a Gluten free menu so ask to see it! read more

Ciao Bella - Italian Near Me - Bloomington, Minnesota

Too bad I don't live in MN, if I did I'd be at this restaurant more often than I should be. I came here while visiting town and it was amazing. The place really feels like an old school, upscale Italian restaurant, where the staff treat everyone like a friend. We were seated and served quickly and our waitress had plenty of good recommendations for us, from wine to apps and pasta. The complementary bread is addictive and we had to get several orders of it. For an app, we got the Parmesan crusted shrimp. It sounds simple, and maybe it is, but wow these things were good. They also give you a generous portion of them which was a nice surprise. They are served with this lemon aioli which was amazing. We had ti get more of the aioli and then used it for the bread as well. I think I'd eat my foot if it had this aioli on it.. wow. For my entree, I got the red pepper linguini with scallops. I thought it sounded a bit unique, and it turned out to be exactly that. The seafood is flown in every day, and you can definitely tell the freshness. The pasta was also freshly made and really paired nicely, along with a glass of white wine. The location is in a business park area, with plenty of parking. Give yourself an extra few minutes to get there if going in 2024, construction season is in full bloom and the area around there is currently wrecked. Give this place a shot, you won't be disappointed. read more

Ciao Bella - Menu - Italian Near Me - Bloomington, Minnesota

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Wow! Amazing food and drink selection, great service, and an ambience that makes you want to stay a while. Ciao Bella is a great spot for a business lunch, meet-up with friends, or a romantic night out. They offer fresh and delicious food complemented by a vast assortment of beverages, including a wine list that seems to never end. I've come here twice and have nothing but good things to say. The fresh walleye sandwich is a great lunch choice when it's in season and the brasiliana salad is a solid choice for any occasion. With the diversity of their menu, I believe that pretty much anyone could find something that suits their mood. Ciao Bella has my vote. Great execution all around. If I lived in the area I'd be here all the time. Pro Tip: I highly recommend you devour the warm bread when the basket arrives. If you really want to start the meal off right, slather it with butter and enjoy with a beverage. read more

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Food is outstanding and service is excellent. The patio ambience is absolutely perfect.