Powered By OpenTable: Restaurant Reservations. Right this way.
Restaurant Reservations - Free • Instant • Confirmed

  • Bistro Bella Vita

  • Online Reservations

Reserve at Bistro Bella Vita

Date

mm/dd/yyyy

Time
Party Size

  • on 1,234 lists
  • Keep track of the places you want to try and share wish lists with friends!
Bistro Bella Vita
Bistro Bella Vita

Bistro Bella Vita Details

  • Dining Style: Casual Elegant
  • Website: http://www.bistrobellavita.com
  • Email: info@bistrobellavita.com
  • Phone: (616) 222-4600
  • Hours of Operation: Lunch: Monday - Friday: 11:00am - 3:00pm; Dinner: Monday - Tuesday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm, Wednesday - Saturday: 5:00pm - 11:00pm, Sunday: 4:00pm - 9:00pm; Saturday & Sunday Brunch: Special Occasions Only
  • Payment Options: AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean, French, Italian
  • Executive Chef: Patrick Wise
  • Dress Code: Casual Dress
  • Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
  • Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Beer, Cafe, Chef's Table, Full Bar, Non-Smoking Area, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Smoking Area, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Private Party Facilities: A Dining Experience Like No Other. Treat yourself and your guests to the ultimate dining experience: Bistro's chef’s table. Enjoy an exclusive, multi-course meal featuring creative dishes prepared Bistro-style with only the very best, hand-selected, seasonal ingredients. Executive Chef Patrick Wise personally presents each course as it’s served with a history of the food, details about the dish and the complexity of its flavors. You also can enjoy your chef’s table experience like no other.
  • Private Party Contact: Julie Wise (616) 222-4600

Getting there

  • Cross Street: Weston and Market
  • Parking: Public Lot
  • Parking Details: Metered street parking and 4 lots and ramps are located either adjacent to the building or within a short walking distance.
A word from Bistro Bella Vita
At Bistro Bella Vita delivers the maximum guest experience with superior food, beverage and service. Their specialty is natural Mediterranean Country Cuisine made from scratch daily. French Flair and Italian Twist. Fresh. Natural. Local. Bistro Bella Vita takes pride in their cuisine. The house-made… recipes feature delicious flavors of the Mediterranean prepared in a brick oven, grill and rotisserie with the highest quality ingredients, because fresher ingredients make the freshest cuisine. In-season, the restaurant uses chemical-free produce from local farmers because it's healthier and tastes best. But don't take their word for it... come in and taste for yourself.

Pair your meal with a glass or bottle of wine from our wine list featuring over 100 bottles from around the world. Or enjoy a hand-shaken martini from West Michigan’s largest martini bar. Specialty menu items are available for gluten-free, lactose intolerant, vegetarian and vegan diets.Continued
Foodspotting photos
See all photos >
Awards voted by OpenTable diners
  • Diners' Choice WinnerBest Overall
  • Diners' Choice WinnerBest Food
  • Diners' Choice WinnerBest Service
Diner Reviews
  • "Love the atmosphere and gluten free menu. Excellent wine. Excellent flourless chocolate cake! Check it out!"
    Dined on 3/10/2014
  • "Great food that is reasonably priced. Everything is very fresh and unique."
    Dined on 3/7/2014
  • "Te menu provides a wide variety and allows you to make value selections or go all out for a special dinner. The kitchen maintains a high standard of quality despite the broad menu. Very nice place."
    Dined on 3/7/2014
  • "Great spot for dinner with friends. Delicious food. Nice wines. Perfect service. Warm spinach salad, amazing! The entrees were all good, but the Moroccan Chicken was the 'winner'. For dessert the warm chocolate cake & pound cake with sorbet all good, but the blackberry sorbet... I would've eaten an entire pint! Great wine selection, too. By only criticism (which didn't detract overall) were the cocktails. The cocktails seem to rely on the skill, knowledge and expertise of the spirit maker and not the bartender. By that I mean most of the cocktails seemed to rely on flavored spirits. It may just be perception from the way they were described but the cocktails don't seem reflect the same careful attention to skill that the food does."
    Dined on 3/6/2014
  • "Great food, great service, always love the opportunity to visit."
    Dined on 3/2/2014
  • "Though it is a bit pricey, the food and service is well worth it. We typically only go here for special occasions due to price, but we have always had a great experience. The staff is very tentative and friendly. The food is fresh and delectable. I especially recommend the 'warm chocolate cake' to top off your dinner."
    Dined on 3/2/2014
  • "Excellent dining at Bistro every time. The food seems to get better each time I dine there, and where I initially thought the martinis were the major draw other than this restaurant's ambience, now I wonder if the food isn't really where it's at. The seafood paella is outstanding, as is every other appetizer and main I've had here. Keep up the fabulous work!"
    Dined on 2/15/2014
  • "The waiterhelped create a good rapport. The food was delicious. The atmosphere was elegant, yet comfortable Though we found choices for us, we appreciated the willingness to adapt entrees to vegetation."
    Dined on 2/22/2014
  • "Enjoyed a special night out with my wife. We both enjoyed our food immensly. The service was excellent, and our food was ready quickly even though they were very busy. All in all a great night out!"
    Dined on 2/22/2014
  • "Always a great selection of specials, food cooked as requested and always an amazing meal. Highly recommend the mushroom crostini appetizer."
    Dined on 2/22/2014
  • "The food was very good. We both really loved our entrees (I recommend the paella!), and the hummus appetizer was great. It was very very loud though (Friday night), and we found it hard to hear each other across the table. I think I said "What?" about 50 times."
    Dined on 2/21/2014
  • "Great food. Love to eat locally grown food. Awesome service. Thanks for a great night out."
    Dined on 2/22/2014
  • "We love Bistro. One of the things that we look most forward to is a relaxing meal away from our 15 month old :) We relaxed when we sat down and my husband ordered a drink. We looked over the menu, asked questions, and made our decisions. I ordered the bread service and a pasta meal. My husband ordered duck. Our meal came out in less than 5 minutes... and 5 minutes later my bread came out. Both my husband and I looked at each other wishing we would have ordered an appetizer so we could have had a little more time. Then halfway through our meal a server came up and asked if I needed a box. I did... but not yet. We ordered dessert just to keep the meal a bit longer.... and even that felt rushed."
    Dined on 2/22/2014
  • "I've been here several times with my husband and friends, the last time also with friends before the griffins game. The atmosphere is always great. The food is always fantastic too!!! and the martinis always a big hit!"
    Dined on 2/21/2014
  • "Lots going on in downtown Grand Rapids that evening, with a full house at 6pm. Very good and prompt service, interesting dishes. The fish was cooked perfectly, the lobster sauce was great, the beans were very good but a bit heavy on the taste as an accompaniment to the fish. Good selection of wines by the glass. Made it out on time for your evening plans. Valet parking."
    Dined on 2/21/2014
  • "Had a wonderful time with my wife, not to loud but not dead either. Loved the food and renovated building. Worth the money and will go again when the occasion arises."
    Dined on 2/16/2014
  • "Be prepared to spend a chunk of change, but it will be very worth it!!! Everything that we had from wine, beer, appetizers, lunch (duck ravioli is to die for), down to dessert, nothing could have been better. The staff was friendly and happy to offer suggestions for us first timers. Can't wait to go there again."
    Dined on 2/18/2014
  • "The food is fresh and is prepared by a capable chef. Masterful blends of ingredients result in flavor parings that you wouldn't find in a chain restaurant. Quick, polite service. A favorite of ours for special occasions."
    Dined on 2/15/2014
  • "Great Valentines treat. Food was fantastic and very quickly tabled after ordered. Server was informative and polite. 1st visit and will for sure not be the last. Great price for what you receive. Very impressed overall."
    Dined on 2/14/2014
  • "We made a reservation on Open Table and were seated right on time. Our waiter was Preston and he was great. Good personality and got all of our food to us quickly."
    Dined on 2/14/2014
  • "Dinner was outstanding, the service was great. It's a beautiful restaurant. Prices are in line with this type of dining. Not inexpensive but not astronomical either. Good place to take someone for a special occasion."
    Dined on 2/13/2014
  • "I Messed up my reservation up by putting in the wrong date. They still found room for us on a crowded night for our special evening. Food was great, service was outstanding, and it was quiet even thou it was a packed house. We loved the bistro."
    Dined on 2/13/2014
  • "Clean atmosphere, good food. Menu not terribly imaginative but varied nonetheless. Wonderful, attentive service from Tiffany."
    Dined on 2/14/2014
  • "My most recent visit to Bistro was a just before a concert. It was packed, but yet, the service was excellent, food came out in a timely manner and was prepared perfectly. It gets busy on popular nights (weekends, downtown events, etc.) so reservations are encouraged."
    Dined on 2/9/2014
  • "My husband and I ate here for the first time for a friend's wedding reception in the room in the back. Our food was amazing so we decided we had to come back sometime soon. We had some friends visit from out of town this weekend and we took them to Bistro Bella Vita for dinner. Everyone had a great time and had delicious meals. GREAT food! I would certainly recommend this restaurant to others!"
    Dined on 2/8/2014
  • "Bistro Bella Vita is a lively place with very good food that can satify a range of appetites - three generations of appetites. The service was very good and friendly. It is a bit noisy, but still able to carry on a conversation. I would definitely go again."
    Dined on 2/8/2014
  • "We wanted to find the perfect place to meld great food/drinks in order to impress some out of town guests. We hit a home run. Our server, Tiffany, hit the ball out of the park with her spot on food and drink recommendations. She was so helpful for the folks with food intolerances. We couldn't have been more pleased with the quality and flavor of the food. A definite must do when you are in Grand Rapids! Be mindful if there is an event at the VanAndel arena as the restaurant books up and it can be very difficult to find a parking spot unless you valet. I'd recommend a night when there is nothing booked at the arena."
    Dined on 2/8/2014
  • "Good food, good service and it was quiet on a Monday evening."
    Dined on 2/3/2014
  • "Bistro is by far our favorite place to not only dine but go to be with friends and socialize. The atmosphere is welcoming for all, be it for a special event, business or just a night out. The food is outstanding. The menu variety is most appealing and I've to try something I haven't liked. The drinks are fabulous from the large wine selection to the best martinis in town. Bistro is my first recommendation to anyone looking for somewhere good to go. Absolutely love this place!"
    Dined on 2/1/2014
  • "We ate light, had a wonderful shaved vegetable salad and delightful veg risotto. Service was excellent!"
    Dined on 2/1/2014
  • "my wife and I enjoyed a wonderful meal for her birthday dinner. the appetizers where excellent as was the service. my wife loved the lamb she had for her main course and the house salad. I enjoyed the meat balls however the marinara sauce on the spaghetti was a bit on the boring side for me. this short coming was very much out weighed by the excellent desserts and flawless quality of service our waitress Lindsy provided. our drinks were never empty and the food was fresh hot and there in perfect delivery with beautiful presentation. I Would recommend this restaurant and it's very reasonable pricing too anyone."
    Dined on 1/31/2014
  • "Great food, great service, and all in one beautiful restaurant."
    Dined on 1/28/2014
  • "Outstanding food and menu, diverse, nice ambience."
    Dined on 1/25/2014
  • "I cannot say enough about this restaurant, the food, atmosphere and service are consistently fantastic. One of Grand Rapid's best for sure."
    Dined on 1/25/2014
  • "We went here as a family on a Friday night. Despite the snow outside, the ambience inside was warm and inviting. We were seated immediately and had very warm, friendly service throughout. The wine list and local craft beers are extensive for a moderately priced restaurant. I can highly recommend the bolognese pasta which was packed with numerous types of locally sourced meats. My wife is more of a vegetarian and had an excellent pizza. The kids had trout and a different pizza which they quite enjoyed, as well. The desert portions are small, but after such a filling meal you wouldn't want more. Overall, it was an excellent experience and one I highly recommend."
    Dined on 1/24/2014
  • "The Bistro was a disappointment. We had the duck 2 ways and for the price we received one duck leg and lots of pork and white beans slopped on the plate. The Caesar salad was divided for two and it was plenty but the dressing was blah... The pizza with all the cheeses was missing so much flavor we only ate 2 slices. Maybe the cook was not feeling well cause I heard so many great things about the food . We may try may Bistro again in the spring before we remove it from our list ."
    Dined on 1/24/2014
  • "We set out to celebrate a birthday and early Valentine's Day. The food was unique and tasty - every bite of every dish. Our server was attentive but unobtrusive. It was a delight, and we will return."
    Dined on 1/24/2014
  • "My girlfriend ordered the Boeuf Bourguignonne on Tues Jan 22nd and the meat way over cooked!! I was extremely surprised that the cook or the waiter did not realize or observe it. My girlfriend did not want to complain, but I was extremely disappointed!!. I ordered the paella - it tasted like it was being cooked too fast!!!! We were not in a hurry!!"
    Dined on 1/21/2014
  • "They were spot on with our reservation time; service was not great however. One of our guests even told the server that as she was handing us our bill that it was the first time that she smiled to us. The wait person denied that she wasn't friendly. She was okay, but not great. The steak was great and cooked correctly. I guess that the price to value ratio was not great because when you have a $200.00 tab for 4 you should be welcomed and taken care of more enthusiastically. I'll probably go else where next time"
    Dined on 1/18/2014
  • "My wife and I went out for a nice dinner without the kids. The service was top notch, helpful and very friendly. The food was excellent and came out in a timely manner between courses. The salads were fresh and crisp, and the entrees were nice and hot. The portions were filling, but there's always room for dessert. We strongly recommend it for a nice evening out that you can enjoy! We hope to be back soon!"
    Dined on 1/18/2014
More reviews ›
Larger map ›
Smaller map ›
Diners' Choice Awards
  • Grand Rapids / Western Michigan Winners
  • Good for Groups
  • Most Booked
  • Grand Rapids Winners
  • Best Overall
  • Best Food
  • Best Service
  • Fit for Foodies
  • Good for Groups
  • Notable Wine List
  • Most Booked
Learn more ›