Bella Blu

Great Italian food and excellent service. We will definitely be back.

My favorite parts about this place are the servers and the tiramisu. Every time my partner and I go to Bella Blu we are seated in a really inconvenient place (i.e. in the middle of a pathway). We have asked to be seated elsewhere before but are always told we can’t. Last time, we had a reservation and asked for a specific table at the front of the restaurant but the host said he needed that table in one hour and 15 min. We sat elsewhere. Then we saw him seat people at the table we had asked for only 10 min after us. They were still there when we left, making me wonder if he had a reservation for that table at all. I bring this up because my partner and I are both female and every time we go to Bella Blu we are stared at and receive some confusing treatment from the host (never from the servers). Watch out, Upper East Siders, times are changing and you can’t keep seating gays off to the side. Good thing the food is damn good, cause we’ll be back!

Very pleasant birthday lunch experience for four friends. Food very good. Fun atmosphere.

The food was only so so and expensive although perhaps typical for upper east side restaurants. However, since the high ceilings were tin the noise level was insane. They play really loud pop music so no conversation was possible. I won’t go again.

Salad was very good. Our table had two pastas. One was good, but the other was not prepared well.
The entrees besides the pastas are a bit pricey for such a casual place.

Fun lively neighborhood Italian restaurant with very good food.

We have eaten here many times, usually good. This time, lamb came out undercooked and they took so long to cook it, it came back after everyone else had finished their entrée. The old staples were great- branzino, gnocchi pomodoro- but the special app- grilled artichoke- was oily and limp. It just wasn't the same quality.

The restaurant is lively and service was outstanding! Our server Mauricio was engaging and attentive. Our group was dining as part of a girls weekend and we were so pleased with the food and atmosphere! Highly recommend if you like authentic Italian food!

This charming upper east side is a favorite for lunch with conversation

Food is great and service usually is too, but tonight I felt like a second glass citizen. Told to simply take a seat with no help pulling the table out; no offer to take my coat. Server was friendly but listed the specials with no descriptions (I heard him provide full descriptions without prompting to the table next to us). We had to ask for water refills, for the check twice, etc. Were passed by several times when we tried to make eye contact with waiter. We usually tip at least 20 percent but we tipped 15. And that was a lot considering the poor service.

Consistent longtime neighborhood Italian.

I have been going there for 10 years but i think this place is finished food took 30 minutes to come
Wine they up-sell you
Way overpriced for what it is

Cozy upper Eastside haunt. Muraled walls and low light created a nice atmosphere. Waiter was great. Classic Italian fare.

Best is the ambiance. Great meatballs. A bit pricey but fun place.

Always love to go to Bella Blu! Fabulous food in the neighborhood!

If you go early be prepared to hear a lot of noise from an abundance of children

The food is always good. The noise level, at times, is quite energetic. Perfect neighborhood restaurant, but it's not cheap.

Food is good, but in my opinion very over priced. While most entrees are in the $30’s the specials were $50 and waiter never mentioned the price. $50 for a veal Milanese at lunchtime is a bit much, even if good. A Saturday lunch for 5 at almost $500 including tip, felt over the top in a neighborhood restaurant. We had no wine, only bottled water, a pizza, only one appetizer shared by the table and only 2 deserts. So while the meal was good, I think there are better neighborhood places that deliver comparable food for far less money. The service was excellent and friendly, and as I said the food was very good. Just taken aback when the check arrived.

Rushed us out at end of dinner

Fun place to visit. Good comfortable Italian from a big menu. Affable service. Have not been there in a while, but will definitely return soon.

Been living here for 10 years- Bella Blu is one of my favorite restaurants in Manhattan. Delicious food and outstanding service. My parents beg me to bring them here every time I come.

Very nice. I think the scaffolding outside through no fault of the restaurant makes the ambience less intimate. I would like this space to be more cozy overall, although the service and food was really good. If it were located on Amsterdam or Columbus or a cross street it would be even more desirable. Good value however and I’ll go back again.

Bella Blu was amazing. It was everything that I was expected. Would definitely recommend it for a romantic night out.

GreAt night with special friends

Truly delicious and outstanding service. Maurizio makes you feel like you are a guest in his home. We will be back many, many times.

The split pea soup was fresh and delicious. A special was langustine. They were well prepared and delicious. Wish the portion size was bigger! The special scallops were also tasty. My husband had the gamborini, which were excellent.

great food....greater service!......great location !

Wowed! We loved this spot. From the moment we walked in...the decor was so interesting...especially the tiled wood burning oven. And then there was the food! All 5 of us really enjoyed what we chose. Our waiter was a perfect combo of charm and attention. Be sure to make a reservation as it was packed on a Tuesday night. We will definitely go there again.

The food is tops!

Unfortunately, we went when the noise level was....!!!!!!!

Also, they keep the music blaring.

Great food, great service. Had everything from fish, a special and pizza and all were delicious. I would recommend!!

Our waiter was truly a prince, embodying attentive but unobtrusive Service of our questions and eventual orders . Food is tasty, well presented. Wine pour worth the price. The only reservation was the unexpected price of the Dover sole, a special of the day. Well done but not worth $63 per serving, indeed an ample serving. Worthy of a return dinner.

Fantastic Upper East Side Italian Restaurant with very attentive service and awesome menu! Will definitely return!

We always go to Belka Blu in the city as they have great pizza and Italian food

Great place. We loved the place. The wood fired oven was great. Food excellent

Great food and service. Will definitely go back :)

Christmas lunch

Terrible service, clueless wAitress. 45 minutes wait for out pizza and it was COLD. Manager did not apologize and waitress disappeared.
Will never go back. Just poor service

Waited 25 minutes for our table on a Monday night without apology or an offer of a drink or dessert.
Food as always, was very good, as was our waiter. If you care, ask how much the specials cost - or be prepared for a potentially unpleasant surprise.

Truly disappointing. The restaurant kicked us out after 2 minutes of getting the bill. I have never been at a restaurant that has done this to us in the UES. From the moment we got there, the server rushed us three separate times to order. Really disappointing experience.

We love Bella Blu - we have been going to this restaurant for over 10 years. We are definitely there every December when we all travel to NYC. The atmosphere is party like, the wine list is great, and food is always very good and the Service is exceptional. Some of us had the Spaghetti with Lobster - delicious. I had the Tuna Penne pasta - very good and we always drink lots of Amarone!
Highly recommend.