Bella Vita - Niagara On The Lake

Fantastic dinner. Great food and outside dining. Best meal we've had in several vacations to NOTL, and that is saying a lot. If you like authentic Italian food, it's a can't miss.

Fungi pizza was INCREDIBLE!! Pasta is fresh and made daily. Note that it opens for dinner at 5 (closed from 3-5). Annalie provided great service. A strong recommendation to anyone in the area! Nice ambiance on the terrace outside.

Took my mother on her 85th birthday here in the hopes that she would enjoy a nice meal with a little bit of elegance. Five of us in total. I mentioned while making my reservation that it was a special day for her and she is a local. On the phone, the host (I presume) could not have been more than unfazed and easily replied that no, they do nothing for birthdays. I suggested a candle in a piece of cake or something to that effect, but he just said that maybe the tiramisu could work, and I said I would just check with the waiter. I should have listened to my doubts then and there, but I went ahead with it all being hopeful. It is not every day that your mom turns 85 and you want to treat her to something special. Well, before I go on anymore, suffice it to say that the most special part of the evening was the company and my mother. The waitress was slow, unrefined, and quite frankly not suited to her position. The food was average and portions tiny. There were numerous disappointments, but the worst being that my mother's meal arrived 5 minutes after the rest of us were served our entrees, and the waitress had no idea who was to receive which dish. Why she decided to serve only 4 out of 5 mains is a mystery. I think it is waitering 101 to know that meals arrive in a timely manner for all to enjoy together and that you know who gets what!! It seems like this establishment cares little for the restaurant and wants paying customers for their rooms. I feel silly for leaving a 15% tip and wish I hadn't left a tip at all. I will not return. Nor, as a local and someone who hosts tourists to this area will I ever recommend this restaurant. Sometimes I wonder if establishments in good old Niagara care much about their patrons.

The three of us had dinner here. the food was good, but not outstanding. The restaurant was unable to offer espresso and did not have an item listed on the menu.The waiter was clearly embarrassed. We were generally ok with our dinners, but it was not a great meal.That didn't seem to track well with what others had reported, so we were a bit disappointed.

This restaurant has good food and a decent wine list and is in a great location but I would not recommend it and won't go back. The service is terrible. First you have to walk into the restaurant where the staff is sitting around chatting among themselves. The night we were there every single person that went in wanted to sit outside so first you go in then they reluctantly bring you out. Seems to make sense to locate someone at the bottom of the stairs. Took awhile to get served and we had a surly waitress who argued with us about the food that we were ordered when we questioned one item. It was really a strange and not pleasant experience. We ate there the first night of our trip and had to walk by the restaurant every night. Every other restaurant was full except this place. No wonder.