Best gluten free vegan pizza crust I’ve ever had … and I’ve tried them ALLLLLL! While I’m sad they took the vegan pizza off their menu, their ingredients are so fresh just getting a pizza without the cheese was great!
Marshall Shaffer
Every dish very solid. Loved my pizza, which was the day’s special and had fresh burrata.
John Boyle
Away too expensive-- prices have gone up a lot recently and service or food has actually deteriorated.
neha gaddam
Awesome service. Food was great and warm atmosphere. I recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kevin Mancuso
A Neighborhood Gem: Bella Blu Delivers Every Time Bella Blu on Lexington Avenue is truly a standout among Upper East Side restaurants. I’ve dined here many times, and what keeps me coming back is the restaurant’s unwavering commitment to high quality—both in its delicious Italian cuisine and in the warm, inviting atmosphere. The menu offers a fantastic selection of classic Italian dishes, from perfectly cooked pastas to fresh seafood and inventive daily specials. The swordfish Milanese and veal Milanese are, without question, the best you’ll find in NYC—crispy, tender, and bursting with flavor. The seafood pasta is also a standout: fresh, briny, and perfectly balanced. Every meal is consistently excellent, with fresh ingredients and beautiful presentation. The wood-fired pizzas are a must-try! What really sets Bella Blu apart, though, is the staff. The team is always friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming, making you feel like a valued guest every time you walk in. Whether it’s a casual dinner, a special celebration, or just a glass of wine at the bar, the environment is always lively yet comfortable. Bella Blu is the kind of place you want in your neighborhood—a restaurant you can count on for great food, wonderful service, and a relaxed, inviting vibe. Highly recommended!
Su Kim
Very busy so make sure to get reservation on Friday night. I was able to get the only one seat available at the bar. But ravioli was delicious and the dirty martini was perfect. Overall great place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Marybeth Teklits
Our dinner for four was a “SO GOOD!” Our waiter was fantastic, as were all of his suggestions Including amazing lobster spaghetti. The salads were great too. We look forward to going back and trying the pizza as well. This is definitely a restaurant you will want to return to; and if you’re just visiting New York, you will remember it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Julie Miller
Good for and friendly staff
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anja Gleicher
I hosted my baby shower at Bella Blu in October and a good friend just had hers there this weekend. But this place has been a part of my life for much longer, I’ve been coming here since childhood, as it’s just around the corner from my family home. What’s remarkable is how consistent the food has always been. There’s truly never a bad meal.
The branzino or sole is always a standout, perfectly cooked and flavorful. Their pizzas are phenomenal, and the pastas never miss. I especially recommend the amatriciana, which is hands-down my favorite. If you’re not up for a full pizza, the focaccia is a great alternative. The specials often feature stracciatella mozzarella or burrata, both of which are rich, creamy, and delicious, absolute go-tos for me.
Even the salads are solid, and the olive tapenade with the bread is such a memorable touch, though I’ll admit it used to be even better back in the day. The staff has changed over the years, and I miss some of the familiar faces, but thankfully, the food remains just as good as ever.
Bella Blu continues to be one of the most reliable and beloved Italian spots on the Upper East Side. You’ll always find native UES-ers dining here, and for good reason—it’s a true neighborhood gem.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Daniella Guimaraes
Perfect for a sunny afternoon. Direct sunshine outside
Brunch for 2 cost $100, one mimosa, rwo coffees and 2 tiny portioned entrees. .
I know the cost of food has gone up but an egg white omelet with 6 French fries was $20. Four tiny pieces of chicken was $20 the 2 asparagus was considerer the side dish! No lie.
Coffes were served in dirty cups.
Rohan Kapur
The gnocchi and ravioli were great!
Marion
We had a fantastic time here after attending an event at Asia Society. The lobster spaghetti which was the specialty of the night was topnotch with generous portions of lobster. The brunello wine was velvety and full-bodied which I greatly enjoyed. My friends got the crab and shrimp pasta which they also loved. Desserts were surprisingly good, light yet decadent. Lastly, service was impeccable with the most dedicated staff. Bravo!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kristen Palmer
I had a lovely dinner here recently. From the time I arrived, the manager Guiseppe was very polite and got us a great table and made wine recommendations. The food is delicious, very traditional Italian and the pizza oven is a very nice touch. I can’t wait to go back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Veronica Testi
Ok experience, nothing too crazy. Maybe I didn’t choose the right dish but I had the gnocchi with sorrentina sauce. I felt like there was more tomato sauce than gnocchi to be honest. At least waitstaff was nice & attentive. It’s definitely very intimate so tables are extremely close together.
Best gluten free vegan pizza crust I’ve ever had … and I’ve tried them ALLLLLL! While I’m sad they took the vegan pizza off their menu, their ingredients are so fresh just getting a pizza without the cheese was great!
Every dish very solid. Loved my pizza, which was the day’s special and had fresh burrata.
Away too expensive-- prices have gone up a lot recently and service or food has actually deteriorated.
Awesome service. Food was great and warm atmosphere. I recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A Neighborhood Gem: Bella Blu Delivers Every Time
Bella Blu on Lexington Avenue is truly a standout among Upper East Side restaurants. I’ve dined here many times, and what keeps me coming back is the restaurant’s unwavering commitment to high quality—both in its delicious Italian cuisine and in the warm, inviting atmosphere.
The menu offers a fantastic selection of classic Italian dishes, from perfectly cooked pastas to fresh seafood and inventive daily specials. The swordfish Milanese and veal Milanese are, without question, the best you’ll find in NYC—crispy, tender, and bursting with flavor. The seafood pasta is also a standout: fresh, briny, and perfectly balanced. Every meal is consistently excellent, with fresh ingredients and beautiful presentation. The wood-fired pizzas are a must-try!
What really sets Bella Blu apart, though, is the staff. The team is always friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming, making you feel like a valued guest every time you walk in. Whether it’s a casual dinner, a special celebration, or just a glass of wine at the bar, the environment is always lively yet comfortable.
Bella Blu is the kind of place you want in your neighborhood—a restaurant you can count on for great food, wonderful service, and a relaxed, inviting vibe. Highly recommended!
Very busy so make sure to get reservation on Friday night. I was able to get the only one seat available at the bar. But ravioli was delicious and the dirty martini was perfect. Overall great place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Our dinner for four was a “SO GOOD!” Our waiter was fantastic, as were all of his suggestions Including amazing lobster spaghetti. The salads were great too. We look forward to going back and trying the pizza as well. This is definitely a restaurant you will want to return to; and if you’re just visiting New York, you will remember it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Good for and friendly staff
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I hosted my baby shower at Bella Blu in October and a good friend just had hers there this weekend. But this place has been a part of my life for much longer, I’ve been coming here since childhood, as it’s just around the corner from my family home. What’s remarkable is how consistent the food has always been. There’s truly never a bad meal.
The branzino or sole is always a standout, perfectly cooked and flavorful. Their pizzas are phenomenal, and the pastas never miss. I especially recommend the amatriciana, which is hands-down my favorite. If you’re not up for a full pizza, the focaccia is a great alternative. The specials often feature stracciatella mozzarella or burrata, both of which are rich, creamy, and delicious, absolute go-tos for me.
Even the salads are solid, and the olive tapenade with the bread is such a memorable touch, though I’ll admit it used to be even better back in the day. The staff has changed over the years, and I miss some of the familiar faces, but thankfully, the food remains just as good as ever.
Bella Blu continues to be one of the most reliable and beloved Italian spots on the Upper East Side. You’ll always find native UES-ers dining here, and for good reason—it’s a true neighborhood gem.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Perfect for a sunny afternoon. Direct sunshine outside
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Never again.
Brunch for 2 cost $100, one mimosa, rwo coffees and 2 tiny portioned entrees. .
I know the cost of food has gone up but an egg white omelet with 6 French fries was $20. Four tiny pieces of chicken was $20 the 2 asparagus was considerer the side dish! No lie.
Coffes were served in dirty cups.
The gnocchi and ravioli were great!
We had a fantastic time here after attending an event at Asia Society. The lobster spaghetti which was the specialty of the night was topnotch with generous portions of lobster. The brunello wine was velvety and full-bodied which I greatly enjoyed. My friends got the crab and shrimp pasta which they also loved. Desserts were surprisingly good, light yet decadent. Lastly, service was impeccable with the most dedicated staff. Bravo!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
I had a lovely dinner here recently. From the time I arrived, the manager Guiseppe was very polite and got us a great table and made wine recommendations. The food is delicious, very traditional Italian and the pizza oven is a very nice touch. I can’t wait to go back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ok experience, nothing too crazy. Maybe I didn’t choose the right dish but I had the gnocchi with sorrentina sauce. I felt like there was more tomato sauce than gnocchi to be honest. At least waitstaff was nice & attentive. It’s definitely very intimate so tables are extremely close together.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
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