Elegant Italian in Orange
Bella Italia Restaurant & Elegant Banquets delivers authentic Italian cuisine, generous portions, and professional service in a warm, old-world setting that locals and families return to for over 20 years.
- Italian restaurant
- 4.5
- 890 reviews
Gallery
Reviews
Maybe a hidden gem. One of those places that are tucked away in a neighborhood. The sauce probably makes everything. It is great. Got the side dish of meatballs for an appetizer. Best I have had in a while reminds me of my mother in laws home made. You have to dip bread in the sauce. Could be dinner all by itself. Got the ravioli for dinner. Was so good I was half done before I remembered to take a pic. Wife got cavatappi and broccoli and loved it. Was so big could not finish it. You have to end with a cannoli. Very good. Wife said was the best shell she's ever had. Off-street parking is a huge plus!
Always drove pass this place had the extreme pleasure of dining there and never knew what I been missing. Place is a gem 💎 from presence, staff, food I will definitely be returning.
Every dish was seasoned to perfection. Service was excellent . Lamb shank fell off bone
Food is great had several events there very elegant and professional Sal is the man always makes it work. I love doing business with them. So if you want elegant check them out food is so good
I started scheduling dinner meetings for an association I was president of at Bella Italia when Sal's son was very young and trailing his father around all business like. Sal's son is an adult working in tandem with his dad and the restaurant is better than ever. I don't live in the area anymore, but still plan trips just to eat there. Fabulous food, service and ambiance!
Bella Italia never disappoints! True authentic Italian cuisine. They also make the most succulent and juicy steak I've had on numerous occasions. The garlic shrimp, lasagna and spaghetti is also made to perfection as well as so many other great dishes too numerous to mention. Staff is always friendly, attentive and courteous within an old world Italian setting.
Sal, the manager (owner) was great! He accommodated us during our time of deep sorrow when we hosted a repass after my aunt’s funeral. We were able to host the repass & not worry about setting up, food & clean up. Sal was very accommodating to our family members who preferred a vegetarian meal and he was soooo easy and pleasing to work with!
This is my Favorite Date spot and there's nothing on the menu that I Don't like!! All green light SVC.
The food and service at Bella Italia is the best. We have been going there for over 20 years. They always went above and beyond to please us and our guests. They are so great our children and grandchildren had followed our footsteps and go there and or ask us to order them food from there. What a blessing.
This was a nice place and space to host a private party or celebration event. The food was excellent and the service as well. However, it was a cash bar only (No debit or credit cards). There's not an ATM in the building. Overall, it was a great night.
Good to know
- Dip your bread in the sauce — reviewers say it could be dinner all by itself and is not to be missed.
- End your meal with a cannoli — one guest's wife declared it had the best shell she's ever had.
- Book the private room for parties, repasts, birthdays or celebrations — it is spacious and the staff handles setup, service and cleanup.
- Ask Sal for accommodations if anyone in your group needs a vegetarian meal — he is described as very easy and pleasing to work with.
- Bring cash if attending an event — several reviews note the bar is cash only with no ATM on site.
- Take advantage of the off-street parking — multiple diners call it a huge plus at this neighborhood gem in City of Orange.
- Go for date night — reviewers call it their favorite date spot with nothing on the menu they don't like.
- Plan ahead for special events like Mothers Day — one reviewer found the $68 per person pricing expensive.
Why people choose us
Authentic Italian Flavors
Reviewers repeatedly praise the true authentic Italian cuisine at Bella Italia Restaurant in City of Orange. Every dish is seasoned to perfection with standout items like lamb shank that fell off the bone, succulent and juicy steak, garlic shrimp, lasagna, spaghetti, and homemade-style meatballs in a sauce that makes everything great. One guest noted the ravioli was so good they were halfway done before remembering to take a photo, while another said the cannoli had the best shell they've ever had.
Elegant Banquets & Events
Bella Italia is a top choice for private parties, celebrations, repasts, and special events in City of Orange. Guests highlight the spacious private room, very elegant and professional atmosphere, and how Sal and the team handle everything from setup to cleanup. Families appreciated accommodations for vegetarian preferences during a repass after a funeral, and multiple reviewers hosted birthdays, Mothers Day events, and association dinners with seamless execution.
Warm & Attentive Service
Service at Bella Italia consistently earns high marks for being friendly, attentive, courteous, and professional. Sal is repeatedly called the man who always makes it work and went above and beyond for over 20 years. Staff intends to get every need met, with one long-time customer noting Sal's son now works alongside him making the restaurant better than ever. Reviewers describe the experience as kind, pleasing, and all green light.
Large Portions & Value
Diners love the very large portions that often cannot be finished. One guest said the cavatappi and broccoli was so big they couldn't finish it, while another called the side of meatballs an appetizer that could be dinner by itself with bread dipped in the sauce. For events, pricing for groups was described as very reasonable especially given the many other costs of services.
Old-World Ambiance
The restaurant offers a nice, really nice, and old world Italian setting with great ambiance that makes it a favorite date spot. Guests enjoy the presence, seasonal decorations, and overall elegant feel perfect for both intimate dinners and larger gatherings. Multiple reviewers call it a hidden gem tucked away in a neighborhood with off-street parking as a huge plus.
Bella Italia
Bella Italia Restaurant & Elegant Banquets is a Italian restaurant in City of Orange. Customers rate it 4.5★ across 890 Google reviews. Regulars describe it as warm, old-world elegant Italian gem with professional family-run service.
Everything on this page — the highlights, the favourites, the answers — comes from what real customers wrote in their Google reviews. Nothing here is invented.
You will find us at 535 Central Ave, City of Orange, NJ 07050. Questions? Call (973) 676-4300 — we are happy to help.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bella Italia good for private events and parties in City of Orange?
Yes, Bella Italia Restaurant & Elegant Banquets is highly recommended for private parties, celebrations, repasts after funerals, birthdays, and association dinners. Reviewers praise the spacious private room, professional staff, and how Sal handles everything from setup to cleanup so families don't have to worry.
What is the service like at Bella Italia?
Service is consistently described as excellent, friendly, attentive, courteous, and professional. Sal the owner is praised for always making it work, accommodating special requests, and going above and beyond for over 20 years.
Does Bella Italia have large portions?
Yes, reviewers repeatedly mention very large portions. The cavatappi and broccoli was so big one diner could not finish it, and the side of meatballs was substantial enough to be dinner by itself.
Is there parking at Bella Italia in City of Orange?
Yes, off-street parking is available and called a huge plus by multiple reviewers. The restaurant is tucked away in a neighborhood but easy to access once you know it's there.
What kind of food does Bella Italia serve?
Bella Italia serves true authentic Italian cuisine with dishes seasoned to perfection. Standouts include lamb shank, succulent steak, garlic shrimp, lasagna, spaghetti, ravioli, homemade-style meatballs, and excellent cannoli.
Is Bella Italia good for date night?
Yes, several reviewers call it their favorite date spot. The elegant old-world Italian ambiance, delicious food with nothing on the menu they don't like, and attentive service make it ideal for a special evening.
Visit us
Hours
- 12 to 9 PM
- 12 to 9 PM
- 12 to 9 PM
- 12 to 9 PM
- 12 to 9 PM
- 12 to 10 PM
- 12 to 8 PM