Kinda strange place. Feels as though they're having an identity crisis on whether to be a high-end Italian place, or a casual Italian-American joint. The place is very small, but has the look of a high-end Italian restaurant in the 90s. All the patrons were either completely casual in shorts and t-shirts, or dressed to the nines in suits and ties. Seemed like lots of stuck up rich people.Anyways; Service was sort of slow, but they seemed short of staff and they were very friendly, so big plus for that. Although it seemed like several tables were sending food back, or getting the wrong thing. They were also out of meat sauce and lasagna.The food was very meh. Salad was just a standard salad with Caesar plopped on top (despite not having a Caesar salad on the menu). The garlic herb soup was very bland and had some croutons (clearly from a bag) just tossed in it. The complimentary bread was decent, but once again, definitely not made in-house. My girlfriend got the Jerry calzone, and it wasn't the best calzone ever but it was solid. My penne vodka with shrimp was by far the best thing we had, and it was delicious. Albeit not very authentic or fancy.In conclusion I just think it was okay. Nothing was egregiously bad, but it seemed as though NOTHING was made fresh in-house, which was a huge disappointment for a place like this.If I could give half stars I would give it a 2.5/5. Most likely won't be going back.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 4
David Houston
Food was fantastic! I had chicken parm and my wife had pasta. Great taste. Great portions. Service was first class.
I just went to Bella Vita for the first time. I have lived in Johnson City for 24 years and can't believe I never tried this restaurant before. It was fabulous. We will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Andrea B.
The first time we visited Bella Vita was unplanned but delicious! We were waiting for our car be maintenanced. Recently, we decided to try it again (we don't live close by) and it was as good as the other time. It's a small place but don't let that fool you. The portion sizes were generous and the flavor of both our meals was just perfect. The service was great too! We were very pleased with the whole experience
Justice Gammon
This place never fails me , everything on the menu is amazing and will not disappoint you!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
JASON BAHLING
Food was great but the pizza was very
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Dog Mama
This place is run like a circus. This is my first & last time getting their food. People went for a birthday dinner & wanted to go food for others at home. They bring it home & we’re missing a paid for calzone. The restaurant drives it out to the house (since they were in the wrong) & they took it upon themselves to put meatballs in the calzone! This is After we called hours earlier to confirmHow they make them!!! SO UNSATISFIED with their GARBAGE SERVICE. Save your money & GO ELSEWHERE
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Lemi A
We visited about a month ago, sat at the bar (arrived at 5:10 - only my husband, myself, and one other at the bar the entire 1.5 hr we were there). Yesterday we were advised that there is NEVER an open seat at the bar. (?)...We had a male seat us, take and deliver our wine (Asked us for our drink order before I even sat my purse down - I had to ask if they had a wine list! He also tried to take our food order right away as well (again - it was our 2nd visit - not familiar w/menu). About 10 min later a girl is at our table - no 'Hello', not one pleasantly, only 'are you ready to order?' It/she was bordering on the rude side...She NEVER ONE TIME asked how our grk Sal was (the bowl was put on table - had to ask for plates so we could share (after I told girl when ordering, we were splitting, we would need plates) - only got one plate. -- really? Not raised in a barn (and, yes, we love farms). NEVER ONCE DID SHE ASK IF WE NEEDED ANYTHING. We told girl we had been once, had a good pizza, will do it again. We BOTH asked for pizza to be crispy - she took order (we arrived at 5:05-ish, we rc'd pizza about 50 min later. The toppings - VERY GOOD (sauce, meat, - all flavored just right). The crust was like a crepe - not one bit of 'crisp' except at the rims of the crust) We ordered a large on the premise, the pizza would be crisp, edible and we could take it with us... I ate one piece - toppings only. My husband ate 2 - he said to make them not feel bad- I told him it was obvious they don't care -- the pizza sat and sat - server walked past 9 times going to other tables (she did ask how pizza was less than 60 Sec after it was delivered - I had to advise her - while pointing to the pizza that we hadn't had a chance to taste - she said she would check back). Server checked back when we had a LARGE pizza w/3 pieces missing - one of them rolled like a crepe - in the hopes server would CARE enough to ask what was wrong - & we were talking w/host advising pizza was NOT what we asked for... - this is ONLY time she stopped. She has NO CLUE on professionalism.The host hmmd and hawed then offered to make us another- I said we had been there over 50 min waiting now and not interested in staying the night... HORRIBLE. - girl said, "I wrote 'crispy' on ticket"... I just looked at her - she just walked off - honestly, this was a ridiculous excuse for dinner out.AND, OH MY GOD!! - pepper grinders, fresh parm 5his would be nice - (think Italian & 2024 maybe). & PLEASE, PLEASE, CLEAN YOUR INSIDE FRONT DOOR a good painting might be in order for the kick plate area and where your GUESTS put their hands to leave - it is disgusting!! Just look at it, --and we were sitting in a dimly lit room - GROSS! Is the rest of the restaurant like this - door lends us to think so... you should be proud enough of your business to at least clean your front door.Sad, we enjoyed the 1st visit (pizza was on crispier side - bartender actually carried on small conversation, made sure food was good). Not even close this trip. The host did take the toppings off the crust while he mumbled about the police being outside...From one restaurant manager to another - dude, pay attention - please...
Amel was amazing! Professional and extremely hospitable. I was scrambling to find catering for my husband’s birthday party and Bella Vita did not disappoint!! We ordered pizzas and salad. I recommend the house dressing as that was highly complimented on! Everything was made fresh and tasted delicious!
Food: 5
Service: 1
Alyson Johnson
The chicken Bella Vita is truly the thing on the menu! But ALL the dishes are amazing. The service was superb and consistently prompt!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bella Vita
Kim Joseph
We were looking for somewhere to eat in Johnson City. Google by highest rating showed Bella Vita. So we dropped in. They were packed but we were able to get a table for two with a short wait. Glad we found this hidden gem. Delicious food at a reasonable price. Best Italian we've ever had! I had eggplant Parmesan and my husband had Linguini with calamari. We found our favorite Italian restaurant!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
St. Ivan
Great place with amazing food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Linda R.
The service was wonderful. The food was delicious and price reasonable. I loved the ambiance of the restaurant will definitely be back again.
Kinda strange place. Feels as though they're having an identity crisis on whether to be a high-end Italian place, or a casual Italian-American joint. The place is very small, but has the look of a high-end Italian restaurant in the 90s. All the patrons were either completely casual in shorts and t-shirts, or dressed to the nines in suits and ties. Seemed like lots of stuck up rich people.Anyways; Service was sort of slow, but they seemed short of staff and they were very friendly, so big plus for that. Although it seemed like several tables were sending food back, or getting the wrong thing. They were also out of meat sauce and lasagna.The food was very meh. Salad was just a standard salad with Caesar plopped on top (despite not having a Caesar salad on the menu). The garlic herb soup was very bland and had some croutons (clearly from a bag) just tossed in it. The complimentary bread was decent, but once again, definitely not made in-house. My girlfriend got the Jerry calzone, and it wasn't the best calzone ever but it was solid. My penne vodka with shrimp was by far the best thing we had, and it was delicious. Albeit not very authentic or fancy.In conclusion I just think it was okay. Nothing was egregiously bad, but it seemed as though NOTHING was made fresh in-house, which was a huge disappointment for a place like this.If I could give half stars I would give it a 2.5/5. Most likely won't be going back.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 4
Food was fantastic! I had chicken parm and my wife had pasta. Great taste. Great portions. Service was first class.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Friendliness is beyond
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Meatballs, Stuffed Shells Florentine, Salad
I just went to Bella Vita for the first time. I have lived in Johnson City for 24 years and can't believe I never tried this restaurant before. It was fabulous. We will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The first time we visited Bella Vita was unplanned but delicious! We were waiting for our car be maintenanced. Recently, we decided to try it again (we don't live close by) and it was as good as the other time. It's a small place but don't let that fool you. The portion sizes were generous and the flavor of both our meals was just perfect. The service was great too! We were very pleased with the whole experience
This place never fails me , everything on the menu is amazing and will not disappoint you!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was great but the pizza was very
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
This place is run like a circus. This is my first & last time getting their food. People went for a birthday dinner & wanted to go food for others at home. They bring it home & we’re missing a paid for calzone. The restaurant drives it out to the house (since they were in the wrong) & they took it upon themselves to put meatballs in the calzone! This is After we called hours earlier to confirmHow they make them!!! SO UNSATISFIED with their GARBAGE SERVICE. Save your money & GO ELSEWHERE
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
We visited about a month ago, sat at the bar (arrived at 5:10 - only my husband, myself, and one other at the bar the entire 1.5 hr we were there). Yesterday we were advised that there is NEVER an open seat at the bar. (?)...We had a male seat us, take and deliver our wine (Asked us for our drink order before I even sat my purse down - I had to ask if they had a wine list! He also tried to take our food order right away as well (again - it was our 2nd visit - not familiar w/menu). About 10 min later a girl is at our table - no 'Hello', not one pleasantly, only 'are you ready to order?' It/she was bordering on the rude side...She NEVER ONE TIME asked how our grk Sal was (the bowl was put on table - had to ask for plates so we could share (after I told girl when ordering, we were splitting, we would need plates) - only got one plate. -- really? Not raised in a barn (and, yes, we love farms). NEVER ONCE DID SHE ASK IF WE NEEDED ANYTHING. We told girl we had been once, had a good pizza, will do it again. We BOTH asked for pizza to be crispy - she took order (we arrived at 5:05-ish, we rc'd pizza about 50 min later. The toppings - VERY GOOD (sauce, meat, - all flavored just right). The crust was like a crepe - not one bit of 'crisp' except at the rims of the crust) We ordered a large on the premise, the pizza would be crisp, edible and we could take it with us... I ate one piece - toppings only. My husband ate 2 - he said to make them not feel bad- I told him it was obvious they don't care -- the pizza sat and sat - server walked past 9 times going to other tables (she did ask how pizza was less than 60 Sec after it was delivered - I had to advise her - while pointing to the pizza that we hadn't had a chance to taste - she said she would check back). Server checked back when we had a LARGE pizza w/3 pieces missing - one of them rolled like a crepe - in the hopes server would CARE enough to ask what was wrong - & we were talking w/host advising pizza was NOT what we asked for... - this is ONLY time she stopped. She has NO CLUE on professionalism.The host hmmd and hawed then offered to make us another- I said we had been there over 50 min waiting now and not interested in staying the night... HORRIBLE. - girl said, "I wrote 'crispy' on ticket"... I just looked at her - she just walked off - honestly, this was a ridiculous excuse for dinner out.AND, OH MY GOD!! - pepper grinders, fresh parm 5his would be nice - (think Italian & 2024 maybe). & PLEASE, PLEASE, CLEAN YOUR INSIDE FRONT DOOR a good painting might be in order for the kick plate area and where your GUESTS put their hands to leave - it is disgusting!! Just look at it, --and we were sitting in a dimly lit room - GROSS! Is the rest of the restaurant like this - door lends us to think so... you should be proud enough of your business to at least clean your front door.Sad, we enjoyed the 1st visit (pizza was on crispier side - bartender actually carried on small conversation, made sure food was good). Not even close this trip. The host did take the toppings off the crust while he mumbled about the police being outside...From one restaurant manager to another - dude, pay attention - please...
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Salad
Great staff, food and service! Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Amel was amazing! Professional and extremely hospitable. I was scrambling to find catering for my husband’s birthday party and Bella Vita did not disappoint!! We ordered pizzas and salad. I recommend the house dressing as that was highly complimented on! Everything was made fresh and tasted delicious!
Food: 5
Service: 1
The chicken Bella Vita is truly the thing on the menu! But ALL the dishes are amazing. The service was superb and consistently prompt!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bella Vita
We were looking for somewhere to eat in Johnson City. Google by highest rating showed Bella Vita. So we dropped in. They were packed but we were able to get a table for two with a short wait. Glad we found this hidden gem. Delicious food at a reasonable price. Best Italian we've ever had! I had eggplant Parmesan and my husband had Linguini with calamari. We found our favorite Italian restaurant!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great place with amazing food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
The service was wonderful. The food was delicious and price reasonable. I loved the ambiance of the restaurant will definitely be back again.