Cafe Bella

Unlike any other place in CBus. The owner/chef greeted us with wine glasses for the bottle that we brought. He took us to a table on the patio, sat down with us and told us what he could make that night. We basically told him chef's choice, so he prepared a family style platter with chicken and eggplant parmesan, meatballs and salmon served with noodles and a really good tomato sauce. Keep an open mind and enjoy! And in response to another review - it's definitely a safe place! It doesn't look super classy, but it's really enjoyable. Pros: Totally unique more

You're in for a real treat at Cafe Bella. Bring in a friend or just yourself for a delicious meal. Try the eggplant or chicken parmesan, not in the mood for Italian? then go for a fusion, Jamaican or Thai dish. Check out the fresh, local ingredients in the old school see-thru fridge. Cafe Bela is ready to serve you with love, fresh ingredients, and a fair price. This original, authentic, warm, community restaurant is sure to please your taste buds! The coffee is fresh french pressed and the soups are made from scratch. Cafe Bella is located on High Street, just north of Campus beside Ace Hardware. In the summer, there is a greenhouse project taking place outside on the back patio. Learn about the Cafe Bella Community Gala happening the second weekend in February! Visit and support Cafe Bella today! more

Just went for the first time. Lunch. Chicken & eggplant parm, split family-style. Delicious!\r \r Friendly staff. Good tunes. Good times.\r \r Can't wait to go back.\r \r (Note: this one's a sleeper. If you live in Clintonville and have never been, quit just driving by; stop in.) more

So, this place is one of those ones that truly do deceive you.\r \r Great food that isn't too pricy, friendly place, a bit dumpy but sometimes there isn't a huge need for professionalism.\r \r However, jamaican flag hanging on the wall, and Bob Marley playing? I thought it was just cooks' choice, but the next night I went back, and the same scene.\r \r Turns out the place is under new management all the time because of some secondary sales and management that is done during Bella's after hours, if you catch my drift.\r \r So, sure, its good, but it's sketchy as hell. Best of luck. Pros: Great food! Cons: Not the safest place to be, in general. more

Obviously some people go to restaurants with expectations that are not fair, especially when you compare a tiny cafe under new ownership for just over a year to an established fine dining giant like Cameron Mitchell. I suppose having an open mind before entering a new dining experience is out of the question for people who can afford to flit a $100+ bill, but for those of you who enjoy family style Italian cooking and innovative Vegan options this place is for you. Try the food, and you will be sold on the best meatballs, chicken and eggplant parmasan, and brunch items in town. Not to mention the Jamaican Jurk (CitySearch won't let me use the real word, it is deemed inappropriate for slander reasons) is the definitive Caribbean treat without the plane ticket. The ecclectic atmosphere of the friendly bustle that is the interior is off-set by the warm and intimate patio, where fresh herbs used for cooking and an amazing herbal iced tea add a refreshing, green ambiance. Not to mention the homemade Italian oatmeal cookies! Try dipping them in red wine, your taste buds will thank you. This is the perfect place to bring a date, the family, or a group of friends for a fun and casual dining experience. All this for an extremely affordable price, especially compared to the portions. I suppose if Cameron Mitchell had a space so small, a budget to match, and a kitchen out in the open they would put off anyone with unfair 5-star expectations. Tasting the food before making judgements is probably a better idea, you'll be a happier person for it. Support local small businesses and ... Eat at the Bella! Pros: Amazing food and friendly, knowledgable service Cons: Warm interior in the summer, but there is a patio! more

I went in there last night for dinner and thought it was a dump. A DUMP! I don't know what you guys are thinking, especially the one that compared it to Cameron Mitchells. They only had a few items on the menu and I didn't see any meatballs on the stove. Needless to say, I didn't stay. Went up the street to Georgio's instead. more

owner/chef Vincent greeted us, and, upon learning we are vegans, offered to make a dish he called ""sacco"" --a chickpea flour crepe with babaganoush and veggies. He also had a gazpacho soup that was vegan. Soup was good. The sacco was spectacular; the checkpea crepe (more cracker-like than soft crepe-like), served on a bed of greens, and topped with the promised babaganoush, plus tiny asparagus speaks, chunked mushrooms and bell peppers, and slivers of carrots. Very satisfactory, and very original. We sat on a covered patio behind the restaurant -- very pleasant, prompt and attentive service (atlhough we were, as far as we could tell, the only customers there for a late lunch). We'll be back! more

Fantastic place. Probably the best meatballs I've ever had. When you eat one, it feels like a million little midgets massaging your tongue. There is not a menu, but rather daily specials that are always full of great taste. I highly recommend it. more

Hands down one of the best and most unique dinning experience I?ve had in awhile. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was out of this world. I would recommend Cafe Bella to everyone. more

This is definately the best overall dining experience in the City of Columbus and yes I have experienced my share of Cameron Mitchell's. Starting off with a grand welcome from the ""Boss"" Carlo and a wiff of aromatic red sauce that has obviously been simmering on the stove for hours. You are given the option of sitting inside with all the action or enjoying a relaxing atmosphere on thier outdoor patio. Patience is the key to getting the most of this experience. After becoming relaxed and curious about your meal one of the servers will bring a luscious antipasto salad featuring olives, roasted red peppers, yellow peppers and homemade vinegarette. As soon as your stomach starts to yearn for more you are brought a nice homemade soup or appetizer in my recent experience i had a delicous savory pastry with white sauce, spinach and Italian Sausage. We continued to enjoy the wonderful atmosphere and had to run and get another bottle of wine from the wine shop a block down. Finally it was time for the main course which was abundent with shrimp, chicken, italian sausage, egg plant parmagianno and penne all subtlely coated in that aromatic red sauce that greeted us when we first walked in. By the time the dessert of Strawberry ice cream and fruit in chocolate sauce came we could hardly finish it but we did. By the end of our experience we had passed three hours, all in all we didnt have a care in the world.\r more

My girl and I went there late on a Friday night and were treated like the guests of honor. The cook/waiter/owner served us a three course Italian dinner that was probably the best I've ever had. We only turned down dessert because we could barely make it to the entree. There was no menu but we didn't need one. We ate everything he suggested and each course came at the perfect time. It was definitely the best outing I've had since moving to Columbus. more

I just wanted to add that I don't know the hours, so they may be limited to just either lunch or dinner only these days... more