Welcome to Bella Monica
Located in Raleigh, NC, Bella Monica is a women-owned Italian restaurant that offers a wide range of options, including wine bars and delicious pizzas. With a cozy and casual atmosphere, this restaurant is perfect for families, date nights, or celebrations. Known for its flavorful dishes like heirloom tomato salad, lasagna, and spinach stuffed shells, Bella Monica has received rave reviews for its exceptional food and service. The eclectic interior and attentive staff make dining here a delightful experience. Don't miss the opportunity to try their gluten-free options and enjoy a memorable meal at Bella Monica.
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3121-103 Edwards Mill Rd Raleigh, NC 276123121-103 Edwards Mill Rd Raleigh, NC 27612 Hotline: (919) 881-9778
Welcome to Bella Monica, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Raleigh at 3121-103 Edwards Mill Rd. This delightful establishment effortlessly blends the comfort of a neighborhood eatery with the elegance of an authentic Italian dining experience. Known for its vibrant atmosphere and exceptional cuisine, Bella Monica captivates patrons with a menu that features a range of exquisite dishes from gourmet pizzas to hearty pastas, all paired perfectly with an impressive selection of wines.
One cannot speak of Bella Monica without mentioning their Pesi, a collection of Nana's Cucina favorites. The Scampi, adorned with wild domestic shrimp and spaghetti, carries an aroma that transports you right to the Italian coastline. For those craving something with a kick, the Mussels Fra Diablo is a must-try, featuring a perfect marriage of spaghetti, savory Nana's gravy, and chili-infused excitement. Nothing speaks to culinary artistry quite like the Wild Copper River Salmon, elegantly roasted with a medley of cherry tomatoes and artichokes fixed atop a comforting bed of spinach orzo.
Bella Monica's charm extends beyond its delicious offerings. Many patrons rave about the atmosphere, which invites relaxation and conversation. Annamarie A. captured this beautifully in her review, describing the cozy outdoor seating area, complete with fans to stave off summer heat. She savored her heirloom tomato salad and baked ziti, marveling at the freshness and portion sizes that ensure you leave well-fed.
For those seeking a gluten-free delight, the Shrimp & 'Italian Grits' combines the rich tradition of Southern cuisine with Italian flair, featuring wild domestic shrimp resting atop creamy polenta, pancetta, and caramelized onions. Vegetarians will find solace in the Pear Salad, a simple yet elegant mix of greens drizzled with thyme dressing, goat cheese, and walnuts, perfectly refreshing on any warm day.
Not only is the food at Bella Monica noteworthy, but the service is consistently commendable, as reported by K D.. Reveling in a personal and welcoming atmosphere, he praised the phenomenal food and cheerful staff. Many others, including Leigh-Kathryn B. and Sikoya A., echoed similar sentiments, referring to Bella Monica as their go-to local pizza spot and a place to celebrate life’s special moments.
In a world rich with dining options, Bella Monica stands out for its commitment to quality, service, and creating genuine experiences. Whether you’re treating yourself to takeout or making a night of it at a booth with friends, each visit promises to be memorable. So, the next time you find yourself in Raleigh, remember Bella Monica, where every bite tells a story and every meal becomes a cherished memory.
My oldest daughter & I stopped here for lunch last week before heading to an appt. It was super hot outside, but she wanted to eat outside, so we did. Luckily, they do have covered outdoor seating on the front & side of the restaurants, & also some overhead fans that helped with the heat. I got the special that day: heirloom tomatoes, with arugula, feta & pancetta. It was very good & refreshing. Their complimentary bread was something that I've never seen before, it looked like a mix between cornbread & cake. It was a little different, but it was good & served with olive oil & diced red onions on top. My daughter got the spaghetti with meat sauce & I got the baked ziti. My daughter liked her spaghetti, but she did mention that the noodles were short, so maybe they broke them in half before boiling? My baked ziti was delicious & the portion size was huge. I was only able to eat a little less than a third of it because I was already a little full from the salad. But, I brought the ziti home & not only ate it for dinner, I had the remaining bit for lunch the next day. I would definitely go back the next time we're in town.
Best pizza in Raleigh. Best pizza in the Triangle if you ask me. Bella Monica is my husband and my favorite neighborhood spot to eat at or to get pizza to take home from. The service is great the food is amazing (the lasagna is *chefs kiss*), and they've got a great wine list. Perfect for a date night or family dinner.
Food was phenomenal Service was great Ambiance was personal and small. The food is five star great
Stopped by for a celebration and enjoyed my time here. The food was flavorful. The servers and staff were attentive. I'm looking forward to returning and trying the lasagna (the one that passed by me on it's way to another table looked amazing.)
Bottom line: Great lunch meal at Bella Monica, the Whole Wheat Penne selection was delicious as well as light as it does not have a heavy sauce component. Service and atmosphere were good. If I could give half stars, I'd say 4.5 stars here. The Deets: Now that I think about it, I cannot believe I have not reviewed Bella Monica until now as these guys have been here in Raleigh for quite a few years. I was working near the area and got the chance to catch lunch there recently. We were greeted at the door promptly and given our choice of table or booth, so we went with a booth midway into the long narrow restaurant area. The server was pleasant and helpful, and started us off with some bread for the table. The bread looked like a square slice of sponge cake to me drizzled in olive oil, but tasting reveals that it is a light airy type of bread that I enjoyed (I am not a fan of hard crusty type breads so I loved this version, see pics). For my lunch meal, I went with the Whole Wheat Penne menu selection that includes chicken, arugula, mushrooms, roasted tomatoes, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, Parmesan-Reggiano, and pine nuts. Reading the ingredients, it sounded delicious and light and when it arrived, the impression from the description proved correct (see pics). I really enjoyed this dish, wonderful flavors blending together without being heavy. I would definitely get this one again, it was great as it ticked most all the boxes of a nice Italian flavor profile without a heavy sauce. I would say 4.5 stars for this lunch visit to Bella Monica, and would love to visit again in the future.
Absolutely wonderful experience, came here for dinner with a friend and ended up having such a great time between the wine, food, and service. All of the food is great so you can't really go wrong with that you order. I personally recommend the spinach stuffed shells and pear & gorgonzola salad. It's quite a casual ambiance so you can go in jeans or leggings.
When I'm in Raleigh this is a number one go-to. The food is always incredible and the service equally so. We love sitting at the cozy bar. We split the stuffed shells and still have food to take home. The pumpkin ravioli I passed on this visit because it's sooo deliciously rich. Maybe tomorrow night!
The restaurant motto is viva, ama, mangia or live, love, eat. You can feel that the Monica family is very involved in the restaurant. The interior decor is more eclectic than traditional Italian restaurants, with fun colors and chandeliers. A private room in the back is perfect for parties of about 15. Everyone in my party loved their food from flatbread appetizers to rich desserts. The "flatbreads" are really circular pizzas with thin crust. A kids menu and special menu is available in addition to the regular menu. The menu has sandwiches, entrees, appetizers, and more. One of their specialty drinks is multiple types of spritz. Of course, they have a great wine list like any Italian restaurant. The dessert where they pour espresso over the ice cream has such a fun presentation that caught everyone's attention. The staff was friendly and professional, and parking is free in the strip mall lot. Outside seating is available including heaters and clear plastic walls for chillier days.