Bella Monica Menu (2025 Update)
Bella Monica, a cozy Italian wine bar and pizza spot in Raleigh, NC, offers a diverse menu with plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options. Customers rave about the flavorful antipasti, gluten-free frittata, and Portobello dish. The ambiance is described as personal and small, perfect for a casual evening out or a family gathering. The service is top-notch, with attentive staff and a great wine selection. Reviewers highlight the lasagna and spinach stuffed shells as must-try dishes. The restaurant's motto "viva, ama, mangia" (live, love, eat) reflects the Monica family's passion for delicious food and hospitality. The eclectic interior decor adds a fun touch to the dining experience, making Bella Monica a go-to spot for delicious Italian fare in Raleigh.
Antipasti
Garlic Soup
Vegetarian. Thyme and spicy croutons.
Crab Flatbread
Domestic crab meat, pesto, artichokes, kalamata olives, red peppers, mozzarella, Dijon aioli.
Antipasto Gran Piatto
Sopressata, caciocavallo, olives, herbed mushrooms, roasted peppers and tapenade and pesto crostini.
Fresh Mozzarella Caprese
Vegetarian. Roma tomatoes, basil, EVOO domestic grande or imported bufala.
Polenta
Vegetarian. Anson mills baked polenta, roasted red peppers, balsamic syrup.
Shrimp Napoli
Baked wild domestic shrimp, Asiago sherry breadcrumbs.
Spiedino
Marinated chicken breast, Mission fig compote, laurel chenel goat cheese, balsamic syrup.
Roasted Garlic Bread & Gravy
Vegetarian.
Roasted Mushrooms
Vegetarian. Shiitakes, oyster, cremini, organic egg, garlic-herb butter, pecorino romano.
Tuna Peppers
Sicilian tuna salad: artichokes, red peppers, kalamata olives and basil in sweet and spicy peppers.
Calamari
Basil-seared calamari, arugula, cannellini beans, carrots, onions.
Wedding Soup
Fresh chicken stock, meatballs, spinach, egg drops, orzo.
Beef Carpaccio
Local beef, parmesan reggiano, California EVOO, arugula, lemon, fresh cracked pepper.
Brussels Sprouts
Pancetta, balsamic brown butter.
Bella Bean Soup
Cannellini beans, carrots, celery, onions, fresh chicken stock, tomatoes, pancetta, parmesan reggiano crostini.
Sliders
Veal, caramelized onion, fontina cheese.
Italian Herb Ha & Fontina Frittata
Italian omelette. Roasted potatoes, chive, fresco crema.
Sausage, Peppers & Eggs
Roasted peppers, onions, scrambled eggs, roasted potatoes.
Bella Benedicto
Poached eggs, Italian herb ham, arugula, polenta cake, truffle hollandaise, roasted potatoes.
Bella Polenta & Berries
Vegetarian. Baked polenta, mixed berry maple syrup.
Portobello & Spinach Frittata
Vegetarian. Italian omelette. Roasted potatoes, chive, fresco crema.
Asparagus Alla Milanese
Vegetarian. Roasted asparagus, parmesan, sunnyside up eggs, roasted potatoes.
Baked Eggs
Vegetarian. Eggs baked in Nana's gravy, basil, roasted peppers, caramelized onions, roasted potatoes.
Brunch - Gluten-Free
Antipasti - Gluten-Free
Portobello
Vegetarian. Roasted Portobello, feta, sun-dried tomato, raspberry.
Chopped Salad
Vegetarian. Chopped greens, tomato, mushrooms, onions, carrots, cannellini beans, parmesan, balsamic vinaigrette.
House Salad
Vegetarian. Mixed greens, tomato, red onion, balsamic vinaigrette.
Caesar Salad
White anchovies upon request.
Spinach Salad
Mushrooms, cranberries, red onion, pancetta, hazelnut vinaigrette.
Arugula Salad
Vegetarian. Peppery arugula, sun-dried tomato, red onion, pine nuts, parmesan reggiano, lemon-basil vinaigrette.
Pear & Gorgonzola Salad
Vegetarian. Mixed greens, Gorgonzola cheese, walnuts, pear-thyme dressing.
Beet & Goat Cheese Salad
Vegetarian. Roasted beets, arugula, carrots, goat cheese, pistachio vinaigrette.
Insalate
Insalate - Gluten-Free
Pear Salad
Vegetarian. Mixed greens, goat cheese, walnuts, pear-thyme dressing.
Sun-dried Tomato, Walnut, Arugula
Vegetarian.
Blue Crab, Tomatoes, Garlic, Chile
Po
Vegetarian. Cannellini beans, rosemary, red onion, roasted garlic, parmesan reggiano, toasted country bread.
Pomodoro
Vegetarian. Toasted country bread with fresh tomato, basil, garlic, EVOO.
Fava Beans, Pecorino Toscana Fresco, Lemon, Sage, EVOO
Vegetarian.
Spicy Eggplant Caponata, Goat Cheese
Tuscan Style Chicken Liver Pate with Onion Port Jam
Bruschette
Bella Flatbreads
Medo
Chicken breast, basil pesto, red onion, black olives, feta and mozzarella.
Margherita
Vegetarian. Roma tomato, basil, garlic, EVOO and mozzarella.
Puttanesca
Anchovies, capers, red peppers, calamata olives, red onion, garlic, tomato sauce and mozzarella.
Spinaci
Vegetarian. Spinach, mushrooms, artichokes, tomato sauce and mozzarella.
Trevino
Spinach, pancetta, pine nuts, red onion, tomato sauce and mozzarella.
Bella
Vegetarian. Artichoke hearts, broccoli, tomato, pesto, mozzarella and feta cheese.
Franco
Sausage, red peppers, green peppers, tomato sauce and mozzarella.
Genoa
Pepperoni, sausage, tomato sauce and mozzarella.
Bianca
Vegetarian. Ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, basil, garlic and EVOO.
Corbetto
Vegetarian. Roasted red peppers, mushrooms, calamata olives, tomato sauce and mozzarella.
Amore
Vegetarian. Spinach, tomato, garlic, EVOO, mozzarella and feta cheese.
Manzo
Sliced steak, caramelized onions, tomato sauce, mozzarella and Gorgonzola cheese.
Melanzana
Vegetarian. Roasted eggplant, red peppers, pine nuts, tomato sauce and mozzarella.
Pesto
Vegetarian. Basil pesto, mozzarella and calamata olives.
Vongole
Clams, pancetta, oregano, garlic, EVOO and mozzarella.
Frisco
Broccoli rabe, sausage, caciocavallo, garlic, EVOO, mozzarella and chili.
Gamberi
Shrimp, arugula, garlic, EVOO, mozzarella, onion and red peppers.
Parmigiana
Chicken, eggplant, meatball or sausage.
Sicilian Tuna
Artichokes, red pepper, kalamata olives, basil aioli.
Prosciutto & Fresh Mozzarella
La quercia prosciutto, red peppers, arugula, balsamic vinaigrette.
Steak
Caramelized onions, Asiago, mozzarella.
Chicken & Smoked Mozzarella
Romaine, tomato, red onion, red pepper aioli.
Mortadella
Pistachio mortadella, fontina, arugula, tomato, olive-artichoke spread.
Chicken Breast
Romaine, tomato, red onion, basil aioli.
Roasted Eggplant
Vegetarian. Tomato, red onion, roasted red peppers, balsamic vinaigrette.
Italian Sausage
Caramelized onions, green peppers.
Caprese
Vegetarian. Pesto, tomato, fresh mozzarella, red peppers.
Sandwiches
Maccheroni (Favorites From Nana'S Cucina)
Meatballs & 'Gravy'
Sausage & 'Gravy'
Veal Bolognese
Braised in chianti and tomatoes, parmesan reggiano.
Garlic & EVOO
Vegetarian.
Basil Pesto Sauce
Vegetarian.
Neopolitan Pizza (Large)
Calzone
Pizza dough folded and filled with ricotta and mozzarella cheeses and your choice of 2 pizza toppings.
Stromboli
Pizza dough filled with mozzarella cheese and your choice of 3 pizza toppings.
Neopolitan Pizza (Small)
Neopolitan Pizza (Medium)
Neopolitan Pizza
Dal Forno (Favorites From Nana'S Cucina)
"Porchetta" Pork Tenderloin
Local pork, fennel au gratin, wilted greens, cherry pancetta sauce.
Meat Lasagne
8 layers of pasta, local beef, ricotta, parmesan, mozzarella.
Portobello & Sun-dried Tomato Lasagne
Vegetarian. Spinach and egg pasta, fresh mozzarella, white wine crema.
Cannelloni
Pasta tubes, ricotta, local beef, mozzarella, gravy.
Manicotti
Vegetarian. Pasta tubes, ricotta, mozzarella, gravy.
Baked Ziti
Vegetarian. Ricotta, mozzarella, gravy.
Chicken Balsamico
Chicken breast, spinach, roasted tomatoes, honey balsamic sauce.
Spinach Stuffed Shells
Vegetarian. Pasta shells, ricotta, spinach, mozzarella, gravy.
Whole Wheat Penne
Chicken, arugula, portobellos, roasted tomatoes, garlic, EVOO, parmesan reggiano, pine nuts.
Spinach & Feta
Vegetarian. Tomato sauce, mozzarella and feta, fresh baby leaf spinach.
Pepperoni
Tomato sauce, mozzarella, all-natural pepperoni.
Gluten-Free Pizza (6")
Dal Forno (Favorites From Nana'S Cucina) - Gluten-Free
Stuffed Shells
Vegetarian. Gluten-free pasta shells, ricotta, mozzarella, Nana's gravy.
Cheese Ravioli
Vegetarian. Gluten-free ravioli, ricotta, Nana's gravy.
Scampi
Wild domestic shrimp, tomato, garlic, EVOO, spaghetti.
Mussels Fra Diablo
Spaghetti, Nana's gravy, chilis.
Wild Copper River Salmon
Roasted cherry tomatoes, artichoke, spinach orzo, caper burro.
Mussels
Oven roasted mussels, mushroom leek crema.
Pesci (Favorites From Nana'S Cucina)
Pesci (Favorites From Nana'S Cucina) - Gluten-Free
Shrimp & 'Italian Grits'
Wild domestic shrimp, polenta, pancetta, caramelized onions.
Spinach, Garlic, EVOO
Vegetarian.
Mom's Meatballs & Gravy, Local Beef
Broccoli, Garlic, EVOO
Vegetarian.
Broccoli Rabe, Garlic, EVOO
Vegetarian.
Contorni (Favorites From Nana'S Cucina)
Contorni (Favorites From Nana'S Cucina) - Gluten-Free
Gluten-free Pasta
Vegetarian.
Pepperoni Pizza
Small Salad
Spaghetti with Cheese & Olive Oil
Spaghetti & Meatball
Mini Cannoli
Gelato & Sorbetto
Cheese Pizza
Kids
Dolce
Affogato
Honey vanilla gelato, espresso, cocoa, cinnamon crema.
Tiramisu
Ladyfingers soaked in espresso, layered between mascarpone cheese and dusted with cocoa.
Chocolate Amore
A dense, flourless "cake" with a hint of raspberry.
Sicilian Cheesecake
A delicious creamy custard cake made with ricotta cheese.
Key Lime Pie
Not so italiano but so delizioso.
Cannoli
Crispy pastry shell filled with sweet ricotta cheese flavored with vanilla, cinnamon and chocolate chips.
Kahlua Cheesecake
Gluten-free chocolate cookie crust with creamy kahlua mousse and almonds.