Ciao Bella in Camden

Excellent service and even better food.

A lively, bustling place, full of conversations and noise. At the entrance, there was quite a rude gentleman with rather poor manners. However, I can’t complain about the rest of the staff — everyone was very polite, cheerful, and seemed to genuinely enjoy chatting with the guests. We had three pasta dishes and one pizza. The pastas were vongole, salmon, and lamb ragù. Unfortunately, all three were below average. The pizza, topped with pear and gorgonzola, was decent. The red wine, from Tuscany, we had was actually quite nice. I hold high standards for Italian food, especially compared to what I’ve had back in Greece. But even by the standards of other Italian places in London (which, to be honest, aren’t the best), I wouldn’t give this more than two stars. I wouldn’t eat here again, mainly because of the poor quality, overcooked pasta, and the bland, uninspiring sauces.

I first ate here in about 1987 when a man named “Marco” owned the restaurant. My visit yesterday was really for nostalgic reasons. Large busy Italian 🇮🇹 restaurant. Extensive menu and from the start we were made to feel rushed. Chose some wine and starters quickly followed by our mains. The food was good, hot and arrived quickly. I had escalopini with pasta and really enjoyed it. Quite noisy or lively and even busy in the small downstairs space (would not be my choice) Cassata for desert, more wine and coffee. Not too expensive just a little rushed. Service efficient but not friendly. Would I go back. Probably not but as stated the food was good. 😁🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇮🇹🍝

Sorry to be a highly negative review on this restaurant, but you really shouldn't eat here if you have any intolerances or allergies and this review will explain in detail why. They are a popular restaurant since they strike a good balance between price and food quality. The food was reasonable, the area is nice and quiet, and the prices are affordable. But for gluten and allergy sufferers you need a restaurant that will work hard to listen to your allergies, ensure a contamination free environment, and give you the best tasting food given your restrictions. NO RESPECT FOR ALLEGERGIES: The moment we said gluten intolerant we were cut off, handed a large (and inaccurate) list of allergens, and ignored. Upon ordering we asked some simple questions about cross contamination and got a rude response that "of course they keep the gluten free penne separate". And then got sick from eating said dish. CONTAMINATION FREE ENVIRONMENT: Their kitchen is a cross contamination mess since they are busy and can't bother to pay attention to allergens. The only gluten free adaptation they have is a single type of gluten free pasta (penne) that magically makes food safe to eat for celiacs. It doesn't if the sauce is contaminated, but they don't care and won't stop to have a discussion about their health protocols. HORRIBLE TASTING FOOD: We received a plate of food with zero seasoning. Frozen peas, carrots, and broccoli that are boiled and served bland is not an acceptable way to avoid allergens. And they still failed to reduce cross contamination so we had immediate symptoms. So in summary, avoid this restaurant if you have any intolerances or allergens. The UK has many wonderful restaurants that follow health protocols and serve delicious food. This is just not one of them.

Delicious food and fantastic service, a gem in the area! Will take my family here

Food was pretty good overall all the dishes of a good quality and quantity apart from the saute potatoes which were not really saute at all but lightly pan fried wet feeling potatoes no crunch or crisp Service was good and efficient, especially given how busy they were, but downstairs seating area incredibly noisy, so beware if they offer you this. Good wine list with prices to suit a wide range of budgets

Nice local spot with alright food but great value for money (they have half plates) and a nice atmosphere.

Was turned away because they said they were too busy. There were plenty of people working and open tables. Not family friendly.

So busy even at 5pm on a Saturday, I did book in advance. Portion sizes are large and I love how they do half portions, meaning you can try more things. I like the mussel pasta in tomato sauce and the ravioli in butter sage sauce the most. I've come many times over the years and love how Italian the staff are. Pictures are all half portions! Price so reasonable.

This is a neighbourhood institution, but it's too loud to hear your guests say anything. The food is mediocre. They really need to install some noise reduction and go back to excellence in food.

Cheap table, rude staff, walked away! I made a reservation for an outside table at lunchtime. Upon arriving slightly early, I was told the table wasn’t ready—even though there were free tables outside. Instead, the waiter set up a flimsy fold-out table right by the busy entrance. When I asked for a better spot, I was told all other outside tables were booked for a large group. The waiter’s dismissive attitude left me feeling unwelcome, so I decided not to stay at all.

Vale la pena alejarse de las calles turísticas para encontrar este restaurante: comida apetitosa, precio razonable, raciones suficientes, y con un servicio rápido y extremadamente amable. Los dos platos de carne que pedimos estaban hechos según las reglas tradicionales. Sirven pizzas, pero no es una pizzeria, es un restaurante italiano. Debe reservarse antes (sólo admiten reservas por teléfono, no por email) y los fines de semana debe reservarse de un día para otro. Carta amplia, de comida y de vinos.

Probably the finest Italian pasta and pizza I've had in the UK, top marks all round.

Stopped here on impulse for a late lunch and got an excellent pizza and house red wine. The staff were friendly and efficient and I left quite satisfied. A good experience, although unplanned.

Parada aquí por impulso para un almuerzo tardío y consiguió una excelente pizza y vino tinto de la casa. El personal era amable y eficiente y me fui bastante satisfecho. Una buena experiencia, aunque no planificada.

Best bolognese we’ve had in a long time. Staff were friendly and attentive. Food was served in a timely manner. What more could you ask for. Will definitely be returning. EDIT MARCH 2025: Visited again and was disappointed in the service this time despite the restaurant actually being quieter than it was the first time we ate there. The man who served us (middle aged, bald, glasses) was aloof from the moment we arrived and our food took an awful long time to arrive. People arriving after us were served beforehand. We more or less had to flag said staff member down to take our order after the wait started to get a bit too long. I can’t say I’ll return here again just based off his attitude and the long wait for food. A shame as this establishment was bustling the first time we ate here and the waitress who served us back then was so kind and welcoming.

Really great pre theatre meal! Thanks guys!

The food was delicious, and the waitress who served us was very friendly. We asked the manager for a wine recommendation and decided to go with his suggestion. There were seven of us at the table. When he opened the bottle, he poured a very generous amount into each glass, despite us mentioning that he could serve less. Naturally, the bottle ran out before everyone’s glass was filled, and he already had another bottle in hand, ready to open… We wouldn’t have 2 bottles of wine This happened on March 4th around 8:30pm…

Big congratulations to the staff of ciao bella, they are all amazing and will go above and beyond for you. Food was really nice, the starters were great. The pizza was good, just a little behind with the cooking, the border was a little under cooked but didn't spoilt it, flavour was nice, good ingredients and lots of toppings. Really like the place. When the restaurant gets full, it can be very loud inside, so just be mindful of this.

Servicio brillante, excelente comida y un ambiente vibrante tan encantador. Amplia selección de menú. Reserva temprano ya que se pone muy ocupado. El personal es tan eficiente y amable

The service was very nice, loud and effusive, truly Italian. The family got good food - risotto and pizza. My soup was inedible. No one asked for feedback, so I'll leave it here - I left hungry and really sad. Don't order what the chef recommends. Pizza or spaghetti will be ok.

A fantastically cozy and beautiful restaurant with a well-equipped and friendly staff. The staff largely help to maintain a fun, positive and happy atmosphere in the restaurant. The food is top notch and we can especially recommend the risotto di mare. Very delicious risotto with lots of seafood. Garlic bread is delicious and a large portion the size of a pizza. It was full both Friday and Saturday evening, but the staff found a free table anyway. The only small minus is that it draws a lot from the ventilation in the ceiling if you sit unluckily. The noise level is quite high as it is a place that is well stocked and lots of fun and chatter. Perhaps it would be a good idea for larger companies to be in the room below, so that the other guests can hear each other. We would love to come again.

I visited for lunch. It's a very casual restaurant, and it's very busy, with tables close to each other. There aren't that many types of pasta or pizza. Perhaps because I had high expectations for the important taste, the pasta was overcooked and I was a little unsatisfied. I think the price is fair because the volume is large.

Como familia hemos estado viniendo a este restaurante durante años, y la comida y el personal siempre fueron fantásticos. Sin embargo, en los últimos 5 años, las cosas han cambiado y no para mejor. La comida ha cambiado significativamente, en tamaño de porción y calidad. Han eliminado las aceitunas, el queso y los palitos de pan que se colocaron en la mesa nada más llegar. Han quitado los manteles de algodón/lino y los han sustituido por los de papel. También han quitado las servilletas de algodón/lino y las han reemplazado por las de papel. Parece que el restaurante está tratando de reducir costos, pero esto no se refleja en el precio. La comida de hoy era de un mal nivel, seca como si hubiera estado allí durante siglos antes de ser servida. El personal parece muy falto de brillo, y poco comprometido con los clientes. Es una pena, hemos estado viniendo a este restaurante de 3 a 4 veces al año, durante los últimos 15 años. Después de la visita de hoy no estoy seguro de si volveremos.

I came, I saw, and I will never come back! When you are made to wait while setting up a table and then suddenly decide to refuse you entry without any excuse, I call that a lack of professionalism, allow me to have the politeness and respect that you do not have, ciao bella!

Grret service friendly staff, great atmosphere and lovely food

Food and service is excellent Autgentic Italian food. Only downsides are the noise in the restaurant and for me the hard chairs.

Amazing authentic Italian food! They made a pizza into a calzone for me and it was incredible!

I’ve ordered Spaghetti al Pomodoro, which seemed fine at first but got terrible food poisoning afterwards. Also, the tables are squeezed so there’s not much place to move around, and also no hangers for the coats so that’s a bit inconvenient. Though, the service was helpful and friendly, but unfortunately overall I would not recommend the place.

We agree very much with the poor review below for Feb 2025. Very disappointing. Will not return. We’d have had a far superior experience at pizza express. I don’t write reviews often but in this case I urge others to book somewhere else for a better dining experience. Family of five celebrating our youngest boy’s 10th birthday for dinner last night. We were seated near the door and it was cold. We made the best of it and wanted to celebrate our son’s birthday. There was a decorative barrel nearby with several cleaning products on the top of it. It felt dirty. Should not be next to diners and their tables of food. The restaurant decor otherwise was traditional and fun and felt personal and cool with a lot of personal history. Unfortunately the dining experience was very below par. Mainly, the service was so unwelcoming and very uncomfortable. Not one man smiled at us once or made any kind of welcome gesture or spoke. Nobody even said happy birthday to my son except the waitress at the end. The plates were delivered without any comment and no words barely spoken. No smiles. Really grumpy and sullen. No good wishes. We felt that we were not wanted. For an authentic old Italian restaurant, we were really surprised given traditional Italian family ethos. We were not obtrusive diners - not offensive, no screens, just talking all together as a family and laughing and chatting - this was meant to be a real birthday treat out. The wine waiter seemed bored and cross. The front of house and male waiters seemed so unfriendly with no comments at all and frowning. There was a young female waitress who put a candle in my son’s birthday ice cream, as requested nicely by his big sister, and this waitress was the only one who smiled and sang happy birthday to him and this made my son’s night. To be fair there was also a female front of house on the door who also smiled at us on the way out and said goodbye. That was it. The food was bland and mediocre. The specials were definitely not special and the soup had no flavour. The starter tomato garlic bread was nice and tasty to be fair. It was all overpriced. In summary - we felt unwelcome, overcharged and ripped off. It was not a lovely dining experience for my son’s tenth birthday celebration, and there was no warmth - metaphorically and literally. The food was dull. The service was awful apart from smiles from the two female waitresses. Thank you to those women for showing kindness to my son. We will not return and urge others to book elsewhere if you want warmth, a lovely meal and good service. Very disappointing.

Always fabulous. Family run, the finest ingredients, the greatest tasting food. Always knocks it out of the park.

What a lovely restaurant this is reasonably priced in the heart of London, everything you could with for, no frills and spills jut great food and great wine

Really good Restaraunt, great food and friendly efficient staff. Highly recommended. Always book though.

This is one of the best Italian restaurants I've been to in the UK. There are lots of vegan options (though it would have been nice to see a vegan pasta dish that was more inventive or unusual!). They had arabiatta, pomodoro and aglio e olio. They also had a risotto and vegan pizza. I had a garlic bread which I can really recommend - it was really garlicky but in a flavourful way, not a peppery way. 10/10 I had bruschetta, which I'd give a 7/10. For me the bread knocked off some points. Bruschetta bread is supposed to be a few days past it and then toasted, but this bread wasn't particularly toasted and so the stale / dry bread texture came through a bit too strongly for me. And then I had the aglio e olio which I'd give a 10/10. I love aglio e olio and have spent a while perfecting it at home. It's hard to find a good one in a restaurant. The waiter assured me theirs was top notch. It did not disappoint!! Overall I'd really recommend this place. Sorry I took no photos.

This place is full of hustle & bustle. The staff were quite slow in asking for drinks & serving extra drinks. Food was superb & be prepared to pushed about. Whilst waiting to be seated people push past with food. It was quite chaotic. Prices were very reasonable for area.

I loved the food here. I even lost my phone for a short time and the staff kept it for me! Thank you for a wonderful time. I recommend coming back and trying different things. 🇯🇲♥️

Nice restaurant with really fast speed of making food. Quality of food and dessert is good. Be aware when we arrive, we are given 75 minutes before we leave. But as long as you make up your mind fast what you want to order, it is not difficult to make it. 😊

Great Italian local restaurant; feels very family run and oriented Good wine selection, house red did is well and was reasonably priced Pizzas looked amazing, my friend had Calzone which definitely delivered. Spaghetti and (large) meatballs did not disappoint and was fresh, well prepared and came out promptly Dessert was worth having - freshly prepared

Great authentic Italian - lovely atmosphere, friendly staff and a very eclectic menu full of all our fave pizzas, pastas and Italian meals and desserts. Couldn’t fault any of the food - all felt very authentic. Reasonably priced and very buzzy early Saturday evening. We’ll be back 👍

Great food at a competitive price with good service. I will eat there again.

definitely a must go if you wanna give a try actual italian food. Try something else than pasta and pizza and you’ll see what good, fresh food italian cuisine has to offer. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! And the staff are brilliant and attentive🤌🏽🤌🏽🤌🏽 I recommend sardines and minestrone🌟

Absolutely brilliant food loved it.

Overall 4/10, waiters were rushing us every 10 minutes, telling us to leave an hour after our reservation. We ordered the ‘arrabiatta pasta’ and 1 was cold to the touch and the other was cold in the middle (definitely microwaved). Would not recommend.

Extremely good Italian food with friendly staff and a great wine selection

Really good food and super friendly staff. The lasagna were delicious !

Real Neapolitan food, everything incredible, the garlic bread, the pizzas, the pasta... everything super delicious and the staff charming! They serve quickly, even if it is full of people, very quiet place! I will definitely return if I go to London

Cadre froid, plutôt cantine, tres bruillant. Le personnelle est acceuillant, service tres rapide. La pizza est bonne, la pâte est excellente, un peu trop de fromage.

I've been coming to this place for years with family and friends. I was disappointed coming here recently, its sad to say the food has declined.

Delicious food, super friendly employees!

the worst experience ever, do not bother with this restaurant-it is a waste of time and money-unwelcoming ,rude waiter and mediocre food

Quality Italian right in the neighbourhood... Always buzzing

Fab restaurant. Had a really lovely evening!

Worst customer service ever. The bald with glasses guy literally kicked 20 people out after 2h dinner (£760 spent) because he didn't organise his schedule properly. Sooooo rude. We're never coming back!

The food portion are great for its price would recommend to dine in during a stay in Rennes

GREAT SERVICE GREAT FOOD GREAT WINE

Lovely Food service wad a bit patchy

Food was amazing! The flavors were very authentic. We will be definitely coming back!

used to be great reasonable priced food and friendly service - haven't been for a few months since they told me to vacate the table after spending close to £200 when the place was still 50% empty! Tried it again - food was lukewarm - service offhand and when we told the waiter about the food he shrugged his shoulders. A cold evening and the door left open so we had to eat in topcoats. All in all pretty typical of eating out in central London nowadays - food not hot - indifferent service and air conditioning full blast in mid winter. Last time at Ciao Bella and we probably spent a couple of thousand pounds there last year!

Six of us went for a light lunch after we have been on a tour of the 49 Great Ormond Street - a fascinating history of the house. The atmosphere in the restaurant at lunch time was just great. The place was buzzing. We had good service, good coffee and reasonable prices. Everybody only had one course so cannot give an opinion on starters and desserts. Really enjoyed our visit

The food is ok but the service is the worst I have ever been experienced. The waiter seems cannot be bothered and even like a racist to us. Will never go back again!

One of my favorite restaurant from London !

Amazing dinner experience for our anniversary. Live piano music with singing every Sunday by an amazing artist. Garlic bread with mozarella is a big recommendation, just as the lasagna and ravioli.

The service, food and restaurant staff were all very excellent

Aubergine parmigiana was great, garlic bread was okay. spaghetti was expensive and nothing you couldn’t make at home pretty easily. Pizza was also very average. Maybe we got the wrong dishes but I don’t think so. Also if you have vouchers you must spend all it as they will not give you a voucher or change back if you do not, which feels either illegal or a bit scammy?

Highly recommend the pizza and the Cannelloni. Potions are large and the prices are very low for a Central London restaurant

Phoned late afternoon 16th November for a table for 3, at around 17.30, I was offered a table under the heated umbrellas outside. The menu ticked the box for my daughter so I accepted the table offer. Absolutely no regrets, the heaters under the umbrellas are well effective so no worries of being cold. The service was second to none. The menu is really good. The food, oh wow, really good. I'll definitely make an effort to return to enjoy the atmosphere inside in the future. Appeared very popular. I would highly recommend. Booking appeared very necessary, I understand why.

good restaurant, we celebrated a friend’s birthday there, everything was at the highest level

Great service..Excellent food ..would highly recommend to anyone for a great night out with a friendly atmosphere...

Ciao Bella is a cheerful, bustling neighbourhood Italian. It's a rare find as neither part of a chain, nor ludicrously expensive/high end. It doesn't mess about. Dishes are uncomplicated, robust and tasty. Portion sizes are generous. Service is fast, unpretentious bordering on brusque, in a good way. It's buzzing and lively. Try not to be put off your food by the idea that it's where Bojo romanced Jennifer Arcuri (allegedly!).

Food: We started with the Vongole and Cortoccio with wine sauce. The pasta was cooked to perfection, with a delightful texture and seasoned just right. The Calzone was generously sized and full of flavor, making it a standout dish. The highlight of the meal, however, was the Tiramisu. It was wonderfully balanced—not overly sweet, with a rich and complex flavor that really stood out. Service & Atmosphere: The service was solid, with a lively but not overwhelming atmosphere. While the space can feel a bit crowded, it never reaches the point of being distracting, allowing for a comfortable dining experience.

Visité este restaurante para celebrar el retiro de un amigo. La comida era excepcional - gran sabor, porciones grandes y bellamente presentado; la mesa en realidad tenía que ser más grande para acomodar el tamaño de los platos. Lamentablemente, aunque la velocidad del servicio era bastante buena, el personal era duro y miserable; parecía un esfuerzo para que estuvieran haciendo su trabajo. Además, cometieron lo que es, para mí, un pecado cardinal en un restaurante: comenzaron a limpiar platos, etc., de la mesa sin preguntar antes de que toda nuestra fiesta hubiera terminado de comer ese curso; es tan poco profesional y molesto y da la impresión de que no pueden esperar para deshacerse de ti.

really lovely friendly atmosphere, staff were super nice and helpful, food was amazing!! would definitely recommend

One of my favorite places to have a home cooked Italian dinner. Loved the times I was a student there and brings me back when I visit.

Good food. Much better than Covent Garden over in Kensington.

Best authentic Italian in london

Traditional place with simple and delicious food. Big portions and good value for your money. Make sure to book in advance.

Love this restaurant I hadn't been in 15 years but the food was still great

Delicious Italian food always. Never had a bad meal. Good value for money!

I ordered the "Spaghetti Aglio, Olio E Peperoncino" Although the pasta was very good, it was quite dry. This pasta is expected not to be dry

Ciao Bella is a gem! The cozy, home-style atmosphere made me feel like I was dining in Italy. The pasta was fresh and perfectly cooked, and the marinara sauce tasted homemade with rich, authentic flavors. The staff was friendly and welcoming, adding to the warm vibe. Highly recommend for a true Italian experience!

Warm friendly vibes with great food!

Full Italian experience... Staff seemed all Italian speaking and there were red wine bottles across the restaurant. Turned out without a reservation on a Friday and they accommodated us! High quality pizza, no draught beer, and plenty of wine to choose from.

It is a place that is referenced in tourist guides. It's crowded with people, so noisy, very noisy. You have to make yourself heard to order, so showing on the menu what you want to eat will make it easier. In terms of dishes, nothing exceptional I want to say that everyone can make it at home.

Then accommodated our party of 15 with a bunch of kids really effectively

Great authentic Italian restaurant, amazing food.

It is very very italian This was my third time here. Very friendly team. The pana cotta is perfect 👌

We absolutely loved this place. It was great food, Chicken Milanese and Spaghetti Vongole washed down with a couple of aperol spritz. The service was excellent and thanks to all the team. A one hour lunch turned into 4 hours. A real Mediterranean lunchtime. Best table sitting outside with great company. Grazie Mille Ciao Bella

Great pasta, with the option of gluten free pêne with any of the sauces. Prices are decent and food comes quick. We didn’t book and they were able to seat us promptly. We did arrive at around 6 and they mentioned it gets busy after around 7

I ate here on a busy weekend as part of a slightly chaotic group of 10 extended family members. We were seated on one of two large tables in the basement. Unfortunately the other table was occupied by a rowdy stag do, but it didn't do much to dampen my enjoyment of this lovely restaurant! The service was superb, our waiter was friendly, helpful (answering all sorts of queries from us), and full of good humour. The staff apologised for the noise despite it being out of their control, and ensured we were served promptly. The food was delicious- I had a pizza, which was cooked and topped perfectly. I'd highly recommend the spicy pizzas. The loos were clean and tidy for another bonus. It's definitely a restaurant I'd happily return to on a future visit to London, especially in the beautiful Lamb's Conduit Street area.

Authentic Italian fare in the heart of bloomsbury. The food is delicious the staff are friendly the atmosphere is great.

Excellent food at very reasonable prices. It seemed very busy but the waiter was incredibly friendly and engaging.

Wonderful family run restaurant in the heart of Bloomsbury. Excellent quality food, prosecco and lovely Italian staff. Always a pleasure eating here. Very authentic.

The manager/host is extremely rude. Went there to ask for a table and he dismissed me in the most arrogant of ways and walked away. Better places with friendlier service to eat on this street.

The food is delicious... especially seafood pasta

Out of the ordinary, ordinary place to be. Family run Italian gem. Food is GOOD and affordable. The girls were having pasta Puntanesca and loved it (they know how to cook, mind you). And I enjoyed my vitello al limone. We were a bit in a hurry because we had to drive to the coast afterwards but the people never winked and served us with big smiles.

We showed up with no reservation (2 of us), and they were very kindly able to squeeze us in. Water and wine showed up immediately, and we ordered cheese bread to munch on while we tried to make up our minds between the multiple things we wanted to try. The cheese bread was actually an entire pizza- with no sauce. Had a garlic butter and mozzarella topping instead. Everything was delicious and staff was great.

Nice! Make sure you make a reservation, it fills up quickly.

Food: It was really good. The pizzas were delicious and almost everything hit. The lasagna was specifically a highlight Service: One of my friends got a rare lamb and it got instantly replaced upon cutting it to show the wait staff. The turnaround was also pretty quick too. Atmosphere: Absolutely buzzing! There were tons of people there and they all seemed to be having an absolute blast. I don't traditionally go to Italian restaurants, but this one I'd happily visit again.

Had a lovely lasagne, really tasty.

Fab place in the 90s when I was at work - still so.now.