Ciao Belli in New Forest

Ciao Belli changed hands about a year ago. Don't pay any attention to the adverse comments. They are long out of date and none report on the present owner/chef . The best dishes for lunch are the Pastas and salads. Both offer many different choices and are as good as any main course in Lymington. (Breakfasts are good too!)

Had a really lovely and very tasty lunch here today, I had the mackerel panini and hubby had the ham, cheese and mushroom. Came with a very generous tasty salad and tortillas. Good value for money too.

Last time I went it was busy, today empty but food was great

Lovely Italian cafe deli. We had Parma ham and mozzarella panini and a special - Trofie sausage pasta. Absolutely delicious! The loose leaf tea & hot chocolate were very nice as well.

Visited with a friend for a light lunch

A lovely meal in a very relaxing environment. Such fresh tasting food.

Very good gluten free pasta, it was absolutely delicious.. the chef was very nice, the music was good.. clean, cheap and delicious

We have eaten many many meals out in Lymington but tonight we have found our favourite place. We’ve just had a memorable evening at your lovely restaurant. The food was very fresh and absolutely delicious. The service was great, attentive and polite. Such a personal experience. Perfect evening with some delicious wine and coffee to complete the whole experience. We’ll be back. X

It was perfect!! Gluten free !! Just perfect

Excellent fresh food. Main courses all judged as excellent, especially the lasagna. Tiramisù was 'different' to the usual Italian restaurant-style tiramisù, looking more like cake than the usual. Pleasant decor and comfortable seating. Arrived early for dinner so wasn't too busy. Service attentive. Prices very reasonable (for 2023) considering the decent quality of the dishes.

This was by far the most humiliating and disgusting experience of eating out in Lymington. Not only was I accused of being impatient after waiting half an hour for my food I was then shouted at by them when I was in the shop next door in front of everyone. He accused me of not paying. Firstly I would never do that and I had paid with a card so had proof but there are ways of approaching people and think about how it affects people. I will NEVER return there. I cannot recommend anything apart from not going there.

Great little spot - we had the lunch pasta specials and they were excellent.

Good food and friendly service.

Sadly I was not fed as they close kitchen so early (lunch time service finished and still long way for evening meal) . Very disappointed as I was HUNGRY. Whole Lymington is lazy - most places seem to shut the food prep at 2PM?? Coming from London it is a SHOCK. Small seating area not particularly cozy as they have their grocery items displayed all around tables. Pricey coffee

Amazing freshly preparex food in a cafe atmosphere! Great value for money. I recommend the prawn linguine with white wine sauce.

We went here for our anniversary, glad to find they opened in the evenings on Fridays and Saturdays and so pleased we went here. The food was exceptionally good and the staff very friendly. If you get the chance go here and eat, you will not be disappointed. I would definitely recommend and would eat here again when we visit Lymington. A real gem of a place. Thank you for a really lovely meal

As always excellent food However Lunch Specials board left me confused No prices!!! Just a price range £9 to £14 Staff when asked could not or would not give prices Bit of a wait and see moment when you get the bill

not much choice if u don't like pasta

Always a lovely plate of good food and Italian Vibes

We had pasta lunches which were fine. Excellent coffees. Service was very good . As expected from this cafe/restaurant.

As a local I use for coffee and snacks. Calm atmosphere. Friendly owner and staff. It is my Coffee shop of choice in Lymington. Pasta dishes are great. If you don't know Ciao Belli go to the bottom of High Street, turn left it is a few shops along. Two or three minutes walk from centre of high Street.

Clean, tidy and well-presented restaurant. The staff were friendly and helpful. We all had panini which were tasty and with generous amount of filling. The coffee was some of the best we have had locally. The main meals looked good so will try to go back soon.

Great staff and coffee was very good, Panini was OK Will visit again.

Better food than in many of the more expensive restaurants, the food, atmosphere and service are great. It is not that large and the tables are relatively small - but the total affect is very good. Can indeed recommend the seafood/prawn linguine but many other dishes are good. Also excellent for lunch.

Lovely cafe, nice food and great service, would recommend.

Great authentic Italian restaurant 👌

Calm, relaxed atmosphere. Risotto kind of ok but a bit dry and basic, lacked the usual lushness of a good risotto . Small car park next door but usually busy. One step to enter a bit narrow for wheelchair users. Kid friendly and variety of vegetarian options

Lovely place, great service and delicious food. We shared the Ciao Belli panini and Antipasto for lunch - generous and great quality ingredients. The coffee was fab too. Will definitely go again next time we're in Lymington 👍

Very good Italian food and a cozy environment.

Lovely girl and pot of decent tea very clean toilets

As a family we went with my Italian boyfriend for a birthday celebration. The food was incredible - crab linguine, wider seafood linguine, mushroom saffron pasta and the veal dish were all very much enjoyed. Wine was a lovely pairing and waiting staff were great. We’ll be back!

Just the best scrambled egg, ever. Very friendly, music is perfect for their set up. Staff very friendly and the owner too. I look forward to my weekly visit when working here.

Nice little deli with great food selection. Friendly staff.

Small restaurant that varies the menu which is nice. Staff are great and professional which makes the visit a real a treat.

What a fabulous little place. Superb food, a gnocchi and prawn linguine to die for. Lovely people and so clean. A really great find.

On our first morning in Lymington we stopped in here for breakfast as it is very close to our accommodation. It was perfect. We both had Eggs Ciao Belli and a tea. Service was prompt and friendly and the food was lovely. The staff checked on us to make sure all was ok and they were very attentive. It was busy but didn't feel overly crowded and there was generally a nice atmosphere and buzz. Really good job.

Het eten was echt veel goed... Maar om 4 pond in rekening te brengen voor een kan water die we niet bestelt hadden haar wat ver & het was al aan de prijs.

I’ve been fortunate enough to pop in several times over the past month - if I was more local I’d be in here every week for lunch. Excellent lunch specials (five or so choices) of homemade pasta dishes at around about £12 a go. (The linguini with sea bream in a tomato sauce I hadthe other day was arguably the best pasta dish I’ve eaten - and I’m no spring chicken! Three choices of white or red by the glass - friendly service and a comfortable slightly retro and buzzy vibe. Fantastic.

This is an off the high street option without any harbour views and was recommended by some local friends. With hot breakfast choices running between c.£7 & c.£9 I had high expectations. It's OK but two slices of factory sliced brown bread stacked under the scrambled eggs when more exciting bread options exist and the previously famous egg & pancetta breakfast panini delivered was dry & uninteresting. Its a shame and has reduced this to just cheap bread hosting minimal ingredients. Basicly, in my view the components here need to be much better quality to justify these prices & location. On a positive note the staff were friendly & attentive and the cafe clean and interesting with a range of italian groceries on sale. The coffee, I'm told, is excellent. We did'nt complain, it was after all OK but there is better available locally.

Very nice food had the mushroom pasta, had tirmsui for pudding a shame they could not offer any pouring cream available. What let it down was the staff slow service I had to shout Iam ready to order, waited a few minutes for them to clear the table and remind them I ordered pudding. Had to go to the counter to pay the bill it would of been nice if table service when paying the bill. The drinks were overly priced expensive.

We went to this lovely restaurant at 9:45 on a Saturday night just as the chef was finished and we were so greatful to have been allowed in. Needless to say we had to order immediately in actual fact my wife had to chose and order for me while I had to nip to the loo. We just had the mixed fish pasta dish and it was absolutely delicious no scarcity of lovely properly cooked fish. We had a bottle of house red which was also delicious. The staff were so friendly and the place had a lovely ambience, we weren't rushed by any means and had a lovely end to our evening. It was probably one of the nicest restaurants I've ever visited and it was by far the best of all the different places we had visited in Lemington. The icing on the cake was the bill which was so reasonable. I can't wait to go back there.

Visited for brunch and were very pleasantly surprised by this little gem. Authentically Italian, it was not overly busy. I have to say it was the best coffee and scrambled egg I have ever had. Plenty of egg which was hot, moist and seasoned perfectly. I had the Italian sausage with mine and it was delicious. Also had a side of fries which were hot and crispy. Everyone cleaned their plates and said they would definitely be coming back on our next visit to Lymington. Would certainly like to try the evening menu.

Visited here on a weekend away, the food and staff were excellent! If we come back to Lymington we will definitely book this restaurant again.

I have eaten here a number of times and have always been impressed with the quality of the food. Genuinely Italian with portions which are just right for lunchtime. Today my friend and I both had the Trofie pasta with mushrooms and it was perfect with a large glass of red wine. I have read reviews on here about poor service by the waiting staff but I have never found that. In my view, they leave you to get on with your meal and, if you need anything, you can always catch their attention or go up to the counter. It is located round the corner at the bottom of the High Street so just off the beaten track, which I suspect means that it is not as busy as it could be. But don't be put off if it is quiet - the food will still be fresh.

I soooo wanted to write something nice following my last review here. The place is busy and I was lucky to get a table. I chose the lasagna. The chef is great and clearly committed. He brings the food to you himself and wishes you...

Really very nice Italian. Can thoroughly recommend the panini for lunch (good choice for veggie and meat eaters) the specials looked great too. Was very tempted by the home made lasagna. Good range of cakes and deserts. Definitely worth a visit

I visit on a regular basis. Always made welcome. This is privately owned. Many locals use this restaurant. It is just one minutes walk from the bottom of the High Street.

Amazing food , very good produce , amazing presentation, lovely staff , highly recommend

Really really nice. Food was great, setting is good. Just my usual gripe about the staff. It took eight minutes until I could get the waitress’s attention before I could start my food …regrettable that it had gone cold when I started and I was...

Excellent food and friendly staff. A real find on our holiday. REALLY good coffee.

Great meal, lovely polite staff, nice atmosphere.

Attractive window display drew me in. Lovely little individual boutique. Needless to say, I didn't go home empty handed. I will definitely be back.

Wonderful food lovely service, think the decor could be better. But can't fault the food wine or service.

Excellent service, food delicious. Will return t this gem in Lymington!

I went in with a friend, not expecting much, the general look and feel of the place wasn't the best, but once we tasted the food, everything changed. We had two of the specials , both pasta dishes and they were both extremely good. Delicious! I would definitely recommend and go back. The staff were friendly and the service was good.

Amazing food, definitely would come back!

Lovely romantic lighting and real Italian food, great service too . We have been to this Italian restaurant for lunch many times but this was our first dinner. The menu is quite different in the evening. The restaurant is not open for dinner every night...

Nice cafe for breakfast. Good coffee. Good service and value for money. Recommend the panini sandwiches

My wife and I have been going here for years, but yesterday was an unusual experience as two of the three sausages on my scrambled eggs were inedible. Very tough indeed (could not be sliced with a knife). I made the mistake of chewing the...

Really tasty food, can heartily recommend!

We were lucky enough to secure a reservation for dinner. The restaurant was very attractively set with candles and fairy lights. All the dishes were very fresh and delicious with generous servings. The staff were all very pleasant and efficient without being intrusive. There was...

Nice service, but not much else was great. Soggy and overcooked calamari, tough sausage with red wine, chicken Milanese that tasted frozen, average pasta and all overpriced. Wouldn't go back.

The best meal we had during our summer holiday wasn’t in one of the swankier, pricier establishments but in this jewel in the High Street. Attention to detail is the order of the day: the best ingredients combined with care to create delicious dishes. And...

Eggs Royal & Italian coffee breakfast. Gorgeous,! This place is such a little jem.

Very nice dessert was excellent burger good . Very clean good service. Intimate atmosphere. Even helpful with charging mobile

Don't expect a big restaurant experience, just enjoy the relaxed friendly environment. Yes you may have to wait a little longer for your cooked to order meal, especially if its busy, but you'll enjoy your meal and a few drinks. As for cost, your in Lymington but I've paid more for an inferior meal else where. We enjoyed a great meal with a nice wine and good service.

Lovely breakfast and good coffee.

Absolutely loved the panini and great customer service!!

Fantastic genuine Italian food and hospitality, will definitely be back next time we're in Lymington

Well presented, tasty pasta dishes (includes gluten free choices). Dishes may take a little while to arrive becase they are all prepared specially. Well worth the wait. Reasonably priced, including wine.

Had 3 visits here during our week's stay, once for coffee, once a late lunch and another time for breakfast . Excellent each time and really efficient and genuinely friendly.

We had a wonderful meal here in this cosy restaurant at the weekend. Food was delicious - freshly prepared (hence slower than average service) and authentically Italian. The service was excellent. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this lovely place.

This place is a gem. A good place for coffee and the food and service are first rate. Relaxed eating, no hassle or pressure. Top marks.

Great little authentic Italian. We were so late but they were cool and made lunch stress-free.

Slow service (not even busy) over priced, over cooked panini and croissant. Very disappointed.

My wife and I have been going to Ciao Belli since it opened as an Italian Deli with some tables and we have enjoyed seeing it develop into the intimate restaurant with a deli which it is today. It’s a proper family business and the...

This was our regular Saturday morning coffee spot. It appears to have changed hands and what was previously the best coffee in town is now probably the worst. Will be finding somewhere else in future.

Love this place - just come in after lockdown, and it is great. Delicious fresh food, cooked to order, lovely cakes, coffee and the staff are very friendly. Far better than a standard chain. They also have nice wines too, and it is perfect for some time to rest and relax. If in Lymington, I highly recommend. A quite spot at the bottom of the hill, round the corner - but all the better for a 5 min walk. Thanks all.

Really friendly, lovely atmosphere, great food!

I mainly use Ciao Belli at the end of long walks around the sea wall. In good position at bottom of town, just around the corner. Friendly atmosphere and staff. Has many regulars. Great green tea, made from leaves, not bag. Good juck over next few weeks. I will be back.

Very disappointed in our meal for four adults in what is no more than a cafe with candles. All portions were very small and wine choice for a reasonably priced bottle is very limited. Steak dish was small and tough, the pasta and lasagna were flavourless. Service charge added to bill automatically, although no fault with service. Go elsewhere in Lymington, The Monkey House is far superior and much better value.

Had dinner here last Saturday with friends; lovely intimate place; young enthusiastic staff; menu limited but the better for it and interesting take on dishes; we gather it may be changing hands and if so message to new owner: change nothing.

Top notch lasagne, excellent house special panini. Friendly customer service, clean and sate environment. Recommended.

The go to Italian coffee shop in Lymington. Luca brings his Italian charm and expertise to this 36 cover oasis. coffee, pastries, breakfasts, light lunches and pasta-led dinners on Friday and Saturday evenings. Highly recommend as long as Luca is there!

Super friendly staff, strong coffee and scrumptious food. I recommend the Egg Ciao Belli ... 😋

Had such an amazing birthday meal here. The food quality was top notch. The calamari starter portion size was super generous and so tasty and everything else they served was just wow. I'd go back here in a heartbeat.

Went in for two takeaway lattes. How hard can that be to get right? They were undrinkable. Given this is a coffee shop that’s pretty poor. Nice staff who were friendly but still £5.90 down the drain literally.

Loved the food and service but do beware, some dishes are served on boards or whatever! If like me you can't stand fries in a wire basket and no boundary to your food, check out John Finnemore "I want it on a plate". Very funny.

What a delicious dinner! Between the five of us, we had the bolognese, crab linguine, and a tricolore. The bolognese had loads of flavour, and the crab linguine was simple and fresh, really letting the crab sing. The tricolore was hearty and flavoursome. This is just what you want Italian food to be - tasty, no fuss, home-style, and comforting. Was happy with the wine list too. For dessert we had lemon custard tart, which had a great custard but far too much shortbread base for my liking. The Irish coffees and digestif were a great finish. I will say, if you have any issues with garlic, keep clear!

Visited twice - two days on the trot, for breakfast, as it was just SO GOOD! Really accommodating for coeliacs and the coffee was lovely. Cute place and chilled atmosphere with friendly staff 😃

A spacious friendly cafe restaurant which has made excellent adjustments to the restaurant without taking anything away. Charming staff looked after us and served delicious authentic cakes and coffee , great.

Visited this lovely deli cafe this morning to grab a coffee. Whilst there me and hubby spied the specials board and decided to book a table for lunch / Dinner.We returned and we were not disappointed, nice table in the window CV19 restrictions compliant, separating panels between tables, staff had masks, staff cleaning each table immediately after people leave.Spaghetti Bolognese and lasagna were excellent. Extremely flavourful, large portions. Staff friendly reasonably priced. 1x bottle of white wine, 1 X peroni, two mains £50.

We had been many times for lunch or coffee at Ciao Belli but never for dinner.Now I almost feel ashamed that I didn’t.It was superb. The food, the wine, the atmosphere - like a little Trattoria.Well done and Thanks Luca.We will back soon.Tobi

Popped in today for a coffee. Great service, friendly staff, covid compliant. Have booked to go back tomorrow for breakfast as the menu looks great.

Great service and food. Intimate restaurant

Some restaurants have not reopened following the Coronavirus lockdown. Ciao Belli has survived, and is serving the best food and coffees in Town.

4 of us enjoyed a wonderful meal with excellent service last week. 3 of us ordered the crab linguini and asked for the chef to add some chilli as we love that. It was fabulous and certainly the best meal of our week's holiday in the Solent. The food was delicious with just the right amount of heat. The service was great too.

I couldn't recommend this restaurant enough. It was the first restaurant I went to after lockdown and I loved every minute of it. The staff had made a real effort, making sure everything was safe by wearing shields, putting up plastic barriers between the tables and having hand sanitizer at the entrance. The service was fantastic, the food was delicious and the vibe was amazing. I felt so comfortable here and if I could afford it, I would go there every week!

We had a fabulous meal here - our first during our holiday. The staff were friendly and took all the expected precautions but in a well managed way. The food was excellent and we particularly enjoyed the antipasti. Thank you for a lovely evening!

We had a lovely lunch here. The smoked salmon and cream cheese panini, smoked salmon and scrambled eggs and a delicious mackerel and beetroot salad. It's a small restaurant but with the transparent screens between tables it felt very safe and not at all obtrusive.