Vita Bella in Chelmsford

Another beautiful meal at Vita Bella with the family. Service and food excellent as always. Thank you to our favourite restaurant see you again soon.

From the moment we turned into the car park the service begins. The warm welcome we received when we walked through the door continues from all the staff as we were shown to our table. As always the quality of the food is fabulous, and the attentive friendly staff really do ensure everything is perfect. This is not our first visit to this stunning restaurant but every time we drive out of the car park we are always planning our next visit. Thank you Vita Bella.

Celebrated a birthday today yet again enjoyed fantastic food, faultless service, hats off to Vita Bella you have customer service absolutely nailed, throughly enjoying experience cannot wait to return.

We went to Vita Bella on Sunday at lunchtime to celebrate our 12th wedding anniversary, and we loved it. From the minute you arrive you feel welcome as the staff are all so attentive and welcoming. There are so many little touches that you don't get normally. When we booked, we said it was an anniversary, and they remembered this, so congratulated us on arrival. They treated us to chocolates and a dry ice display later in honour of it, too. The food was absolutely delicious. We both had rib eye steak, which melted in the mouth. I had the dolcela sauce, which complimented it brilliantly. The star of the show for me was definitely the panettone Italian bread and butter pudding with custard. Absolutely out of this world. I would rate this restaurant as outstanding and can't wait for my next visit.

Oh wow, WHAT A FIND! We were looking for somewhere to eat en torte home and stumbled on this place. There were about half hour to close, but welcomed us in. The gentleman was super friendly and attentive and nothing was too much trouble. The food was sublime, the best sea bass I have ever eaten. We both said it was the best meal we’d had that year! Can’t wait to go back. Fabulous!

Took 14 of my nearest and dearest family to vita bella after our wedding. Couldn't have picked a better venue. Staff were amazing, super friendly and attentive. They really made the occasion incredibly relaxing. Every dish served was exquisite and the drinks and cigars really topped it all off. Excellent value, excellent restaurant thankyou. Made our day very special indeed.

Had a very lovely meal here with friends. Everything about it was lovely, first time ive been but will definetly go back.

First time in this restaurant and I loved it! The food was delicious, the staff friendly and happy.

Went on Monday for our son’s Wedding lunch. Vita Bella catered brilliantly for the 15 of us. Food was unbelievable and the service was first class as usual. Thanks to all the staff that made it such a great day for us all.

I recently visited Vita Bella for the first time with my beautiful girlfriend, and it was an unforgettable experience. From the moment we arrived in the car park, the staff went above and beyond with their attentive service, setting the tone for a wonderful evening. They truly delivered quality service to a high standard. The food was absolutely excellent—each dish was beautifully prepared and full of flavor. The atmosphere was both elegant and charming, creating the perfect setting for a special night out. Overall, Vita Bella exceeded our expectations, and I will definitely be returning. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a top-notch dining experience. I have scored many points with my girlfriend resulting in a Vita Bella ;-)

What a place this is. Great food with a wonderful atmosphere, plus the staff were a pleasure to talk too and they were very attentive, plus I had the pleasure of having a conversation with the owner and after a few moments you understand his passion for the place and how his enthusiasm and kindness rubs off on all that work for him. I felt like I was royally , the way my partner and I were being welcomed and treated. If you want to feel like this, head to Vita Bella and I guarantee that you want be disappointed

What an amazing experience from start to finish! Carparking attendant found us a space and guided me in. The service was top-notch. White gloved, friendly waiters and waitresses. The owner was super friendly and made time to talk to us. The food was incredible. Generous portions & lovely presentation throughout. Well balanced starter with good size portions of all the elements. Perfectly cooked pork belly with all the trimmings. The most divine kiwi pannacotta, beautifully displayed. We had the 3 course meal off the lunch menu. £34 each, Very good value for money for the level of service and quality of the whole experience. Strongly recommend!!

Fabulous food, great ambience we had a wonderful evening celebrating my wife’s birthday. We could not fault Vita Bella, will definitely return.

Always excellent service and food. Would recommend to anyone.

Fabulous food and service very authentic Italian cuisine highly recommend

WOW what can I say other than probably the best Italian food iv had in my whole life and iv eaten in Italy numerous times...it was to die for..everything about this place was 1 in a million can't wait to go back

Celebrating our 19th wedding anniversary, Have been there many times before but this time unfortunately although very attentive to begin with we ended up walking out after our starter cause our main meal never turned up, we never even got asked if we wanted another drink. Happy Anniversary 😕 Just to let everyone know I have had a an apology from the restaurant today which I do accept wholeheartedly. My post and comments shouldn't put anybody off from trying this restaurant the food is always good and the staff with their white gloves and the parking attendant I always pleasant

I booked the Vita Bella on recommendation for our 40th Wedding Anniversary night out. We we not disappointed. On arriving we had a nice chap guide us to a parking space and assisted us to park up. We were then warmly welcomed inside and to our table for two by the receptionist. Apon sitting down we had our waiter pull out our chairs and place a napkin on our laps. We were made to feel like royalty. All of the food that we ordered came up swiftly and the quality of each dish was superb. At the end of our meal we had a complimentary ice cream served on dry ice as it was know by the staff that we were there for our anniversary. I can't thank you all enough for making our occasion so special. I would highly recommend this restaurant. Thank you guys again and we will be back again soon.

Absolutely Amazing place totally recommend you visit this wonderful dining experience

14/2/24 We came for the Valentine's lunch, it was excellent. From the moment you arrive at the restaurant, until you leave, the staff cannot do enough for you. As usual, the food was well cooked, nicely presented and hot. This was the best lunch I've ever had. This restaurant is so good, that we treat ourselves to lunch on a regular basis. 24/8/24 - Lunch. Food 5* Service 5*. Atmosphere 5* 10/6/22 Came with our family to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We had a great time from start to finish. There is an extensive food and wine menu. The food was very nicely presented, tasty and hot. The staff are very professional, attentive (but not over powering) friendly and polite. All the staff made a very special occasion, perfect. Recommended

We recently returned from a holiday in Liguria and were looking to experience that authentic Italian feeling again. This restaurant did not disappoint! We celebrated our anniversary here with our two daughters, and from the moment we drove in, we felt exceptionally well taken care of. The atmosphere shines high culture and professionalism, and the customer service is truly outstanding. The food was incredible authentic Italian cuisine at its finest. We enjoyed a fantastic soup, delicious lasagne, perfectly cooked spaghetti with heavenly meatballs, ravioli, and tasty salmon. The desserts were also top-notch, and the lovely surprises they prepared for our anniversary made the evening even more special. We cannot thank the team enough for making our celebration memorable. We highly recommend this restaurant and will definitely be returning!

Had such a great night last night with my family for my 70th birthday. We couldn’t wish for better service. I couldn’t fault any of the staff, they were great, worth every penny. Even gave a fantastic dry ice smoke over the table on presentation of my birthday cake. I would say that I would have preferred a crisp skin on our sea bass but still tasted great. Would definitely recommend

Amazing food and amazing staff,Easily the nicest place in Chelmsford to go for dinner

Hands down my favourite place to eat in Chelmsford! Incredibly accommodating for all dietary restrictions too (eg. Vegan, veggie, gluten free).

This has become our favourite restaurant. From the moment you arrive you are treated superbly - nothing is too much trouble and the service is very personal and friendly. The menu is vast and dishes can be altered to suit your tastes. All the food is delicious and beautifully presented.

We called during the day on a Saturday on the off chance there’d be a table for two available. The restaurant was fully booked however called back shortly after to say they’d had a cancellation and could now arrange a table. Result! We were sat in their new garden room which was lovely. As always the food was superb and the service exceptional. We thoroughly enjoyed our night and can’t wait to return.

Second time visiting Vita Bella - I was not disappointed upheld great service, staff were attentive and the food was good. Also a good selection of vegetarian and vegan options. Looking forward to going again :)

Vita Bella delivered a supreme experience for my wife’s 70th birthday celebration today. My praise for the warmth of our greeting for a large party of 30, the quality of the cuisine, the attentiveness of the service and the ambiance of the restaurant justifies superlatives. I rarely leave reviews but the experience compels me. Thank you for providing an everlasting memory.

Lovely food and ambience. Attentive staff. Very impressed.

This restaurant never disappoints. The staff are second to none. The service and attention they give to each and every guest is impeccable. Nothing is too much trouble. The food is the best of its kind and caters perfectly to all dietary needs. We're very lucky to have them in Essex!

Beautiful as always. Great choice for me as a vegetarian - I did not feel like I was missing out! As it was our 15th wedding anniversary, they made us feel so special! Thank you Vita Bella! Highly recommended - visit here if you can!

Absolutely amazing food and wonderful staff

Had an amazing dining experience at Vita Bella in East Hanningfield. The food was delicious - all our pastas were incredible - the fact that you can twist the dish to make it to your liking it’s great and they’re very accommodating on that part! The staff and manager were incredibly warm and attentive throughout the night. Don’t pay attention to the previous reviewers who left petty feedback out of revenge ( they’re obviously feel big behind the screen and would only say something - not constructive 🤣 behind their backs - tut tut tut ) - this place is top-notch and definitely worth a visit!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My wife is Italian so half of my family is Italian. This restaurant does not provide real Italian food. It’s like the chef was given a Jamie Oliver cook book and had a go at cooking. Garlic overpowers every dish we ordered. Carbonara does not include cream in any Italian home or restaurant. It just doesn’t. We were in Essex for a family wedding and were drawn here by the huge number of reviews. We wish we hadn’t bothered. We will never return. I’m sure the belligerent owner who responds to all reviews will be happy to see this. My advice to anyone thinking of eating here is. Don’t bother.

Wow, wow, wow!! What a beyond fantastic restaurant. Superbly professional attentive and personable staff that go above and beyond. Food was delicious and was able to be tweaked and adapted to your desire. Cannot believe this was my first time here but it certainly won't be my last! By far our best dining experience in Essex. Huge thank you to all the staff we really left feeling totally spoilt and like we had had such a treat. A must visit

Scenic spot with bucketfuls of Essex countryside ambience and impeccable service. All before you take your first mouthful. The attention to detail at every turn makes this a special experience I would heartily recommend. From the meticulously maintained exterior and car parking attendant guiding you to a carefully chosen spot, to the friendly, enthusiastic and well timed service from every employee, you feel like a special guest from the moment you arrive. This is not the place where you are left asking for cutlery or brushing away your own crumbs. Your every need is anticipated and met with a warm smile, down to warnings to watch the floor incline every time. The food itself was a delight, with fresh ingredients and delicious flavour pairings doing justice to old classics. I had a prawn and scallop ravioli from the specials menu to start and the risotto allo scoglio (seafood) main with a tomato and red onion side salad. The maitre d’ was so solicitous he ended up offering me a free oyster with their special dressing of olives to convince me to widen my palate! Try them. Delicious!! House olive tapenade with the bread basket was beautifully balanced too. The seafood was burstingly fresh and cooked to perfection, with the risotto done just right. No crunchy grains spoiling the bite. Seasoned perfectly, portion size perfect. Dessert of panna cotta changes weekly- I had the strawberry which was actually divine. Rich, silky textured and tasting of ripe fruit with a coulis of strawberry and black pepper to complement, it was just the end I was looking for to a wonderful experience. Cocktails were also a hit. Try the English Garden for a sip of summer. I was even offered a complementary digestif drink by my friendly waiter! I thoroughly enjoyed my whole dining experience in this charming restaurant where the staff truly care about their guests and are passionate about their business. Great for special occasions as well as an impromptu Sunday lunch. Give them a try and support a local business today!

lovely experience staff are great food is great the place is lovely

Update: My family member who made the booking was called in response to this review and was being pressured to get it taken down causing her a lot of undue stress and anxiety. Absolutely disgraceful behaviour. Update 2: Mate I recently attended an evening dinner service with my family and was rather underwhelmed. My expectations were high due to this establishment seemingly having decent reviews and on arrival the setting and service really lent itself to what I believed was going to be a wonderful evening. Unfortunately the food was just bad. Not inedible, in fact I finished my plate of gnocci as I was pretty hungry, but just bad. My bruschetta, one of my all time favourite italian dishes, an absolute classic, was incredibly disappointing. Just being a heap of sloppy chopped tomatoes whose delicate flavours were completley over powered by garlic on a thin slice of soggy toast. Awful. I will say that the presentation and portion sizes were very nice, but the quality and flavour in the cooking was lacking in its entirety. In terms of authenticity, centuries of culture and cooking are crying out in pain and anger as their name gets dragged through the dirt. I wasn't surprised for the carbonara to be a cream based sauce, that's pretty typical in Britain as it is a mild technical skill to pull off a classic carbonara and get it to the table. But even so it was just so heavy and flavourless that my sister couldn't even finish it and after I tried some, I couldn't blame her. I will say the Oysters were nice with a fun presentation, Mersea oysters are lovely. But lets face it, all they had to do there was open them and put them on a bed of ice. No cooking involved. I wasn't going to bother writing a review, bad food is bad food and I usually don't bother, but thought I would check them out in more detail incase we were just unlucky and had come on a bad evening. What I didn't expect to see was the sheer volume of bile, vitriol and belittling present in the responses to the honest comments and reviews of people that seemed to have a very similar experience to mine. At that point I thought it pertinent to ensure more voices are heard. I await your incoming tantrum with amusement and hope it comforts you that your imbecilic, emoji filled response will certainly trouble me for the rest of my days. The horror. Don't bother about telling me not to come back. You don't need to state the obvious. If you ever do find it within the grasp of your ego to listen to some constructive criticism, please look to the following. Make better food. You have a nice setting, decent staff and clearly some of the ingredients you are using are of good quality. You have all the potential for something pretty special. Send your chefs to Italy, find some nice little local restaurants and find some inspiration to move forwards with. Because honestly I've had better pasta at a Wetherspoons at twice the quality and a 1/5th of the price. (Also posted on Trip Adviser where I have posted a 5 star review before incase the owner decides to use my lack of reviews on google as further ammunition in their crazy echo chamber, get off the keyboard and into the kitchen mate)

I recently attended an evening dinner service with my family and was rather underwhelmed. My expectations were high due to this establisment seemingly having decent reviews and on arrival the setting and service really lent itself to what I believed was going to be a wonderful evening. Unfortunatley the food was just bad. Not inedible, in fact I finished my plate of gnocci as I was pretty hungry, but just bad. My bruschetta, one of my all time favourite italian dishes, an absolute classic, was incredibly dissapointing. Just being a heap of sloppy chopped tomatoes whose delicate flavours were completley over powered by garlic on a thin slice of soggy toast. Awful. I will say that the presentation and portion sizes were very nice, but the quality and flavour in the cooking was lacking in its entirety. In terms of authenticity, centuries of culture and cooking are crying out in pain and anger as their name gets dragged through the dirt. I wasn't suprised for the carbonara to be a cream based sauce, thats pretty typical in Britain as it is a mild technical skill to pull off a classic carbonara and get it to the table. But even so it was just so heavy and flavourless that my sister couldn't even finish it and after I tried some, I couldn't blame her. I will say the Oysters were nice with a fun presentation, Mersea oysters are lovely. But lets face it, all they had to do there was open them and put them on a bed of ice. No cooking involved. I wasn't going to bother writing a review, bad food is bad food and I usually don't bother, but thought I would check them out in more detail incase we were just unlucky and had come on a bad evening. What I didnt expect to see was the sheer volume of bile, vitriol and belittling present in the responses to the honest comments and reviews of people that seemed to have a very similar experience to mine. At that point I thought it pertinent to ensure more voices are heard. I await your incoming tantrum with amusement and hope it comforts you that your imbecilic, emoji filled response will certainly trouble me for the rest of my days. The horror. Don't bother about telling me not to come back. You don't need to state the obvious. If you ever do find it within the grasp of your ego to listen to some constructive criticism, please look to the following. Make better food. You have a nice setting, decent staff and clearly some of the ingrediants you are using are of good quality. You have all the potential for something pretty special. Send your chefs to Italy, find some nice little local restaurants and find some inspiration to move forwards with. Because honestly I've had better pasta at a Wetherspoons at twice the quality and a 1/5th of the price.

We had another excellent meal here on Saturday.Yes it's not cheap but the value for money is exceptional. A good wine list and the service is very good. Looking forward to our next visit.

Just had a wonderful birthday meal here, you'll be greeted by Kiran, the car park attendent, who is professional and polite. Lovely welcome by the Manager, followed by very attentive service by the staff. Food was exceptional and was enjoyed by all.

Booked with friends and family to celebrate husbands 60th birthday. There were 15 of us in total and whilst he suspected something was going on he didn’t expect the number of people who were there. The staff assisted with the surprise by stating the table was booked for 4 people. We were seated in the conservatory which had a lovely atmosphere. The food was excellent - the only course where the plates were not completely cleared was the main course, 2 people struggled with the portion size and just could not finish the dish. Everyone commented on the quality of the food and the excellent service provided by very friendly but professional staff from the car park attendant, through reception and those waiting at table. Thoroughly recommend the experience - fab place for a celebration

A top Italian Restaurant, would not be out of place in London, food was outstanding, staff very attentive but without fussing and asking stupid questions, bit alarmed when we saw the cost of a Prawn cocktail at £20.00, but that aside the mea,l 3 courses was one of the best 👌 Meal for 4 adults with drinks just under £300.00

A special venue for a special celebration. This time, lunch to celebrate my wife's 60th birthday. We had two courses from the lunchtime set menu (mains and desserts). There are always plenty of options from this menu and it works out as really good value for a high quality meal with service that makes you feel special. All staff are always welcoming, attentive and professional. Always mention if you are celebrating when booking - my wife's dessert was served with a surprise (but I won't mention the detail to avoid spoiling the surprise for others). At £40 a head including soft drinks (and a tip) this is a far better lunch time experience than other venues are offering for similar prices. A consistently high standard over the years. Well done VB.

What can I say? Absolutely spectacular! I could not fault anything. The service was out of this world, so attentive yet gentle and discreet in every possible way. From the moment you enter you feel like a VIP. It is such a cozy yet beautiful setting. The food was delicious, and a perfect veriety. All was fresh, fragrant and we enjoyed every single dish. As it was our anniversary, so it seemed half of the guests there too😂, each of us was treated to a complimentary ice cream with ice and smoke effect. There was also a lovely gesture of chocolate and limoncello. We truly felt so special throughout the night that noe I cannot imagine a better place to celebrate special events other than Vita Bella. There is a reason why so many people raved about it. All praise is truly deserved. The owner makes an effort to approach each table and engage in a lovely chat. Honestly, it was the best evening we had in... Perhaps forever. We will gladly return for any future occassions. Thank you Vita Bella for a truly memorable evening!

Great place, location, sevcie and food. All spot on and amazing location for either lunch for special dinners. Thank you!

Fabulous, upmarket Italian.All the staff members were efficient and pleasant.The owner was charming and kept his eye on everything-so no long waits or being forgotten.Classy atmosphere and the best dinner of our 7 day holiday.Added Vita Bella immediately to my contacts list.

First visit and I will definitely be returning. They do an excellent fixed price 2 or 3 course lunch menu. 3 course for £30 was incredible food with a large choice for each course. The service was amazing too.

I have just been to Vita Bella to celebrate my parents wedding. We were given the recommendation by another restaurant who were unable to host us due to not trading on a Monday. I have nothing but praise for Vita Bella. From the moment of arriving in the car park with thier staff gently guiding people into a parking space, to the warm welcome from the waiters genuinely stating that they want you to have a wonderful evening. From the minute I walked in we were made to feel warmly welcomed. The menu was varied and really delicious. There was something on there for everyone! Our glasses were never left to run empty with an attentive waiter always ensuring we had everything we needed. Finally I have to give a mention to the magic touches. The staff remembering it was a small gathering for a wedding celebration and making my parents feel special & thier little display with dry ice which left my mum grinning with delight. If you haven’t been here already I highly recommend this diamond nestled in the Essex countryside. We will definitely be back. Thank you Vita Bella!

Fantastic meal, excellent service. 5 stars!

Been bere twice. Its pricey but worth it. Most delicious food ever! If you dont drink it makes it cheaper. Car park always full but they manage it.

I have been here twice now when visiting family, it's a local restaurant for them, I can understand why the food is beautiful 😍

A very nice restaurant, welcoming with excellent service, congratulations to the restaurant manager and the waiters, super professionals, I recommend and we will even come back. 5 stars Mary Oxford

Myself and partner had a delicious meal the service was beyond good I would highly recommend it

Would come again ,the staff are so delightful ,want to make sure you have a lovely lunch /dinner xxx

Just been here for the first time after driving past it many times and thinking ‘that looks nice I should try that’ It’s superb. Wonderful atmosphere. Friendly and helpful staff. Excellent food. Best pana cotta I’ve ever tasted.

What a fantastic evening again as always. Me and my wife celebrated our 15 year wedding anniversary. The staff were great, the food was as always exceptional. The atmosphere so relaxing and the special touches to make our evening even more special are always appreciated. We will return as this is our favourite place. Thank-you again.

Cannot recommend this place enough. The food is exceptional and the service is attentive. The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming. I had the pizza garlic bread, penne arrabita, and New York based cheesecake from the vegetarian/vegan menu. It's an italian restaurant and they do use cheese alternatives so there are many familiar options. The garlic bread was delicious with just the right amount of garlic seasoning. The pasta was delectable with a hint of spice in the thick tomato sauce. The cheesecake was soft with a nice biscuit base. I would recommend Vita Bella as a place to eat for plant-based/vegan options. It is especially nice for special occasions.

Fantastic Service, delicious food and beautiful place, absolutely loved it, we will go back very soon !

This restaurant never disappoints- the service is impeccable, the food delicious and it’s worth every penny

Good food friendly staff very attentive wonderful evening will visit again

Enjoyed a lovely dinner here for a friend's birthday. Service is excellent, not experienced such great service from a local restaurant in a while Food was good, took bit longer than normal but was fresh and tasty so do not mind that. Would I return is the big question, without hesitation is the answer. Thank you Vita Bella for a fantastic dining experience.

Amazing place to celebrate special occasions. The service was brilliant, everyone so attentive and friendly. The food was delicious, with good portions. We will definitely be coming back!

Outstanding service and great food. Very welcoming and highly recommended.

We chose Vita Bella for our 25th Wedding Anniversary and we could not have been any happier. The staff from start to finish were absolutely superb. The food was amazing along with the service and we will definitely be going back to try some more dishes. Thank you for making our evening so special. Please say thanks to all your great staff. Regards, Chris & Amanda 👍

Our go too for special occasions. Best friend and share a birthday and this our our place celebrate. Attentive staff,Great food. Another birthday enjoyed.

Remarkable restaurant and they even used their company car to ensure we got back safely

Food was good but not fantastic for the price in my opinion. Ordered Scallops starters, Lamb Chops main and Caramel+Chocolate cake. Service and atmosphere was amazing therefore I would go again and potentially order all different items.

So Love This Place,And A Very High Bar Has Been Set,We Had An Excellent Lunch,Fantastic Service,And Wonderful Staff,The Last Negative Review On Here Is Completely Wrong,Did This Customer,Take Their Issues Up With The Management At The Time?Probably Not,Might Be Best In Future,If You Stuck To A Harvester Or A Miller&Carter Perhaps,Where They Basically Couldn't Give A Toss,Dont Come On Here Slagging Off An Absolutey First Class Restaurant With Your Negative Comments,Without First Talking To The Owner And Giving Him A Chance To Put Things Right,Stick To MacDonalds,FaceofRayleigh.

Given Vita Bella's reputation I was greatly looking forward to my first visit. Six of us went to celebrate my friend's promotion and the front of house staff remembered her from previous visits which was nice. They put a lot of effort into their service; someone even walks you to your parking space in the small car park and we must have had 5 different waiters over the evening. I tend to order simple dishes the first time I go somewhere as they're the ones they can make with their eyes closed and are always good. The seafood starter was just that, fresh and flavourful. My steak was lovely and cooked well but unfortunately about 1/3 of it was just fat which I left on my plate. For the prices they charge I was expecting better. The same plain boiled vegetables which come with everything don't taste of much, so the steak sauces are essential. After two courses me and a friend chose to split a profiterole as the lightest option. The hazelnut flavour was good but the pistachio was non-existent. If it wasn't green you wouldn't have known what it was meant to be. They were also room temperature instead of chilled, which made the pastry a bit soggy and the whole thing a bit unpleasant. We didn't finish them. If I had been paying the bill myself I wouldn't have been happy and all in all I probably wouldn't go back. Such a shame after wanting to visit for so long.

“Authentic Italian” seriously? Romanian owner operator pretending to be Italian doesn’t make the food Italian. It’s about as authentic as the tourist traps in Rome serving spaghetti bolognaise. Spend more money on the ingredients and less on the laundry bills for the pretentious white gloves. We’ll never return. What a shambles of a place.

I wish there was a “Good” between Average and Very Good in the ratings. The ambience, decor, service and friendliness of the staff are all worth five stars here and the prices charged reflect this. I have absolutely no problem with spending money on nice things and that clearly includes dining out. We came with friends for Sunday lunch and they have been before in the evening for dinner. They made the reservation and we all had a nice experience. My three stars here is because the food I was served was not in the same league as other places we been and it was a little disappointing overall. Nothing was awful. Nothing warranted complaint. But none of it was any better than average as far as Sunday Lunches go. We’ve eaten nicer food in other places at lunchtime on Sundays. We are going to visit again in the coming weeks to sample the evening menu and I’m sure this will be well received. In closing I should mention the staff, and in particular the younger members of the team. It was a joy to watch them in action and go about their business efficiently and with a smile.

The attention to detail was incredible. Food was very good. Also made an effort for my sons birthday. Would definitely return

We came here for our 2nd wedding anniversary, it was a great experience, the food was lovely and fresh. Andre was serving us and was brilliant. Would recommend to everyone!

Went for my birthday and they were so lovely without going over the top

I went for a celebration lunch with two friends who had big birthdays. We had a very warm welcome on arrival. Great choice on the menu, from which we opted for a main and dessert all of which came beautifully presented and tasting wonderful. Service was impeccable at all times and the kind gift of chocolate and the dry ice display was very much appreciated by the birthday girls! We will be back again soon!! Thank you all.

We had a lovely time enjoying a romantic evening for two. We ate off the set menu as there were too many choices, causing my husband to have option paralysis 😂 The staff were fabulous, with real attention to detail. It really was a five-star experience all round, and we will certainly be returning.

A great place, you feel special the moment you drive in, fantastic service and good food.

Excellent evening, staff very welcoming and food was 10/10. I can’t wait to return again in the future. Highly recommend, you couldn’t fault it.

Last night went for a meal to celebrate our wedding anniversary. It was our first time visiting Vita Bella. The evening was really wonderful, lots of attentive staff were on hand but we never felt rushed. The food was really tasty. 👌 But they went the extra meal, a fabulous ice cream with a candle with rolling dry ice was spectacular. Another nice touch was a bar of chocolate with Love on it and complimentary limoncellos. Fabulous! Thank you for making our anniversary so special

Outstanding! Fantastic food, service and ambience. Setting has changed since we last visited, and it is beautiful, we never felt rushed and the staff were attentive but not overbearing. If you want to have a wonder evening with family or as a couple then Vita Bella is the place to go!

Fabulous service Extremely accommodating to gluten free also Staff and owner were so lovely and welcoming Food was delicious A lovely evening

WOW...simply one of the best Italian meals I have ever had. My husband and I went for the first time to celebrate my birthday after seeing good reviews and I am so happy we did as we enjoyed every minute of our visit. When we arrived the car park attendant took our name and showed us where to park and they opened the door to the restaurant and when seated took our coats. The restaurant is very smart inside especially the marble in the toilets Good relaxed atmosphere, staff were very attentive and really made the night for us by taking the time to talk to us, ask us how our food was and wishing me a happy birthday We both had a special starter which had prawns, calamari, whitebait, scallop with courgette, pepper & some crisp strands with a mayonnaise sauce which was really well cooked, tasted really nice & would happily have again I had vegetarian lasagna and it was so very tasty & even better that it was filled with vegetables rather than fake meat which I'm not a big fan of which had a really great tomato sauce...was quite filling so my husband finished it up My husband had the pork belly which he said was so well cooked it fell apart and came with a really nice sauce, I think it was a mushroom sauce For dessert I had my favourite which is panna cotta which was strawberry flavoured and has got to be one of the best I've ever tasted, it was smooth, silky, so creamy and just delicious....I could have had another if I wasn't so full from the rest of the meal My husband had cheesecake which we both said was just the best we have ever eaten as it was so smooth, creamy & nothing like any other we have eaten as they have always tended to be grainy this one was just THE best and you can tell it was freshly made As it was my birthday I was given this clear pot with some ice-cream on the top and dry ice on the bottom which the waiter started off the reaction and it was so cool something ive never seen before and loved every second of the experience I was even given 2 of the best truffles to take away with me at the end of the night which was such a lovely touch to such an amazing night. I cant thank the staff enough for everything we experienced at the restaurant and cannot wait to come back for my husbands birthday, I am already looking forward to it and have already recommended the restaurant to a few people i've spoken to.

Always a pleasure to eat at vita service excellent food amazing.staff go out of their way to make sure you enjoy your visit

We wanted a special restaurant to celebrate our Son's new job. From the moment we arrived, we knew this was going to be a great experience. The staff are so welcoming. The food was amazing, and the service was fabulous. Thank you to all at Vita Bella for making our celebration amazing. It was our first visit, but will definitely not be our last!

Today myself and my family at Vita Bella, we where treated to a dining experience that surpassed all expectations. The food was exceptional, each dish a masterpiece of flavor and presentation. However, what truly elevated the evening was the unparalleled service provided by the remarkable staff. From the moment I walked in, their warmth and professionalism made me feel like a valued guest. With attention to detail evident in every aspect of the experience, dining at Vita Bella was an unforgettable delight. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking an extraordinary culinary journey. Will definetly come back here very soon. And I would like to add that we traveled all the way from London, and yes, it was really worth it! Thank you.

Occasionally if you're very lucky you may find an absolute gem. For us today was such a day. Try it for yourselves, you can thank me later. We were made welcome from the moment we drove into the car park. Staff were attentive, polite and friendly at all times. The food was stunning. I had the pate to start and my wife had the baked Aubergine. Both were very good and highly recommended. For the main I had the Salmon Sorentina and she, the Pork Belly. Again both were delicious and cooked to perfection. For dessert we both had the cheesecake. By the time we left it was fair to say we were satisfactorily stuffed. We will most definitely be back again soon. Thanks to everyone who made our visit something to talk about.

We visited Vita Bella for lunch for the first time today to celebrate our parents 60th wedding anniversary and 85th birthday. The whole experience was exceptional from the moment we arrived and were welcomed by the owner. The restaurant is beautifully presented and clean. The food was delicious, with generous portions and without exception, every member of staff were friendly and attentive. Thank you for making it a celebration to remember for our parents. We are looking forward to returning.

The Food And the service was phenomenal. Best service around hands down ! I highly recommend this place…..

Great Italian Restaurant. Been here a few times and does not disappoint. First time for lunch and went on a Monday, didn’t book just turned up. Staff very attentive and food was excellent.

Food was excellent, service was not intrusive but very attentive, in fact as good as any 5* establishment in London.

It was recommended to us and we'd be more than happy to do likewise. Scoglio was very good. Owner was very passionate and welcoming. Will definitely be visiting again. Thank you for a lovely evening.

Used to love this restaurant .. but I went for Valentine’s Day ‘set menu’ ; £89 a head … but only able to have either one portion of potatoes OR vegetables .. & they were barely enough for one portion . Asked if we could buy extra , but not available - as only the set menu …. so not a full main meal, in my opinion .. very disappointing when you think peas & potatoes cost so little ; pennies !! & the set menu being very high . I wrote to them twice regarding this as I never wanted to leave a negative review .. but no reply . They pay so much attention to little details , I just don’t understand why they ignore speaking to their customers about fundamental expectancies, when eating a meal . There was no other menu offered on this day . Not sure I’ll go again, because of this . I don’t mind paying high prices but expect to be able to eat a full dinner and I felt like they were making tiny cuts for profit - why else ? I ave finally got a reply from them, having left this review & despite whet they reply below, due to me leaving this negative review .. they were quite threatening & have asked me not to attend their restaurant again ; quite unprofessional and rude, considering my comments were not that harsh, but accurate & I tried to contact them via email, before leaving the review . Make what you will . Heaven forbid we have freedom of speech . I would not want to support to people with such views, anyway .

The whole experience, from the moment we drove into the car park, to the moment we finally departed, was excellent. Beautifully presented tradition Italian cuisine, enjoyed in modern stylishly decorated surroundings, served by efficient, knowledgeable and helpful staff. The attention to detail was noticeable. Simply superb.

I visited Vita Bella yesterday with my Wife, Mother-in-Law and Son and it was amazing as always; the staff were their usual attentive and friendly selves headed up by 'Cip' who was as charming as ever and he made sure that all guests were being looked after and had a good experience. It was busy but never felt rushed and our food was excellent. It was a set Mothers Day Menu with a smaller children's menu for my Son who still enjoyed decent sized portions and he loved the desert too. The menu still had plenty of choice and plenty of quality suiting all tastes and the combination of the friendly atmosphere, quality food and friendly staff meant that we had yet another brilliant dining experience. It is not an easy industry to be consistent, please demanding guests and constantly get it right whilst striving for improvement at the same time yet Vita Bella manage this perfectly. We are fortunate enough to live a stones throw away from here, but maybe not fortunate enough that out budgets allow us to attend as regularly as we would like, yet going there infrequently means it really is looked upon as a 'proper treat'. My Wife and Mother-in-Law had a perfect Mothers Day and we are extremely grateful. PS - I drive pass this place several times a day and it's always super busy so booking in advance would be my tip, many thanks Paul, Emma and Freddie xxx

An absolute gem of a restaurant serving first class Italian food. The menu is varied without being overpowering with excellent meat,fish and vegan choices. The food is cooked perfectly and nicely presented. I must say that the staff are among the most helpful and pleasant people that I have ever had the pleasure of being served by, nothing is to much. Waiting time is reasonably minimal for each course considering each dish is freshly cooked. Considering the class of food served the price is reasonable, in fact many "gastro" pubs pretty much rival the cost without equaling the same high standard. I would recommend booking a table as Vita Bella is understandably popular. I will no doubt be booking again. In addition to my earlier review I booked again in March 2024 for my wife’s birthday and endorse my previous feedback with a few other observations. I cannot think of a better restaurant to book for a special occasion. It goes without saying that the food is top class with a wonderful selection to choose from. It is the attention to detail that deserves a mention. You are welcomed upon arrival and after a few pleasantries shown to your table. The ambience is excellent with nice music and lighting. The white gloved staff at Vita Bella go the extra mile, nothing is missed, well mannered and friendly. Within Essex I would plump for the Vita Bella over all other restaurants for that special occasion. I will definitely be returning…40 years of wedded bliss next August!

Wow how much more can I say about this restaurant other than it’s absolute perfection from the minute you pull in to the carpark until the minute you leave it’s more than just amazing food it’s a complete dining experience from start to finish will 100% be coming back very soon thank you to all the staff for making our visit so enjoyable be proud of your team they are simply fantastic

Great food, great service, that's all anyone needs to know.

Been several times. Eating in London is very expensive but here you get good food and wine at a more reasonable price. Nice people good service. Good menu. Four of us. Able to have a good variety of dishes. Also toilets kept very clean, always a good sign.

A superb Italian restaurant, the staff are 💯 professional, a superb experience every time