Review Bella Bambina - Rothesay Bay

Fantastic restaurant with amazing food and the most professional and the friendliest customer service ever! Would highly recommend to everyone.

Food was delicious. I ordered the lamb shank. I am glad I ordered the smaller size because it was big. If I ordered the bigger size it would have been too much for me.

Beautiful Meal. All 4 of us had awesome meals. So impressed and nice to have a balance including veges. We will return . It was so memorable when we were just trying for a different meal . Loved it.😍😍😍😍

Small but humble restaurant. Warm environment. Tasty food. Pictures featured are mixed grill and penne creamy chicken and wild mushroom pasta. BYO available with no corkage fee. Generally well presented and tasty. Nice atmosphere. Small and cosy.

Amazing food. Friendly staff. Very happy with this place

Great food. good service and nice ambience. Will visit again.

It is a pity that I can give only five stars! I am coming to Bella Bambina already for 5 years and there was never anything that I could fault. The staff are extremely friendly and helpful, I always feel welcomed. The food is always tasty and the portions are sizeable. There is never an issue of ordering extra sides. I couldn't praise the place more. Definitely my place for comfort food. Mixed grill is recommended to everybody. Even for special events, I was able to organise appropriate meal. And price for value is great!

My wife and I love Bella Bambina and have been regulars for years. We feel like family and guests we take always enjoy the experience. Elena spoils us and caters to my change to eggless vegetarian diet and Sikh Religion.. I trust the food I eat is prepared individually for me. Others love the meat signature dishes like Macedonian Sausage Platter. Dine with two or dine with ten.. you'll love it and hey BYO Wine but try their wine!

Nice place. Cream sauce in the Fettucini was delicious

Their food is delicious and tasty. They are very accommodating for allergies. It’s a cozy restaurant which I like. The host is always lovely. Highly recommend.

Very nice food, really good value for money, atmosphere, very good customer service w a 😊. Different beverage options than the usual and some very nice home made goodies for sell! We loved our first experience there and will come back and recommend to friends and family!

Really enjoyed the food! Ordered a variety off the menu between 5 of us we all loved our meals! Gnocchi was the best I've had yet. The waitress was lovely and the restaurant has a great ambience. Will definitely be back. Thank you for a lovely evening!

Arguably the pest pizza in Auckland. The dough is perfect. Crispy with a little chew. I'm yet to try but could imagine the rest of the menu is awesome! 5 stars 🌟

We have been going to Bella Bambina for several years now.  What we love about the place is the friendly atmosphere and lovely food.  I don't know anywhere else where you can take a bottle of wine and they don't charge you corkage.  They have a new menu and they have added some very tasty dishes.  The salmon and pork dishes are real winners.  We've taken several different people to Bella Bambina and they have all returned as they loved their experience there.

Was a bit awkward when we arrived and our table was not quite ready. None the less 10 mins later we were seated and ordering away. Great service from one waitress well the other I felt we were an inconvenience to her day. Food was alright pasta was amazing! Pizza was missing flavor. Dessert was a winner.

Was taken here for my birthday dinner, and we were delighted with everything. The food seemed to be simple, but made of high quality ingredients, cooked very well. Everything was top notch, would happily go back.

Bella Bambina is always there to amaze with constantly excellent, but every time unique twist with their food. Although branded as Italian, I am always there for their Macedonian and south-European specialties. Starting with their platter of meat and cheese, often followed by their mixed grill, as well as kebapi and wonderful specials, finishing it with tiramisu, baklava or strudel (if able to have a dessert after your main), it never fails to excite. A selection of Macedonian wines (Tikves Smederevka especially), with grappa, adds to the experience. And , of course, bread with garlic/chilli dip. The service is always wonderful, and if not busy, the owner will be there to chat with you. The staff are additional reason why, every time I have guests from overseas, we end up in this eclectic, cozy but fabulous place.

Beautiful food, very tasty and filling however I have received average customer service here at times when they are busy. Once didn't receive my drink which I ordered before our meal until after finishing our meal and chasing it up 2 times. Otherwise a lovely local restaurant.

Food Ballisima, Service Perfecto, our regular go to ristorante. can never fault anything about this place... it's even BYO wine... can you get any better!!

This is the only place to go in Auckland for steak, in my opinion - consistently tender, succulent, mouth-watering! Simply love it. Took the whole family for a set menu and we all loved it. Affordable with enough choices to please everyone.

Regularly go here with my family both eat and and also get takeways. Nothing is ever a problem and the food has always been first class. Highly, highly recommended!

Fantastic service, caring, welcoming staff. Tasty food that came out promptly. Good scenery and well priced. A place that I would go to again if I was seeking Italian food.

Bella Bambina was a pretty good experience until I got to the RAW chicken at which point it turned into possibly my worst restaurant experience ever.<br/><br/>If you are thinking of coming here I would stay well away, as they have zero concern for food safety or their customers health. <br/><br/>The problem isn't so much that they served me raw chicken, but that the waitress and chef don't see the problem with it or even know how to identify the difference between cooked and raw chicken. Apparently it was 'only a little bit raw', because it wasn't 'pink enough' to be completely raw (despite being translucent).<br/><br/>So apparently serving chicken a 'little bit raw' is fine, and they also believe that jelly like, cold, very translucent chicken, that is a different colour to the outside can't possibly be very raw if it's not pink enough. Even if it is raw (which they don't know how to identify) then they still don't have a problem with it.<br/><br/>Here's what happened: I ordered the mixed grill which includes sausages, mixed veges and pieces of chicken wrapped in Bacon on skewers. Because the chicken is small pieces wrapped in Bacon I wasn't cutting into it, and instead putting it directly into my mouth, the texture was a little weird but I didn't think too much of it... then on the second to last piece I noticed that about half a cm in the middle was completely translucent, jelly like, and exactly what raw (not just slightly under-cooked) chicken looks like. Chicken is something I cook often, so I know how to cook it, and this wasn't debatable it was obviously raw; being told otherwise is an insult.<br/><br/>I showed it to the waitress (a Russian lady)... who said 'Okay... It looks a little not cooked'... silence... me: 'Doesn't that bother you, can you please show the chef please so that he doesn't serve raw chicken to other customers?'... shes goes away (with the chicken skewer) and never returns. In hindsight I wish I took a photo before she took it, it was gross!<br/><br/>Eventually we realise she isn't coming back and go to pay for our meals. A different lady serves us and gives us the bill for the full amount. I ask her is she knows the chicken on my dish was raw, she calls over the waitress who served us who gets grumpy and very reluctantly says we can have 25% off (which we were already getting via the entertainment card) - she tells us she checked under the better light and it was 'just a little raw!'. <br/><br/>I refused to pay for my dish (we paid for everything else) at which point she thinks it is appropriate to say in an acusationary tone 'Why did you eat most of the food before complaining, what are you doing?'; this blows my mind as it shows she genuinely couldn't see the problem with serving raw chicken; she treated it less seriously than if I ordered a steak medium rare and it was slightly on the rare side.<br/><br/> I wish I had seen the raw chicken at the start of my meal as it's disgusting that I ate the entire skewer of raw chicken (unfortunately mostly hidden in bacon), and I now have to spend the next few days worrying about potential food poisoning! She then says 'You are asking for too much' and walks off in a huff.<br/><br/>A truly bizarre experience, that ended with them trying to make me feel like I was scamming them because I wasn't happy with getting served raw chicken. All I want out of this is to make sure that no other customer gets the same risk of becoming sick by eating at this unhygienic place. With attitudes like this they should not be in business - they are a public health hazard. How does a restaurant in New Zealand not know you can get food poisoning from raw chicken? What the hell else goes in their kitchen behind closed doors if this is their attitude towards food safety?<br/><br/>Stay away!

Consistently good. I try to go once every two months. Very friendly service in a cosy environment. Chicken Marsala and seafood chowder my faves. Big thumbs up for a little gem of a restaurant.

We went just a week ago for a Valntine's meal. It was the first time and the appearance from the outside was deceiving. Great service from the owner and waitress, stunning meal which both my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed. And I think at just $120 for two which included entrees, main meals, deserts, drinks and a bottle of wine (and one of their new homemade dried sausages which they had available at the counter), it offered GREAT value for money. I have not eaten Mediterranean food for a while but we are going again this weekend. <br/><br/>I must also point out that unlike many supposedly fine dining restaurants that offer deserts made "out of house", Bella Bambina make their own including their Tiramisu and Baklava. YUM .....so do I recommend them. Yes, definitely.

Visited Bella Bambina for the third time on Saturday 6th Feb 2016, we were a table of four.<br/><br/>A lovely apperitif to start, wow!  That little gesture was just so nice and we immediately felt relaxed and settled in to enjoy the ambience, music and the company of friends.<br/><br/>Our orders were mains Mushroom rissotto, steak, Duck casserole, and I had the Vegetable Lasagna.  The steak was huge and well enjoyed, the duck was very tasty, the Mushroom risotto (i have no review for this).  The vegetable lasagna was fabulous, I would def order this again.  I also had the Sopska salad, just lovely but needed more feta, was small cubes of tomato and cucumber.<br/><br/>We finished with Baklava and Cassata ice cream, both were well enjoyed.  Very well presented too.<br/><br/>A lovely little place in Rothesay Bay, and the most popular restaurant on the strip. We look forward to going back again soon. <br/><br/>Reasonably priced.<br/><br/>Service was good.  Waitress (with short hair) could be more engaging (and smile?)<br/><br/>We were last to leave, was quite late and not once did we feel pushed out the door.  <br/><br/>Thank you.

Great food, fresh clean flavors and great service.<br/><br/>Food delivery time good and they gave us a cute homemade liquer.<br/><br/>This might become my local go to will go again!

Lovely place for a date night. Great value. Good homely food , made with passion. The smoked home made sausage a must try. Keep up the gd work. We will return .

Love this place! Great food, fantastic service every single time. Also very good value for money. We have been coming back so often they know us by name and remember our favorites

Had the best night here. Great food, service and company. What a great little find. I don't know how I missed this on our doorstep. The calamari was amazing. High to recommend! Will definitely go back!

Went here with my girl friend and a mate, looking for a new place to eat and found this. Nice little family run Italian restaurant. Service was good and the meal as well. $20-$30 main were well received!!

Have been to Bella Bambina a few times and each time I have really enjoyed the meals and the atmosphere. I went a couple weeks back and I ordered the chicken parmigiana and was a little disappointed. I felt it was a little dry. I do not recommend this dish however the pasta that they do is surely amazing

Best place we have found for Italian so far. Quaint atmosphere, room is quite small- but the food and service were great. The chicken and mushroom pasta was incredible- we'll be ordering it again. Also saw the people next to us order the scotch filet on potato mash- it looked and smelled amazing. We're definitely going back! *Update-returned for a second round and was not disappointed. DELICIOUS!

Very special place! Amazing food, tasty and authentic Mediterranean and south-eastern European cuisine. Been here many times and service and food are always consistent. Kebapi, smokey homemade sausages spicy and mild are the best I've ever tasted! If you are after the best dining experience ditch all your other plans and go to bella bambina !

Eleven of us have just enjoyed the most wonderful Sunday lunch at Bella Bambina - simply cannot praise this restaurant enough....truly superb food (well done George the Italian chef) and will certainly go back there again.

Great little find, there used to be something similar on Hauraki Corner before it became a park.  Lovely meal and great time with friends.  Atmosphere very convivial and the food was excellent.

We went to the Bella Bambina based upon the reviews we had read on the Zomato site and were not disappointed.  The ambience, service and food were all top quality and we were made to feel most welcome.  The complimentary aperitif was a lovely friendly touch and most appreciated on a chilly evening.  We had the Makedona char-grilled beef patty and the Kebapi both accompanied by ajvar which added to the Macedonian flavour.  This lovely restaurant in the middle of Rothsay Bay is a gem.

We've been there 5 times, it says something, right? Food, service, environment - everything is very pleasing. Tonight's cherry aperitif and pasta were just amazing!

Really loved this restaurant! I went there with my family and we enjoyed amazing and reasonably priced food. I highly recommend the Kebapi-absolutely delicious! The service was attentive and helpful and the ambience very pleasant. We will keep coming back to this place for sure!

We fell in love with Bella Bambina on our first visit and have been back virtually every week since. The owner waits on the tables and is extremely attentive and friendly and nothing is too much trouble. The decor is just right providing a warm, friendly yet intimate atmosphere and the food is fabulous and very reasonably priced. And a couple of complementary aperitifs always starts the meal off well! We cannot recommend it highly enough.

Really love this place and can’t wait to go back. Food was beautiful and very reasonably priced, service was friendly and attentive, and the whole vibe of the place was great. We went on a Tuesday night, which you would think may be a quiet night, but there was still a good crowd and a good buzz about the place. <br/><br/>We arrived with a bottle of champagne to celebrate our wedding anniversary, and were immediately offered champagne flutes, an ice bucket and really genuine congratulations. We then received 2x complimentary aperitifs, one plum and one walnut, both of which were delicious and really reminded us of being in Europe... not enough places in New Zealand offer nice little free touches like that. <br/><br/>All of our food was delicious, we had the chicken livers and calamari for entrees, seafood marinara and slow cooked lamb for mains, and affogato and cassata icecream for dessert. We were really impressed with how meltingly tender the calamari was, so many places overcook it and make it chewy but this was perfect. There was so much that we both wanted on the menu, I was already deciding what to have next time!<br/><br/>We spent a good part of the night listing all of our various friends who we would like to take here, so I’m sure we will be back soon. A real gem of a local find.

We went after being told about the restaurant and reading the reviews and found the reviews to be justified. It was my husband and brothers birthdays and we all 6 of us had excellent meals, cooked to perfection. The menu is diverse enough that everyone can find something that they like. The waitress was very helpful and the service outstanding. We will certainly be returning again.

We love the place. Only eaten there twice but both times were great. Especially the aperitif plate. No that's unfair the mains were just as good andboth food and staff were great. The environs was a little cute but it was Christmas time!<br/>Will be back very often

Great local spot. Went with my parents. All the meals, starters were really good and great friendly service.

Cute place, service and food a delight. Quite busy for a Wednesday (may pay to book) and the lovely waitress made the evening extra special. My husband and I started with the tasting platter which was lovely, he followed with the Special of the day - a roast duck dish and I had the Lamb shank ~ 1 was plenty (I was offered 2!). Good portions served and we definately didn't go home hungry. The complimentary Rakija was like rocket fuel, but adding a pleasant touch to the whole evening. We BYO'd and our bill was $64, so very reasonable. Fully recommend to all.

Visited here for my mothers birthday last week. As we were new to the cuisine we asked the waitress to recommend different foods for us to try. We started with the tasting platter- this was superb! A real mix of different types of food and very good value for money. The waitress helped us to choose four different mains which we could share between the four of us. It was great to try different types of foods and enjoyed the opportunity to share. <br/>Even though the restaurant got busier as it got later we still had excellent service and the waitress gave the place a very homely feel.<br/>Would definitely recommend and return again.

Dined here with a large group last night for my nephews birthday. Food was great and our waitress was wonderful. They even let us bring our own cake in and supplied candles , plates etc which was lovely.<br/>All round fantastic night out and we will definitely return.

Great little restaurant - good food/BYO and very reasonably priced. Will definitely return.

Ate at the restaurant for the first time tonight.<br/><br/>Lovely welcome, great service and delicious food. Liked it was BYO and really liked the bill at the end. Very reasonably priced.<br/><br/>Will recommend and revisit.

Wow, what a delight!! The entire family (2 parents and 4 kids) found fantastic meals. Excellent service and a divine tiramisu. Even the price was very good. My little one even enjoyed the fish tank, not only was the tank the size of a TV it was as entertaining as one ;-) We all can only recommend this place.

My wife and I ate here tonight - 20 August. Our meals were absolutely wonderful and the dessert baklava was to die for. The service was excellent. This is a new restaurant only opened for a week and is a real asset to Rothesay Bay. We wish them well and will certainly dine here again.<br/><br/>We ate here again on 22 September with two friends. Another wonderful meal and was a great venue for celebrating a friend's birthday. Thank you!

I took my family of 4 for dinner here last night. We thoroughly enjoyed our mains and desserts and we all had something different! Great tasting food, very pleasant staff and a lovely ambiance. Portion size was just right and we found it to be good value for money. This is a new restaurant, they deserve to do well and I hope they will be well supported by their local community. We will certainly come again.