Bella Vita

About Bella Vita

Bella Vita is a multi-award-winning Italian inspired restaurant at 146 Devon St East in New Plymouth, trading under the motto 'mangia bene, mangia italiano' — eat well, eat Italian. The restaurant started from humble beginnings in 2004 as a cosy Italian inspired spot in the heart of New Plymouth, relocating in 2011 into its current larger premises to offer a more extensive range of food and beverages.

The menu spans breakfast, brunch and lunch, dinner, dessert and an extensive beverage list including Italian and local beer such as Peroni. Most dishes can be made gluten free or dairy free on request, and the restaurant is designed to accommodate all types of groups and functions, including a dedicated kids menu and kids desserts.

Bella Vita has been recognised as a Taranaki Halamoana Awards finalist for outstanding restaurant, has received New Zealand Beef & Lamb Awards recognition, and holds a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for 2015, 2016 and 2019.

Bella Vita: New Plymouth's Multi-Award-Winning Italian Restaurant

At 146 Devon St East in New Plymouth, Bella Vita has built a reputation as a multi-award-winning Italian inspired restaurant, living by its own motto: 'mangia bene, mangia italiano' — eat well, eat Italian. What began in 2004 as a cosy Italian spot in the heart of town grew enough by 2011 to justify a move into larger premises, giving the restaurant room to offer a broader range of food and drink.

From Breakfast to Late-Night Dinner

Bella Vita's menu structure reflects its range. Breakfast dishes like Grandma's Breakfast and a classic Eggs Benedict sit alongside a substantial brunch and lunch menu covering pasta, pizza, salads, burgers and $12 lunch specials such as calamari or a carbonara. Dinner shifts things up a level, with mains including pan fried salmon, a coconut braised pork belly, and a grass-fed NZ beef eye fillet served with creamy herbed gratin and peppercorn wine jus.

Pizza, Pasta and Seafood

Across both lunch and dinner, the pizza list runs from a classic Margherita through to a Diavola loaded with salami, pastrami and prosciutto, and a Gamberetto topped with dill mayo prawns. The pasta and risotto section leans into rich, creamy sauces — a Carbonara with bacon and chicken, a Seafood Marinara linguine packed with prawns, calamari, shrimp and mussels, and a Vegetable Arrabiata Risotto for something plant-forward. Seafood carries through the wider menu too, with green lipped mussels, lemon garlic prawns and a tempura battered Bella Fish & Chips all featuring.

Sharing Platters and Family Dining

For bigger appetites or groups, the Bella Platter brings together pastrami, bruschetta, salami, Spanish chorizo, smoked salmon, battered prawns, crispy calamari and dips in one large sharing dish. Families are well catered for too, with a dedicated kids menu covering pizza, pasta and chicken and fries, plus kids desserts including an ice cream sundae and chocolate cake.

Dessert and a Serious Drinks List

To finish, Bella Vita's dessert menu includes a mango cheesecake, a gluten free Chocolate Bomb, tiramisu, and an affogato served with a choice of liqueur. The drinks list is extensive, spanning Italian and local beers including Peroni on tap, a wide selection of New Zealand and Italian wines across sparkling, white and red, a range of port, sherry and digestifs like grappa and limoncello, and a cocktail list including an Aperol Spritz and classics like an Old Fashioned or Martini.

Dietary Care and Functions

Most dishes on the menu can be adapted to gluten free or dairy free on request — guests are encouraged to speak with waiting staff to make any changes needed. The restaurant is also designed to accommodate all types of groups and functions, making it a workable choice for everything from a family dinner to a larger celebration.

Recognition and Visiting

Bella Vita has been named a Taranaki Halamoana Awards finalist for outstanding restaurant, received recognition through the New Zealand Beef & Lamb Awards, and holds a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for 2015, 2016 and 2019. Dinner is served Monday to Sunday from 5pm until late, with lunch available Thursday and Friday from around 11am. Whether it's a quick lunch special, a shared platter, or a full dinner with wine, Bella Vita continues to bring genuine Italian hospitality to the heart of New Plymouth.

Signature items

• Bella Platter
• Beef Eye Fillet
• Bella Fish & Chips
• Seafood Marinara Pasta
• Green Lipped Mussels
• Affogato

Menu

Wine

• Sparkling Wine — Prosecco Brut Italy, Prosecco Romeo & Juliet DOC, Louis Bouillot Cremant De Bourgogne NV France, Edenvale Sparkling Cuvee Alcohol Removed
• White Wine — House Sauvignon Blanc, Astrolabe Sauvignon Blanc, Soave Classico, House Pinot Gris, Astrolabe Pinot Gris, Pinot Grigio, Beach House Chardonnay, Matawhero Chardonnay, Astrolabe Riesling, Squealing Pig Pinot Rosé, Mud House Gewurztraminer
• Red Wine — House Red, Squealing Pig Pinot Noir, Devil Staircase Pinot Noir, Madam Sass Pinot Noir, Lake Chalice Merlot, Beach House Reserve Merlot, Matawhero Merlot, Taratachilla Cabernet Shiraz, Brookfields Black Block Syrah, Arrogant Frog Shiraz, Pepperjack Cabernet Sauvignon, La La Land Tempranillo, Chianti, Montepulciano D'Abruzzo, Nero D'Avola, Ripasso Valpolicella, Amarone Della Valpolicella, Sangiovese

Mains

• Salmon — Pan fried salmon, smokey pepper coulis, grilled broccolini, pickled radish, dill and cheese mousse, GF
• Coscia Di Anatra — Braised duck leg with teriyaki flavour, spiced pineapple salsa, broccolini, cheese bacon arancini, plum sauce, pomegranate
• Pork Belly — Coconut braised pork belly, Asian infused cauliflower rice, pickled apple, crispy tofu, Vietnamese pork pepe rolls, red chilli, pork jus
• Beef Eye Fillet — Grass fed NZ eye fillet, creamy herbed gratin, caramelised pecan nut, broccolini, creamy cauliflower puree, peppercorn wine jus, cooked to your liking
• Bella Fish & Chips — Tempura battered fish, fries, seasonal salad, remoulade sauce, ketchup

Pizza

• Margherita — Basil pesto, mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, fresh basil, V
• Moroccan Chicken — Napoli, chilli, capsicum, peri peri sauce, mozzarella, chicken, onion, Italian herbs
• Diavola — Napoli, mozzarella, Italian salami, pastrami, prosciutto, chilli, roasted pepper, garlic aioli
• Hawaiian — Napoli, ham, mozzarella, pineapple
• Gamberetto — Napoli, dill mayo prawns, garlic, heirloom tomatoes, rocket, capers, mozzarella
• Pulled Pork — Napoli, pulled pork, onion, capsicum, BBQ, mozzarella

Salads

• Prawn Salad — Mixed slaw, Thai dressing, glass noodles, crispy shallots, coriander
• Teriyaki Chicken Salad — Lettuce, carrot, onion, tomato, roasted peanuts, honey mustard

Desserts

• Cheesecake — Mango cheesecake, vanilla crumb, mango sorbet
• Chocolate Bomb — Honeycomb nut cluster, Oreo crumb, chocolate sauce, vanilla bean ice cream, frozen anglaise, GF
• Cioccolata Dolci — Baileys chocolate mousse, vanilla ice cream, GF
• Tiramisu — Frangelico, pistachio, mocha gelato
• Crème Brûlée — Caramelised brûlée with orange sorbet
• Affogato — Vanilla bean ice cream, espresso coffee, choice of Tia Maria, Grand Marnier, Drambuie, Frangelico or Cointreau
• Liqueur Coffee — Irish or Baileys

Breakfast

• Mince on Toast — Fresh toasted ciabatta, beef mince, poached egg
• Grandma's Breakfast — Hashbrown, confit tomato, bacon, creamy balsamic mushrooms, ciabatta, sausage, lamb kofta, eggs cooked your way
• Eggs Benedict — Potato gratin, wilted spinach, poached eggs with hollandaise; choice of bacon, smoked salmon or mushrooms
• Creamy Balsamic Mushrooms — Mushrooms, onion, garlic, ciabatta, feta, creamy balsamic sauce, salad

Cocktails

• Aperol Spritz — Cocktail
• Pink Gin Spritz — Cocktail
• La Tartaruga — Cocktail
• Flaming Phoenix — Cocktail
• Pimms — Cocktail
• Pineapple Mango Margarita — Cocktail
• Old Fashioned — Classic cocktail
• Martini — Classic cocktail
• Godfather — Classic cocktail
• Berry Breeze — Mocktail

Kids Menu

• Chicken & Fries — Chicken nuggets, fries, salad, aioli, tomato ketchup
• Kids Bolognese — Beef mince, Napoli, cheese, linguine pasta
• Kids Pasta — Penne pasta, ham, cheese, cream
• Salami Pizza — Napoli, salami, cheese
• Cheese Pizza — Napoli, cheese
• Kids Fries — Aioli, tomato ketchup

Beer & Cider

• Somersby Cider — Apple or pear
• Beer Selection — Peroni on tap, Peroni Leggera, Peroni Libera, Birra Moretti, Tuatara APA, Tuatara NZ Pilsner, Panhead Supercharger APA, Shining Peak Highwayman APA, Monteith's Black, Heineken, Steinlager Classic, Stella Artois, Corona, Export 33, Tui, Amstel Light, Export Citrus Lemon and zero-alcohol options

Dinner Sides

• Mixed Salad — With mayonnaise dressing
• Broccolini & Carrots — With parmesan
• Creamy Balsamic Mushrooms — Side dish

Kids Desserts

• Ice Cream Sundae — Two scoops of vanilla ice cream with strawberry or chocolate sauce
• Chocolate Cake — Chocolate sauce, vanilla ice cream

Dinner EntréE

• Golden Teriyaki Chicken — Crispy tender teriyaki chicken, aioli, spring onion, sesame seeds

$12 Lunch Meals

• Calamari — Calamari, mixed salad, lemon, aioli
• Carbonara — Chicken, bacon, garlic, creamy sauce, linguine pasta
• Eggs Any Style — Homemade ciabatta, bacon, eggs any style

Burgers (Lunch)

• Beef Burger — Salad, bacon, cheese, brioche bun, aioli, BBQ sauce, fries
• Fish Burger — Battered fish, salad, remoulade sauce, brioche bun, fries

Pasta & Risotto

• Vegetable Arrabiata Risotto — Marinated olives, onion, mushrooms, garlic, chilli, creamy Napoli sauce, feta; chorizo can be added
• Carbonara — Bacon, chicken, creamy pecorino sauce, linguine pasta, garlic
• Vodka Del Pollo — Chicken, bacon, onion, capsicum, creamy sauce, risotto, garlic, pesto
• Gambero — Prawns, garlic, chilli, white wine, linguine pasta, rocket
• Seafood Marinara — Prawns, calamari, shrimps, mussels, garlic, lemon, creamy sauce, linguine pasta
• Beef Ragu Pasta — Beef mince, Napoli, onions, parmigiano, linguine pasta

Sharing Platter

• Bella Platter — Pastrami, bruschetta, pork roll, salami, Spanish chorizo, smoked salmon, olives, battered prawns, crispy calamari, cheese bacon arancini, garden salad, dips and breads

Lunch Favourites

• Lemon Garlic Prawns — Prawn cutlet, garlic, lemon, arborio rice, rocket, creamy sauce
• Green Lipped Mussels — 12 green lipped mussels, garlic, white wine, Asian sauce, toasted bread

Non-Alcoholic Drinks

• Fruit Juices — Orange, apple, pineapple, cranberry or tomato
• Ginger Beer — Soft drink
• Italian Sparkling Soft Drinks — Limonata, Aranciata Rossa, Chinotto or Peach Iced Tea
• Mineral Water — Sparkling, 500ml
• Organic Juices — Peach & Raspberry or Apple & Feijoa
• Soft Drinks — Coke, Sprite, L&P, Coke Zero, Sprite Zero, Tonic Water, Soda Water or Ginger Ale
• Mixed Soft Drinks — Raspberry & Coke, Raspberry & Lemonade, or Lemonade Lime & Bitters

Starters (Lunch & Dinner)

• Garlic Pizza Bread — Pizza bread with garlic and parsley butter; cheese can be added
• Garlic Ciabatta Bread — Homemade ciabatta with garlic and parsley butter
• Bruschetta — Tomato, onion, basil, parmesan and aged balsamic on ciabatta bread
• Pizza Bread with Dips — Pizza bread with Italian herbs and olive oil, sweet chilli jam, beetroot hummus and basil pesto
• Straight Cut Fries — Served with aioli and tomato ketchup

Dessert Wine, Port & Digestifs

• Deen de Bortoli — Dessert wine
• Real Tesoro Pedro Ximenez Sherry — Sherry
• Penfold Club Reserve Port — Port
• Penfold Father 10 Year Old Port — Aged port
• Grappa — 45ml digestif
• Limoncello — 45ml digestif
• Metaxa Greek Spirit — 45ml digestif

Frequently asked questions

What are Bella Vita's opening hours?

Dinner is served Monday to Sunday from 5pm until late. Lunch is available Thursday and Friday from around 11am.

Does Bella Vita cater to dietary requirements?

Yes, most dishes can be made gluten free or dairy free — just ask your waiting staff.

Is there a kids menu?

Yes, including pizza, pasta and chicken and fries options, plus kids desserts.

Has Bella Vita won any awards?

Yes, including a Taranaki Halamoana Awards finalist placing, NZ Beef & Lamb Awards recognition, and a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for 2015, 2016 and 2019.

When did Bella Vita open?

It opened in 2004 and relocated to its current larger premises in 2011.

Does Bella Vita cater for functions and groups?

Yes, the restaurant is designed to accommodate all types of groups and functions.

Are gift vouchers available?

Yes, gift vouchers can be purchased through the website.

Tips

• {"body":"As an award-winning restaurant, booking ahead is recommended, especially for dinner.","title":"Book ahead"}
• {"body":"A large sharing platter of cured meats, seafood and dips.","title":"Try the Bella Platter"}
• {"body":"Most dishes can be adapted for dietary requirements on request.","title":"Ask about GF or DF swaps"}
• {"body":"Lunch service is only available on these two days.","title":"Visit Thursday or Friday for lunch"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Kids menu and kids desserts available","dietary":"Most dishes can be made gluten free or dairy free on request"}