Bella Monica

Bella Monica

3121 Edwards Mill Rd, Raleigh, NC 27612, United States

+1 919-881-9778

Italian restaurant, Pizza restaurant, Wine bar
(1410)
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About This Place

Nestled in the heart of Raleigh at 3121 Edwards Mill Rd, Bella Monica offers an exceptional Italian dining experience that deftly blends authentic flavors with a welcoming neighborhood atmosphere. This Italian and pizza restaurant also doubles as a sophisticated wine bar, making it a versatile destination for intimate dinners, celebrations, or simply a delightful meal out.

At Bella Monica, the menu is a treasure trove of Italian classics and innovative dishes, thoughtfully crafted with freshness and rich flavors that evoke the warmth of a true Italian cucina. Whether you are craving the comforting indulgence of a Baked Ziti, the rich layers of their Lasagna Dinner, or the delicate flavors of the Chicken Parmigiana over Spaghetti, each plate is a celebration of traditional Italian cooking with a modern touch.

Seafood lovers will find pure delight in the Mussels cooked to perfection, often recommended with their intriguing squid ink linguine – a dish praised by locals for its luxurious sauce that you’ll surely want to soak up with extra bread. The Shrimp Scampi bursts with garlic and buttery goodness, while the Eggplant Rollatini melts in your mouth with layers of flavor and texture.

What truly sets Bella Monica apart is their dedication to accommodating diverse dietary preferences, especially with an extensive gluten-free menu that offers hearty options like Gluten Free Pasta, Gluten Free Tiramisu, and even complimentary gluten-free bread that feels just as indulgent as the rest. This thoughtful approach allows everyone to savor the richness of Bella Monica’s offerings without compromise.

The wine bar selection complements the dishes beautifully. Their carefully curated list, featuring options like Red Wine and the delightfully sweet White Moscato D’Asti, has earned praise from patrons looking for the perfect pairing to elevate their meal.

The dining atmosphere is warm and inviting, perfect for celebrating special moments—as one diner described their birthday dinner experience—as well as enjoying a casual yet refined meal any day. Attentive service, flavorful dishes served at just the right temperature, and generous portion sizes make Bella Monica a place you’ll eagerly return to time and again.

Patrons consistently highlight the charming balance of authenticity and creativity on the menu. From juicy, tender meatballs served as a starter to the crispy yet tender crust of a vegetable Stromboli, each dish is an invitation to indulge in Italy’s rich culinary heritage with a contemporary twist.

If you appreciate thoughtfully prepared Italian cuisine that caters to all palates in a cozy, friendly setting, Bella Monica in Raleigh stands as a top choice within the Triangle area. Reserving ahead is recommended to secure your spot in this beloved local gem, where every bite feels like a heartfelt invitation to savor Italy’s finest flavors.

From the business
Identifies as women-owned
Service options
Outdoor seating -contact delivery Delivery Takeaway Dine-in
Highlights
Fast service Great coffee Great dessert Great wine list Serves local specialty
Popular for
Lunch Dinner Solo dining
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seating Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Cocktails Coffee Comfort food Healthy options Organic dishes Private dining room Small plates Spirits Vegetarian options Wine
Dining options
Brunch Lunch Dinner Catering Dessert Seating Table service
Amenities
Bar on site Toilet Wi-Fi Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual Cosy Quiet Romantic Trendy
Crowd
Family friendly Groups LGBTQ+ friendly
Planning
Brunch reservations recommended Lunch reservations recommended Dinner reservations recommended Accepts reservations Usually a wait
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Children
Good for kids High chairs Kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking Free parking lot Parking

Opening Hours

  • Monday
    11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Tuesday
    11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Wednesday
    11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Thursday
    11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Friday
    11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
  • Saturday
    11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
  • Sunday
    Closed

Map & Directions

Visitor Reviews

  • Darrien Moncrief
    1 month ago

    Went here for the first time today for my birthday. Great service and authentic food! I love that they have a separate menu that is strictly gluten free with a lot of options! They even serve gluten free bread as a complementary appetizer. They really made my birthday dinner special! Would definitely go back again. I recommend making a reservation ahead of time to get in faster (which we did). They are popular and busy!

  • CR
    1 month ago

    Bella Monica is a great neighborhood restaurant offering their tasty take on Italian cuisine. The varied menu offers something for all tastes, but a must-order is the mussels dish which is simultaneously elegant and decadent. Be sure to order a bit of extra bread for soaking up the sauce! I was intrigued by and enjoyed the complimentary bread - cut into almost perfect squares - with an excellent mouth-feel texture and olive oil for additional flavor. Service was excellent - professional and friendly without being intrusive. The restaurant allows sharing of dishes which is always a useful option to taste more dishes without stuffing oneself. We would definitely return when we next visit the area. By the way, the establishment does not sell liquor, beer and wine solely, but these options appear to be ample.

  • Mo
    1 month ago

    Went here a little while back and truly enjoyed the food. Very authentic and flavorful! Ordered the meatball as an appetizer and they were bitesize, juicy and flavorful no complaints. Ordered a vegetable Stromboli which was a nice size and I only ate half. Vegetables was cooked perfectly and the crust on the Stromboli was just right. Lastly ordered the eggplant Parmesan, it melted in my mouth. Eggplant was perfectly sliced not too thick or thin, battered and fried perfectly! Lastly ordered the toffee Bundt, which I believe is seasonally but should be on the menu year round!!!!!!Highly recommend and I love the outdoors seating with the heat lamps so you can enjoy year round. Nice restaurant with great flavorful!

  • Muniba Khan
    2 month ago

    Bella Monica is great!! We absolutely love the mussels, and they taste really great if you get them with squid ink linguine. Everything else we've tried has been amazing as well. The crab flat bread was delicious, and also always love snacking on the focaccia. Definitely a top spot for Italian food in the triangle!

  • Marry Mills
    2 month ago

    The Ziti and Focaccia bread are so good! I love their choices of sweet wines (Red and the White Moscato D’Asti). I have a friend who loves their lasagna, although I can’t help but always get the Ziti when I go. It has always been served hot (temperature), and is so saucy and cheesy…yum! The portion size they give you is great. I can usually get two nice sized meals out of it.

  • Bella Rodriguez
    3 month ago

    Quite literally the best gluten free Italian food and service ever!! We came in from out of town, and I’m glad we stopped here to eat. The GM and our waitress were both attentive and great!

  • Lottie Ou
    4 month ago

    Our favorite Italian restaurant!! This place needs to reserve in the weekends. Very nice free bread with olive oil and seasoning to start, then a hardy meal! We have been going to this place since 12 years ago, and still go there!! They have kept their menu and quality.

  • Linda S
    4 month ago

    This was the first visit to Bella Monica and it did not disappoint. Everyone was so nice from the host to the bartender. Everyone we came in contact with was pleasant. We tried the crab flatbread, lasagna, and the shrimp scampi. 10/10 for all 3! Everything was so flavorful and delicious. I really enjoyed this restaurant. It’s family owned and you can tell. It doesn’t seem like they keep empty seats though so be sure to make a reservation. It’s definitely worth it

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