
Bella Cucina
Experience authentic Italian dining with fresh, handmade pasta and delicious wood-fired pizzas in a cozy, welcoming atmosphere.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
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Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

Bella Cucina

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Experience authentic Italian dining with fresh, handmade pasta and delicious wood-fired pizzas in a cozy, welcoming atmosphere.
"One of the best meals I've ever had, a must-try in Queenstown!"
Book Ahead!
Reservations are highly recommended due to the restaurant's popularity.
Daily Specials
Explore the daily changing menu for unique and fresh flavor combinations.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Italian
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Authentic Italian Pasta & Pizza
Handmade pasta and wood-fired pizzas bursting with fresh, seasonal flavors. A true taste of Italy.

Warm and Cozy Ambiance
Experience a welcoming atmosphere, perfect for celebrations or a cozy dinner, with an inviting wood-fired oven.

Exceptional Service
Attentive and friendly staff, like Ava, Michelle, and Dan, make every guest feel special and well-cared for.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Ahead!
Reservations are highly recommended due to the restaurant's popularity.
Daily Specials
Explore the daily changing menu for unique and fresh flavor combinations.
Outdoor Seating
Enjoy outdoor seating, kept warm with heaters and blankets for comfort.
Go for the Bolognese
The Rigatoni Bolognese is considered the best by many diners.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Ahead!
Reservations are highly recommended due to the restaurant's popularity.
Daily Specials
Explore the daily changing menu for unique and fresh flavor combinations.
Outdoor Seating
Enjoy outdoor seating, kept warm with heaters and blankets for comfort.
Go for the Bolognese
The Rigatoni Bolognese is considered the best by many diners.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Bella Cucina is celebrated for its authentic Italian cuisine, particularly its fresh handmade pasta and wood-fired pizzas, which many consider the best in Queenstown. Diners rave about the generous portions and the warm, inviting atmosphere, complemented by exceptional service from a friendly and attentive staff. While generally highly praised, some reviews mention an initial wait for service.
"Had a wonderful lunch at Bella Cuchina. The staff were super welcoming, despite turning up dripping wet from the rain.
Ava in particular was a brilliant waiter and looked after us well. The food was excellent, we opted to share dough balls, pizza, salad and a desert. Everything was delicious and we left very satisfied and a lot warmer than when we arrived."
Adam Crook
"Fantastic experience, had the carbonara and my wife had the margarita pizza and both were sublime. The chocolate mousse was also to die for. Dan looked after us really well and gave great information about each dish and recommended what we should try on our first visit. Could not recommend more."
Benny Byrne
"Well that was one of the best pizzas I have had in a while. The dough was light and fluffy and the taste of the cheese was amazing. For the record I got the four cheese pizza. I would highly recommend it! In addition the service was good and the wine went down easy 🤩"
Rashaad Forehand
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, reservations are highly recommended as the restaurant is very popular.
Yes, the restaurant clearly states they cater to Vegetarian and Vegan diets, and that most pasta is gluten-free.
Customers frequently praise the handmade pasta, especially Rigatoni Bolognese, and the wood-fired pizzas. The Tiramisu is also a standout dessert.
Yes, Bella Cucina offers outdoor seating, which is equipped with heaters and blankets for your comfort.
Yes, the menu changes daily, offering fresh and seasonal ingredients and unique flavors.
Many diners mention that the portion sizes are very generous, with some appetizers being large enough for two.
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Brothers Luis and Heriberto Gutierrez opened the Italian eatery Cucina Bella in November 2022 after working in Denver eateries for over two decades. Everything from the pizza to the pasta to the desserts impresses, thanks to Luis’s extensive experience cooking in fine-dining restaurants, which he’s able to fully flex now as an owner. Among the many hits on the menu, one has been a customer favorite from the start, and for very good reason: The generous portion of delectably crispy calamari, which is drizzled with a slightly spicy Calabrian chile aioli, is perfect for sharing — though it’s tempting to keep the whole plate for yourself.
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When it comes to a heaping bowl of pasta or a wood-fired pizza, you’ll find no better restaurant in Queenstown than Bella Cucina. With a menu that changes daily, you can always expect something fresh and delicious at this warm Italian spot. Expect classic Italian fare like bruschetta, Caprese, carpaccio, and olives, spaghetti bolognese, carbonara, and conchiglie brimming with fresh veggies.
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Bringing the real flavours of Italy to the heart of Queenstown, Bella Cucina is much more than just pizza and pasta; it’s an authentic Italian kitchen where dishes are made with love. Their daily changing menu showcases the freshest seasonal ingredients, ensuring every meal is a true Italian experience. From wood-fired pizzas to handmade pasta, every bite is crafted to perfection.
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Bella Cucina is a traditional Italian restaurant located in a character building on Brecon Street. Walk through the doors and be instantly warmed by the huge wood-fired oven and embraced by the wonderful aromas of Italy Bella Cucina (meaning 'beautiful kitchen') has become a dining institution in Queenstown. Having served up great Italian food since 2008 its mission is simp...
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Our top 3 restaurants in Queenstown are Finz Seafood & Grill, Bella Cucina and Public Kitchen & Bar!. Whether you’re looking for a truly New Zealand dining experience or the very best pizza in Queenstown, you won't be disappointed with what's on offer here. Let's crack into the top Queenstown restaurants and why you need to put these on your must-try list.
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Located in the heart of Queenstown’s Brecon Street Dining Precinct, Bella Cucina will meet you with the aromas of Italy and the warmth of it too with a wood-fire oven. A simple and authentic Italian dining experience offers traditional Italian pizza, pasta and calzone. We honestly can’t pick our favourite so you might have to go back for more!
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Bella Cucina - For excellent authentic Italian food, make yourself a reservation at Bella Cucina. This low-key, easy-to-miss restaurant makes all of their food from scratch and updates their menu daily to showcase their fresh produce. They also have a great wine list that highlights wines primarily from New Zealand and Italy.
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Bella Cucina easily earns its place on this list of the best restaurants in Queenstown with its daily-changing menu, great vibes, and endless amounts of carbs. Whether you're on a romantic date, a solo foodie mission, or just craving the best pizza and pasta in Queenstown, Bella Cucina has your back (and your belly).
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Bella Cucina is an authentic Italian restaurant serving up great pizza cooked to perfection in a wood-fired oven. Choose from traditional flavours, including Margherita, Frutti de Mare, Prosciutto, Diavola, and Vegetariana. Freshly baked bread, calzones, pasta, salmon, lamb, and risotto dishes are also on the menu.
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Bella Cucina is in the heart of Queenstown, not too far from the steps that lead to the gondolas. I’m a big fan of Italian food, especially pizza and fresh pasta, but what I also like about this venue is that everything is made from scratch, has an authentic Italian feel and I always leave satisfied.
The best food in Queenstown, New Zealand
Bella Cucina is an old favourite – I remember visiting when I first went to Queenstown about 15 years ago!. Their rustic Italian menu changes daily (how’s that for eating seasonally!) and boy is it good. Their pizza and pasta is to die for, and I absolutely can’t go past their tiramisu.
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The home of authentic, so so tasty Italian food in Queenstown. Bella Cucina crank up their woodfire oven each evening for wood-fired pizzas, warm olives and must-try dough balls. The small, hole-in-the-wall restaurant transports you to Italy, with plenty of character and charm.
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Bella Cucina – With an ever-changing menu featuring traditional Italian options all made from scratch, you won’t believe you’re in New Zealand. Enjoy their range of pastas, pizzas, Italian wines and don’t forget to save room for dessert because their tiramisu cannot be skipped!
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Bella Cucina on Breacon Street showcases simple fresh flavours. You’ll be warmed by the huge wood-fired oven as you walk through the door. For casual, rustic Italian dining and family style pizza and pasta, head to Farelli’s Trattoria on Steamer Wharf.
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Just across the road from the Furg eating empire, is Bella Cucina. You can carbo-load until your heart's content here. The menu varies daily, on the night we visited, the mushroom lasagna was one of the best Italian dishes we have ever eaten.
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Bella Cucina means “beautiful kitchen,” and we think you’ll agree when you set your eyes on this authentic Italian kitchen. The menu changes daily to show off fresh, local produce. Everything on the menu is made from scratch on-site.
Date night restaurants
There's a reason they share pasta in lady & the tramp - it's romantic!. Bella Cucina is a hidden wee spot in Queenstown off the beaten track. With authentic Italian meals from start to finish.
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Queenstown’s best pizzeria is probably The Cow, (and has been for 30 years), though Bella Cucina offers pretty stiff competition.
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That said, we have some really amazing fashion options in Wānaka, so if 47 Frocks doesn’t have it, try Deval, Escape or Bella.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit