
Bella Monica
A family-owned Italian restaurant celebrating tradition with authentic flavors and a dedicated gluten-free menu.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

Bella Monica

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A family-owned Italian restaurant celebrating tradition with authentic flavors and a dedicated gluten-free menu.
"Bella Monica offers authentic Italian cuisine and a notable gluten-free experience, making it a local favorite."
Book Ahead
Make a reservation in advance as the restaurant tends to get busy, especially on weekends.
Try the Specials
Explore unique dining experiences with special dishes like the flatbread pizza or special lasagna.

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

Customizable Pizzas & Authentic Italian
Design your own pizza with a variety of cheeses and toppings, or savor classic Italian dishes like lasagna.

Gluten-Free Italian Delights
Bella Monica offers a dedicated gluten-free menu and house-made focaccia, making it a haven for GF diners.

Cozy Ambiance & Wine Selection
Enjoy a charming atmosphere with an extensive wine list, perfect for romantic dinners or family gatherings.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Ahead
Make a reservation in advance as the restaurant tends to get busy, especially on weekends.
Try the Specials
Explore unique dining experiences with special dishes like the flatbread pizza or special lasagna.
Visit During Off-Peak
To avoid crowds and potentially enjoy better service, consider visiting during less busy hours.
Savor the Sauces
Don't miss out on the sauces; order extra bread to soak them up, especially with mussel dishes.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Ahead
Make a reservation in advance as the restaurant tends to get busy, especially on weekends.
Try the Specials
Explore unique dining experiences with special dishes like the flatbread pizza or special lasagna.
Visit During Off-Peak
To avoid crowds and potentially enjoy better service, consider visiting during less busy hours.
Savor the Sauces
Don't miss out on the sauces; order extra bread to soak them up, especially with mussel dishes.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Bella Monica is praised for its authentic Italian flavors, with many highlighting the delicious gluten-free options and customizable pizzas. While the food is frequently lauded, some diners have noted occasional issues with service attentiveness and flavor consistency in certain dishes. The cozy ambiance and extensive wine list are also frequently mentioned as positives, contributing to a generally positive dining experience.
"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!"
Mo
"Today was my first visit to Bella Monica! We got there roughly when it first opened so it wasn't busy. The food was piping hot when it came to the table and was very delicious! The portion sizes were fair for the pricing and the soup I had I felt was seasoned nicely. I give this restaurant a 4 star because although the food was delicious I felt the waiter could have been more attentive especially during a time where there was only 3 other patrons in the restaurant. Overall it was great and I would definitely recommend and return!"
Kell Kell
"Never disappoints! Have been eating here for years. Flat bread pizza is awesome. Corbetto is my favorite. Tonight I got the special lasagne - chicken and fennel sausage. But ——- blueberry cheese cake made in house made my day! Love this place."
Liza Lucas
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Bella Monica has a dedicated gluten-free menu and is known for its excellent gluten-free options, including house-made focaccia.
Absolutely! Bella Monica allows you to design your own pizza with a variety of cheese and topping choices.
It is highly recommended to make a reservation in advance, as the restaurant can get busy, especially on weekend evenings.
Popular dishes include customizable pizzas, lasagna, eggplant Parmesan, meatballs, and the specialty peach bruschetta.
Yes, Bella Monica offers an ample selection of beer and wine, complementing their Italian cuisine.
Yes, Bella Monica offers outdoor seating with heat lamps, allowing for year-round enjoyment.
Mentioned in
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This delightful neighborhood trattoria from owner/chef Corbett Monica and his wife Julie was lovingly launched 20 years ago to celebrate family gatherings around food. A great place for family and friends to relax and bond over great pizza in an intimate setting, Monica Bella gets rave reviews all around from the locals and once you go, you’ll understand why. If you’re an Italian wine lover this is a must—the restaurant's award-winning wine list pairs beautifully with their Neapolitan style pizza (not to mention the stromboli and calzones!).
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The head chef, who is also the owner, incorporates his Italian family's recipes into his fare, which gives Bella Monica an authentic edge over the competition. Entreés include classics like lasagna, pan seared calamari and shrimp napoli. Their pizzas are also popular, and there are plenty of options for people of all dietary persuasions; Bella Monica is one of the few Italian places where you'll find an abundance of gluten-free items.
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Bella Monica is a family-owned pizza restaurant in Raleigh that brings Italian cuisine and tradition to the Raleigh area!. The owners aim to recreate Sundays at Nana’s by serving recipes out of her own cookbook, and keeping the theme of family and community alive by sharing memories and laughter over delicious dishes!. Bella Monica serves Neapolitan-style pizzas with homemade sauces and a variety of toppings that smother the pie!
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Although there are a lot of pizza parlors in Raleigh, North Carolina what makes Bella Monica worth visiting is that you can actually design your own pizza with the toppings you like!. Be it feta, mozzarella, asiago, gorgonzola, or ricotta cheese, the choice is up to you. You can also top it with anything from spinach, garlic, roasted eggplant, and pesto to chicken, pepperoni, and sausage!
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I honestly don’t know why so many people like this place, it’s definitely not worth the prices. I’m not sure if the service was intentionally slow (that’s what it seemed like, like they were trying to give you a long relaxing meal) or if we were just there on an off nice but definitely wasn’t expecting dinner to take 2.5 hours. Maybe that helps give the perception of them being busy?
Where the Chefs Eat
Iris, the sleek restaurant inside of the NC Museum of Art, showcases complex flavors that complement the striking works of art around it. There, Chef Andy Hicks crafts beautifully presented dishes such as the seared scallops and red curry lemongrass broth or roasted duck and succotash. When eating out, Hicks seeks simplicity in his cuisine, naming Bella Monica as a favorite.
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Bella Monica has a cozy ambiance with some of the tastiest cheesy garlic bread you’ll find in Raleigh. Seafood fans should check out the shrimp scampi too!. Bella Monica offers gluten-free options that include classic dishes like spaghetti and meatballs, as well as an extensive wine list, and charming outdoor seating for romantic dinners with your special someone.
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A post shared by Bella Monica Cucina & Vino (@bellamonica.raleigh). Bella Monica offers a variety of dishes that might be found on the sun-drenched shores of Italy, or perhaps in a trattoria tucked away on a cobblestone street. One can reasonably expect pasta and likely other culinary creations involving tomatoes, cheese, and perhaps even some meat.
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This husband and wife owned and operated business is bringing traditional Italian flavors to Raleigh. Self dubbed as “an extension of Nana’s table,” Bella Monica serves up classic Italian dishes like Mom’s meatball and gravy and chicken parmigiana. Here guests’ are family and the food is all freshly made with the best ingredients, just like Nana.
Best gluten-free restaurants
Also worthy of mention: Bella Monica Restaurant of Raleigh has many gluten-free options, entrees, and procedures. Village Grill and Paparazzi, both of Lafayette Village in Raleigh, have a number of tasty gluten-free options for most entrees. Fiction Kitchen of Raleigh has local vegan and gluten-free options.
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If anyone recommends Italian food in Raleigh, you are bound to find places like Caffe Luna, Bella Monica, Vic's, and more. Thankfully, they are in such different locations that convenience to where you are, or where you will be, will be your deciding factor in which restaurant to choose.
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Bella Monica is an Italian food restaurant that is inspired by the family food table. It is a family-owned and operated restaurant that serves tasty food. They prepare sauces in an old-fashioned way by using the best ingredients to enhance the pleasure of customers’ meals.
Highest-rated Italian Restaurants in Raleigh, According to Tripadvisor
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (359 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)- Type of cuisine: Italian, Pizza- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 3121 Edwards Mill Rd Ste 103, Raleigh, NC 27612-5369- Read more on Tripadvisor
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Another one of the most romantic things to do in Raleigh is going to Bella Monica. This is a great Italian restaurant where you and your partner can have dinner together. At this place, you can have delicious pizza and pasta that I'm sure you will like!
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It’s difficult to find an Italian restaurant with a large selection of gluten free meals that goes beyond just a cauliflower pizza base – that’s becoming more of a norm. But what if you want more?. Like Tiramisu, parmigiana, or alfredo!
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Bella Monica’s is by far one of the most popular spots frequented by locals in Raleigh. You’ll experience delicious Italian food. Always get a reservation for here because it truly is that popular.
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Bella Monica is an amazing place to go to for Italian food, along with pizza, and much more!. Image courtesy of Instagram. 3121-103 Edward Mills Road | Raleigh | bellamonica.com
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This is the best option for gluten-free pasta and fresh-baked focaccia. They are well informed about gluten-free living including cross-contamination.
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Located on Edwards Mill Road, Bella Monica is a cozy shopping center restaurant focusing on Italian gluten-free food and wines.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit