Review: Bella Italia Restaurant, Milton Keynes  | Anniversary Dinner Date

For our 10th anniversary dinner, we decided to visit Bella Italia restaurant in Milton Keynes. To know more about our dining experience and whether it hit the mark for a special evening out, read on! 

Bella Italia Restaurant, Milton Keynes Review 

This year, our anniversary was packed with activities! We started with a morning trip to the Hertfordshire Tulip fields, followed by a delicious lunch at Jasmine Indian Restaurant, and then a movie date at the Xscape complex in Milton Keynes.

I was already full from the heavy lunch, so I was debating whether to skip dinner altogether or not! But when my husband asked if I wanted to try Italian food for dinner, I gave in 😍. After a short walk, we reached Bella Italia, located within the same bustling theatre district.

Address: 12 Savoy Crescent, Lower Twelfth Street, Milton Keynes, MK9 3PU

Restaurant Vibe & Decor:

The exterior of Bella Italia has that familiar, recognizable look you’d expect from the chain. The main sign above the entrance is big and clear, boldly stating “Bella Italia” with “Pizza Pasta Grill” underneath, no surprises there 😀. You know exactly what you’re getting! What really stands out, especially at night, is the bright green ambient lighting overhead. It gives the whole facade a distinctive glow, making it easy to spot even from a distance and adding a bit of modern flair.

The main windows stretching across the front give you a good peek inside, which is always nice. You can catch glimpses of the warm lighting and the cozy interior, almost like a preview of the atmosphere before you even step in 😉!

Walking into Bella Italia, the décor immediately set a relaxed, inviting tone. It’s not fine dining, but it’s not overly casual either , somewhere in between! The décor strikes a balance between cozy and classic. We didn’t book our table in advance this time. Thankfully, when we arrived, the restaurant was almost empty with only a group of 6 students and a young couple having dinner!

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Upon entry, a staff member greeted us with a polite nod and asked us about any food allergies or dietary restrictions. Then she led us to a two-seater table near the large glass windows. It’s not just one big open room, which is nice. They’ve used wooden railings and different levels to create little nooks and semi-private sections. This means you get a sense of privacy without feeling isolated, which is great for a more intimate chat or even just feeling like you have your own space 🙂.

Our table was nicely situated; not right by the window (which can sometimes be a bit drafty or exposed), but also not directly across from it, so we still got some of that ambient light without being in the main thoroughfare. It was more of an interior table, offering a good view of the restaurant’s buzz while still feeling like our own cozy spot. There was no one dining around us, so we had a clear view of the outside (the opposite restaurants and roadside scenes) right from our table!

The restaurant space is warm, softly lit, and filled with deep wooden tones that give it a classic vibe. It’s got that comfortable, almost rustic feel, with plenty of dark wood tables and chairs. And all around, the walls continue that warm, Italian theme with framed prints, posters, a cool, oversized map of Italy, classic multi-armed chandeliers and wall sconces casting a soft, inviting glow, making the place feel cozy and perfect for a relaxed meal 🙂.

There’s also an impressive, well-stocked bar area with shelves of bottles and sparkling glassware. Beyond the main dining area, there’s a charming “Limoncello” section that immediately caught my eye. The signage, with its vibrant lemon illustrations, is bright and cheerful, almost like a little pop of sunshine in the restaurant 😍!

You can even catch a glimpse into the kitchen area from here, adding a bit of transparency and a sense of fresh preparation. It’s a smart way they’ve sectioned off that sweet treat experience without feeling too separate from the rest of the restaurant. On the far wall, a large mural of Rome gives a sweeping nod to its roots, while vintage-style posters and a small chalkboard with gelato flavours lend the space a personal, almost nostalgic touch ❤️. 

Being a fan of Mafia Romance stories, I kept glancing around the dimly lit restaurant, half-expecting to spot a cool Sicilian Mafia character straight out of a book, right here in Milton Keynes while waiting for our food 😀. I know it sounds silly, but honestly, every story I’ve read so far has convinced my poor soul that such things could happen!  One eye-roll from my husband and I was back to reality 👉🏻 (“Wifey, we’re not in Italy and certainly not reliving those stories – now stop fantasizing”)! I still can’t believe he guessed that right away! Err… this big pumpkin knows me way too well 😕.

Since neither of us enjoys crowded places, the peaceful ambience and soothing music were just perfect for our anniversary dinner.

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Restaurant Food & Service (My Experience):

The Bella Italia restaurant serves all sorts of Italian food and their menu is huge offering a set menu, a children’s menu and various dietary options! They claim to prepare each dish with fresh ingredients inspired by authentic Italian recipes. So, naturally, I was curious to try some of their signature dishes. However, as I mentioned earlier, since I wasn’t too hungry, we just went for a few simple dishes from their à la carte menu.

One of the main reasons behind choosing this venue was my husband. He tried their food a month back in another branch near his office with his colleagues. They had an amazing team dinner, so he wanted me to try Bella Italia’s food at least once. I’m glad I did!

To kick things off, we grabbed a couple of drinks, and they were perfect for washing down the meal. I ordered a Fruit Smash for me and a regular coke for him. The Coke was, well, a normal chilled Coke, reliably bubbly and refreshing, exactly what you’d expect. But that Fruit Smash, though, was a real standout! It was a beautiful, vibrant red, which was super appealing. It felt really light and fresh, with no bits or pulp to interrupt that lovely, clean sip 😋.

For starters, we decided to split a couple of classics, and they were definitely a hit! We ordered Calamari for him and Crispy Chicken Fries for me. Within 10–15 minutes, our lovely server brought out warm plates of lightly dusted, deep-fried squid, served with lemon & black pepper mayonnaise, and crunchy chicken fingers lightly spiced with salt and chilli, served with a ranch dipping sauce. 

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In between munching my delicious chicken fries, I was eyeing his Calamari fries too! After a second, he asked me ‘would you try some’? Boy, was my staring that obvious 😭! Now, I’m not an idiota (Italian for “idiot”) to pass up that kind of offer, am I? I didn’t waste a second and grabbed one Calamari fry from his plate, and god, it was so tasty especially with that dip! I ate two more pieces, yum 😋 .

Until now, my seafood love was limited to only prawns/shrimp and Crabs and now this! I swear, in the past, even the name of squids, snails, clams or octopus would send shivers down my spine 🙃. It still does but not as much! Now, after all these 10 years, thanks to my foodie husband, his food explorations and our Hong Kong life, I am now more knowledgeable, calmer yet adventurous. Even if I see something crawling or walking on my plate, I won’t throw up or jump off my chair out of fear! I’ll simply decline the offer (if someone insists) or fully concentrate on my plate without looking at it 😜. 

This was the first time in my life, I tried Calamari/fried squids and am so proud of myself, lol 😝 ! I’ve always believed that if you’re trying something new, try it at the best, most authentic place you can find. This way, you’ll have good food memories. Glad to say, Bella Italia didn’t disappoint.

Both chicken and squids were tender, not chewy or rubbery while the outer coatings had the perfect crunch and saltiness! Both came with a creamy dipping sauce that cut through the richness nicely. No greasy mess, just perfectly textured bites all around. Bella gets full marks on these appetizers 🤩! 

For mains, we both went with the Gamberoni. My husband had tried this dish before and loved it. He knows I am a picky eater and my  Italian food experience is limited to just regular tomato/cheese pasta or veg pizza. Before marriage, it was either my mom, besties, or close colleagues who’d do the food tasting first (because they knew my taste buds) and then allowed me to eat. Now, it’s my husband. Since I am fond of prawns, Gamberoni was the perfect pick! 

A staff member served two plates of hot Spaghetti with king prawns on our table. It was cooked with baby plum tomatoes, white wine, garlic, and chilli, and beautifully coated in a rich red pepper and tomato bisque, which had a lovely smooth consistency that clung to every strand without being watery or overly thick. And of course, the fresh parmesan on top added that final touch of creamy, finely grated texture that just melts into the warm pasta. I added some extra salt and pepper on top of it later. The king prawns were super tender, and the portion size was great too ❤️!

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I was busy slurping the spaghetti when I noticed he was staring at me 👀 . I vividly remember, during our honeymoon in Candolim, Goa, one day we went to the Pete’s shack for lunch. We were so engrossed in our lovey-dovey talks that I ate all the prawns from our curry bowl and didn’t leave a single piece for him 🤣! It was then he realized I love prawns. I was embarrassed to death, honestly. The big pumpkin hasn’t forgotten it and still brings up that incident pretty often 😕!

However, this time, I didn’t attack his plate or prawns! He was genuinely happy seeing my excitement over his recommended dish. We happily finished our Gamberoni, a perfectly balanced hearty dish from Bella Italia 🙂. 

Can any special dinner be complete without desserts? Nope! So after all that delicious pasta, I ordered the classic Italian dessert Tiramisu for myself and Gelato in vanilla & chocolate flavors for him. But of course, we shared our desserts, as sharing is caring 🩷 .  

The Tiramisu was incredibly rich, creamy and the super fine dusting of cocoa on top wasn’t just for show; it really added to that delicate, almost melt-on-your-tongue sensation. The coffee-soaked sponge layers were perfectly cushioned by the luxurious mascarpone cream. It had that wonderful balance of moistness without being soggy, and a lightness that was just right. 

My husband got a glass bowl containing two scoops of gelato, a classic vanilla alongside a rich chocolate scoop. The delicious, creamy gelato was really smooth and melted beautifully on our tongues.  It definitely didn’t have that icy, gritty texture you sometimes get with cheaper ice creams. It was silky, chilled and  perfectly refreshing end to the meal ❤️. 

My husband was impressed with their quick delivery service, as in their other branch, the service was not top-notch! Here, the server was friendly, attentive, and polite. Since the space was not crowded, everything went smooth and quickly. Honestly, we went in planning to have a light dinner, but that place completely charmed us into enjoying a full-course meal 😍!

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EE RATING:

Decor – 4.5/5

Service- 5/5

Food Quality – 4.5/5

Conclusion:

I absolutely enjoyed the welcoming vibe of this casual Italian spot, Bella Italia. The combination of the dark wood, the warm lighting, and that evocative Italian-themed artwork makes it feel like a cozy, yet bustling, little corner of Italy, ideal for a relaxed meal with friends or family ❤️. It’s the kind of place where you can easily settle in for a chat and a good plate of pasta. So, are you interested in visiting this place next time? Because I will 😍! 

Hope you found this review of Bella Italia restaurant helpful and informative. 

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Have you been to this Bella Italia in Milton Keynes? If yes, I’d love to hear about your experience, share it with me in the comments below!