Café Bella
2593 N High St, Columbus, OH, 43202
Café Bella Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Columbus for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Columbus for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Columbus for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
2593 N High St
Columbus, OH, 43202 - Phone (614) 267-1998
- Website https://www.cafebellacolumbus.com/index.php
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :5:30 pm - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
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N S.
In a rarity for me, this rating is based more on the idea of Cafe Bella than the actual food. No frills. No pretensions. Just a total dedication to finding and using the freshest ingredients and not letting ego get in the way of presenting them. If you need a million-dollar decor or robot-like wait persons with smarmy smiles and no clue then this place is not for you. However, if you want to get together with friends, eat carefully chosen ingredients well prepared, sip your own beverage of choice (BYOB...I LOVE it), and talk with the owners about the concept and the food, this is a find. Started with a green salad with a vinegary vinaigrette the was a fine palate cleanser. Next came bruchetta with a tapanade topping (two or our company were vegetarians so they didn't add meat to the bruchetta). They were delicious. The entree was divided between vegetarian (fried eggplant over veggie pasta) and omnivore (breaded and fried chicken over the same pasta). Both were very good if not great. Actually, the eggplant was great. Dessert were tiny tea cookies that made up in flavor what they lacked in size. As a lagniape, the owner brought out paw-paws and asked if we would like to try them. I had never had a fresh paw-paw before. It was super and fun. It is that kind of place. We sat and drank, and talked and laughed after the dishes were cleared with no one hurrying us along. Great night. Eating here is like going to a friend's house for dinner and finding he is serving things from his garden and that he finds in the woods. And fun. Again, if you need cossetting, do not go. If you like a fine meal with friends at a fair price and to which you can bring what you want to drink (without a 300% mark-up like at a CM joint), then make a trip here.
(4)Claire S.
Amazing food, one of my favorites in Columbus. You can call ahead and order. It's delicious and the staff is super accommodating
(5)Wei Yang T.
My true rating would probably be a 3.5 star I went to Café Bella for the first time a few weeks ago. Our group was about 8-9 persons large. It's charming in it's simplicity, both in terms of the decor and the concept behind the restaurant. The venue itself is nothing fancy, almost quirky, and very chill. That plus the fact that it's BYOB really makes it a nice place for groups. The food was generally good. Again, nothing too fancy, although depending on your cooking experience it might feel like you could make some of them on your own. The star of the night for us was probably dessert. I don't think it had a name, but it was some kind of spicy chocolate cake-ish thing finished off with strawberries and cream on top.
(3)Jordan S.
I chose this restaurant for my boyfriend's birthday dinner after my roommate recommended it. We had a party of six, which fit nicely in the dining room. It wasn't the greatest ambience in the world, but it still had a wonderful hole in the wall charm. We were served five different courses of food, including bruschetta, salad, chicken parm w/ meatballs, alfredo w/ cod, and dessert. The food was great. It was a new experience not ordering from a menu and being able to focus on the conversation was a nice change. We ended up at $16/person, and for once I felt like I was actually underpaying for the quality of the food. I also enjoyed the BYOB, as we were able to bring our own variety of drinks without paying a small fortune. I will definitely be back!
(4)Jen R.
I was drawn to this restaurant because of it's cool concept. It's very casual and laid back and everyday the chef makes a different family style dish. There's no menu. They grow a lot of the ingredients that they use on premise. I usually call ahead to make a reservation and they are sure to ask each time if anyone in your party has food allergies or dietary restrictions so they can take that into consideration when you arrive. Most times we have gone with someone who doesn't eat meat or is pescetarian and we've had the most delicious meals that accommodate everyone in the party. They usually start you with a family style salad and/or an appetizer, a family style main dish, and maybe a dessert. They suggest a price for each person to pay which in my experience has been usually between $12 - $15. The best part is you bring your own drinks to have with dinner. I usually will bring 2 bottles of wine (to share with the table, of course!). No corkage fee. The inside of the place has kind of a hole in the wall vibe, but if you can get a table outside on the patio, do it. We did a bachelorette dinner on the patio one time and brought our own tablecloths and it was perfect, so great for big parties, or small. Also, the waiter will usually be unshaven, wearing a Grateful Dead t-shirt, and sometimes has a wine bottle opener if another table isn't using it, which adds to the ambiance. I usually bring my own :) If you haven't been there, you must check it out at least once to see what it's all about.
(5)Donna O.
Café Bella - a place to enjoy simplicity. This is about the only patio that the spouse will willingly take to, but I think it's mainly because the main restaurant can get stuffy and warm. However, a beautiful and somewhat secluded outdoor area with murals and a water tank with fish and plants awaits backroom diners. The food here is simple - and delicious. No over-sugared red sauce or cheap oil here, no schtick. We've always found the vibe to be super-casual and unpretentious, and the service is always personable, if busy. It's a relaxed place to start your weekend or your evening.
(3)Pat E.
Cafe Bella defies the norm. It's not a cafe, more than a diner, and not quite a "hole in the wall". I have been here many times over the years, and while some things have changed, the core concept remains the same. What's been the same? The three course reasonably priced menu, now at about $16 per person. The starter is an "organic" house salad. Ingredients often times grown on site. Entrees are a choice between breaded, fried, Parmesan eggplant or Parmesan chicken, pastas. They both are prepared well. Actually, the eggplant is better, this coming from a carnivore. The dessert is oftentimes just an afterthought, nothing special. Sometimes they may add an appetizer like flat bread, veggie item, etc. The highlight is the BYOB although, other beverages are available for purchase. Portions are big, so it's perfect for groups, as well as couples. On the downside, the carpet is still stained and dirty dishes can be seen laying around. But, after a couple of drinks who cares? What's newer? They have their own Tilapia tank. So, now fish can be on the menu. Actually this particular night they were also offering meatballs. The place has a new fresh coat of paint, dining seats and even art on the wall. They play an interesting eclectic mix of music. This last time it was radio friendly hip hop i.e. Common & Jay Z. Overall it's a funky, cozy, throwback vibe. You can either eat in the "kitchen" area, right as you walk in the front door, dining room further back, or weather permitting, the cool back patio. (Beware of the smokers) Parking is also in the back. You pay at the counter at the front. Oh, and don't hesitate to come as you are, or as you want! Finally, it's worth mentioning the cooks/servers really make an effort to satisfy your particular palate to the extent that they can, as they really aim to please. That should go a long way in anyone's book.
(4)Jason Z.
First time here and was pleasantly surprised. I have probably driven past this place hundreds of time but never realized it was there. Went for a party and want sure what to expect. Walked in and meet the incredibly friendly chef/owner Vince. He told me a little about the restaurant and showed me too the patio. They started us off with flat bread pizza made with fresh herbs and cheeses that was crispy and delicious. The main course was bbq chicken, smoked pork (in house), chicken parmesan, all on top of a heaping helping of pasta with tomato sauce. Overall the food was great and the atmosphere was relaxing and welcoming. The staff was really friendly and seem to take pride in working there. This place is a great hole in the wall spot that I will definitely return to.
(4)Marie G.
I enjoy dining at Café Bella - not your typical restaurant experience. There is no menu! You are instead treated to daily specials - everything is made fresh with organic and local ingredients! There's a concept! The type of meal that you actually feel good about eating! On our last visit we had the spaghetti and meatballs / chicken parmesan. Spaghetti was perfectly cooked, the sauce was homemade and flavorful, the meatballs were delicious, and the chicken parmesan...out of this world good! If you are looking for a unique dining experience in Columbus - this is the place for you!
(5)Anna S.
Um no. I went here based on Sam M's (who I think has excellent taste in food) review. The ambiance is quirky and if it's your thing, can be quite cool. But, I was thoroughly put off by the rudeness, the very mediocre food, the absolutely poor service (even considering the fact that it's a one-man show), and the quite steep prices for the mediocre food. I realized that the menu doesn't change much, but really, must everyone eat the SAME MENU all the time (eggplant parmersan, lackluster red sauce, etc.)? Why doesn't it change? And why is it acceptable for the chef to be so rude (he practically barked at me twice when I had dirty plates and he wanted to remove them; rolled his eyes when I said that we had another diner who was running late; yelled at people when they couldn't figure out which door to use; and was short/sarcastic with us several times when we asked questions). And people have noted this is a good value, but for $17, I can find a just as filling meal in a less mediocre and less rude establishment (hello North Star!). My sole, one star is for the fact that the chef was so rude, it became a point of entertainment halfway through the meal.
(1)Jackie H.
How have I never reviewed Cafe Bella?! This place is probably my absolute favorite restaurant in Columbus. It's not fancy at all...it's actually pretty much a hole in the wall. I feel like most people completely miss it when they pass by. No menu, they ask if there are any dietary restrictions and cook what they have available. Vegetables are from their garden, they are so fresh! Four courses served family style - salad, appetizer, entree, and dessert, all for $16. Every time I've ever gone I've gotten 2+ plates of the salad and entree, there is PLENTY to go around and even have leftovers!! It just reminds me of a good home cooked meal rather than one from a restaurant. If you were to go anywhere else, this meal would be over $40/per person. Seriously, why I don't go here every day is a mystery. BYOB!
(5)Beth H.
Cafe Bella is a very unique, hidden gem of a restaurant. Don't let the eclectic, no frills decor deter you, the food is amazing! It's served family style and they surprise you with a 3 course meal for a fixed price of $16 per person. The cook took special care to not only make sure he accommodated any food allergies, but also asked our table about what we liked/disliked to get an idea of the type of courses we would all enjoy. First he brought out a butternut squash soup, then a salad, and for the main course - beef and mushroom risotto. Everything was excellent and the risotto was by far the best. And I almost forgot to mention.. it's BYOB so bring a bottle of wine :) This was my first time trying Cafe Bella and will be coming back again!
(4)Erin C.
I went to Cafe Bella for the first time today, and my friend and I had a great experience. I loved not having to make a decision about what to eat. We were served pancakes, frittata, and a salad for brunch. The pancakes were fantastic, as well as the frittata. I don't typically order a salad, but it went great with the frittata. The staff was super friendly, and kept our coffee cups full of French press coffee. It certainly does have that hole on the wall feeling, so if you love those types of places, you want to check out Cafe Bella. I can see this place becoming a Sunday brunch favorite.
(4)Brandi H.
I was extremely excited to try Cafe Bella for my birthday and called ahead to request vegetarian/vegan for our meal. They said ok, and then one week later, we showed up, simple as that. We walked in and I was very confused - there was a cluttered kitchen/work space on the right behind a refrigerated display and to the left a few mismatched tables and chairs shoved in the tiny room. My eyes got big, and I started to doubt this choice. This place reminded me of a lot of local asian restaurants with tile or linoleum and harsh fluorescent lights, and zero character or personality, but this was not what I expected from a place that custom makes your meal upon request and never has a menu as it changes with availability and the seasons. Our chef for the evening, preparing a heaping salad behind the counter, told us to have a seat in the dining room, and I exhaled in relief, glad we didn't have to eat in that sad room. Well, the dining room wasn't much better, but it was an improvement with painted walls with art on them. It looks like this place was an old bank with an open vault in the back, but none of the original character was maintained. There was rich dark wood at the old storefront but no one was taking advantage of these details. There were about three other groups of people there to eat throughout the night who were all brought the same thing as us -looked like because we were eating vegan, so was everyone else. My sister ordered a side of salmon just to get some more protein, but we both enjoyed all three courses. The heaping salad previously mentioned, overloaded with sprouts of every sort and drizzled with a nice balsamic dressing. Next, a huge platter of pasta primavera in a really good tomato sauce and again containing some of those crunchy sprouts. Lastly, a simple dessert of green grapes and bananas. We brought in our own drinks, cider, and they provided us with a bottle opener which was nice. When we checked out, we were only charged $13 for everything, but I think the salmon was supposed to be more. Oh well, happy birthday to us. Our chef was a little timid but very nice and did a good job. I just wanted a lot more from this place - I enjoyed the food but never felt comfortable in the atmosphere and kind of couldn't wait to get out of there. Next time, I'll only go in patio weather.
(3)Lisa R.
Still awesome! I planned a "Girl's brunch" in February, when some friend's from Chicago came into town. In all, we had 9 girls, local and out of towners, and it was so much fun! I called in advance, they had our table ready and we had a fabulous meal, tons of food, lots of leftovers, and only 8 bucks each! To top it off, we brought our own mimosa fixins and went through 5 bottles of champagne, we lingered for quite a while, we weren't rushed and had great service. Everyone loved it.
(5)Matt W.
Here's all you need to know about Cafe Bella. Cafe Bella is run by a guy named Carlo. Go in, sit down. When they ask what you want, tell them to give you whatever Carlo thinks is good today. You will eat well, and you will get surprised. The four course $15 tasting is also good, but you're even more likely to get WOWed if you just let Carlo roll.
(4)Hilary M.
Love the concept of this place. I would give it 5 stars but there seems to be a lack of variety in vegetarian main courses -- I have been here 4 times and I have only been served eggplant Parmesan. Luckily, it's some of the best eggplant parm I've had!
(4)Liza V.
I almost went down to 3 stars for this, but I guess it's not quite down there. During my most recent visit, we brought a large group for a birthday party. Everyone arrived between 7 and 7:30. The salads came out around 7:15, and we all enjoyed them (same salad I remember from my last visit). The cook/server came around 7:25 to ask what the ETA was for the last few people who had yet to arrive, because he wanted to gauge when to bring the next course. They arrived five minutes later, yet our main dish did not arrive until 8:30! Now, don't get me wrong, we were all chatting, drinking wine, and enjoying the beautiful weather, but still- an hour?! And then, it was the same exact thing we had on our last visit. And, while it was a good, safe dish to serve to 14 people, part of the reason this place is cool, is that you don't know what you're going to get! But it seems like you're pretty much going to get served spaghetti with red sauce and chicken parmesan, Italian sausage, and eggplant parmesan. And you can expect to spend $15 per person. They brought out dessert (pecan tarts) which were great. But for our group of 14, they brought 10. Which was fine, since we had brought a cheesecake to celebrate the birthday boy. When I went inside to ask for plates for the cheesecake, the owner (I presume) asked if he could also serve us dessert. I told him that we had gotten some, but not enough for the whole group, so if he wanted to being a few more, I'm sure the rest of the group would love to try them. And the cook/server got snappy with me from behind the counter, assuring me that he had brought enough for the group. "I counted them out! Everyone got one!" Uhhhh- ok. So all in all, a lackluster experience on the part of the restaurant, but still a lovely night!
(4)Jason S.
First time back in quite awhile. As good as the last time. Salad, cheese/pickle/olive plate, main pasta dish, and some wonderful oatmeal dessert squares from Kendra. The gentlemen working last evening were a couple of fantastic characters that were genuinely interested in how we like the preparation. No menu, they asked about allergy and other food restrictions and created from there. I am fairly certain it is cash only. I am ashamed that we weren't back sooner than this. Now that we are in the neighborhood, we will be regulars. What this is not: this is not a Mitchell restaurant. No Rob Roy's or garçons in white coats scraping the crumbs off your table between courses. This is eclectic, funky, spontaneous good food. Must try! Or in the words yelled at us as the main course was served, "you eat now!"
(5)Scott B.
Awesome place. Great service! I've been here several times. You can not beat the meal for the money.
(5)James C.
What a find! Locally sourced food prepared magnificently and served family style! Our wait staff was a blast! The chef really rocked our dinner. I'm not a huge eggplant person, but wow! This stuff was great! Byob interesting and allows some flexibility! We had a blast! Nice funky, no frills atmosphere with the emphasis on the food - as it should be!
(4)Brad S.
Good food, strange experience. First - the positive: The food here is great. Fresh, clean flavors, well-composed dishes, and huge portions. It's not the most inventive food, but it has great ingredients and is very well prepared. This place does seem to rely on its gritty, DIY atmosphere a bit too much. I dined with a large party, and we took full advantage of the BYOB policy. Someone even thought ahead enough to bring SOLO cups to drink our vino. The staff came out with wine glasses but, upon seeing we'd brought out own cups, took the wine glasses back. Would it have killed them to just bring us the glasses? Is dishwashing that hard to come by? This attitude is reflected in the seating and tables as well - it's a collection of assorted patio furniture, and feels like it. Again, would it kill them to at least spray paint them all the same color or dress it up a bit. The whole place just feels super low-budget. If that's what you're in for, great, but it seemed to me like it could use a dash of class. Bottom line: great for groups, good food, super-grungy dining experience.
(3)Chelsea H.
I went into Cafe Bella having no idea whatsoever about what kind of place it was. "Café?", I thought, "must be like a coffee shop." This idea was perpetuated, in my mind, by the fact that I was going with a friend to see her friend play a gig here (gigs only go on in coffee shops, right?). I was quite pleasantly surprised to find that it is not, in fact, a run of the mill coffee joint but a seasonally-minded home-style eatery. At first I thought we had the wrong door by the way it seemed to open right into the kitchen. Turns out, the kitchen is open and adjacent to the first seating area, and we were promptly asked by the chef about our dietary restrictions. Then we made our way to the main dining area in the back. This seating area is comfortable in the same way that a friend's back porch is - it's not sleek or polished, nor does it follow any particular theme; there's string lights and hand-painted murals, stacks of plants and softly running water as calming background noise. On a nice day that's pretty hard to beat. The slow cooked style means that you may wait a bit longer for food, so make sure you actually want to talk to the person/s you're with (so maybe not ideal for a first date). Our waitress assured us that it was very busy at that time, even though only a few tables were populated so take that into consideration as well. After awhile, our salad came out - a heaping plate of various leafy greens, multiple types of bean sprouts, a wonderful vinaigrette (and this coming from someone who doesn't generally use any salad dressing), onions, and the ever-underrated radish. Then, after another bit, the main course arrived. For a couple of vegetarians, it was a plate of eggplant parmesan on a bed of spaghetti. We both enjoyed it, although the breading was about the same thickness as the eggplant itself and thus masked a lot of the vegetable's flavor. While the restaurant does not have a menu, from retroactively reading reviews I've gathered that this is generally what people get, no matter the time of year. For this reason, Café Bella loses a star in my book - if you're going to market your restaurant as seasonally-inspired, actually change what food you serve with the season. It was good but not amazing and, as far as seasonal fare goes, a bit uninspired. I really enjoyed the atmosphere, the salad was pretty awesome, and I'll probably go again, but I think there's generally more satisfaction to be had in an actual homecooked meal (and that won't set you back between $13 and $15)
(3)Tls K.
Maybe we just didn't get it but I was disappointed in the vegan option presented. Egg plant so breaded and deep fried you couldn't tell it was once a veggie. We knew enough to bring a bottle of wine but not soft drinks for the non-vino's in our group. I know the building is older but it felt dirty. I packed food for my 5 year old; he ate like 3 bites of spaghetti off the family style food and we were charged $5. Ridiculous. We went on a Friday in lent; the Catholics in our group were not eating meat, I'm a vegan plus 2 meat eaters. We felt we had a hard time getting them to understand we were NOT interested in the meat dish being pushed. Finally we worked it out and got one egg plant dish, one fish meal and two chicken parmeseans. The salad and bread pudding were excellent. But I wasn't impressed by my egg plant. We probably won't return.
(2)Jennifer L.
What a great find! $15 per person for an amazing 4 course meal. We sat next to the kitchen and Vic (the owner) was so chatty and friendly. A totally unique and interesting place!
(4)Emily D.
The boyfriend and I went to Cafe Bella last night. We checked it out on here first so we knew what to expect and came prepared with our own bottle of wine and a hope that it'd pair well with the mystery meal. Also, we'd called ahead for a reservation and let them know that a pair of vegetarians would be coming. Parking was a bit tricky, probably because of the time of night on a Saturday, and some permit only parking on the parallel side streets, but we managed. The place is practically hidden, though, and we only found it when we walked right up to the door. You walk in through the kitchen area where the chef checks you out and asks some questions, then you go to the dining area to be seated. It's pretty modest there, with a hydroponic herb garden and basic tables, but it was cozy enough. Service was relatively quick, but it wasn't too big of a deal to wait a bit since we only needed a couple of glasses and a corkscrew to get started. Opening salad course was delicious. Then came the pasta dish: spaghetti in a light tomato sauce with zucchini, fried eggplant, and a side of stuffed pepper. It was good, home-cooked comfort food. We didn't get dessert but did stay a while, drinking our wine and engaging in conversation. The atmosphere is conducive to conversation. TL;DR: Take a risk. It's only $14-15 apiece and you can bring all the booze you want. It's a small place so a reservation might help.
(4)Birdy N.
Very good food, but the ambiance really needs work. THE FOOD Very good indeed. Has that homemade feel to it, though a lot of ingredients are processed and not fresh. I am a big fan of their Chicken Parm and meatballs. The canolis I'll pass on, especially with the cinnamon flavouring. The salad was very good too. THE SERVICE Very friendly, but a bit lacking in efficiency. I never thought I'd be taken back by laid-back service, but this might be a bit too laid back. THE ATMOSPHERE Definitely needs lots of work. Fluorescent lighting, visible clutter and general lack of organization are not charming - it is just plain slack. I do eat in dives a lot, and in places dirtier than this too....but this was just pain chaos. I won't be visiting again unless I know for sure they have gotten their act together.
(3)Bee S.
Been here a couple of times now and think I will definitely keep coming back! I love the entire vibe of this place. It's a little "hole in the wall" kind of restaurant with the kitchen right up front and open. You can bring your own drinks (no corkage fee here!) which is AWESOME. There's no menu so everyday is a surprise - but it has always been DELICIOUS and the portions have been hefty. Usually a 3-4 course meal with a salad, maybe a little appetizer, the entree, and then a little dessert. The quality of the dishes prepared is what blows me away every time. Everything tastes healthy and so fresh. You only pay at the end of your meal up front near the kitchen, and it has been $15 per person every time I've been. The staff never cease to amaze me. Everyone I've met who works here is very nice. They always ask about special dietary needs, always have a wine opener and plenty of glasses handy, and seem like they are just downright good-hearted people. If you've never been, keep an eye out as you might miss it driving by! Parking is street, but I have yet to really struggle finding a spot.
(4)Bianca L.
I've been to this place a couple more times since my first review, and I've got to say, I absolutely love it. Even the salads! (Which, I'm happy to say, contain no iceberg lettuce. Dunno what it is with Americans and their thing for lettuce.) What I was hoping for on my return visits was some creativity in the food, and that's exactly what I got. The chef took liberties with his no-menu setup and made some really interesting dishes. Savory chicken curry crepes? Delicious. This place is great for breakfast too, french press coffee and amazing frittata. The portions and prices are more than fair given the quality of the food. If I could afford to eat out more I'd go here all the time.
(5)Sean G.
Always looking for good vegan-friendly places to eat, decided to try something new that a friend had recommended. Called earlier in the day and asked if they had vegan options. I was told they always have vegan options and after negotiating a good time, the last thing I heard was that I would be "blown-away." I spent the whole day getting excited about dinner, worked hard in the garden and went out shopping beforehand. Luckily this place is ultra-casual, so I was able to go straight there from buying mulch. First off, I was very careful to mention on the phone that my party was vegan, and it was repeated (several times) back and forth on the phone while we were talking. When we arrived, they recognized that we were the vegan folks who had made the reservation, and were seated right away. I want to mention here that the back patio is gorgeous. It's not just a place to eat and hang-out, but it's also the home of what appeared to be a hydroponic greenhouse, which surrounds the tables with fresh herbs and tomato plants. It was a little chilly that day, but I can say that the design protects from the milder elements - plants and humans - and the greenhouse effect seemed to make it warmer than outside, which was nice. So they bring a salad to the table, which was pretty good: fresh greens, a few other complementary salady things, all doused with balsamic vinegar and oil. Better than what I generally have at home out of the bag - certainly fresher - but not so memorable that I was able to remember anything other than the greens swimming in vinegar and oil. The salad cut the edge of hunger, so that was good. The waitstaff was very attentive, and checked-in periodically to let us know the status of our main entree. Then, the entree came out, and I had to ask "Is that cheese?" Sure enough, they'd prepared and brought-out the vegetarian eggplant Parmesan, which looked amazing, but which was loaded with what appeared to be ricotta inside and Parmesan on top. Had to send that scrumptious-looking dish back, and enjoyed the patio while they started from scratch on our vegan dish. What came out of the kitchen was...good. Inspiring, fresh and exactly what others had mentioned in previous vegan-related reviews: pasta. I say inspiring, because I went home that night and, instead of using generic-looking white spaghetti (I would imagine an upscale place like this would serve whole-grain pasta only, but that's just me), I threw together a big batch of a very similar dish with common canned ingredients I had around the house. That type of inspiring. Honestly, if Cafe Bella had taken the time to figure out a way to make their amazing-looking eggplant Parmesan into a vegan dish, I would have reviewed the restaurant a five-star. It looked that yummy. The omnivorous tables around us were likewise receiving well laid-out meals. However, as a vegan, we basically had an entree of pasta tossed with various - albeit fresh-looking, seasonal and presumably local - veggies. The price was a little on the high side for a shared salad and a shared bowl of pasta and veggies; but not so much that I felt ripped off. In order to complete the review, I want to mention that Cafe Bella claims to go shopping constantly throughout the week, purchasing in-season produce and trying to stay local. They don't really have a menu, just "tiers," I imagine, based on dietary preference. They do appear to ask every party whether they have any dietary restrictions or allergy concerns, and they do seem to prepare each dish to order. At that point, you're getting the omnivorous dish (with meat and cheese), the vegetarian dish (cheese) or vegan (no animal products). Aside from removing items which may be objectionable to your diet and/or allergies, you get what they bring out. Fun concept, particularly if you're not picky. I'm not picky...but some people are. I'm giving a three-star review this time, because I want Cafe Bella to have something for vegans other than salad-and-pasta the next time I go. If they truly impress me on my next visit, by offering something awesome and materially different than what I had before, I will gladly give them a four-star, but for now, I'm just not feeling it.
(3)Peter D.
From what I saw, the indoor seating was very limited and felt more like a diner then a fine dining experience. We ate out on the patio and it was very relaxing. Not having a menu to hold in your hands always throws me through a loop and after I said it was my first time there with my friend the guy running the place said he'd just put something together. What we got was a great house salad, and an even better eggplant parm with sausages. I was very impressed by the food quality, and even more so how well the simplistic theme of the entire place. Will defiantly go back, especially since I found out the place is open late night hours.
(4)Amy K.
My second visit to Cafe Bella proved even better than the first and confirmed for me how much I like their down home style, open kitchen, easy attitude, and great prices. We had an awesome family style pasta primavera with a side of eggplant and a gorgeous salad for $25, followed by a personal tour of the herb garden out back. Vince is doing great things with this hole in the wall. He has great staff, it's affordable and yummy.
(5)Joyce H.
I enjoyed Cafe Bella for its generous portions, homey back patio, and interesting menu selections. The most unique thing about Cafe Bella is that there really is no menu. The meal prep is completely based on what organic and local produce is available that day. They also grow a lot of their own greens and herbs above the back patio. Everything is served family style. On the day that we went, we had generous helpings of greens w/ alfalfa, cheese, radishes, etc. For dinner, we were served pasta with fresh zucchini and yellow squash with parmesan eggplant and chicken. They offered two fish as well - very very fresh salmon and snapper. We had more than enough to eat! The place is BYOB! It costs about $13 a person. Very comfortable when you get to sit outside and enjoy the weather out back on the patio.
(4)Mindy W.
I love you, Cafe Bella! I really want you to know that. However, I have been here four times, and every time we have been served the same dish. I thought maybe Friday was pasta night, so I rolled with it. I finally tried it on a Saturday, and I was very surprised to see the same dish I had every other time I was here. Service has been spotty, which I'm almost ok with. You really do feel like you're at a friend's house being served food leisurely. I'm never in a hurry, but I do expect at least a little urgency. It usually takes 5-10 minutes to get a wine key, sometimes longer. We asked for dessert options, and she disappeared for 15 minutes. We decided to forgo dessert and just went to the kitchen to pay. I will definitely continue to come here because I love the set up , the atmosphere, the chef/owner is cool as hell, and I love the fact that it's BYOB. I will just make sure I'm in the mood for pasta when I go here.
(3)Pat S.
Full disclosure- we did not eat the food or even order it. It might be great for all we know, but cafe bella is so dingy looking and smells so bad that as hungry as we were we decided to go elsewhere. For the record, the staff was courteous and answered our questions. But dont be fooled by the name, its not bella looking.
(2)Samantha M.
I've been dining here with some regularity for about two years, always walking away swearing I'd hop on Yelp and make sure anyone that hasn't had the pleasure knows what they are missing. The least you need to know: Cafe Bella has no menus. If you want alcohol with your meal, you must bring it yourself - and you are encouraged to. Prices are set at a whim but are always more than fair and usually consistent. Admittedly, the curiosity that drew me in is the lack of a menu. Each meal is prepared on a whim from an extremely limited repertoire of the owner's lovingly perfected dishes. On the upside, you can expect an outstanding meal every time. On the downside, you can expect the SAME outstanding meal. Of the many times I've been for dinner, I can remember having only two different meals: (what I'll call) The Tour of Best Meats To Serve with Pasta and Red Sauce and a lighter white fish/vegetable/pasta platter. The meat/red sauce meal is by far the most memorable. Though it's not a close competition in Columbus, this dish includes the best Chicken Parm I've ever had. The crust alone is worth the trip - you'll find yourself very nearly pinning down the ingredients, only to have it slip away to some unreachable fringe of your memory. Is it cornflakes? Ritz Crackers? So familiar and yet... Whatever you do, don't ask the chef or you'll be faced with the dark and challenging glare of a man who's food is clearly the product of a relentless perfected recipe that ought not be relinquished so easily. No matter - it's freaking delicious, and there is plenty of it. Equally wonderful are the accompanying meatballs and sausage. The sauce is unremarkable, but tasty. Dinner includes a refreshing and assuming salad of super-local greens, (read: grown in-house) a few veggies and some kind of vinaigrette. Most meals I've had here blend blissfully together with two exceptions. First is the one time I happend to be there for breakfast. This was my first visit and soon after being sat we were presented with little egg cups of buttery oatmeal, and our table was replenished at regular intervals with hearty bacon, a dull veggie frittata, and french press coffee. All told, we had a solid, affordable breakfast on a blissful patio, seated next to the hydroponic tanks that were home to your veggies just hours before. You're a fool if you find yourself wanting weekend breakfast in that neighborhood and pass Bella by to huddle with the vodka-smelly masses at the grossly overrated Jack and Benny's.(sorry) My fondest Cafe Bella memory, though is the accidental meal I had at about 2am. Starving on the walk home, we happened upon Cafe Bella still open. Though the kitchen was out of the nightly dinner, we negotiated with the chef regarding what remained and ended up with seriously delicious meatballs and sauce with assorted fresh peppers on a fluffy roll with a side of colorful and engaging company. If nothing else, Cafe Bella is just fun. You might get the feeling of a tourist at times among the variety of regulars that seem to know the entire staff personally, but if you don't quickly feel at home in this casual, the-more-the-merrier restaurant - it's your own fault. Go - and enjoy the efforts of a man that loves food, loves to feed and will probably like you a lot, too.
(4)Amanda B.
Here's how my first experience with Cafe Bella went, in a nutshell: I came here with a friend on a weekday night on another friend's recommendation. we grabbed our drinks from a cooler, sat down, and the waitress asked us if we had any "allergies, issues with meat, preferences, anything?" We said no. She disappeared, we assumed for menus. But instead of menus, she came out with appetizers- bruschetta with eggplant- then left again. Then came back with salad, then the entree- pasta with eggplant parmesan on one side and chicken parm on the other. Popped in a few more times to make sure the food was okay. Asked us if we wanted dessert, so we asked what it was. Crepes. So sure, we ordered those too. So basically, we didn't choose a single thing we were going to eat that night. I can see that causing issues for someone who is very picky about their food- though it sounds like they're willing to accommodate different tastes (veggie/vegan, allergies, preferences, etc.). Personally, I loved it. Just be warned, it's not your typical American dining. The food? It was good. Restaurant pasta is hard to mess up, granted. I think my favorite part was the eggplant parmesan, which tasted fresh and delicious, and the salad. Yeah I know it's weird to love salad, but this was GOOD salad- fresh greens (no iceberg or romaine lettuce), homemade dressing. Perfect. The crepes for dessert were a little bland, but otherwise everything was delicious. Given that we didn't order anything, I was a little concerned about what the bill would be, but it was very reasonable. $15 for drinks, appetizers, salad, entrees, and desserts. The amounts weren't huge (this ain't Applebees) but they were just right for me. Overall, I had a great experience eating at Cafe Bella even though I had zero idea what to expect when I got there. It's a strange mix of an upscale and uber-casual environment, but I like it. And I'll be back.
(4)Stephanie G.
This restaurant gave me a new experience. The idea of having no menu intrigued me. I was excited to go and try something new. Going to Cafe Bella gives you a break from the high priced restaurants or the chain restaurants. Our group had Vegetarians as well a meat eaters and the chef was happy to accommodate both. The flat bread, kind of like gourmet pizza, was delicious! The salad was good, too. It had different types of lettuce that I am not used to in a typical salad. The vinaigrette dressing was tasty! The main course was Chicken parmagian or Eggplant Parmagian, both were really good, better than any I had before. The Chicken dish came with meatballs which were also good. The patio is nice. The service mentioned in other reviews is spot on. I recommend to any one to go an try this restaurant. You might like it enough to become a regular!
(4)Jim G.
Creative, unique concept. Serving what's fresh and in the moment - menu changes daily. Come when you'd like a respite from suburbia and chain restaurants. Three course dinner was great. Service just right and you can even bring your own bottle of wine....!! Keep it going...
(4)Vince R.
This place could be on an episode of Portlandia. They grow their pene vegetables on their outdoor patio and it has a DIY feel. The dishes are served family style and it's about $15 for a four course meal. Nice.
(4)Kendyl M.
A true diamond in the rough, Cafe Bella offers great food on the cheap, but doesn't skimp on quality. For those of you who just care about the food: Hefty portions prepared fresh and simply. There is no set menu, but a usual format: salad, entrée, sweet treat. The eggplant or chicken parmesan is where it's at, but if there's a daily special (sometimes seafood), go for it. Served 'family style'. Beverages options are limited, and Cafe Bella does not serve alcohol, but do not oppose providing you with glasses should you bring your own bottle of wine. The rest: My favorite part about Cafe Bella is the passion the owner has for philanthropy and the community. The 'Giving Garden' growing on the roof and outside the restaurant provides hundreds of Columbus families with fresh produce. The adjoining Creative Space hosts a number of charity events, local and traveling musicians, and private parties. This establishment is unique and refreshing, and anything but stuffy. The late-night hours (24 hours Thursday-Sunday morning) are awesome for a late-night treat that isn't McDonalds. When eating at Cafe Bella, go with an open mind, a smaller-sized group, and an empty stomach!
(5)Nick S.
Eating at Cafe Bella kind of felt like hanging out in your friend's kitchen. When we walked in we were first asked if we were vegetarian or omnivores. We said that we liked whatever was good. That was apparently the right answer. First they offered us a really nice salad on a big platter. Mixed greens, sprouts, and shredded mozzarella drizzled with olive oil. Next came the entree: a pile of just-right spaghetti, really-good meatballs, and the best eggplant parmigiana I've ever had. Really, the eggplant was unbelievable. I'm probably going to dream about it tonight. Of course, it's not the most polished place in the world. If you're looking for a fine-dining experience, Cafe Bella is not for you. But, I've been looking for a place to get cheap, good Italian for a while and I'm pretty sure Cafe Bella is going to fill that hole nicely.
(4)Steven P.
My friend and I walked in and were immediately greeted and asked what we would like to have. The waitstaff was genuinely friendly and helpful. They were attentive, offered for us to try the fried green tomatoes, and all of the food tasted fantastic. The selection is limited, but whatever they make, they make well. Their coffee tastes great, you can see the staff chopping fresh veggies, and the preparation was speedy without compromising the quality. And for how great the food is, the prices are also great. Anyone who walks into Cafe Bella and says "Oh what a dump!" can stay away. It is not a fancy place, but it is by no means a dump. If it were dirty that would be different, but it's not dirty. And you should actually try the food before you write a place off. Get real. Go to Cafe Bella. So good. And one of the staff told us that they are open from Thursday night to Sunday afternoon, then normal hours during the week I guess. What more could you ask for? Also, it's BYOB, but it looked like they had a few bottles of wine available. Amazing.
(5)Jesse P.
I received strong recommendations from hippie dub-step loving friends and crunchies alike to check this place out so I finally decided to see what it was all about... after hearing so much about the fresh (maybe even local?) ingredients, dishes made "off da top of da dome" daily, cool setting/dudes working there, etc etc, I figured it to be a total cant lose kind of place that I needed to check out for myself well.... the food was only OKAY. certainly not terrible, but again after all this HYPE, I was pretty let down. I received what was essentially a grilled ham and cheese sandwich as a main course. HOW CREATIVE! I hear tons of talk about the portions being great... great to who? I guess in retrospect, the people that were advising me of how full they are, also generally eat small portions of lentils and greens every day as a meal, so for an appetite that small, I can see where this is filling (no disrespect to my vegan pals, just saying I need a "bigger meal" sometimes) I must say, for stoners I really would have thought they would have "hooked it up" a little better. I mean shoot, thought we had that vibe going on a higher cosmic plane of existence... nope! I received the said sandwich which I could have EASILY duplicated at home and made better with a few simple good ingredients and a george foreman grill... I think there was exactly 1 average size sliced bread sandwich for each person in our party. very thin as you could imagine being only a little meat and cheese.... previous to that, we had received a mixed greens salad as an entree... that was fine, and as I recall, there was a quite delicious vinaigrette dressing on the greens. cool. very small role in the overall experience.. back to the sandwich... after downing my first home snack sized sandwich and essentially inhaling the entree, I felt I could REALLY use more... after all, this WAS my "official" dinner of the night. the server comes back around to our group after a long absence and seemed like he was anticipating us to be done, or at least he seemed very surprised that we could still be hungry? so we had to politely suggest we were VERY ready for the next round of sandwiches... seeming confused by the situation, the server went back and "whipped us up something special" which in this case was another variation of the same sandwich that was tiny, only this time it was a veggie rendition with even less overall substance!! being that we were built up again from waiting so long on service, these too were inhaled. (we received exactly 2 sandwiches to split between 4 people, aka tiny half sandwich each) server checks back in after a bit and once again even more shocked when we are collectively still hungry... he then says he will go ahead and throw together his specialty and be right back. (specialty being that same ham and cheese sandwich from the first go round, only this time dotted with Sriracha hot sauce!!!) WOW! and again with the 2 sandwiches between 4 people. dude is HORRIBLE at gauging the average joes appetite. after this we decided it was starting to feel awkward continuing to have to ask for more rounds of food, and basically started to wrap it up (although we did silently try to put off the vibe we would still gladly welcome more food if it were offered) it was at this point where the server maybe had a clue, or was just trying to be nice and offered dessert we received small chocolate cakes, or brownies. to give an example of the size, they were comparative to the "hostes mini muffins" that you might spot in line at gas stations across this fine land. VERY SMALL. it would have been totally fine to get a chocolate or mint with the bill instead as I just kinda felt it was like trying but still failing, especially in regards to any sort of portioning. a single bite dessert... why even bother? in the end, I walked out paying just shy of $30 for 2 people after tip (their prices looked reasonable at first, but after having to add so many things on top of our initial order to reach satisfaction, things got a little stupid for what I was getting) I also B.M.O.B., so this price does not include drinks. I think next time around if I need a lunchtime experience, Ill go to the market, get some quality lunch meat & cheese, and duplicate my experience at home with the good ol foreman grill for about a quarter of what I ended up paying here. that OR just visit cornerstone cafe (or something similar) sorry for sounding like "the turd in the punchbowl" here, but I am merely comparing the overall value of what I got vs. what I paid. needless to say, the balance was off, and thats all my opinion is really based on.
(2)Amanda H.
I love Cafe Bella. If you are in the mood for a very relaxed atmosphere and are ok with leaving the final selection up to the chef then this place is for you. Just state your preferences... red/white sauces... Pasta... eggplant parm....etc and it will be served up. Egg Plant parm is the best ever by the way....
(4)Scott S.
Finally dined at Cafe Bella last night and had a great experience. The food was fantastic and we enjoyed eating on the patio. We had the Bella trio which was meatballs, egg plant parmesan and chicken parmesan on pasta with red sauce. Some of the best Italian I've ever had. The eggplant was grown on the patio along with the tomatoes. My only complaint would be that they should add some lighting to the patio. When it got dark, some people were using their cellphones to see their food.
(5)Elizabeth D.
I honestly don't think I had ever even thought about this place until it was suggested for a lunch meeting. The space itself is a bit rough, but that sort of lends to its charm. I have a feeling it's much more green and open in the summer, as there appears to be a large patio off the back, surrounded by urban gardens. The owner/chef, Vincent, grows a lot of his own food and has even started a small tilapia farm in his space, which just cracks me up. There are no menus, and he just offers up what is freshest, which was very refreshing in the dead of Winter during Icepocalypse '11. We were offered a sprout salad/cheese/cracker tray for a starter, and then our choice of pasta, panini, or fritatta for an entree. I went with the Spicy Chicken panini, which was tasty. The starter tray was also great, but I'm a fan of sprouts and their many forms. It's incredibly casual, with the owner obviously friends of many customers and joining into conversations, which was fun. The kitchen is open to the seating area, and then there is a side room that is a bit more restaurant-y. Everything we had was great, and we were served dried apricots and sugared ginger for "dessert." It was a nice experience. I will be going back!
(4)Rob H.
no menu, no choices, no warning when we came in. We left and will not be coming back
(1)Kalama B.
BYOB'ed some champagne with a brunch here. Very cool place with very relaxed atmosphere and staff. The food was delicious. It wasn't exactly timely, but we also didn't appear to be in a rush so they basically served us and left us alone. I strongly suggest dropping by. They served us family style and the price was great! There's a private lot and covered patio seating in the back.
(5)Courtney B.
We had a great time with friends! The concept of not knowing what food you will get was a lot of fun. Plus, you can't beat BYOB. There is no ice here so you must bring your drinks chilled and ready to go. Also, don't expect a fancy atmosphere. It's a little on the dingy side but the whole experience is a lot of fun.
(4)Maddy S.
Guess I should have gotten on here first. As you'll probably see from others reviews, there are no menus, and you're not served any drinks. There is a drink cooler with very limited choices. Apparently the food is good but we left after 10 minutes of waiting and no explanations. It would be a lot nicer if the waiter/waitresses would ask if we had been there before and explained the no menu situation for new customers.
(1)David P.
Great food, if a little predictable. Now mind you I have only been for breakfast, but I have been 4-5 times. The cook has a set meal they prepare. So for breakfast it was salad and frittata. Now mind you it was great. But that was what he served every time I was there. Anyway-- worth a try for sure! Organic and good.
(3)Allee L.
My friends and I were passing by on Saturday night and the smell just overwhelmed us. Plus, when we saw that they had a live DJ I thought we should check it out. It was the best part of our night. We had the large group selection and the food was amazing. The chef was super friendly and I didn't mind not having a set menu because it was better than trying to guess what I want and get something I didn't. The bacon was perfect! Also, the place is self-sustaining, apparently, and the fresh veggies really make a difference. I can't believe I had never been there before. Everyone agreed it was a great find and we can't wait to go back.
(5)David R.
Just discovered this cozy, cool restaurant for breakfast today. Fresh, tasty, fresh and did I say fresh! Great place for a date. Can't wait to try dinner.
(4)Shelley S.
Cafe Bella is one of those places with a lot of personality. Your options are pretty much "the salad" and "the soup" and possibly "the sandwich". That being said, the "THE"s are always really good. I've had two of the soups- one was cucumber and the other time it was Watermelon Gazpacho. Really tasty. Also, it's better to go when it's warmer cause they have a nice patio in the back which is where i assume most of the dining takes place as the inside is rather underwhelming. Plus i've heard some good music played back there. Very affordable.
(4)Melanie M.
Went there last night for the first time and it won't be the last! My fiance and I are both vegan, and they were very accomodating to that. After opening our bottle of wine (BYOB), we were treated to an awesome salad - mixed greens, radishes, blueberries, oyster mushrooms, and more. We each got an entree - mine a rice noodle Thai inspired dish and his a pasta with fresh marinara and veggies. Organic fair trade coffee was offered after the meal, along with some kind of crazy delicious warm grapefruit cinnamon concoction. Although it was a tad pricier than I expected, it was well worth it. Can't wait for patio weather to have another experience here!
(4)Paul F.
This place is absolutely a DUMP! There's no better way to say it. I went in, took a look around and left.
(1)Kenley M.
After "And you'll say, 'That sounds awesome!' because it will" insert "(unless it is a squid frittata because that is just WRONG)." Even still, highly recommended.
(4)Sergio S.
I gave Cafe Bella advance notice and then descended upon them with 35 hungry and Italian-oriented foodies. Everyone was amazed at the variety and quality of the food. I swear the salade was picked minutes prior. The pasta was perfectly al dente. The eggplant parmigiana was crisp. The vegetable contorni we flavorful. The meat dishes were rich and the fritta was perfectly browned with a rich melted cheese layer. Everything arrived promptly but leisurely and very hot (OK - except for the salade!). And the price was very reasonable. It was obvious that the chef and staff take food prep and presentation very personally. We'll all be returning.
(5)