Bella Vita Bistrò is an Italian restaurant in Xuhui, serving the very best of unadulterated Italian flavors in a gorgeous villa location complete with a spacious rooftop terrace.
Complimentary drink for Nomfluence Readers! Details below.
About Bella Vita Bistrò
Located in one of the villa-style buildings in Hengshan Fang on Tianping Lu, Bella Vita Bistrò feels like it was lifted right out of Italy. Spread across two floors, sleek dining rooms on the ground level face the open kitchen, where warm hues bounce off copper pots and pans above the marble countertops.
The second floor is cozy and more intimate. Then, there’s the terrace, a beautiful 24-seater rooftop space.
It’s evocative of bistros in Italy—it really has that look and feel. Perhaps it’s those ceramic tiles and show plates that have me all nostalgic.
It’s locale and setting makes it a destination restaurant. Evenings for intimate dinners and dates, and daytime for brunch, especially on the terrace come warmer weeks.
This is actually the fourth location of Bella Vita. The brand first opened in 2011 in Florentia Village, one of the first luxury outlets in China. The brand operates restaurants in Foshan and Tianjin in addition to the two in Shanghai, Bella Vita Bistrò (this one) and Bella Vita on Haifang Lu for more casual Italian.
On The Menu
The food is traditional, straightforward, and unapologetically Italian. It’s similar to what you’d get in bistros in Italy—three to four ingredients with simple sauces to let each product shine.
Behind the menu is chef Andrea Botti, a newcomer to Shanghai, who was previously based in the Maldives. Antipasti, pasta, and grilled meats are the main features.
Here is what’s on the menu:
The buffalo mozzarella arrives with neither salt nor balsamic. Peculiar at first sight, given all the fluffed up burratas around town. Light, milky, and stringy, this creamy cheese is lifted up by the subtle notes of the aged parma ham, which is more nutty and buttery rather than salty. Unlike burrata, buffalo mozzarella, which is imported directly from Naples, is much more delicate.
Millefoglie (¥68) – Crispy layers puff pastry intersected with custard, pistachio cream, and red berries. Light in body yet punchy in flavor. A strong finish to the meal.
Warm Chocolate Cake (¥68) – An Italian flourless cake called torta tenerina, which translates to “very tender cake.” Crispy edges with a soft, melty center, this cake comes from Ferrara, north Italy, Chef Andrea’s home city. Served with amarena cherries and pistachio gelato.
As for drinks, it’s predominantly wines, which start at an affordable ¥68 by the glass, and bottles from ¥268.
They also have a handful of cocktails, created by bartender Filippo Sacchi, formerly of Rosewood Guangzhou.
Signature drinks are riffs on classic cocktails and start at ¥88.
Bella Vita Bistrò also does lunch sets during the week, ¥238 for three courses. They’ll be launching brunch in March!
Nomfluence Readers Deals
The deal below is valid from now until March 31, 2023 for Nomfluence Readers when you book via the link below!
- Complimentary welcome drink with dinner. Limited to one per person. Drinks include selected cocktails or soft drink.
Click here to book now!
Bella Vita Bistrò
Address: 318 Tianping Lu, near Huashan Lu 天平路318号, 近华山路
Tel: 64470008
Hours: Daily, 11am-9:30pm
