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

Bella Vita Bistro is a classic Italian restaurant in Xuhui, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

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.

Bella Vita Bistro is a classic Italian restaurant in Xuhui, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Bella Vita Bistro is a classic Italian restaurant in Xuhui, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

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.

Bella Vita Bistro is a classic Italian restaurant in Xuhui, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Bella Vita Bistro is a classic Italian restaurant in Xuhui, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

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.

Bella Vita Bistro is a classic Italian restaurant in Xuhui, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

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.

Bella Vita Bistro is a classic Italian restaurant in Xuhui, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

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:

Bella Vita Bistro is a classic Italian restaurant in Xuhui, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
House bread – Thick slices of rye bread to go with olive oil and balsamic.
Bella Vita Bistro is a classic Italian restaurant in Xuhui, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Fresh Buffalo Mozzarella (¥288) with a whopping amount of 24-month aged parma ham.

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.

Bella Vita Bistro is a classic Italian restaurant in Xuhui, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Frittura di Pesce (¥168) – Lightly battered and deep-fried cod, calamari, prawns, and vegetables, served with garlic-pepper mayo.
Bella Vita Bistro is a classic Italian restaurant in Xuhui, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Gorgonzola Baruffaldi (¥108) – I associate gorgonzola with a potent and sharp blue cheese flavor, but this 50-day aged gorgonzola is the contrary. Instead, it’s buttery and mild in flavor, and is closer to mascarpone. The creamy, heady cheese is served with homemade fruit marmalade, a jam that nearly steals the show.
Bella Vita Bistro is a classic Italian restaurant in Xuhui, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Slow-Cooked Cuttlefish Salad (¥168) with raw, seasonal vegetables and a gentle spritz of lemon oil dressing. Fantastically tender cuttlefish, so soft it near melts in your mouth. Light dressing to let the ingredients shine, also very summery.
Bella Vita Bistro is a classic Italian restaurant in Xuhui, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Whipped Black Cod (¥118) – A signature dish, and a classic one too. Black cod whipped to a fine flaky finish, seasoned with black pepper and salt, shaped into quenelles. Garnished with fried polenta for crunch. Has a good punch of acidity, and makes for a great appetizer.
Bella Vita Bistro is a classic Italian restaurant in Xuhui, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Sautéed Spaghetti with Scampi (¥499) – Thick spaghetti cooked al dente with scampi bisque until slick and reduced. A little light on the intensity here, but delicious all the same.
Bella Vita Bistro is a classic Italian restaurant in Xuhui, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Chitarra with Sea Urchin (¥199) – Homemade chitarra spaghetti in a luscious sauce made with sea urchin, garlic, basil, and chili.
Bella Vita Bistro is a classic Italian restaurant in Xuhui, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Al dente, gummy noodles in a rich sauce tinged with heat from the chilies. Excellent.
Bella Vita Bistro is a classic Italian restaurant in Xuhui, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Crab Meat Fregola (¥199) – Sardinian broken pasta with chunks of fresh crabmeat. Kernel-sized pasta finished in a herb-rich tomato base with fresh flakes of crabmeat and roe. A few dollops of lemon curd brighten the dish. The winner of the three pastas.
Bella Vita Bistro is a classic Italian restaurant in Xuhui, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Pan-Roasted Octopus Leg (¥298) with fresh burrata and spiced bell pepper sauce.
Bella Vita Bistro is a classic Italian restaurant in Xuhui, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Fiorentina Alla Griglia (¥1,599) – The showstopper. The 1.2 kg Australian wagyu M6/7 porterhouse steak is served with a side salad and fries.
Bella Vita Bistro is a classic Italian restaurant in Xuhui, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
They do it well, charring the steak appropriately, cooking to a medium/medium rare. Served with a green sauce, similar to chimichurri meets pesto, and whipped mustard.
Bella Vita Bistro is a classic Italian restaurant in Xuhui, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

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.

Bella Vita Bistro is a classic Italian restaurant in Xuhui, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

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.

Bella Vita Bistro is a classic Italian restaurant in Xuhui, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

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 Bistro is a classic Italian restaurant in Xuhui, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Basilico (¥108) – Gin, basil, lemon juice, sugar syrup. Not at all sweet, refreshing, and balanced.
Bella Vita Bistro is a classic Italian restaurant in Xuhui, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Bianco Negroni (¥99) – Jasmine gin, Suze, vermouth bianco, peach liqueur.

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