26 Augusta St, Hamilton, ON L8N 1P7, Canada
"Ciao Bella on Augusta Street offers an upscale casual dining experience with a vibrant atmosphere and the best Italian food in the city. Perfect for romantic evenings, this charming restaurant serves authentic Italian dishes with impeccable flavors, making it a must-visit spot for food lovers. Whether you're enjoying a date night or celebrating a night out with friends, Ciao Bella delivers a memorable dining experience with its warm ambiance and top-notch service."
We checked this place out on a Friday night without reservations, so we had to wait for 30 minutes! The place was packed, but they did give us a great table! Server was attentive and we didn’t feel rushed or neglected, perfect balance. A great place to celebrate an occasion, many tables were celebrating birthdays! The eggplant parm was so delicious! The pizzas were also tasty, but nothing too special, there are better places for pizza specifically in Hamilton, however, overall this place is worth a visit and I will be back to try their pastas or other apps!
What a gem! I literally can’t wait to go back! Was it the cocktails? 🤗 I was told of this restaurant from a neighbour and was advised to get reservations; she was right! With a week in advance I could not get my exact time I wanted but was lucky to get a reservation. The restaurant is stylish and elegant with comfortable seating. It’s a fine dining experience with reasonable prices. The food is beyond delicious! The cocktails were great too! The Bartender was working up a sweat shaking up all the drinks lol. We enjoyed appetizers, main course of a seafood pasta and a branzino dish. So much flavor! Paired w a precocktail and then wine at dinner - delish. With a bit of room left and leftovers on hand we ordered dessert. The earl grey cheesecake was recommended but the chocolate bread pudding took our breath away. Lovely and crunchy on the outside. You will not be disappointed!
Just wow. Attended a birthday dinner here last night and every dish was better than the last. My only complaint is that the Spinach and artichoke dip was sold out! I will be returning to try. Everything else was served with pleasure and we were allowed to split the bill as we saw fit.
My first time dining at Ciao Bella’s and it will definitely not be my last! Our server Jesse was so kind, attentive, and very knowledgeable about the menu. During our dining a manager came over to quality check our experience as well and we were overall very impressed with the service. All of the food and drinks we got were delicious! My favourite was the affogato espresso martini, cherry margarita, arancini’s and goat cheese with pear pizza. Can’t wait to come back.
My friend and I went here for lunch, the food was really good, the drinks were great, the interior is gorgeous. Our server was amazing, very polite and had good energy. The only complaint we had is that our table was in the absolute corner next to a wall which felt very hidden and we were not able to enjoy the ambiance and click cute pictures like we had planned. When we arrived for our 3.30 reservation the entire place was empty with the exception of two other people. After we were seated, we asked the manager (at least I think it was the manager) if they were not fully booked and if it was possible to move us to another table. They asked why because they said that to them it was a great table with privacy, I tried to explain that we wanted to enjoy the ambiance but they said our original table was worst and they gave us a better one already, we didn’t argue after that. My friend and myself are both women of colour and to us it felt like we were being hidden in a small little corner, because of that. If the restaurant was at capacity we would have totally understood why our table couldn’t be moved. But when we left around 5pm more than half of the restaurant was still empty, so it seemed like they were not completely booked and could have tried to move us to another table for a better experience.
First time trying Ciao Bella to celebrate a special occasion. Beautiful decor and super cozy inside (even though some tables are a little too close together). We tried grilled calamari, warm olives, meatballs, a pizza, branzino, and the orchiette pasta. Oh and of course, we had to try the tiramisu for dessert. The food and drinks were delicious and we will definitely be returning again soon
Came here on their opening night and it was amazing! The service was great, the decor and overall construction was beautiful, I also live in the area so seeing all the effort put into the build really paid off! The attention to detail in the decoration is lovely. All the dishes and drinks were delicious and had a very high rating from my partner and I. We are already planning to come back a few more times! I highly recommend to check this place out for date nights, if family is coming in to visit, work dinners, etc, great for any occasion!
I might change this rating in the future as they are trying to figure out everything Wrong dishes are sent. Appetizers were very nice but main course were not. Drinks took forever to come. Missing items from wine section on menu I will try them again after few months but I can’t compare them to first class places Overall it was a three star ⭐️ place Very nice decoration but lacks lots of details I wish them luck
This restaurant is very beautiful and love the vibes inside. I think it d be great for anyone looking for a date night for some drinks. Although the food was not it, i wouldn t even consider it authentic Italian food. I honestly felt it was very dry, unseasoned and just not what I expected since the place looked so classy and beautiful. I ordered the arancini balls, it didn t even come with marinara sauce like the Italian traditional way. It came with some greenish sauce at the bottom of the plate. It was dry asf eating. Then I got the pizza and it was just whatever. The drinks although were really good. The service was another thing the waiter I didn t get his name, I came for a birthday we were a big group but he took about 30 mins just to come take our order and I seen him spend that 30 mins flirting with some girls at the bar. The group tried yelling out to him but he was too occupied and we forgot his name. Then when we finally put in the order I didn t receive my food for another 30 minutes and I asked the waiter where my food was and he forgot about my order.. I was very unhappy with the service and the food overall. It was my first time there I was so excited to try this place and i was so disappointed.
Beautiful restaurant and service was great. I really looked forward to trying their squid ink pasta only to find out when I got there. They took it off the menu. My pizza was okay.
Upon arrival we were seated but had to wait 10 min before anyone noticed us. We ended up flagging the manager who ended up taking our order. The waitress was taking care of a large party right next to us , so really didn t seem to show an interest in our small table. We ordered our food and a bottle of wine. Tagliatelle cingiale were a little dense and the glass that our server brought had lipstick marks on it. The dining area is chic and warm but way too loud to enjoy a nice dinner. Unfortunately, we will not be back.
Terrible service - unprofessional & poorly managed! Nice place but they have a lot of work to do! Not worth it in my opinion the food is simply average. Two stars because of the decor but that s it sorry to say!!!
We celebrated a family birthday at Ciao Bella. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was warm and welcoming.
The Calamari appetizer was amazing. And the sea bass entre was geat !
This Hamilton GEM truly exceeded expectations. From the moment we arrived, the service was impeccable, with attentive and friendly staff making us feel right at home. The food was outstanding, showcasing remarkable flavors and presentation. If I could give more than 5 stars, I absolutely would. I m already looking forward to returning much sooner than later.
We came here for dinner after seeing them on Chch. We are pretty fussy about food and our dining experience. This place did not disappoint. Food was delicious and plentiful. Jordan our server was attentive and very timely . Food came out perfectly . Nice place inside , it was a bit loud but it was packed . My only slight negative it s the seats we had. We were sitting at the end of let s say the couch seating . So basically I was facing the 2 couples next to us. A little weird . But hey it wasn t that bad But over all. We would come back in a heartbeat
What are the best restaurants in the City of Hamilton. Hamilton food scene is drastically changing awesome spot Vegetarian options: Yes
Excellent food and customer service. Ramano was excellent and made some excellent suggestions. Loved the food. Will surely go back.
If you want quality food and top notch service this is the restaurant for you! Our server jordan was very knowledgeable and professional... The food is top quality and very well prepared... Some reviews have said the restaurant is pricey But good food Costs more... And for the little extra you might pay here it is definitely worth it... My opinion is.. for the quality of the food here It is in the medium price range not top price range. I have dined at other restaurants That Charge much higher prices for very bad food. I ate the best fettuccine alfredo I have ever eaten at this restaurant... And I have eaten pasta in italy .The pasta Was homemade and prepared perfectly al Dente With a rich velvety cream sauce.. The chicken piccata was to die for.. crispy skin.. Moist juicy chicken.. This honestly would be my number one pick for restaurants in all of downtown hamilton.
Took my 3 kids for an evening meal and they were so welcoming to us all. The chef came over after the meal with a free desert for the kids.
Food was very good, everything recommended by our waiter was excellent. The waiter was great, attentive and friendly, the atmosphere was lovely. It is a great space. Will definitely visit again.
We celebrated our anniversary at this place. Server was very nice and suggested very good cocktails and food options.
We came in later than dinner rush and the reservations were full. The greeting was friendly and professional, and we chose the bar side to wait for a table. Griffens a cool dude and the Justins were friendly. By the time the tables were open, we chose to ask about getting moved as it seemed the hosting staff may have forgotten. The food was great, and I was a fan of the decor. Though if possible, Id find ways to kill sound as the hussle of the restaurant bounced across the walls. But maybe thats just me.
Excellent pasta made fresh from scratch, the seafood dishes are wonderful the staff was very professional and well dressed and atmosphere was top notch
Very nice high end restaurant. Wine is way too expensive. $22.00 for a 9oz glass. Music is way to loud, couldnt hear each other talk. Had to ask waiter to please turn it down. Would be much nicer with low dinner music. Lets face it when a party goes into a restaurant like this whether its a birthday, Anniversary, Christmas or just catching up with friends, you want to talk!! Not enough room to move around. Tables are very close together near the bar area. Would go again, hopefully changes will have been made.
I visited here for a friends birthday today and it was an incredible experience. The food, our server, the atmosphere were all exceptional and I truly cannot wait to visit again.
Love everything about this spot!! JC was a fantastic server
The food was excellent. However, it is extremely loud in the restaurant which makes it difficult to talk to the other people at the table.
Unreal chicken Parm
great atmosphere,great food and great service, a must to try out and rooftop dining room to open soon....update....took my son there for dinner and it was fabulous..food great and service really great
Delicious! Went for a weeknight birthday celebration. Everyone enjoyed their meals. I had the calamari and focaccia as my main course. Ate every last morsel because it was just so delicious. It actually came with a decent size portion of butter, that is house made and delicious. I could have eaten the butter by itself. The whiskey sour was perfect. Everyone enjoyed their meals.
My girlfriends and I enjoyed a lovely dinner at Ciao Bella. The atmosphere is incredible, the food was amazing and the service was spectacular. We will definitely be going back and recommend everyone to try them as well!
We enjoyed a great dinner with friends here. The food and service were excellent. The cavatelli and lamb sausage plate was delicious. Our friends had a very generous chicken parmigiana. Only downside was the noise level. Between the music and the other guests, it was difficult to chat with our friends without shouting. But overall, a pleasant experience.
6 people for dinner for my sons 18th. Started off a bit bumpy but ended on a high note. We enjoyed the lamb shank, tenderloin, branzino, eggplant parm and chicken parm. The chicken parm was fhe largest and juiciesf I have ever had...no pic! The birthday boy loved his fettuccini alfredo and didnt want to share. Calamari app was good, burratta was ok. Suggestion to order foccaccia would have helped ahead of time. Loved the Lyeth Can Sauv. Christmas decor was lovely!
I had an amazing experience at Ciao Bella! The pasta was phenomenal especially the Gnocchi Al Tartufo, which was perfectly cooked and coated in a rich, flavorful truffle sauce. Great food, great atmosphere I ll definitely be back! Recommend giving the pistachio sour a try.
Nice atmosphere, great server, food was meh. Calamari app & chicken entree were highlights but they should remove the squid ink seafood pasta as they can t figure out the sauce/seasoning - it has no flavour at all. My daughter tried it 2 weeks after I did and agreed it was terrible. I really wanted to like it as we need a good Italian restaurant downtown since Castell Cucina closed down but this isn t it. I ll keep driving to Just Cooking or stick with Cima.
First time here, food was excellent, service was very good also! Will definitely be back!
Great service!!! Bustling on a Tuesday so get that reso
Loved everything about this place!!!
I have never gave a resturant a perfect score until now. Food was amazing and the atmosphere is unbelievable inside. Portions were large. Highly recommend
Such a cute place in Hamilton
Vegetarian options: Squash ravioli excellent Food
A fantastic lunch and service by JC. Delicious, sufficient, great atmosphere and high value for money. Def a new favourite
Service, food and over all experience is 10/10. Highly recommend!
Cant say enough about this restaurant. They are incredibly accommodating, the service is exceptional, the atmosphere divine and the food is perfect. The managers (Kristy and Karl) were attentive and ran the entire restaurant seamlessly. Our server Evelyn was a doll and they all truly made our night!! This will be our new date night spot 100%
Ive been to Ciao Bella multiple times now and each is better than the last! The restaurant itself is absolutely stunning and the food Chef Canny and team deliver is amazing. Ive tried almost half the menu and can honestly say you are in for a treat no matter what you order. Some recommendations: 1) the focaccia! If not for the delicious bread itself, but for the accompanying butter. Its made in house with rotating flavours. Absolutely delicious. 2) The beet salad is so fresh and tasty. 3) The boar pappardelle... *chefs kiss* 4) The squash, brown butter & sage ravioli is sooo good. Service could be tightened up -- at our last visit we had food come to our table that wasnt ours and servers asking us what our table number was. However, its a new restaurant so the kinks are being worked out and service has definitely improved since theyve opened. All in all, I would highly recommend Ciao Bella to anyone who wants a memorable night out with fantastic food!
Excellent...a must try.
Went here for my brother s birthday. The atmosphere was nice, the food was great but the thing that gives this 5 star is the service. Our waiter JC gave exceptional service. He was charismatic, hospitable, and just overall a great guy. Even though we came near closing, he didn t rush us and gave us enough time to order, eat and continued to refill our water without even asking. As customers, we see the difference between someone doing their job and someone genuinely caring about their job. Give that man a raise!
Our server, Chantelle, was AMAZING! Made the experience 100% better. Food and drinks are delicious, atmosphere is beautiful and energy is correct!
The best dinner we have had in a long time!!! Please get out and give this fantastic place a try. Leave room for dessert as the homemade donuts are to die for!!
Beautiful restaurant, great service from Ally A., amazing food and cocktails and great wine list!
Ended up sitting at the bar but had a great experience. Service was great and enjoyable I m glad we stayed.
We had a wonderful experience at this restaurant this evening. Our server Ashley was very attentive and very professional. She was always checking in on us to make sure everything was to our liking The food was amazing, along with a very generous portion. Very impressive The manager Kurt was also very professional and made us feel very welcome and special. Something so rare in this day and age. We will return again next week to try another of their great selection of authentic Italian cuisine. Strongly recommend this restaurant
Ciao Bellas elegant décor and lively atmosphere set the stage for a memorable dining experience. We indulged in a delicious Artichoke and Spinach Dip with Spaghetti (with added Meatballs) and Squash Ravioli for our mains. Unfortunately, our celebration was marred by a seemingly overlooked birthday request. While we werent seeking any special discounts or freebies, a simple candle and the opportunity to make a wish would have added a personal touch. Given the overall price point and the lack of attention to detail, we may not be returning to Ciao Bella anytime soon. There are other Italian restaurants in Hamilton that offer a similar dining experience with more personalized service and potentially more affordable options.
What a great evening. This was our first time and we will be back. The service was excellent. Everyone works as a team here and the hospitality was at the highest level. Ali was our server and she was excellent. She took time to talk with us and give some background to the new restaurant. The food we ordered was very good and a great value. Loved the experience! thank you.
Excellent food and service! A welcome addition to Hamilton!
We had high expectations for our special date night at Ciao Bella, booking weeks in advance. From the start, we were reminded not once, not twice, but three times, you have 1.5 hours and that s not even counting the initial warning at booking. We understood the time limit, but when it took 20 minutes just to be greeted and get a drink, it started to feel frustrating. While the food arrived at a reasonable pace, we couldn t help but feel the pressure as we watched the clock. The entire experience felt rushed, and even though we spent over $300, we were practically ushered out. After our mains, the server asked about dessert but paused to check her phone, clearly hinting we didn t have time for it. So, no dessert, and we were out the door in 1 hour and 20 minutes stressed, disappointed, and feeling hurried. The food was decent, but it didn t make up for the experience. If you re looking for a relaxed, enjoyable meal, I d recommend Cima instead it s a much better choice.
The restaurant is stunning and has a great vibe. Our waitress was lovely, however forgot to order my appetizer so I never received it. My friends ordered the meatball app which was not really a shareable portion. I ordered the pizza special (as recommended by the waitress) which was rather boring. I personally think that the pizza at Castelli s, Flora or Caro is much better. My friends ordered the parm which was delicious. The cocktails were great and I d probably return just for that reason.
Very beautiful restaurant! The chicken piccata and veggies were delicious. The tiramisu was disappointing, only whipped cream, no mascarpone. I d love to go back to try more of the menu!
I recently dined at Ciao Bella with a friend who was visiting from out of town, eager for a nice dinner out at a new spot! I had high hopes, especially since we managed to snag a same-day 5:45pm reservation, but the experience fell short of expectations due to their strict seating time limit. Upon booking, I noticed the 90-minute limit for two people, which seemed a bit tight considering the multiple courses typical of an Italian menu. Nonetheless, I was optimistic about making it work, even with the slight hiccup of arriving 13 minutes late due to traffic. As a former server, and a small business owner, I know this is frustrating to manage so I messaged the restaurant to inform them. Totally fine if that time ate into our 90 minutes, thinking wed still be able to enjoy our 75 minute time and that the restaurant has a good grasp on their own menu and recommendations that align with their table flipping scheduling. The hostess immediately reminded us of the 7:15 PM cutoff, fair, leaving us with just over an hour and 15 minutes to enjoy our meal. The rushed pace of our dining experience was palpable. Although we ordered quickly and our drinks and appetizers arrived promptly, we felt an underlying pressure to eat as quickly as possible. Our main courses arrived while we were still enjoying our appetizers, which further contributed to the sense of urgency. As we hurried through our meal, it became clear that even if we had arrived on time, we wouldn t have been able to savour a second glass of wine or indulge in dessert. Our server was knowledgable about the menu items, professional, and made great recommendations. The meatball starter was great, the bread was warm and delicious; however, the pastas were just fine, nothing exceptional. When we expressed our interest in dessert, the server kindly checked on the status of the next reservation. Unfortunately, we were informed that we would only be able to order dessert to go since the next guests were indeed arriving and there were no seats at the bar. This felt so off- being as even if we werent late, there is no way we could order and get dessert and enjoy a coffee or wine, and pay in under 15 minutes. They did mention multiple times that if we came later at night for the last reservation, or on a weeknight, wed maybe be able to have more time to eat and that this policy is written in multiple places when you book your reservation. This narrative feels off for a restaurant like this- I eat out often at nice restaurants and have never felt so rushed. Im not sure if they are attempting a fast-casual or quick dinner before a show play but Id definitely have spent more money, and felt good about the experience, had we not had been so rushed. I keep belabouring that I know I was late, but even with that extra 15 minutes, it wouldnt have been enough time! While Ciao Bella has potential with its inviting atmosphere, beautiful interiors, and appealing menu, the current seating policy significantly detracts from the overall experience. Until they reassess their time limits to better align with the dining experience they offer, I won t be rushing to return.
Went here with my twin sister and cousins for a little birthday dinner. Jack was our waiter and he was absolutely lovely. He recommended a tasty pizza to start and provided quick service with our drinks and entrees. If I could rate Jack alone, he would absolutely get 5 stars. The restaurant has a really nice aura and is a cute date night scene. Although we had a great time, UNFORTUNATELY it was quickly ruined by the manager s behaviour. We witnessed her walking around and inspecting chairs and tables with a flashlight, while she had Jack follow behind her like a dog. She was inspecting his work. Swiping her finger across the table for crumbs, WHILE guests are still in the restaurant eating. It was a disgusting and very ugly display of a power imbalance and it almost felt like she was trying to embarrass Jack. We watched her get eye level with a chair, with flashlight in hand, and made Jack wipe it down. She looked so menacing. It was disturbing to watch and made us uncomfortable and we instantly got up and left. We said a few encouraging words to Jack on our way out but still couldnt believe what we witnessed. If she could act like that during dining hours, I could only imagine her behaviour is like when no guests are around. You rock Jack! If I could give the manager no stars, I would. Dietary restrictions: They were willing and very helpful in accommodating dietary restrictions.
Came to dine in for my sister and Is birthday dinner the night of 5/11/2024. Our waiter Jack was amazing. The service was more than exceptional. Food was delicious and portion sizes were more than fair. I wouldve gave this review five stars BUT, my party and I had noticed the female manager walking around with a flashlight. At first, it appeared to look like she was searching for something, until we noticed Jack standing by her and following behind. It was then we realized, she was using her flashlight to inspect Jacks work/cleaning. She would point to a chair and he would clean it off. She would inspect the crevices and cracks of furniture and he would follow with a cloth. She even came up to the table right next to us inspecting it with her light. She did not look friendly or inviting. I did not see her smile once. It was so distasteful, highly unprofessional and in my opinion, abuse of power. I felt second hand embarrassment for Jack. He was so clearly belittled. We only caught her doing this to Jack but I can only imagine she does this with other staff as well. And imagine her behavior behind closed doors. We could not believe she was doing this during dining hours in front of guest as many of us were still eating. I understand maintaining the cleanliness of a restaurant but that kind of inspection should be done after the restaurant has closed. Before we left, we tried to encourage Jack and thanked him for his service. based off that experience with the manager alone, I would give the restaurant zero stars. Please consider changing that practice as Its ugly, and downright disrespectful to staff and paying customers.
We loved our first meal at Ciao Bella. J.C s service was excellent too! We can t wait to come back.
I had a wonderful evening with a friend at Ciao Bella. Our server JC was outstanding. He had high attention to detail, was very thoughtful when making suggestions and welcoming from the moment we entered until we left. We were unsure about which wine to get, JC let us try a few until we found the one we wanted. We tried the calamari, carpaccio and insalata campagna. All of which were fresh, fair portions and delicious. JC recommended we get the house focaccia to scarpetta our plates and we ended up ordering 2 rounds it was good. We finished with his other recommendation of the squid ink pasta and finished our meal with a light tiramisu. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and I would highly recommend Ciao Bella. Comfortable seating, beautiful venue and great staff.
Only did cocktails but all 4 were 10/10s and memorable. Definitely try the pistachio sour.
We were told they take walk-ins so we did not make a reservation, we waited two hours for a table and were treated poorly each time we asked for an update. When we finally ate the butternut squash ravioli it was cold and hard. A manager emailed me to ask if they could fix this and I bothered to explain what happened and they never replied. Terrible customer service.
Nove place, although plates are small portions in my opinion
Not sure why the food in this place is not good ? Appetizers which are not cooked but prepared here are good but pasta dishes are not. Nice decoration. Service is not professional. Bathrooms lack good bathroom tissue
First visit... definitely not my last! Excellent service and great food! Nice surprise considering its only been open 2 months! Food
Four of us really enjoyed ourselves at CB. Food and wine were A1. Service was the highlight to be sure. Friendly and so good humoured. The space is open, spacious and nicely appointed in contemporary style. High ceilings. Eye catching lighting treatment in the bar area. This place was hopping for a Tuesday evening. Nice vibe! I find most places too noisy. Restaurants spend little to no time or money on sound/noise management. CB was noisy but better than many spots. Wheelchair accessibility: All on ground floor level.
Visited Ciao Bella for the 1st time yesterday due to all the hype around Hamilton! From start to finish-service was amazing-we sat at the back wall where the kitchen and bar are. This restaurant visually is stunning and well thought out. From the decor floral print chairs and leather booths, too that beautiful bar and servers outfits-very well done! Our Main course was delish-got the rigatoni with Ricotta-hit every taste bud just right! My only disappointment was the size of the appetizers. We ordered the Calamari and burrata but when the portions came Im not going to lie-they were small! $48 and we got niblets for portions. TOTALLY NOT WORTH ORDERING-at most both of those apps should have been maybe $25 for the both based on the portions we got. Im all for paying for good quality food, but he app portions were wild. Anyways-we really fid enjoy our time, Drinks are amazing-GREAT selection and high quality and our waitress was top notch!
Chicken parm is huge and tasty !
We had high expectations for our long awaited date night at Ciao Bella this past weekend. We waited weeks to get a desired time on a Saturday night. As we entered the restaurant - the ambience and decor was beautiful. Music wasn t too loud, as others mentioned in their reviews. We got seated at a small two person table where the orange seats are very uncomfortable. Also, the table was placed in an awkward place - right in front of patio doors (patio is not open but we felt a huge draft and it felt like the table was out of place). We were a bit disappointed after waiting weeks for a reservation and having the rubbish table. Our server Jack was very pleasant, and was quick on everything. The drink menu has a nice selection and the drinks were delicious! However, the food not so much. We ordered the burrata and it was very disappointing. It came with some hard stale pancake. We also had the gnocchi and tagliolini which we weren t impressed with given all the hype. Tiramisu wasn t that good either - tasted like there was a lot more whipping cream than mascarpone. Maybe we just ordered the wrong items on the menu - but these are usually our favourites when going to an Italian restaurant. I do not think we will go back given that there are other Italian restaurants in the city that are really good.
Great experience and very good food. Note: to management, I have been in the food industry for a long time and even managed a restaurant, that being said, previous comments and spot checking for cleanlimess with flashlight while patrons are eating is not appropriate. If I would have witnessed this, I would be automatically checking my seat for bugs or whatever. You can easily wipe and clean blindly in between shifts, but not in front of patrons. Great experience Vegetarian options: Great
Great ambiance, delicious food. Had the chicken parm. Friendly staff.
Recently visited Ciao Bella with another couple for our first dining experience at this charming restaurant. we were impressed by the great decor and inviting atmosphere. The location is perfect, offering a vibrant ambiance. As we settled in, we eagerly ordered our cocktails to enjoy alongside our appetizers. However, we were taken aback when our food arrived much sooner than expected. We appreciate prompt service, the timing was a bit hurried, and it left us scrambling to finish our drinks before diving into the main course. It felt like we barely had a chance to savor our cocktails. Adding to the experience, our server visited the table too frequently. While we understood that she was eager to ensure everything was perfect for us, the constant interruptions made it challenging to fully immerse ourselves in conversation. Despite these minor hiccups, we left with satisfied palates and fond memories of our evening together.
wow just wow the rigatoni special so good best pasta that i have had in a long time the person making it knew what he was doing
JC was great, super nice and made our evening special. Definitely coming back!
The food is great, but dont recommend the dessert
Vibe is certainly a little .. Burlingtonish. The cocktails were a little too sweet. But the food was actually very good. Got arancini, the smokey cheese was excellent. The very savoury ravioli and spaghetti (which wasnt actually spaghetti) with eggplant parm. All was very good. Certainly not our vibe though, a little bit contrived. Dessert was limoncello, should be on the dessert menu.
Love the food and how beautiful it was. Service was great. Great place to go for a night out dressed up or special occasion!
Beautiful space! The food was excellent although the service was waaay off and this affected our meal. Cocktails were superb, followed by a delish app - timing great so far- then our dinner arrived halfway through our app and the small table was crowded with plates and my main got cold as I ate a little more of the app- also had to ask for a glass of wine with my main . Became a train wreck of timing and no space on the table. There is a 90 min reso window- we could have been out the door in an hour the way everything was timed. It was our anniversary dinner and my husband was treating us. Will try again this coming week as I have a friend I want to take out as a thank you for a kind favour. I hope they are just having growing pains. I had high hopes.
Absolutely incredible! Loved the atmosphere, servers, drinks & most certainly the food. So flavourful & clearly full of love, passion & effort. This place is brand new & already the talk of the town. Can t wait to go again & again.
Ciao Bella is beautiful and the staff are friendly and attentive - service was fantastic. Food was great - it balanced being elevated and comforting and felt authentically Italian. I had the branzino and it was so fresh and the meatballs were delicious and light. This is a fantatic spot and something that was missing from the Hamilton food scene. Definitely recommend checking it out.
Been here a few times since it s opened and I haven t had a bad meal yet! Yesterday was their caprese and finally tried out a pizza, it hasnt beaten the osso buco as my favourite but everything was still delicious. Beautiful spot and another great addition to Augusta street. Kid-friendliness: Although it s not geared towards children I have seen many families in enjoying themselves. My sister brought in a 5 month old and the staff were great about the baby. Wheelchair accessibility: Wheelchair accessible for entrance, dining, and washrooms.
1. I would like to commend our waitress for her exceptional service. The restaurant boasts a modern and appealing aesthetic; however, the music volume was excessively loud. While I appreciate live music, it hindered our ability to converse comfortably, necessitating repeated requests for clarification. We did bring this to the waitresss attention. Our order included a bottle of wine, several appetizers, and main courses such as osso buco, lasagna, chicken parmesan, and orecchiette pasta. 2. Unfortunately, the orecchiette did not meet expectations. I requested the addition of ground sausage, as the traditional preparation includes rapini and sausage, but instead, it was served with broccoli and resembled a soup at the bottom of the bowl. For an Italian restaurant, adherence to authentic ingredients is essential. I apologize if I seem particular, but my heritage is from Puglia, and while the pasta may have been acceptable, the rest fell short. 3. Additionally, the espressos we ordered were served cold. Lastly, I observed that many of the kitchen staff had beards and long hair. I am uncertain if policies have changed, but it would be advisable for employees to wear beard nets and hair nets for hygiene purposes. This is merely an observation.
Beautiful space, delicious food and cocktails, and attentive staff--what else could you ask for? On the pricier end but for quality and quantity you get what you pay for!
I went for dinner with a few of my friends, our server Selene was amazing! She was kind, made great recommendations & even took the time to ask us questions about our drink orders to ensure we would actually enjoy it! The manager (I believe), even came to our table to make sure we were all enjoying ourselves. They were super generous and caring! Can t wait to visit again & try more drinks and food!
The food was terrific!! The service was good, but this is a fairly new restaurant, so I imagine it will improve. There was nothing real bad with the service but it could have been a bit better. For example, when the server was asked for sugar for coffees, they brought back Splenda and said that was all they had. I m sure they had sugar some where. We will definitely go back.
Chose Ciao Bella to spend our anniversary at as it recently opened up nearby our home and it always looked packed. We reserved a few days prior but our normal dinner time seemed to be filled up so we had to eat slightly later than usual, not an issue but rather a demonstration of the hype of this place. I ordered the Penne a la Vodka, which I thought had a rather watery vodka sauce - expected this dish to be a but better as the pasta was coated with sauce much more prevalently at the bottom due to the watery sauce dripping off. Tasted pretty good otherwise! The tiramisu was the star of the show, it was SO good and very close to the tiramisu I had in Italy, which I find is hard to replicate. Overall, a decent dinner experience but will definitely revisit for the dessert alone
Great atmosphere! Food is good, (will have to go back to try the pasta!) drinks are great, especially the espresso martini! The staff always friendly and welcoming! Definitely recommend it!
I know this is a new spot, still working out the kinks, so in all honesty (and informed manager when he asked how the food was) the apps were fantastic but the Margherita pizza (not pictured) was sadly soggy in the middle. The pizza taste was on point just need to work out that crust in the center a little. I will definitely be back for more. Staff was friendly and attentive, which is always of course great. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who likes Italian fare.
Cant say enough about our evening. Everything was almost perfect. What wasn t perfect both our waitress and the Mgr made it right without hesitation on the spot! Really enjoyed our first visit. Great space with brilliant service, food and drinks to match.
The place and atmosphere was amazing. The food tasted so spectacular. Definitely worth coming here again.
Best Italian restaurant in Hamilton. Wonderful experience and delicious food!
Thanks to Philip and the staff for a wonderful experience.
Ciao Bella offers an amazing atmosphere paired with spectacular food, creating a memorable dining experience. Our waiter, Romano, was amazing, and the evening was made even better by the wonderful company, making it a place I d highly recommend. Parking: Plenty of paid parking $4 flat rate after 6
Everything was a 10/10. I am so impressed with ciao Bella. My server, Ally A was absolutely fantastic. My husband and I celebrated our anniversary here. We had roasted artichoke and spinach, chicken parm, Bella meatballs, brazino & ceaser salad. Tiramisu for desert. Ally was patient when we were picking cocktails and helped me make decisions. She was so incredibly kind. She was quick to clear off the table and pack up what we couldn t finish as we had ordered a lot! Food kept coming and it was all so delicious! The atmosphere was great, the overall appearance is stunning. Excellent date night! Coffee & cappuccino to end everything off with desert was great too.
Our party of 4 went to celebrate a friends birthday. Service was good. Food was just ok. Paid our bill and one of our party went to use the washroom before we left, when the Manager came over and politely asked us to leave. They needed our table. The party of 4 seated beside us had a reservation 15 minutes before ours, they were not asked to leave. Wont be going back there.
Highly recommend!!! Great food, great service, great atmosphere. 5 stars from me and my family!
came in for a late dinner and cannot say anything but good things about the atmosphere and service, our server Ally was so attentive & sweet! The food was good highly recommend the caprese salad, and seafood pasta! will be back
Beautiful restaurant but the service is seriously lacking and the food was just okay. Got our first round of drinks after our appetizers arrived. Tried this place twice and had the same underwhelming experience both times.
First time here! Loved the food and fantastic service. Definitely will be back
It s a nice place, I will give it a 5. Though, the music was way too loud imo, couldn t talk without screaming. Also after receiving a check we were rushed to get out because of the people waiting .. I found it rude since the drinks were not finished.
Amazing restaurant. The atmosphere is cozy and contemporary. Food was amazing. You have to try the meatballs as an appetizer! 10/10 for this new restaurant in Augusta!
Ciao Bella was awesome! My spouse and I came in with high expectations and they over delivered. Jesse was very attentive without being overbearing, made great recommendations and he made a quick evening out after the kids went to bed feel like a special occasion. Pistachio sour was one of the more balanced and better drinks I ve had in awhile. Would definitely get it again. Everything we had was 10/10. The artichoke dip was great, the Margherita pizza was perfect, Chicken parm was bomb and the Squid Ink Seafood Pasta was our favourite by far. Highly Recommend and I will be recommending it to my friends and family to check it out.
Food was bland, service was awful, and it s waaaaay overpriced. Do not recommend
Food was very good Had the chicken parmazon was delicious. Porch was big enough two feed 2 people. Abousely would go back again
Food was good. We had family visiting from outside the country and I booked by reviews. First time there. We could not have a conversation between ourselves because the music was so loud we thought we were in a dance club. We asked several times if it was possible to have it turned down but no. My wife and our visitors were really upset when they noticed the kitchen staff do not wear beard nets.We were not impressed.
Burrata overly priced for a small portion, the bread it came with was very tough. Drinks were good. I had the seafood pasta which didn t have enough flavor. My boyfriend had the chicken parm which was very large and he said it was tasty
The restaurant is beautiful inside but very loud and echoey. The lighting was very dim making menus very difficult to read. The food was delicious and authentic My reason for the three stars is we had reservations at 815 and arrived 5 mins early. We were told a party was checking out and then we would be seated. We waited over 20 mins to be seated and no one ever came to tell us what the delay was. We had to check in with the hostess at least twice to find out what was going on. I understand it s a new place and very busy and I don t even mind waiting it was just very unprofessional that the hostess or manager did not come and explain the wait.
Unreal food and amazing service. It is also So beautiful inside this restaurant ! Food
Such an incredible experience last night at Ciao Bella! Everything we ordered was outstanding but I have to rave about the butternut squash ravioli. The brown butter sage sauce was light yet rich and the ravioli were bursting with flavour. The tiramisu was also fantastic. I wish I got a picture of my food, but it was too delicious to wait. The staff were accommodating and upbeat. The restaurant itself is stunning and makes for such an intimate atmosphere for a delicious night out. I can t wait to go back!
A beautiful space, really light and positive atmosphere, a delicate but fun vibe. The staff are incredibly welcoming and attentive. A fantastic job done in opening night, all things considered. The food was incredible and really decent portion sizes- we all had take-home! Definitely will return. Patio is huge and would be enjoyable.
Fabulous new addition to Augusta Ave. The decor is stunning .love the oversized green entrance doors and the olive trees really make this restaurant stand out. When visiting I highly recommend the bread appetizer (best bread I ve ever had, I think made in the restaurant). The eggplant parm is outstanding. For a new restaurant the service was point on. Looking forward to warm patio days to sit on the oversized patio .bravo Ciao Bella
Excellent Italian food. The drinks were generous, the apps were delicious and the pastas were fantastic. The ravioli was flavourful with a subtle hint of sweetness and the osso buco was rich and tender. The tiramisu was light and fluffy with lots of coco powder. I highly recommend this restaurant.
This was opening night, so keep that in mind -- The space is absolutely gorgeous. So vibrant and beautifully designed. Booths, tables, washrooms too. Host staff was friendly as were the servers. Service was ok. It took almost 20 minutes to get our first drink orders (again, opening weekend, I get it), but as our appetizer arrived, I had to ask for side plates, and during the meal, when dishes were being brought out, had to ask for replacement utensils etc. It felt janky. I also understand the current protocol of leftover containers being brought to the table, but I have to say -- I hate it. It feels incongruent with such a beautiful space. The food was ok too. The focaccia was a real, bland disappointment. I dont know how they cut it, but there was a tiny square of crust at the top, with these long pieces that werent quite toasted, but they were crusty and not in a good way -- like it was half toasted, so it was dry and rough, with no toasty goodness. The whipped red pepper butter and oil was delicious and frankly, made it palpable. Also, there were 4 pieces and 5 of us -- I really wouldve thought that that wouldve been considered, especially on opening night. I had the pappardelle, which was very tasty. One of my table mates had to ask for salt for her Caesar and notably, no one at the table remarked at how their food tasted -- you know, like if its amazing youll say, wow this is delicious...no one said anything. I hope theyre able to notch things up in due course -- Id like to return, but wont be rushing back right now.
We had a lovely time at ciao Bella. A group of 6 of us went for dinner & drinks. The ambiance is incredible. The staff is attentive & kind. The manager Philip came over to greet us, he was so welcoming! The drinks were great and we enjoyed the food. We will definitely be back!
Came here for opening weekend. Dishes and cocktails were delicious and the service was incredibly attentive. Will definitely be returning.
This place is amazing! Food, drinks, atmosphere, service, it was all fantastic! We lucked out and got a table right away on a very busy night without a reservation! And shoutout to JC!
Must try for authentic Italian food and great atmosphere! From start to finish, everything was five stars. The burrata and artichoke dishes were hands down the best Ive ever had, bursting with fresh flavours. Their pizza was outstanding perfectly crisp and full of authentic Italian taste. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, with music and lighting that added just the right vibe to the experience. The service was impeccable, and Ill definitely be sitting at the bar next time. Highly recommend this spot for anyone looking for a top-notch Italian dining experience!
Fantastic addition to the Hamilton food scene. Food was delicious and food was excellent already cant wait to go back for the black truffle gnocchi!
Was here for dinner on a Thursday night with a few girlfriends. We waited over 20 minutes for our first drinks and were told the bar was running behind. When the drinks finally came my $16 cocktail was basically a speciality shot glass of a drink and was finished after a few short sips (don t order the White Linen). We order the bread and honey butter which was delicious and I had the chicken while other had pastas. I asked the server how it was and she said pretty good. I had the fish put in front of me to see 3 small chickens still on two carrots and 4 potato s. It was supposed to be a chicken dish served with potato and vegetables. I didn t enjoy the dish but others said their pastas were good. The atmosphere is beautiful and it hardly feels like you are sitting in downtown Hamilton, but each of us walked out and could barely talk from yelling at each other all night because of the noise. The washroom were also very dirty. After two drinks and a dish cost me $85 (for one person) after tip, it s highly unlikely that I can recommend this to anyone.
Ciao Bella is an excellent example of a modern Italian restaurant. The cocktail menu is full of amazing selections. Food was great, the portions are a good size, but not too much. The GM, Curt was awesome, checked in with us after our meal. Cant wait to dine here again!
We came to Ciao Bella to celebrate my sister s birthday. Instantly, we felt like we were transported to Europe at Ciao Bella. Beautiful ambiance, friendly staff and even better food and drinks. As a starter, we had the prosciutto and arugula pizza. For mains, although they were all tasty, I highly recommend the chicken parmesan with fettuccine alfredo and the truffle gnocchi - absolutely delicious. The tiramisu for dessert was the perfect way to end the evening. We would definitely be coming back again! Vegetarian options: Fettuccine alfredo
Had high expectations for this new downtown Italian edition but sadly was let down tonight. Made a reservation for a birthday dinner (party of 6), one week after their grand opening. After walking in, we were greeted by the deafening sound from the stereo system above making it almost impossible to hear the hostess tell us we needed to wait as our table was not quite ready yet. No problem. We eventually were seated at our table but sadly our kind server and the beauty of the restaurants ambiance was not enough to take away from how poor the rest of the night led on to be. We were unable to order a bottle of wine for the table as 80% of the wine menu was sold out we started with a couple of cocktails and soft drinks instead yet they arrived a well 30 mins after we had ordered them and after we finished eating our appetizers. Not to mention for the price of the drinks, you are getting what tastes like watered down simple syrup. But it has only been one week and I m sure the bar truly was backed up from the unanticipated Thursday night rush, so I give the benefit of the doubt. Surely our authentic Italian meal will make up for it .or so we thought, until our meal arrived now an hour later after placing the order and was not warm in the slightest. Now, I do enjoy a good cold pasta from time to time however, a cold overpriced pasta that has little to no flavour is not what I had intended for tonight s meal. I am usually not one to complain or write reviews and perhaps I wouldn t have if the customer service wasn t lacklustre or maybe if they had acknowledged that it was a birthday celebration since they do ask if you are celebrating anything when completing your reservation, but that was not the case. This restaurant has much potential to be a thriving addition to the restaurant scene, I do hope in the coming weeks and months they do turn everything around and find their bearings because tonight s experience was truly a disappointment.
Unfortunately I do not have much to rave about here. I was extremely excited to try Ciao Bella, but was disappointed after my visit. We ordered the Tuna Crudo, Carpaccio, olives, burrata & prosciutto and the vodka penne, out of the 5 we ordered, the olives were the best by a landslide. The burrata & prosciutto was served with a confusing pancake? Unsure of what this was. It also only came with two pieces, there were 3 of us, which is fine we paid for the extra 1 piece, but I wish we were told at the start. The crudo was disgusting, the lowest grade of tuna served with an unknown sauce. The carpaccio apparently was served with a horse radish crema, didn t taste a thing, 0 flavour, vodka penne ZERO flavour, all the flavour came from the added parm. Definitely needed some salt or pepper.. to top all off the waiter was quite rude. Not one apology for our disappointing experience, when we weren t eating the pasta he came back to us with a what s wrong with this now . Was not accommodating and made us feel extremely unwelcome. I understand they are a new restaurant and may still be working through the kinks in the kitchen, but there is no excuse for poor service. On a high note, the drinks were enjoyable, and the menu was aesthetic with lots of options. I m not sure I would categorize this restaurant as authentic Italian , I would definitely suggest limiting the menu to a few items and perfecting them.
Food: 9.1/10 The food was really good!! The only thing that mine had personally was that it was a bit salty for my liking, but my bf loves salt so he says 10/10 Atmosphere: 10/10 maybe I m being biased bc I loved my company but the restaurant is so nice looking, it wasn t loud at all, and it felt like a good place in the middle with age wise. Service: 10000000000/10 SOOO I accidently booked the restaurant at the other location but Doug and the other workers really pulled through for a table of 9 to come last minute!! Not only they did that they gave a complimentary bottle of prosseco for a table because of the troubles. Not only that they came to our table and apologized when it wasn t even their fault. Our server Jordan was so attentive and she really made me feel like it was my birthday!! LOVED THIS PLACE! Everyone has to come here, and I ll definitely be coming back:):)))
Came here for an early supper and drink out on the patio, and it was amazing! Had the arancini and beet and goat cheese insalata to start, pappardelle for a main and tiramisu for dessert, and it all exceeded my expectations! The pappardelle with wild boar and tiramisu were exceptional standouts, the pasta was cooked perfectly, and the wild boar ragu was complementary in flavour, but not overpowering, and the tiramisu was a perfect combo of texture and flavour, not soggy nor inadequately soaked with mascarpone, amaretto and espresso. Definitely recommend for a laid back, but still refined Italian dining experience!
Went here the within a week of opening, being a foodie, I had to taste for myself. The Marinated Olives were great, they weren t an extreme olive taste, liked the mix. The large ones and the tiny ones were the favourite. The tiny olives almost had a meat-like taste which I enjoyed. Had the Bread and Butter. The bread was so delicious, almost a fried thick crust on the exterior and a firm yet spongy consistency inside! Loved it, it had some spices reminiscent of Ethiopian style bread. I did not like the butter, it needed salt and had a strange flavour. The Beef Carpaccio was interesting, never had one like that. It looked like a small portion, however the think slices were stacked and left us more surprise pieces underneath. The final dish was the Truffle Gnocchi - it was fabulous/the highlight. It was by far my favourite, and we loved it such much we ordered a second order! It is so pillowy and fresh, and that sauce is to die for. Would return for this and have been craving since my visit. The Burrata and Prosciutto was just okay for me, needed salt and maybe balsamic. The service was fantastic, very quick. Server gave good recommendations and we needed up going with a bottle of the Super Tuscan. Very much enjoyed and complimented the dishes we had. The decor is also on point, love the fluted glass wall separating the kitchen, that way we can see the hustle and bustle but not what they were doing.
Fantastic venue, fantastic food and fantastic service!
The building first intrigued me. Before dawn, from the GO Station, I noticed the illuminated rooftop and searched this app to determine what existed there. When I returned in the afternoon, I was delighted to enter this beautiful space with vaulted ceilings and stunning decor. I decided on, The Bicycle Thief, a cocktail masterfully crafted. The staff was engaging and experienced. JC checked in on me often to ensure the quality of my experience. I look forward returning for a meal.
Tried Ciao Bella this week with high expectations. Atmosphere was great and the space was quite nice. Drinks were good and the staff in matching green aprons was a nice touch. With the hype and the space we definitely had high expectations, but the food was mediocre at best. We started with the buratts appetizer which was served with 2 focaccia bread pancakes or something. They were fine but didnt hit the mark on a focaccia, more like a sourdough starter pancake. Mains were spaghetti Pomodoro with meatballs. Pasta was fine, way too much sauce but the meatballs were dry and flavorless. Very happy we didnt order the meatball appetizer as that would have been even more disappointing. Pizza looked nice - might come back to try for lunch but overall disappointed in the experience.
Very impressed!! Food was absolutely amazing!! We tried the calamari, the Burratta , chicken picsnte and pasta alla vodka!! All incredible!! The drinks were also really good!! We were too full for dessert. Definitely coming back!!! Amazing service! I think I have a new favourite!! The pictures do not do it justice!! I can t stop thinking about how good it was!!
Super cool place! Amazing atmosphere & vibe! We were on our way to Plank & saw this place & wanted to try it. Love, love, love the cocktail menu & looking around at the beauty & design of the restaurant. Our food was great too... they were out of the Ossobuco but my pasta dish was still delish. Service was great too! Well definitely be going back.
This was my second visit, and I ve noticed a remarkable improvement in the service. The food, as always, has been consistently delightful and of high quality. The branzino, in particular, was cooked to perfection with a beautifully golden, crispy exterior and incredible flavor. The management is hardworking and hospitable, though there was one exception with a staff member, a curly-haired woman, who didn t quite meet the same standard. Nonetheless, it s been an enjoyable experience overall.