Fresh mozzarella, fresh basil leaves and vine-ripened beefsteak tomatoes with a drizzle of pesto.
Carpaccio
$14.99
Best in Tampa! Marinated paper-thin tenderloin served chilled with caponata aioli: A blend of mayonnaise, sour cream, finely chopped eggplant, roasted red pepper, garlic, olives, capers and basil. Topped with shaved parmesan and a sprinkling of cracked pepper and parsley. Served with garlic butter croutons.
Formaggio al Forno
$10.50
Baked goat cheese in reduced bruschetta sauce; served with wedges of toasted garlic bread for dipping.
Arancini
$8.99
Creamy risotto, porcini mushroom, prosciutto and peas formed into balls and filled with mozzarella, then lightly breaded and deep fried. Served with reduced bruschetta sauce for dipping.
Rolatini Melanzane
$9.99
Lightly breaded baked eggplant filled with prosciutto, sweet ricotta and smoked mozzarella. Served in a pool of reduced bruschetta sauce.
Scampi Scampi
$10.99
Shrimp sautéed with garlic, scallions, crushed red pepper and tomatoes; reduced in a dry vermouth and shrimp-stock sauce. Served with buttery croutons for dipping.
Fritti di Calamari
Calamari dusted in seasoned flour and deep fried; served with reduced bruschetta sauce.
Small$10.99
Large$17.99
Bruschetta
$5.99
"brew SKet' tah." In Italian, 'ch' is generally pronounced 'k, ' as in 'Chianti'. The Neopolitan version of classic Roman garlic bread. Slices of bread brushed with olive oil and toasted dark on the grill; topped with our fresh bruschetta sauce of diced plum tomatoes, garlic, onions, parsley and basil.
Zuppe
Panna D'aragosta
Creamy lobster bisque with flavors of saffron, tarragon and thyme; topped with puff pastry and baked. Finished table side with a garnish of caviar and sour cream. (Cup size is bisque only).
Cup$6.99
Bowl$9.99
Pasta e Fagioli
Classic Italian pasta and bean soup with bacon, onion, ham, celery, garlic and tomato.
Cup$5.25
Bowl$7.50
Zuppa D'asparagi
A creamy asparagus soup without the cream. Made with house-made vegetable stock and topped with mascarpone cheese.
Cup$5.25
Bowl$7.50
Tortellini in Brodo
House-made chicken stock with cheese tortellini; finished with a dusting of freshly grated parmesan.
Cup$5.25
Bowl$7.50
Pizze E Calzone
Bella's genuine oak-burning stone oven-crafted in Milan, Italy-cooks at temperatures between 600 and 800 degrees. It adds a subtle but distinct flavor to our roasted dishes and is without question the ideal oven for making pizza. Our pizza dough is made with beer from an original Venitian recipe; brushing the dough with olive oil before baking gives the crust an extra light and crispy texture. Calzones have ricotta added.
Melanzane
$13.99
Fresh eggplant, calamata olives, capers and red onion with Romano and fresh mozzarella.
Meatball
$13.99
Bella's hand-made meatballs, onions and sweet peppers with mozzarella.
Pollo e Formaggio
$12.99
Oak-fire roasted chicken with fresh spinach leaves, fontina cheese, artichoke hearts and diced ripe tomato.
Margherita
$10.99
Mozzarella, parmesan and tomato sauce with fresh basil. The closest thing to an "American" pizza.
Genoa
$11.50
Rich and flavorful, with pesto, ricotta, romano and mozzarella. A great appetizer for a small group, or a meal in itself.
Add Chicken
$3.50
Pazzo Pazzo
$14.99
Italians would call this a "crazy crazy" pizza: Too many ingredients! But we Americans love it. Pepperoni, sausage, pepperoncini, onions and mushrooms topped with mozzarella.
Tre Funghi
$10.99
Porcini, portobello and button mushroom mix with asiago and mozzarella.
Create Your Own Pizza or Calzone
$12.99
With mozzarella and pizza sauce plus any three of the following. Anchovy, Artichoke Hearts, Asiago, Bacon, Basil, Broccoli, Capers, Fontina, Fresh Mozzarella ($2), Goat Cheese ($2), Grilled Chicken, Ham, Italian Sausage, Meatballs, Mushrooms, Olives, Onions, Parmesan, Pepperoncini, Pepperoni, Pesto, Prosciutto ($2), Ricotta, Romano, Spinach, Sun-dried Tomato, Tomatoes, Daiya vegan cheese ($1.75).
Insalate
All of our salads are made with only hand-torn greens, and dressings are made fresh in house (except for low-cal Ranch and Balsamic Vinaigrette). Our salads and pasta dishes can be enhanced with freshly grated Grana Padana parmesan, which lends a wonderful flavor and nutty aroma; ask your server for more information. Add 5 oz. Roasted Salmon, $7.50. Add 5 oz. Grilled Chicken Breast, $3.50. Add 4 oz. Sautéed Shrimp, $5.99. Add Anchovies $1.50.
Bella's Famous Chopped Salad
A Tampa favorite. Finely chopped chicken breast, crumbled bacon, diced tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, shredded red cabbage, gorgonzola, ditali pasta and romaine all tossed in a dijon vinaigrette.
Small$9.50
Large$14.95
Bella's Cafe
Romaine topped with julienne carrot, shredded red cabbage, ripe tomato wedges and zucchini slices. Your choice of vinaigrette, low-cal ranch, blue cheese, balsamic vinaigrette, or honey-mustard dressing.
$4.99
As a Side$3.99
Sweet and Sour Strawberry
Mixed field greens tossed with fresh strawberries, toasted almonds, fontina and asiago cheeses in a sweet and sour sesame dressing.
Small$9.50
Large$14.99
Insalata Mista
Romaine tossed with shredded red cabbage, hearts of palm, artichoke hearts, pimiento and parmesan; dressed in a creamy vinaigrette.
Small$6.50
Large$10.99
Caesar
Made traditionally with a dressing of only the finest ingredients: olive oil, garlic, worcestershire, mustard, lemon juice, egg and finely ground anchovy paste; tossed with shredded parmesan, croutons and hand-torn romaine.
Small$6.50
Large$10.99
Secondi
All served with your choice of angel hair or penne with basil-tomato sauce, roasted rosemary potatoes, buttered peas or steamed broccoli. Side of fettuccine alfredo $3.50 - Additional charge for sauce change.
Melanzane - Eggplant
Melanzane Parmigiana
$19.99
Layers of fresh eggplant and Swiss cheese baked with basil-tomato sauce. Topped with parmesan and fresh mozzarella cheeses and finished with reduced bruschetta sauce.
Il Mare - From the Sea
Grouper Piccata
$23.99
Sautéed in a lemon, caper and white-wine butter sauce.
Grouper alla Calabrese
$24.99
Fresh grouper lightly floured and sautéed in a sauce of basil tomato, red wine, onions, garlic, capers, black olives and crushed red pepper.
Salmon al Forno
$19.99
Maple-amaretto glazed salmon baked on a cedar plank in the oak-fired oven.
Fritti di Calamari
$17.50
A very generous portion of calamari dusted in seasoned flour and deep fried; served with reduced bruschetta sauce.
Petti di Pollo
All of our chicken is free range, all natural and hormone free.
Salsa Piccata
$18.99
Two chicken breasts sautéed in a lemon, caper and white-wine butter sauce.
Salsa Marsala
$19.99
Two sautéed chicken breasts in a creamy marsala and mushroom sauce.
Salsa Parmigiana
Two chicken breasts sautéed and topped with basil-tomato sauce, mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.
$20.99
Romano Style$23.99
Pollo Romano
$20.99
Chicken breasts breaded in romano cheese and sautéed golden brown. Topped with lemon-basil butter and artichoke.
Nate's Chicken
$26.99
Two chicken breasts breaded in romano cheese and sautéed golden brown; topped with mozzarella cheese and crispy prosciutto in a creamy marsala mushroom sauce. Served on a bed of sautéed spinach.
Pollo alla Giovanna
$22.99
Two chicken breasts breaded in Romano cheese and sautéed golden brown with fresh eggplant and mozzarella. Served in light basil-tomato cream sauce with bits of prosciutto.
Vitello - Veal
Salsa Marsala
$30.99
Veal scallopini sautéed in a creamy marsala and mushroom sauce.
Salsa Piccata
$29.99
Veal scallopini sautéed in a lemon, caper and white-wine butter sauce.
Salsa Parmigiana
Veal scallopini sautéed and topped with basil-tomato sauce, mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.
$30.99
Romano Style$33.99
Nate's Veal
$34.99
Veal scallopini breaded in romano cheese and sautéed golden brown, topped with mozzarella cheese and crispy prosciutto in a creamy marsala mushroom sauce. Served on a bed of sautéed spinach.
Paste Della Casa
We make our own pasta fresh daily-spaghetti, ravioli, linguine, angel hair, lasagne, fettuccine, penne and starburst-the same way it's been done for centuries: From semolina (made from Durham wheat), eggs and water. Served "al dente." Our sauces are also fresh and homemade-and not cooked until ordered (with the exception of the Bolognese and Anatra Ragu).
Tortellini con Pignoli e Noci
$17.99
Cheese-filled tortellini with a delectable sauce of pine nuts, walnuts, shallots, white wine, asiago and cream.
Fichi e Pollo Penne
$18.99
Chicken, fig jam, tre-funghi and spinach in brandy cream sauce.
Pollo Rosso
$16.99
Chunks of chicken breast reddened with hot spices and "blackened" in a very hot pan; sautéed with scallions and mushrooms, then reduced in a creamy basil-tomato sauce with fresh tomato and tossed with fettuccine.
Pera Sachet
$19.99
Pasta 'purses' filled with pear, robiola, ricotta and parmesan cheeses. Served in a creamy saffron sauce with peas.
Add Prosciutto
$2.00
Spaghetti and Meatballs
$19.99
An all-American favorite. A flavorful mixture of ground beef, prosciutto, soppressata (a lean pork salami), romano, garlic and herbs; served over spaghetti with reduced bruschetta sauce. Garnished with parmesan and parsley.
Ravioli Verde
$15.99
Spinach pasta filled with spinach, ricotta and Swiss cheese; tossed in your choice of sauce.
Pollo Milano
$19.99
Chunks of chicken breast in a sauce of roasted garlic, heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes and fresh sage. Served over starburst pasta with a garnish of reduced balsamic vinegar and a fresh sage leaf.
Anatra Porcini Ragu
$19.99
Braised duck breast with a porcini mushroom blend and prosciutto; tossed with fettuccine and finished with parmesan shards.
Confetti Spaghetti
$16.99
A colorful South Tampa favorite. Spaghetti tossed in a creamy basil-tomato sauce with fresh tomato, bacon, garlic, onions, basil, parsley and green peas.
Bella Luna
$18.99
Original recipe of half-moon pasta filled with asparagus, ham, fontina, ricotta and sun-dried tomatoes. Served in roasted-tomato cream sauce.
Salciccia al Forno
$17.99
Italian sausage tossed with penne pasta, mushrooms and ricotta in a creamy tomato sauce; topped with mozzarella and baked.
Lasagne con Pollo
$19.99
Layers of freshly made sheet pasta, grilled chicken, spinach, portobello, porcini and button mushrooms, mozzarella, ricotta and asiago cheeses. Served with roasted-tomato cream sauce.
Mezzaluna al Forno
$19.99
Lobster mezzaluna with cream, mushroom and leeks; topped with buttered breadcrumbs and browned until golden.
Pasta Il Mare
$21.99
Shrimp and scallops sautéed with roasted mushrooms and leeks in roasted-tomato cream sauce. Tossed with bowtie pasta.
Create Your Own Combination
Spaghetti, Linguine, Fettuccine, Penne, Bow Tie, Starburst, Angel Hair, Farro Wheat Linguine (add $2.99). Add 5 oz. Roasted Salmon, $7.50. Add 5 oz. Grilled Chicken Breast, $3.50. Add 4 oz. Sautéed Shrimp, $5.99. Add Meatballs, 3 for $5.99 or 6 for $9.99.
Basil Tomato
$11.99
Plum tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, parsley and basil. Fresh and simple.
Bolognese
$14.99
A rich sauce of ground beef, onions, celery, carrots and garlic simmered for 5 hours with white wine, milk and ground plum tomatoes.
Alfredo
$13.99
Thick and rich, with heavy cream, garlic, parmesan and romano cheeses and a dash of nutmeg.
Bruschetta
$12.99
A bit heavier than basil tomato, with diced plum tomatoes, garlic, onions, parsley and basil.
Pesto
$12.99
Classic pesto of puréed fresh basil, parsley, garlic, olive oil, parmesan, romano and pine nuts.
Roasted-Tomato Cream
$12.99
Made with an intensely flavored purée of roasted plum tomatoes, herbs and heavy cream.
Aglio e Olio
$9.99
Olive oil, butter and garlic tossed with fresh parsley.
Dolci
Vesuvio
$6.99
Molten bittersweet Belgian chocolate "oozes" from inside an intensely rich warm chocolate cake. Dusted with powdered sugar and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Raspberry Crème Brûlée
$4.99
Vanilla-bean custard with sweet raspberries topped with a thin, crispy shell of caramelized sugar.
Tiramisu
$6.99
"Pick me up" - The classic Italian dessert with layers of lady fingers, zabaglione (Marsala-flavored custard), espresso whipped cream and mascarpone (sweet, buttery cheese) topped with whipped cream and warm chocolate sauce.
Affogato
$4.99
Scoop of vanilla ice cream served with a shot of espresso.
Gelato
$5.99
Daily selection.
Seasonal Crisp
$6.99
Seasonal fruit baked with a buttery oatmeal topping. Served with a scoop of Blue Bell vanilla ice cream and warm caramel sauce.
For the Bambini
Children's Choice of Meal and Soft Drink or Tea
Penne with Basil Tomato, Spaghetti with Bolognese, Cheese or Pepperoni Pizza, Fettuccine Alfredo, Meatballs!
$4.75
3 For$5.99
Bibite
Pepsi
$2.50
Diet Pepsi
$2.50
Mountain Dew
$2.50
Dr. Pepper
$2.50
Diet Dr. Pepper
$2.50
Sierra Mist
$2.50
Lemonade
$2.50
Ginger Ale
$2.50
Soda
$2.50
Tonic
$2.50
San Pellegrino Sparkling Water
Half-Liter$3.50
Liter$4.99
Tea, Coffee
$2.50
Espresso
$2.50
Café Cappuccino
$3.50
Beer
Strongbow Gold Apple
3 Daughters Bimini Twist IPA
Amstel Light
Blue Moon
Brooklyn Brown Ale
Budweiser
Bud Light
Cigar City Jai Alai IPA
Coors Light
Corona Light
Fat Tire
Heineken
Michelob Ultra
Miller Light
Peroni
Samuel Adams, Seasonal
Sierra Nevada
Stella Artois
Woodchuck Cider
Yuengling
Lunch
Served Monday through Friday, 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM.
Paste
Pollo or Grouper Rosso
Chunks of chicken breast or grouper reddened with hot spices and "blackened" in a very hot pan; sautéed with scallions and mushrooms, then reduced in a creamy basil-tomato sauce with fresh tomato and tossed with fettuccine.
Chicken$9.99
Grouper$11.99
Spaghetti Carbonara
$8.99
Ham, bacon, egg, cream and parmesan cheese.
Penne Florentine
$10.99
Spinach, mushrooms, fresh tomato, garlic and goat cheese.
Penne Roma
$8.99
Chicken, bacon, garlic, onions, olives, basil-tomato sauce and red wine.
Prosciutto Linguine
$8.99
Prosciutto, mushrooms and artichoke hearts in aglio e olio.
Primavera Linguine
$7.99
Broccoli, onions, peas, fresh tomato and olives in aglio e olio.
Create Your Own Combination
$8.50. Spaghetti, Linguine, Fettuccine, Penne, Bow Tie, Starburst, Angel Hair, Farro Wheat Linguine (add $2.99). Add 5 oz. Roasted Salmon, $7.50. Add 5 oz. Grilled Chicken Breast, $3.50. Add 4 oz. Sautéed Shrimp, $5.99. Add Meatballs, 3 for $5.99 or 6 for $9.99.
Basil Tomato
Plum tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, parsley and basil. Fresh and simple.
Bolognese
A rich sauce of ground beef, onions, celery, carrots and garlic simmered for 5 hours with white wine, milk and ground plum tomatoes.
Alfredo
Thick and rich, with heavy cream, garlic, parmesan and romano cheeses and a dash of nutmeg.
Bruschetta
A bit heavier than basil tomato, with diced plum tomatoes, garlic, onions, parsley and basil.
Pesto
Classic pesto of puréed fresh basil, parsley, garlic, olive oil, parmesan, romano and pine nuts.
Roasted-Tomato Cream
Made with an intensely flavored purée of roasted plum tomatoes, herbs and heavy cream.
Aglio e Olio
Olive oil, butter and garlic tossed with fresh parsley.
Pizze
Lunch size $6.99.
Americano
Margherita
Mozzarella, parmesan and basil.
Genoa
Pesto, mozzarella, ricotta and romano.
Capua
Sausage, onions, mushrooms and mozzarella.
Panini
All sandwiches are served with garlic pasta chips and caponata aioli. Bella's Cafe salad may be substituted for pasta chips. $3.99.
Spaghetti Sandwich
$7.99
Spaghetti tossed with bolognese sauce and stuffed into Bella's bread. Topped with mozzarella and baked.
Meatball Sub
$9.50
Bella's meatballs, bruschetta sauce and mozzarella cheese on Bella's bread.
Chicken Parmesan
$9.50
Sautéed chicken breast topped with mozzarella, basil-tomato sauce and fresh grated parmesan.
Stromboli
$9.99
A folded pocket of pizza dough stuffed with ham, salami, pepperoni, mozzarella, tomato and green peppers.
Chicken Romano
$9.99
Chicken breast breaded in romano and panko bread crumbs. Topped with provolone and artichoke-lemon basil butter.
Philly
$9.99
Chicken breast sautéed with red and green peppers and caramelized onion. Topped with melted provolone cheese and a smear of caponata aioli.
Grilled Chicken
$9.50
Chicken breast topped with provolone, lettuce, tomato and onion. Served with a spicy honey-mustard sauce.
Grilled Chicken with Goat Cheese
$9.50
Chicken breast with herbed goat cheese and roasted red peppers.
Bella's Italian Cafe, located at 1413 South Howard Avenue in South Tampa, is considered one of the longest-standing, and one of the most popular, establishments in the area. Outlasting many trends and come-and-go concepts, Bellas continues to be a favorite destination of those seeking distinct flavors of Italy. "We have been very fortunate to be located in such a wonderful area, such a booming area", said Bill Shumate, co-owner of Bellas Italian Cafe.