Bella Cucina Ristorante — Authentic Italian Trattoria

Est.1987

Hands stretching fresh handmade pasta dough

Our Story

Three Generations,
One Kitchen

In 1987, Elena and Marco Rossi arrived from Naples with two suitcases and a notebook of family recipes. They opened a tiny trattoria with six tables — and cooked like they were feeding their own children.

Today, their grandchildren roll the same pasta by hand every morning, simmer the same Sunday ragù, and greet regulars by name. Nothing rushed, nothing frozen, nothing fussy — just honest Italian food made with love.

38Years Serving

40+Family Recipes

12kHappy Guests / yr

La Carta

A Menu That Tastes Like Home

Everything is made from scratch daily. Ask your server about today's specials and the chef's seasonal dishes.

Spaghetti alla Carbonara chef's signature

Guanciale, pecorino romano, cracked pepper, farm egg yolk — no cream, ever.

$22

Lasagna della Nonna

Elena's original recipe: slow-braised beef ragù, béchamel, parmigiano, 8 layers.

$23

Fettuccine Alfredo

Hand-cut fettuccine tossed in parmigiano cream, nutmeg, cracked pepper.

$21

Penne all'Arrabbiata

San Marzano tomato, garlic, Calabrian chili, fresh basil. Simple and fiery.

$19

Ravioli di Ricotta e Spinaci

House-made ravioli, brown butter, sage, toasted walnuts, aged balsamic.

$22

Pollo al Marsala

Pan-seared chicken breast, mushroom marsala sauce, roasted potatoes.

$26

Vitello al Limone

Veal scaloppine, lemon-caper butter, sautéed spinach.

$32

Salmone alla Griglia

Grilled Atlantic salmon, salsa verde, grilled lemon, seasonal vegetables.

$29

Melanzane alla Parmigiana

Baked eggplant, San Marzano tomato, fior di latte, basil. A vegetarian classic.

$22

Bistecca alla Fiorentina for two

32 oz dry-aged porterhouse, rosemary, Tuscan olive oil, grilled to order.

$58

Chianti DOCG — Toscana

Sangiovese · cherry, dried herbs, soft tannins. Our house red.

$12 / $46

Pinot Grigio — Veneto

Crisp, citrus, white flowers. Perfect with seafood and antipasti.

$11 / $42

Barolo DOCG — Piemonte

Nebbiolo · rose, tar, dried cherry. For the bistecca, no question.

$18 / $75

Prosecco DOC — Veneto

Fine bubbles, green apple, celebration in a glass.

$11 / $40

Moments

Step Inside Bella Cucina

Candlelight, fresh basil, and the smell of garlic in olive oil — this is what dinner feels like here.

Candlelit evenings

Pasta, always fresh

The dining room

From the wood oven

From our kitchen

Your table is waiting

Word of Mouth

What Our Guests Say

★★★★★

"The carbonara took me straight back to Rome. I've never tasted anything like it in New Jersey — and I've tried them all."

— Maria T., Montclair

★★★★★

"We celebrated our anniversary here and the staff treated us like family. The tiramisu alone is worth the drive."

— James R., Nutley

★★★★★

"Cozy, warm, and the lasagna tastes like somebody's grandmother made it — because somebody's did. Our new Friday tradition."

— Sofia L., Bloomfield

Join Us

Reserve Your Table

Weekends fill up fast — call ahead and we'll have the candles lit and the bread warm when you arrive.

Call (555) 014-3377

Visit Us

128 Chestnut Street
Nutley, NJ 07110

Call Us

(555) 014-3377

Call for parties of 6 or more

Hours

Tue – Sun · 5pm – 10pm

Closed Mondays · Kitchen closes 9:30pm

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Where Every Meal
Feels Like Family

Three Generations,
One Kitchen