Bella Napoli

One of my top Italian places in KC. Have been there for lunch and gotten their Italian deli sandwiches that are legit. My favorite though is going here for dinner. Homemade pasta that is to die-​for. Arancini appetizer is amazing. Good Italian wines. Definitely would recommend.

The food was really pretty good. Perhaps a touch garlicky but tasty. The weird thing here is the atmosphere. It’s a cool idea setting tables through the shop. But the wait staff clearly have been working together for a long time. It’s almost like being at a college party. They linger at the counter and the bar and chit chat and joke around. It’s a little disconcerting to have a conversation about other restaurants they want to try about 6 feet from you. It left me feeling like my conversation with my dinner mate was interrupting theirs.
Advice: sit outside.

I woke up this morning thinking about how awesome my dinner was last night. That’s how amazing the pasta dish at Bella Napoli was.
My BF and I stopped in here for a late dinner with wine on the patio after a day of running errands. We both ordered the pappardelle con ragu, which was braised short ribs, pasta, tomato sauce and herbs. The pasta was soft and thin and delicious. Half way through the meal we both talked about how we would come back just to eat this exact same thing again.
So why four stars instead of five? Well, let me explain. The place had a few weird things going on. First off, when they deliver a basket of bread to the table, it’s just slices of dry baguette. No butter, no oil. Now, we all know that we fatty Americans don’t need the extra calories, but something about a plastic basket full of dry bread is a real turn off at an Italian restaurant.
The waiters are dressed casually-​as in, just came from sports practice, wearing basketball shorts, t-​shirts and sneakers. The casualness extends to their attitudes as well, I’m guessing, since one of the waiters stood on the patio and flipped off a car full of girls singing along to a song on the radio that drove by while standing right next to the table he was serving.
Overall, the pluses majorly outweighed the minuses for us. We are willing to overlook a lot for food this good at reasonable prices, and with the food here being so spectacular, we will definitely return over and over again.

Read the other great reviews
No sense in reiterating what’s been said.
Very good food simply served.
Not loads of ambiance but good neighborhood dining.
Will not disappoint.

I had a something that was a special that included shrimp, homemade noodles, and a spicy tomato based sauce. It was really good! The shrimp actually tasted like shrimp and the noodles had a great texture. My friend got the cod. She said it was not overcooked and had great flavor. We had some form of rosemary and olive oil bread for an appetizer. It was a great meal. I would definitely return. It is very cute and can get rather busy by 6pm on a weeknight.

Holy smokes, could this place be any better! After traveling through Italy this past fall, I thought stateside Italian food would be a forever disappointment, so glad that I was wrong! From the pizza to the pasta to the greeter with an Italian accent this place took me back and I was loving every minute of it! The food is great and the prices more than fair for the quality of what you’re getting, I would highly recommend this spot to anyone looking for Italian eats minus the passport!

I would give this place 4.5 stars. Only because I wish they had a picture menu. I dont know what Im ordering because its in Italian. Food is so fresh and very authentic Italian. Small location so go early or late. I would highly recommend if you’re in KC. There’s a mini grocery store inside too, and have cold meats as well.

I’ve been to Bella Napoli for lunch before, and I was excited to return for dinner this past weekend. For those whom have not been here before, it may be a tad confusing. It’s a small Italian grocery store with lunch offerings by day and a little dinner restaurant by night.
For lunch, they have a little area off to the left side of the main entrance into the store that serves as the area for you to order food and to enjoy it after you’ve ordered. For dinner, it’s the same, only the lights are more dimmed and they move tables into the grocery area and open up a second dining area on the right of the store. Despite all that, it’s still a bit cramped in the small space, along with having an awkward layout. There just random tables dispersed throughout the store, amongst the shelves of groceries. It’s a bit of a maze to get to the unisex restroom.
The owner always seems to be present, as he was at lunch, and for dinner as well, on separate occasions. While my boyfriend and I were waiting for a table, he jokingly asked us why we hadn’t cleaned up a table. He seems like a very nice (legit) Italian man. The server that led us to our table appeared to have an Italian accent as well. Our waitress didn’t, but she still seemed knowledgeable about the menu and wine list, as my boyfriend asked for a wine pairing for his Tagliatella alla Bolognese.
We ordered the Patate e Pancetta (potatoes with pancetta) to start with, which were really good. While the dish wasn’t complex by any means, I was surprised at how well the fried potatoes were cooked and the addition of caramelized onions. And who can forget the pancetta? It wasn’t overly greasy, which I find that it’s easy to fall into that trap with a fatty meat like pancetta. It was topped with some shaved Parmesan, which completed the appetizer. I could have eaten this as a meal by itself.
However, I ended up ordering the Agnello pasta that they had on their special menu that night. I guess you could say that I wasn’t as impressed as I thought I would have been. It was a bit on the salty side and had a very noticeable funky taste and smell, which I suppose is characteristic of lamb? I’m not sure. I love gyros, so I’m thinking it was the way the meat was prepared. Anyway, I can’t completely dock points off for that, since I’m not entirely sure if it was supposed to be that way or not.
The homemade tagliatella pasta was very good in my dish, despite the odd taste and smell from the lamb. I also had a bite of my boyfriend’s bolognese, and it was delicious. So, I do feel like the Agnello was an isolated incident. I really wanted to give Bella Napoli a 5, but because of my dish, I couldn’t. I would love to come back and give it another go with something else to bump it up.
My boyfriend was very impressed with the «Italian-​ness» of the food and atmosphere. I definitely do feel like Bella Napoli is one of the more legitimate Italian restaurants in the KC area. I can’t wait to come back!
Overall: ⁴⁄₅
Food: ⁴⁄₅
Service: ⁴⁄₅
Atmosphere: ³⁄₅

I haven’t been to Italy, unfortunately. The closest to «authentic» Italian I have experienced is the North End in Boston and the Hill in St. Louis. Bella Napoli immediately reminded me of the cramped, quaint, and bustling Italian restaurants in Boston. Even legit Italian accents were present.
Bella Napoli is both a small grocery and a restaurant in one building. The worst feature is the layout. As soon as you walk in, you’re greeted not by a host stand or even cash register, but a cold metal shelf full of random sweets and other light fare. There’s also awkwardly no where to stand, so the floor space that isn’t tables quickly fills up with people waiting for tables, so they can be seated and the floor space that isn’t tables is again filled with people waiting for tables. The only thing more awkward than the layout of the restaurant is that sentence just now.
But, I wasn’t that annoyed here because the restaurant is very charming. Apparently, ownership and certain staff are actually from Italy (I’m not extremely in the know, but that’s what I read), and it’s evident. I immediately felt like I was going to experience dishes akin to the best I’ve tried, and my instinct was correct. The pasta is made from scratch in-​house, and it’s unlike just about any other Italian restaurant in Kansas City you’ll try. Go here, and you’ll realize what you have been missing when it comes to Italian preparation, particularly in the pasta. The craft and taste here is exquisite. I ordered the Tagliatella Bolognese. It was a very creamy taste with expertly proportioned ingredients.
The dishes here seem extremely methodical in presentation and preparation, but that’s the beauty: the chefs could probably do it with their eyes closed. Actually, they probably couldn’t. I meant, they could probably do it in their sleep! Actually no, they absolutely could not do that whatsoever. They could do it with their hands tied behind their backs! These sayings are stupid.
The best Italian food I have had in Kansas City. If you find the bustling atmosphere to not be to your liking, that’s understandable. But it just works here. Just have an incorrect opinion, then. :) jkjklololol
How much it reminds me of Boston: ⁵⁄₅
How much it reminds me of Italy: ⁰⁄₅ because I have not been to Italy
How much it reminds me of Japan: ⁰⁄₅ because why would it remind me of Japan?

What a cute little Italian grocery store with fresh pasta and cheese imported from Italy!!! Absolutely wonderful place. Doesn’t transport you to Italy but as close as it gets in Kansas!
Also– service is great and waiters are very enthusiastic and knowledgable. I’ve been twice:) gnocchi is amazing.

Very authentic and adorable plus locally owned and operated? Yes, please! You can’t go wrong here, but I would strongly recommend the Italian steak sandwich, the pizza, or a calzone, all delicious, reasonably priced and served with fast and friendly service.

Ask to sit outside if it’s a beautiful day. You’ll be seated along a beautiful street in Brookside where people watching is available!
If you have allergies, let the server know. They were very catering to my gluten sensitivity. I ordered the mussel risotto with arugula. My god, it was delicious. The mussels tasted fresh, and the risotto was cooked al dente. Wait staff were also helpful and patient.
The only regret I have is not taking a slice of tiramisu home with me. I saw several fresh desserts in the fridge inside.

Excellent food, wine, and homemade deserts. Go and you will not be disappointed. Our visit on a Thursday night specifically for the gnocchi. Also had a pizza Diavola (spicy). Great meal and service.

This was our third time visiting Bella Napoli. I keep trying to get excited about it, but I just can’t.
The wait on a weekend is definitely long. The waiting accommodations are just not there. The food is okay, decent Italian just not exceptional.

Why on earth have I not been to Bella Napoli until now? Seriously, I am kicking myself for always putting it on the «eh, I’ll try it another time» list for so long — that was a mistake!
Granted, it’s been awhile since I was in Italy, but Bella Napoli’s pizza definitely is what I remember from when I was there. We tried two different pizzas last night (btw, they were both $ 5, the special for Monday nights, which is a screaming deal), the Diavola and the Capricciossa, and they were both delicious. So delicious, in fact, that I finished my pizza, even though it was quite sizeable and I probably shouldn’t have eaten the whole thing. However, I have absolutely no regrets. A friend who joined us had the risotto, and she also loved her dish (and cleaned her plate). We ordered a carafe of the house red wine for the table (another thing I vividly remember doing in Italy), and while I have no idea what the wine was, it was very good and we definitely enjoyed it.
Because of the terrible weather, we sat at a table inside overlooking the street, and it was perfectly nice, although I definitely could see myself enjoying an outdoor table. The restaurant was busy, but not packed, and our server was great — very friendly and welcoming, and quick to give recommendations when asked. You can tell that this is a family owned and operated business with a ton of regulars and servers who enjoy their jobs, which makes for a very nice dining experience.
Unfortunately, we were too full for dessert, because there were several things I wanted to try. I also want to go back to try the pasta, to see if it’s also what I remember from our time in Italy. If their pizzas are any kind of indication of the quality of the rest of the menu, I think I’m going to be very happy every time I eat there.
I am most definitely a fan of Bella Napoli, and now I can’t wait to go back!

My boyfriend and I tried Bella Napoli today for the first time and overall hated it. First off, it’s fairly confusing when you walk through the door. Do you sit down? Do you go to the cash register and order first? It all ultimately has to do with the fact that the service is TERRIBLE. We went up and said we wanted meatball subs. The guy simply says okay you eating here? Oh okay. Have a seat. So I assumed they would come and ask us for drinks? No. My boyfriend and I were just about ready to walk out until one of the server guys finally asked us if we were waiting on something and if we wanted drinks. Then we were left unattended after we got our food for the duration of the time we were there. Maybe we just don’t know how it works there? But it probably all could’ve been helped by decent service.
So to the actual taste… The meatball subs are bland and not memorable. I felt like what I was eating is essentially what cat food would taste like. The pasta could’ve been cooked more as well.
SO OVERPRICED.
We won’t be going there again.

I have been here many, many times. Every time I take somebody new, they always rave about this place and they thank me for taking them. Where to start? The owners of this place are from Italy. The entire place has an old-​world feel. Their baristas on the coffee side are trained to pull Italy-​quality shots. Their coffee is of two varieties, imported from Italy or from Broadway Café. Either way, you win.
The deli has groceries, meats and cheeses also imported from Italy. Their sandwiches are all amazing, I’ve tried them all. Il Saro is probably their most popular but you literally can’t go wrong. On a nice spring day the line will be out the door for lunch, just fyi. Plan accordingly.
The restaurant side offers great fare from their pizzas (half price on Monday nights) to their home made gnochi (special on Thursdays) to their soups, salads, pastas, cheese, etc. Go in the winter time (there’s a front entrance and back entrance with good parking) for a cozy atmosphere or go in the spring/​summer/​fall and do yourself a favor and sit at their sidewalk tables. Open a bottle of Italian wine– some of which I hadn’t even heard of! Then finish the meal with home made tiramisu (made from a family recipe generations old) and an espresso. Trust me. You won’t regret it.

Combination of excellent, fresh quality, easing atmosphere, friendly services, and tasteful collaboration of ingredients and spices. Again, excellent and fresh ingredients at good price and quantity — always wins an A+ in my book.
Naturally relaxed, classy-​casual atmosphere; an intimate place to bring a date. I made visits several times over the last year and would often spread the word of this gem to my pizza-​loving friends. This has become the standard against which I compare authentic Italian pizza qualities. closest representation I’ve come across! I have only tried one or two of each calzones and pizzas, but I anticipate returning to try the variety of other menu items!

Oh my goodness, the sandiwiches. «Mmmmm mmmmm» were the only words uttered during the entire meal. I grabbed a quick lunch at Bella Napoli on their adorable patio one sunny afternoon.
Be sure to try the number 3 sandwich. Each bite of fresh, soft mozzarella was better than the next. I have no one why I’ve never managed to come to Bella Napoli before. I’ll defeintely be back again for that sandwich!

There’s a lot to love about this quaint and charming place. Here’s my list of things I loved:
1. Good value! Most items were under $ 10 and came with plenty of food.
2. Felt pretty damn authentic. They have arancini, pasta cooked to perfection, etc.
3. Half the staff were speaking Italian… that made it feel even more authentic.
4. The food was quite good, and especially for the price point.
5. Great neighborhood feel – owner was mingling and helping throughout the meal.
6. Specials! Half price pizza night, half price wine night… gotta love that!
The only thing we were disappointed by was our waitress. She wasn’t too attentive. Granted the place was super busy, BUT other staff were much more attentive than our gal. It was a total missed opportunity for both us and the waitress — we wanted to have wine with the meal (which would’ve increased the bill by $ 20); however, she never offered the the menu. I got the menu from another staff member, we decided on our wine, but she never really came back with enough pause for us to order it. Say la vie.
I will definitely go back as it hits the spot in a convenient, charming, and budget friendly way — and if I lived in Brookside, I would go here often! [especially on Thursdays (wine night) and pizza night (monday?)]