Bella Vista

We live locally and have been going to Bella Vista regularly for the past 5 years. The waiters/waitresses are always very pleasant, sometimes it does get quite busy and noisy but that adds to the atmosphere.

Their Sunday lunches are superb and great value for money. Everyone we have taken there, friends and family have been very impressed with the food and the service.
Comment on this reader review

H Ryan
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, June 10, 2008

My partner and I had an excellent Sunday lunch from the set menu; we found the food to be very good and superb value for money. The service could perhaps have been faster but this is only a very minor criticism. Overall I would recommend it as a very pleasant experience.
Comment on this reader review

Sid
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 9
Sunday, April 06, 2008

We have Visited Bella Vista in Blackheath on a few occasions, the first of which was christmas eve 2006 where the three courses were a pleasant experience on all aspects. The second visit was summer 2007 starters were fine and so were the mains but the hour wait in between was not, asked the waitress politely and she replied the food was on its way, no apologies even after serving diners their main course that had entered the restaurant way after us, took another 20 mins to receive the bill, upon leaving spoke to the head waiter/manager and explained why i was not leaving a tip his response was a shrug of the shoulders,

New years eve 2007 booked Bella vista £55 per head three course set menu, arrived at 9.30 pm, was led to the upstairs section and greeted by a friendly waiter who took our jackets and sat us down, starters were ok, .then came the mains, my partner was given wrong dish took waiter some time to realize it was served to a diner at another table which was then swapped although untouched apart from having black pepper placed upon from previous diner, would have preferred a fresh dish from kitchen, our table had also not been cleared properly from the previous course, main course food was awful, after which decided was enough to cut the night short and ask for the bill, they had the cheek to try and charge 12.5% service charge, after talking to the headwaiter/manager this was deducted but again no apologies.

will never visit again as there are much nicer and hospitable restaurants to visit nearby.
Comment on this reader review

Matt
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, January 02, 2008

We visited Bella Vista in Blackheath for our Christmas meal on 19th December 2007. On first impressions the restaurant was very stylish and the welcome very warm

We chose a set christmas menu and was really disappointed, the food portions were small and all dishes were bland, undercooked and tasteless.

At the end of the meal, despite spending £200 in the restaurant, the waiters/head waiter could not even rustle up the energy to say goodbye.

On the whole the experience was very poor and we will not be returning!!!
Comment on this reader review

Jackie
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Thursday, December 20, 2007

My party of five went again yesterday lunchtime (Sunday) and were not disappointed. Two of our party were held up in traffic coming from Kent and arrived about 40 minutes late but we were not hassled. The food was good, the staff friendly and joking with us, taking our photo etc. The restaurant was busy but we did not want to rush as it was a special occasion for us. Our booking was for 1.30 and we did not leave until 5.00 as we sat talking and were probably the last to leave, but it did not worry them at all. They were very polite and I would not hesitate to go again.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, April 30, 2007

Popular restaurant. The food is very good. The place is busy. Don't expect a quiet, romantic atmosphere. The waiting staff could improve a little. However, the place is so popular, I think they can afford to rest on their laurels.

Better than average.
Comment on this reader review

Andrew Murphy - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Sunday, February 18, 2007

I throughly agree which the reviews about this restaurant and the appalling quality of service. I have visited this restaurant a few times over the past 12 years and the food is always good but the philosophy behind this place has never changed - it is 'Pack'em in, feed 'em up and kick 'em out'. Strangely on this last occasion the level of service improved when the staff realised we had a Continental European guest with us.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Friday, December 15, 2006

The Food was tasty, even the set menu. The service however has been dreadful and rude the last two times we visited. We were given the excuse that there would be 150 people eating so service was going to be a struggle. I suggested they needed more staff. I don't care if there's 3,000 people as long as there is enough staff there shouldn't be a problem. We sat down at 7.30pm and had our dessert at 10.50pm. We skipped coffee to make the last train.
Comment on this reader review

Mary Costello
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Saturday, December 02, 2006

I've walked past this restaurant without being tempted to try it on many occasions - from the outside it looks a bit like a chain. However, needing to book somewhere at short notice and having read the reviews on this site, we decided to give it a go. And I have to say I was pleasantly surprised.

Considering some of the reviews, I wasn't expecting much from the service - but it was fine. As regards the food, while not spectacular it was good. Views in our group (of six) ranged from quite nice to excellent. Admittedly, there's not a huge amount of space between tables but the atmosphere was quite buzzy.

And the prices were really reasonable.

Overall, if you want a nice meal without paying a fortune, I'd recommend this.
Comment on this reader review

Mark
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Saturday, November 18, 2006

This place is a little gem !! Food is always lovely and good sized portions. My husband and I have been on many occasions and can take our children also and are always made very welcome. Fairly priced as well.
Comment on this reader review

Sue Tune
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, August 08, 2006