Bella Mangiata Italian Restaurant

Reviews

• PP

  Patric

  4 days ago
  5.0
  Who would think that Manteca would have such amazing Italian fine dining? I was blown away !!! The kids from Dutch Brothers told me they had heard good things about it so I decided instead of a quick burger I would opt for a seated restaurant. The outsides hid the elegance inside. I noticed tastefully decorated interior, not over done but very clean looking. I was greeted and seated - I chose the bar. I watched the bartender prepare her condiments, all fresh cut no hold overs from the night before. Full bar though I don't drink myself, I find it a fascinating part to any restaurant. Another couple came and sat next to me. They raved about the food and the chef. I ordered Lingcod and the presentation was very appealing. Not what I would expect from small city life. It was very well prepared. It wasn't too long before I was stuffed. The service was on point. My glass never went dry nor did I need to ask anyone for anything. I had a client in the area a week later so I came a second time. This time I chose cioppino which lived up to it's Italian - American heritage. It's actually an American San Francisco dish made in an Italian style. Started out with a fresh salad and enjoyed some Frank Sinatra music being played in the background. The ambiance was very relaxed and the clientele hovered between families and couples both young and old. I flew solo but I can't wait to bring a date in for a lunch or dinner. My portion was huge - 1/2 crab with other sea creatures added. It rivalled any other cioppino I have ever had. Flavor was heavenly, and cooked to perfection. After chatting with the chef who came to my table to make sure I was enjoying my food, I learned that he had recently took full control and ownership of the restaurant. My hats off to him and wish him great success. Dessert was offered but honestly I had to turn it away I was blissfully stuff. Next time I will make sure and save room. Honestly I drove from the bay area some 60 plus miles away and would gladly make the trip again. Also they have TVs so on game day you won't miss out on watching your teams play.
• TT

  Tici Truly

  Oct 7, 2026
  5.0
  My new favorite restaurant! How did we not know about this treasure? We can't wait to come back to try everything on the menu. For the quality of food, the price is more than reasonable. The food was so great it was hard not to lick the plates!
• MM

  Melony Morris

  Oct 1, 2026
  5.0
  We had my birthday dinner here and the food was absolutely amazing! Thank you chef Gino he came out was very professional and came out to check on everything 10/10 will be back. Highly recommend!!
• JG

  Joseph Gigli

  Sep 26, 2026
  1.0
  I’ve heard good reviews but last night was a mess. When we first arrived, there were people standing in the entryway so I figured they were packed, but the bar was completely empty so I sat there along with another couple. After about 10 minutes, a waitress came and said they weren’t seating at the bar and they were super busy which didn’t appear to be super busy based on the number of people that were there. The other couple walked out, but as we were walking out a waitress at the cash register said she had a table for so we sat down. We spent 1.5 hours there and experienced several people walking out without even eating their meal the food was decent. The portions were on the small side. 1 $40 bottle of wine,1 side salad, 2 pasta dishes $110. I’m never going back.
• JE

  Jay Ellis

  Sep 22, 2026
  5.0
  Stopped in for a lunch before a flight from San Francisco. My AI had recommended it as it was on the route to the airport. WOW what a FIND !!!! I love GOOD Italian food and I've eaten at a few that are GOOD Italian food. lol. This place is perfect from the minute you walk in to the moment you leave. Chef Gio was so friendly and made sure out lunch was as good as any dinner meal. We didn't have any vino as I was driving us so lol.. But the iced tea was fantastic and being from the South that means something !! The food was amazing in presentation, preparation and explanation of how he cooked it. We had the spaghetti & meatballs and I had the Chicken Marsala my favorite and what I use to measure the food at a new restaurant. This one flew pass that mark and beyond. See the attached pictures if you think I am kidding. I've never been served vegatables with marsala always pasta. But the roasted red potatoes and the wonderfully seasoned vegatables made it stand out even more!! The sauce on the spaghetti was fantastic as my lunch partner is Sicilian so he knows sauce/gravy lol.. We finished off with the Tiramisu although I was heavily leaning for that limoncello mascarpone cake which I am sure is fantastic as the tiramisu was 5 stars + . If you are ever in Manteca, CA or live there you need to really try this place out it is definitely a 5 star eatery with very reasonable prices we thought. Someone noted over priced food. Don't know what they had but... Chef Gio personally saw to us as we were his first customers of the day and spoiled us royally !!! If his dinners are like what we got for lunch I'd be eating there a lot but since I don't live there I can't but I have this place locked in my phone incase I am ever in Manteca again !! 5 star rating all around from this reviewer....!!!! Make sure to get his homemade bread almost forgot about that !! It was right out of the oven hot !!!