Bella Regina

Hands down, best Italian in Utica, NY. The decor is campy and lighthearted. It’s nostalgia at it’s finest. The food is the same in that perspective. The ambiance captures the nostalgia of the food. It brings me back to Sunday dinners at my best friends house. The food is made to order and the owner, Regina, pours her heart into this food. If this is a lunch break situation, order your food the day before. This is not Olive Garden, where everything is frozen and reheated. This is made fresh, but the owner, herself. The portions are extremely generous and trust me you will have leftovers for days. The seafood and chicken rigs are exceptional and order the long hots and rice balls too! RJ, our server, was great at offering recommendations and being patient with my friend and I trying to decide what to order. He made the experience, he was friendly, professional, and engaging. If you are in Utica, do not miss this hidden gem!

Excellent service, amazing food and the whole place is such a vibe! My husband and I found our new favorite date place! We have to try everything on the menu!Food: 5/5

Everything was wonderful at Bella Regina. A great selection. Everyone in our party of 6 ordered something different and all were really more than pleased with their food. Everyone took home lots of extras. Great ladies night out!Food: 5/5

Giving it 5 stars because my experience was 5 star. Service was good, despite what some of the poorer reviews said. The food was delicious. I went off some local recommendations and ordered “chicken Riggie” and it did not disappoint. Great flavor and monster portion. The portion could have fed 2-3. Personally, I go to restaurants for the food, not decor, however I will comment that the decor was an odd mix of Italian, Elvis, and random stuff. See photos. Yes, I would absolutely return.

Been one of my favorite spots for years I just got charged 30 dollars for a dish of riggies and a can of soda … kinda crazy to me on top of me getting home to try they’re extremely salty. Maybe I had a bad batch not sure. But I can’t justify 30 dollars for this. Probably my last order from there today …

Excellent! Great food and atmosphere...waitress was very nice....we did wait over an hour and a half for food but had a party of 10 so understandable...worth the wait!Food: 5/5

The food here is fantastic and the service is second to none. The desert might even be better than the entrees if that's possible. Regina is fantastic and so are all the workers we had a great dinner and a great time visiting with everybody and getting to know the owner and the staff. The atmosphere is just right for a date or a business dinner. If you don't know about this place you really should go and find out. It should no longer be a secret.

Honestly, I thought this place was overrated for years and never would go. So many people raved about it - the Chicken Riggies in particular - that I just didn't think it was true. My coworkers and I went the Friday before Boilermaker so we could do some carboloading. We took advantage of the all-you-can-eat riggies buffet. I'm not lying. These are the best riggies in the area. It's not up for discussion.

Bella Regina's is by far the best Italian restaurant that I have ever come across. The owner and her partner do all the cooking every day/evening. Everything is fresh and made from scratch. You may have a little bit of a wait sometimes, but it so worth what your getting, and the portions are very large, so bring an appetite and ask for a container to go. Utica is known for their Chicken Riggies and Utica Greens... they are the best in the city, so if you're ever in town Bella Regina is definitely a must and your "to do" list. You will not regret it, I guarantee it!! They also started karaoke on Thursday nights after dinner, which the owners participate in and is definitely a hoot!!

Tried to drop an order off for 8 lunches, 24 hours in advance.. we were informed that they were too busy for 8 lunches.. I mean, we will never order there again. Good luck to anyone who does, the owner is a real joy.