A very nice small restaurant on a quiet walking street in Oritigia. We ate at one of the outside tables. The food was very good and well presented. The one waitress was very nice and explained everything. One of our top meals in Sicily. Reservations...recommended since it is a small place.More

Was very disappointed by Bistrot Bella Vita. It looks lovely from the outside, with starched white tablecloths and napkins on the little pavement tables, which is what induced us to book in the first place. It was raining when we arrived, so we had to...eat indoors. We were introducing ourselves to the receptionist when we were rather brusquely interrupted by a Versace-bedecked lady who I assumed to be the proprietress. The receptionist broke off his conversation with us, to speak to - I imagine - his boss. Not a terribly friendly start. The evening improved when we sat at out table. We placed our orders and then were presented with a plate of amuse-bouches and a mixed basket of some of the best bread I have ever tasted. The first course, cous-cous arancini, was excellent. The lamb that followed was so-so. The creamed potatoes were too wet and the small selection of vegetables was overcooked. Skipped the pudding, but one of my companions had a cannolo, which he said was ok, but not special. Grillo accompanying was good. The ambiance was, sadly, rather poor. There was very little atmosphere. The room was starkly furnished and the lighting was too bright. People spoke in hushed tones. It simply wasn’t fun. Service was quite friendly but rather haphazard and sometimes rather slow. There was nothing startlingly wrong with the evening’s experience, but, on the other hand, nothing memorable either. Not really recommended, I’m sorry to say. There are many better restaurants in town.More

Really delicous food, best ravioli, best tiramisu, friendly staff. I can only recommend it! Not the cheepest but worth it.

The restaurant is small and very charming! The food is absolutely delicious! The service was quick and efficient. The tuna and shrimp tartar (pictured) was my favorite, but whole meal was great!

We came here while holidaying in Sicily. It felt like a real attempt to serve good-quality food, rather than playing to the lucrative in-out-as-fast-as-you-can tourist market. To start we had some fresh tuna tartare and an aranchino, followed by pasta and some steak. All of...the food was excellent and sensibly priced. It's both a blessing and a curse that this place is tucked away a little bit - in some ways, you don't feel like you're in a city packed with tourists, but the location is a bit quiet as a result. Don't let that put you off!More

We were surprised by the high ratings. This place has good food, but doesn't feel like you're Sicily. I guess we just didn't like the atmosphere, which felt more like an ice cream parlor than a dinner restaurant.

Tucked away down a side street this small bistrot is part of a hotel, but the atmosphere is good as is the food, beer and wine.