Bella Regina

15 Auert Ave, Utica, NY 13502, United States
$$$ Italian restaurant
(603 Reviews)
Price Range $20–30

Welcome to Bella Regina, a true gem nestled in the heart of Utica, NY. This beloved Italian restaurant is where culinary tradition meets modern flair, offering an exquisite dining experience that celebrates the rich flavors of Italy. With a warm ambiance that feels like a cozy Italian family kitchen, Bella Regina invites you to savor every moment of your meal.

The restaurant's menu boasts a delightful array of dishes that highlight the essence of Italian cuisine. Must-try appetizers include the Eggplant Melanzana, gracefully layered and perfectly seasoned at just $14.56, and the popular Bella Greens for $19.70, a fresh and flavorful starter sure to kick off your meal on a bright note. For the main event, indulge in the renowned Chicken Riggies, a Utica staple, showcasing tender chicken in a zesty sauce that will leave your taste buds longing for more. If you're in the mood for something rich and hearty, the Lasagna or the savory Chicken Parm over Rigatoni are brilliant choices that are made to please both the eye and palate.

Each plate at Bella Regina is an expressive homage to Italian culinary arts, featuring generous portions that ensure satisfaction. As customer 'AbBY M' mentioned, the Sweet Chicken Riggies are “DELICIOUS” and cooked to perfection — a testament to the kitchen's skill. The atmosphere is alive with Italian charm, complemented by antique décor that invites you to immerse yourself in a slice of Italy right here in Upstate New York. Patrons like James Pike appreciate not just the food but the delightful ambiance, complete with friendly service that enhances the overall experience.

The restaurant's vibe is vibrant and fun, making it a perfect spot for family gatherings or a night out with friends. Reviewers consistently rave about the friendly service, with many mentioning the attentive staff and the inviting atmosphere that keeps them coming back for more. As noted by RaeAnn Blackford Thomas, even with a bustling crowd, the service remains courteous and helpful, promising a pleasant experience every time.

Make sure to save room for dessert! The LimeBerry mascarpone cake will have you dreaming about your next visit, just like it did for AbBY M. After a hearty meal, relish the sweet finish that perfectly wraps up your dining experience.

In short, Bella Regina is more than just a restaurant; it's a celebration of flavors, community, and the warmth of Italian hospitality. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, a visit here promises culinary delight that should not be missed. Prepare to savor every bite and leave with a full heart—and belly!

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Has great beer selection
Serves great cocktails
Serves great dessert
Has great wine list
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves food
Serves happy-hour drinks
Serves happy-hour food
Serves spirits
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Romantic
Trendy
Upmarket
Crowd
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Planning
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Parking
Free parking lot
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

11:30 AM - 2:00 PM

,

4:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Wednesday

11:30 AM - 2:00 PM

,

4:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Thursday

11:30 AM - 2:00 PM

,

4:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Friday

11:30 AM - 2:00 PM

,

4:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Saturday

4:30 AM - 8:00 PM

Sunday

Closed

603 Reviews
AbBY M

26 Jul 2025

A local recommended this restaurant and it was AMAZING! I ordered Fish bites appetizer, the batter ratio was on point. For the meal I ordered the Sweet chicken riggies !!!!DELICIOUS!!!! Im very picky about my chicken but it was cooked to perfection. To end the meal I ordered the Lime-Berry mascarpone cake. MUST TRY!!!

Steve O

22 Jul 2025

Great meal at Bella Regina. Four diners and not a single complaint. Sicilian riggies were very good and enough for two meals. Great service from Diane!

James Pike

10 Jul 2025

The Best Riggies in the entire area, no discrepancy or comparison to any place. If you love Riggies like we do, you HAVE to come here. Service is always pleasant and very nice even if its busy. The atmosphere is VERY Italian with lots to look at with antiques. One of the best places to eat in the area hands down. 13/10 recommended.

Adam Hovak

23 Jun 2025

Bella Regina is back where it used to be 10-15 years ago. I remember the chicken riggies being awesome, and I was not disappointed. The atmosphere is nice and calm and the service was pretty good. The greens are different than I expected, maybe fresher with more lettuce. Anyway, it’s not quite my style but my wife absolutely loved them.

RaeAnn Blackford Thomas

21 Jun 2025

Food was delicious. Portions were huge. Atmosphere was fun. Great vibe. Server was super friendly. Would def come back. Not crazy about the booth seating. It wasn't very comfortable. We will probably ask for a table next time. Also would be nice to ask us if we wanted a glass for our beer. She did bring us water to drink with our meal and extra plates to share our apps, etc... Table was quickly cleared as we finished each course. We just really enjoyed the experience.

Tim Skrypnik

11 Jun 2025

I'm no local "Utican(?)", but I do love a good dish of chicken riggies ever since I stumbled upon the dish years ago. I've been looking for the best. I have tried "It's a Utica Thing", "Chesterfield Tavalos", and several others. This is the best I've encountered, hands down. I was passing through. I wanted chicken obviously but also wanted to add sausage as that was a previous version I had in the past that I enjoyed. They ask: good with mushrooms? Absolutely. All hot pepps, sweet pepps, or mix? I like heat but wanted to make sure I could taste the dish...being my first visit. I opted for the mix. I am impressed. The sauce was so very well balanced.....seasoned very well. Next time I will go all hot cherry pepps, as I love that extra heat. The mix is a great happy middle ground for most palletes. I love that the sauce was not too salty, too many places oversalt this dish. This however, was a great balance of the heavy cream and tomato sauce. About half the places I'll try riggies from have either greasy sauce, broken sauce, or both. Not here. Lets talk portion size! This bowl was easily 2.5 lbs....even after sneaking a few bites before I got home. The dish doesnt even lend itself to pretty pictures but lemme say...these pictures don't do it justice. All in all, this is a great, well proportioned mix of riggies, chicken, italian sausage, peppers, mushrooms, sauce. Service wise I was greeted immediately and asked if I had ordered ahead. There were friendly and pleasant greetings from the multiple ladies that I encountered. Bella Regina I will see you again to try something else! Well done in the kitchen. Cheers.

Ashley S

02 Jun 2025

Have heard so many great things about the food and I was not disappointed. Everything was great, staff is friendly and the food is absolutely delicious!! HUGE portions so make sure to go hungry! We will definitely be going back!!!

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