Reserve now:
Nizza La BellaReservations
Restaurant Reviews List >
San Francisco Bay Area Restaurant Reviews >
East Bay Restaurant Reviews >
Albany Restaurant Reviews >
French Restaurant Reviews
Nizza La Bella Reviews List
Nizza La Bella
Nizza La Bella is a casual, reasonably priced, neighborhood bistro that features the lively French and Italian Riviera inspired cuisine of the city of Nice. We serve simple rustic style comfort food in a relaxed and intimate traditional French Bistro ambiance. The heart of our restaurant is the kitchen's massive imported French wood-fired oven, where pizzas, roasts, seafood, fish, gratins, desserts and hearth breads emerge from its fire-lit glow. The zinc top bar is the convivial center of the restaurant offering artisan cocktails, aperitifs, spirits, cordials, wines and beers. Our cozy dining room seats 40 with additional seats at the bar. We can accommodate most small to mid-size parties and larger parties upon request.
See more Nizza La Bella details
52 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Rating Breakdown 52 reviews
5 stars
(13)
4 stars
(31)
3 stars
(6)
2 stars
(2)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(37)
- fit for foodies(23)
- special occasion(10)
- romantic(7)
- notable wine list(6)
- great for brunch(4)
Nizza La Bella Reviews List
Review 1 for Nizza La Bella
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great find
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Enjoyed dinner Mussels really good. Dinner size very generous. Steak frites not quite as good.
Meat a little too chewy. Great bottle of chianti. Very comfortable. Recommend it."
Meat a little too chewy. Great bottle of chianti. Very comfortable. Recommend it."
Dined on 6/03/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, kid-friendly
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 2 for Nizza La Bella
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
always good
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"the mussels and fries are always a must and the service is always great..."
Dined on 5/27/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 3 for Nizza La Bella
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Excellent as usual
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Never get disappointed. Highly recommended."
Dined on 5/17/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 4 for Nizza La Bella
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
great neighborhood French bistro
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"This is a very French bistro. It is casual neighborhood place and not snooty. We came here for Mother’s Day brunch and it was a bit crowded and rushed. The food was very good, but not exceptional. We had the eggs benedict and the shrimp salad. Excellent desserts included a strawberry shortcake with fresh-picked strawberrys on home-made pound cake, and pan perdu. We will come back for dinner because the menu includes a number of French specialties we would like to try. There is a full bar with an excellent cocktail list, including a number of old-time classics. The Street parking is fairly easy and that is a definite plus."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: great for brunch, neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 5 for Nizza La Bella
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
fine food
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"nizzas was not what i expected but was in fact better. the man i believe is the owner, jose, was delightful and a jazz musician who played excellent music on the sound system
the food was sensational. i had an appetizer which included meatballs on a skewer. delicious. my entree was muscles in a white wine sauce, the best.
my wife had steak slices with a side a french fries. we had shared the entree and my muscles so she only touched her steak. the only complaint i have is there was too much salt on the steak but we will ask for less when we return which we will.
the ambience is fair at best but the very friendly and helpful staff more than made up for it. sparse wine list but excellent cocktails.
this will become a regular stop for us."
the food was sensational. i had an appetizer which included meatballs on a skewer. delicious. my entree was muscles in a white wine sauce, the best.
my wife had steak slices with a side a french fries. we had shared the entree and my muscles so she only touched her steak. the only complaint i have is there was too much salt on the steak but we will ask for less when we return which we will.
the ambience is fair at best but the very friendly and helpful staff more than made up for it. sparse wine list but excellent cocktails.
this will become a regular stop for us."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 6 for Nizza La Bella
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Wonderful experience
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Cocktail list is original, and my Sugar Baby (with brown sugar, bourbon, and egg white) was quite good. Wait staff and bartender are very friendly and helpful. The waiter personally sang "Happy Birthday" to my husband. On-street parking was easy to find. Loved the spinach salad, and the carrots served with my salmon were particularly tasty."
Dined on 5/06/2013
Special Features: romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 7 for Nizza La Bella
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
great neighborhood spot
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We'd make the drive to Nizza if we had to. But fortunately they are in our neighborhood. Excellent pizza. Mussels in spicy Pernod sauce are the best. Great signature cocktails that change often enough to get to try something new."
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 8 for Nizza La Bella
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Cozy and tasty!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We love coming here every time. the food is dependable and delicious."
Dined on 4/29/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 9 for Nizza La Bella
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
We were seated promptly upon
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We were seated promptly upon arrival. The food was first rate. There was a good choice of wines over a wide price range. Service was very good and all of our party enjoyed the experience. A consistently good restaurant with a nice menu for all tastes."
Dined on 04/19/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 10 for Nizza La Bella
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Nizza french
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"kind of a run of the mill place. neighborhood crowd. food is ok with an odd frenchish bent to it."
Dined on 04/02/2013
2009
Special Features: notable wine list
Share:
-1point
0of 1voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 11 for Nizza La Bella
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great ambiance
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I returned for the second time and enjoyed Nizza La Bella again. The salmon and vegetables were great. The vegetables were cooked just right.
The tables are somewhat close and we ended up talking with the people on both sides of us (which is a plus for us). One younger couple lived in Emeryville, the older couple on the other side lived in the neighborhood and come every Friday night. The waiter was friendly and competent. I will return."
The tables are somewhat close and we ended up talking with the people on both sides of us (which is a plus for us). One younger couple lived in Emeryville, the older couple on the other side lived in the neighborhood and come every Friday night. The waiter was friendly and competent. I will return."
Dined on 03/29/2013
2003
Special Features: neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 12 for Nizza La Bella
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
We've been here once before
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We've been here once before and brought some friends this time. Delicious food and great atmosphere for a local hidden gem.."
Dined on 03/22/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 13 for Nizza La Bella
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
LOVE THIS PLACE!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"My wife and I eat here very often and simply love the food, the service and the atmosphere. It's exactly my idea of a great neighborhood restaurant..... but it's more than that because the food is so excellent."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 14 for Nizza La Bella
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Excellent Restaurant. Interesting
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Excellent Restaurant. Interesting Cocktails"
Dined on 03/15/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 15 for Nizza La Bella
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Nizza La Bella doesn't disappoint
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Great for non-pretentious rustic French food. I like their cocktails too. All good. Just a great local place with really good food."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2012
Special Features: neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 16 for Nizza La Bella
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
A wonderful neighborhood find!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"My wife and I have been eating here for years and simply love it. The food is exceptional, and the atmosphere is warm and cozy. We know the bartender and waiters (as well as the owner), and they always make us feel right at home.
The restaurant is small and feels like a French bistro. The onion soup and Caesar salad are the best in town!"
Dined on 02/23/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 17 for Nizza La Bella
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
The food was disappointing
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"The food was disappointing this time, has been better in the past."
Dined on 02/13/2013
2010
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 18 for Nizza La Bella
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
We had a wonderful meal there
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We had a wonderful meal there on Valentine's day. It was very crowded but the service was very good nonetheless. The muscles were excellent, as was the steak. The fries were always good. And they had a special
valentines chocolate dessert which was delicious."
valentines chocolate dessert which was delicious."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2007
Special Features: neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 19 for Nizza La Bella
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Disappointment
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I have eaten at the restaurant many times and, until this experience, I have enjoyed it. We went there on Valentine's Day. The food was not good. The steak was way overcooked (ordered medium rare) and the fries too greasy. The attitude of the staff seemed to be -- move people in and out. Very disappointing."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2010
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 20 for Nizza La Bella
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
The start was a bit rocky
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The start was a bit rocky but since it was Valentine's Day we expected a bit of a mad house. Not sure if it was the owner/manager/host but the woman seating people tried to close the door on my boyfriend as we made our way in. She was a bit gruff all around. They were a bit overrun but thankfully our reservation meant we weren't turned away.
This was our first time here and we both enjoyed our meals. Service was extremely inattentive and our experience with the host or whatever she was wasn't the best start to the night. The Cocktails were fairly stiff. Prices were a bit high for us to become regulars even though we live only a couple of blocks away."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2011
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 21 for Nizza La Bella
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I thought the food was excellent
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I thought the food was excellent as was the price."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2004
Special Features: fit for foodies, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Ratings-Only Reviews for Nizza La Bella
Based on the average of (31) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
6 out of 6 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic