La Bella Roma Restaurant

1.8 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  2      Service  2      Value  1     

I really want to stand outside this place warning people not to go in. I feel so sorry for the staff - all badly trained and all obviously know they work for a dud. All too scared to ask if we enjoyed dinner as they know we would have said no.

Worst food ever - bland and tasteless. Don't have a wine list or even a drinks list, don't think they have desserts or coffee, at least we weren't offered any. The menu said they had gluten free pasta but they don't. People were all complaining and the lady in front of me was overcharged for drinks. Never ever go there - it's awful in every way.

Apr 08, 2012 

3 Below Average

Food  1      Service  6      Value  2     

Thoroughly recommend. The new menu is amazing. Great new wine list and the new prices are great, refreshing to find a business that passes on savings rather than trying to make a bigger profit. Cudos La Bella Roma, I will be back!

Jan 08, 2011 

1.8 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  4      Service  1      Value  1     

If you are considering eating here, I strongly recommend you find something else. This restaurant was truly disappointing, if not outright atrocious! The food was old, soggy, and burned, meals were not as described in the menu and two had to be sent back, while the rest of our party was resigning themselves to overpriced and mediocre meals. Alcoholic drinks were strongly watered down and a 0.2l glass of cheap concentrated orange juice came at $4.

The service was hopeless, with waiters having to be reminded to offer water, clear away entree dishes, bring cutlery and napkins. The list goes on, as the service continued to deteriorate throughout the night. Being acutely aware of their appalling standards, the staff, management and senior staffs became more and more rude, with no incentives being offered to accommodate our needs as honoured guests. The message that we were left with was, to "pay up and if you don't like it leave".

To top it all of, management then demanded we pay one single bill for our party of eight, which despite the horrible food and the empty stomachs was nearing $200, after two meals were "kindly" taken off the bill due to them being unedible. If you value food and service, do not eat here.

Jan 02, 2011 

2.3 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  5      Service  2      Value  1     

Not a good experience and our friends from the eating capital of Australia were really not impressed at all by the quality, presentation and cost. Firstly we couldn't order the dishes we wanted because they were sold out at 6.30 pm in the evening! Then what was ordered was not very appetizing or well presented to say the least. What was served as Tiramisu for dessert was disgusting! Needless to say we will not be returning in a hurry nor would we recommend the restaurant to anyone!

Oct 10, 2010 

1.5 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  2      Service  1      Value  1     

I recently took a well-travelled, sophisticated visitor from Sydney to this pseudo-Italian restaurant. I was extremely disappointed with the offerings on the wine list as when making the booking over the phone, I'd been told it was not b.y.o and they had an excellent variety. I found Lambrusco was at the top of the list. There were no fine red wines from Italy and the Australian wines were mostly very low grade. At $7 per glass (in a small white wine glass) we were served a shiraz that was cloyingly sweet.

I added water in an attempt to make it more palatable but that didn't work. We asked the waitress to take it back and give us the $9 per glass W.A. shiraz which was much better but again served in a small glass and looked like less than 100 ml. The food was edible. We had antipasto, salad and bruschetta. The salad was fresh and the bruschetta okay. However, the antipasto was mediocre and meagre, the salami which may have been Hungarian was from a small roll like you can purchase at a supermarket.

I was surprised at the complete lack of roasted vegetables replaced by sharp, pickled brown onions and sweet gherkins which are not Italian fare. I never would have complained but for what followed. On the bill we were charged for the first bad wine and told we had contaminated the wine by tasting it and adding water. To know about the water, someone must have been watching us like a hawk while we dined. Rather creepy. The senior staff was insistent. Bad form.

It would never happen in Sydney and certainly not in Italy. What a poor reflection on the Sunshine Coast which wishes to attract international visitors. To be subjected to such an appalling standard of cuisine, wine and service was insulting to say the least.

Oct 28, 2009 

10 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10     

La Bella Roma offers exactly what I expect from a family restaurant. The staff are friendly and helpful and the food is great value, with large portions and excellent flavours.

After reading the previous review I can only imagine that the person who wrote it is not satisfied with anything, and it is a shame that anyone can write such a negative review to tarnish the reputation of such a great restaurant.

Overall, I can say that my visit to La Bella Roma was a fantastic dining experience and I will definitely be back. It is refreshing to be served by staff with personality and walk out feeling satisfied.

Sep 04, 2009 

1.8 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  2      Service  1      Value  2     

La bella Roma lacks the class and sophistication one would expect from an Italian restaurant. Unfortunately, it's atmosphere, characterised by paper napkins and yobbo waitstaff, bares too many resemblances to sizzler.

Aug 14, 2009