Bel Paese

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  9      Value  9     

Bel Paese is terrific venue for a corporate lunch or an intimate dinner. The terrace which opens out onto a lovely garden is tranquil and restfull. The food is northern italian with lots of seafood specialities. The service is professionally attentive and friendly without any trendy attitude. The wine list is diverse and offers wine from smaller lesser known vineyards which is great. Pino makes everyone feel like family when they eat there.

Jan 10, 2012 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  10     

After hearing so much about the place, I finally went to Bel Paese in North Sydney for lunch on a sunny spring day. From the ambience of the restaurant and its garden to the tasting of the meals and desserts, I was very impressed with this restaurant. Whilst waiting for the meal to be served, we had bread being served with olive oil. I had a perfect seafood risotto with my colleague having a mouth-melting spinach and ricotta filled ravioli. We were already full in stomach and with our eyes (by looking over its beautiful garden) but felt we have to give a try to its renowned Tiramisu. I am so glad that I have tried. It was the best every Tiramisu in Venetian style with espresso and liquor!

Sep 19, 2011 

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  9     

I’m a harsh critic but this place is excellent. We went as a large work group and the food was top quality. We asked for a special order, crab linguini and they obliged. We all enjoyed our meals, good wine, imported beer and everything was served fresh. There were several Italians among our group and we were all impressed at the genuine Northern Italian food that was being served. Lovely atmosphere too, nice garden back drop and good quality decor. I intend to bring my clients, friends and family here.

May 03, 2011 

3.3 Below Average

Food  3      Ambience  8      Service  1      Value  1     

I went to Bel Paese for a work luncheon. I had requested vegetarian food (there are two vegetarians in our group) and at first we were offered gnocchi with tomato sauce, which was $28! We went back and told them that the vegetarian choice was not good, so they offered vegetarian risotto, which we grudgingly accepted. When I arrived at the restaurant and went to sit down, the waiter asked who the vegetarians were. When I said I was one, he said there were plenty of other restaurants in the area to eat at. I found this absolutely rude and disrespectful. They did then make a bit of an effort with extra vegies, but I would never eat here again. Do not eat here if you expect either respect for diversity, or polite service.

Dec 07, 2010 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  9     

Have gone to Bel Paese for both Business Lunches and Dinner as well as private functions and have always found it to be a pleasant experience. Besides having a choice of wonderful food Pino is a very friendly and professional host. Service is excellent and the restaurant has been tastefully renovated. Definitely a place to go.

Dec 02, 2010 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  9     

I often do lunches at this place, the service is always spot on, it's bright and fresh and the food's good. Having a consistently good experience is what keeps me coming back.

Jun 17, 2010 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

One of my clients regularly takes me to Bel Paese for lunch. I've never been disappointed with any aspect of this restaurant. Pino is always a very gracious host and his staff reflect his commitment to providing a pleasant dining experience.

The menu is quite diverse, with the seafood especially fresh and tasty. I normally have a main course only and usually opt for the specials. They also make an outstanding coffee. As a venue for a business lunch in North Sydney, I highly recommend this restaurant. I'm looking forward to dining here again in the not too distant future.

Jan 29, 2010 

7.3 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  7     

Used to eat in this restaurant in the '90s while working in the area, so I was looking forward to eating there again after a recent invite for lunch. The renovation has resulted in a very trendy, spacious and airy restaurant, and despite the heat outside we were quite comfortable eventhough there is no a/c. For a Thursday lunch it was somewhat quiet, but I assume that this was mainly due to the economic climate.

Very friendly service from all the waiters. The whitebait fritter looked very appealing, but was somewhat bland, however, the blue-eyed cod main was excellent. Somewhat pricey (around $75/head, no wine), however, I would recommend it if you're after a upmarket venue in the North Sydney area.

Feb 06, 2009 

4 Below Average

Food  6      Ambience  6      Service  1      Value  3     

4 of us came for dinner and like all the other reviews we were only the second lot of people in this massive restaurant. The food was ok, we all ordered pasta dishes but one of us ordered the bruchetta as this person was not particularly hungry. The bruchetta was 1 small slice of bread. So value for money at this place is none existent.

The only reason we picked this restaurant to begin with is because it was in the North Shore entertainment book which meant buy one get one free. When we went to pay the waiter ( he was quite passionate about not giving us the discount) refused to give us one of our meals free. Then on further consultation he came back and offered to give us the bruchetta as our free meal which was 1 slice of bread and $3.50.

Overall disgusting service and to think that this restaurant is empty the majority of the time you would think they would be more inviting. I will not be back to this restaurant and would not recommend it to anyone.

Aug 30, 2008 

7 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  7     

Good business lunch here, 3 people for $200 and great service with good food. We'll be back!

May 06, 2008