Bella Luce

4.4 (452)

$30 and under

Italian

507 Franklin Ave, Nutley, NJ 07110

About this restaurant

Romantic
Good for special occasions
Neighborhood gem

For the many people who thought Luce Restaurant in Caldwell was the ultimate mix of “good food, good people, and good prices” you are in for a very pleasant surprise. Bella Luce in Nutley actually surpasses it as the quintessential dining experience in Northern New Jersey. Opened in March of 2015, Bella Luce picks up where Luce left off and has been transformed into a trendy, yet casual, atmosphere, serving authentic Italian cuisine highlighting signature dishes.

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Italian
Hours of operation
Dinner Wed, Thu 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(973) 661-4300
Website
http://www.lucerestaurant.com/
Dress code
Casual Dress

Location
507 Franklin Ave, Nutley, NJ 07110
Neighborhood
Nutley
Parking details
None

Sweet Fennel Sausage$9.00
broccoli rabe / potatoes / fresh garlic / tuscan olive oil
Arancini$9.00
risotto / prosciutto / mozzarella / parmigiano reggiano
Meatballs$9.00
passata di pomodoro / sheeps milk ricotta crema
Artichokes$10.00
grilled long stem artichokes / fresh mint gremolata / sharp provolone / house roasted peppers / pickled red onions
Crispy Calamari$12.00
sweet or spicy marinara
Shrimp Arrabiata$12.00
lightly floured / lemon / garlic / white wine / grape tomatoes / chili flakes / basil

Insalate

rosemary focaccia / ciabatta / french baguette / with balsamic mixed field greens or chips. Add salmon $9 / add shrimp $8 / add chicken $5

Arugula$10.00
baby arugula / ceci beans / red onions / grape tomatoes / crispy goat cheese / red wine vinaigrette
Di Cesare$10.00
crispy romaine hearts / ciabatta croutons / house made caesar dressing / marinated white anchovies
Farro$10.00
italian farro / baby arugula / capers / artichoke hearts / black olives /grape tomatoes / fresh mozzarella / lemon vinaigrette
Caprese$10.00
fresh mozzarella / tomatoes / fresh basil
Pear Salad$10.00
mixed field greens / candied walnut / bosc pears / gorgonzola / champagne vinaigrette
Di Barbabietole$10.00
golden & purple beets / fennel / orange segments / crumble goat cheese / red wine vinaigrette

Panini / Sandwiches

Broccoli Rabe & Sausage$12.00
extra virgin olive oil / garlic / sharp provolone
Caprese$10.00
fresh mozzarella /roasted tomatoes / fresh basil / arugula / basil pesto
Chicken Milanese$10.00
breaded cutlet / arugula / red onions / roasted peppers / fresh mozzarella / red wine vinaigrette
Frittata$8.00
potatoes /sweet peppers / eggs
Grilled Chicken$10.00
house roasted peppers / fresh mozzarella / arugula / balsamic vinaigrette
Parma$12.00
prosciutto di parma / arugula / house roasted peppers / sharp provolone
Veal Milanese$14.00
breaded cutlet / arugula / red onions / roasted peppers / fresh mozzarella / red wine vinaigrette

Battilardo

Affettati (Cured Sliced Meats)
prosciutto di parma / capicolla / hot sopressata / salami / served with ciabatta toast and fruit mostarda
- Pick Any 2 for$8.00
- Pick Any 3 for$12.00
- Pick Any 5 for$20.00
Formaggi
gorgonzola dolce / pecorino toscano / sharp provolone / fontina
- Pick Any 2 for$8.00
- Pick Any 3 for$12.00
- Pick Any 5 for$20.00

Pasta & Risotto

Tonnarelli Cacio E Pepe$16.00
house made tonnarelli / cacio de roma / fresh ground black pepper
Linguine Siciliano$18.00
long hot peppers / anchovies / grape tomatoes / tuscan olive oil / garlic / toasted bread crumbs
Linguine Pesto$18.00
house made basil pesto / pecorino romano / pignoli nuts / fresh garlic / tuscan olive oil / grape tomatoes
Bucatini Amatriciana$18.00
pancetta / onions / tomatoes / pecorino romano / chili flakes
Fettucine Norcia$20.00
housemade fettucine / cremini / shiitake / porcini / roasted garlic / black truffle butter / roasted grape tomatoes
Paccheri Bolognese$20.00
veal / beef / pork / tomatoes / touch of cream / parmigiano
Pasta Braids$21.00
brussel sprouts / pancetta / white beans / fresh garlic / tuscan olive oil / toasted bread crumbs
Short Ribs Pappardelle$24.00
house made pappardelle / braised beef short ribs / tomatoes / parmigiano / fresh ricotta
Shrimp Risotto$25.00
arborio rice / roasted grape tomatoes / sweet peas/ mushrooms / sherry sauce

Secondi

Chicken Oreganata$23.00
boneless chicken breast / mushrooms / sweet vinegar peppers / lemon / white wine / oreganata bread crumbs
Veal Alla Romana$25.00
prosciutto / sage / garlic / rosemary / white wine sauce / spinach / roasted potatoes
Pollo Toscano$25.00
free range bone in chicken / roasted garlic / thyme / rosemary / black olives / white wine / pancetta
Grilled North Atlantic Salmon$26.00
spinach / roasted potatoes / grape tomatoes / lemon / white wine / garlic / thyme
Jumbo Shrimp$27.00
broccoli rabe / cannellini beans / grape tomatoes / fresh garlic / calabrian chili oil / lemon vinaigrette
Grilled Pork Chop$28.00
roasted long hot peppers / sweet peppers / caramelized onions / fresh garlic / tuscan olive oil / roasted potatoes / sicilian sea salt
Brodetto Di Pesce$30.00
shrimp / day boat scallops / clams / calamari / prince edward island mussels / garlic / light tomato broth / ciabatta toast

Sides

Polenta and Tomato Sauce$8.00
Broccoli Rabe$9.00
Meatballs$9.00
Brussels Sprouts and Pancetta$9.00

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Bella Luce.

4.4

(452)

4.5Food
4.4Service
4.2Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

440 Reviews

M
Michael
New York City7 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 2, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always a pleasure at Bella Luce, Joe and his staff are very hands on and attentive throughout the dinner. The Old Fashioned is top notch and food is amazing.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York City2 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 19, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food and service! The ambiance was great! Thank you!
Is this helpful?
P
Peter
New Jersey18 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 21, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
A refreshing menu in a relatively quiet environment. We will return!
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S
Sue
Philadelphia8 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 14, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
We love to eat here and We always go here for Valentines Day. They don’t have a pre fix menu ..it’s full! And the food was delicious as always !!! The tiramisu was outstanding. Always a pleasure going here!
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R
Rossi
New York City1 review
5.0
Dined on December 31, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This is our third time coming, and we always have a great time, amazing food!
Is this helpful?
G
Gregory
New York City5 reviews
4.0
Dined on December 21, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Have been to Bella Luce several times before because the food is always good, and they did not disappoint this time, either. The soups were obviously home made and good. The main courses were also good. The food server was attentive and personable. With the bar situated in the center, the noise level can be higher than we would like. This time, however; the noise was coming from a large table - not much they can do about that. My only disappointment is the ambiance. The section we were in was brightly lit and it was chilly, as evidenced by the space heater they had running. Hopefully, this is a temporary issue. We will return.
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O
Orlando
New Jersey1 review
1.0
Dined on September 27, 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
From a 5 star years ago to a zero now. As soon as we entered the restaurant a very nasty, musky smell hit us. That was STRIKE ONE. STRIKE TWO was the waitress asking us if we preferred tap water or bottled. STRIKE THREE place was empty. We got up and left, but not before telling them why
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D
Debi Gold
Denver39 reviews
5.0
Dined on September 21, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We came to visit friends in NJ. There were 7 of us. This restaurant was recommended by a friend. All of us loved it. When we got there we discovered there was music playing. It was fun music but very loud. They were so nice and moved us in the back so we could talk to each other. The food was fantastic. Great portions. Everyone really enjoyed the evening. Service couldn’t have been better
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A
Andy Sandel
New Jersey1 review
5.0
Dined on July 17, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
went here for my birthday.. food and service was great.. friendly atmosphere
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner Gold
New York City9 reviews
4.0
Dined on July 10, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Excellent food, the night we dinned there was a jazz band, so the noise level was high. Food was a bit slow coming out of the kitchen, but I'm sure every night is different. Overall, a good experience.
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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Italian
Hours of operation
Dinner Wed, Thu 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(973) 661-4300
Website
http://www.lucerestaurant.com/
Dress code
Casual Dress

Location
507 Franklin Ave, Nutley, NJ 07110
Neighborhood
Nutley
Parking details
None

Home
United States
New Jersey
Essex
Nutley

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

Bella Luce

About this restaurant

Permanently Closed

There’s more to explore

Additional information

Antipasti

Sweet Fennel Sausage$9.00

Arancini$9.00

Meatballs$9.00

Artichokes$10.00

Crispy Calamari$12.00

Shrimp Arrabiata$12.00

Insalate

Arugula$10.00

Di Cesare$10.00

Farro$10.00

Caprese$10.00

Pear Salad$10.00

Di Barbabietole$10.00

Panini / Sandwiches

Broccoli Rabe & Sausage$12.00

Caprese$10.00

Chicken Milanese$10.00

Frittata$8.00

Grilled Chicken$10.00

Parma$12.00

Veal Milanese$14.00

Battilardo

Affettati (Cured Sliced Meats)

Formaggi

Pasta & Risotto

Tonnarelli Cacio E Pepe$16.00

Linguine Siciliano$18.00

Linguine Pesto$18.00

Bucatini Amatriciana$18.00

Fettucine Norcia$20.00

Paccheri Bolognese$20.00

Pasta Braids$21.00

Short Ribs Pappardelle$24.00

Shrimp Risotto$25.00

Secondi

Chicken Oreganata$23.00

Veal Alla Romana$25.00

Pollo Toscano$25.00

Grilled North Atlantic Salmon$26.00

Jumbo Shrimp$27.00

Grilled Pork Chop$28.00

Brodetto Di Pesce$30.00

Sides

Polenta and Tomato Sauce$8.00

Broccoli Rabe$9.00

Meatballs$9.00

Brussels Sprouts and Pancetta$9.00

Additional information

Permanently Closed