Tucked away on Blandford Street, Bellazul is the kind of place that makes you feel instantly welcome.
Maybe it’s the warm glow of the lights spilling out onto the street, or maybe it’s the buzz from the tables filled with happy diners – either way, I knew from the moment I walked in that I was in for a treat.
The story behind Bellazul is just as charming as the restaurant itself.
Professional images inside Bellazul (Image: Bellazul)
Bella, the owner, spent years travelling through the Mediterranean, tasting, learning, and collecting recipes from locals.
When she returned to London, she wanted to share all of those sun-soaked flavours with the city – and it’s safe to say she’s done just that.
Inside Bellazul (Image: Poppy Huggett)
It was a busy Thursday evening when I visited, with the place full of people enjoying post-work dinners and cocktails.
The space is bright and welcoming, with seating spread over two floors and a scattering of tables outside.
The downstairs seating area (Image: Poppy Huggett)
The open, airy feel upstairs is matched by the hum of the big kitchen downstairs, where the magic happens.
The service was exceptional – Larazos, the manager, was brilliant.
Warm, attentive, and clearly passionate about the food, he made sure every table was looked after without missing a beat.
We kicked things off with a few tapas plates to share.
The padron peppers (£8) were smoky and blistered just right, sprinkled with sea salt – simple, but addictive.
The Padron Peppers and Hummus (Image: Poppy Huggett)
The herbed hummus (£8) was a standout; creamy, fragrant, and served with warm bread that we used to mop up every last bit.
Then came the garlic butter prawns (£18) – plump, juicy, and swimming in a buttery, garlicky sauce.
The tapas starters (Image: Poppy Huggett)
The mushroom arancini (£9) were crispy on the outside, rich and earthy inside – the kind of comfort food you don’t want to share.
For mains, we couldn’t resist the lasana alla Fiorentina (£19).
The main event (Image: Poppy Huggett)
Layers of pasta, creamy spinach, and ricotta came together in a dish that felt indulgent yet fresh – easily my favourite of the night.
Despite being pretty full, we decided dessert was non-negotiable.
The main portions are big enough to feed two (Image: Poppy Huggett)
We shared the chocolate fondant with vanilla ice cream (£12), which arrived with a perfectly gooey centre that oozed rich chocolate with every spoonful.
The chocolate fondant was gooey, light and delicious (Image: Poppy Huggett)
The cocktails were another highlight.
The Picante Rosso (£14.50) had a fiery kick from the pickled chilli brine but was smoothed out with tequila and thyme-agave – a drink with personality.
Our chosen cocktails of the evening. (Image: Poppy Huggett)
The Amalfi Sour (£15) was lighter and fruity, with hints of elderflower and strawberry that felt like summer in a glass.
Everything about Bellazul feels well thought-out – from the portion sizes (generous) to the way each dish celebrates Mediterranean ingredients without overcomplicating them.
It’s the sort of place where you can pop in for a few tapas and a cocktail or settle in for a long, indulgent dinner.
Dining and Cooking