Along a leafy stretch of Tianping Road, Bella Vita Bistro brings a quietly confident slice of Italy to Shanghai. Set within a charming two-level villa, complete with a relaxed patio that feels made for long afternoons and lingering aperitivi, the restaurant captures the essence of “dolce vita” without excess or pretense.
At the heart of the restaurant is Samuele Rossi, partner and general manager of the Bella Vita Group. His decade-long journey building the Bella Vita brand has led to this more refined yet approachable concept on Tianping Road.
Rossi arrived in Beijing in 2003 as a chef de cuisine and was promoted to executive sous chef at Grand Hyatt Beijing after a few years. In 2007, he moved to Macau to join MGM as executive sous chef before leaving in 2011 to join Bella Vita Group in Tianjin.
Credit: Courtesy of Bella Vita Bistro
Caption: Bella Vita, housed in a two-story villa, brings a quietly confident slice of Italy to Shanghai.
Credit: Hu Jun
Caption: Samuele Rossi is a partner and general manager of the Bella Vita Group.
After working in MGM Macau and Grand Hyatt Beijing, Rossi shifted attention back to “tradition.” “Bring quality traditions to your plate” became his motto, and he let ingredients and technique speak for themselves.
Rossi tracks Shanghai’s evolving eating scene. Despite the success of high-end Italian fine dining, Bella Vita Bistro offers a true bistro experience without sacrificing authenticity or artistry. It’s a place where familiarity meets finesse.
The kitchen’s approach is not about reinvention but about refinement. The dishes here are traditional, occasionally updated, but never distracted by trends. They are beloved culinary classics accented with premium seasonal ingredients.
Credit: Courtesy of Bella Vita Bistro
Caption: Aged serrano ham paired with fresh imported Burrata cheese, homemade pickled vegetables
“At Bella Vita Bistrò, exceptional Italian dining starts with exceptional ingredients. We select the finest seasonal produce and prepare it with authentic Italian techniques, preserving the simplicity, balance, and natural flavors of each ingredient,” Rossi said.
“More than a meal, we offer an authentic Italian experience where food, wine, service, and atmosphere come together. Warm hospitality and a relaxed, elegant setting invite guests to enjoy the Italian art of eating, drinking, and living well.”
The menu unfolds like a journey across Italy. It begins with a thoughtful selection of cheeses and cured meats: creamy burrata from Puglia, artisanal Cacciatorino salami paired with Asiago cheese, and a standout gorgonzola served with butter and radicchio with crunchy walnuts. Each element feels carefully sourced, and every plate is composed with restraint.
Credit: Courtesy of Bella Vita Bistro
Caption: Sautéed homemade spaghetti with Mozambique scampi and its flavorful bisque
Seafood lovers will gravitate toward the Frittura di Pesce, a golden assortment of lightly crisped seafood that evokes Italy’s coastal kitchens – fresh, generous, and deeply satisfying.
To begin, marinated sashimi-grade Argentinian prawns offer a bright, delicate opener that awakens the palate with their clean flavors before the meal unfolds.
Pasta, however, is where Bella Vita’s roots truly shine. The homemade lemon-infused spaghetti tossed with marinated yellowfin tuna cubes captures the lightness of summer.
Equally memorable is the Sardinian fregola pasta cooked in seafood stock and finished with fresh crab meat, delivering comforting depth and unmistakable coastal character.
Credit: Courtesy of Bella Vita Bistro
Caption: Uruguay wagyu M7/8 porterhouse steak, charcoal-grilled to perfection, finished with sea salt and green sauce
Rossi suggests the restaurant’s trademark charcoal-grilled Uruguayan wagyu M7/8 porterhouse steak for the main meal. Charcoal grilling gives the steak a caramelized coating while keeping it soft and moist.
What makes Bella Vita Bistro particularly compelling is its rhythm. The seasonal menu, monthly specials, and curated degustation options encourage regulars to return and discover new dishes.
Beyond supper, the experience continues with business lunches, afternoon breaks, aperitivo hour, and a leisurely evening.
Bella Vita Bistro doesn’t impress with flash. Instead, it welcomes guests to a genuine, well-executed Italian meal rooted in history and elevated by care.
Dining and Cooking