Trattoria Bella Italia – Italian Terrace in Holligen

Atmosphere: Italian Terrace in Holligen

Trattoria Bella Italia sits on the busy Freiburgstrasse in Bern’s Holligen district. From the outside, the restaurant blends into the row of buildings rather inconspicuously – but once you step inside, you discover the real highlight: a spacious terrace shaded by green chestnut trees. On warm evenings, this is where life happens outdoors.

The interior is classic Italian trattoria: simple furnishings, red tablecloths, unpretentious and inviting. The dining room is compact, the crowd mixed – from regulars to families to couples. The menu is displayed on a chalkboard on the wall, offering a broad selection of classics.

The terrace is accessed through the dining room. Once you’re seated outside, the street noise from Freiburgstrasse almost disappears – the chestnut trees filter not just the light but also the sound. It’s this very mix of urban location and green oasis that gives this place its charm.

The Kitchen: Italian with Surprises

The menu is deliberately broad: wood-fired pizza, pasta classics like spaghetti bolognese and penne arrabbiata, meat dishes, and daily changing specials. What catches the eye at first glance: the house promotes cordon bleu as a specialty – a nod to Swiss cuisine that you wouldn’t necessarily expect at an Italian trattoria.

Starter: Green Salad with Pizza Bread

The house salad comes with a spicy dressing that gives the simple green salad a pleasant kick. What stood out positively was the bread: pizza bread served in a paper bag placed in a basket. The bread is warm, slightly crispy, and tastes excellent – a small but thoughtful gesture that I greatly appreciated.

Main Course: Cordon Bleu with Fries and Vegetables

The cordon bleu is deep-fried to a crispy golden brown and makes an excellent first impression. The breading is perfect – not too thick, nicely crunchy. On the left side of the plate sits a fresh salad, on the right the cordon bleu flanked by fries and vegetables. The fries are impeccable: crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, golden and well-salted.

Cutting it open reveals the weak point: the cordon bleu contains a lot of cheese – almost too much. In the center, the cheese isn’t fully melted, suggesting the core temperature during frying wasn’t high enough. The ham, however, is decent in quality. The vegetables are generously coated with butter (or fat), giving them a heavy feel. Overall, a solid dish that doesn’t fully convince.

In retrospect, the impression remains: the kitchen delivers solid but unexciting food. The ingredients are fine, the execution is technically correct – but it lacks that final touch of finesse that turns a good dish into a great one.

Service

The service is straightforward and attentive. Particularly noteworthy is the owner himself, who regularly checks in on tables throughout the service, asking if everything is all right and whether anything is needed. He personally says goodbye to his guests – a gesture that is no longer a given these days. The service isn’t intrusive but present when you need it. Overall, it’s a friendly, welcoming experience that makes you feel at home. Last visited on May 1, 2026.