Customer's Reviews

U.L.
Auburndale, MA   4/29/2011

The first time we tried to go here they were full with a 40 minute wait to be seated, the next time we were smart enough to make reservations.
It's a small place, so unless you go very early I'd say making reservations is the sensible thing to do.

There's a reason they always seem to be doing a buzzing trade though (I work right across the street and have never seen them empty!)- the food is great.
Really fresh and tasty. I had a salad with a simple dressing, but you could tell the dressing was handmade and all the veggies were fresh and delicious. I often judge places by the salad, as it's so simple but so often you get a sad limp pile of fail. Not so at Bocca Bella.
My old-school Italian husband loved his starter too- best Minestrone he'd ever had, according to him (just don't tell his Grandma).
For my main course I had trout stuffed with black olive pate. I'd never seen this combination before, but it worked really well.
The portions aren't huge, but they're just the right amount to leave you well-fed and satisfied.

The menu was small, but everything on it sounded great and it was tough to pick just one thing to try. Their dinner menu changes nightly, although I believe they have a lunch menu (also available in the evenings) which stays the same.

The staff were quick and friendly. We arrived just before the dinner seating officially began, but the waitress was great about keeping us supplied with drinks and snacks while our main courses cooked.
I don't mind a bit of a wait for food- it shows it's fresh! And it was kind of our fault for arriving early.

Great atmosphere, great food and great staff.
I love this place.



Beth T.
Stowe, MA   02/17/2001

Last week we were honored to try the Bocco Bella Cafe & Bistro. THere were 6 of us and everyone was thrilled with there entrees.
The Eggplant Parm was like being in Mario kitchen again.The House Specialty Hamburger was the best I have had in a long time.
My mother chicken dish special of the night there wasnt a bite left. Thanks for a great night!

Deb D.
Waltham, MA   02/15/2011

Since my parents had their 62nd Anniversary and Valentines Day home with the FLU... I ordered their dinner last night from BoccaBella Cafe!!!! I had the
chicken....Oh MY GOD... It was delish!!! My Dad had the always incredible Eggplant Parm!  My Mother... Ha ha she had Mario's special stuffed shrimp!!!!! I wish you could have seen her face when she took her first taste! No words! She was so happy and couldn't believe how different and how much flavor... On and on and on!!!!
Please pass along to that Genius CHEF how happy he made 2 house bound parents... Oh and Antipasto... Again a work of art. I love that the simple
salad is always different tooooo! He even put in muscles... What a guy.
Have a wonderful day

BoccaBella's #1 fan!!

Jennifer B.
Auburndale, MA   1/26/2011

So excited to finally have a restaurant in the neighborhood to get a GOOD bite to eat!  Our family had anxiously awaited Bocca Bella's opening and stopped by often in it's pre-opening phase to peer in the windows and talk to the owner.  Needless to say, we were excited to try it and it did not disappoint!  

Service was excellent and everyone we encountered was extremely warm and inviting, especially the owner.  The menu has a small, but well edited offering and entrees change on a daily basis.  Both my husband and I had special requests for our orders, which they were more than happy to accommodate for us. So glad I took our server's suggestion to try the Minestrone soup... loads of fresh veggies and so delicious!  (I have to admit that I've since stopped by about once a week to get a cup to go for lunch).  

It's hard not to fill up on the soup and homemade foccacia bread, but definitely make sure you save room for your dinner and then their dessert.  I wanted something light for dinner and asked that the caprese panini be made into a salad and it was fantastic.  My husband asked for chicken parm instead of veal, that too was delicious and I'll be sure to order it on our next trip back.  

We were too full for dessert, but didn't need much convincing to take home a yummy molten chocolate cake for later (our waitress was even thoughtful enough to send us home with heating instructions so we could enjoy it at its best).  
My only complaint, if you could call it that, is that the wine list is smaller than I would like, but I'm hoping it will expand over time.  
Bocca Bella, you were definitely worth the wait!!!
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bocca-bella-cafe-and-bistro-auburndale

Bethany F.
Newton, MA  1/20/2011 

I live down the street from Bocca Bella and was delighted when I saw they finally opened.
Went here for a mini-celebration over a bottle of wine and seafood chowder and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
They do a good job of being clean-cut & classy in atmosphere without over-doing it, which translates into both a nice day and evening feel.
The staff was very nice, if not a bit over-helpful (my boyfriend and I were enjoying a bottle of wine....leisurely....and it wasn't super busy...but the waitress asked us numerous times if we needed anything). I won't hold it against them though, I think they were just anxious to please :)

I will definitely be going back and trying lunch and dinner!
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bocca-bella-cafe-and-bistro-auburndale

J.D.
Brooklyn, NY   1/28/2011

Visited the Newton, MA area and was taken to The Bocca Bella Cafe & Bistro for dinner the first night and for lunch the following day and was pleasantly satisfied both times.  The first night I had the veggie pannini, delish! The second time, I ordered the caprese sandwich with a homemade chicken soup on the side that was so good, I wished I had ordered a larger portion.  The chicken was very tender and the veggies fresh.  The place is immaculately clean and the service is great.  The owners could not have been more friendly and attentive.  The Bocca Bella Cafe & Bistro is a little gem in this charming little town of Auburndale.  Can't wait to go back!
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bocca-bella-cafe-and-bistro-auburndale

Jay S.
Auburndale, MA 12/21/10

"I'm new to the neighborhood, just like this cute bistro. So even though I've never posted on Yelp before, I had to help out a fellow newbie. Bocca Bella is great -- when I went for lunch a couple Saturdays ago, service was attentive, the ingredients were fresh, and the vibe was pitch perfect for this location -- neighborly, with the right mix of hip (exposed brick wall, open floor plan) and subdued. My turkey burger was a delicious interpretation of a classic. My only wishes would be for a longer menu, and a more polished-looking menu as the current one is just on printer paper, but I'm sure those will come with time. For now, this is a great new entrant to the neighborhood and I hope it thrives in Auburndale!"
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bocca-bella-cafe-and-bistro-auburndale

Kathie F.
Hopkinton, MA 12/09/10

"Fell upon this cafe accidentally. Wanted a sandwich and didn't want to spend alot of time. This is a little gem. Decor is simple and quaint. One of the owners waited on us - he recommended the minestrone soup which is made daily. We are Italian and love to cook. This soup was outstanding! Fresh tomatoes, veggies and spices were perfect. The panini sandwiches were delicious. Fresh ingredients and the bread was fantastic. We took a dessert home because they all looked so good. I would go there just for tea and dessert! Definitely will try them for dinner."
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bocca-bella-cafe-and-bistro-auburndale

Greg L. 
Auburndale, MA  12/4/2010

Finally, a new restaurant for Auburndale. Went on a Friday at 7pm, had a 15 minute wait which I passed by ordering a beer and chatting with Anthony, one of the owners, and son-in-law of the chef, Mario Bocabella. The family owned and operated restaurant had a lively, local flavor and was hopping. The wait for tables began to stretch from 15 mins to 45 mins as it got closer to 8pm. Food was delicious, but a little slow coming out of the kitchen. Still working out some of the kinks of a new restaurant, but shows a lot of promise. Only one meal so far, but my Chicken Schnitzel was nicely done, moist and flavorful.
Will definately be going back
They do lunch and dinner
Italian and American fare, well done and reasonably priced.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bocca-bella-cafe-and-bistro-auburndale