We found Italian food heaven in the West Midlands with divine dishes at prices that weren't out of this world

A charming, Puglian inspired courtyard with tumbling ivy cascading from a 30ft high ceiling, magnificent Murano glass chandeliers and luxurious seven-metre long woven curtains - adorned with birds of paradise - sits opposite Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.

It’s a spectacular spectacle - and oh, so Instagrammable - the enormous full length windows add to its allure - and there are so many quirky, crazy adornments every which way you turn as friendly, fun staff serve chattering clientele.

La Bellezza has been delighting diners with its beautifully unique interiors and divine dishes since it opened in the aptly named Paradise part of Birmingham city centre - not far from Albert’s Schloss, Dishoom, F1 Arcade and Cow & Sow.

You can’t help but be impressed as you enter the warm and welcoming restaurant through a rich, velvet curtain and be greeted by the space covered in 5,000 vintage bottles and a six metre wide book case filled with vintage novellas.

Part of the Big Mamma Group, La Bellezza, is one of 26 restaurants which has won huge praise across Europe with venues in France, Spain, Germany, Monday, Italy and London - Birmingham is the only UK destination for the team which were impressed by the city’s ability to sustain Michelin starred eateries.

Co-founders Victor Lugger and Tigrane Seydoux have told how their main goal is to bring to life the warmth and generosity of those little trattorias you find hidden throughout Italy to a wider audience around the world.

Italian food classics with a few cheeky, fun twists along the way

Their menus are renowned for featuring a host of classic Italian favourites - with a few cheeky, fun, twists along the way.

Margherita pizza is Mammargherita Di Bufala, there’s a Netflix and Chilli pizza for example. These are priced from £13.50 - not bad for a city centre venue in a prime location.

But my favourite classic Italian dish is the La Gran Carbonara. I love carbonara - it is one of my favourite food things ever - and La Bellezza’s version is among the tastiest I have ever encountered.

It’s served in a whole 8kg wheel of Pecorino DOP! There’s so much pasta, it is only available to share between two. The long, luscious, spaghetti strands covered cream and cheese were just the tonic for the cold winter - elevated by the crispiest pork bits and packing a punch with plenty of pepper. 

All my worries drifted further away with each forkful I managed to transport to my mouth without spilling all over myself, so keen was I to savour each bite.

I can’t wait to go back to try this again - it’s served with plenty of theatrics from the waiters as they scoop it out of the giant cheese and it's £18 per person.

I’ve visited La Bellezza twice since it opened. A friend booked it for her birthday and I was invited to experience the new venue through work.

On my second visit I chose the seabass dish - Spidino di Branzino. This, too, was a triumph. The grilled sea bass was served on skewers cut into generous portions. It was a magnificent feast of meaty fish which was so satisfying a herby aioli topping enhancing the moist, warm chunks. This meal came with the crispiest, tastiest potatoes - no need to smother these creations in salt and vinegar, they’re delicious all on their own!

'This alone is worth living for'

On my two visits I have enjoyed two very different starters. As well as carbonara, burrata is also one of my favourite food things. On my first visit I enjoyed Smoky Stracciatella - with my attention being drawn to the proud boast on the menu saying - ‘This alone is worth living for’.

It’s a bold statement, and not entirely untrue. Cool, mellow mounds of creamy cheese were covered with olive oil - it was delicious scooped up onto the warm ciabatta with a salty and crispy edge.

My other starter was an equally gorgeous Bruschetta Con Taleggio Fondue & Funghi which was a toasted focaccia bread topped with Lombardian cheese Taeggion, sauteed seasonal mushrooms and kale.

It was as good as it sounds - the only thing I would say about the starters - and desserts - is that they are generous portions, so it’s well worth sharing.

And speaking of generous portions, one of the Big Mamma Group’s most renowned desserts is their Incomparable Lemon Pie which stands at almost six inches! The menu calls this ‘THE must’ and I am easily persuaded by such commands when it comes to food.

It was as zingy and creamy as the menu suggested. I loved the crumbly base with amazing meringue topping. Definitely one for Instagram!

On my previous visit I shared a Profiterole Napoletana which was awesome, especially with the theatrics of warm valrhona chocolate being poured over chou pastry encasing soft gelato with caramelized walnuts. Actually - you may not want to share that one!

There’s a comprehensive wine list and some fun cocktails with great names that are also worth treating yourself to on a visit.

Italian food is so popular across Birmingham and the West Midlands. And La Bellezza is bringing it to a whole new level in this stunning restaurant brought to life by its passionate and dedicated team. Well worth a trip.

Sample menu

Starters:

Smoky Stracciatella £8

Bruschetta con Taleggio Fondue & Funghi £10

Mains:

La Gran Carbonara (Per 2) £18 per person

Spiedino di Branzino £24

Desserts:

The Incomparable Lemon Pie £8

Profiterole Napoletana £9.50