Bella Italia

Food and drink in Port Angeles, Washington, United States

About

What It Is

Bella Italia is an upscale Italian restaurant situated in downtown Port Angeles, Washington, at 118 East 1st Street ^[1][2]. The restaurant opened in the spring of 1996, founded by proprietor Neil Conklin with the stated goal of bringing people together through warm Italian hospitality ^[2]. Two friends, Mirella Lorena Benedetti from Bologna and Mirella Hunley from Catania, Sicily, helped shape the authenticity of the menu ^[2]. The restaurant gained international recognition after being featured as the setting for the first date scene in Stephenie Meyer's 2005 novel Twilight ^[2].

Activities & Experiences

Diners can order from a dinner menu that draws on fresh Pacific Northwest ingredients, including salmon from Neah Bay, halibut from the Quileute Tribe in La Push, Dungeness crab from Port Angeles and Sequim, mussels and clams from Hood Canal, and organic produce from Nash Huber's Dungeness Valley Farm ^[2]. The restaurant maintains a wine bar with over 500 labels spanning Italian, Californian, and Washington wines, including a house Sangiovese produced in collaboration with Walla Walla vintners ^[2]. Twilight fans can order Bella's Mushroom Ravioli, the dish ordered by the fictional character Bella Swan in the novel, which has become a signature menu item ^[1][2]. Retail wine sales and takeout are also available ^[1].

Practical Access

Bella Italia is located at 118 East 1st Street in downtown Port Angeles, Washington ^[1][2]. Operating hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm; the restaurant is closed Sunday, Monday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas ^[2]. Reservations and current fee information can be confirmed via the restaurant website at bellaitaliapa.com or by phone at 360-457-5442 ^[2].

Restrictions

No specific restrictions noted in the sources.

What Makes It Distinctive

Bella Italia combines a Pacific Northwest sourcing philosophy with an Italian culinary tradition, drawing fresh seafood and organic produce from named local suppliers across the Olympic Peninsula region ^[2]. The restaurant's wine list of more than 500 labels, including wines from two Port Angeles wineries, sets it apart from typical regional dining options ^[2]. Its documented role as a real-world location in the Twilight novel series has drawn visitors from around the world specifically to dine on the mushroom ravioli dish mentioned in the book, giving it a cultural dimension unusual for a restaurant of its size ^[1][2].

Sources

1. Bella Italia - Forks Chamber of Commerce
2. Bella Italia: Delectable Italian Cuisine in Friendly Ambience

• Open year-round
• Typical duration: 2h

Things to do

• italian dinner dining
• wine tasting

Amenities

• retail wine sales
• takeout available
• wine bar on-site

Features

• award-winning wine list
• fresh local seafood (sources: Neah Bay, La Push, Port Angeles, Hood Canal)
• frozen entree available (item: Bella's Mushroom Ravioli frozen)
• house wine sangiovese (producer: Walla Walla vintners)
• italian hospitality concept (founders: Mirella Benedetti, Mirella Hunley)
• local organic produce (supplier: Nash Huber's Dungeness Valley Farm)
• signature twilight menu item (dish: Bella's Mushroom Ravioli)
• twilight filming location — first date scene setting
• wine list 500+ labels (regions: Italy, California, Washington)

Nearby

• harbinger winery (city: Port Angeles)
• olympic cellars winery (city: Port Angeles)

Good to know

• address (address: 118 E 1st St, Port Angeles, WA 98362)
• closed sun-mon
• closed thanksgiving and christmas
• dinner service only
• established 1996 (season: spring 1996)
• hours are tuesday - saturday: 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm. sunday and monday is closed.
• phone number (phone: +1-360-457-5442)

Catalog identifier: AVIA-AM6Y-6187G