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DiBella's Italian Restaurant

MY REVIEW: Was in Galveston for a jump rope tournament-asked the folks at our hotel where to get good Italian and they suggested DiBella's. Called ahead and said we could get in-when we walked in the hostess knew who we were! Very kid friendly-delicious and reasonably priced meals. We could tell this is where the locals dined and were happy to have the suggestion. Loved the atmosphere-fun pictures and signage. The waitress was lovely-had worked there 20 years, through hurricanes and the fire of 2009. Charlie, the owner came and said hello, had lived in our region years ago. Would highly recommend.

NAME: Mary S
SUBMITTED: 6/27/2011   LAST VISIT WAS: 06/2011
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: My family and I love their subs. We think they are fresh and delicious. We tend to visit on weekends for an out-to-lunch expierience. We have never had dessert there, but I am sure it is good. Our family has never had a problem, I recommend it.

NAME: Allied
SUBMITTED: 3/28/2011   LAST VISIT WAS: 3/11
FREQUENCY: Visited 2-3 times

MY REVIEW: Wonderful food and atmosphere. We have eaten there several times, and it remains one of our favorite places on the island. I recommend the steak or chicken tortellini.

NAME: Cari
SUBMITTED: 3/8/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: 01/2008
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times

MY REVIEW: My husband and I had dinner at DiBella's and we don't plan to ever go back. We called ahead to ask if we needed a reservation if we arrived at a certain time, and we were told no. We arrived at that time and nothing was available. The waiter/manager apologized and asked us if we would like to have a glass of wine while we wait at the bar. We said ok. We were shocked when he charged us $5.00 a glass for the wine, which we thought was complimentary. We called it to his attention and he apologized for giving us that impression, but did not take it off the bill. When my entree arrived, I have penne pasta instead of Linguine. We did not get marinated vegetables with the salad. They did not have cappuccino because the cappuccino machine was broken. We could not get Italian cream cake because the lady that made it for them does not do it anymore. I had spumoni which was the worst I have ever had. The worse part was the careless attitude of the staff. We will never return to the restaurant.

NAME: Debbie
SUBMITTED: 7/24/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: 7/2007
FREQUENCY: Visited 2-3 times

MY REVIEW: While visiting Galveston this weekend I asked a local where to go for italian & they said Di Bella's. They were right on the money! It was small & they were quite busy but I thought it was delicious! They brought out free marinated veggies & garlic bread that was very good! I had the Meatball Grinder-it was so good! The meatballs & sauce were very tasty! The cheese melted on top of the crispy roll was so good!! The salad was a bit plain but thats okay as I am not a big salad fan. My Mother had the eggplant parmigiana & she enjoyed that as well. Actually everyone at our table enjoyed their food. The prices were very reasonable & our waiter Paul was extremely heplful and nice-they even did separate checks for all 6 of us. That is always helpful!! It was a bit smoky as its one big room & the sections are only separated by a set of booths but once we were at our table it was fine. I will definitely be going back & also recommend this place!

NAME: Tammyf
SUBMITTED: 5/14/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: 05/07
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: My first time visiting Galveston and wanted to try a 'local' restaurant, everyone we talked to recommended DiBella's as the best Italian restaurant in town. We were very disappointed, the sausage was mealy and just tasted badly, the shrimp was well over cooked, the wine list was very limited, and the chicken parmiagiana was tasteless. The house Italian dressing was very good, that was about all that was good. We were there by 8 pm and practically rushed out by 9, it was overall not a pleasant experience and I would not recommend it to anyone.

NAME: RBrown
SUBMITTED: 2/22/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: 02/2007
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: Was tickled to be getting back to a favorite Galv haunt of mine - brought a friend.... was sorely disappointed.

No Steak DiBella on the menu now - when my guest asked for the veggie DiBella, was informed "no veggies" but offered to bring out the sauce alone... was really bland and not really warm.

My veal piccata looked like a stew it was watery; the alfredo was yummy as was the bread. When we asked for olive oil, it came to the table plain. We added to it the condiments that were already on the table - then the waitress started to CHARGE us for that! BS!

Dont know if they've sold this place or the younger generation is slacking on the food - or both! But I know one thing -- I'll not be going back.....

NAME: donnagay
SUBMITTED: 10/31/2006   LAST VISIT WAS: 10/28/06
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times

MY REVIEW: DiBella's has been my favorite place to eat rib eye steak. The steak is marinated in a wonderful sauce that I have been unable to reproduce in my own kitchen. Unfortunately the last three time I have visited the restaurant the steak was so tough it was difficult to eat. On my last visit I mentioned it to the server and they did offer to bring out a filet. I hope they find a new place to order their steaks as the flavor is marvelous and the service is great.

NAME: galveston gourmet
SUBMITTED: 2/3/2006   LAST VISIT WAS: 02/2006
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...

MY REVIEW: I HAVE WORKED IN THE FOOD BUSINESS FOR TWENTY SOME YEARS AND WHENEVER I GO OUT AND EAT I TEND TO SIT AND WATCH EVERYONE AND CRITIQUE EVERYTHING. DIBELLAS IS THE BEST BY FAR OF ANY ITALIAN FOOD I HAVE EATEN. AND TO SIT AND WATCH WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND YOU IS PURE DELIGHT AND FUN. BRAVO TO YOU DIBELLAS FROM AN OKLAHOMA ADMIRER.

NAME: SLCOUS
SUBMITTED: 6/22/2005   LAST VISIT WAS: 2004
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times

MY REVIEW: My brother and our wives visited Dibella's while we were visiting Galveston in our RVs. We always try and find the neat places off the beaten path. We found a good one in DiBella's! We went for lunch and had a really nice meal! Crabmeat augraten (I think that is spelled right) appitizer for $4.95 was a great deal, and delicious. The atmosphere is great and the service was excellent. Let the hords of tourists have the restaurants along the seawall. We enjoy dining with the locals. They always know where the better places are! Bravo DiBella's!!!!!

NAME: Carl
SUBMITTED: 6/7/2005   LAST VISIT WAS: May 2005
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: The ambiance here really gets you in the mood for good Italian food and DiBella's delivers! My husband and I love this place -- reminds us of Italian restaurants in New England. A truly wonderful experience. Request sitting in the back room though if you're not a smoker.

NAME: CJJJ
SUBMITTED: 4/14/2005   LAST VISIT WAS: 04/05
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...

MY REVIEW: DiBella's is still my favorite restaurant even after moving from Galveston five years ago. At the time, Everybody did know my name =) and I have brought many friends and family to dine with me there. I have so many fond memories, I cannot count them.

I have never been placed in a back room except for once and I never minded at all. I adore their shrimp scampi. I have spent many many nights trying to duplicate it and never have. I always get the entire appetizer platter with the sausage, shrimp mozzarella, crab fingers and the shrimp scampi. I could dip my bread in the shrimp scampi sauce and dine on that alone.

Let the tourists go to Gaidos. I like keeping DiBellas as the best kept secret in Galveston.

NAME: Jennifer
SUBMITTED: 2/3/2005   LAST VISIT WAS: 02/02
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times

MY REVIEW: Setting and the mood of the restaurant sets you up perfectly for the food. Although the steak and pork chops are AWESOME the steak there is great as well. Definitely worth the drive from Baytown to Galveston 4-5 times a year. Highly recommended.

NAME: GiGem Ags
SUBMITTED: 10/3/2004   LAST VISIT WAS: 09-2004
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times

MY REVIEW: They don't know me by name at DiBella's, but I have gone there at least 3-4 times a year for the past 4 years.

Hands-down, this is my favorite Italian restaurant on the island. I did not even know this place existed before moving to Galveston. I used to drive down from Houston and would usually eat at Gaido's or another well-known-to-tourists restaurant. After moving here, a neighbor suggested I try this place out. I was hooked from the start.

Small, but tasty (and free) antipasto. All-you-can-eat (and free) garlic bread. The stuff is the best! It's hard not to fill up on this stuff before your entree comes. A very large menu with a little bit of everything from soup to sandiches to entrees...and of course, dessert.

They don't take credit cards, so stop off at the ATM before eating here. The entree prices range from about $9-24 or so. Not exactly cheap, but definitely worth it. If you're on a budget, get a sandwich or else get the following entree: grilled chicken with angel hair pasta (about $10 and SOOO good...I get this a lot actually.)

I read someone else's complaint about sitting in the annex. I have never sat there so I don't know how bad it is. The front room is awesome...ask for a booth. Btw, there is NO view (you wouldn't want it anyway! LOL) but the ambience and food more than make up for being away from the water. Most of T*ilman Fertitta's establishments (S*altgrass, J*oes Crab Shack, W*illie G's, etc) are near the water, are extremely noisy (make DiBella's seem almost quiet!) and they have extrememly average food these days. Not to mention their prices have sky-rocketed since the convention center opened.

Check out the "mom & pop" DiBella's. You'll love it!

NAME: Galveston Girl
SUBMITTED: 8/4/2004   LAST VISIT WAS: June 2004
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times

MY REVIEW: I read the reviews on this restaurant and fully anticipated a wonderful experience with some great Italian antipasta and veal. Their idea of "antipasta" was simply chopped celery and carrot in what seemed like saltwater. Don't expect a true antipasta here! I then spoke to the manager, who simply told me she had "had a bad day" and walked away from me as I was speaking. At that point, I decided to leave and never come back. The atmosphere was apparently locals, who brought the entire family. It was loud and certainly disappointing. The garlic bread looked as though someone had had it before us and picked through it. Needless to say, I left before the entree because of her attitude, and my experience there, even though I had driven a long way to have dinner there.

NAME: disappointed Italian cook
SUBMITTED: 7/9/2004   LAST VISIT WAS: 6/04
FREQUENCY: Visited once

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