La Bella Pizza Bistro: A Game Changer for Dumaguete Pizzerias

It is said that “Happiness is a slice of pizza” and in La Bella this is exactly what you will find – a blissful encounter with traditional brick oven pizza that will delight your taste buds and take you on a mozzarella high. They have brought authentic Italian pizza to the city of gentle people along with other savoury dishes of their own. Food Trip Dumaguete had the privilege to sample some of their best sellers and house specials, and it was one for the books.

Step into this restaurant by the Rizal Boulevard and you’ll feel like you’ve been all over the world. Owner Angelique Lhullier Miranda personally designed the space with mementos and trinkets she collected from her many travels abroad. She has a passion for art which is evident by the many paintings hung on the walls, some of which are her doing and others she brought home from her trips.

We were welcomed by La Bella’s co-managers, two sweet and fun-loving ladies, Malca Villanueva and Xenia Denise Mercado. Menus were handed to us and after some discussion, we settled on four of their best pizzas. Apart from those, we were told that house chefs Giorgio Bianchi and Martin Villanueva also prepared a few signature dishes they wanted us to try.

We started with pumpkin soup with crispy parma and three types of antipasti. The first of which was the Bruschettas Romana, which is grilled bread topped with chopped tomatoes and basil. We also had Crostini Insalato, a medley of lettuce, chopped tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese, and our personal favourite, Bruschettas Sal Sicca e Fungi, a hefty serve of sausages and mushrooms. The different toppings complemented well their bread which was prepared perfectly – crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside. It was a great start to the meal. Then it was time for the pizzas.

Every pizza is freshly cooked in their wood-fired brick oven which is the traditional way of preparing pizza. First up was the Diabola. In Italian, Diabola means “devil”, as the pizza is laden with a spicy Italian sausage and chili flakes together with tomato sauce, onions, bell peppers, and mozzarella. Despite the name, the pizza wasn’t too spicy.

The Biancaneve contains mozzarella, cream, blue cheese, salamino picante, and parmesan cheese. This is a unique take on pizza because cream is used instead of the usual tomato sauce.

Marinara Pizza

We like the Marinara pizza, which is seafood sautéed in butter and garlic and topped on velvety mozzarella. You wouldn’t find this in their pizza menu since its availability varies depending on the seafood. Check their special menu board and when it’s up for grabs, take that chance.

The Quattro Formaggi, as its name suggests, is topped with four types of cheese: mozzarella, cream, blue cheese, and parmesan. The thick blanket of cheese is surprisingly light but absolutely satisfying. If you’re already planning to visit La Bella soon, Quattro Formaggi is definitely something you should have on your table.

Chicken Parmigiana

La Bella Pizza Bistro offers other Italian dishes which you can find on their daily special menu. One of which is the Osso Buco Di Maiale Alla Pizzaiola. It is a hearty dish made from cross-cut pork shanks with an ample serving of tomato sauce with chopped tomatoes, carrots, and onions. Another signature dish is the Tuna Steak which is served with a big slice of tuna belly and bathed in their special capers and olive sauce. For those who prefer a more familiar dish, their Chicken Parmigiana is a good choice. This meal of breaded chicken breast covered with special sauce, herbs, and lots of cheese, is always a crowd pleaser.

One of the dishes that stood out to us was the lasagna. Unlike most restaurants, they prepare their pasta fresco in-store using premium ingredients so you can expect nothing short of high quality. Fresh pasta, once cooked, gives a very light consistency and when paired with a delicate sauce, the texture of the pasta takes center stage. This is exactly the experience you get with La Bella’s lasagna.

Smores Pizza

By this time, we felt like we could not take another bite but the offer of dessert was something we couldn’t pass. To cap off our meal, we had their famous Smores Pizza, chocolate-hazelnut spread generously smothered over the chewy dough and topped with marshmallows, which is an easy favourite of kids and adults alike.

A meal at La Bella will leave one fully satisfied. Their food is a feast for the tummy, while the place is certainly a feast for the eyes. We certainly felt at home in this bistro while enjoying the good food and the company of warm and welcoming staff. This is indeed one of the new places to be.

We would like to thank the proprietors and staff of La Bella Pizza Bistro for inviting Food Trip Dumaguete to taste the best of their menu. It is definitely a place where families can have a day out and bond over good food at a reasonable price. For the students of this university town, the place offers a peaceful and artistic ambiance, perfect to get those creative juices flowing. Thank you La Bella, eating pizza in Dumaguete just got a whole lot better.

Menu *Click the photo to enlarge.