Café Bella Mira: behind this Italian sounding name is a very cool café in West Ealing. What gives it such a special feel, you might ask?

Café Bella Mira: practical information

Address: 52 Northfield Ave, W13 9RR

Opening Hours: 10 – 17 daily except sundays

Website: https://www.bellamira.co.uk/bellamira-cafe-25-w.asp

Nearest public transport: Northfields (Picadilly Line)

Eat in? Yes

Take away? Yes

Outside seating? No

So, what makes Café Bella Mira special?

Well, the menu, for one. It’s a fusion of Italian and Indian cuisines. A couple of the dishes have witty names like Butter My Chicken (“basil parmigiano linguine”). Many dishes look vegan or vegan friendly, although none of the dishes are labelled as such.

And there’s the decor: dark gold paint on the distressed plaster walls and warm wood for the tables and chairs. It’s like eating in a jewellery box!

Of course, the thing that makes it the most special is that half the space is taken up with a gift shop selling cards, gemstone jewellery and an assortment of crystals and precious stones. Indeed, there’s a flagship store called Bella Mira Home Crystal Shop Ealing (somewhat) nearby, on Pitshanger Lane, with an even greater inventory.

But is the food any good? Well, I only had a couple of things, but I’ll definitely go back if I’m in the area again. I had the girlfriend chaat and the turmeric ashwagandha mango lassi. Both delicious, especially the lassi. The chaat is billed as a summer special, so I don’t know if it’s available year round, but that’s one reason to go back, right?

And on top of that, service was very friendly and prices are very reasonable – another reason to go back!

Café Bella Mira: a hidden gem is ever there was one!

Where to go from there?

For more Indian street food, why not visit Paratha Inn in Croydon? On the otehr hand, if you’d like “proper” Italian, may I suggest Italo deli in Vauxhall?