The Bella’s legacy began over 50 years ago with Marie and Patrick Barnes, Sr. from Braintree, MA. Decades before "Bella’s", Marie’s mother and father, Bella and Frank Richardi owned and operated Richardi’s Sub Shop in Braintree for many years (currently owned by Dan Richardi - Marie’s cousin). Pat & Marie, over a 20-year period owned over 12 sub shops in Rockland, Weymouth, Scituate, Natick, Worcester, Stoughton and Wellesley, just to name a few. Although now under different ownerships, the Marie’s name still carries on in certain locations, as "Maria’s Sub Shop". Marie’s ambitions in the restaurant industry did not stop there. In 1974, Marie and Patrick opened the first Bella’s, then located at Braintree Five Corners, as a small family-style Italian restaurant. Marie handled every detail in the kitchen, including the cooking, and Patrick made sure the details of the business ran smoothly. They also had Marie’s mother and several family members on the staff too.

With the tremendous success of Bella’s, The Barnes knew it was time to expand into a larger space. In 1977, Bella’s of Rockland opened its doors. Naturally, as the business continued to grow, so did the family members’ involvement. Marie and Patrick’s sons, Patrick, Jr., Robert and wife, Joy, Lenny and wife, Patti are involved with the day-to-day business operations from cooking to the recent transformation of the restaurant in its entirety. The restaurant business must be in the blood. Marie and Patrick’s son Patrick Jr. successfully runs his own restaurant, Caffé Bella in Randolph.

Marie and Patrick are the heart and soul of Bella’s Italian Restaurant. Marie still continues to cook and run the kitchen four nights a week. While the passing of Patrick Sr. a few years ago has been difficult, his memory still lives on. Patrick’s love for horseracing is fondly portrayed in the lounge area in photos with his award-winning race horses - Dixie Dancer and Diggin’ Ditches.

We have begun complete renovations of the entire facility. The main dining room is complete, as well as an additional bar-area located in the main dining room often used to accommodate larger groups. We continue to make improvements to the restaurant in an effort to keep Bella’s at its BEST - - because we plan to be around for a very long time!!!