Belles Hot Chicken Fitzroy — Restaurant in Melbourne

If there's one place in town that has me clucking with excitement, it's Bell's Hot Chicken. From the moment I stepped through the door, I knew I was in for something extraordinary. Let me start by saying, as a self-proclaimed "dirty little chicken thief," I had my eyes (and my taste buds) set on devouring every last piece of that delectable chicken. And boy, did Bell's deliver!

Ambiance: The first thing that struck me was the delightful setup of Bell's Hot Chicken. Modeled in the charming style of a classic Yankee diner, the place exudes a nostalgic vibe that instantly transports you to simpler times. The red vinyl booths, the checkered floors, and the vintage decor make you feel like you've stepped into a time capsule from the 1950s. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, perfect for a meal that promises to be unforgettable.

Service: The staff at Bell's Hot Chicken were incredibly welcoming and attentive. From the moment I walked in, they made sure I felt at home. Their knowledge of the menu and recommendations were spot-on, guiding me through their offerings with a friendly and helpful attitude. It's clear that they are passionate about the food they serve and eager to ensure that every customer leaves satisfied.

The Chicken: Now, let's get to the star of the show: the chicken. Describing it as "hot and tasty" feels like an understatement. Bell's Hot Chicken is an explosion of flavors and spices that dance on your palate. I opted for their hottest option, and it was an exhilarating experience. The heat was intense, yet perfectly balanced with the rich, savory flavor of the chicken. Each bite was a harmonious blend of crunch and tenderness, leaving me craving more with every mouthful.

The chicken's seasoning is an art form at Bell's. It’s evident that they take immense pride in crafting the perfect spice mix, creating a flavor profile that is both complex and satisfying. The chicken was cooked to perfection—crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. I couldn’t help but go back for seconds, thirds, and even fourths. As a dirty little chicken thief, I shamelessly admit that I intended to eat every last piece of that chicken, and I nearly succeeded!

Sides and Extras: The sides at Bell's Hot Chicken deserve a special mention. Complementing the fiery chicken, the coleslaw was refreshingly crisp and creamy, providing a cool counterbalance to the heat. The mac and cheese was decadently cheesy and comforting, a perfect pairing for the spicy main attraction. And the cornbread? It was heavenly—soft, moist, and with a hint of sweetness that rounded off the meal beautifully.

Conclusion: Bell's Hot Chicken has quickly become my go-to spot for an incredible dining experience. From the delightful Yankee diner ambiance to the mouthwatering, fiery chicken, everything about this place is top-notch. The flavors are bold, the service is impeccable, and the overall experience is one that I will keep coming back for. If you’re a fan of hot chicken or just great food in general, Bell’s Hot Chicken is a must-visit.

As a devoted, dirty little chicken thief, I wholeheartedly give Bell's Hot Chicken five stars. Trust me, once you try it, you'll be planning your next visit before you’ve even left the diner. Bravo, Bell's Hot Chicken! You've got a...

Missus took me here for a Birthday dinner and the experience was a massive let down after being recommended to eat here a number of times.

We were warmly greeted by the staff there and were sat by the bar. It was very lively and busy. We ordered the Spicy chicken sandwhich, wings and Mac n Cheese (cause the Purple-haired waitress raved about how good it was). We have a drink whilst patiently waiting for our food, 20 minutes later another couple sits beside us and place their order. Another 15 minutes go by and the couple beside us get there food already, at this point my missus and I are wondering where our food is at. We ask one of the waitresses to check on our order because at this point we had been waiting for 40 minutes. She says that she'll see where it's at and instead of coming back to us, we saw her refilling table water bottles. It wasn't until we waved at her that she said "it's coming". The restaurant manager came to us a few minutes later and apologized for what had happened, offered us a free round of drinks and prioritised our order to be completed asap (she was nice to deal with). We then got the food, the chicken sandwhich was nice, however the overall experience was ruined as we got our food 1hr later after ordering, didn't even get the Mac n Cheese, I couldn't be bothered at this point. The nail on the coffin was when we went up to pay, the purple-haired chick didn't even apologise for her mistake with not putting our order through and simply asked us "how was everything?" as if she was pretending she didn't know what happened...

The restaurant manager was very accommodating and understanding, the food was nice however a couple of staff members need to be more attentive and...

I sat down at the counter hoping for a taste of home.

I tried the mac and cheese first, and while there was a nice note of smoke the texture was a uniform mush. It just made me want the blue box (you know the one). And why put it in a baking dish if you're not going to grate some cheese on top and bake it?

The old bay seasoning on the fries was the high point. I've never seen it used that way; it's not really a Nashville spice in my experience (more gulf and Atlantic coast).

The chicken was ok. Had a drumstick and tenders "hot" and "southern" respectively. The hot leg was about as hot as I expected but the seasoning was one dimensional like the macaroni's texture. This is a common problem with hot chicken, but almost all I could taste was ground cayenne. The plain tenders were average. Maybe they were marinated or breaded with buttermilk, but did you know the colonel has original recipe tenders over here?! They did that briefly when I was a kid but it seems to be a regular thing here. Those have at least like seven or eight more spices in them.

Again with the lemonade all the flavors were weak, except the George Dickel I swapped out for vodka.

Maybe the lack of flavor is to appease the locals, but shame on y'all for putting the name Prince's in a menu with food this bland. It's in the cocktail section, but I see you. I love the suggestion of another reviewer: go get some Korean fried chicken instead. You're much more likely to get something authentic...