Bar Leona — Restaurant in New Smyrna Beach

I went in with pretty high hopes for this place because I'd seen some really good reviews online. We were celebrating my friend's birthday, which should have been a fun occasion. We were a party of (2). Right off the bat, though, the hostess wasn't very friendly at all – kind of had an attitude, to be honest.

We did get a nice spot outside since the weather was great. She didn’t even give us menus. But 10 minutes later, when we finally got our menus, I had a question about one of the sections because I wasn't familiar with it. The hostess just said, "I don't know, I'm just the hostess," which wasn't super helpful. She rolled her eyes at me so hard it was unbelievable.

Once our waiter came over he seemed really annoyed, like we were bothering him just by being there. He would cut you off and say I’ll be right back without hearing what you need or had to say. It was our first time, so we naturally had a couple of questions, but it felt like we were inconveniencing him. The menu had some unusual wording, especially for the drinks since they didn't have any spirits. You'd think he would have been a bit more understanding when we asked about that.

Also, the burrata came with two little pieces of bread, so we asked if we could get a bit more. The waiter's response was “Do you want a whole loaf or just more crostinis?" The attitude was just... weird and made us feel awkward.

The wait times between getting our menus, drink order, food order and the in between wouldn’t have been terrible if the attitude and hospitality was better.

Honestly, the only bright spot was this really sweet waitress who came over and asked if we needed anything. My friend did need another drink because our waiter had come by with my wine but hadn't even noticed her empty glass or paid attention because he was too quick to leave again – he was always rushing around.

Just to give you some context, this was on a Tuesday night, so it wasn't even a super busy weekend. I’m honestly never one to complain or write negative reviews but our experience was no where near 4-5 stars. The food we had was delicious but not enough to bring me back or tell anyone about it due to your lack of customer service.

Bar Leona - if you can’t have good service or make your customers feel welcomed then we will go somewhere where we feel welcomed and appreciated. This was not it tonight. Will not be going back ANY time in the...

Bar Leona adds another beautiful layer to Canal Street's flourishing dining scene. This intimate wine bar has mastered the delicate balance between sophistication and comfort, making it perfect whether you're planning a night out with friends or seeking a quiet spot to unwind with a glass of wine.

What sets Bar Leona apart is its exceptional food. The pasta dishes deserve special mention… each one lovingly crafted with clearly homemade noodles. Their Pesto Fusili is a standout, featuring a vibrant pistachio enriched pesto that clings perfectly to each spiral, topped with a cloud like burrata that slowly melts into the pasta. The addition of chili flakes and pecorino adds just the right kick and depth of flavor.

Then there are the mussels… plump and perfectly cooked in a fragrant herb flecked broth with hints of chili, served with crusty Italian bread that's ideal for soaking up every last drop. The bread itself deserves its own mention… airy, with that perfect honeycomb texture that only comes from proper artisanal baking.

The drink program shows equal attention to detail. Their Rosa Spritz, a sophisticated blend of Cocchi Rosa, Lillet Blanc, and Fever Tree Grapefruit, garnished with fresh strawberry, offers a refined take on the classic Italian aperitivo.

The warm, inviting atmosphere feels both contemporary and classically Italian, fitting perfectly into the neighborhood's vibe. A lovely addition to the street that adds its own distinct charm to the area's growing reputation for...

In case you missed my reel, we had an excellent date in New Smyrna beach starting off on Canal Street at one of our favorite restaurants, Bar Leona.

We wanted to finally try the pear sacchetti that we’ve heard so many great things about.

We wanted something light and refreshing so we both had a refreshing spritzer that was on the menu.

I went with a chef special the peach prosciutto salad and Raj had the strawberry salad with the poppyseed dressing. Both salads were nice.

The pear sacchetti is a nice shareable dish, it’s a bit rich but delicious and the pistachios really brought it all together for me-

We met another local foodie during our visit and he recommended that we try the chef’s special the cacio e pepe, we special ordered it with linguine instead of the tortelloni - I was literally in pasta heaven. The dish was piping hot! 😍

This dish is very comparable to an Alfredo-just a bit heavier on the pepper- I’m not one to really order an Alfredo dish, but this dish was absolute perfection and I would get it again and again and again!!! I did not want to give that dish back to Raj 🤣🤣🤣

Nikki was our server, we’ve had her before- service is always excellent here. We just always enjoy Bar Leona.

If you haven’t yet tried Bar Leona, you’re missing out on a great dining experience, (sister restaurant to PRIMA- another favorite...