Bethnal Green, Italian Restaurant Guide

“Still a diamond” – this “old-established East End Italian/British” caff in Bethnall Green is a “tiny” family-run place full of “huge characters, huge banter, and huge plates of food”. The Grade II listed Art Deco interior is “just wonderful”, too – and there’s an occasional cameo appearance from East Enders stars including Ross Kemp and (most recently) Jessie Wallace. One slight irritation: “so many influencers go there”. Top Menu Tip – breakfast is of course the key time to visit: “have the Full English… have anything… it’s all great!”

“Basic in decor and set-up, but given the delicious food and solid buzz, who cares?” – this “busy” Hackney Italian gets its swing from “staff who clearly want to be at work and have a good time”; not to mention, in summer, its superb location on Regent’s Canal complete with heated terrace. The Italian food is also far from an afterthought and can be “fabulous” (“a wild mushroom squid and lardo dish was sweet, mushrooms intense with the seafood playing its part; sardine pasta and pheasant were both excellent – well-cooked, well-balanced, well-seasoned and with great little touches”).

“Hidden away in the Town Hall Hotel”, this “low-key” venue with its white-painted walls and bare tables “could be the termed the hotel’s ‘second’ restaurant or ‘poor relation’ to the two star Da Terra”, but is uniformly praised for its “consistently interesting, well executed dishes”: “highly inventive, tapas-style food that’s ideal for sharing and with super flavours”. One or two regulars note that “it rarely seems to be very busy” and “can lack atmosphere if you hit a service with a limited number of diners”.