Bristol, Italian Restaurant Guide

“Consistently good food”, spearheaded by “superb fish & seafood dishes”, wins high praise for this branch of the “glitzy” national chain established nearly 30 years ago by Brum-based Sicilian Carlo Distefano. Admirers still reckon it’s “the best Italian restaurant in Bristol”.

Cousins Ben Harvey & Dominic Borel have made a big impact since opening their Cotham venture two years ago (voted Best Italian in Bristol’s Good Food Awards 2018): a professional operation with a “wide range of interesting and innovative” pasta options. (Their follow-up, Pasta Ripiena – Britain’s first ravioli restaurant – opened a year ago to equal acclaim, with Ben’s brother Joe, ex-Bell’s Diner and Bellita, running the kitchen).

Launched in 2014, and since joined by a sibling in Clifton Village, this Neapolitan-style pizza parlour is now a local staple, turning out puffy, chewy, scorched wood-fired pies (the main event) but also superior antipasti, polenta chips and Italian stews.

A sibling branch for the Bath pizzeria that lets you choose the dough as well as the topping for your pizza, from over 10 doughs available, including gluten-free and purple corn.