Notting Hill, Italian Restaurant Guide

“The real Italian deal, just off Portobello Road”, this “plain and simple” trattoria has “been going for ages and seems to be just as popular and noisy as ever” – and “always delivers solid good value”. Founded 25 years ago, it has two sister restaurants in the same street, Essenza and Osteria Basilico.

“Friendly, neighbourhood Italian”, now in its 31st year, that serves “good” if fairly standard food, and – following the lockdown puppy explosion – can appear to “welcome almost as many dogs as human customers”. The only real problem is its popularity, which means it “can be a bit crowded as tables are very close to each other”. If you can’t squeeze in, its two younger siblings in the same street, Essenza and Mediterraneo, are worth a try.

2019 Review: Mixed and limited feedback on this smart Notting Hill Italian. To fans it’s a favourite with top class cooking (speciality black and white truffles) and a romantic interior – to the odd detractor it’s not bad, merely “forgettable”.

“Always full for a good reason” – this “very friendly” and lively Notting Hill Italian has a large outside terrace and attractive covered area, and is one of the better, more affordable options in the ’hood (and they’re “great with kids”, too). Some regulars suggest that “the pizza is better than the rest of the menu”.

“Bringing the expertise and professionalism of Le Gavroche to a more local setting” – Emily Roux (daughter of Michel) and her husband Diego Ferrari’s (former head chef at Le Gavroche) Notting Hill four-year-old has become one of London’s more notable destinations. It’s “an excellent combination of gastronomic dining in a relaxed and civilised interior with just the right balance of buzziness” that provides “understated luxury, but without an eye-watering price tag”. The French/Italian menu “changes regularly to show off seasonal ingredients” – “slightly quirkily presented” and with “thoroughly enjoyable” results. And the experience is buoyed by “excellent attention to detail from arrival to departure” from its “skilled and friendly” staff. Top Tip – “divine” lunch menu, which is “brilliant value”.

2022 Review: Limited but good all-round feedback on this smart neighbourhood Italian in Holland Park, whose menu features some interesting Sardinian dishes. ‘Temporarily closed’ as we go to press, we have rated it on its historical performance and hope of a reopening some time soon.

2021 Review: “Extraordinarily good pizzas”, “very good negronis” and “no burgers” are served at this bar, which boasts “the style of Mayfair transplanted to Notting Hill”. It’s upstairs from Assaggi, and from the same team, in the former pub they share, and these days seems the less risky bet. Top Tip – “try the truffle pizza in winter and English asparagus with San Daniele ham in summer”.

“The quality and consistency of the dishes is first-class and service excellent” at the original location of this Italian duo (‘La Brasseria Milanese’), which opened in Marylebone in May 2018. A second all-day offshoot opened in Notting Hill in autumn 2021. It’s inspired little commentary as yet, but Tom Parker Bowles in The Daily Mail praised its “handsome” styling and a menu of “old-fashioned crowd pleasers and greatest hits”.