La Stalla in Bexley

First went to La stalla over 25 years ago and was highly impressed with the service and food . Was amazed to find out it was still there and run by the same people. Nothing has changed. Still fantastic food and service. Would highly recommend.

Ive lived in footscray for nearly 13 years and I didnt realise we had a Hidden Gem on our doorstep.!! Myself and my husband and son came for my and my husbands birthdays for a slap up meal well Ive got to say the food was Fabulous and Plentiful also the Service was very very good made you feel very welcome and a lovely atmosphere. I highly recommend Mario La Stella what a lovely place to go for an beautiful meal and Great Hosts Father Mario and his Daughter. Will definetly go there again 10 out of 10... Review left from Jacqueline Whiting

Never disappointed by the food when we come here. Family run and beautifully simple. The seafood options are always my favourite. It’s like stepping back in time decor wise, but the food is fabulous.

One of the very best Italian dining. Never rushed though courses. Reasonable price and affordable to have a full 3 course. Very freshly made cuisine. Would certainly recommend as top restaurant.

A hidden gem that's very easy to drive past. Great food served in a lovely n cosy setting.

A favourite place for my wife and I. Try the Calzone.

What a real oasis of excellent food. Re visited this lovely little Italian restaurant after a number of years with my brother and wife. Loved it. Music was a real trip down memory lane but food was as good as ever. Try the stroganoff, was one of the best I have had. Mario is a genius in the kitchen. I know it's off the usual high street but worth going. Prices were surprisingly good given the quality of food and drink. I have spent double and got nowhere near the same quality of food and service. Will be back again soon.

Have not been here for years as used to be a regular with my brother. He was over from Spain and thought we would like to visit the old places. Everything was as we remembered. A little Italian oasis. The food was of the same high standard and even the music brought back so many happy memories. Mario is a fantastic chef and still turns out lovely tasteful food at a very reasonable price for both food and drink. Marmot to give it a try. Thankyou for a lovely evening.

Amazing food made from best quality ingredients, reasonably priced.

What a beautiful little resturant with amazing food. Came here for my dad's 60th waitress was so attentive nothing was too much trouble. Mario and his wife are lovely can't wait to go back!

Wonderful family run business, the food is top class. Always felt welcome & been going there for years never had a bad meal, prices ain't too steep either. Thank you Mario!

Fabulous, great value food. La Stalla is a little gem hidden away in Footscray. The restaurant has been there since 1978/79 and this little family run restaurant is brilliant. Will be back soon.

most definitely open thank god one of our favourite restaurants always excellent food and wonderful friendly service a real family run restaurant would recommend to anyone

A lovely family run restaurant with friendly service, serving excellent quality food. U will not be disappointed on your visit!

What a relief! Mario was a little late reopening after the wretched lockdown but well worth the wait. We had kept our eyes skinned as we passed the door and were disappointed to see the "Closed" sign still up after lockdown had ended. But Sandra rang us a couple of weeks ago to say that they were up and running again so we booked a table as soon as we could. A lovely evening. Two scrumptious meals perfectly cooked by Mario and delightfully served by Sandra. Thank heavens Mario had not forgotten how to cook during his enforced break! Get back to La Stalla as soon as you can and spend all the money you've saved whilst they were shut. You know it makes sense!

Lovely old quant family restaurant

A group of friends all meet up once a month. This time we went here for dinner. The service was attentive, individual and friendly The menu choice was extensive plus additionals the food we all had was excellent, could have done with few more potatos but even they were superb. Nothing was too much trouble for them HIGHLY advise anyone to go here.

Dinner with my husband tonight yet another fantastic meal, such a superb family run restaurant with the most amazing welcome and service, our dinner was to the very highest expectations thank you so very much. Look forward to returning very very soon.

Quiet, very reasonably priced, with well prepared tasty food with good service. Didn't have our wine choice but suggested replacement was cheaper and really good quality. Interior is a little tired, but if you like retro this is the place for you.

It smells of damp when you walk in.

A wonderful traditional Italian Restaurant that has been established since 1977. The food is out of this world and comes highly recommended. Totally worthy of five stars.

Once again an excellent evening meal with friendly service and really good choice both on standard menu and offered specials. We both had fresh crab cocktail to start which was light and perfectly presented. The pasta choice was cooked just right I had spaghetti carbonara my favourite and my partner had veal escalope with spaghetti bolognese. Followed by really good creme caramel and almond tart with cream. Also to note the wine is a good selection and reasonably priced not always the case these days. Another advantage is that there is free parking at the back of the restaurant. If you like good Italian food I would highly recommend a visit to La Stalla.

We haven't been in here for a long time but I always remembered it being excellent. Last Saturday four of us booked in for 8pm. Nothings changed, it doesn't look special from outside and is a bit dated inside. We were shown to a decent round table and there was a good atmosphere. The food and service were spot on. We ordered mainly fish, a mixture of huge king prawns, dover soles and skate, all of it was fantastic. It's family run and we were well looked after. Well deserved 5 stars. We'll be back soon no doubt.

My partner and I fancied some real Italian food so visited La Stalla last Saturday evening. The food as always was exceptional my partner had scallops wrapped in bacon with a beautiful sauce and I had calamari which was a large portion really fresh and with a piquant home made tartare sauce. For main course I had spaghetti carbonara which was excellent as only home made sauce can be, creamy but not sickly or too heavy and my partner had the specials menu seafood pasta which was gorgeous with an added extra serving of assorted king prawns squid and clams in a spicy tomato based sauce. For desert I had the oranges in Cointreau which were a juicy delight. So nice to see a menu of true Italian dishes and not the modern pizza type choice all served by an Italian family in comfortable and welcoming surroundings. Easy to park too! Would really recommend.

I live locally and like to support local businesses but only if they're good! La Stalla is a wonderfully friendly and welcoming place. The staff, mother and daughter, are always up for a laugh and will always suggest any changes to any meal you might like. Mario the chef and owner never disappoints. I usually have one of the fish specials and find them to be fresh and delicious. Can't find enough to say to recommend this place. Wonderful!

The service was very good and the food was amazing we all had a lovely evening and the prices was reasonable. I loved the home made apple pie dessert. We will definitely go back there again xxx

Having driven past this restaurant a number of times I was curious to go so arranging a meet up with my two sisters I suggested it. We dined in a Thursday night at 7pm. I called the restaurant twice... once to book a table and another time to ask about parking... both times the lady answered the phone in a barking sharp manner, "LA STALLA!!"... far from welcoming. Upon entering the restaurant the lady knew immediately we were her booking. She was friendly but you could tell it was this same lady who had a sharp manner on the phone. Very quickly we were put into the 'disappointing/time wasting customers' category. Which is a shame as we were one of only two tables occupied. Reason being, I believe, (having worked in restaurants my whole life) was because we A; didn't order a bottle of wine so we were not set to follow a big spending night of 3 course meal and all the trimmings B; ordered tap water alongside soft drinks and C; didn't go all out and order starters. It's a simple menu that doesn't elaborate on the contents of each dish. Tricky for vegetarians and a pregnant lady. The lady serving was kind enough to say we could alter dishes to exclude any meat but you definitely got the sense she was irritated by us asking about how dishes come served etc. Under 'Salads' on the menu.... it is written "a variety of salads". I saw this and thought it meant there were a variety of salad dishes they offered.. (I.e a tomato salad or green salad etc)... upon asking what salads they did I got a very patronising answer of "well for £3.50 darling it's a simple salad, what do you expect?". Sure that took me aback as I had never looked at the price. The grammatical error here should be addressed to clear up such confusion and moody retorts. Simply put 'mixed salad' and helpfully list the ingredients used. My sister asked if the fish was frozen or fresh.... (cue another moody sharp answer) fresh apparently... but a good question. You could put that information on your menu. Although her fish came out different to how it was described by the waitress. Disappointing. The bread rolls given at the start were warmed up but not enough as they were cold in the middle. When our pasta dishes came out they were nothing to write home about at all. Very grateful for the willingness to accommodate dishes listed in the menu but it'a not a gesture that shines in their favour when surrounded by so many other unfavourable moments. The restaurant could do with some candles on the tables to soften the feel. Would not recommend this place at all. Shame for what I thought might have been a hidden gem. Clearly we left no tip and will not return.

Hidden gem of great food and lovely service. I always have the fish specials. Never had a bad meal. Highly recommend going for people who want classic cooking and wonderful service.

Went here with friends on Saturday night and was not disappointed. Food was lovely and Staff great. Will definitely be going again. Realaxing atmosphere made it good evening.

Great little place, lovely warm atmosphere, lovely family and great food, real authentic Italian, definitely worth a visit

Discovered this place by accident whilst in traffic and thought we would give it a go. Very glad we did, great food in a very down to earth setting. Don't be put off by the unpromising exterior!

Me trasladé a la zona 3. Hace 5 años y sólo di cuenta de este lugar mientras el tráfico en mi camino al trabajo una mañana hace un año. Mi pareja reservó para mi cumpleaños después que mencioné, me encanta la comida italiana, pero no sólo el normal de cadenas de restaurantes. Este lugar es dirigido por gente encantadora que trabajan sin parar difícil asegurarse de que todo lo que necesitas y sentir bienvenidos. El ambiente es genial con la música de fondo (Frank Sinatra que nombre una). Realmente se enorgullecen. La comida es fenomenal y el tamaño de las porciones son muy, muy buenos, yo pedí un filete, y fue preparado como me preguntaron (mediano) la salsa de pimienta era fantástica, el corte de carne, simplemente genial y sabroso, y la vianda de verduras para 2 personas. Ambos tuvimos una agradable comida, bebidas, aperitivos y postres y era muy razonable teniendo en cuenta la mejor calidad y autenticidad, me alegro de haber encontrado un lugar tan cerca, que en mi opinión está muy por encima del resto.

Instalamos en la zona de el jueves.

We had a lunch here about 2 years ago (2014) - among the best Italian meals ever!Never made a review though. We got round to having a dinner here last week (Sep 2016) with relatives.The food was superb. To single out 2 dishes the signature dish of escalopes in bacon (a starter) was brilliant. I didn't have the apple pie but those that did were impressed. Just out of the oven; thin delicious pastry; memorable.The prices were moderate . We thought very reasonable. House wine was pleasant and inexpensive The staff were attentive and friendly without being irritating.No question - we'll be back.Just one thing - I think it a pity that the restaurant doesn't have a website.

We've been coming to La Stalla for a couple of years now and have never been disappointed. The welcome you get from Sandra, Mamma and Mario is genuinely warm and sincere. The food is top quality and Mario is a master in the kitchen. Nothing is too much trouble and the portions are always very generous. Has fast become one of our favourite restaurants and it is always a pleasure to visit.Top marks for a lovely family and a lovely restaurant.Tim & Sarah Wood

On entering the restaurant you are immediately taken back to Italy. It is small and intimate with Dean Martin crooning in the background. Yes I am showing my age!You are immediately greeted with a warm welcome. This is a family run business where Father, mother and daughter are all involved and because of this they have a real passion in ensuring that both food and service are of the highest standard.Different from many restaurants now days and ideal for either a family celebration or romantic meal. Will definitely be back.

I have passed this restaurant many times. You can't see in because of the obscured glass and it looks small and dark. However, myself and a couple of friends were having a drink in the newly refurbished Seven Stars pub nearby and we decided to give it a try. Imagine our surprise when inside it was warm and inviting and the staff were really friendly. Food was good and we understand that the chef who is also the owner has been there for many years. Although we were three male friends out for an evening, I will take my wife in for an evening meal soon now that I have seen how nice and friendly it all is.

This was my favourite restaurant for many years 1980 to 2000 when I lived in Foots Cray. Mario will remember me as the local "professore" . I am going to return very soon to seeMario, as I lost contact with him and his lovely wife in 2000, when I went off to run my own restaurant and village inn, and then on to Florence, Italy, to head up the international school of Florence.I always enjoyed the same dishes every time: Avocado prawns and Veal alla cream, fungi and spinach, washed down with a sparkling white. This is a fantastic restaurant and Mario is a top chef. His wife and daughter are a joy.Highly recommended.God bless you Mario.The Professor(1980 - 2000)

Great place for a family meal. Generous portions and a very varied menu. Specials were good and the roast beef looked lovely but we went for traditional Italian veal dishes. Apple pie was delicious.

Thought I'd write another review following our latest visit to Mario's.This time we were six up for our Christmas family meal. We arrived at 8pm and the restaurant was buzzing. There was a party of a dozen or so, another six and a couple of twos (which is very busy for Mario's). Despite this, the service, as always, was excellent; the food superb; and the atmosphere really good and bubbly for a Christmas get together. We had the choice of the full a la carte menu as well as a few "specials". Such a change from many places at Christmas which force you down the "Celebration Menu" route with just a few options of dishes that are easy for them to prepare. After we had finished our meals Mario came out from the kitchen and had a chat and he also prepared a huge plate of Italian cake (can never remember the name of it) drizzled with Limoncello for us to nibble on whilst we waited for our taxi. Our guests were overwhelmed with the attention we received and with the scrumptious food. So many thanks to Mario, Mamma and Sandra for looking after us so well once again. And for the rest of you...get down there and give Mario's a try. You will not be disappointed - I can guarantee it. But don't tell too many people about the secret !!

I have been using the restaurant for over 20 years and its still one of the best for everything. Food, service and the people running it are a delight. If you get a chance try it out. Never want to loose this one.

If you are sick and tired of eating in restaurants that provide poor service, over priced pre packed food that's just heated up in an oven by a so called chef then go to La Stalla. I have to say we were warmly welcomed and shown straight to our table and offered drinks. I was driving but my wife checked out a very reasonable wine list. We sat there and had our drinks, with some nice bread and chatted for a nice period of time before the food menu was given to us. It was so nice not to feel like we were being rushed, we had time to relax, chat and enjoy the atmosphere. We ordered whitebait and scallops wrapped in bacon for starter which were very tasty and quite a considerable portion for a starter. Then we ordered Chicken Kiev and Veal Scallop Cordon Blue with veg of the day and saute potatoes. Again all very tasty and a very large portion that neither of us could finish. La Stalla was very much how I remember restaurants to be of my childhood. There were regulars in there who knew the staff, the chef came out for a chat and everything was very laid back and friendly. The décor was most definitely old school. Bottles of chianti and other wines on the ledges, horse racing and world cup pieces on the walls. It was not over lit and the tables spaced in a way where it is cosy but not in each others pockets. We had a thoroughly great night, not rushed, good food , excellent service and a great atmosphere. It was a shame it was not full on a Saturday night, and I hope that changes because I think this is the nicest restaurant in the area and we will be returning again. My only suggestions would be to ask for one portion of veg and potatoes between two as the portion sizes are huge. Also the fish looked amazing , bream I think, I dribbled as it was placed on the next table. Check out the specials board on the wall before ordering and don't fill up on bread.The desert menu was read out on another table but I have to be honest we were too full to have desert. This was a shame as there were a few items I fancied trying. If the starter and mains were anything to go by I am sure they would be delicious. We settled for coffee and an After Eight mint instead. We will pace ourselves better next time.These types of restaurants are becoming less and less so finding La Stalla was a pure joy and long may it continue.

The food is superb I had the fish and it is cooked really well, we have been a few times and have always been pleased with the food, the staff who really make the place and the wine.

We urge everyone to try this restaurant. The welcome everyone receives from this lovely family is enough to make you want to go back time after time.The food is always delicious and the house wine goes down a treat. The atmosphere is authentic italian. Don't go here if you want fast food pizza, pasta.We recommend the seafood salad and calamari for starters and the veal is sooo tasty.Sandra, Mamma and Mario make sure our food, wine and experience is always enjoyable.A gem of a place

Driven past this place so many times and decided to give it a try . Very pleased I did, we had a lovely evening. This is a family run business so you get the personal attention which is always a plus.The wine list was to my taste - we chose a a very decent Barolo (bit pricey) served at perfect temperature.I had the calves liver, cooked the way I had requested and the chef came out to make sure it was to my liking, not something you get very often these days. Portion size was on the large side, so I couldn't do justice to the selection of vegetables served with the main dish. My friend had skate in black butter sauce - the fish was fresh and served just as he had asked.The decor is dated, but this adds to the charm of the place. You don't get this kind of personal service in many restaurants these days. The place was nicely busy but we weren't made to feel rushed in any way. Always a bonus when you can "people watch" and there were a couple of colourful characters in there which just made our evening. If I have one criticism, I'd say spruce up the exterior, which does look a little shabby and doesn't exactly attract the punters.....but maybe that's a good thing! It's definitely one of the local areas best- kept secrets!! Will definitely be returning some time soon.

After living in the area for 37 years we thought it was about time we gave Mario’s a try. It was well worth the wait!It is a little off the beaten track in that, although on the main road, it is not in the main part of Sidcup but in Foots Cray. As has been mentioned there is ample free parking at the back of the premises (although we were fortunate in living close enough that we did not have to drive). It was a quiet night when we visited but the atmosphere was very pleasant. The décor is very quaint and really adds to the charm of the restaurant. It was also very cosy on a particularly cold night.We were greeted by Mario’s daughter and her Mum and were really made very welcome even though it was our first visit. There is a wide range of starters and main courses. Having looked at the menu a few days earlier we had fully intended to have a fillet steak. However the “fish specials” included scallops in bacon (my wife’s favourite) and whole sea bass (one of mine) so the steak idea was quickly abandoned. Both dishes were absolutely superb, cooked to a turn and both done with plenty of garlic. Fresh vegetables and sautéed potatoes made the dishes complete. There is a decent wine list (alas no New World wines, but no matter) and the two we chose were excellent.All in all it was a delightful meal in lovely surroundings and the family made us feel so welcome. It is a restaurant which I would recommend to anybody so get down there and give it a try - but don‘t wait 37 years!.

I went with a friend to have lunch and revisit Mario and his family after 30 years away from the area. We were the only ones in there and had undivided attention and personal service from Mario and his daughter. They prepared and cooked exactly what we wanted using fresh vegetables grown in their own garden and the fish was superb. My friend ordered house wine, but when it came it was not to her liking - that was no problem as it was immediately replaced with a different one that she liked better. We enjoyed reminiscing about the 'good old days' in Sidcup and we were amazed when Mario asked questions about our families - obviously remembering us from all that time ago.Great experience - rather expensive for a weekday lunch, but we treated ourselves!

We have visited La Stalla quite a few times, each time the food has been excellent. It looks from the road there is no parking, all you need do is drive round the back on the small road next to the 7 Stars pub. Once inside its a bit of a time warp back to the seventies, get passed this and order the food. If you fancy a main course as a starter a smaller version is not a problem. Scallops wrapped in bacon well worth a try. Just go and see for yourself.