Lardo in Hackney

Really special Italian place in London! The service was outstanding, the atmosphere was adorable, and the food was really great. The polenta chips in particular as well as the bucatini gorgonzola were so nice, and I loved the desserts too! Couldn’t recommend this place more.

Over rated. Soggy pizza. Avoid! Unclear why this place has good reviews. Food was overpriced and you can have much better food elsewhere.

I rarely provide feedback / leave negative reviews but this was a really bad experience all around and this place has so much potential that I'd love to see it fulfil as I live just around the corner! Perhaps this was just an off day. Some points: - First, there was an extremely musty smell with a bunch of flies circling constantly. Super offputting in a restaurant that is meant to be clean. - There was no beer - was told that a delivery was meant to arrive later in the day but surely things can be planned better so you don't run out of the one beer on the menu? - The polenta starter was inedible. The lentils and mushrooms were tasteless, lacking any depth or even seasoning. The polenta itself was watery and grainy. I'm sorry but this was like the worst kind of school dinner food. Really bad. - The nduja/gorgonzola buccatini was also very disappointing. There was just one clump of gorgonzola at the bottom and the "nduja" was really nowhere to be seen - there were some tasteless chilli flakes and the whole thing just covered in chilli oil. These are two super strong flavors so definitely expected it to pack a punch but it fell so flat. I also really like al dente pasta but this was way too much - hard bits of pasta were getting stuck in my teeth. Needless to say, I ate very little. - I gave feedback on the starter which was apparently passed to the chef but I wasn't told anything back or offered something else, despite eating very little of both dishes. I left the vast majority of the pasta as well and the waiter was unconcerned. Both dishes were still on the bill, of course...

So not worth it. Went for a bday dinner there was 24 of us, we got two medium sized bowls of salad for the starter for 24 people and lentils, one small arancini ball and then one tiny piece of chicken and 3/4 potatoes and 3 carrot for main. We then got 3 pieces of tiramisu to share again for 24 people. The service was slow, I had a drink spilt by waiter on me then tiramisu and not even an apologise. Then took 45 minutes to pay & it came to £55 for food per person!! Not including drinks. I had one cocktail so ended up spending £70 in total - ridiculous How can you charge £55 when we didn’t get a single plate to ourselves. It was mediocre food made for 8 people max spread out to 24. I never leave bad reviews but honestly if you are planning a big dinner there don’t do it !!!!

I was in London on holiday and I discovered this fantastic place, very welcoming environment, good food and kind and helpful staff... special thanks to Alina and Anna who were really good. I recommend it, I will definitely return... Daniela (Ostuni)

Love this neighbourhood spot, always great service and table availability in a pinch! Went tonight with our 2 year old son and they were so attentive, and helpful, bringing his meal quickly and interacting with him. Made it such an easy experience for us as a family. Thank you!

Great place with a lively atmosphere and delicious food. The service was super quick despite how busy it was and I cant recommend the pizza enough. Would go again.

Had birthday dinner there, was impromptu due to the last place having no space but brilliant staff that actually made the whole evening.

Such a lovely atmosphere, lovely staff and love the discoball-looking pizza oven! Food was INCREDIBLE! Quite pricey though!

Personally not a fan of dogs in my space of food consumption. Probably my only ick of this visit. The food was not great for me. Very salty not sure if that's a cuisine thing or not. Service was good. Overall visit could b worse. Not again for me though respectfully. Oh and price was fair

Went to this place recently, had high hopes but it failed to deliver. The Pizza's themselves are pretty good if overpriced, however everything else was a disappointment, focaccia starter tasted stale, the salted caramel ice cream was so salty to make it inedible and the chocolate dessert wasn't much better. The service also wasn't great we had a 10 minute gap between one half of the table and the other receiving their food. To make matters worse their prices are highly inflated e.g. £4 to add extra mozzarella to a pizza, £36 for their cheapest (not particularly good) wine... won't be back

Amazing and genuine food! We had a great selection of antipasti to share following by a gorgeous pizza! Large selection of gluten free dishes including pizza!

Lovely food and friendly helpful staff. Lots of flavour. Very reasonably priced. Fab wine list!

Really lovely place. Super fast service. Delicious food and drinks. Utterly fabulous!

Great pizza and some very tasty starters. We regularly come to Lardo as we know it’s a solid bet.

Vibrant Italian with a great atmosphere. Service decent but lacks Vege options. Not a cheap eat and not as brilliant as reviews would suggest.

Great find! The food was fantastic, the decor and feel of the restaurant was very comfortable. I will happily go here again when working in London.

Food was incredible, service just as great. Lovely touches for a birthday celebtation too. A must visit when in Hackney!

Very good salads and the pizzas we chose were delicious. Super well taken care of by Marta.

I used to love this place and it is still nice for a week night dinner with a friend but the food just lacked the love and care it needs, leaving the food being a bit clumsy or bland on occasion.

Great place, having been going for a few years now and always good. Great wine. And today, thanks for being uber accommodating for our fussy kids :)

Ania and the team are great. We booked the private dining room and it worked really well for our celebration. The set menu was extremely generous and delicious. We were able to have drinks on the terrace outside as well, so the space is a great find. The whole experience was very professional, tasty and friendly from start to end - can recommend highly.

The food was good but it felt rushed - the main was brought while we were still halfway through our starter, the main waitress was not friendly and seemed stressed and bothered by our requests. The worst thing was a group/event going on, behind the outside sitting area, there were people walking to and from the small event lingering around the tight dining area. They kept bumping our chairs and shoulders as we were trying to eat, some were clearly inebriated and did the above without apologising or even acknowledging their actions. The staff did not seem to do anything to ask the group to settle or stay within the event standing up area, both this and the service rush spoilt the experience. We were there 27/07/2024 from 19:00 - 20:30.

Very, very poor food. Really expensive for sub standard food.. So disappointed. The staff were lovely, the only saving grace.

It’s one of the local restaurants nearby which never disappoints. Great food, great atmosphere and very friendly service. They also alter the menu quite often so it’s never boring. Highly recommended

Honestly I can't fault them with anything. From customer service to the delicious food, warm smiles, really fantastic atmosphere maybe as it wasn't so crowded. Everything was impeccable.... I've even afraid to go back as I don't think anything can top this time ☺️☺️☺️

5 stars for atmosphere/setting, for sure. It's in a great location, and the open kitchen setup creates a very lively happening feel. And the service is very friendly, London continues to veer towards chipper antipodean style service. But this is Italian food for the British, very overpriced for what it is. And there are so many great International wines that could be offered towards the lower end of the price continuum, but you won't find them here. Markup is king. Of all my Italian friends who've visited, I have yet to come across one who would go back. I would put myself into that category as well. Perhaps my neighbourhood has grown beyond my financial means, there seems to be enough cashed up people willing to pay the prices, so there is the demand. But there's real Italian restaurants in the area if you know where to look.

Excellent food and service in a really lovely spot away from the main road and near London Fields. Good value for the quality of food.

As a celiac this is the only restaurant I’ve been to that I’ve considered reporting for negligence. Visit 1: I was nearly poisoned when I was given a normal pizza after ordering gluten free (good job I double checked). The waiter was suitably apologetic but then stroppy when I asked for something off the bill. He conceded to removing the £2 additional I had to pay for a gluten free base. Visit 2: they got in touch after I posted the visit1 review to apologise and offer compensation. I returned and ordered a gluten free pizza with Lardo (their namesake!) and it came without Lardo… I mentioned this, they told me I was mistaken but that they would bring me extra. They the. brought me a pot of very oily bacon lardons which i think had been deep fried??? I said this wasn’t Lardo and they insisted it was. I tell you, that is not lardo. Visit3: dived in for a pizza around a year later and this time they actually poisoned me by mistaking my gluten free order for another table’s who ordered the same pizza (but with gluten). It’s a nice atmosphere and the cocktails are nice but stay away from this place if you have any type of allergy.

Really good food, the gluten free pizza base is unreal and the restaurant has a lovely outdoor terrace in the summer

Fine food but not fantastic. Pasta better than the pizza. Very vibey.

Very solid and reliable place. Particularly fond of the pappardelle and carbonara pizza

It used to be one of my fav places in London! They changed the management and if you get lucky, you wont be served by an incredibly rude girl…(she hates her job or she hates you, we still not sure) On the other hand they have a couple of men on the stuff that are super nice and polite, they are Italian!

The antipasti selection is excellent, and the staff are lovely and attentive. The wine was absolutely delicious and worth every penny. Highly recommended.

Food was all really nice. Waiters were nice, smiley and helpful when they came to your table however it was impossible to get the attention of waiters. The restaurant wasn't very busy and still felt like it was hard to get any service or like we were constantly being forgotten. Also, all of our food came out at the same time (antipasti and mains and pizza), which didn't all fit on our table and meant mains got cold by the time we'd finished antipasti. If all of the food comes out together the guests should be asked at time of ordering if that is acceptable.

Last minute reservations are often not an option here. Pleasantly busy during our visit. Nice menu with not too much choice. Dishes are therefore of top quality and you don't have to wait too long here. Management is doing its best on all fronts. Definitely worth a visit.

Lovely service and delicious food. Can't recommend enough

WHEN YOU GO OUT FOR A PIZZA AND THEY BRING YOU A ‘PIZZETTA’ LIKE THE ONE YOU USED TO EAT AT SCHOOL DURING YOUE LUNCH BREAK...I DIDN'T MEAN TO BE NOSTALGIC BUT TO POINT OUT THAT YOU CAN’T SELL THAT STUFF FOR A REAL PIZZA AT THE PRICE OF A GURMET PIZZA......AND I LEFT HUNGRY AFTER ALL... LARDOLONDON THANK YOU BUT NO THANK YOU!

Had an amazing service, definitely will be back! Anna and Chris were fab, had a laugh with them x

Went to Lardo today to get some take-away pizzas today and received a delicious tiramisu on top of my order :) thank you to the kind Lardo Team

The food at Lardo was gorgeous: tasty, authentic and beautifully presented. The cocktails and wine selection are equally delightful, and the service was wonderful. We were so eager to tuck in that only one photo was taken!

Had a delicious meal. Service was friendly and professional. Ambience good. We had starters, 2 pizzas and a bottle of red (the cheapest) and the bill was £103.

Love this place, we just keep coming back. Awesome food, lovely service and great location. We even had our post wedding meal here in the room down the side. So lush!

I had the best lamb lasagne of my life here yesterday evening. Probably the best pasta dish I've ever eaten. Nearly ordered it again straight away. Been dreaming about it since. Magical. Lovely pomegranate margarita cocktail too. Can't wait to go back! Grazie!

The most delicious pizza special! Crisp, thin base (as requested) classic Margherita with Burrata & Pecorino topped with fresh Basil & Radicchio ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

One of my favorite eating experiences in London. The food was exceptional, and the service was warm and attentive. The intimate yet lively atmosphere definitely makes this a good date night spot Or the perfect pre-show dinner for someone going to the Hackney Empire.

We loved our experience at Lardo! The workers’ lunch is a bargain. The antipasti were SO good. Nailed the pizza and pasta dishes as well. Ended with a delicious tiramisu. I’m a tough critic and have lived in Italy — was thrilled with the meal here.

If there were more stars to give, Lardo would get them. Service is genuine and warm. FOOD is exactly what you’d hope from an Italian dinner - fresh, hot and well balanced.

This place really was poor. A decent environment but an uninspiring menu which was genuinely badly delivered. Not going back. Shame, used to like it here years back.

one of my fave restaurants in east london, great food, excellent price and service is immaculate. Isaac was looking after my table everytime i visited he made sure i was happy with my order and super enthusiastic and always recommended the best options from the menu. will be coming back again soon xx

4 of us got pizza's tonight, lovely pizzas...lovely staff and overall excellent.

Went for a quick bite to eat before a show and it was wonderful such atmosphere friendly staff and good traditional pizzas

Really upset at how I was treated by rude staff here especially male head waiter…. Seemed to be whispering about me and my boyfriend and when we were seated was super dismissive and rude and really bad attitude, asked what wine would go well with what I was ordering and he said the most ridiculously expensive one.. and when I ordered cheaper one rolled his eyes and sighed??? Really weird energy, and food is mid too, and expensive for what it is, do better and maybe make affordable food and experiences and don’t cater gentrifying Hackney more with ur stupid prices

Lovely quality food, wine and atmosphere, friendly and great service

Love the ambiance of this restaurant. Just before Christmas, I visited here with my daughter, who lives nearby and wishing that you had a restaurant in Brighton, too. :) We had a warm welcome and the service did not falter from there on in. We had aubergine polpette to start, then followed by the slow cooked beef shin Ragu which I cannot forget as it was so deep and rich, it was first class. The Tiramisu to finish, was off the scale gorgeous and not forgetting the superb Contrade Bellusa Nero d'Avola Sicilia organic wine. We cannot wait to come back! Bellissimo!

What a perfect evening!! The food was insanely delicious, the service impeccable and the vibe was just so cool and buzzing. The price was also very good! My new favourite restaurant in the area. Hundred percent recommend!

So, we had our wedding dinner here about a month ago, for about 25 people. As special days go, they made it superbly memorable for us. Our friends still talk about how amazing the food, its quantity, the wines and hospitality was that evening. I could probably write an essay here but I'd simply like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Michalis and Farisha for the perfect hospitality they showed us. We couldn't have found a better venue for our special day. Right from the communication, to the help we got in finalising the menu, wine pairings, the wines themselves, accommodating dietary requirements, we were impressed. Even the non-alcoholic concotion the brewed for us freshly on the day for the non-drinkers was a hit. On the day itself, there was so much food, there was hardly any space on the tables!! It was so fresh and delicious, the guests took home takeaway boxes. I will avoid giving any specific recommendations, just go and order anything from the menu, you won't be disappointed. The staff are courteous and will help you decide and if you catch either of the owners there, then they will go out of their way to make your meal special. A review a month late, but well deserved. Thanks again and we hope to see you soon.

Excellent food and service. Pricey but worth it as a treat. The staff were particularly charming

The pizza was ok at best but the pasta was terrible. For the price the service was ok and the atmosphere was good but the food was a big let down.

The pumpkin pizza was one of the best things I've ever eaten and I highly recommend it. I got the gluten free crust and it was so good I couldn't even tell it was gf. The servers were kind and attentive and went above and beyond to give us a wonderful dining experience.

Now, this may be somewhat my fault. I'm more of a traditional Margherita gal. But we thought the vegetarian pizzas looked lovely so we took the risk. I'm not saying it was bad, but it wasn't something I'd reorder again. The pumpkin pizza had a baby food like pumpkin puree topped with pine nuts and kale. The puree wasn't seasoned. Now that may be because you can add goats cheese, which would make it salty. But it feels like a bit of an oversight. The mushroom and taleggio one also lacked seasoning. (And when we asked for salt, the waiter looked upset. Season your fooooood!) One slice is ok, but that cheese is full on and you need something acidic to cut through that like tomato sauce? Or a bottle of pepto bismol. White wine was room temperature. The feel of the place is lovely, though. I might go back to try the pasta. Maybe that's where it's at?

The best gluten-free pizza I’ve ever had. We went here very last-minute and managed to get seats at the low bar. I’d read a Google review that rated the GF pizzas very highly, and they were right! The GF dough was handmade. It was fluffy and crispy, but not tough like a lot of shop-bought substitute bases that restaurants often keep in stock. I had a margarita that came with fresh basil and very generous amounts of pecorino cheese, and ordered the extra half burrata as well. It was sublime. My wife had the pumpkin, crispy kale and jalapeño pizza, which they said was incredible. Probably not ok for coeliacs as the pizza prep surfaces are no different for the GF base and the same oven is used, but if you’re intolerant or prefer to avoid gluten you’ll be fine.

Lovely little spot! Came here for lunch, the pizza was great and the tiramisu is honestly the best I've ever had. Our server was lovely and the worker's lunch is a good price. Would definitely recommend.

Food was amazing (especially the roasted romanesco starter!) and staff very friendly and helpful. Special thanks to Isaac. Highly recommended!

We came to LARDO for my boyfriend's birthday and boy did it deliver. Our waiter, Isaac, was incredibly accommodating and made us feel so special, we even got a surprise tiramisu at the end. The atmosphere was brilliant, the food even better. Could not recommend this place more!!!

Delicious! Orzotto was so mushroomy! Excellent service

offers a refreshing mix of new and old food styles

Wonderful hospitality by Isaac. The orzo, margarita, especially the tiramisu were delicious.

My London friend took us to this hidden gem. Don’t let the raw industrial interior make you expect less than great food and drinks. We had lunch and were surprised by the great value of the workers menu. Great wine list for true Italian wine lovers, with traditional wineries and great modern produce from (Organic/Demeter) winemakers, served by the glass and bottle. Burrata and olive oil were a promising fresh and tasty start. Breaded sardine was nicely cooked and brought a taste explosion with the accompanying salad of celeriac, orange, pine nuts and raisins. A delight to see the chef working in his kitchen, calm yet constantly communicating and checking the tables and guests. Service was really friendly but came across a bit inexperienced as we had to wait 20 minutes to order dessert and our table wasn’t cleared until we asked for it. This wouldn’t keep me from returning and recommending this great restaurant though! Grazie!

A relaxed dining Italian restaurant in Hackney. The food was absolutely delicious and very reasonably priced considering the quality. The waiters were extremely attentive and personable. Would highly recommend!

This resto is a vibe!!! Theo the waiter was amazing! Very attentive and funny. We loved him. Food was great, maybe slightly too much cheese on the pizza but that’s minor. Food was delicious. Tiramisu was to die for. Music was good. Vibes were great. Honestly it’s a new fave! Thank you

Seriously good cooking, pasta is sublime, meats handled with skill and care, team are attentive. Bloody lovely

One of the best Italian restaurants in London! Quality seasonal produce and a varied, surprising menu. The staff are great and the atmosphere is very pleasant.

Best meal out we’ve had in a while. Amazing service, setting and the food was brilliant. Really lovely experience all round

Came here for lunch. The lunch menu is amazing for the price. £17 for 2 courses and £21 for 3 courses. Food was flavourful. Service was excellent. We left very full and satisfied.

Loved it here. We arrived about 30 minutes late due to traffic issues on the M25. Did try to call ahead but the phone went to a full voicemail box. Despite this, the staff were great when we arrived and were able to accommodate us. Food was delivered quickly, but was hot and fresh, and (most importantly) really tasty. I loved the atmosphere and ambience.

Friendly and helpful staff. Got table at the last minute. Food was good. Lively atmosphere.

Amazing service, delicious food - definitely get the pigs head croquette!!! its a must!

So this is my sister’s favourite place to dine in London and it exceeded all expectations! Firstly the wait staff were so friendly even though it was so busy. we were greeted by a lovely woman. I explained that I’m gluten and dairy free and she suggested me to talk to the head chef. A treatment I’ve never been exposed to even though I dine out a lot. He even suggested to cook me a dish that’s not on the menu even though it was so busy. I could not believe it. Not only was the service and the entire restaurant staff so accomodating and friendly, the food were exceptional. My sister and her boyfriend enjoyed the mushroom dish in particular. They said that was star of the night but we couldn’t fault anything. The atmosphere and decor were also fantastic. I highly recommend this place for tourists and locals. 10/10 experience that I share to my friends back in Australia visiting London.

Dined here Saturday night, excellent service but food is a big no-no! Thumbs down for pizza too, unfortunately (small size pizza and couldn't even finish it because of the hard-to-digest dough! ). This place lack of authenticity and is not very well looked after.

Cosy small restaurant with great atmosphere. The service was quick and plesant. The pasta and pizza.tasted absolutly amazing.

Amazing food but some of the worst service we’ve ever experienced unfortunately. Drinks dropped all over my lap without any apology - such a shame because it has great food but it’s missing attentive / friendly staff.

Lardo was one of my favourite restaurants as I am gluten free and there used to be loads of options! I was sad to leave today after not being able to order, because they no longer do gluten free food apart from pizzas! Bring back gluten free starters and that delicious risotto! Unfortunately had to go and find another restaurant.

Amazing atmosphere! Nice terrace gives you calm evening vibes with music and the wonderful staff to bring some nice food and drinks :) Nearby stations and bars for further drinks :)

Pizza and pasta were great. Friendly service although may take time. Lovely outdoor space to hang out these summer nights.

One of my favourite places in Hackney! They have great small plates options, but they're the best at pizzas. Interesting wines and amazing innovative cocktails & spritz list that changes time to time.

Amazing restaurant, fantastic Italian food! Pizza's are incredible, friendly staff Cool restaurant 😎 lovely terrace

I have been going to Lardo for the last 10 years. And this evening, I took my guests there. I have never seen such an unhappy and rude employee there before. We just asked her to clean the table and she straight away cross with us and talks another waiter too. You can guess what happened after that, everything came late at 7 pm we arrived there at 9 pm we still waiting for our pizzas. I went inside and I can see two pizzas waiting there for service. I was waiting for his phone call to finish a few minutes later, she came and asked me: can I help? I said Yes, how long can take to cook pizza my son gets really tired at 9 pm we are waiting for pizza. they are both horrible and so rude. So sad, it doesn't matter how your food was nice. Most important think how was your time there. I will try to pop in soon again and complain about tonight to the manager Because Lardo is always a nice place to go for me and my son. I hope whoever works tonight will not see them there again. I really do not want to see employees like them work there.

Teresa you saved the day (I hope I got your name correct) - thank you so much, great birthday evening. Hope you and the team enjoy the cakes.

I think this is still my favourite pizza in London. Only downside is that the tables are a little crowded

A hidden in gem in Hackney, London. This restaurant and cocktail bar is tucked away in a street where you would never think of finding a restaurant. Located about 10 minutes walk from Hackney Central overground, it was a pleasure to visit Lardo. Whether you visit for food or just drinks, it’s a great experience. The restaurant is opened up with the kitchen so you can see the chefs preparing the food as well as watching the pizzas being cooked in the specially designed oven. The food was truly excellent and of Michelin standard. They do pizza which is good if you are hungry but the smaller dishes are expensive but well worth it for the flavour and creativity. The menu does change on a monthly basis. Ambience is excellent and the staff work brilliantly as a team. A great place hidden away in Hackney and highly recommended!

The perfect local Italian! Been here many times and is definitely one of my favourite spot in Hackney! Great food and drinks, friendly staff!!

Awful service, decent food. Waited almost half an hour to be seated despite having a booking. Ignored when we sat down so we had to flag someone down for drinks which took another 30 min to arrive. Ignored several times - we kept having to go look for server, who kept saying that she "couldn't wait to go home". By the time we got mains we just wanted to get out there - had no faith that we would get drinks or dessert so didn't want to waste out time. Unpleasant experience made worse by another server blaming "new management" and "the kitchen". If you look back at reviews, this inconsistent and bad service goes back months and months. I wouldn't come back here again.

Excellent pizzas and the French toast is excellent as well. Staff is extremely helpful and super welcoming. Very kids friendly place. Good industrial atmosphere.

The food here is one of the best spots in east london. A friend suggested it and it surpassed all expectations. You can see the chefs cooking right in the centre with such care. Even though it was quite busy the service felt quite personable from the chefs and front of house. Will recommend!

Just amazing, great food, great service, great vibes

Me and my girl went for a dinner last night, one of the best date night ever, we had a chefs table right next to the kitchen, personally the chef(Richard) served us, he explained the whole menu and the food, I never had a such a experience like this before it was so cool. Thank you chef Richard for making our date special.. 10/10 worth every penny..

Managed to get a walk in at 9pm on a Monday. Cool venue. Delicious food made with great, interesting produce (goats cheese on the delica pumpkin!) Really attentive service!

Food was really tasty, friendly staff and a lovely atmosphere.

First time at Lardo and WOW. Food 10/10, Cocktails 11/10 (I don’t usually like Aperol as I feel they are always on the top-butter side, but had the best Aperol of my life here) and service 12/10 - attentive, constantly topping us up, super warm and made us feel right at home. Loved it and will be back! Extra points for new pizza oven which is not only beautiful piece in the dining space but makes a light and crispy finish on the pizzas (my fave)