Little Italy in Sunderland

Lived in Sunderland my entire life and have never visited until now. The place is so cute inside, the staff are lovely and the food is absolutely gorgeous. Will definitely visit again!

We visited whilst attending a group meditation event on the beach. The staff were amazing, super friendly and helpful. We all ordered pizzas to take out to eat on the beach, they made sure they were all ready to collect at the same time and labeled them for easy distribution. I went with the veggie pizza and it was delicious, still pipping hot, even though it was a take away, plenty of cheese and a nice crispy base 👌 Highly recommend giving these guys a try.

Always a fantastic meal provided with an exceptional delivery service.

Visited as a solo diner whilst up for the GRN. Absolutely lovely little restaurant on the sea front. Staff very charming and the food was delicious. Would definitely recommend Little Italy to anyone visiting Sunderland

the chicken mushroom arribiata was done really well plenty of ingredients nothing was short or lacking it went beautiful with my garlic bread with cheese. naturally i couldn't help but taste the wife's chicken and peppercorn sauce n that too was great chicken was cooked beautifully and the home made chips was bang on. Over all I'd highly recommended to all.

Food is always top notch from here, and the delivery guy is lovely, just wished you were open for delivery more than just the 3nights 😭😭

I remember seeing this place in the early 80s whilst visiting family and vowed to take someone special there if I were to find someone. 40+ years later and living 140 miles away we were visiting the area and booked a table for two. After all these years of the great north winds and sea salt, the outside looked a little worn, but through the doors lies a little hidden gem. The staff were friendly and helpful. The manager is friendly and passionate about his food and business. Food was excellent, tasty and plentiful and at a very good price. The restaurant has a rustic and warm feel with a cosy and friendly atmosphere. We would definitely recommend a visit and will return when we revisit this beautiful and scenic area

Went for my grans birthday, Loved it, best waiter ever, very funny, friendly and nice, delicious generous food, would 100% advise to go here

An absolute gem, such a lovely experience, friendly family setting and amazing food, we will definitely be back!

Me and my partner come here a lot we love it, Food is beautiful and the owner is so friendly..

Had an excellent time here, staff are really funny and friendly and made the effort to make us all smile. Food was delicious, and served really quick

Perfect location on Lower Promenade. Food was good and sensibly priced. Staff were attentive and efficient, and the puddings were spectacular.

My husband and I really enjoyed our meals here. We had a very warm welcome, the service was great and I would definitely eat here again and recommend it to anyone in the area.

Great as always, love this place.

Great food, can sit inside or out.

Food was lovely . Couldn’t fault our food it was delicious . Service was very friendly and welcoming . Lovely authenticity about the restaurant. Will definitely visit again.

Horrible food and it wasn’t nice hearing the older Italian scolding the staff. He should be teaching them. The food and desserts were a far cry of what they used to be. I wouldn’t go there again. Lots of places to eat at that area.

salmon was awful, too smoked, prawns were beautiful and so was the pizza and sauce

Pizza was awful, tastless thick soggy dough. Was not restaurant quality. So disappointed, will never order again.

3 coke zeros, not the best, 1 coke that was like coloured soda water. Potato skins were literally just skins of the potato, barely warm and tasteless. Bbq ribs tough and chewy like a shoe sole. Calamari was like frozen elastic bands. Bruschetta was rock hard, stale and tasteless. Pizza Kiev barely cooked and covered in oil, tasted like a pancake Pollo Kiev and chips, best of a bad bunch, chicken was swimming in garlic butter Salmon was okay, again swimming in butter, served with unfresh veg, and one dry scabby potato. Didn't dare try the desserts. Wasn't asked once how the food was, was told to have have a nice night and see yous again soon.... no thanks!! Never again!!

Great place, friendly staff always welcoming, lovely food.

Lovely birthday meal last night, staff even took the trouble to add a candle on a dessert and sing Happy birthday! Can't fault anything, love the place always great service and food in authentic surroundings. Thank you Little Italy x

Pasta was slightly too salty and the pizza was terrible I called to report the issue and was kindly offered another pizza that would be sent out soon as possible or a cash refund on my next order . I opted for another pizza and when it arrived it was piping hot and looked and tasted much better than the initial one absolutely fantastic customer service would highly recommend

Had birthday meal food fantastic and staff was so friendly and made feel so welcome. atmosphere was great. defo recommend. thankyou so much for looking after us we will be back.

My partner and I went to Little Italy on the spur of the moment when we were having a night out along the seafront. I had been there years ago and was expecting a good time. They found us a table for two. It was busy but we were left to sit for an eternity with out being asked if we wanted a drink. The staff were dashing about and they seemed really understaffed. Eventually a waiter dashed passed and asked did we have and drinks. We replied no and got us some drinks and took our order at the same time. We ordered prawn cocktail starters which was nothing special and could of been off a supermarket shelf. I ordered the grilled steak with veg. The steak was cooked lovely but the veg was not nice and the one potato I received was dry and horrible. I can't remember what my partner ordered but it wasn't earth shattering. We didn't bother with desserts and couldn't wait to get out and enjoy the rest of our night. Little Italy was a good place back in the day but for me is not a place I would personally go back to in a hurry.

The food was lovely 9/10 the pizza could of been warmer but that is understandable as the distance it had to travel will definitely order again

Great food as always. Love this place

Called in for a drink after a walk in the beach…first visit decided to stay for food (Sunday lunch) it was absolutely delish… proper home cooked dinner just like your granny’s, really enjoyed it will definitely be back so sample some Italian food.

Older building and very dark outside. I wasnt sure how to get in other than a small light over the door. Place is dated but clean. Very basic, no frills kind of place. If you want ambiance, this is not the place for you. If you are looking to have EXCELLENT italian food, you've come to the right place. Food was absolutely delicious! I had the homemade TOMATO SOUP. WOW! Best I've ever had. I then opted for the PAPPARDELLE AL FUNGHETTO. This was a very creamy mushroom based sauce and the pasta was cooked to perfection. The flavor was more complex than I expexted which was a very pleasent surprise. Magnifico! Service was average and pleasent. The waiters/servers always had a smile on their face.

Great little place and the food was plentiful and enjoyable. The toilets could do with a clean 🤔

The last time I was at Little Italy was when I was 18, taken there by my mother for my big birthday and I have to say, I was highly disappointed back then (35 now). As an Italian I remember telling my father how bad it was. "Dad, I've just had the worst Italian ever". Half a life time later and Little Italy pops up on Uber eats, so I figured they must have changed their ways to still be in business. How wrong I was!! I have just had the number 1 worst Italian dining experience of my life, mushroom risotto tasted of nothing but cream! no flavour. The pizza was greasy, oily, and laughable when you remember it's coming from a place that calls itself "Little Italy", wish I had gone with dominoes now (and that shames me to say). The soup went straight into the bin and the only edible thing was the starter of prosciutto and mozzarella which requires no cooking! Very disappointing. I'll try again in another 18 years.

Ordered here as Nana Franca was closed. Pizza was fine but I wasn’t impressed with the penne bolognese. It was a little salty and not what I’d expected from a restaurant. Didn’t taste terrible but just didn’t do it for me.

We took the kids to experience Little Italy and they loved it! We've been coming here for nearly 20 years and we have never had a bad meal.

Very friendly family owned restaurant. Best pizza in ages and sundae was superb.

We werecthe pnly people in as was early tues evening, but was like privare dinning, drinks were perectly good, as was the food and service, we liked to fact we were on our own too. It was great, i quite like the trattoria style of this place.

Absolutely fantastic night out. The service is second to none, helpful, courteous, polite and informative. Atmosphere is perfect. The food is gorgeous.

always amazing food and fab service 😋

I had spaghetti napoli and my mam had the ravioli and both were 10/10. Lovely atmosphere and staff, very traditional and authentic. Will 100% be going again :)

Great food and service. Was a touch oily, and the person with the pasta wasn't very well for it after, for all tasty enough!

Nice Italian food and reasonably priced

Pasta dishes were cold and just not nice, garlic mayo tasted soapy and chips looked days old! Tomato garlic bread was ok…gone down hill won’t be ordering again

We only popped in for drinks after walking the dogs on the beach. They were very welcoming and friendly.

My adult daughter and I visited this lovely little restaurant on a Thursday teatime in January. We were met by very welcoming staff and had the pleasure (due to dining early) of the restaurant being quiet. We were offered a table near the radiator (it’s cold right on the sea) and were given menus. I asked for salmon carbonara which was not in the menu but I was quickly told that it wouldn’t be a problem. My daughter had plain Napoli pasta which she said was lovely and we shared a half and half margarita/hawaiian. The pizza was cooked to perfection and we ended up taking half of it home. Lovely staff, lovely welcoming restaurant. It was our first time there. My daughter and I eat out in lots of restaurants and I can honestly say this one is one of my favourites. Little Italy on seaburn sea front is a magical little place and well worth a visit. My daughter and I will definitely be going back. It’s price friendly and even allows dogs in the bar area. Don’t wait to visit this place, it’s a sure gem

We booked Christmas Day lunch for three people. Never again. The table cloth was dirty and the staff less than satisfactory. The food was a massive disappointment. I had melon and fruit starter, the fruit was still frozen in the center! Main meal was lukewarm and poor quality. Christmas pudding desert was over cooked to the point of being chewy and drowning in lukewarm runny custard (the menu was for brandy sauce). The over priced meal included coffee and mint to finish, the mint never arrived! To add to the experience half way through our meal the restaurant filled with smoke. You couldn't make it up!

Little Italy is excellent and I love their restaurant, so traditional Italian , their food is amazing!!!

Food was amazing…delivered on time and piping hot! Wouldn’t hesitate to order again / recommend!

Had spare ribs and spag bol and it was really good

Lovely meal, lovely authentic feel. Can't comment on atmosphere as only customers in for whole night.

£11 for plain pasta with some chicken and bacon, poor excuse for a carbonara, just plain grease used as a "sauce". Could've done that at home for 15 pence a portion

We visited here for my daughters 16th birthday, food was ok, a little rushed, mains came out far too soon after starters. Owner was lovley and accommodating. Another guy working there was shutting up the restaurant (closing the outside shutters as we were sitting at the table) so we felt inclined to leave. He was also standing close by just watching us which was uncomfortable. 13 of us were in, fed and out within 1.5 hours. It was a Monday night and quiet, so maybe I would try another time, im not sure

Always order from here ,always lovely , but have to say for a 58 pound takeaway it could have been a bit better presented I.E steak which was 27 pound thrown in a tray, presentation was poor food nice Thanks A regular

Everything was perfect back to been our favourite restaurant

We come here all the time we are the family with the boy that speaks Italian to you we love the food it's so nice I don't know why more people don't go here they also do Sunday dinner we would have come to the restaurant but the boy was feeling very well x

Great food as usual, pizzas are unreal from this place. Very happy once again.

Lovely as always but for some reason I didn’t get my Stamp bonus this time

Items weren’t as ordered ( garlic bread with tomato and cheese ) no cheese on either one items just no taste and sadly this used to be our favourite place to eat

It was my uncle who built this restaurant in 1993 I will be putting the photographs on Google of the restaurant getting built.

Had two sunday lunches, pasta, pizza, chicken nuggets (family of 5). Sunday lunch wasn't nice at all. Luke warm, chewy meat that came home for the dog. Yorkshire pudding had no flavour and the gravy wasn't very nice either. Pizza and Pasta both well received. Chicken nuggets looked very cheap and poor quality.The dinners weren't worth the money as tasted very cheap with little flavour. We got 3 diet cokes all which also tasted very watered down. Simply won't return. Staff were nice though, but the place also needs a much needed update.

Great food as always, love this place.

Fab food and extra added with it being for a birthday excellent service

Fantastic food as always, highly recommended

Lovely food and service will definitely be back

Came for the wife's birthday can't fault the whole experience food absolutely spot on service spot on friendly polite totally an enjoyable evening

We've dined at this establishment twice within the past fortnight. Our initial visit was in early September, and the experience was so exceptional that we eagerly returned the following week. The ambiance is delightful, the service is prompt and efficient, and the cuisine is absolutely exquisite. We're already planning our next visit, which will be happening very soon!

Authentic decor bringing a peice of Italy! Absolutely lovely. Had a beautiful meal, lovely views served by staff that couldn't be more helpful. Would definitely recommend.

Sat 9th Sep '23. You certainly pay for the location as it has a stunning outlook. Not sure £5plus for a Strongbow is justified.

The pizza was nice but the service was shocking! I waited 15 minutes at the door to be seated, which I understood because they were busy but then I was blanked by the waiter who walked straight past me to attend to a bigger group behind me who had literally just walked in. I then waited 30 minutes for my drink when my friend got his straight away and I had to ask where is was and they just shoved it on the table with no apology. They had zero customer service and it was a very disappointing birthday meal out!

30 mins early but as usual lovely food, normally always on time or just after.

Calamari was just soggy and greasy, ended up in the bin, the carbonara was more like reheated, so greasy, if I got that in a restaurant I would have sent it back. Don't think I'd order from here again.

Food is mouthwatering. Service great! Very welcoming and accomodating... definitely will be back. Thank you. Great sea view. Very quirky.

Brilliant staff, great service, good vibe about the place!

Really tasty food and speedy delivery we would definitely order again.

Food was undercooked and no flavour to the pastas too much tomato on the garlic bread all round the food was inedible

The chips tasted like they were microwaved after they were cooked. The pasta was too salty. The chicken Diane was nice.

Ok pizza ,not one of the best I've had but passable ,base was rock hard which spoilt it

Always amazing, their pizza is fabulous

Great as usual, quality food and piping hot.

Perfect little restaurant over looking the beach. Great food and oldy charm.

I took my wife here for our wedding anniversary and it was the worst Italian meal I've ever had with I took her to the house of Zen 100 times better

What a find. Fantastic food Great service. Prices very good. Well done.

Excellent service and food was brilliant

Just cheap and nasty microwaved food. Cold meat. Microwaved veg and cheap garlic bread. Steer clear.

Our first visit to this restaurant a week ago, this was easily one of the best ever Italian restaurants we visited. Each of the dishes we ordered was so flavourful. The seafood was cooked just right and the seasonings were perfect. We ordered the seafood Risotto, the mushroom Risotto, the Salmon pasta and the mixed seafood pasta. The portion size was just right too. The only missing part was a little bit of garnish as presentation to finish off that plating. I would def recommend this place - It's on the beach, airy, the staff are lovely. I eill definitely be visiting again.

My wife and I were staying overnight in Sunderland, and whilst walking along the promenade we decided to have dinner in this eatery, and it turned out to be a great choice. We were shown to a table as soon as we arrived by a friendly member of staff, given menus and our drinks orders taken. The drinks were soon brought to the table and food orders taken. We both ordered pizzas. The food took no time at all to arrive at the table, and the pizzas looked and tasted great. We really enjoyed the service, ambience of the place and the food, so would recommend this eatery for good Italian fare.

Good quality house wine, very tasty food. Varied range to choose from. Will return.

What a gem! We struggled to find somewhere to eat after 6pm on a Saturday and happily discovered this beautiful little spot. The staff are very kind and friendly, giving an informal and relaxing environment which is only made better by the unbroken view of the sea! The food is delicious, not too fussy, made with love and experience as good Italian food should be! They are also dog friendly inside the bar area which is brilliant! The decor is old but characterful and creates an ambiance that is a rare treat! Food is reasonably priced and great value. Definitely go and try it out, it’s streets ahead of the new build boil in the bag trendy bars popping up around it!

Dissapointed food from the menu. Staff are very friendly

Very laid back atmosphere. Food good. Service very good. Staff attentive,very helpful and friendly.

Lovely food, very reasonably priced & the bonus of quick delivery... Very happy 😊

I thought I would pay e tra for decent food,I guess not terrible. 36.00 pizza,chips,kiev. No taste in kiev and breading shocking.pizza blah .Will never use again

Class food and Service. Staff are great.

Always a lovely place for a family celebration 🍾 ❤️. Excellent food and excellent service. 👌

The restaurant was dead. It's very dated, didn't have any fillet steaks in. However as a large number of our table wanted these. They did get some which were nice as fresh. However the pasta made ppl ill and tasted off. The diane sauce didn't taste fresh either had a strong taste of vinegar to it.The sirloin steak was like mush. Worst meal ever. The service were friendly enough. No other positives though as the food was horrible. Won't be going again!

The onion rings were soggy so were the mushrooms and the chips were undercooked a shame as it is normally delicious

Not the best picture, but you do get a lovely view of the beech and brave dog walkers. Tasty food and friendly staff, quirky decoration that feels comfy. We will definitely go back.

Last visited here about 25 years ago and it does appear to have changed. It really does need an update. Food was ok, not brilliant but was served quickly and service was friendly. Would probably go back because of the location but can get better Italian food elsewhere.

Beautifull food, delivery driver pleasant , arrived early

Brilliant service as always and the food was delicious. Love this place!

Haven’t been in a long time so thought we would try it and wasn’t impressed a shame as this used to be the place to go

Food was piping hot and tasty. Have ordered several times before and will continue to do so. Amazing food and always amazing service 💯