Santonio Bar Restaurant in Hartlepool

First time here with visiting family and partner..nowhere to go on a Tuesday afternoon and ended up here...omg food was fantastic and very fresh and great value for money with generous portions on everyones plate service staff very helpful and polite. Although it was a quiet Tuesday afternoon it didn't take away from lovely atmosphere bill for 5 adults included 2 starters 5 mains 2 sides 2 deserts and several drinks was about £160 including a 10% tip great value will certainly be visiting again.

Food was amazing - pasta had so much flavour, ones of the best pasta dishes I’ve had, and the cocktails were lovely - great deal for 2 for £12. Reasonable prices and lovely atmosphere, live music on a Saturday night while we were eating was a nice touch. Will definitely be back.

Me and wife went for food, she eat by her self. My food wasnt what i ordered, really disapointed far to much pepper in my food. Never go there again 1oo%

Delicious food, excellent value for money, classy decor and pleasant staff. Definitely worth a visit. Park on Middleton Road to get free parking.

Enjoyed the food, live music was great. Will definitely return. 👍😋

servers were all lovely and welcoming, extremely hard working and the food was perfect.

Had the 3 course meal 2pm to 5pm 17.95 each person brilliant hot food great range to pick from very tasty well recommend great prices loads of other items available highly recommend

We booked a table of 12 weeks in advance, 10 of us turned up and they had no idea we were booked. They set us up a table as they were quiet even on a Saturday night, got drinks and ordered, starters arrived and the waitress dropped a ramekin dish of garlic sauce, it hit one guest on the back slashing garlic over her top, as it hit the floor it splashed up my leg and onto my coat, the waitress said oh it’s on your top to my friend and walked away returning with blue roll and says there you go, we were left to not only clean ourselves up but also to mess on the floor, she didn’t even pick up the dish, the supervisor came with more plates and asked what had happened, we explained and her response was” I’m not sure how that happened “, it was a pure accident and if either of them had apologised it would have been delt with, as this didn’t happen I send a message the following day just hoping for some acknowledgment that the service was bad, they read the message and didn’t respond, as a quiet restaurant you really should review your customer service especially for large groups as you have lost the chance of us returning now.

Lovely Italian restaurant Great food served by brilliant staff in a really nice setting I'd recommend the happy hour menu Fantastic value xxx

Had an amazing night as always. The food is brilliant, beautifully cooked and really tasty. Service is top notch and you're always well looked after. The restaurant itself is gorgeous and has a great atmosphere. We love eating here and will be coming back regularly.

Went with family for a birthday meal, food was amazing we had a varity off the menu and there were no complaints, staff were amazing and helpful, although it wasnt busy there was another big party in but we didnt wait long between courses, cannot wait to return

Delicious food at a wonderful restaurant. Daily specials are amazing and well priced.

Great value tea time special. Food and service excellent

Service is an absolute shambles

Unfortunately serves halal meat as standard. Had a vegetarian option which was just OK. Good musician so a nice atmosphere.

Went here for the first and last time! Waitress no idea about the meals, can’t be bothered attitude, king prawn risotto was the worst I’ve ever had tasted worst than out of a packet! NO atmosphere whatsoever, pop music playing which is just a no no in an “Italian restaurant”. Over priced for the quality. Please try portofino on other side of the marina that place is bob on.

Our daughter came to stay with us at the marina on a Monday and San Antonio is open on a Monday thankfully or so we thought. Very quiet inside (one other table) the wrong style of music playing in our opinion (recent pop music) , very poor and slow service from the two girls who really would have rather been somewhere else. They had had very little training ,if any , as neither knew about the menu/specials/how to serve or even pour wine. They were well versed in the payment machine and the gratuity button though. No sign of management front of house and then we get to the food. Very very bland and tasteless, we could have been eating each other’s meals and we wouldn’t have known. Risotto that wasn’t far off a packet of uncle bens packet risotto. One meal was very nice - the steak which we paid a lot extra for so thank goodness for that. We should have saved our money and stayed at home and gone to the far superior Porto fino across the marina on Tuesday night. It’s a shame because it’s on our doorstep. There’s just no effort at the place even Sundays are a lottery if they are even open or not which gives mixed messages to possible custom. Avoid.

Waited 20 minutes between starter and tiny main course. Then charge £11 for a shandy..this place is a joke. Won't be going back.

Beautiful food, fantastic location and lovely venue. Staff were lovely and attentive. Be careful when ordering gluten free- despite disclosing allergies and ordering an item that said gluten free on the menu, it came with wheat bread. Had to double check and glad I did. Otherwise, great restaurant with amazing food!

Lovely place to eat. Very clean and a good atmosphere. Food was excellent. Service was brilliant and the staff were very attentive.

We went here for some food on an evening. After paying £2 to park the car on the Marina, we decided to have a bite to eat. On entering the restaurant, we were served immediately and taken for a table for two. There was a sign to tell you to wait to be seated. We were given menus straight away, and then the waitress disappeared without taking a drinks order. This was a little alien to us, but she soon came back and took our drinks order. We ordered a burger and chips and a chicken skewer hanger. The burger and chips was served on a slab of wood (see photos), and the chicken was served hanging, but the plate was cold. The portion size wasn't very big, and my partner said that he was still hungry after eating that. He enjoyed the taste but compared the taste to a takeaway (just not as dry), marinated in tandoori, turmeric amd garlic. He wasn't impressed with it and commented that he felt the menu was quite overpriced. For two main meals and two drinks we spent £40. We didn't stay for long after eating as we wanted to walk around the marina before the car park timer expired. For an evening the restaurant was very quiet. (It was a Tuesday though). The service was pretty good and the music was good. The toilets could do with being kept more clean, but other than that, it was an average meal. We probably wouldn't return.

First time visiting and will definitely be back , absolutely superb food .

Fantastic food,superb staff,couldn't ask for more.

Food good service slow but what really spoilt the night was all cocktails 2 for £12 but I got one cocktail in the middle of our order, so I asked the management said I never asked for two ( I thought they had finished when they only brought one over , apparently you have to ask for the two) why be greedy ?

Starters came out amazingly burnt and cold. When the mains finally arrived, the steak, which was asked to be cooked medium-rare, came well done, and when they sent it back and a new steak arrived, it came blue without peppercorn sauce. The waitress dropped food and cutlery on the floor and the lights flickering all the way through the evening.

Disappointed in the food. Hanging kebab is expensive for what you get. Veg was burned, chicken still pink, flatbread more like a poppadom than bread and staff not even bothered when you mention it. Wouldn't recommend and wouldn't order again. Definitely nicer places to choose on the marina.

Needed somewhere early evening to eat before going onto a tour of the Heugh Battery on the Headland.What a good choice ! All 3 of us enjoyed the freshly cooked food (I had Carbonara/pasta). Would happily recommend. Ps it was a early Monday evening so wasnt expecting a vibrant atmosphere but nice comfortable setting to relax and eat with friends.

Lovely new restaurant. Very spacious. Good food, good service, reasonable prices. Hope it succeeds

Highly recommended will be going back

Lovely place with great service, pleasant ambience and delicious food. Makes a change to visit a restaurant with spacious uncramped seating

Absolutely lovely food . 3 of us got the dinner time 2 course specials for £11.95 which is amazing value . Soup and bruschetta was lovely . We got pizza and grilled sea bass with vegetables for mains which is nice portions . Overall was well impressed and will be back . Waiters are very polite.

I ordered the spag bol it was ok quite nice, but when it came had to ask if they brought the correct meal and not the child's menu unfortunately that was the adults meal if that was an adults size I would not like to see the size of the children meal for £13 you do not get much at all it pasta and sauce cheep as chips to buy so why scrimp. My wife orderd the mix kebab she said it was dry & over cooked bit on the burnt side let's say. I Was not impressed, very much doubt we will he returning here.

I wish I had seen these reviews before I came I left very disappointed and we all left still hungry the food was average it came in very small quantities the menu was limited seemed to do mostly chicken dishes. I can not see this place lasting long they can't even get the basics rite. We will not be returning you should not leave a restaurant then going straight to macdonsld drive thru

I would not recommend this place,I will never step foot in here again! I came here with my family ordered 2childrens spaghetti and 2 Adults spaghetti when came they were all the same size portions but the adults was double the price of the children's meal, when I spoke to manager asking why this was, he was very argumentative, abrupt and give a pathetic excuse ,saying that all his customers complain that they to big so they down sized the portions to save waste, they should also down size the price if you get the same size meal as children at double the price. It is not good value for money at all they should not be allowed to get away with this

First time eating here, it was very quiet, but the food and service was lovely. The starters lovely, the steaks cooked to perfection, and from what I could see and hear the other diners appeared to be really enjoying their meal. I recommend it. X

Our Meal Portions were terrible, I will not be back here, service is poor staff stood around while we waited 20 mins to order.

Visited for my daughters 13th birthday. Enjoyed the afternoon 3 course special menu. Service was fantastic waiter was so attentive and made sure we had everything we needed, nothing was too much for him. Food was delicious, we had chicken kebab and the chicken was so tender and juicy. Highly recommended and we will certainly be back. A little gem right on the marina.

Lovely place, staff are always super helpful and friendly. Atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming. Will continue to come back here, thanks!

Got grilled chicken, dry thin and had to tear it apart to eat as the knife would not cut it, tiny bit of salad and very few chips, was in a party of fourteen and none of us were happy with the food quality or amount, my daughter asked for extra chips for her son but was told the kitchen was closed,it was 9:30 pm

My friends and I went for an evening meal. There was no heating on in the restaurant which resulted in us keeping our coats on for the full meal which went cold very quickly. There was a sunger whose choice of songs was very downbeat which lowered the vibe. The waiting staff were freezing and apologised but nothing was done to resolve the issues. Very disappointing meal.

Me and Mrs had a started and a main of potato skins, prawn cocktail, turkey dinner and a grilled salmon. Every meal was delicious. Waitresses were lovely, music was good and not too loud so you could have a good conversation. Also lighting was lovely. Was surprised at how empty it was consider how nice the food was. If I wasn't on holiday and lived round here would go there as often as I could. Can not recommend highly enough. Compliments to the chef!!!

Enjoyed a meal here to celebrate a birthday recently. Food was delicious and price was very reasonable. Good location will definitely be back!

We called in on the off chance when staying for a weekend and they managed to fit us in (group of 4) as they had a few birthday bookings in that night and I’m glad they did as the food was delicious all four of us enjoyed our meals (2 pizzas, burger, and the hot shot parmo meal) our friends who had the pizzas said they were glad it was thin based and crispy bottom very delicious, I had the burger myself and it was perfectly cooked and the chips were so nice with the garlic dip, and the chicken hot shot meal was also very tasty none of us wanted anything else as we were full from the mains and glad we never ordered a starter as I personally was struggling to finish of my burger but wasn’t wasting anything

Me & my partner came for food today, & really was blow away how good it was! The pizza was perfect in my opinion which I’ve found a lot of restaurants struggle to get right but here at santonio they’ve mastered it! Highly highly recommend!

Food was delicious, service was quick and the staff were fantastic. (05/10/23)

First visit here tonight and won't be the last. Food was delicious and service was excellent. Friendly and attentive staff.

Place looks nice and cosy from the outside but when moved to the back where the restaurant is, it’s weirdly bright? Spotlights everywhere just needed turning off. Music was just chart music which was strange and didn’t fit the vibe. Menu is very basic. Ordered a parmo and as you can see by the photo, was probably the worst parmo I’ve ever eaten. No taste, no seasoning, not worth £1 let alone £13. A good rule of thumb should be if you wouldnt take a photo to show it off online then it shouldnt go out. Really poor. Girlfriend ordered chicken in peppercorn sauce which came with chips OR veg OR salad. You had to pay more for something that usually comes with the main as bog standard? Essentially just chicken in chips. The last thing Hartlepool needed was another bang average Italian.

5 of us all cleared our plates, absolutely delicious

Fantastic meal here yesterday,nothing at all to fault,wish we lived localy ,we were on holiday or would be bk regularly, superb

Had lunch again for the second time. Absolutely fabulous. The food is fantastic. All fresh and tasty. It was quiet but it is only Thursday, but it suited hubby and I. We will definitely be back. I do hope Santonio survives as the rents are so expensive down on the marina. So many restaurants have just come and gone. Good luck Santonio

It was very average. No wine menu, starters took ages. Shortcut to bar so waitress took this which was a little annoying whooshing past all the time. Mains were okay. Nothing special

Very nice new restaurant, best on the marina by far. Food is lovely along with the staff, definitely visit again!

Went on a busy evening when they were a chef down short notice, staff were all still amazing and food was lovely. Will be back!

Discovered this restaurant during our visit to the marina over the weekend of the Tall Ships and all I can say is wow! Our family loved it! Food was absolutely delicious, I had the pollo gamberetti (chicken breast with prawns) this dish was the best I’ve had! The sauce is a lobster bisque and my word it was so moreish. My husband had the seafood pasta and he couldn’t fault it! I had a choice of chips, veg or salad with mains so i opted for a salad which was lovely. Our two children opted for the beef brisket pizza and a carbonara. Both absolutely demolished them! Excellent portion sizes, staff couldn’t do any more for us! Atmosphere was great, lovely simplistic decor. Open kitchen meant we could watch the chefs busy at work! Staff coped so well during the tall ships madness. Glad to have found this gem, we will be back! Thank you!

Awful service, the music was suitable for a school disco, not an Italian restaurant. The waitresses were enjoying it, but we weren't and for much of our long wait for food were the only customers in the place. Our starter, a sharing antipasto platter was OK, nothing special and was preceded by a tiny stale roll decorated with shrivelled up greenery....odd! but then we waited an hour, no main courses arrived. I asked the waitress if there was a problem in the kitchen (I saw pasta all over the floor as the door to the kitchen opened) she eventually returned and said chef was just starting to cook our food...after an hour during which time I didn't see any food leave the pass. We asked for the bill as this was just not acceptable. The waitress hurried off but no bill arrived so we walked to the bar and asked where our bill was. The chap in charge looked mortified, to his credit. He said he wouldn't charge us, but too little too late. I can't recommend this place at all. We'd come for the Tall Ships but after this we cut our visit short. Hartlepools worst restaurant? Probably.

We had a great holiday in Hartlepool and we found this restaurant on our first night while we were having a evening walk, we had a very warm welcome and the food was just amazing, the staff were very helpful and the service was spot on. We could not have found a better place to eat as a result we ate there every night which is not what we usually do. My wife, sister and I can not recommend the Santonio restaurant highly enough, we think it’s the place to dine in Hartlepool, Jack and his team have a lot to be proud of, all the best for the future, Heather, Gaynor and David.

Came here today for the first time. It's just opened and it's amazing. Beautiful restaurant, gorgeous food. Everything looks amazing! The staff are lovely too. Will be back.