The best restaurants serving Italian food in East Midlands

We arrived (a group of 8 blokes) late in the evening and begged for admittance as we'd been let down by a kitchen closure elsewhere. Sitting down within seconds of the deadline, we would have been grateful to get any decent meal. What we received however, was on a totally different level. My expectations were not just exceeded, but blown away. 'Italian inspired food' has been redefined for me. It was difficult to remain composed whilst I tasted the wonders the chef sent out, but it wouldn't do to shed tears in front of the lads. Suffice it to say, this was one of the finest dining experiences I have ever had in a well travelled 50 plus years. Even when the bill arrived, I was again very pleasantly surprised. I want to take this restaurant home to Sussex, but short of doing that, I will be happy to drive the 7 hour round trip to visit again. Thank you all for the experience!

You might think from this review I'm the owners dad, but when a restaurant goes the extra 50 miles, they are worth gushing over. The food delicious 😋 The staff, genuinly delightful! The atmosphere - exemplary! The chef is a brilliant example of a human being. Eat here, you will not regret it at all.

My husband planned a surprise birthday meal for me, and it turned out there were ten of us. The rest of the party had pre-ordered their food, they allowed me to choose as soon as I got there. The food and drink service was prompt as always. Delicious meals, plentiful portions and piping hot. Our server Daniel is always polite, friendly and obliging, knowledgeable about the menu. We’ve been here many times and we’ll be coming back again for sure. It’s an intimate little restaurant but perfectly capable of accommodating a large party.

We've dined at Montebello many times since it opened and we love it so much that we happily make a 30 mile round trip to visit. There's always a warm welcome, the service is very good and the food is consistently delicious, the coffee is excellent, and the owners are a lovely, hardworking couple. Our favourite restaurant in Lincolnshire!

Me encantó la comida recomendaría entrantes brucetta perfecta para morir por los platos principales, las especialidades eran preciosas y el desierto era excelente solo por otoño solo dos empleados para una casa completa, pero fue una noche increíble

Outstanding service and food , such a great place to eat , food is absolutely beautiful and very good value

Best coffee in Harborough, simple as that! There are also some lovely italian style sandwiches and cakes, plus an Italian deli and lots of jars and dried pasta, olives, etc. It's our favourite coffee place by a mile!

We would not eat Italian food anywhere else, Rocco and Gill are great hosts and the food is superb, my partner and myself went to Rome 3 years ago and I can honestly say that the food at Rocco’s is better than any restaurant we visited there. Just try it once and I guarantee you will be back for more.

Bistro 66 is a local diner serving mainly breakfast/brunch plus burgers, pizza etc in the evenings (including a Vegan menu). It's not fine dining but then it's not intended to be. We go there for coffee regularly and eat there occasionally. We recently had dinner with friends. The food was good and the service excellent. Five stars is well deserved on the basis that they do what they do very well! Congratulations to whoever chooses and trains the staff - they are always courteous, efficient, helpful and professional - even the younger staff members, who are often poorly trained in other places! Keep up the good work!

I absolutely love Greek food and sadly, this was nothing like Greek food. The ambience was quite awkward, the food was substandard and had undoubtedly been reheated in the microwave. I'm sorry to say it, but I'd never come back here and wouldn't recommend it to anybody.

This is the third time I have visited and I get more enjoyment each time. The second visit (6 months after the first) was quite late after an evening kick off at Franklins Gardens and I was the last arrival. Still. The welcome was genuine and the food delightful. Fast forward 3 weeks to last night. Busier and a bit earlier but I was recognised by both chef and FoH and personally greeted like an old friend. Fabulous pasta and a delicious dessert. The restaurant would never be described as large, 20 plus covers (maybe 30) but the quality far out ways the quantity. The menu is varied but not huge. Chef does not want to overcomplicate his kitchen which he appears to drive solo. What he does, he does very well. Long may he continue to do so. FoH were hard working, attentive without being over intrusive. Keeping an eye out but not being pushy. If there is a downside, it’s the location. A dark side street leading to what is trying to be a little oasis. You have to know it’s there to find it. I’ll be there again in a few weeks. Looking forward to it

This has now reopened. Another Trip advisor account set up. New owners and a warm friendly welcome. The fire place is burning Merry Christmas

Friendly staff and excellent quality food for very reasonable prices. The vegetarian and mushroom pizzas were top drawer.

Nice ambiance, service very good, foooood we had paninis and sandwich the fillings were very skimpy and I believe they had increased their prices. Not value for money. We have been in before and enjoyed our food. This must have been an off day. Will try it some time in future.

Ordered takeout it never arrived as it wasn’t open! No option to cancel order no contact number. £40 wasted and no food. Just eat just say wait another 30 mins and now been nearly 2 hours. NEVER ORDER from here.