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The best restaurants serving Italian food in Central Bedfordshire East of England
26 Restaurants on GastroRanking
Delivery
Pickup
Outdoor

1309 Opinions in 2 websites
Edit March 2025: Sorry to echo another recent review, this place has gone downhill massively and stil expensive. Not sure if a change in owners, managers but seems like it. We used to love Fratellis and have been customers for 5 years, we had our first date here, became a favourite of ours and even got engaged here as it held special romantic memories. The food used to be good, the service impeccable. Now, we visited today and it was a world apart from what I remember. The staff clearly fairly new and inexperienced, although nice but we were sat at a table which was tiny for 4 people and right next to the bar which means you can overhear staff conversations awkwardly, plus it's used as a walkway for all people and it's not a nice place to sit. The food quality, taste, ingredients are all worse and the chefs which I'm sure have probably changed a few times over the years are no where near as good as they used to be. The garlic dough balls, were a favourite, today they were completely different to how they used to be. Much much fewer of them, completely different shape, consistency being rock hard and had no garlic to them, served with a butter that just have looked at garlic no taste at all. Just a basic mini bread roll. They used to ooze garlic, soft to the touch and uniformly round with lots more on the plate. The calamari, soggy not crisp or crunchy coating and very rubbery to eat. The carbonara, today was drenched in cream, completely different to how it used to be, far too much. The Pizzas were almost burnt, far too many black spots from the oven, all I could taste was burnt dough. For the ingredients added to the top, it was essentially tasteless except the burnt bits. Still hugely costly, roughly £110+ and they include a 10% service charge, which is so wrong especially on tables of fewer people. Sorry to say, but after 5 years, we won't be returning to what was once a highlight and special place to dine at. Everything felt like costs have been cut at the expense of quality and experience, these high prices can not be justified by such poor food. So sad to see another once great restaurant fall by the wayside. Original 2020: Lovely restaurant, came on a date with my lady friend and we both loved it. The food is wonderful, authentic and delicious. We had the best dough balls and pizza I've had outside of italy here! The staff are attentive and genuinely caring, the prices are very reasonable for the quality of evening you'll enjoy. We even had drinks bought for us by a lovely older gentleman at the table next to us, who happened to be a co-owner or investor in Fratelli, we was kind and enjoyed having people have a great time in the establishment. Very cosy and almost feels like a private dining experience the way the layout is done, the only reason it's not 5* review is that parking is limited as it's in an old village. However there is parking on the street outside, usually best if you're not going on a friday or Saturday night I'd imagine

1164 Opinions in 2 websites
Not sure how this place has such a high rating. The prawn cocktail was so bad please please don't order as a starter. Overall, it probably serves the local community well but for someone who lives in London and was hoping for something great, this was a stark reminder why I love London. Setting is nice and would be good for a date but if your looking for top notch food, it's looking tricky.

1073 Opinions in 2 websites
Another visit to my favourite eating place in Leighton Buzzard. Had a lovely Mother's Day lunch. Food excellent as always and service was superb, with a lovely atmosphere too. The staff are so friendly and nothing is too much trouble. Excellent all round.

582 Opinions in 2 websites
Came on the off chance that they could fit us in, which we did. I had the pan fried bream and it was the best fish I had ever eaten. The staff were really nice and professional. The portions were an OK size and they were a decent price. The seating was nice and inviting and the decor was really nice. We visited twice and as I was visiting, the bream will be forever in my dreams.

154 Opinions in 2 websites
Our Valentine's Day evening at Donatello's was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we arrived, the ambiance was warm and inviting, setting the perfect tone for a romantic evening. The highlight of our experience was the outstanding service provided by Cherish. Her attentiveness and genuine warmth made us feel truly special. She anticipated our needs with impeccable timing, ensuring our glasses were never empty and that each course arrived promptly. Her knowledgeable recommendations enhanced our dining experience, guiding us through the menu with expertise. The culinary delights at Donatello's exceeded our expectations. The pasta was cooked to perfection, and the pizza boasted a delightful blend of flavors with a crispy crust. Each dish reflected authentic Italian cuisine, prepared with the freshest ingredients. Cherish's exceptional service, combined with the delectable food and charming atmosphere, made our Valentine's Day unforgettable. We wholeheartedly recommend Donatello's to anyone seeking an outstanding Italian dining experience.