The best restaurants serving Italian food in East of England

Sadly to say this is supposedly one of the best restaurants in Clacton is very misleading, my starter wasn’t available and then when my main came the veg was over cooked and the mash potato was lumpy and a horrible colour and very poorly presented, upon closer inspection around the restaurant there was lots of flys around and it is looking like it’s a little run down, when an elderly gentleman entered the restaurant the staff pounced on him and then kept sitting with him on his table before he could even order food, it made me wonder if I was eating in a “adult” venue the way they were pouncing on him

Super fresh delicious calamari and pizza, and best hot chocolate we’ve ever had!

Amazing food and outstanding customer service!! Definitely our most favorite local Italian restaurant.

Excellente adresse, une vraie cuisine italienne. Très bon accueil. C'est un restaurant que je recommande vivement. Service impeccable.

Food always good. Love their offers and staff efficient and helpful.

Visited here saturday evening. The food is beautiful, service absolutely spot on and a good atmosphere. Last visited here probably 5 years or more ago and happy to report that it is still just as good!

Avoid this place at all costs. We'd been sat at our table for 10 minutes, the waiter came and asked if we were ready to order. I said that we'd like to order some drinks first. Before i got the chance he walked off telling me he was going to check the system. We ordered olives to share, they were the ones you get in a jar. We didn't want starters as we wanted to have dessert. I ordered fillet of salmon wrapped in Parma Ham with fresh asparagus, sautéed veg and white wine sauce. The salmon was so over cooked it stuck to my teeth, it was not wrapped in Parma ham, that was just plonked on the side of the plate. There was no asparagus. The sautéed veg consisted of 1 new potato, 2 slices of carrot and 1 piece of brocoli. The white wine sauce was congealed gunk. I sent it back. It took the waitress 15mins to come back and tell me they had no more salmon. By this time my partner had finished his main. He had liver, was supposed to come with onion and bacon, that was missing and the red wine gravy looked more like dishwater. I decided not to have another main and requested a dessert menu. After being given the menu it took the waitress 25 mins to come back and take the order. I just requested the bill. The waitress had the cheek to say we haven't charged you for your main course. I had ONE bite out of it before sending it back. They also didn't charge me for one of my drinks. Will not be returning or recommending this place to anyone.

We had a great Sunday lunch here. Friendly service and good food at a reasonable price. My wife contacted the restaurant in advance as she has some allergies and they made special dishes for her. This made us feel very welcome and cared for.

Evening Meal in this local Italian based restaurant. The food was absolutely fabulous. The calamari perfectly cooked and all the food beautifully presented and delicious.

Tried to visit Francesco & Amorosa for another superb Italian meal, but found the restaurant closed. Oh no. We have been eating at Francisco's for a few years now and always have fantastic food served with passion and friendship. The end of an era. Wishing you both a long and happy retirement. Affectionately yours; Claudio (Ranieri), Sylvia & Da Grandson. All the very best....

I’ve been to the “cottage bar and bistro” twice in the last couple of weeks and have enjoyed the food on both occasions. I had the mussels to start followed by spaghetti with seafood. Both were nicely cooked with fresh seafood and very delicious. Previously I had calamari and sea-bass which were also lovely. The portion size was perfect for me. The service was efficient and the chef was able to offer an alternate for our friend who had specific dietary requirements. I will return as there are other dishes on the menu which I’d like to try.

We love this place and visit often, but this weekend it was our wedding anniversary, the lovely ladies even brought us an anniversary card, it made us feel very special this was so sweet. The staff are always very welcoming, kind and professional, whenever we visit, and the food is always amazing and so fresh, Woburn Thai is definitely one of the best Thai restaurants we have ever been to.

I organised a corporate dinner for 40 colleagues and it was fabulous! Nico and his team we so helpful in the lead-up to the event so I was fairly confident that any last minute adjustments could be accommodated and they were! We were given an area for our exclusive use and it was decorated beautifully. The food was great and was complimented on by many of our team. I would wholeheartedly recommend Riccardo's Bloody Mary - one of the best I've had! Thank you Nico, Stella, Riccardo and team. I will certainly be recommending your restaurant to others.

This restaurant is by far the absolute best Italian restaurant I have been too. The food everytime was outstanding. The manager and staff are so friendly and welcoming. Totally recommended eating here

Service very good, drinks expensive. Adult x 4 meals were good, 2 pizza and both linguine. Price reasonable. Kids menu VFM. Drinks expensive :- £36 Prosecco x 1 bottle £7-8 beer x 2 £4 coke x 4 = £70 (4/10 of the £178 bill) Add £13 service charge which we did not mind paying as most of the staff were engaging, pleasant and helpful.