The best restaurants serving Italian food in South East

First red flag should have been the fact we were the only table from 7pm on a Friday night. Ordered arranchini to start - worst I’ve ever had. Barely any risotto rice inside, very hard on the outside and small portion size. Main of monkfish from the specials menu was nice, however so overpriced and would not have ordered it had I clocked the price. Again, Tiramisu for dessert - worst I’ve ever had. I’m not sure how you can mess up tiramisu but they have managed it, Borderline watery, no thickness to the mascarpone cream, did not finish it. This was one of the most expensive meals I have had out, and sadly the standard was sub par. So many great Italians out there, more keenly priced. Once we paid and left, within 5 minutes the doors were shut, lights out. Clearly the only table they were expecting, Note the Italian next door was very busy and this was still the case once we left at 9pm - as it should be on a Friday evening. Personally I would avoid.

This is a great restaurant with a menu that changes regularly so you will never be disappointed. The fresh produce and great wine choices make this an excellent experience. Presentation of food is fantastic and the staff are friendly with great service throughout the entire evening.

Very good food, excellent customer service. Authentic italian food, whilst having a small cosy family run feeling.

A varied menu freshly cooked. Great atmosphere and very friendly staff making for a relaxed experience. A must visit if in Stockbridge.

Intimate cafe, the food was fresh and fantastic. Excellent coffee too. We bought some cake to go and it was lovely. We had high expectations after reading good reviews and it was worth the visit.

Great food, staff very attentive. Lovely place to eat and catch up with friends. Would highly recommend. Will definitely be back!

We have been wanting to try this place for so long but first came the lockdowns and we always left it too late and it was booked up. Finally we booked ahead and got a table on a Saturday night for 2 of us.It was so worth the wait - this is a tiny treasure in Margate. The atmosphere was lovely - romantic and intimate, despite 3 other bigger parties on tables around us. wonderful music playing, delicious smells coming from the kitchen - we truly felt like we had been transported to Italy! And the food - simple, beautiful, incredibly tasty, fresh, authentic flavours. You could really tell everything was made with love. Every dish was perfect and bursting with flavour. The portions were good and both my meat loving partner and my vegan self, felt satisfied and happy. Really wonderful staff - just 3 of them, the owner and chef, the kitchen asssitant and the front of house but they worked together seamlessly. How they manage to do all this and so well, in a tiny space, whilst creating a relaxed, happy and warm atmosphere, is a true to credit to all of them. Many other bigger, higher staffed local restaurants could learn a thing or two from visiting Olivio! We can't wait to come back - a true treasure!

A finger licking experience! Food is absolutely delicious and you can tell it’s made from fresh. Service is fantastic. Will definitely go back and would recommend it if you’re in the area. You might want to book first… 😉

Don’t GO!! Reviews good but had beyond horrible experience! Server was sweet, beyond that was down hill! Extremely overpriced wine & a disgusting, cold & undercooked pizza followed! Horrible food, go elsewhere!

Best ice cream ever. Beautiful shop and great staff. I live north oxford so go to this shop as often as possible. Also good to buy some gifts.

This little place serves the most amazing tasty food accompanied By personable staff run by Giuseppe and Fabio. Customers are made to feel like family and you are welcomed personally my. I will never stop eating here. It’s simply the jewel of Hove.

I ate out here with friends and would highly recommend. The food was delicious! I had a seafood risotto which was absolutely delicious and a chocolate pistachio desert that was lovely. The house white Pecorino was also very tasty. The staff were very friendly. We had a lovely meal

Warm welcome, rather pushy waiter taking order, good service BUT food mediocre: my husband’s aubergine melanzana was not good he said, and his dish of the day pasta bland & tasteless; based on glowing reviews I chose the lamb, that was more less without flavour inc sauce & I’d been pushed to order extra veg by waiter and got a watery spoonful of spinach @ 6.50. Expensive meal and really disappointing

What a treat! Pizza to die for!! Great selection, prepped and cooked in front of your eyes in an impressive wood fired oven. Fully licenced. Would definitely recommend and will certainly be going again. Bravo!