The best restaurants serving Italian food in England

Bizarre customer service... We enjoyed excellent meals at Portofino New Brighton, over several months, but on this occasion we have have been put off from going there again. On the plus side, the food quality is normally excellent , and on most visits staff were attentive and helpful, but one of the young Italian waiters is unfortunately not good at English, and this impacts on service; he often has to refer questions to his manager, because he doesn't understand them. He doesn't even understand some basic restaurant terms, such as 'gluten' On this latest occasion though, it was the manager who took our food orders; his English is good, but the Sea Bass my partner ordered, came with a completely unrecognisable sauce, not one described on the menu. She also suspected that the sea bass was mackerel (or another different fish). When my partner questioned him, he was adamant that it was sea bass, but bizarrely said that "we sometimes change the sauces". Er, no....I thought, restaurants do not "change sauces" without discussion with the customer. The manager also offered to go to the kitchen to discuss the matter with the chef and he would " come back shortly" But he didn't return. At all, ever..... He hadn't left the restaurant because we saw him chatting to other customers at the bar, on our way out. At the same sitting, I was given Ravioli in a rather sickly cream sauce, instead of the Canneloni dish which I had ordered. I didn't complain because we had already questioned my partners dish, so I just eat the meal, which I didn't enjoy. So this restaurant has lost 2 regular customers due to what appeared to be odd, bizarre behaviour by the manager. I notice that Portofino, New Brighton, don't respond to any of these reviews; They obviously don't care, not interested. They should be . If you go there, be careful that the staff have properly understood your order, and reject it if it isn't exactly what you ordered , is my advice.

Perfect food Perfect service Perfect prices Perfect restaurant Perfect experience Steak and pasta out of this world Faultless

We waited to be seated on Sunday lunch time despite all of the top floor being empty. The decor is nice and it does feel fancier than some of the other Italian chains. We shared the Cromer crab arancini starter from the specials menu which was very good. My partner opted for the calzone which was large, well risen and packed with filling. I enjoyed the stick pig pizza which is essentially two flavours, both of which were delicious. The staff were friendly and accommodating. The food was high quality and very tasty, this was reflected in the price which we found to be quite steep, especially for a chain/shopping centre . £17+ for a pizza. £8 for some starters and puddings.

Well where do I start.Everything apart from service was very disappointing.The food was tasteless. Literally no flavours whatsoever…I have never had such a bland food…This has to be addressed….Service was very good and welcoming but food spoiled entire experience ….That’s a huge shame….Please - owners - speak with your chefs….

I enjoyed a lovely lunch with my friend. Marc looked after us very well, he was very knowledgeable about the menu, and went out of his way to make sure our dietary requirements were met, he is a credit to the restaurant.

Da Vinci’s has been a long standing favourite of ours and our visit on Sunday did nothing but enhance this. It even had a massive thumbs up from our michelin star Italian friend. Owner / chef Craig cooks very good Italian food from a menu consisting of starters , pizza , pasta , grills , desserts and a small selection of dishes on the specials board. Giovanni manages the restaurant with ease and is always glad to interact with all the guests. We arrived on Sunday and the usual warm welcome from Giovanni awaited us before taking our seat at the table. The menu stays the same and there were some delights on the specials board that were actually going to go down a treat. To accompany our starters of Arancini , Polpette and the Carpaccio of Beef we chose Anno Domini Falanghina. There was then a nice surprise as Craig had made for us a special Gnocchi dish that was delicious. For the mains we all enjoyed the specials which were a Pan Fried Fillet of John Dory with clams , white wine and potatoes as well as the Pappardelle with veal and button onions. All washed down with a delightful Valpolicella. For dessert Craig had made a fabulous Chocolate Torte. A cocktail followed by a coffee brought an end to a fantastic afternoon. Da Vinci’s really is a credit to not only my hometown of Hornchurch but the Essex dining scene. Thank You Craig and Giovanni for a fabulous afternoon and look forward forward to seeing you again soon.

Novellos food was beautiful,service was great,food,potato skins are unreal but I left 4 starts because I was asked out by the waiter whilst I'm only 16.

Lovely Sunday lunch, great service as always from Paris, Jade, Ellie Mae, Rhia & plus one which I apologise didn't get her name. Credit to the chefs & kitchen team, starters & lunch well presented. Lovely friendly atmosphere, home frome home, well done all

We had a meal there last night lovely we went early and the meal. Was very good price are very good. The service brilliant.

Getti was perfect for a quick supper late on a Saturday. The team managed Covid restrictions very well. Food was excellent an d quick to arrive.

I would give a zero if I could came in with my 2 boys one in a pram a young baby for lunch told me no tables very rudely but let 2 girls in behind me to be seated come back half a hour later she told me still no tables then I finally got a seat thanks to a different lady to then sit down she was muttering under her breath about us and then told my son he couldn’t drink his drink unless from there so very rude and poor customer service I would defiantly not go again and I’ve been going since a young girl gone down hill since gilda left!! Very rude manager

Olivia was a fantastic waiter! Great food, spices adapted to our taste. Prompt service. Polite, respectful. Too much pepper on Carbonara, but feedback to chefs. Hopefully just a one off mistake.

A very good choice of menu for senior citizens at a fixed price. Food was also very good . Had full choice of the normal menu except specials

Good quality chain Italian restaurant - food was well cooked and served nice and hot, plenty of choice and staff very friendly and helpful

The best Italian restaurant on wigan by a country mile. Food is so fresh and tasty and excellent value. Highly reccomend.