Saporitalia

When we imagine a no-nonsense, family-run Italian restaurant, Saporitalia is what comes to mind. The Notting Hill institution has been around for over a decade, the troughs of pastas are great, and classic Italian dishes like parmigiana di melanzane are comforting. It’s the kind of place where birthdays come with a round of fountain candles stuck in tiramisu and endearingly messy melted chocolate messages on a plate. The old-school decor, with garlands of dried chillies hanging above the bar and checkerboard floors, gives the whole place a charming feel and you can peek through a little window into the kitchen as you eagerly wait for your quattro formaggi. When the weather’s nice, the big sliding doors open onto the glorious Portobello Garden Arcade, and the quaint outdoor terrace is a lovely place to be. The reliably good classics and friendly servers make this one of our favourite old-school Italian spots in London.