DALLA

The service is OK but the food is lacklustre. Was recommended the zucchini omelette with balsamic vinegar but if you're familiar with Southeast Asian omelette this dish basically just tastes like that... nothing special so just skip it (mine came with eggshells). Seasoning of the mains (fish and pork collar) was very unbalanced. Both were too salty. Desserts were the highlight. Unfortunately for the price and the expectations, I would not recommend this place.

Where to begin?! The food was impeccable. Everyone in the know when it comes to excellent food in London has been raving about Dalla. I can see why. Everything was unbelievably good and it’s one of the best meals I’ve had in London recently. I highly recommend the anchovy and butter toast and the sea bass with cucumber and caper mayonnaise. Also, do not sleep on the pumpkin tortelli, it’s one of the best I’ve had! I liked that the coffee in the tiramisu was not too strong and the sour grape syrup that comes with the panna cotta is so unique. I wasn’t sure about it at first but grew to like it. The only downside is that the waiters were a little cold. I tried my hardest to be friendly but the service was not very warm. However, tall guy with facial hair, who I think is the head chef, was very smiley and welcoming so that was nice. He stands at the front as you enter and you can see him plating everything if you have the right table which was fun to see. I’ll definitely be back! A reservation is definitely required - it’s a very popular spot!

Dalla is a charming, intimate spot with a cosy atmosphere and a tightly curated menu that leans into simplicity and quality. While the service can feel a little chaotic at times — likely due to inexperience — the staff are warm and well-intentioned. The gnudi toscani was a true highlight: light, delicate, and full of flavour. The tagliata di manzo delivered on taste, though the meat was noticeably tough, which let the dish down a touch. Dalla shows real promise, but it’s not quite up there yet with more polished Italian favourites like Trullo or Bocca di Lupo. That said, it’s an enjoyable experience and worth a visit — especially for the gnudi.

The food was underwhelming and tiny portions for the price. The service was very disappointing. We were rushed through our starters (we had four plates) so the staff could clear us out for the next reservation. By the time the mains arrived, the waiter was already hinting that we had overstayed. We weren’t even given the chance to order dessert at the table. Instead, we were told we could have one standing outside in the cold if we wanted. To make matters worse, we were only offered a single drink at the start of the meal and never again, presumably because they wanted the table cleared as quickly as possible. I’m increasingly frustrated by London restaurants that prioritise turnover over hospitality. Dining here felt more like being on a conveyor belt than enjoying a meal. It completely ruined the dining experience, which felt stressful and far from relaxing. I would not recommend Dalla unless you’re in a hurry to catch a flight and don’t actually want to enjoy your dinner.

Mitchell Damota clearly has some serious kitchen chops. Everything we ate at this stylish little trattoria tucked away in a quiet corner of Hackney was absolutely delicious. We started with the panelle served with fried borage and Cantabrian anchovy, and the vignarola alla Romana — both beautifully executed. For mains, we shared two pastas: the orecchiette and the pansotti, each bursting with flavour and perfectly cooked. The by-the-glass wines (Alessandro Viola and Tanca Nica) were excellent picks, but next time I definitely want to take a proper look at their promising wine list. My only complaint was the noise: with lots of guests packed into a small space, we struggled at times to hear each other over the lively chatter and busy service. Be ready to rub shoulders and raise your voice a little — but aside from that, it’s a place I’d highly recommend. We will be back!

5 stars are just not enough to express our love for the restaurant and people there. We always come to Dalla whenever we travel to London. You can never go wrong with anything on the menu and their daily specials. With seasonal food and wine, they always surprise us with the best food! Their service is impeccable too! Lovely people running the restaurant with love and passion. My boyfriend planned a proposal there and they just nailed everything with a wonderful personal touch! Thanks Gen, Gian and Gianluca for calling London another home so much easier!

If I had a penny for every hyper authentic Italian restaurant, operated in a tiny space, headed up by Italian Canadians in London, I'd have 2 pennies. It's not much, but it's weird it happened twice! If you're interested in authentic Italian food that you won't see on almost any other menu outside of Italy, this is the place for you. The ingredients are treated with care, the cooking level is tremendous and the service is knowledgeable, kind and efficient. London desperately needs more craftsperson restaurants like this.

Ridiculously yummy. Got a last minute table for one outside on a Friday about half an hour before the booking. Amazing time to dine (around 6:30). There were plenty of table available inside and one available outside too. Had amazing service for the friendly staff who were very attentive to the menu and explaining specials and palates upon request. Very comfortable to come here as a solo diner. I ordered their beef tartare with some bread ordered separately too. A beautiful starter. Insanely good, so I understand why it is one of their staple plates that doesn’t leave their menu. Waited a little longer than I liked to received my main after my starter, however it seemed service was picking up inside so this wasn’t too bad. I had the Tagliatelle Deer Ragu which was rich and simple. Lovely flavours and majorly filling. A nice touch was that the entire bowl of parmigiana was left at the table which was lovely instead of a serving being offered. Drink was a campari spritz which was nice too. Overall, spent just over £55 including service charge. A splurge on a just because lunch maybe, but worth it for an occasion dinner, especially if you order one of their specials. Only downside I would have was the fact that both their specials were pork based, which I found strange. It’s always nice when there are options for the specials in terms of proteins. However this didn’t take away from my experience. Would love to come back soon.