DALLA

A delicious lunch enjoyed in a beautiful and thoughtfully designed little restaurant - the real feel of a neighbourhood restaurant with all the high end qualities. The considered attention to detail across food and interior design alike was a great touch - this was the perfect setting for a belated valentines lunch. Rarely these days does a meal out surprise you for the better, but this was happily the case at Dalla. The staff were wonderful and the food spectacular - I'm not sure how they produce such exquisite dishes from such a small kitchen. Some simple, some far more complex - both perfectly pleasing. Dalla punches way above its weight and I'd highly recommend you try it.

Dalla is the kind of restaurant that you almost hesitate to talk about too loudly because part of the pleasure is feeling like you have discovered something slightly under the radar. It sits quietly in Hackney and from the outside it does not try to impress you with anything dramatic. You walk in and immediately understand that the real focus here is the table, the food and the people sitting around it. The space is small and intimate, closer to someone’s living room than to a traditional restaurant dining room, and that creates a feeling that is rare in London where so many places try a little too hard to look important. There is something very relaxed about the atmosphere. People are clearly enjoying themselves but nothing feels staged or overly polished. The room hums with conversations, glasses clink, plates move from the kitchen to the tables and everything happens with an easy rhythm that makes you want to slow down and stay for a while. It feels like the sort of place where dinner quietly turns into a long evening without anyone really noticing the time. The food reflects that same philosophy. Italian at its core but interpreted with the confidence of a kitchen that understands that good ingredients do not need too much interference. The menu reads like a conversation between tradition and a modern London kitchen. Familiar ideas appear in slightly unexpected forms and everything is executed with a light touch. Pasta is clearly a point of pride here and it arrives exactly as you hope it will, with sauces that feel deep and layered but never heavy. Vegetables taste vibrant and seasonal, fish and meat are cooked with real attention and nothing feels overloaded or unnecessarily complicated. There is a sense of restraint that is surprisingly refreshing. The wine list deserves a moment of appreciation because it feels like it has been assembled by people who actually drink wine with curiosity rather than by someone trying to show off the most famous labels. There are many European bottles with personality, wines that feel alive and expressive rather than predictable. It is the kind of list where you start with a glass out of curiosity and then slowly find yourself exploring another bottle simply because everything seems interesting. What makes Dalla particularly memorable is that it manages to feel like a true neighbourhood restaurant while still belonging comfortably to London’s serious food scene. It is a place where you could drop in for a casual dinner yet end up having one of those evenings that stays with you long after you leave. By the time you step back into the street you realise that you have spent hours there without noticing, and that quiet ability to turn a simple dinner into a genuinely warm and memorable evening is probably the best compliment a restaurant can receive.

Dalla holds a special place in our hearts! We had an intimate wedding lunch here and our friends and family are still talking about how amazing the food was! From start to finish each course was a delight. We went to Puglia the day after and kept saying how nothing could beat Dalla’s standard of pasta. Super fresh and thoughtful food, very creative, gorgeous wine and the best tiramisu I’ve ever eaten. Special mention to Gianluca for his attentiveness and for making everything run so smoothly start to finish. Jess & Freddie :)

I loved this restaurant! Every detail was authentic from the subtle elegant design to the beautifully executed food. This chef understands Italian food to its core. It’s about letting ingredients sing without pretentious flourishes. I felt like I was transported to a discovered gem in Milano but happily for me it’s in London.

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.

Charming little Italian with a lovely, intimate setting and warm ambiance. Service was attentive but lacked a bit of polish. Waiters seemed distracted (at times a touch unintentionally rude) and weren’t able to explain the dishes well. The dishes were tasty but not particularly memorable, particularly given the smaller portions at the high price point. It’s got a lot going for it, but overall didn’t quite hit the spot for me. Very mixed feelings about it. Worth a visit for the experience but in no hurry to return.

Beautiful atmosphere and decor. Great selection of wine. The food was exceptional and staff were friendly. 100% would recommend.

A fine balance between a family trattoria and a genuine introspection into Italian cuisine. There's a keen eye for minute details in the interior design.The wine-list is excellent, showing enthusiasm and diversity in its featured regions.