L'Artista

Had a fantastic meal at L’Artista in Watford! My friend and I shared a chicken pizza and the aubergine melanzane. The portions were generous, so splitting both dishes left us perfectly full. The aubergine melanzane was especially delicious, rich and comforting. A big thank you to the staff as well — they were warm, welcoming, and even halved the pizza for us without us having to ask. Really thoughtful service that made the experience even better!

We were visiting Watford for the WB Studio Tour (nearly 100 miles away from home!) and we were trying to find somewhere decent for dinner nearby, and we found this place (and were not disappointed). We came in as a walk-in on a very busy Friday night, and were seated promptly. Despite the sheer business, the staff maintained professionalism and quality of service throughout. We were even offered free limoncello to compensate for the long wait time (I had to say no as I was driving however the gesture was greatly appreciated!). The food was incredible as well - incredible quality, generous portions, and a great price. We shared the fried prawns in the spicy sauce as a starter, which was amazing. I had parpardoni with prawns and cherry tomatoes and I thoroughly enjoyed it. My partner had chicken and mushroom penne in a cream sauce, and she loved it. If we didn’t live so far away, we could come here regularly. If I ever do find myself in the area again, I will definitely try to revisit.

Not a great experience. The calzone was way too big and had no flavour. The mushroom pizza was very watery. We've had better tasting pizza in pizza hut.

I had such a great experience here! The food is absolutely delicious — you can really tell it’s made with care and fresh ingredients. The staff were friendly and welcoming, which made the whole visit even better. On top of that, the prices are very reasonable, so you get amazing quality without spending too much. Definitely a place I’d come back to and recommend to friends!

Excellent Italian Restaurant in Watford! This is a fantastic Italian restaurant with delicious food, generous portions, and great value. The flavors are authentic, and every dish is well-prepared. Service is very efficient, even during busy lunchtime hours. The fact that it’s always packed shows how popular it is with locals—I believe it’s a well-renowned spot in the area. Located in a very convenient spot in Watford, it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re looking for quality Italian cuisine. Highly recommended!

L’Artista in Watford is an absolute gem and a true celebration of Italian hospitality done properly. From the moment you walk in, you are made to feel genuinely welcome, and that is entirely down to the exceptional team. Manager Zazu runs the restaurant with warmth, calm authority, and clear pride in the experience being delivered. The dedication and teamwork on display are impressive and set the tone for the whole evening. Carmine and Francesco bring real passion and professionalism to the service, striking the perfect balance between attentiveness and giving guests space to enjoy their meal. Ayat and Marco work tirelessly behind the scenes and on the floor, ensuring everything runs smoothly, even when the restaurant is busy. Their hard work does not go unnoticed. The food is consistently excellent, full of flavour and clearly prepared with care, but it is the people who truly elevate L’Artista from good to outstanding. You leave feeling looked after, valued, and already planning your return. Highly recommended for anyone looking for great food, exceptional service, and a team that genuinely cares about what they do.

Lovely Italian spot just outside of London. Starters were decent and mains were also pretty good. Would recommend the Rigatoni all’Ortolana and Festa del Bosco for veggie options and definitely try out the pizza!

Had one of the best lasagnas I've ever had and the calamari is very good . Would have been nice to have some sauce for the calamari but wasn't on the plate for long . The staff was lovely also