Leonardos — Restaurant in Epping Forest

My husband Cliff and I recently had the absolute pleasure of dining at this cozy Italian gem, and we can't stop raving about our delightful experience. From the moment we walked in, we were enveloped in warmth, both from the inviting ambiance and the friendly mother-daughter duo that run the show.

Merli, the heart and soul of this charming establishment, wore multiple hats with such grace – front of house, manager, owner, and waitress all rolled into one. Her dedication to making every customer feel at home was evident throughout our meal. Her daughter Kristelle, the head chef, deserves accolades for crafting an unforgettable culinary journey.

We started our meal with a delightful touch – warm bread rolls served with butter. It was a simple gesture that set the tone for the evening, making us feel truly welcome. Cliff couldn't get enough of the Gamberoni sautéed in a butter sauce. The flavors were impeccable, and the prawns were cooked to perfection.

As for me, I opted for my all-time favorite starter, the calamari squid fritter with lemon wedges and tartar sauce. Let me tell you, it was an absolute masterpiece. The calamari was tender and crispy, and the tangy tartar sauce paired beautifully with it.

For our mains, we indulged in Pollo pizzaiola, served with crispy fried zucchini and sautéed potatoes. The dishes arrived piping hot, and the attention to detail in each element was evident. The flavors danced on our tongues, and the portion size was more than generous – we couldn't help but clean our plates!

The entire experience was a testament to the outstanding teamwork of Merli and Kristelle. It's no wonder this restaurant is a hidden gem. The warm atmosphere, mouthwatering food, and reasonable prices make it an absolute must-visit. We highly recommend booking ahead, even on weekdays, as this charming spot can get quite busy. We can't wait to return and savor more of their delectable creations. Grazie mille for a wonderful...

Low prices and big portions summarise the experience at Leonardos. If you go into this restaurant expecting fine dining from a Michelin star chef with a huge staff to boot, then that's not what they are offering.

The decoration in the restaurant is slightly dated, but quaint, yet every effort has been made to deliver a good evening. The waitress initially comes off as a little uninterested, but she's attentive and really quite friendly to people.

It's the type of restaurant that I want to see thrive and grow. So, I'm a little forgiving of any shortcomings and wish all the best successes for them. I'll definitely visit again and hopefully others give them...

Bit of a strange place if I’m honest. Not the greatest decor and a lack of atmosphere which something as simple as some soft music could solve. That being said the menu has a good selection of dishes, all of which are better than reasonably priced. As a group of 4 we had a selection of starters and and a main each and everything we ordered was very good. Nothing was left on anybody’s plate. The lady who served us was polite enough and the service time was absolutely fine considering it got quite busy. Leonardos has been around for a long time and it easy to see why, it just needs to be brought into the present day somewhat. We will...