Rustico Neapolitan (Hastings) — Restaurant in Hastings

Unfortunately you cannot book a table in advance and you take a chance turning up. We went at 19:45ish on a Thursday evening wanting a table for two. Waitress was very helpful and said there were tables finishing but couldn't guarantee how long to wait. We took a chance and waited, standing by the doorway. We waited approx 30 mins. Whilst standing we watched a table for 4, with just 2 people seated at it, had obviously finished eating, no plates just one empty coffee cup. They chatted, eventually asked for a bill, chatted a bit more, etc.. Waitress kept us informed saying "nearly ready", but no encouragement to move people on. Once they did eventually leave, a quick wipe down and the table was ours. We did question whether we should have waited!! Onto the food! We both had the full size Napolitana pizzas, both were flavoursome. The seafood pizza was quite oily and kept pizza moist, but this is expected with seafood. Shame the waiting spoilt our experience, but we did watch a constant demand for takeaway with Uber, deliveroo and just eat regularly visiting to collect orders. So a good reputation in...

Rustico Italiano is hands down the best Italian pizza in Hastings. I would like to start with how wonderful the ambience is when you enter this family owned restaurant. As soon you walk through the door one of the staff will greet you with the widest smile and help you get seated as soon as possible even if the restaurant is busy the wait time is not much. The staff are welcoming and their service is quite fast. I have been to this restaurant several times and have not even one thing to complain about the food or their portion sizes as it’s sufficient and every time I bite into their pizzas It’s a foodgasmic moment for me. Even though there are a lot of choices on the menu I feel it’s a simple one. I ordered the classic Neapolitana pizza, the Aubergine lasagna, buffalo mozzarella salad, fresh bread w olive and chilli oil ( you have got to get this trust me! ) It’s a comforting place to enjoy with friends and family and one thing is for sure, you’ll never leave this place hungry. A definite recommendation from my...

I ate here two night’s running, a Wednesday and a Thursday, and on the first night I really liked it. Hence my return. On the Thursday I arrived around 8.15 and a couple of groups left soon after. That left me as the sole customer and the staff immediately began loudly discussing the ‘pre close-up close-up’ and how quickly they could get away. This discussion was going on pretty much over my table and they were moving back and forth clearing menus, cleaning other tables and putting away cutlery. It really wasn’t conducive to a relaxed meal and I bolted my food and left at around 8.40. According to Google maps they close at 10. Perhaps this is wrong and they actually close at 8.30. Anyway my advice is to not go too late! Btw, the food was nice both nights but I really couldn’t enjoy it the second. It seems a fairly basic part of running a restaurant not to make the customers feel as though they are an...