Al Gusto Northcote Road — Restaurant in London

Let me start by saying that Rodrigo and Eddie, the two waiters working that night, were helpful and calm they genuinely did their best. It’s a real shame they work for someone who clearly has zero respect for either staff or customers.

We came to Augusto (Northcote Road) for dinner. Rodrigo took our order and everything seemed fine at first. But we ended up waiting 35–40 minutes with no food. Eventually, Rodrigo came back and told us the scallop dish we ordered wasn’t available. I said, “It’s been nearly 40 minutes — how are you only finding that out now?” He was apologetic and explained the kitchen only just told him. Fair enough. Mistakes happen.

We asked for alternative options, they brought the menu again after another 10-minute delay. We switched to the salmon dish and waited another 20 minutes. Meanwhile, three other tables walked in, ordered pizzas and burgers, and got their food before us. They were already halfway through their meals while we were still waiting on a basic prawn salad and salmon risotto. There was no sign that the kitchen was overwhelmed — it just felt like we were completely forgotten.

When the food finally came out, it was something I’d expect from a grab-and-go lunch spot, not a supposedly ‘nice’ restaurant.

There was no flavour, no care, no presentation. Just overpriced dishes made with what felt like frozen seafood. I’ve seen other reviews mentioning the food quality isn’t good, and I can absolutely confirm that’s true.

Now for the worst part of the night:

After this whole disaster, we asked for the bill and mentioned how disappointing the experience had been. Not in an aggressive way just calmly asked if there’d be any kind of gesture considering the delays, poor food, and everything else. At first, we were told the owner refused any compensation, not even a free dessert. Eventually, they offered us a coffee, which honestly just felt insulting.

After a bit more back and forth, the waiter came back and — I’ll never forget this — asked us: “How much would you like to pay?” I was confused, and that’s when he explained that any discount would be taken directly out of his and his colleagues salaries, because the owner didn’t want to cover it.

That’s when this situation went from disappointing to completely unacceptable.

I’ve worked in hospitality. I know what it’s like. But this? Taking money from your staff because a customer had a bad experience? That’s not just greedy — that’s morally disgusting. It’s abusive. And I paid the full bill because I refuse to be the reason two decent young guys lose money for something that wasn’t their fault.

The food was bad. The service (from the waiters) was good. But the management is beyond unprofessional. No apology. No accountability. No care for the customer. And even worse, no care for their own staff.

This place does not deserve your time or money.

Until there’s a change in ownership or a serious wake-up call, stay away.

And yes, I’ll be attaching a photo of my receipt so everyone knows this was a...

Al Gusto Northcote Road absolutely deserves a 5-star review for our recent family dinner. From the warm welcome to the delicious food , wines, cocktails and attentive service, it was a truly wonderful experience.

The moment we walked in, we were greeted with genuine warmth and smiles. The staff were incredibly friendly and attentive throughout the evening, ensuring our every need was met. They were happy to answer any questions we had about the menu and even made some excellent recommendations for our children.

The food was the real star of the show. Everything we ordered was fresh, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. The pizzas were phenomenal, with perfectly blistered crusts and generous toppings. The fresh pasta dishes were equally impressive, with homemade sauces and perfectly al dente pasta. Even the simple dishes, like the bruschetta and nicoise salad, were bursting with flavor and beautifully presented.

We were particularly impressed with how welcoming the restaurant was to our children. The staff provided them with an electronic pad , and there was a dedicated children's menu with smaller portions and...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Absolutely loved Al Gusto! If you’re looking for authentic Italian food in London, this place is a real gem. The pasta was perfectly cooked — fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The pizza had that perfect thin, crispy base with just the right amount of toppings.

The staff were incredibly friendly and made us feel very welcome from the moment we walked in. It’s also very child-friendly — the team were so kind and accommodating with our little one, which made the experience even more enjoyable.

They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, and everything we tried was delicious and freshly prepared. The atmosphere is cozy and elegant without being pretentious, perfect for families or anyone looking for a relaxed meal. Prices are reasonable for the quality, and the portions are generous. Don’t miss their tiramisu — it’s one of the best I’ve had in London!

Highly recommend Al Gusto — a true taste of Italy in the heart of...