DALLA — Restaurant in London

Finally! This isn’t your typical mimicry of - or homage to - Italian fine dining. This place is the real deal. The team behind Dalla have expertly succeeded in transporting the poetry and elegance of Italian excellence to London. Every detail is executed to perfection, from the finely crafted wood finishes to the glass cake display in the corner. And what’s remarkable is that they’ve managed to do it in what is arguably one of the smallest and potentially most awkward spaces in all of East London. And that’s not even mentioning the food! The menu (which may require a bit of translation) is surprisingly original and yet simple at the same time: Primi, Secondi, Contorni. Traditional dishes but apart from a few notable exceptions, ones you don’t typically find in London. It was honestly difficult to choose as everything we saw coming out of the kitchen and at neighbouring tables looked both beautiful and delicious. And believe me when I say, everything we did order was as exceptional as it looked. The sea bass crudo, for example, was unlike any we have had, chopped more like a steak tartare but with finely diced apple and a lovely zing of fresh bergamot. It was only after ordering that we noticed the few specials written overhead on a board. We quickly decided to request a swap for the squid ink risotto, which we were very happy the kitchen obliged to as it was utterly divine, dare we say the best we’ve ever had — in London most certainly but possibly even in Italy. Perfectly cooked with a generous offering of tender squid. The side salad of pink radicchio, pear and aged Asiago was dressed to perfection with just the vinegary bite we needed to counteract the decadence of the risotto. And then… the desserts. We were once again hard pressed to choose but once again were anything but disappointed with the classic: tiramisu. This is one for the books. Exactly as it’s meant to be. Nothing more, nothing less. This honestly may be our new favourite spot in London. Bravissimo Dalla! We just hope you’ll save space for us next time as a place this good is sure to be...

Ridiculously yummy. Got a last minute table for one outside on a Friday about half an hour before the booking. Amazing time to dine (around 6:30). There were plenty of table available inside and one available outside too. Had amazing service for the friendly staff who were very attentive to the menu and explaining specials and palates upon request. Very comfortable to come here as a solo diner.

I ordered their beef tartare with some bread ordered separately too. A beautiful starter. Insanely good, so I understand why it is one of their staple plates that doesn’t leave their menu.

Waited a little longer than I liked to received my main after my starter, however it seemed service was picking up inside so this wasn’t too bad. I had the Tagliatelle Deer Ragu which was rich and simple. Lovely flavours and majorly filling. A nice touch was that the entire bowl of parmigiana was left at the table which was lovely instead of a serving being offered.

Drink was a campari spritz which was nice too.

Overall, spent just over £55 including service charge. A splurge on a just because lunch maybe, but worth it for an occasion dinner, especially if you order one of their specials.

Only downside I would have was the fact that both their specials were pork based, which I found strange. It’s always nice when there are options for the specials in terms of proteins. However this didn’t take away from my experience. Would love to...

Had an incredible lunch at Dalla that completely blew me away. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere felt effortlessly welcoming – warm and buzzy, without trying too hard. But what truly sets Dalla apart is the service. It’s that rare kind of hospitality that feels instinctive and relaxed, yet everything is timed perfectly and nothing is ever missed. It genuinely elevated the whole experience.

Now, the food… where do I begin? Every dish felt like a love letter to Italian cooking – simple in concept but executed with real soul and precision. The flavours took me straight back to time spent in Italy – that same sense of comfort, generosity, and attention to detail.

The beef tartare deserves its own paragraph. Honestly, it might be the best thing I’ve ever eaten. Rich, perfectly seasoned, melt-in-your-mouth texture – it’s a knockout. If you go (and you absolutely should), do not leave without ordering it. In fact, don’t be shy – order more than one. You will not regret it.

The ravioli was another standout: delicate, beautifully filled, and balanced with a sauce that was somehow both light and deeply flavourful. Every plate that came out was thoughtful and full of personality – you can tell there’s serious care in that kitchen.

Dalla is the kind of place that stays with you. Authentic Italian food done exceptionally well, with real heart behind it. Already planning my return (and I've been 3...