Garum | Italian (Roman) Restaurant Bayswater — Restaurant in London

If you have no idea what real Italian food is, the quality of ingredients, the essence of hospitality, musical culture, art, and passion, then this place is NOT for you. Go ahead and eat overcooked pasta with the same bland sauces you have every day, or head to the nearby Burger King for something ordinary. This place is not for everyone.

Stepping inside, you are welcomed into a realm where Italian cuisine is not just served but celebrated. Every dish is crafted with meticulous care, balancing cooking techniques, flavours, and tradition. This is the only place in London where pasta is cooked 'al dente'—, actually 'al chiodo' (if you don't know what it is, check on Google).

I’ve read reviews that sound like they were written by people who are used to devouring Subway sandwiches. If your palate—and therefore your brain—isn’t ready to understand, don’t come. You’ll be shocked and, inevitably, disappointed. Stick to your mundane ways of eating, but leave Garum to those who can truly appreciate it.

Here, there’s no room for jokes. You enter, observe, listen, order, and live the food. You drink from a wine list that few Italian restaurants in London can even dream of. You pay, and you leave in silence, with your heart full of gratitude.

Francesco is the boss, the girls in the dining room are his hostesses, and respect is mandatory. We indulged in mozzarella in carrozza, Supplizio (a trio of supplì), rigatoni from Pastificio Soldati with oxtail vaccinara-style and amatriciana. The guanciale? Heavenly.

Francesco and Garum,...

Garum embodies the true spirit of Italian hospitality, making dining here an absolute delight. This 'Trattoria Romana' is not just a place to savour incredible Italian cuisine but an experience where every visitor feels genuinely special. At Garum, you're not just a customer; you're an integral part of the dining narrative. Francesco, the owner, exudes warmth and expertise, ensuring each moment feels like a cherished memory. I had an assortment of antipasti: Pallotte cacio e ova, Supplì, Carciofi alla Romana, and Mozzarella in Carrozza. Each dish was a testament to authentic Italian flavors. Moving on to the mains, the Rigatoni alla Carbonara stood out as a true masterpiece, setting the standard for exceptional pasta dishes. The Rigatoni coda alla vaccinara was a rare gem, an absolute must-try not easily found elsewhere in London. The Spaghetti alla grigia, adorned with guanciale and pecorino Romano, was a flavor symphony heightened by toasted black pepper. The desserts, oh, they were an indulgent finale! Among them, the Porcini bites, with white chocolate and porcini mushrooms truffle, paired with Nocino liquor Roteglia 1848, was an exquisite treat that left a lasting impression. Garum isn't just a restaurant; it's an ode to the finer aspects of Italian cuisine. With the best Carbonara in London and unique dishes like coda alla vaccinara, Garum offers an unrivaled authentic Italian dining experience. It's a true gem for those seeking exceptional flavors and...

I've never written a review in my life. I felt compelled to write this review because this restaurant has everything to be a very, very good Italian restaurant. Location perfect, interior & atmosphere fantastic, staff very friendly and very professional.

This is not a negative review just for the sake of it, I hope this can be seen as constructive feedback in the purest sense. I live in the area and want to go to a local Italian that I can go to on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. I have never written a review for food, hotels or anything of the sort ever before, but my experience has compelled me to.

This food is literally the worst Italian food I have ever tasted in my entire life. You have everything except the most important part, the food. The food was so bad, for the first time in my life I was laughing at how bad it was - not even out of anger, just speechless at how it is even possible to make food so bad.

It is an easy fix, I can tell the ingredients are not to a bad standard - but please improve your cooking, the menu, the quality of the cooking. Please!

If you want, I am more than happy to remove this review - the owner can email me, or get in touch, I don't want to keep a negative review up for the sake of it. But the food is the worst I have ever experienced in my life. I don't know if it was just a bad day or what, but the dishes need...