La Porchetta — Restaurant in London

Another pretty disappointing Italian restaurant. Waiting staff were brusque at times and sluggish at others. Pizzas were really not of a good quality. Dough was crispy but tough, clearly too low hydration. Chef was using a wild amount of semolina which in and of itself isn't bad, but just heightened the sense of a subpar product here.

Napoletana pizza was greasy, unsurprising given I saw the chef finish the pizza with a big squeeze of oil. Totally unnecessary. Olives were of a cheap, black variety, definitely packed in brine not oil. Pretty tasteless. Anchovies were wildly salty, totally overpowering. Capers were nice but struggled to be noticed against the anchovies.

Crouch End/Hornsey have a great selection of small/independent pizza places, but Muswell Hill doesn't. The market is there, but you need to up your game. You need a much, much better dough, one that's lighter and airier. Yours is barely above a supermarket pizza. Higher hydration is harder to work with, but is an absolute necessity in your case. And put a bit more care into your toppings. I know even good places sometimes have issues with overly-salty anchovies, but yours were the saltiest I've ever had, and your cheese melts poorly. 3* is on the generous side.

Prices were very reasonable, about £25 for two pizzas, including the service that they add straight onto the bill (for better or for worse), but that's not enough to make a place...

La Porchetta has become a go-to spot for me when I’m in the mood for a cosy and authentic Italian meal. Every visit has been consistently enjoyable, but what really stood out this time was the excellent service from Lorenzo and Ferat. Lorenzo was incredibly friendly and helpful, making sure we felt welcome even though we arrived quite late. He took the time to accommodate our needs without making us feel rushed, which really added to the experience. Ferat, the cook, was also fantastic, ensuring that our group’s dietary requirements were met with care and attention.

The food, as always, was great. I had the lasagna, which I’ve ordered a few times before, and it remains the best I’ve had anywhere. It’s rich, flavourful, and perfectly cooked—something I’d confidently recommend to anyone. The consistency at La Porchetta is impressive; every time I visit, the quality of both the food and service remains the same.

The atmosphere is another highlight. The restaurant has a cosy, welcoming vibe, with soothing ambient music that makes for a relaxed dining experience. It’s the perfect setting for a casual meal, whether you’re catching up with friends or just want a comforting Italian dish in a warm environment.

Overall, La Porchetta delivers great food, excellent service, and a charming atmosphere. It’s a place I’d happily return to and recommend to anyone looking for a reliable and enjoyable Italian...

**THIS IS AN UPDATED POST (downgraded from 5 stars): I am really sorry to say but since this pizza chain changed hands, the quality of the pizzas has dropped off and the prices have increased albeit only slightly. The pizzas definitely look smaller and they simply don’t taste the same. I’m not sure what they’ve changed but somethings not quite right. My guess is they’re going cheap on the ingredients as they haven’t even had black olives half the time I order them and the meat looks bargain basement. That said, it’s still a better option than the large chains round the corner and I’m happy to put it down to teething problems and keep supporting them.

I am a pizza addict. There, I’ve finally admitted it to myself. Sorry mom. The upside is I know my pizza baby and have even taken a month long pizza pilgrimage to Italy to sample the top rated pizzerias. In my opinion, Porchetta is the best I’ve tasted in North London. There’s even 3 pizza joints within an anchovy chucking distance of Porchetta and this palace of pizza still takes the gold medal. Amazing value, speedy service and so delicious my mouth is watering just writing this. There’s a renowned painting of ‘Pizza Pig’ on the restaurant wall, if you guess his name correctly, you win a pizza prize. I’ve never had the pasta here and why would I, pizza is life. Check this place out and get yo’self some...