Osteria del Portico — Restaurant in London

My parents treated me to dinner at this family-owned gem of a restaurant.

Food:

We initially ordered bread and olives for the table. Butter came with the bread, but there was also olive oil and balsamic already on the table for us to pour on our plates for dipping. The bread wasn't anything astonishing but with the oil and vinegar it made for a great pre-meal snack. The olives were something from heaven. I have never had olives fresh like these outside of Italy and the green olives were unreal. I ate way too many of them because they were so good.

I shared a plate of the Stuzzicherie as a starter, which is a selection of the Chef's favourite appetizers. The selection varies every night but ours featured a wide array of tasty things including risotto balls, caprese salad, whole grilled prawns, grilled eggplant and peppers, calamari. The prawns, which were stunning, are a little messy to de-shell but the staff brought out bowls of hot lemon water for us to clean our fingers. The risotto balls were particularly tasty and the bocconcini in the caprese salad was divine.

My main was the Spigola al Cartoccio, which is sea bass and prawns wrapped in foil with olive oil, garlic, and lots of fresh herbs. I loved how light the fish was and it was cooked to perfection without a bone in sight. I loved how the flavours of the herbs had infused into the sea bass. The only downside to this dish was that the fish was served with plain baby spinach and lettuce, which is not particularly exciting.

After more wine (I had the house white which paired nicely with the prawns and the fish) we had the Canollo for dessert. The ricotta was nice and cold, almost like a cross between the cheese and some sort of gelato. I really can't say anything wrong about this dessert.

After all of this feasting we were treated to limoncello, which was a lovely way to cleanse the palate. Needless to say I was pretty well stuffed by the end of the meal and happily rolled myself home.

Cost:

Some items are a little pricey, but it is for quality food. They have a special on every night where you get a starter, main course, and a glass of tasty prosecco for just shy of 15 pounds so a night here can be very affordable.

Service:

I absolutely loved the staff, who were respectful, cheerful, and incredibly attentive. They allowed us just the right amount of time to digest, drink and chat between courses. Cutlery was brought out according to the dishes ordered and empty dishes were promptly removed. Our coats were ready for us again when we were ready to leave. No complaints here.

Decor: T

he decor here is exactly that of an Italian trattoria. You walk in and are suddenly in a small Italian side street with little bistro tables and plants (the patio). Inside there are two floors, each with an intimate dining room for patrons. Was I astounded by the decor? No, but it was ideally paired with what this restaurant offers: an authentic, exquisite...

After being there today we will never go back!!!!!!!! I ordered the spaghetti with mixed seafood ( now I know your not meant to have Parmesan with seafood but I like it) so after asking the waiter for the Parmesan I was rudely asked “REALLY “?!!!!!, to which he then decided to dump two spoons of Parmesan into the middle of my bowl, as the portions are very large and I was quite full I asked if I could take the rest home, the same waiter then picked up my bowl and started placing the rest of the dirty cutlery and shell bowls and place them in my food!!!!! To which I said I wanted to take the rest of that home liked I asked, so why are you placing dirty bowls onto my food to which he huffed and took the bowls and cutlery out of my food, I said don’t worry I don’t want it now, no apologies no nothing told him his customer service was really bad to which he replied “yeah and !!!!!!!” Stay away if you want to have an enjoyable meal with good...

Osteria del Portico in West London is a true slice of authentic Italy. From the moment you walk in, the warm, rustic interior and inviting atmosphere transport you straight to a cozy trattoria in Rome. The menu offers an impressive selection of traditional Italian dishes, all made with fresh, high-quality ingredients that highlight the simplicity and richness of Italian cuisine. Every plate feels thoughtfully prepared, capturing the genuine flavors and heart of Italy.

The desserts are a real highlight — beautifully presented and absolutely delicious, the perfect way to end a meal that already feels like a mini-holiday. The staff are friendly, welcoming, and attentive, adding to the overall charm of the experience. Combined with very reasonable pricing, Osteria del Portico delivers exceptional value without compromising on authenticity or quality. It’s an excellent choice for anyone looking to enjoy a truly Italian dining experience in...