Spaghetti House — Restaurant in London

I visited Spaghetti house for what I thought would be a quick lunch the other day (I thought it would be quick because I was by myself and they didn't appear to be too busy). I was seated immediately. I sat at the bar since I was by myself (not a bar with a bartender, but a long counter against a window). I thought that was perfect, great people watching, and I could read while I waited for my food. However, the manager or someone was an Italian man speaking at an incredibly loud volume. It almost felt like he thought he needed to put on a show for the guests, acting the stereotypical loud, jovial Italian restaurant owner (but I mean . . . this is a chain, it's not like it's some authentic Italian food . . .). So as this man shouted incessantly in the very small closed-in area where I was seating, I tried to enjoy my book regardless.

I had to wait quite a while before anyone came over to take my order. (I had closed my menu in an attempt to indicate I was ready). I wasn't offered water or any drink while I waited. Finally a server came over. I ordered the garlic bread with mozzarella and the lasagna. The garlic bread came out in a timely manner. It was delicious. It was in the form of a personal-size pizza dough. I didn't plan to eat all of it myself. I ate about half while reading, then moved it aside. I waited and waited. And waited. And my main didn't come. If I hadn't had a book to read I would have probably been driven insane with boredom and walked out. I sat reading and waiting. I ended up finishing the rest of the garlic bread because I was hungry (though I would have preferred to save room for my main). I didn't want to have to watch and flag someone down (was trying to enjoy my book), and I figured for sure they couldn't have forgotten about me, I'm literally sitting on the way to the kitchen - the see me every time they walk in and out of the kitchen.

Eventually the server came over and asked if I was ready for my main. I said yes. I was caught off guard . . . I didn't realize she was waiting for me to tell her I was ready for my main. I didn't know this was the rule. I've eaten at many restaurants, of all sorts of varieties of cuisine and price points, and I've managed to get served my food at all of them . . . without ever telling them I was "ready for my main". But it's certainly something I've seen other people do. If that was their policy, she should have communicated that instead of assumed I knew.

Anyway. So then I was waiting for my lasagne. Which I assumed would be right out. I figured all they need to do is heat it up - they probable make one earlier in the day. But nope. Lots more waiting. When it came, it was so hot I had to wait another 10 minutes for it to cool down, and still ended up burning my tongue several times. The lasagne was okay. Personally I would have liked it with more meat and less cheese, but I know there are so many different preferences on lasagne, so I can't reasonably hold that against them.

If I hadn't had to wait so long for water in the beginning and then so long again for my main, it would have been a completely different experience, and this would have been a completely different review. Looking at my phone now, I can see I arrived at 2:30 pm and didn't leave until 3:50 pm. One hour and 20 minutes for one person to eat some garlic bread and a bit of lasagne!!!! I don't feel any need to ever go back. The only reason I'd eat here again is if it was my only choice. It wasn't horrendous, but it just wasn't worth it - neither the food or the service or the atmosphere presented any...

I’ve been here a couple of times in the past, and I can say that both experiences were great. The food was solid, and the service was amazing. However, something about the place just felt a little off, I can’t quite put my finger on it, but the overall vibe didn’t fully click with me.

Let me talk about my most recent visit. I went in hoping to sit inside to avoid the crowd, but I didn’t mind sitting outside if needed. They suggested a table outside, and I took it. That’s on me, I’d rather get seated quickly and start eating than wait around.

Once seated, the waiter was super kind and asked if I’d like something to drink. I just went with tap water since I didn’t plan on spending more than the cost of the meal. I ordered the Spaghetti Carbonara, my go-to favorite, and I remember being more excited than usual for it because I was really hungry 😂.

The wait for the food was a bit long, probably around 20 to 30 minutes. Not sure if that’s normal, but it did feel like a while. The main floor wasn’t too busy, but I know they have a larger area downstairs, so maybe they had more customers down there which could explain the delay.

When the Carbonara finally came out, it was honestly delicious. I can’t complain much, but it wasn’t mind-blowing. After the third bite, it started tasting a bit unseasoned, like something was missing. Still, I enjoyed it and felt it was worth the price. I’d definitely order it again if I come back.

The waiter continued to check in and was clearly trying to stay on top of everything, even while having to dodge people walking by him constantly. That said, when it came time to pay, I did have to go inside and ask for the bill because it was taking a while. I didn’t mind, but it felt like the kind of place where they’d prefer you stay seated for that stuff.

Overall, the food is tasty, not life-changing, but solid. The service is genuinely great, they’re warm, attentive, and clearly trying to give you the best experience they can, even if they forget a few things here and there. What felt a little off to me was the building itself. Maybe it’s the location, with so many people walking past while you’re eating (some even brushing against my shoulder), or maybe it’s the cramped feeling inside. Either way, the space gave me an odd vibe. But in the end, good food and great service can make up for that.

I’d recommend this place if you’re okay with spending a little extra for a decent meal and solid service.

Note: that bag on the table in the photo isn't mine... A lady walking by decided to use it as a pit stop to sort her stuff...

I left Spaghetti house with a bitter taste in my mouth.

My friends and I visited the place after deciding to give it a go, hearing about it on Social Media and looking up at its history. Make no mistake, the place is quaint, cosy and well decorated with beautiful art works on the wall.

The waiter who took our order was lovely, unfortunately I didn't get her name. She was informative and answered our questions promptly.

We were all delighted with our starters (mozzarella garlic pizza + caprese salad) and couldn't wait for our mains to arrive as the starters were very tasty.

Our mains came. My friend and I ordered the seafood tagliatelle with mussels, squid and prawns cooked in a light tomato based sauce. However when we got our plates, our portion sizes were not the same. She had more mussels in her plate, two pieces of squid rings and a couple of prawns with noticeably less pasta and I had little to no mussels on my plate, quite a few squid rings and several prawn pieces. We've had to share bits and pieces of our plates to make it equal to ensure we didn't leave the place hungry. When we brought this to the attention of the team working on 9 April 2023 (Easter Sunday), we were told that the portions were "good luck/bad luck" depending on how the chefs served the food on our plates. We decided not to send the food back as we didn't want it to go to waste and ate it.

Afterwards, another staff member took our plates and asked how our meal was, and we answered honestly we weren't satisfied and she replied "Ok" and cleaned our table anyway.

We asked for the bill and after the complaint we raised, we were met with over £100 worth of food which our table consumed. Now, we didn't mind paying any amount as long as the food served reflected the prices. However the fact that my friend and I had to share bits and pieces of our plates to distribute it evenly and to leave the restaurant satiated was unacceptable. Eventually the same staff member who cleaned our table introduced herself as one of the managers and offered our table 40% from the total bill. We accepted the offer as we were running late for an exhibition and paid the bill. Not an apology was offered for the poor service and no member of staff made eye contact with us as we left their premises.

Safe to say, we will never come back to any Spaghetti House branch and will tell our friends and family to avoid at all costs. I believe the only reason the restaurant is still open is due to tourists visiting London for a day and haven't had the experience of dining at a better...