Assaggi

Service was absolutely impeccable, 5 stars. Food was average, 3.5 stars. Nothing "bad," but nothing to make you go "wow." Had beef carpaccio, tuna tartare, burrata, gnocchi and monk fish special.

Small and intimate, not formal, not expensive like it says.

Hidden away in a mews near Nottinghill, I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at Assaggi.

The service is very Italian, friendly, and warm. The menu (except for dessert) is all in Italian, so don't be afraid/embarassed to ask the server to walk you through it.

Ordered the Buratta salad, which was creamy and good, although some of the edges were slightly more rubbery than I'm used to. It was perfectly dressed, and hit the spot.

My friend ordered the cuttlefish and artichoke starter, which was delicious, had some garlic fragrances, and was very generous in terms of serving.

Mains were mainly driven by pasta dishes... as neither of us were super hungry. I had the gnocchi with chestnuts and truffle, and my friend ordered the tagliatelle with herbs and walnuts. The portions are very generous, and we struggled to finish our mains, even though they both tasted delicious. The tagliattele is essentially served with a pesto sauce and walnuts, with very thin pasta. It is light, simple, but good.

The gnocchi were delicious. Super rich, with the truffle, chestnuts and cheese, but perfectly prepared.

All in all, simple dishes, but with a twist of complexity, perfectly executed, and really showcasing the ingredients, just like good Italian food should be.

Washed down with a 35£ bottle of wine (mid-range in this restaurant), we had a great time.

Desserts - we had the ricotta cheese cake, which was good, but isn't too much my thing... and I ordered what sounded like an affogato, but is served with fluffly vanilla cream instead of ice cream. Delicious, and interesting at the same time.

Atmosphere: this is not a quiet, reserved atmosphere. The ambiance is loud, the sound of Italian everywhere, the tables are close together, and you do have to speak up to be heard, that's for sure. But it does add to the authenticity of the place, I must say. It really does feel like your eating in someone's home, and just crashed a dinner party, lol.

Would definitely come back. I love Sardinian food, and this one is up there for me.

This is place is wonderful. What I like about it is that it's small and warm like an Italian home. It actually feels like you have just entered someone's home. The staff all are super friend and easy going. Not the so attentive that it makes you feel like it's stuffy.

We had the crab for an appetizer and for the mains it was veal for myself and my friend had sole.

I think for me besides the food was that the whole experience was great. If you want to feel like you've stepped out of busy London into Italy then you definitely have to come here.

I personally don't understand the fussif this place - I think it is a setting that provide this illusion of how great this place is. It sits on the 1st floor of this building and it feels like you have walked into a small, special restaurant,

I think this restaurant misses the mark because it is simply too hyped for what it serves. Food is not bad but not that fantastic as some people write them and simply too expensive for the quality and skills. I personally think it grabs so much attention for the lovely big windows, classy yet rustic settings of the restaurant.

Go if you are curious or just like to be in a buzzing restaurant - if you are quite a foodie, be ready to be going "hm"

Assaggi is an authentic Sicilian restaurant, that uses the best ingredients and prepares them in the best of ways. It's very straightforward-great friendly service, but the food is what really makes it shine. The first time I went there we had this amazing lightly battered fried zucchini blossom that had been stuffed with bread crumbs, parmesan, herbs, and an egg yoke that had not been fully cooked, so that when you cut into it it oozed out. unbelievable. Their fresh pasta with pesto is out of this world. And I love their misto frito-only the freshest fish and seafood, light and delicious.

You have to call a month in advance for weekends, but it's well worth it for a special occasion.

The decor is really refreshing and relaxing. It's on the first floor of a victorian rowhouse, with lots of candlelight and warm colored walls.

Assaggi is a wonderful and completely non pretentious authentic little Italian restaurant in the heart of Notting Hill. It is rather small but that definitely adds to the appeal and is perfect for a low key, romantic meal out.

The place serves the absolute best tagliatelle in West London and the scallops are just beautiful - I'm not usually a fan but this place has converted me! When I went, the waiter was extremely attentive and knew everything there is to know about Italian food meaning he could recommend a brilliant dish which you were confident you would enjoy. I also liked the fact that he didn't try and persuade us to go for the most expensive choice on the menu.

With only around 11 or 12 tables however, booking is essential as this gem of a place hasn't remained undiscovered for long and hence is very popular!

Top notch Italian restaurant, one of the best in town.
Very cosy atmosphere, set on the 1st floor, feels like at someone's home in Italy.
The food-authentic Italian. Great burrata is the showstopper.
Book few days in advance.

A rather unprepossessing entrance above a pub in Chepstow Place leads upstairs to a quirky dining room with just 11 tables. The decor is a rather basic, but fun and adds some charm. The clientele are rather well-heeled in this Italian (Michelin starred) restaurant.


The food was simple but used top- notch ingredients. Very classic in it's cookery and none the worse for it. A good but shortish wine list completes the scene.


Service was with Italian staff who were attentive and warm. They happily explained the menu which is only in Italian. On this occasion, I thought that added to - rather than eclipsing - the overall experience.


Overall, a little pricey, but excellent food and a certain intimacy made up for it.

It's the best Italian in London, the staff are very helpful and food is fantastic.

We will take all our clients there as it feels less formal than many top end restaurants.

You need to book in advanced, but it's worth it.

I love this restaurant. It's one of my absolute best experiences with Italian food in London. The food is delicious and inventive enough, but familiar. I have been 3 times and each time has been consistent. I have had pasta, fish and gnocchi, and tried the beef, and everything I have tried has been great and extremely fresh. The service is always very nice and attentive. It's expensive, but a lovely treat for a special night out.

Now, the only downside: the decor. The paint colors are strange and the lighting fixtures aren't pretty and don't seem to fit in the surroundings. The artwork is, simply put, awful. The room is small and dimly lit, so it has that going for it. Still, if you're looking for really beautiful and charming surroundings, this isn't it. But it doesn't detract from the food and the kind welcome at the door. I will go back again and again and would encourage anyone who loves authentic Sicilian food to try it.