Eataly

• Where? 35 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 3YD
• How Much? ££
• What? Italian restaurant, cafe, bar and supermarket
• Vegetarian Options? Yes
• Vegan Options? Available in store, however restaurant options limited
• Gluten Free Options? Available in store, however restaurant options limited

I’d heard mixed reviews about Eataly; some have raved about the restaurant, others have been less convinced. The supermarket is less polarising, with visitors in a collective agreement that the options and variety is exceptional. Naturally, in the spirit of ‘research’ and an excuse to devour some pizza and pasta, I thought I’d take a look for myself.

The supermarket itself is extensive – you could spend an entire day browsing Italian snacks, wines, sweets, pastas…you name it! We had a lot of fun traversing the various shelves and counters, and spent a lot of time mouth-watering over the charcuterie and cheese selections. If you’re anything like me and love to explore supermarket aisles when abroad, then I highly recommend taking a look around.

Once we had finished browsing the market (much hungrier than when we arrived) we headed straight to the restaurant. The ambiance is bright and energetic, a casual and conversational setting, perfect for groups, families or a solo-lunch date. The service is incredibly efficient and attentive. We were seated promptly despite not booking ahead and served almost immediately.

The food was also very pleasant; fresh ingredients, fast service and piping hot dishes. However, whilst the food was enjoyable, I was not blown away by the flavours and admit that the dishes are slightly overpriced. We also stopped by the patisserie counter on our way out and bought both the classic and a pistachio flavoured cannoli. Again, these were enjoyable, however I was not blown away; the classic cannoli had a peculiar after taste and I was much fonder of the pistachio variant. They are very large and much more suited to sharing, as they become quite sickly. In terms of the overall experience however, there is a clear air of authenticity in the dishes, the atmosphere and the products, and I am not surprised that Eataly is enjoyed by so many. I for one will definitely be making a return trip for the much praised tiramisu!

Let me know what you think in the comments below – what are you experiences of Eataly like / what would you recommend?

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