A Taste of Southern Italian Charm on London’s Columbia Road
- Where? Columbia Road Flower Market, 23 Ezra St, London E2 7RH
- How much? ££
- Cuisine? Southern Italy
- Vegetarian options? Yes, but limited
- Vegan options? Ask staff
- Gluten free options? Limited
Campania is one of those rare gems you find in London. For those who have visited Columbia Road, you will be all too familiar with the quaint and charming lanes of buildings and shops – it’s as though you have drifted out of London and into the country! Campania has a similar charm. Secluded from the main road and nestled down a backstreet, its warm glow and ambiance will no doubt enchant you to its door.
In the evenings, Columbia Road is eerily quiet, but don’t be fooled. Though Campania seems hushed from afar, inside awaits a roar of laughter, chatter, and clinking glasses. The restaurant itself is intimate and rustic, reminiscent of the rural allure of Italy. The atmosphere is warm and homely, with an air of authenticity – it feels as if you’ve stepped straight into an Italian kitchen. We were a large party, so we were seated towards the back of the restaurant. Although I would have preferred to be seated amidst the bustle of the main dining room, our experience still exceeded our expectations, mostly due to delightful service, great company, and delicious food!
The Food
The majority of us opted for some variation of pasta, seeing as Campania hand-makes it daily. I ordered the Pappardelle slow-cooked rabbit (£19) – 7/10 – and can assure you that the pasta does indeed taste perfectly fresh. The dough itself is thick and chewy (in a good way) and smothered in a decadent meaty sauce. Whilst the flavours were divine, the dish was slightly too oily for my liking – however – would I visit Campania again? Absolutely. I actually bumped into a friend whilst we visited, who recommended the mussels, so next time, I’ll no doubt be ordering those!
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