Portobello Ristorante Pizzeria, a traditional Italian restaurant on Ladbroke Road in Notting Hill, offers pizzas for less than £20, with a special 16-inch sausage and mince pizza priced at £24 that one reviewer found both enormous and irresistibly tasty. The restaurant has been described as 'one of the best Italian restaurants outside of Italy' in a recent review, prompting a visit from food writer Stewart Carr.
A Cosy Spot in a Famous Neighbourhood
Carr visited on a Friday lunchtime and found the restaurant not swamped, despite a healthy number of diners. He was seated in the front conservatory terrace, a cosy space with crisp white tablecloths, orange-tiled floors, and hanging wreaths and greenery. The decor is described as natural and unaffected, with just enough embellishment to feel traditional without being fussy.
For wine drinkers, the list includes a Meczan Pinot Noir at £14 and a Merlot Castel Firmian at £9. Carr opted for a white wine, the Cortese Gavi di Gavi la Meirana, which he found refreshing, fruity, and dry enough to please a savoury palate.
Menu Highlights and Prices
The regular menu features a range of starters, including Mozzarella alla Milanese (deep-fried breaded mozzarella with red onion jam) at £10, Crispy Fried Courgette Strips at £10, Calamari Fritti at £16, Polpette Di Manzo (beef meatballs) at £12, and Arancini Al Tartufo Nero (three black truffle rice balls with mozzarella, pecorino cheese sauce, and red onion jam) at £12.
Pizzas are a highlight, with a full-sized Margherita at £13, a Marinara at £12, a Romana (mozzarella, tomato, anchovies, oregano, olives, and capers) at £19, and a Capricciosa (mozzarella, tomato, spicy Napoli, roast ham, mushroom, and olives) at £20. Nine other pizzas round out the menu. Pasta and risotto options are fewer and generally more expensive, with Penne Siciliana at £21 and Rigatoni Al Ragu Napolitano at £24.
The Special Menu and the Giant Pizza
The restaurant also offers a special menu with hearty, family-style dishes. Carr ordered the special croquettes filled with ham, cheese, and garden peas for £9, which he described as 'exquisite' and 'comfort food done brilliantly.' For his main, he chose the 16-inch sausage and mince pizza from the special menu at £24, an offer he 'couldn't refuse.'
The pizza was enormous, with a thick crust and layers of melted cheese, chopped potato, mince, and pepperoni. Despite its size, Carr managed to eat about 80 per cent of it, calling it 'irresistibly wholesome and moreish' and a generous portion that offers good value for money.
Desserts and Final Verdict
Desserts include Tiramisu at £8.50, Torta Caprese (dark chocolate and almond cake with vanilla ice-cream) at £10, and Affogato al Caffè (two scoops of vanilla ice-cream drowned in a shot of espresso) at £8.50. Carr chose the affogato and enjoyed the combination of sweet ice-cream and espresso.
Carr concluded that Portobello Ristorante Pizzeria is homely, comforting, and affordable, suitable for a quick lunchtime meet or a more leisurely evening. The restaurant is located on Ladbroke Road, Notting Hill, a few minutes' walk from Notting Hill Gate tube station.
