Essenza

Birthday Dinner at this long-standing Notting Hill gem was once again outstanding. Can’t wait to return once the restrictions are lifted. Perfect for family dinners and casual dining. Perhaps a little pricey but worth it.

Perfect for that casual evening meet with a few friends. Food great, service perfect. We dined during Covid restrictions and they struck the right balance between looking after us and hitting that ‘home by ten’ deadline without making us feel rushed or uncomfortable. Thank you.

Essenza is always our first choice in the neighborhood. There food is top notch, and the service is great.

Generally very good food, fair portions and decent service ... when you can get their attention. Having said that, there are only a few wait staff and they are very busy. They did forget my coffee but got it too me quickly once I reminded them.

Really good authentic Italian. Service was first rate and the food is consistently good. There was a larger group that made the noise levels higher but normally mainly couples and smaller groups. In my view the best Italian in Notting Hill.

I’m looking for an Italian local that is a bit cheaper so I can go once or twice a week. Essenza is lovely but quite expensive.

Not impressed by the arrogant attitude of staff and management of Essenza. In these difficult time for restaurants, their attitude was that of doing us a favour with a surly welcome when we arrived and being totally uncaring about my seat right next to the front door with all and sundry passing by. Followed by seating other diners further inside who arrived after us.

Our first "date night" after lock-down on a Tuesday evening. Classic Italian menu, the salads were good and fresh while the tuna tartar was very good and a generous portion, although a little more seasoning wouldn't have gone amiss. Our service was excellent, attentive but not overwhelming. My partner's veal masala was excellent, rich and tasty, served with fresh peas. My grilled mixed seafood was a bit disappointing: the squid was good and well cooked but the prawns were mixed, some good but some mushy, while the monkfish was just thumb sized. A reasonable wine list although it starts to get pricey quickly, for what is really a neighbourhood Italian. All in all we'll be back but will be very cautious about the seafood.

Loved this restaurant! Only a block off the really busy portobello road and a fun and tasty location. Well worth the lunchtime visit. The food was delicious and the service experience was great with just the right amount of attention! Gem in this area!

Love it. The food is incredible as is the service

Food is amazing !

Everytthing authentically Italian and delicious.

Really good restaurant with great quality food and very big portion sizes. All 11 of us were very happy with our food. Even the hosue red was amazing. Would recommend and go again. We went for a Christmas dinner and per head came to £45 all in including tip and we didn't skimp on the menu. Very happy and highly recommend. Staff are very friendly and all have that Italian flair. A great evening was had by all.

Good food, cosy place, nice service and price in line with the overall quality. We have a new favourite italian resturant in the neightbourdhood.

Excellent as always looking forward to next visit on New Years Eve

All you would expect from a well established Italian restaurant. Lunch for five old friends was fine.

Comida en familia muy agradable, destacar la atención de Juan Carlos el camarero

Best Italian near home

Even though we had a late reservation, they accommodated all of our requests and were very pleasant and friendly. The food was excellent! Would definitely eat here again.

Great food and great service! They prepared a nice birthday song with dessert for my husbands birthday.

Excellent as usual
A favorite when in London

Wonderful meal in a cozy spot in Notting Hill. The staff was very friendly, and they even re-made a pasta for me to cater to my dietary needs! Both the pasta and the fish were fresh and delicious. We will definitely try to get back soon - thank you all so much!

Service greatly fluctuates - pretty disappointing this time

Excellent fresh ingredients expertly prepared. Intimate small bistro ambiance, quiet enough for our whole party to be able to chat together without shouting — overall wonderful place.

Food was amazing!!

Perfect Sunday Night Dinner, the service was great, the meal excellent. A true Neighbourhood gem and always a reliable Italian with a solid wine list and excellent specials.

Excellent food. Great location!

Lovely neighbourhood restaurant. Start with the Rosemary crisp bread which is fantastic. Th past was amazing and we enjoyed some lovey wine.

Great local restaurant with an authentic, quality vibe. Restaurant was almost full on a Monday night! However, this did mean starters were a little slow but the mains were quicker and the food itself was great. The staff were friendly too. I would recommend :)

Excellent as usual. A favorite always when we are in London!

This is a difficult review to write because basically the restaurant didn't do anything wrong. I think the fault is mine because I was led by the staff rather than looking at the menu - for example, I asked for a glass of dry white wine, perhaps a Sauvignon. He recommended a Gavi, which was indeed very nice, and so it should have been for £12.50 a glass (which I only realised when I received the bill). He explained that porcini mushrooms were the special of the day. Looking at the menu, I saw a pasta dish with mushrooms and bacon for £14.50 so I asked if I could have that with the porcinis. That turned up on my bill for £25. So yes, I had a perfectly pleasant lunch with my business colleague - but I was genuinely gobsmacked to get a bill for just under £130!

Excellent food and lovely atmosphere. We had a lovely intimate dinner whilst still enjoying the buzz.

Cozy...great food..friendly service..nice feel ambiance in a quiet neighborhood. Fresh and tasty food, reasonably priced.

Lovely restaurant with great food and great service. Italian owner and run. Here was a constant stream of delivery drivers collecting take out which was not distracting but does speak to the quality of the food.

Excellent, authentic Italian food that is so tasty. Fresh ingredients and excellent value for money. Will definitely go back!

Fantastic Italian food

My husband and I have eaten here a few times and the food is outstanding every time

Amazing food and service. Don’t forget to try their ossobuco.

The best italian restaurant in Nottg Hill

Meh! Was hoping for something a little more exciting.... we were one of two tables being served... the waiters keep making take out bags... seems more like a reliable neighborhood take out place... nothing special.