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Bournemouth
Vicolo
About: Vicolo - opened in 2022, by 3 passionate friends from Naples, the birthplace of pizza! Vicolo means ‘alley’ in Italian and if you have ever been to Naples, the alleyways are the heartbeat of the city and its food scene… Vicolo brings you an authentic taste of Italy to Bournemouth, delivering traditional and contemporary Italian dishes, using only the finest fresh ingredients and recipes.
Choose from delectable starters - Bruschetta, Parmigiana di melanzane, Polpette al ragù or even a Fritto misto di mare or a few Sicilian Arancini. Now is where it gets tricky - pizza or pasta? There are so many delicious Neapolitan Pizzas to choose from - Capricciosa, Bufala, Napoli, Calzone Classico, Diavolo…. Or do you go with a classic Carbonara, an Ottolenghi favourite, Penne alla Norma, or even a Risotto di Mare? The combinations are endless and will keep you coming back for more again and again, well that and the tiramisu!
Vicolo also offers a fantastic selection of Italian wines and cocktails to accompany your meal - the Negroni is a MUST.
Kids eat for half price and everything is now available on Deliveroo too.
Menu: Click here
TGt Recommends: Risotto di Terra - Perfectly cooked Arborio rice with Wild Porcini Mushroom, Spicy Neapolitan Sausage & Truffle oil - heaven on a plate…
Location: 4 Albert Road, Bournemouth, BH1 1BZ
Telephone: 01202 929550
El Murrino
About: El Murrino is exactly what you want in an Italian restaurant! Family-run and passionate about food, a lot of which is sourced directly from Italy, ensuring you experience ‘La Bella Italia’!
El Murrino has a busy open kitchen that allows you to watch the pizzaiolos hand-stretching sourdough pizzas and cooking them to perfection in the wood-fired oven - the perfect entertainment to build up an appetite.
Their menu includes classic homemade dishes like Penne All'Arrabbiata and Lasagna al Forno (al dente, of course!), as well as classic Margarita and Pepperoni pizzas, stunning risottos, salads, and sharing plates with Italian cold meats, cheeses, or seafood.
Do not forget about dessert, the tiramisu here is out of this world!
The service is fun, friendly, and accommodating. Families are VERY welcome and well catered for, with a fantastic kids' menu. Gluten Free bases and Vegan Cheeses are also readily available.
El Murrino has lots of great mid-week deals and a 2 for £10 cocktail offer all day, every day.
If you don't feel like going out into the big wide world, you can order your Italian feast online and have it delivered to your home - bonus!
Menu: Click here
TGt Recommends: If you are feeling adventurous and you like to spice things up, try the Calabrese Special with spicy ‘Nduja’ (Italian sausage - to die for), Nocellara del Belice Black Olives, Fiordilatte Mozzarella, Fresh Italian Tomato, and Basil - £12.95
Location: 154 Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 2LZ
Telephone: 01202 463333
Etna Italian Restaurant
About: Etna is a much loved and highly recommended local Italian restaurant, serving up homemade classic dishes with a smile. The staff are very knowledgeable and will always go the extra mile to ensure you leave happy and FULL!
Italians take their food very seriously and Etna is no exception. Everything is fresh, delicious, and beautifully presented.
Try the Cocktail Di Gamberetti (Prawn Cocktail) or Insalata Alla Caprese (Basil, Tomato, Mozzarella) to start followed by pizza/pasta classics Margarita, Quattro Stagione, or Spaghetti Alla Bolognese. Etna pride itself on plenty of menu choices with beef, chicken, fish, and risotto dishes too.
Desserts include the perfect Panna Cotta and Real Italian Gelato that will transport you straight to the Amalfi Coast.
Excellent Italian food, made with love and flavour.
Menu: Click here (plenty of veggie/vegan options incl. desserts)
TGt Recommends: Linguine al Salmone - fresh pasta with smoked salmon, crunchy asparagus & succulent prawns cooked in divine cream sauce - £15.50
Location: 81 Charminster Road, Bournemouth BH8 9QQ
Telephone: 01202 914844 - call to reserve
Christchurch
Baccello
About: Opened in September 2022, Baccello is a new refreshing Italian addition to Christchurch and its ethos is ‘an authentic sharing experience’... Ostensibly an Italian wine bar but as no self-respecting Italian would drink on an empty stomach, there is an incredible menu of ‘Cicchetti’ dishes served on wooden boards and designed to be shared! Cicchetti originates from Venice and is enjoyed by friends, family, and lovers alike - as Italians love to share particularly FOOD!
The experience at Baccello is a convivial one, be adventurous, try something new, and wash it down with one of the 70 Italian wines, organised by region and lovingly curated.
The Cicchetti board sizes are medium, large, and extra large based on how hungry you are or how many sharers… If you are not sure of the size or what to choose, the extremely knowledgeable staff are on hand to assist with the wine and food.
The best thing about Baccello is that you are transported to Italy, the minute you walk through the door.
Cicchetti Menu: Click here
TGt Recommends: Speck Bruschetta - Speck, Asiago Cheese drizzled with Italian honey (£7.00). You must try the Giant Capers (£5.50) and the Charcuterie Sharing Boards that include loads of nibbles, freshly baked focaccia, 3 x kinds of cheese and 3 x types of meat and feed a small army for £32.49
Location: 72 High Street, Christchurch, Dorset Bh23 1bn
Telephone: 007398 089980
Pizza Baracca
About: Pizza Baracca is a takeaway with a difference. Award-winning and family-run, offering some of the best Italian-inspired pizzas, with authentic thin crusts! The menu regularly changes and all the ingredients are fresh and seasonal. The best thing about Pizza Baracca is that you can collect or have it delivered straight to your door!
Offering classic pizzas like Margarita, Quattro Formaggi, pasta such as Spicy Penne Arrabbiata or Spaghetti Bolognese, and Calzones - Classic/Vegetarian or Spinach & Mushroom Calzone. Freshly made Caprese and Caesar Salads (with CRUNCHY croutons) can be ordered too.
All the dishes are perfectly portioned and bursting with flavour, so if you feel like eating Italian but don't feel like leaving the house, Pizza Baracca is your go-to.
Pizza Baracca can also cater to any occasion!
Baracca Menu: Click here
TGt Recommends: Sweet Stromboli - handmade dough, Italian ricotta, and a filling of your choice: (Salted Caramel; Raspberry Conserve; Nutella; Fudge; Cherry Conserve or Caramel Fudge.) Basically a sweet pizza! Salted Caramel ALL the way! - £4.00
Location: 36 The Grove, Christchurch BH23 2HB
Telephone: 01202 015610
Just Eat/UberEats/Deliveroo or pop into the shop and order either for takeaway or delivery.