Saponara Italian Delicatessen

I can't believe I haven't reviewed this place yet- we've been so many times! We've gotten delivery and takeaway and have eaten in person. The actual restaurant is small and cozy. Not so great during COVID for them because they have to make the place even smaller to accommodate distance restrictions, but still they let a few people in!

The food is great. I always get the truffle pasta, and I know it's expensive, but it's so fresh and flavorful. We also always get a pizza, and they're all good. The tiramisu here is top notch, and so are the starters. We usually get a cheese or meat starter.

It's a great little spot with good food and a nice owner. They have a "special customer" aka a cute little cat that sometimes is outdoors near there. He's the nicest cat and doesn't bother anyone. Delivery and takeaway are both great options, and takeaway is a little bit cheaper than delivery if you can pick up in person!

I agree with Joelle, can I give more than 5 stars? I don't usually frequent Italian restaurants as I mostly cook Italian myself so I never bother going out for it. My boyfriend had been telling me about this place that is literally two streets away and I had never been. So we wandered over and immediately became intoxicated by the delicious aromas wafting outside.

Now, I'm not one for places that are half shop/half restaurant but this place is incredible. Open 25 years, I can't believe I've never been. They brought out the pasta plate and we agonised over crab tortellini versus the wild boar. Fortunately our friends showed up and we got to share. The wild boar was delicious but dear god, please please order the crab if you go. It swims in a buttery prawn sauce and you'll want to die of food heaven. If it's the last thing you ever eat, it would not be a mistake.

We also both ordered the Quattro Stagioni pizza because it's just that good. Normally I am not in favour of people ordering the same thing but I'd happily go back and all get the same because I am not for sharing here! It's mine!

So with that in mind, we got two orders of amaretto tiramisu and completely and utterly cemented our love at first sight for the place. I want to go back already!

Great food with simple atmosphere! Loved it !!
Can't even begin to explain how amazing the food is. The artichoke pasta , the pizza - work of Art . Best Italian food I ever had !!!

Si si! I would give them more stars if there were more. We popped in here the other night to meet some friends and felt like we'd stumbled upon a gem.

We got a bottle of house red and ordered the Quattro Stagioni (4 flavors of pizza on one pie) and the crab tortelloni.

(Hang on, I need a moment of silence for the crab tortelloni.)

Okay. That pasta was so amazing. We used the pizza to mop up the excess sauce. Couldn't stop wiping the plate. It bordered on déclassé. But we basically ate everything we got our hands on and all of us had a sad when the tortelloni was over (to the point we spoke nostalgically of it on the walk home).

We ended the meal with amaretti tiramisu, which was also delicious. The pizza was great, the dessert was great, the house wine was delightful.

But the crab tortelloni, man... *looks wistfully into the distance*

The best antipasto I ever had! Very fresh and rich in flavor. Love the way they presented a plate of sample pastas as menu. Friends recommended this place for reunion, and it turned out to be everything but disappointment. And, their house wine is terrific as well.

Found this deli by accident while taking a short-cut to Essex Road. Beautiful dark interior with lots of knick-knacks and books on the walls and counter, but with a small uncluttered dining area. There's outside seating which is ideal in the current time of year.

I've only been here a couple of times so far and only for take-away, but I was impressed with the quality of the food and the service. I had the toasted focaccia with ham, mozzarella, sun-dried tomato & olive tapenade on one occasion and the beef, mushroom & smoked buffalo mozzarella lasagne with truffle oil the second time - both were very satisfying.

Went here for a late dinner earlier this week and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of this little hole in the wall. Really tasty, good service and delicious dessert. Definitely worth a visit.

Great, homey, authentic little Italian deli tucked away just off a quaint little church yard. The pizza is delicious, although just a little bit on the pricey side. The custard tarts are a bargain at £1 each, with crisp shells and smooth filling.

The older gentleman is very warm and friendly, and was happy to offer my 8yo daughter a generous slice of prosciutto when he heard how much she likes it.

All in all, it's a local hidden gem that I am glad to have right around the corner.

Outstanding!!!
This is my favorite Italian in London, simply outstanding.
A real hidden gem in London.
At first glance, it's more of a Deli rather then a restaurant. Tiny space, with big glass fridge, takeaway food, delicatessens and wine shop.
But don't be fooled, reserve a table few days in advance cause it's always packed.

They serve exquisite home made pastas; the ones with truffle are showstoppers.
Pizza-best in London. Crispy, thin, with lots of aromas and flavors mixing around.
Wine selection-they have descent house wine. But u should go for the extensive selection they have for sale, and pay £7 corkage fee to drink it with your Pasta.

This review is solely based on the fact that I called at 9pm because both yelp and deliveroo said they were still open until 10 on Wednesday and that they deliver. They sounded open and busy to me when I called asking if they could deliver to me (new customer, ordering for the first time), when they flat out said no, I could pick it up. I'm sure the food is lovely but for customer service like that I want to make sure there overall rating goes down. I can't say I'll be rushing to order from them again soon.