La Pia

La Pia might be a new name in the dining scene in Barbican, having moved here relatively recently, but their name goes back a lot longer than that. The restaurant was founded back in the old country, in the Ligurian town of La Spezia in 1887. There are five spread across the north-eastern region, and now they’ve come to London, bringing their authentic take on the traditional pizzeria to this part of the city. Located along Goswell Road, La Pia London offers a truly authentic dining experience that is not to be missed. A favourite among Londoners for good reason, reservations are essential.

Here at La Pia there are classic Italian pizzas such as margherita, marinara and quattro formaggi, as well as lesser known topping combinations like the central European-style wurstel, with chopped hot dog, the salsicca, with Italian sausage, and salsiccia i friarielli, with sausage and Italian broccoli. The original La Pia back in the old country originally specialised in just one dish – farinata, a local specialty made from chickpea flour, but here at this modern London incarnation of the restaurant, the menu is as broad as Italy is long.

That said, you can still find farinata on the menu at La Pia’s Ladbroke Grove location, topped with stracchino or gorgonzola cheese, pesto and onions, or matched with a margherita pizza. Cheesy focaccia, a great selection of antipasti, salads and sides round out the selection, all best washed down with an Italian wine. Indeed it can be difficult to get to La Spezia itself to experience the flavours of Italy, but if you head to La Pia, you can taste them for yourself in Ladbroke Grove: simply take the train to the eponymous tube station, or the overground at Kensal Green. Just remember to book a table, however, as this Italian restaurant in West London does get busy on occasion.