Piccolo at 42 North Hill
Advertisements
Quick info
About Piccolo at 42 North Hill
Piccolo at 42 North Hill is a family-run Italian restaurant on North Hill in Colchester, set in a small, tucked-away dining room. The menu covers homemade pizzas alongside pasta, calf's liver, and chicken, with the kitchen prepared to keep pasta dishes simple for younger or fussier eaters. Dogs are welcome in the room, and service runs on a walk-in basis. The menu centres on the food rather than a long list of extras, so the format stays focused on straightforward Italian cooking for the table.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree street parking · Paid parking garage · Paid parking lot
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs · Kids' menu
- DietaryVegan options · Vegetarian options
Advertisements
Menu & Prices
20 dishes- Ravioli
- Spaghetti Carbonara
- Mussels
- Lasagna
- Tiramisú
- Calzoni
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention pasta, calf's liver, pizza and chicken.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention pasta, calf's liver, pizza and chicken.
Customer Review Summary
Most diners single out the food as the clear draw, with several naming the pasta and pizza as standout dishes, alongside a praised calf's liver. Service is repeatedly called friendly and attentive, and many describe the setting as a cozy, family-run spot that feels like eating in Italy. One reviewer found the food greasy and underwhelming for the price.
Customer Review Summary
Most diners single out the food as the clear draw, with several naming the pasta and pizza as standout dishes, alongside a praised calf's liver. Service is repeatedly called friendly and attentive, and many describe the setting as a cozy, family-run spot that feels like eating in Italy. One reviewer found the food greasy and underwhelming for the price.
Featured reviews
- Mike Firth
“Best Italian in Colchester. Food is fantastic, definitely give it a try if you haven’t been or visiting the area. 🤌🏻 🇮🇹 🍷”
- Aaron Bareham
“Nice little tucked away restaurant, however the food is not great for the price, very greasy and underwhelming.”
- Luísa Barretto
“Amazing Italian food in Colchester. My youngest son was being picky and they prepared a simple and amazing pasta for him. The other dishes were cooked to perfection as well, and the pizza was one of the best I’ve ever eaten. The service was great too and it is a small but cozy place that transported us to a nonna cucina in Italy”
- Jessica
“Went for a birthday celebration, amazing service and amazing food everything was well presented and all homemade, owner was very helpful and friendly”
- Anna Bamford
“My boyfriend and I visited Piccolo 42 on Saturday 27 June 2026, and from the moment we walked in, everyone made us feel so welcome. It's a lovely family-run restaurant, run by a father and son, with their nephew also part of the team. The food was outstanding. My boyfriend had the calf's liver, which was succulent, juicy and cooked to perfection. I had the chicken, which was absolutely beautiful, and after trying some of his liver, I can honestly say it was exceptional. The service was just as impressive as the food. Every member of staff was friendly, attentive and made us feel genuinely looked after. If you're looking for authentic Italian food with fantastic service, I can't recommend Piccolo 42 enough. We'll definitely be visiting again!”
Highlights
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Free street parking
- Accepts reservations
- Dogs allowed outside
- Delivery
- Takeout
Show more amenities
- Dine-in
- Family-friendly
- Vegan options
- Bar onsite
- Cozy
- Beer
- Offerings· 7
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Parking· 2
- Paid parking garage
- Paid parking lot
- Dining options· 6
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Family-friendly· 3
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
- Highlights· 3
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Atmosphere· 2
- Casual
- Romantic
- Crowd· 3
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
- Planning· 1
- Dinner reservations recommended
Location
Italian restaurants near Piccolo at 42 North Hill
- Cuckoo Dough4.76550.4 mi
american dream pancakes, tiramisu, avocado toast
- 2.2 mi£20–70
authentic italian food, pizza from pizza oven, tiramisu dessert
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piccolo at 42 North Hill | 4.7338 | — | £20–30 | pasta, calf's liver, pizza |
| Cuckoo Dough | 4.7655 | 0.4 mi | — | american dream pancakes, tiramisu, avocado toast |
| TASTE OF ITALY PIZZA PASTA RESTAURANT | 4.8255 | 2.2 mi | £20–70 | authentic italian food, pizza from pizza oven, tiramisu dessert |
The 2 nearest italian restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
More to explore in Colchester
70 places
Restaurants in Colchester
Photo: Turtle Bay Colchester · 4.7 · 3,993 Google reviews
See all 70 restaurants in Colchester