TASTE OF ITALY PIZZA PASTA RESTAURANT
Advertisements
Quick info
About TASTE OF ITALY PIZZA PASTA RESTAURANT
Taste of Italy Pizza Pasta Restaurant is an Italian restaurant and bar set in Gateway Leisure Park in Colchester. Run as a family business, it centres on a kitchen where a large pizza oven sits at the front, turning out the restaurant's namesake pizzas alongside a wide pasta range and a menu that stretches through to dessert and coffee. The room doubles as a cocktail and wine bar, and Italian music plays throughout service. Staff take time to explain dishes and steer guests toward what suits them, while the owners occasionally pour a complimentary alcoholic drink from Italy. A service charge is added to the bill, and the room is set up for both walk-ins and larger groups.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree parking lot · Paid parking garage · Paid parking lot
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, parking lot, restroom, seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids · Has changing table(s) · High chairs
Advertisements
Menu & Prices
187 dishes · mains £4–790- Coca Cola 330ml£2.99
- Santal Pear 25cl£3.99
- San Pellegrino Pomegranate & Orange 33cl£2.99
- Coca Cola Diet 330ml£2.99
- San Pellegrino Lemon 33cl£2.99
- Santal Apple 25cl£3.99
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention authentic italian food, pizza from pizza oven, tiramisu dessert and home made mains.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention authentic italian food, pizza from pizza oven, tiramisu dessert and home made mains.
Customer Review Summary
Diners return to Taste of Italy most for the pizza and pasta, repeatedly describing the food as authentic, full of flavour, and homemade, with the pizza singled out as next level thanks to the large oven at the front of the kitchen. Service draws equal praise: reviewers describe servers as warm, attentive, and willing to explain the menu and recommend dishes based on preferences, with one family meal of nine noting that every plate was outstanding. The setting supports a relaxed family evening, with several reviews highlighting how the younger children in their group were looked after and that no one felt rushed. One reviewer mentions being offered a free Italian alcoholic drink by the owners, which they describe as a welcome extra. The most consistent complaint centres on the cocktails, which one diner says were served with too much ice for the price, and a service charge added to the bill. That same reviewer also found the £9 tiramisu underwhelming, describing a small slice that tasted shop bought rather than homemade. Most reviewers still recommend the restaurant and say they plan to return.
Customer Review Summary
Diners return to Taste of Italy most for the pizza and pasta, repeatedly describing the food as authentic, full of flavour, and homemade, with the pizza singled out as next level thanks to the large oven at the front of the kitchen. Service draws equal praise: reviewers describe servers as warm, attentive, and willing to explain the menu and recommend dishes based on preferences, with one family meal of nine noting that every plate was outstanding. The setting supports a relaxed family evening, with several reviews highlighting how the younger children in their group were looked after and that no one felt rushed. One reviewer mentions being offered a free Italian alcoholic drink by the owners, which they describe as a welcome extra. The most consistent complaint centres on the cocktails, which one diner says were served with too much ice for the price, and a service charge added to the bill. That same reviewer also found the £9 tiramisu underwhelming, describing a small slice that tasted shop bought rather than homemade. Most reviewers still recommend the restaurant and say they plan to return.
Featured reviews
- Simon Turnnidge
“The food was amazing, great quality and the service was spot on. I would recommend this to everyone. We are in walking distance so we will be going back.”
- Adam Sutherland
“After our family meal here yesterday, I’m very happy to recommend Taste of Italy. A warm welcome on arrival and attentive service throughout. There were 9 in our party so a good range of food from the menu was ordered and every plate was outstanding - generous portions and full of flavour. The pizza is next level too - probably something to do with huge pizza oven that sits proudly at the front of the kitchen!!! We had a fantastic evening and will definitely be returning. Highly recommend!”
- James Pardy
“Found this lovely restaurant today before going to the Vue cinema. Great food, very tasty. Foreign music made me feel like being on holiday. Good friendly service. Will return”
- Gabriel Marin
“Excellent restaurant! Can’t fault the food. Atmosphere is fantastic . Staff well behaved really keen to help and explain all the dishes and based on your preferences they will recommend something that will definitely feel you right up! Guys honestly, visit this place for the best experience. I wasted many times my money on so many restaurants, ending up with a bad experience. This one is something else 100% The drinks are too and if you lucky you will get from the owners a free alcoholic drink from italy which is just so fine and full of Taste of Italy Well done guys we will see you very soon”
- Nathan Marshall
“Great family run business. The quality of the food is exceptional and the staff are amazing too. If you want authentic Italian food then taste of Italy is the place to go. Me and my wife are regularly in the restaurant enjoying the food and drink.”
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Accepts reservations
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Show more amenities
- Family-friendly
- Bar onsite
- Beer
- Lunch
- Catering
- Dessert
- Service options· 2
- Curbside pickup
- Delivery
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Parking· 5
- Free parking lot
- Paid parking garage
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
- Usually plenty of parking
- Accessibility· 3
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Family-friendly· 4
- Good for kids
- Has changing table(s)
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
- Offerings· 3
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Wine
- Dining options· 3
- Dinner
- Counter service
- Seating
- Crowd· 2
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
Location
Italian restaurants near TASTE OF ITALY PIZZA PASTA RESTAURANT
- Piccolo at 42 North Hill4.73382.2 mi£20–30
pasta, calf's liver, pizza
- Cuckoo Dough4.76552.4 mi
american dream pancakes, tiramisu, avocado toast
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TASTE OF ITALY PIZZA PASTA RESTAURANT | 4.8255 | — | £20–70 | authentic italian food, pizza from pizza oven, tiramisu dessert |
| Piccolo at 42 North Hill | 4.7338 | 2.2 mi | £20–30 | pasta, calf's liver, pizza |
| Cuckoo Dough | 4.7655 | 2.4 mi | — | american dream pancakes, tiramisu, avocado toast |
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