Fabulous experience , our evening was spent in Ricardo’s hands our hake from specials board was a solidly delicious, coupled with a lovely Sicilian wine . Great hosts , Already looking to put next visit . Don’t pass this by best Italian in town !

This restaurant has became a firm favourite for my partner and I. The restaurant itself is cosy in size, it always lively and the ambience is perfect! The food here is amazing, I would describe it as rustic Italian cuisine (though I’m far from a...food expert). We have never had a bad meal here, all ingredients are fresh and flavourful and the chef/owner adds his personal flair to every dish he makes. The door to the kitchen is always open and you can see Ricardo (the owner and chef) cooking away which I personally love! One of the things that always stands out for me is the moment Ricardo has a spare minute, he always personally comes into the restaurant to ask guests about the food and has a chat with each! This speaks volumes to the passion he has not only for his food but his customers too! I remember the first time we ever went, it was getting on later in the evening and by the time my partner and I were on to desert, we were the only customers left. Then I see Ricardo and the waitress (who I believe was his daughter) quietly sit down in the corner of the restaurant to enjoy some well earned food, honestly it was this made me want to keep coming back! So lovely to see a father and daughter enjoying a meal at work together, I even got up and pretended to be the waiter 🤣 asking them if I could get them anything! The reason I tell this story is to give you an idea of the kind of place this is, it’s family run and nothing speaks better to the food than when the staff will sit down and eat one of the dishes! Honestly if you’re on the fence, or looking for a new restaurant to try, you won’t be disappointed! The prices I must say are incredible for the quality of the food! I don’t know how they have managed to stay so reasonably priced in todays economy! Oh and finally the service, if you visit when the doors are just opening it is usually Ricardo in his own, so you will be greeted by him and he will take the order and also cook, around 18:00 his better half arrives to manage front of house, his wife is lovely, very knowledgeable, friendly and professional! Sorry Ricardo, your food is amazing but your wife wins in the service category because she’s the pretty one haha! Apologies for the long review, I hope the amount of my own time spent writing this goes to show how much I enjoy this restaurant! This restaurant has a special place in mine and my partners heart, in fact we shall be back there tonight!More

Ricardos is wonderful! The food is delicious and authentic, it's a family run resteraunt so the staff are so friendly and welcoming. The ambiance is lovely for couples and families too. My partner and I go at least once a week, the garlic bread with...tomato and chili is a favourite of ours. We try new items on the menu every week and everything is scrumptious. Delicious pasta, fresh dough for pizza, fish and fresh ingredients served with a smile. They do monthly specials too. We also get takeaway pizza, they also have delivery services and cater to parties and celebrations. The desserts are to die for with a cheeky coffee to top it off. The price range is perfect and it's down the road from us :) It's becoming a regular spot close to our hearts.More

A favourite. My dad is from Napoli and when he says the food is amazing, believe him ;) Had a lovely meal, had the Tagliatelle con Salmone, with a glass of Vino Rosso. Lovely desserts and coffee too.

Walked past many times and finally visited and wished we'd gone sooner. Really tasty food in a friendly and relaxed small restaurant. Good food,good wine and good hosts. Going back with more friends and family very soon.

Amazing food and service! The bolognaise and garlic bread are extra delicious! Can’t wait to return, defo recommend :)

No 1 rated restaurant in the area, and rightly so. We are regular visitors and often choose a taxi round trip here over a walk to some of the more local restaurants in leigh on sea. Why ? Simply because everything about is better. There’s...an extensive menu, a lovely welcoming atmosphere, great wines and the quality of the food is top notch. We had tomato and chilli garlic bread, funghi a La pizzeria, pepper fillet steak and a first for me here, the cannelloni. Have to say the cannelloni was amazing ExceptionalMore

Fancied an Italian after the planned place didn’t have a chef in as was Ill!! Only 1 chef and I’ll on a Friday with all the good reviews!!! Ricardo the boss was cooking and wow so glad we come!! Real Italian food which we don’t...have where we live!! Service and food was absolutely amazing🥰More

Our first visit to La Pizzeria but it won't be our last, for sure. A bizarre situation where my step children had driven over from Germany to surprise their mum. They had even booked themselves into a Southend Hotel so while they spent the afternoon...out shopping with their Mum, I was tasked with finding a restaurant for dinner in the Southend area. With varying fickle culinary preferences, I settled on Italian with La Pizzeria as my first choice based on reviews. As soon as they opened I phoned to book a table and at 6.30 we arrived. By 8.30 all were agreed, that the food and service were superb and I had made a very good choice. No arguments from me but the credit has to go to the kitchen for the quality of food served and the friendly service. As someone who enjoys cooking, I want food cooked and presented better than I can do at home. All of the dishes we had ticked those boxes and already my wife is asking when we are going back. Given that the Sicilian Canolli was the best dessert I have had for as long as I can remember, very soon, in fact as soon as they reopen after their annual holiday.More

An amazing little restaurant (it only has 30 seats inside) and fully booked by 7pm. The food is stunning and of such high quality. You can see the chef cooking from your seat. He comes out to greet the customers, superb. He shows you some...of his cooking on YouTube. Robert D.More

The place is perfect for a meal out with family, friends or even with workmates. And if you want to have a cup of coffee with a someone and have a nice chat, they have a good outdoor seating area as well.

This place is amazing & Chef is very friendly. We had tomato and chilli garlic bread is wonderful and the fillet steak superb all fresh.food is healthy. Thanks to Riccardo