Review: Eatly

Eataly’s market offers over 5,000 quality Italian and local food products, including fresh produce from their butcher, fishmonger and cured meat and cheese counters. More than 2,000 wine labels make Eataly London’s biggest Italian wine cellar, a dedicated Via del Dolce (the Sweet Spot) showcases freshly baked Italian cakes, pastry, cannoli and handmade gelato, the cheese laboratory produces fresh mozzarella and Italian cheeses on-site every day, and the bulk refill section will be the first Eataly packaging-free area in the world. Eataly also offers an online shop and delivery from the fresh market counters and winery.

The ground floor offers a selection of takeaway options such as Roman-style pizza by the slice at Pizza alla Pala, fresh pasta made every day at Pasta Fresca Bar, Italian paninis, focaccia, salads and classic meals to go from the Made In Eataly area. It would not be an Italian market without coffee, and the Gran Caffè illy serves Italy’s favourite – illy coffee – with a gelato bar, pastries and sweets, cannoli, drinks and aperitivi for take away.

It doesn’t get much more Italian than enjoying a meal in the sunshine, so we were delighted to discover an alfresco dining terrace. Open all year round (expect heaters and blankets in the winter), the fully covered La Terrazza di Eataly serves a selection of seasonal Italian dishes to share among the table, alongside a cocktail menu designed in collaboration with Aperol. Tuck into the classic likes of homemade burrata, traditional bolognese and margherita pizzas, while sipping on a refreshing Aperol Spritz.

Delicious Italian cuisine, which is more than just pasta and pizza, but there’s a reason why these two staples are among the country’s most popular exports. Here, expect to try traditional pasta served al dente and wood-fired pizzas made with dough that has been leavened for 50 hours. On the menu, you will find dishes such as tagliolini with butter, Parmigiano Reggiano and black truffle, while pizzas arrive topped with the likes of mozzarella and spicy sausage. Wash it all down with your choice of Italian wines.

 Translating to English as ‘kitchen of the market’, Cucina del Mercato is Eataly’s market-to-table concept, where the menu is underpinned by produce sourced from its very own market counters. This means you can expect to find the likes of fresh fish, cured meats, cheese and pantry staples all being put to good use, resulting in dishes such as whole sea bass and free-range chicken paired with side orders like triple-cooked potatoes and mixed vegetables.

Founded in 2007, Eataly was born in Italy from Oscar Farinetti’s idea to gather high-quality food at sustainable and reasonable prices for all, celebrate Italian biodiversity and create an informal, natural and simple place to Eat, Shop, Learn, all under one roof. The name EATALY is a fusion of two words: EAT and ITALY. As a result, Eataly stands for ‘Eating Italian’ which encompasses the history and the food culture of Italy, the ease of preparing Italian dishes, and the many qualities that Italy has to offer. There are over 40 Eataly stores across 15 countries around the world, with Eataly London being the first in the UK employing 300 people. Eataly.co.uk