Restaurant of the Month | Farina

Brains : Love

03 September 2021

As one of the best things about the big smoke is its selection of dining establishments, we're on a mission to highlight our favourite restaurants on a monthly rotation. This month, it's Farina in Notting Hill.

Finding a good pizzeria is a more complicated task than it seems. With so many scattered around the city, the amount of choice can be overwhelming. Farina, located in the bustle neighbourhood of Notting Hill is the antidote to this dilemma. You're guaranteed to be leaving with smile on your face and a full stomach – from the thin pizza dough to their flavoursome passata, there's nothing unlikeable about their Neapolitan pizza. To ensure you'll fully enjoying what the menu has to offer, read our guide below.

Our favourite tipple...
If the sun happens to be out during your visit, a lemon spritz, comprising of limoncello, prosecco and soda, will give you instant refreshment. Alternatively, if you're more of a wine drinker, you can confidently opt for the house red without fear of disappointment.

Our favourite starter...
Nothing screams comfort food quite like aubergine parmigiana, and Farina's take on the dish will have you craving more of the stuff. The aubergines in the Parmigiana Napoletana are deep fried, which stops it from getting soggy from the fiordilatte mozzarella and parmesan. It's a must have dish.

Our favourite main...
The Farina, which is a white-base pizza is topped with fiordilatte and smoked mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, spicy Calabrian nduja and spianata salame, is the epitome of a Neapolitan pizza. The thin base is made in the native way, consisting of live yeast and a mix of Italian grains that's slowly fermented twice for up to 48 hours. It's then stretched to a 12" diameter, making it as thin as possible but with a puffy crust. Mix this with the spicy and creamy toppings and you'll have a taste of Italy whilst dining in Notting Hill.

Our favourite dessert...
An affogato is a staple Italian dessert, and Farina uses espresso from a coffee micro-roastery owned by the co-founder Edy Piro. The caramel notes from the coffee shot compliment the ice cream wonderfully.

Whats special about this restaurant...
It's hard to have expertly made food with fresh ingredients in London without it costing you the same price as a flight to Italy. Farina makes great Italian food without it severely denting your bank account – what's not to like?

Visit Farina at 19 - 21 Notting Hill Gate, London, W11 3JQ, and a book a table here.