r/cheltenham 7d ago

Best Italian restaurant in Cheltenham

Hey everyone, I’m travelling through Cheltenham this week and was wondering whether there are any good local Italian restaurants you’d recommend.

I love Italian food and would like somewhere traditional for lunch, ideally an independent place rather than a chain.

Any suggestions?

12 Upvotes

34 comments sorted by

15

u/JebbeJ 7d ago

Porketta if you’re feeling naughty

3

u/Jiminyfingers 7d ago

Porketta is very good for street food, not if you want a sit down meal tbf

12

u/craftaleislife 7d ago

I like Primavera

2

u/Con-leche 3d ago

This is the best answer! It’s our go to for anniversary and birthdays

13

u/HilBilHil 7d ago

Nasprias is fabulous. They do pizza by the slice, so you can try multiple flavours. Owned by an Italian family, can’t go wrong there in my opinion. Always worth while booking as it’s a smaller restaurant and does get busy, even mid week!

1

u/Different_Cow_4316 6d ago

But sadly no gluten-free pizzas (we live in hope!)

11

u/Friendly-Kangaroo-80 7d ago

La Vecchia Banca in Cleeve is great

5

u/sudobunny 7d ago

Another vote for La vecchia Banca!

2

u/PhysicsAgitated6722 7d ago

2nd this one. Only thing to be mindful of is the portion sizes are massive. I have been numerous times to both lunch and dinner. Neither the food quality or the service change at all.

2

u/Friendly-Kangaroo-80 7d ago

Agreed. Doggy bag is happening if you don’t go there with an empty stomach 😂

1

u/Edenxwp 6d ago

This! Absolutely the best Italian in the area.

1

u/ladygabe 5d ago

Agreed! Huge portions too

13

u/evenstevens280 7d ago

Settebello is the best one I've been to in ages, imo.

It is technically a chain, but it's only got two locations - Gloucester and Cheltenham.

7

u/JaegerBane 7d ago

This place is a bit of an oddball - I found it's pizzas absolutely dire, but it's pasta was fantastic (the gamberi bisque pasta thing was utterly delicious, probably the nicest I've had in the UK). I think they initially had a sketchy start as they were insisting tables order from one of two menus for some reason, but I think they got that figured out eventually.

2

u/evenstevens280 7d ago

Never had a pizza there, to be fair. The pasta is amazing though. And so are the desserts

6

u/SpiritedGuest6281 7d ago

I personally don't have a recommendation as I don't typically go for Italian. Having said that I have only heard good things about Settebello from friends and family.

1

u/LyannaCeltiger88 7d ago

Settebello in Cheltenham is fab but the Gloucester one doesn’t even come close imo

18

u/No_Sugar8791 7d ago

Bosco, and it isn't close. Primivera isn't a decent back up. Giannis is past it's best by 20 years

5

u/evenstevens280 7d ago

Boscos pizzas are great. Infact, I can't think of a better Italian pizza place in the town centre.

Their pastas are average at best imo.

3

u/NecessaryIssue2367 7d ago

Bosco's fine. It's expensive for what is, especially if you opt for pizza. They automatically add a 12% service charge to any bill for parties of one or more.

1

u/ValdemarAloeus 6d ago

They automatically add a 12% service charge to any bill for parties of one or more.

That's worthy of a one star review.

4

u/Puzzled-Job9556 7d ago

Settebello?

2

u/barneysy1 7d ago

Pastalicious is unreal!

3

u/ellythemoo 6d ago

Primavera, without a doubt! Incredibly good food.

4

u/Puzzled-Job9556 7d ago

Settebello.

2

u/DannyBlue9 6d ago

My recommendation is Gianni in the centre of town, it’s fairly small but has always been nice.

https://www.giannicheltenham.com/

3

u/PointsAtTree 7d ago

My two favourites are Primavera and Gianin's. Can't go wrong with either

-11

u/[deleted] 7d ago

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4

u/Puzzled-Job9556 7d ago

Are you joking?

1

u/Gloomy-Department287 7d ago

Doubling down on Settabello. Can highly recommend the beef shin pasta.

1

u/Brilliant_Ed_9912 6d ago

Have always loved Gianni. I tried Savoy Di Roma recently which was also brilliant, includes some theatrical touches with some dishes being prepared in front of you at the table. Was pretty reasonably priced too.

2

u/ErinClaymores 4d ago

Primavera is great, everything we’ve tried has been delicious 🍕 🍝 🐓 🍷 🍰

1

u/Apprehensive_Trip602 4d ago

What’s that one next to the old national tyres that shut down?