Christoff.ai

Dalla

restaurants•
London
London

Dalla

120-122 Morning Ln, London E9 6LH, United Kingdom

Interactive map
Christoff

Christoff's Take

Insider review

Tucked away on Morning Lane in Hackney, Dalla is the kind of intimate Italian restaurant that makes you feel like you've stumbled into a cinematic 1970s Roman backstreet. With just 20 covers and critics calling it home to the 'best pasta in London', this tiny trattoria has earned its reputation through daily handmade pasta and an atmosphere so authentic it borders on theatrical.

Dalla: Hackney's Tiny Italian Gem Serving London's Best Carbonara

A 20-cover candlelit trattoria that's worth the booking battle

My Honest Review

Atmosphere & Ambiance

Step into Dalla and you're immediately transported to a bygone era of Italian dining. The tiny candlelit room is a masterclass in vintage charm, featuring authentic Italian and French bistro chairs, a striking Gio Ponti mirror, and period-correct Stilnovo lights that cast a warm glow over crisp white tablecloths. The tightly packed tables create an electric buzz that somehow manages to feel both intimate and lively – a delicate balance that speaks to the venue's sophisticated understanding of atmosphere. This is retro-chic done right, without a hint of pastiche. The 1970s trattoria aesthetic feels genuine rather than contrived, creating a space that's undeniably romantic and date-worthy. The intimate scale means every table feels special, though the close quarters also mean you'll be part of the collective energy of the room. It's the kind of place where the ambiance does half the work before the food even arrives.

Food & Drink

Dalla's reputation rests firmly on its daily handmade pasta, and the weekly-changing menu ensures there's always something new to discover. The kitchen excels at regional Italian home-style cooking, with standout dishes like trofie with pistachio pesto, fieno with mushroom and sausage, and what critics acclaim as London's best carbonara. Beyond pasta, expect sophisticated touches like raw beef with lardo and truffle, traditional frittatina, Sicilian panelle, and proper tiramisu. The menu reads like a love letter to Italy's diverse regional cuisines, executed with the kind of technical skill that earns a 4.8/5 rating on OpenTable. The weekly rotation keeps regulars coming back, while the focus on traditional techniques and quality ingredients justifies the 'faultless food' praise from critics. This isn't fusion or modern interpretation – it's authentic Italian cooking executed at the highest level.

Service & Experience

The staff at Dalla demonstrate the kind of warm, knowledgeable approach that elevates the entire experience. They're particularly skilled at guiding guests through the more obscure dishes on the menu, which is essential given the restaurant's focus on regional specialties that might be unfamiliar to some diners. The service style matches the leisurely sharing-plates experience, allowing time to savour both food and conversation. The team clearly understands the intimate nature of the space and calibrates their approach accordingly – attentive without being intrusive, knowledgeable without being pretentious.

Value for Money

At £26-£40 per person à-la-carte, or around £150 for two with wine, Dalla sits firmly in special-occasion territory. The pricing reflects both the quality of ingredients and the intimate setting, though it does mean this isn't an everyday dining option for most. The restaurant operates on a card-only policy, and there's a £25 per person cancellation fee for bookings cancelled within 24 hours, which speaks to how precious these seats are. Given the critics' acclaim and the 4.8/5 rating, the pricing seems justified for what you receive – this is clearly positioned as a luxury experience rather than casual dining. The value proposition improves when you consider the rarity of this level of authentic Italian cooking in such an intimate setting.

Insider Tips

Best Time to Visit

Dalla operates Wednesday to Thursday 6-10pm, Friday to Saturday with both lunch (12-4pm) and dinner (6-10pm) service, and Sunday 12-5pm. Given the limited seating, advance booking is essential for the dining room, though walk-ins are welcome at the bar for drinks and snacks.

What to Focus On

The daily handmade pasta is non-negotiable – particularly the carbonara that's earned critical acclaim. The weekly-changing menu means specific recommendations vary, but trofie with pistachio pesto and fieno with mushroom and sausage are standouts when available. Don't miss the raw beef with lardo and truffle if you're feeling adventurous.

Christoff's Insider Tips

Book exactly two weeks ahead for the coveted 7pm slot, then arrive 15 minutes early to enjoy a negroni at the bar while you waitThe restaurant offers a 15-minute grace period for reservations, but given the tight seating, punctuality is appreciatedWalk-ins can often snag bar seats for drinks and snacks even when the dining room is fully booked

The Final Verdict

Dalla succeeds because it doesn't try to reinvent Italian dining – instead, it perfects it. The combination of genuinely excellent handmade pasta, an atmosphere that feels transported from 1970s Italy, and service that enhances rather than intrudes creates something special in London's crowded restaurant scene. Yes, it's expensive and booking can be challenging, but the critics aren't wrong about the quality. This is the kind of restaurant that reminds you why intimate dining experiences matter, where every element from the Gio Ponti mirror to the final spoonful of tiramisu feels considered and authentic.

Christoff's Rating:
8.7/10

Perfect For:

couples seeking an intimate date nightItalian food enthusiasts who appreciate authentic regional cookingspecial occasion diners willing to splurge for a unique experience

Quick Details

1

Dalla

⭐️ Intimate
⭐️ Candlelit
📻 Vintage trattoria
⭐️ Hackney hidden
🇮🇹 Regional italian

Hidden away on Hackney's Morning Lane, Dalla recreates the magic of a 1970s Italian backstreet trattoria in just 20 candlelit covers that buzz with electric energy. The tiny room features vintage Gio Ponti mirrors and Stilnovo lights that create cinematic atmosphere, while the weekly-changing menu showcases daily handmade pasta like trofie with pistachio pesto and fieno with mushroom and sausage. Critics call it 'best pasta in London' and 'faultless food,' with OpenTable rating it 4.8/5 for the regional Italian home-style cooking that changes based on seasonal ingredients. The intimate setting with tightly packed tables creates an atmosphere where strangers become friends over shared plates and natural wines. Every dish tells a story of Italian regions, from raw beef with lardo and truffle to traditional tiramisu, all served by knowledgeable staff who guide guests through obscure specialties with genuine passion.

What's Great

✓ Handmade pasta daily with weekly-changing regional recipes

✓ 20-cover candlelit room with vintage Italian design creates magical atmosphere

Keep in Mind

× Extremely limited seating requires advance booking, walk-ins only at bar

Christoff

Christoff's Tip:

Book exactly 2 weeks ahead for 7pm slot, arrive 15 minutes early for bar negroni

Vibe check scores

Trendiness
Sophistication
Noise Level
Uniqueness

Venue details

🕐"Wed-Thu: 6-10pm\nFri-Sat: 12-4pm, 6-10pm\nSun: 12-5pm"
📍120-122 Morning Ln, London E9 6LH, United Kingdom
💷££££
📞+44 20 3016 4179
🌐Website

Featured In My Guides

Dalla has been featured in 2 of my curated guides. Here's where you can find more context and discover similar spots.

London's Best Italian Restaurants: Local Insider Guide 2025 reference image

London's Best Italian Restaurants: Local Insider Guide 2025

restaurants in london•
Aug 17, 2025
Where to Find Real Italian Food in London: A Chef's Guide 2025 reference image

Where to Find Real Italian Food in London: A Chef's Guide 2025

restaurants in london•
Aug 21, 2025
← More restaurants in London← Explore all of London