££££Price: Expensive • Italian • Maida Vale
Maida Vale has a relaxed, neighbourly vibe, so it’s no surprise to find Red Pepper here among the stuccoed houses and well tended gardens. With its buzzy, bistro feel, this restaurant has stood the test of time, serving Londoners good food since 1994 (a lifetime in restaurant terms). Many locals, some of them good cooks and cookery writers, regard Red Pepper as their home away from home. The authentic pizza, cooked in a wood-fired oven, is just one reason diners keep coming back; another is the friendly welcome which greets them. Cosy and informal, Red Pepper invites you to enjoy delicious homemade pasta, grills, and fresh seafood from all over Italy including the forgotten regions of Sardinia and Campania.