Cinquecento Haverstock Hill

Delightful Pizzas and Warm Atmosphere

Navigating through Cinquecento's offerings in the bustling Belsize Park area, one is immediately swayed by a vibrant milieu and the warm hum of convivial enjoyment. The décor blends rustic elements with a modern flair, crafting a cozy ambiance where guests can feel enveloped by the atmosphere, whether secluded in a quaint nook or basking in the open seating arrangements adorned with flickering candlelight. On arrival, my eyes wandered across tables adorned with generously portioned Neapolitan pizzas, framing the charred crust—an apt canvas for fresh mozzarella and vivid tomato sauces that speak of classic simplicity done remarkably well. And while pizza undeniably takes center stage, do not miss out on their unique appetizers like the lasagna fritta, offering a crispy delight before the main event.

However, as lively as the kitchen may hum, the dining experience wavers like a symphonic movement hitched on unexpected cadences—a telltale symptom of a service that's charmingly congenial but sometimes befuddled by the evening's pace. A rechargeable patience rewards you with delightful heart-warming entrees and sinfully smooth Gnocchi Piccanti, keeping the warmth coursing through your meal. While waiting might remind me to check my reverence at the door, I found solace (and sugar) entrenched in a cheerfully reimagined Tiramisu. Its texture: ethereal, yet rich—a dance somewhere between tradition and innovation, much like the restaurant itself. Under head honcho Bruno's watchful eye, Cinquecento marries neighborhood localism with metropolis flair—holding tightly to its ethos of Italian authenticity served with gentle familiarity. Surely, a slip here and there in timing or presentation doesn’t overshadow what really matters: an ultimately memorable bite of Naples coursing through London's veins.
— Audrey Al Dente