🍕Restaurant Review: Venerdi
- wanderingazuki
- Aug 1
- 3 min read
Overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Badge: Worth a Wander 🌿
We visited Venerdi in Hackney for my mum’s birthday with a large group, and it turned out to be a delightful evening filled with laughter, good food, and festive vibes.
📌 The Details
📍 Location: 9 Chatsworth Road, Homerton, London E5 0LH
🌐 Website: venerdi.co.uk
📱 Instagram: @venerdirestaurant🕒 Opening Hours
Mon–Thu & Sun: 11:30 – 22:00
Fri–Sat: 11:30 – 23:00
🚗 Transport & Access
10‑min walk from Homerton Overground station
Nearby bus routes: 242, 276
Street parking available, though limited during peak hours, with some nearby residential parking
Santander Cycle docking at Chatsworth Road & Clapton Square
👍 Family-Friendly & Extras
✨Ambience & Accommodation
From the moment we arrived, Venerdi had a warm and inviting feel. They kindly arranged a long table for our group that fit everyone comfortably — including space for a pram and a cosy corner for my sister to relax. Despite the restaurant getting busier later in the evening, it never felt overcrowded.
We went in the winter months of 2024 and so there were holiday decorations up already - it felt like walking into a little winter wonderland. It felt festive without being over the top — just right for a special occasion.
🤝 Service
The service throughout the evening was excellent. The staff were friendly, patient, and attentive, especially with my mum, who had a bit of a tough time deciding on her order (and changed it more than once!). Our waitress handled it all with grace and a smile, making sure everything came out just right.
They also offered high chairs for the kids and checked in on us often, but without being intrusive. It really felt like they cared about our comfort and experience.
🍽️ Food and Drinks
The food overall was good, with some definite standouts and a few misses.
Starters
We ordered both the rosemary focaccia and cheesy focaccia, and both were hits. The rosemary bread, in particular, had a lovely crispiness that we all enjoyed.
Mains
🍝 I went for the ravioli — I have an unspoken rule with myself that if ravioli is on the menu, I have to order it. This one was rich and hearty, though the truffle and parmesan flavours were a little overpowering for my taste. The portion looked small at first glance, but it turned out to be surprisingly filling.
🍕 The stone-baked pizzas were the clear winner — flavourful, generously topped, and baked to perfection. I would recommend ordering the stone baked pizzas.
🦐 However, the seafood spaghetti (ordered by my mum and sister) was a bit of a letdown — unfortunately, it was too salty, which dulled the other flavours in the dish. My dad had a few bites as well and mentioned that the prawns didn’t quite taste fresh to him.
🍹Drinks
I had the strawberry lemonade, which sounded refreshing but turned out a bit too sweet for my liking. A better balance between the syrup and citrus would’ve made it more enjoyable.
💰 Cost Summary
We went as a large group so prices varied across the table, but overall the menu is reasonably priced for hearty Italian fare in East London. Expect to spend around:
Starters: ~£6–£9
Mains: ~£12–£16 for pizza or pasta
Drinks: ~£4–£6
The children split the bill, which came to around £30 each — a reasonable price for dinner in London.
📝 Final Thoughts
Venerdi delivered a warm and accommodating dining experience that felt perfect for a family celebration. While there were a few hiccups with the food, the outstanding service and welcoming atmosphere made up for it.
Would I return? Definitely — especially for the pizzas and the overall friendly vibe.
Please check out my review on Tripadvisor and Googlemaps.
🧳Your Turn to Wander In🧋
Have you been to Venerdi or found a go-to Italian spot for group gatherings in London?
What’s your must-order item at any Italian restaurant — pizza, pasta, or focaccia?
Let me know in the comments!
Comments