Gusto e

The words authentic Italian eatery literally sent shivers down my spine, for years I have longed for somewhere to replicate the taste of Sicily, Rome or Florence – but does Gusto é achieve this?

Located in Lanyon Place, Gusto é is not immediately visible from the road front, you will have to park and walk to the restaurant, which for me is their greatest hurdle. They lie just outside the city centre bustle, but only by 2 minutes. However, if you are going to the Waterfront for a show or staying at the Hilton then you are a mere stones throw from the tasty Gusto é.

Once you get there you are greeted by a fully Italian staff who will provide you with your menu and introduce daily specials etc… I can’t guarantee that the staff will always be Italian but this did add to the authenticity of Gusto é as did the language used throughout the menu, you may even pick up a few Italian words.

The decor is very modern and very slick, all items have been imported from Italy to give that real Italian feel  – and it does feel very modern, a change to other Italian eateries in NI. Here the decor is contemporary with imported art pieces, high back Italian booths, elegant lighting and even an indoor tree forming part of a table!

The menu once again gives off that authentic Italian vibe with Pizza, Pasta, Antipasta, sharing boards and fish all making up the menu, most impressively the inspiration for the menu and a lot of the ingredients and wines are imported from the Italian regions of Calabria and Campania (where the owner and his family grew up)

You can find the full menu here

When we visited it was for a quick lunch, obviously I got Pizza because I am obsessed and it was good, especially the dough, the tomato sauce and the char, the char was unreal on the crust – for me personally it needed a other 2 minutes in the pizza oven just to crisp up the base – but in terms of taste it was very, very good. It was also great to see a proper pizza being used; magnifico!

Lauren got one of their Paninis – this was without doubt the best panini I have tried, the trick – instead of a baguette the chef creates almost like a pita from the pizza dough and cooks it in the pizza oven, this was crispy, the filling was plentiful and the garlic sauce was perfect. This alone would lure me back, and starting at £5 the Paninis are sure to be a hit during Belfast lunch hour! I’d also recommend trying their range of soft drinks, I tried the blood orange and it was impressive.

So in terms of food, price point and interiors I definitely feel Gusto é is a welcome addition to the Belfast food scene, that location hurdle is the only thing I feel may hold it back and perhaps the lack of Peroni, this surprised me but they have opted for a range of German beers. So if you’re after some Italian food, using authentic ingredients cooked by Italian chefs then this is the place for you, oh, and you must try the Pistachio Cheesecake, heavenly!

1 Lanyon Pl, Belfast BT1 3LP
Belfast Waterfront
Tel: 02890 333393

Email – info@gustobelfast.co.uk