La Massara

A deservedly popular Italian/Sicilian restaurant near République, you’ll often find groups of natives from Rome or Tuscany having a glass of wine and nibbling on bruschetta.

Start with a Spritz, the famous national cocktail made with Prosecco and Campari – best drunk with plenty of ice on the terrace – or instead choose from the excellent list of Italian wines. While you wait for your food, admire the Italian pizza oven in the open kitchen.

The antipasto encompasses a lovely selection of specialties, including the voluptuous carpaccio siculo: a carpaccio of beef with pistachios, shallots, parmesan and rocket. Then choose between pizzas (with and without sauce – we liked the San Daniele with rocket, parmesan and San Daniele ham, and the Massara with mozzarella, truffle cream and mushrooms), calzone or the special lasagnes, salads and desserts. All the ingredients are as fresh and the dishes well presented, making La Massara an excellent local Italian to visit and re-visit.