Il Capo Italian Pizza & Pasta

You'll spot Il Capo from the queue snaking out the door most evenings – always a good sign on Talbot Street. The inside is nothing fancy, just red checkered tablecloths and the kind of no-nonsense Italian atmosphere where the staff actually sound like they're from Naples, not Navan. The pizza bases have that perfect chew, and they don't mess about with the toppings – proper San Marzano tomatoes and mozzarella that actually melts properly. The pasta portions could feed a small Italian village, which explains why students from the nearby colleges have made this their unofficial canteen. At these prices, you'd be mad not to order the tiramisu as well.