Bella Italia - Lancaster

You know what you're getting when you walk into this Church Street spot, and sometimes that's exactly what you want. The familiar red and green surroundings might scream chain restaurant, but they've got the formula down pat - decent pasta that doesn't pretend to be groundbreaking, pizzas with proper crispy bases, and service that actually cares about getting your order right. Sure, it's not going to revolutionise your understanding of Italian cuisine, but when you're craving a reliable plate of spaghetti bolognese after wandering round Lancaster's shops, this does the job brilliantly. The portions are generous without being silly, and they know how to make a carbonara that doesn't taste like scrambled eggs. Plus, being right on Church Street means you can easily roll into town afterwards.