LARDO

You're walking down Richmond Road in Walthamstow, past the sort of neighbourhood joints that make East London feel like it's got real bones. Lardo's the kind of place where they're not trying to be clever about Italian food—they're just doing it right. Expect wood-fired pizzas with proper char, pasta made fresh that morning, and a wine list that won't make you want to cry. It's got that easy confidence of somewhere that's been doing this long enough to relax into it. The room buzzes without feeling forced, and you'll find yourself next to locals who clearly know their way around the menu.