Pizzeria Trattoria Mario

You're walking down Cowley Road and the smell of wood smoke and fresh basil pulls you in—that's Mario's doing its job. This is unpretentious Italian cooking done right: thin-crust pizzas with quality toppings, handmade pasta dishes, and none of the faffing about. The dining room's warm and a bit cramped in the best way, filled with locals who know what they're doing. It's the kind of place where you can bring mates for a casual Friday night or take someone on a proper date without feeling like you're trying too hard.