Sorrento Restaurant...a taste of Italy

You'll find Sorrento tucked away on Ely Street, just far enough from the tourist crush around the theatre to feel like a proper neighbourhood spot. Walk in and you're greeted with warm terracotta tones and the kind of lighting that makes everyone look better—it's intimate without being fussy. The menu reads like someone's actually been to Italy and knows what they're doing: housemade pasta, seasonal risottos, fresh fish that arrives as specials. Mains hover around £12–18, which is fair going for Stratford. The wine list skews Italian, naturally, and the staff know what pairs with what. It's the sort of place where locals book tables for birthdays and anniversaries, not somewhere you stumble into on a whim—though you should absolutely book if you do.