Piccolo Mondo Info
Amenities
Service options
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Delivery
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Takeaway
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Dine-in
Health and safety
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Mask required
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Staff required to disinfect surfaces between visits
Accessibility
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Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Offerings
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Healthy options
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Late-night food
Dining options
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Dessert
Amenities
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Good for kids
Atmosphere
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Casual
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Cosy
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Romantic
Crowd
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Groups
Planning
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Accepts reservations
Payments
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NFC mobile payments
Best PlaceJuice Reviews
My partner Claire and I first had the pleasure of visiting this excellent Italian restaurant back in 2019. We do not live in the area and only visit Southampton for the Sci Fi Ball which used to take place at the Grand Harbour hotel. We initially stumbled across Piccolo Mondo via a brief Google search for the best restaurants in the area, we loved it so much we have returned every year since.
The restaurant is small and has a lovely cosy vibe, it always seems busy but this does not detract at all from its tremendous charm. The restaurant is lovingly decorated and it’s a really great place to go for a romantic meal. Because we are only ever in the area in February we tend to celebrate Valentines at Piccolo Mondo.
We are definitely eyes bigger than our bellies people so we often end up with some of our dinners to take home, there’s no way we are ever going to leave behind any of the exceptional food from the restaurant.
Our first year we went for the calzone, it was the best one we have ever tried, very generous portions and it tasted amazing. The second time we went we had the gnocchi and oh my god, it’s the most amazing Italian dish we have ever tried. It’s not often on the menu but they always make it for us. I’ve had gnocchi in many restaurants but none has ever come close to being as good as this, the mix of cheeses is exquisite.
This year we had gnocchi as a starter, because it would be rude not to have it every time we visit, it’s too good not to have! I went for a steak with peppercorn sauce, it was cooked absolutely perfectly medium rare as it was so tasty. The peppercorn sauce was also exceptionally well made, it was thick and creamy with a lovely strong taste, I always have my steak with this sauce wherever I dine, however very few places make it well, the way Piccolo Mondo do it is just the best.
My partner Claire had an Italian sausage and potato dish, it looked and smelled amazing and she let me try some, I was incredibly impressed with it, the quality and artistry at this restaurant is second to none.
We enjoy a good drink when we go for a meal and their wine selection is extensive and reasonably priced for the quality on offer. We had the Grillo this time and it was really good. We also finished off with an expresso martini, one of our most ordered cocktails, many places do this cocktail but very few properly master it, Piccolo Mondo certainly do, absolutely stand out, great strong coffee taste and it really hit the spot.
The staff have always been exceptional, so friendly and efficient and clearly enthusiastic about making the customers experience great every time. They are more than happy to help you choose if you can’t decide on a dish and know their menu especially well. The manager even called a taxi for us at the end of the meal as we were let down by our Uber driver, it arrived really quickly and it was so nice of him to organise it for us, just another wonderful touch to an already exceptional experience.
This is hands down the best Italian restaurant in Southampton and I would say it’s probably one of the best in the entire country, you will not regret going. It’s now our tradition to visit every year. We used to be able to walk to the restaurant from the Grand Harbour, but our Star Trek convention has now moved to Botley, but we didn’t think twice about paying £25 each way for a taxi because we love this place so much. It’s definitely worth the money to have a dining experience as consistently excellent as the one offered by Piccolo Mondo.
Always helpful warm welcome and food both delicious and well presented. Very good Italian. Little external area. Close to civic centre and just down small street.
This is the worst Italian I have ever been to. They have no idea what Italian food even is! I'm sure this is covered up by the fact that they smother everything in garlic parsley sauce. There is no flavour in anything, and ingredients taste cheap and un seasoned. Calling the pizza a pizza is an insult it had more garlic than the garlic bread. This is not a good place or the best Italian as other reviews suggest. This would make for a great episode of kitchen nightmares. Stay away if you appreciate good food.
Great atmosphere! and full flavour pizza ???????? the host was great too, very accommodating????????the parking situation is a bit difficult, but there is a car park nearby ????
Staff attentive from start to finish. Lovely vibe. We would definitely return if we were in the area again. My partner said it was the best pasta he’s ever had (and he’s had a lot of pasta).
Highly recommend. Call to book in advance as it’s quite small and very popular.
Excellent little restaurant - visited Saturday early evening and it quickly filled up so you need to book! Great food and Drink selection. Will recommend to others.
The food was tasty, huge and tasted like it was made with love!
I came here on a friend's recommendation. It did not disappoint. I will be coming back!
My first time visiting Piccolo Mondo and it was amazing! ✨ by far the best garlic bread in town! From start to finish the service was genuine and attentive, felt very welcomed and relaxed in the atmosphere created! Cannot wait to come back and try more of the menu! Thank you :)
Quick Facts About Piccolo Mondo
Piccolo Mondo, based on the comments, appears to have several strengths that contribute to its positive reputation and popularity.
First and foremost, customers consistently praise the quality and taste of the food. The restaurant offers generous portions and excellent flavors, as mentioned in the comments about the calzone, gnocchi, steak, Italian sausage and potato dish, and garlic bread. The mix of cheeses in the gnocchi is specifically highlighted as exquisite. This indicates that the restaurant takes care to prepare dishes with high-quality ingredients and ensures they are well-seasoned and flavorful.
The extensive and reasonably priced wine selection is another strength of Piccolo Mondo. Customers appreciate having a variety of options to pair with their meals, and the positive mention of the Grillo wine indicates that the selection is of good quality. Additionally, the restaurant's ability to make a standout espresso martini suggests a skilled and knowledgeable bartender who can create delicious and well-crafted cocktails.
The atmosphere and ambiance of Piccolo Mondo are frequently praised as well. The small and cozy vibe, coupled with the restaurant's loving decoration, creates a lovely and romantic setting. The warm welcome and attentive staff add to the overall positive dining experience. The fact that the staff is knowledgeable about the menu and willingly assists customers in making choices further contributes to the restaurant's strengths.
The restaurant's popularity is evident from comments mentioning the need to book in advance due to its small size and high demand. This indicates that many customers have had positive experiences and are keen to return. The fact that some customers specifically mention their intentions to visit again in the future further emphasizes the restaurant's strengths.
However, it is important to consider the weaknesses mentioned in one of the comments. One customer claims that Piccolo Mondo is the worst Italian restaurant they have ever been to and accuses the restaurant of smothering everything in garlic parsley sauce. They also criticize the lack of flavor and cheap, unseasoned ingredients. While this is only one negative comment among many positive ones, it does highlight a potential weakness of inconsistency in food quality or taste. It is essential for the restaurant to address and resolve any inconsistencies to maintain its positive reputation.
In terms of location, Piccolo Mondo is conveniently located close to the civic center, which may attract customers attending events in the area. However, one comment mentions that the parking situation is a bit difficult, indicating that finding parking close to the restaurant may be challenging.
In conclusion, Piccolo Mondo has several strengths that contribute to its positive reputation, including excellent food quality and taste, an extensive wine selection, a cozy atmosphere, and attentive staff. While a negative comment highlights potential issues with consistency and flavor, the overall positive customer feedback showcases the restaurant's strengths and suggests that it is a popular and highly recommended Italian restaurant in Southampton.
Place Pictures
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Opening Hours
| Monday | 11:00 AM - 08:30 PM |
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| Tuesday | 11:00 AM - 09:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 11:00 AM - 09:30 PM |
| Thursday | 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM |
| Friday | 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM |
| Saturday | 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM |
| Sunday | 11:00 AM - 07:30 PM |
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