Goodfare Italian Restaurant
If you're wandering down Parkway in Camden Town and hunger strikes, there's one cozy Italian spot that deserves your attention-Goodfare Italian Restaurant. Nestled at 26 Parkway, London NW1 7AH, this charming eatery has been quietly impressing locals and tourists alike with hearty Italian dishes, smooth cappuccinos, and a vibe that feels like Sunday lunch at Nonna’s-every single day.
From the outside, Goodfare Italian Restaurant doesn’t scream “flashy” or “trendy”-but step in, and you're welcomed into a space where tradition speaks louder than presentation. The décor leans classic, warm, and unfussy, a gentle reminder that the real spotlight here belongs to the food.
Let’s talk pasta-because that’s where Goodfare shines. The Tagliatelle De Mare is a standout, with a generous helping of prawns and squid nestled in a rich tomato-garlic sauce. Fans of the classics won’t want to miss the Spaghetti Carbonara, silky and peppery with just the right hit of Parmesan. Meanwhile, the Cannelloni-bubbling with creamy ricotta and spinach-is pure comfort on a plate. For something baked and bold, the Lasagne is as close as you’ll get to a hug from Southern Italy.
If pizza is your calling, the Pizza Casanova will not disappoint. With a crispy crust, layered with tomato sauce, melty cheese, and toppings that taste like they were hand-picked from a Neapolitan street market, it’s the kind of pizza that demands both hands and total attention. Feeling a little adventurous? Try the Bresaola and Burata Pizza-it’s indulgent, fresh, and the burata just melts effortlessly over the savory air-dried beef.
Beyond the mains, there’s a steady stream of little pleasures: Garlic Bread that’s soft yet crunchy with a whisper of rosemary, Chicken Milanese paired beautifully with a side salad, and a Chicken Avocado Salad that surprisingly holds its own in a place that celebrates carbs.
For breakfast seekers, you’ll be happy to know that Goodfare is popular for its English Breakfast-served full and proper, with a side of Italian hospitality. It’s the kind of place where a Café Latté or a Cappuccino feels like a must-order, not just a caffeine fix. Their tea selection is surprisingly good too, offering a calm pause for solo diners and early risers alike.
Now, desserts. Oh yes. The Tiramisu is the star, rich but not too heavy, with each spoonful layered in coffee-soaked bliss. The Cheesecake and Brownie are also solid options, particularly if you're pairing them with a glass of house wine or a cheeky cocktail. If you’re avoiding alcohol, the Fresh Made Lemonade cuts through the richness and refreshes with just the right tartness.
Drinks-wise, the wine list here is worth exploring, especially with pasta dishes. If you're after something easygoing, the selection of beers complements heartier mains, while the cocktail menu is solid for a casual happy hour with friends. They’ve got spirits, healthy options, vegetarian plates, and even late-night bites, which makes it ideal whether you’re planning a lazy brunch, a solo lunch stop, or a spontaneous dinner after a gig nearby.
While there’s no wheelchair-accessible car park, the seating inside is accessible, and on sunny days, outdoor seating lets you people-watch with a glass of Chianti in hand. Dine-in, takeaway, or get it delivered-the options are there depending on your mood.
So, if you’re in Camden and craving an authentic Italian experience without the fuss, Goodfare Italian Restaurant delivers more than just food-it serves up a slice of old-school Italy in the heart of North London, where the plates are generous, and the welcome is warm.
Reviews
The food was absolutely astonishing but I'm only giving it 4 stars because the waiter we had that placed our order was not smiling and wasn't being the best at serving and gave me and my dad a funny look when ordering but apart from that everything was lovely and the owner and bar stuff were really polite and helpful and friendly but the lady with the brown ponytail wasn't the politest but we all have our good days and bad days id highly recommend it for the food and drink
We had a nice main meal of seafood pasta and halloumi salad. The homemade lemonade was also very good. Sadly the affogato I had for dessert was quite unpleasant, the coffee was freezing and the ice cream half melted by the time it arrived, like it had been sitting out for a while. The ice cream itself also wasn’t great, with bits of ice in.
Authentic Italian at its finest. We had a mix of everything across our table of six, from creamy and tomato-based pastas to chicken dishes, burrata, garlic bread, and starters, and everything was incredible. The pasta is homemade, which was a great touch. The vibe is really cute and charming, the service was warm and attentive, and the food genuinely made me feel like I was tucked away on a street corner somewhere in Italy… just so happens it was Camden Town. Absolute gem.
We had Vegetarian English Breakfast sitting in the sun this morning and it was perfect! Hands down one of the best English Breakfast I’ve had. Fresh ingredients and served hot!
The atmosphere and service were nice but the food was disappointing. I had fish&chips, the chips were good but the fish was tasteless. I would like to give more but I just expected more.