4 /5 Mr P: We visited Amalfi Restaurant on a Saturday night, and as expected it was extremely busy. Despite this, we were seated in a booth, which was a real positive — it was spacious, comfortable, and allowed us to enjoy the evening without feeling cramped, even during peak time.
Service, however, was a bit mixed. Starters took quite a while to arrive, and there seemed to be some confusion among staff, with waiters repeatedly bringing incorrect dishes to our table and others nearby. This suggested a breakdown in communication somewhere between the kitchen and floor staff, which became noticeable as the evening went on.
Our waitress was efficient enough but lacked warmth. A smile and a more welcoming approach would have gone a long way. She came across as quite blunt when we asked a few questions, and an awkward moment arose when we requested a kids’ menu for our niece. She assumed our niece was 12 and questioned why we needed one, which felt unnecessary and a little uncomfortable.
That said, the food was the highlight of the evening and more than made up for the service issues. Everything arrived hot and was genuinely impressive. The pasta and pizza were very authentic, clearly made with care and quality ingredients. The garlic bread with cheese was particularly good and definitely worth ordering.
Overall, it was an enjoyable experience thanks largely to the food and the comfortable seating. I would absolutely return, as the cooking is excellent and feels truly Italian. However, during busy periods, the restaurant would benefit from tighter organisation and improved communication among staff, as well as a slightly more personable approach to customer service. With those tweaks, it could be a standout local favourite.