Italian Way

Quite nice location, although rather than the terrace in an almost rainy weather, we’d have preferred to get a seat on the upper floor, with a nice view on the Channel…
Service was friendly, and quite fast. The food was OK, although in both our pasta dishes, there was way too much sauce (meaning, when we finished our dishes, there was still a bath of salsa in both our plates…), and this actually spoils the pasta, as it gets soggy while bathing there… A nice place nonetheless.

The Italian Way is a bit of an institution in Hastings.
At one time I remember it as the only Restaurant, or at least the only ‘good’ restaurant in the area.
I remember as a child, a family reunion upstairs of the restaurant. Surrounded by since absent family members on a huge table and being presented with a massive bowl of spaghetti Bolognese and stared in wonder. After I was treated with a banana split. Pure Joy.
It’s been around for just over three decades now and for a long time was well and truly stuck in the 80s. In recent years it seems it has attempted to join us in the teenies and has re-​modelled its sign-​age. The Menu doesn’t seem very changed from what I remember of my childhood, but classic Italian favourites haven’t changed much since then either.
I had returned to this restaurant year after year, the service again remains unchanged. Always a flirty Italian waiter and the owner propping up the bar and chatting to the regulars. It is defiantly a traditional Italian Restaurant with the chef unchanged for a quarter of a century.
Not a fantastic option for vegetarians though. Great for groups and family gatherings as you can’t go wrong with a bit –o– Italian.

No no no if the chef’s italian then i’m Hilary clinton out for the day.
food terrible décor very old.
A real shame could be great.

I’m surprised at all the positive reviews of this restaurant. I’ve always found that the food is very poor quality and the décor hasn’t changed in 10 years.
The service is OK and pizzas are definitely the better option above pasta. I’m pretty sure the lasagne was re-​heated.

We went there for a traditional fish ‘n chips lunch. What a mistake! The fish was not fresh and the chips were burnt and virtually inedible. Even though the place was almost empty, the service was poor; we got our coffee but the indifferent waiter couldn’t be bothered to leave us any milk or cream. We waited and waited but nothing came, so we had to call him over, by which time our coffee was going cold.
The chef was not Italian, but some rough looking Brit, whose demeanour and appearance left a lot to be desired. On top of this, all the time we were eating the staff were very noisily putting (slamming would be a better word) away the cutlery which was very disturbing. No tranquility in this place!
We could have got fresh and edible fish n’chips for much less elsewhere — we wish we had.
On top of all that, we both had queasy stomachs for a while afterwards; a clear sign that all was not well with the food.
Avoid this place, it’s crap.

So terrible I’m hardly motivated to write a review about it. Quite how this restaurant has survived so long is a complete mystery.
The owner makes a habit of walking around to each table and chatting with you which, at first could be considered rather pleasant by the dullards that frequent this diabolical ‘Italian’, but soon chaffs like ill fitting Y fronts. The waiting staffs fraudulent smiles betray the fact that they know they are serving dull imitation Italian food, but they are making the best of a bad situation, hoping that one day they’ll be employed by Simply Italian (a rather average, but infinitely superior local Italian).
To top the experience off my pizza was made on frozen dough complete with a small pool of water in the centre and my friends carbonara came with a thick layer of unmelted cheese and a dirty fork!
Avoid.

We visited with our 3 children in July 2009 on Wednesday lunchtime, when the restaurant was busy with locals and holidaymakers. We were served quickly, and our waiting staff were very friendly and helpful. The food, which arrived soon after placing our order, was excellent value for money and of a high standard both for adults and children. The table we had (although a bit small for five of us) was by the window and great for people watching. Desserts were enjoyable (especially the cheesecake) and the coffee was good quality. The upstairs tables weren’t being used when we visited, but this is a bit more spacious than downstairs. There are some set menu options for lunch and evening which appear particularly good value. On arrival, all our children were given crayons and a game/​colouring sheet to do whilst they waited for their food, which was much appreciated, as they can be restless on occasions

This restaurant has been here for absolutely donkey’s years, and it hasn’t changed a scrap on the outside so it looks a bit dated, to say the least ! Great location — in the heart of the town centre, opposite the beach and the fountain. The food is reasonably priced, the staff are friendly, the food is what you’d expect for an Italian restaurant. Nice for a family meal out.

This restaurant is a really fantastic place to visit in Hastings when you’re feeling peckish! Situated near to the beach, with excellent views, this restaurant offers superb Italian cuisine, for extremely reasonable prices. The staff are mostly Italians (not sure how they find so many Italian waiters in South East England, but that’s beside the point) and are all extremely helpful, cheerful and a pleasure to talk to. The food here is so delicious my mouth is watering at the memory of it — they do excellent value lunchtime specials that I’ve always enjoyed. They are happy to cater for families, and sometimes have opera evenings — I would highly recommend this restaurant.