Etna Italian

Tucked into Charminster, Bournemouth, Etna Italian has been a small, family-run beacon of traditional Italian cooking since 2019. Here, experienced Italian chefs cook to order, favouring freshness and patience over speed. It is about generosity of spirit, a warm welcome, and plates that arrive with the kind of care only a family kitchen can muster.

The menu reads like a love letter to the classics. Think Gamberetti Impanati with a lick of chili and crisp salad, or Parmigiana di Melanzane layered with Napoli sauce, parmesan and mozzarella. Pizzas run from the elegant simplicity of a Margherita to the lively heat of a Diavola, all comfort and character in each bite.

From the sea come Branzino Savoia in a white wine cream with tiger prawns and mussels, and Salmone con Asparagi rich with mushrooms and asparagus. Comfort seekers might twirl into Spaghetti alla Bolognese or settle into a bubbling Lasagne, while risotti swing from earthy Risotto ai Funghi to briny Risotto di Mare. Heartier turns include Pollo ai Funghi and an oven-roasted Stinco di Maiale al Forno, with Beef Stroganoff offering a silky, brandy-touched finish.

Unhurried and intimate, Etna Italian prizes great food rather than fast food, inviting diners to linger, talk, and savour. Make a date in Charminster, take your time, and let the evening unfold one twirl of spaghetti at a time.