You will find veal and fish dishes feature on the menu as well as pasta, risotto and salad options. Established for over 11 years we are proud of our carefully prepared, home made, Italian dishes and attentive service.
We are based in central Norwich housed in a charming characteristic Georgian building, near City Hall, in the Norwich Lanes area.
A family business run with professional and friendly staff, we are always happy to chat about how the dishes are prepared. Come and join us, arrivederci.
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Here at Italia Nostra we pride ourselves on serving beautiful, carefully prepared, Italian food.
Italia Nostra translates as 'Our Italy' and references primo chef and owner, Paolo's aim of bringing his experience and tastes of Italy to Norwich. Visitors can look forward to a relaxed, intimate dining experience with a range of dishes to choose from.
Having been raised in Northern Italy, Paolo has tried to bring his knowledge of Trento, Parma andMilan cuisine to Norwich. For example the 'Vitello Alla Milanese' dish is typically available in Milan.
With its traditional decor of picturesque paintings, plants, copper pans adorning a wall and low beamed ceilings, Italia Nostra is the perfect place to dine with family and friends or take that special someone for a relaxed, fun, Italian experience.
Over the years the restaurant has built up an enviable reputation with customers highlighting the 'Vitello Alla Nostra' (veal escallop) and 'Pesce Spada' (swordfish) as particularly "delizioso". Click here to view the main menu. Gluten free pasta and risotto dishes are available on request.
Owner of Italia Nostra, Paolo Duraj
"For me, I love Italian food, there is so much variety, so many great flavours. It is what I was brought up on and now I can share this fine cuisine with others..."
Originally born in Albania in 1974, Paolo moved to Italy, Rome, when he was 14 years old and spent most of his childhood around Italian food. His parents were great cooks and would like to spend time preparing good fresh meals.
When he was 17 he moved to Bolzano, a city in North Italy and it was here he became friends with Pino. Pino also happened to have a family restaurant and this is where Paolo would watch his friend's father go about the business and think one day I would love to own my own Italian restaurant. He spent much time in his friend's restaurant, sometimes lending a helping hand, and he would also frequent other restaurants in the area watching and learning. Working in various manual jobs Paolo worked hard so that he could save and one day open his own business.
Italia Nostra was Paolo's first real step into the culinary industry when the restaurant opened its doors in 1999. Since then it has gone on to become a well liked local Italian frequented by those valuing tasty authentic Italian dishes served in a relaxed unassuming setting.
Paolo is a great believer in doing things in the traditional way to capture true Italian flavours. This is why he orders some ingredients such as flour, olive oil, pasta, tomatoes, and supplies such as coffee and wine, from Italian supplier Alivini who deliver goods from Italy to the UK.
When he is not cooking Paolo has a great interest in sport, particularly football and F1 - he is a Norwich City Football Club supporter and likes to watch the grandprix rooting for, who else, but Ferrari!
As well as owning Italia Nostra he also runs Paolo's Restaurant and the Trowel & Hammer pub, the latter being a recently acquired business which he is in the process of refurbishing.
Paolo himself is always happy to chat about Italian food and how the dishes on the menu are cooked.
Choose from a range of traditional Italian dishes.
From pancakes, to lasagna, to prawns and veal, there is a variety of meals to choose from, buon appetito.
Or email us at info@italianostra.co.uk
52, St Giles Street, Norwich, Norfolk NR2 1LW
Monday to Saturday: 6pm - 10pm (last orders)
Early dining available for before the Theatre.
Sunday: Closed
