Reviews

Il mio posto preferito: Why Big Mamma’s ‘Gloria’ is still my favourite place

15 September 202114 September 2021By
Il mio posto preferito: Why Big Mamma’s ‘Gloria’ is still my favourite place

Gloria is the taste of Italy you need this Autumn.

Rating: 5/5

The blues of past holidays are kicking in as the new term comes around, wouldn’t a taste of Italy be a perfect remedy? Well luckily you don’t have to look any further than Shoreditch and London’s OG Big Mamma restaurant, Gloria. Over recent years we have seen the French founders of the Big Mamma group open up two more incredible restaurants in the capital, Circolo Popolare and Ave Mario, but for me, Gloria still reigns supreme.

Gloria is *Chef’s Kiss*

There are a combination of factors that make Gloria my favourite spot in London. Firstly, and questionably most importantly  is the food! Victor Lugger and Tigrane Seydoux, the founders of the Big Mamma group pride themselves on their solely Italian produce. From the cheeses to the wines, everything is sourced from Italy, which gives the food true authenticity. 

A must try is their famous carbonara served inside a cheese wheel, as well as their truffle pasta that you can smell as soon as you take your first steps into the room. If that doesn’t get your mouth watering I don’t know what will!

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Little Italy:

Another key part of Gloria’s success is the atmosphere. As you walk through the doors you are transported to what feels like a family run Italian restaurant. You are surrounded by a constant hum of Italian conversation between the staff and the occasional chorus of buon compleanno (happy birthday). Also, the beautifully bright room covered in flowers and plants adds to this Florentina vibe. Lugger has been reported to say that they wanted “to create places that when you pass through the door you’re in Italy” and that is exactly what they have done.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CRLzZhbnFe2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

 

And despite all these things, it still is affordable, even for us students!

The Big Mamma legacy:

The Big Mamma group was founded in 2015 by two Frenchmen in Paris. Their first ever restaurant was East Mamma. They then went on to open 6 more in Paris and then braved it across the channel. Now they have 15 restaurants in France, Spain and England and I am sure there are more to come. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CTauJU9t7d9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

 

So I guess all there is left to say is that I couldn’t recommend Gloria enough!

Book now at: https://www.bigmammagroup.com/en/trattorias/gloria

Need another restaurant recommendation? Try: STK London: delicious high-end dining experience on a student budget