Tempio is an easygoing, lively restaurant serving fresh, classic Italian food. The volume of local office workers filling the tables, at lunch time and after hours, testify to its popularity – lunchtime booking required!

The Venue
Tempio is open for lunch and evening meals, Monday to Friday. It is sister restaurant to The Wine Press, situated off Fleet Street, and the owners have been running restaurants in the city since 1983. Located close to Temple Gardens, the restaurant occupies lower ground space in the historical Temple Chambers. As you approach the restaurant on Temple Avenue, look out for the pavement billboard and descend iron stairs to enter the restaurant. Staff welcome you in the small bar area and direct you through to the restaurant. The interior is simple and functional. Tables are small and close together. High ceilings and windows overlooking a narrow courtyard offer enough light to overcome the lower ground location.

The Atmosphere
The restaurant fills with local office workers, particularly at lunch time. During the busy period, the room echoes with vibrant chatter and the clink of cutlery. The smell of baking pizza and garlic fill the air. In the evenings, lights are dimmed and candles flicker at each table, chat is hushed until the wine starts flowing, when things can get fairly lively. Service is brisk but staff friendly.

The Food
The average cost of a pizza is £9, salads are around £11 and pasta dishes are about £9 - £11. Pizza bread and caprese (tomato, mozzarella and basil) salad to start are fresh and arrive promptly. Lashings of garlic on the pizza bread set the tone. The thin crust Fiorentina pizza has generous layers of tomato, cheese, spinach and pine nuts, and is heavily flavoured with garlic. The warm chicken salad has a good variety of vegetables; crisp salad leaves, fresh tomato, slightly crunchy cooked green beans and just ripe avocado. The salad comes with vinaigrette dressing on the side, but the house dressing, creamy with more garlic, is also available. The salad is accompanied by two generously sized, slightly herby chicken pieces. The dessert fridge beckons and offers heavenly Tiramisu. The specials board provides a break from pizza and pasta and frequently includes risotto and a seafood dish.

The Drink
You know it’s going to be a good night when the wine list is more extensive than the food menu! A number of great wines are sold by the glass, starting at £3.50 for a glass of house red or white. Bottles range from £13.50 and £50 and it’s not just Italian wine on offer, although the Valpolicella Classico is a light option, perfect for pizza. Beer lovers aren’t disappointed, if the Italian Peroni Nastro Azzurro isn’t your thing; Kronenbourg, Stella and Budvar are among the alternatives.

The Last Word
Reliably good food in a lively setting, those who work close by come several times a week and are never disappointed.

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