Few restaurants have had such unanimous praise on the Cambridge Foodies quite like La Pergola. For years I have put off visiting this authentic family-run Italian restaurant thanks to its geographical distance from my house but today I decided to take the plunge!

Cambridgeshire boasts a wealth of excellent Italian restaurants, making the competition incredibly fierce. This made me wonder how La Pergola, situated all the way out in Harlton, would truly stand out. With that said, a more remote location can certainly have its advantages, allowing for lower overheads, greater space, and the potential for a quieter, more intimate dining experience.

Al Fresco Dining

I was immediately struck by the sheer beauty of the garden. In fact, this could very well be some of the finest outdoor dining I have experienced in Cambridgeshire. I was instantly transported to a restaurant on holiday in Italy with its relaxed summer vibes and colourful displays. It was complete with an outdoor bar and a children’s play area, making it perfect for both families and couples alike.

My first thought was how perfect it would be for events. With my 40th birthday party fast approaching, my heart sank as I realised I had left it far too late to organise anything here. If only I had visited sooner!

The staff exuded a warm, friendly energy, and nothing was too much trouble for them. You could see the genuine passion in their eyes when they described the menu or recounted La Pergola’s history – a clear hallmark of a family-run business that has thrived for decades.

As fresh as it gets!

While we studied the menu, a complimentary starter was brought out – perfect for getting us going and, I suspected, for soaking up the wine that was inevitably going to come. I missed the name of the dish, but it was essentially toasted bread with a delightful topping of olive oil and freshly chopped tomatoes.

Interestingly, the waiter explained that their tomatoes are grown in the garden out back. As an avid tomato grower myself, I was incredibly impressed and excited to try them. Tomatoes are one of those fruits truly worth cultivating at home; while some produce offers little noticeable difference for the effort, tomatoes are an exceptional example of how vibrant and fresh a tomato can be. Biting into one of their freshly picked tomatoes instantly made me long for my old allotment. We talk about sourcing often on this blog and frequently credit restaurants for local sourcing but nothing compares to picking it from your own on-site garden. Superb!

Wine time

For anyone who knows me, I have long had a bone to pick with standard wine bottle sizes. I have always felt that 70cl isn’t quite enough for two people, yet it’s too much for one, leaving me perpetually dissatisfied with the portion. So, I was absolutely delighted to discover that La Pergola serves their wine in glass carafes, all the way up to a generous 1 litre, offering far more flexibility.

The carafe was filled with their house red, Sangiovese Rosso, described as possessing a “complex and persistent bouquet with a pleasant fruity touch. Soft and elegant.”. A statement I simply couldn’t disagree with. It won’t blow away hardened wine enthusiasts but it executes the job of a reliable house wine with precision, by offering an adequate flavour that is versatile enough to pair up with any dish. And at just £27 a litre, there’s certainly no room for complaint!

Mains

With the hot summer holiday vibes soaking in and being a glass of red wine in already, I’ll admit, I got a little carried away while looking at the menu. As I am still trying to finish off my Cambridge Pizza League table, I decided that a pizza would be inevitable, but I knew that to truly appreciate an Italian restaurant, I needed to dive a little deeper.

Pasta Paradise!

We started with two pasta based dishes – the iconic Italian classic, Spaghetti Alla Carbonara and one of their biggest sellers – the Pappardelle Mare e Monti.

The Pappardelle Mare e Monti is made with thick, ribbon-shaped pasta that has been coated in a creamy white wine sauce. Generous amounts of mushrooms, smoked pancetta, and prawns transformed it into a hearty yet tender dish. The modestly sized prawns packed a surprising flavour punch, closely followed by the rich, fatty pop of pork. Flavour exploded from every angle – this was next level!

I’ve honestly lost count of how many times I have been disappointed by carbonara when dining out, almost to the point of never ordering it again. All too often, it is dry and lifeless, never quite matching my own home-cooked version. Yet, after the unanimous praise for La Pergola within the Cambridge Foodies Facebook group, I felt confident enough to love again.

Their Spaghetti alla Carbonara is crafted with pasta, smoked pancetta, and cream, then finished with free-range egg yolk, black pepper, and Grana Padano. Now, technically, using cream in a carbonara isn’t “authentic”, but quite frankly, I couldn’t care less. This dish was absolutely superb – truly one of the best carbonaras I have had anywhere in the UK. It was wonderfully thick and brimming with delicious chunks of pancetta that genuinely brought it to life. My dining companion rightly pointed out that the portion was significantly larger than what we’ve encountered elsewhere. It was simply divine!

Pizza Time!

It had been a while since I updated my Pizza League table, so trying one of La Pergola’s wood-fired pizzas was a must. All their dough is made daily with Caputo flour and topped with Italian fior di latte mozzarella, which set a reassuringly high standard from the outset.
I couldn’t resist the ‘Nduja e Peperoni’, as I find ‘nduja irresistible at the best of times, and its quality is always a true test of a good Italian restaurant. If you’re seeking a gimmicky pizza trying to reinvent the wheel, look elsewhere. This is a simple, wholesome pizza, executed with such love and care that it shines through in every element: from the beautifully soft crust to the vibrant mozzarella. Most importantly, it delivered a firm “slap in the face” from the fiery ‘nduja, which was generously dolloped across the entire pizza. Oof! 🔥

The Specials Board

We were presented with three tempting options from the specials board. Unfortunately, my first choice, a rather delicious-sounding sea bream, had just sold out. This would have balanced our dining experience nicely but luckily there was a pork tenderloin dish that is served with some of the crispiest potatoes I have ever had, all generously covered in a thick, creamy, white wine sauce.
I think it was called “solomillo de cerdo al Pedro Ximénez” but since it wasn’t listed on the main menu, I couldn’t be sure. But what I can tell you is that it was a simple yet incredibly well-executed dish, certainly not something I would typically expect from an Italian restaurant, yet it was widely loved across our table.

Dessert

It simply wouldn’t be a proper Italian meal without sampling their Tiramisu Al Amaretto. This classic Italian dessert, made with Savoiardi biscuits, coffee, rich mascarpone cheese, and a hint of Italian almond liqueur, was an absolute must.

The portion size was terrific, providing an ideal send-off after such an extravagant meal. The ice cream, cool and refreshing, truly hit the spot on that hot summer’s evening.

I didn’t get a chance to truly dive into their panna cotta but my guest gave it top marks.

I always order panna cotta when I see it on the menu and this did not disappoint, this can sometimes be slightly boring but it was smooth and creamy with the sharpness of the berries was delicious.

Home Grown Produce

Tucked away behind the car park, I noticed a huge allotment where the family behind La Pergola cultivates much of their own produce. I was incredibly fortunate to be given a tour, revealing everything from greenhouses overflowing with tomato plants, broccoli, and herbs, to geese, chickens, and ducks roaming around as content as could be.

This truly is the ultimate in sourcing, taking everything back to its roots. It stands as a profound testament to the hard work and dedication poured into ensuring every ingredient on your plate is as fresh and delicious as possible.

A slice of Italy in Cambridgeshire

La Pergola has truly captivated me in a way no other restaurant has in a very long time. This is a genuine homage to Italy, where every detail, down to the most seemingly miraculous, was utterly perfect. It’s so much more than just the exceptional food and the wonderfully warm, passionate service we received from start to finish. It’s also the tranquil, relaxed atmosphere, surrounded by vibrant colour and lush greenery, that made me feel as though I had stepped onto a teleporter directly to Italy itself.
This delightful getaway felt like a bubble, a serene escape from the usual hustle and bustle of life. We left floating with our bellies full, our taste buds dancing, and a profound sense of contentment. With its children’s playground, outdoor bar, and splendid alfresco setup, it genuinely had me thinking the only thing missing from La Pergola is a hotel, as I could easily see myself escaping here for a few days.

Thanks for reading!