Situated in the heart of Brighton's famous Lanes, Donatello is a family run Italian restaurant frequented by locals, visitors and celebrities alike. Serving authentic and genuine ristorante cuisine accompanied by award winning wines all at affordable, value for money prices, makes Donatello a longstanding popular restaurant in Brighton.
At Donatello you're guaranteed genuine Italian cooking at it's best at incredibly affordable prices. Our famous fixed price menu starts from only 12 for two courses. Family is important to us at Donatello and so we have collaborated with some of our favourite little ones to create a menu that all kids love!
At Donatello you're guaranteed genuine Italian cooking at it's best at incredibly affordable prices. Our famous fixed price menu starts from only 12 for two courses. Family is important to us at Donatello and so we have collaborated with some of our favourite little ones to create a menu that all kids love!
Services
Donatello Italian Restaurant is known as a 'Brighton Institution' being a part of the community for almost 40 years. Sardinian born Pietro Addis opened Pinocchio in 1987 and it was a success from the beginning. Proving its policy of offering affordable meals using top quality ingredients and cooking everything in-house was right, so much so, this continues unchanged today.
If your booking is within the next 24 hours please telephone the restaurant on 01273 775477. Please be patient, as we are running reduced number of tables and staff numbers to keep safe distancing. As such some waiting time may be longer than anticipated. We are an independent restaurant and rely upon bookings being honoured or notice being given on cancellations/changes.
We are the perfect central establishment in the enchanting Lanes of Brighton to host your next event. Accommodating groups from 8 to 200, Donatello have many private Corporate Events & Weddings spaces in addition to our main dining restaurant that can be used for family get togethers, birthdays, anniversaries, corporate and press events, charity events, rehearsal dinners and weddings and hen and stag parties.
Reviews (26)
Randy D.
Dec 27, 2021
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Sarah L.
Dec 08, 2021
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Went for a group dinner and although I didn’t expect much, it was probably one of the worst restaurants I’ve ever eaten. Food tasted really bad, so salty, no flavour — it literally tasted like they were frozen food that was heated up in the microwave. The atmosphere reminds you of a restaurant that would be in Kitchen Nightmare. I don’t know why this place has 4.3 stars because it definitely is not even a 3 star restaurant.
Russell Thompson
Dec 05, 2021
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Gelina
Nov 16, 2021
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Omair Hasan
Nov 09, 2021
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Great experience. Italian food at its best, reminded me of the pasta I had in Rome. Ordered the pasta with lobster but meat quantity was very less but the taste of the pasta made up for it. It’s a large a plate and can easily be shared between 2. The shrimps appetizer and chocolate cheese brown cake are must haves.
Maggie Kallion
Nov 06, 2021
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Brenda MacDougall
Oct 30, 2021
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We went to Donatello's with another couple earlier this evening for the first time. It won't be the last, and it's our new favorite restaurant. The food was fantastic, the service, the same. It's a family run place, and the owner spent time saying hello to patrons which is a lovely touch. Warn, friendly, with lovely room (also a nice patio), it was perfect. We will be back again very soon. I highly recommend it. You will not be disappointed. Enjoy!
Julia P.
Oct 30, 2021
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Shahrooz Shoaee
Oct 14, 2021
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Nav
Aug 23, 2021
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Emil Jayatileke
Jun 12, 2021
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If you’re looking enjoy some fine Italian cuisine on rooftop, this would be the place. You almost forget that you are in the heart of Toronto while sitting among the trees and bustling street below. The food is good and the portions decent. The cuisine is comparable to other Italian restaurants in the city, but not many others can boast the charm of this little stretch of Elm St.
David S.
Sep 01, 2019
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Hilit S.
Jul 28, 2018
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Max P.
Jan 02, 2018
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When i went here last week it was very crowded and busy hence the loss of a star and it felt like they didn't care for the customers only the amount they can cram in!
The waiters where nice, polite and friendly and where quick to help.
The food was lovely and tasted fresh, and was surprisingly cheap.
The service was nice and the food however the atmosphere was too much!
The waiters where nice, polite and friendly and where quick to help.
The food was lovely and tasted fresh, and was surprisingly cheap.
The service was nice and the food however the atmosphere was too much!
D. A.
Oct 23, 2016
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Rachael H.
Sep 29, 2016
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The food at this restaurant is of very decent quality indeed. It is also ludicrously cheap as well which means that it is always busy.
The thing that majorly lets it down is the service. The service is so insanely slow that I once was in there 3 hours for a pretty simple two-course meal. The restaurant is also pretty cramped upstairs.
The thing that majorly lets it down is the service. The service is so insanely slow that I once was in there 3 hours for a pretty simple two-course meal. The restaurant is also pretty cramped upstairs.
Darren G.
Apr 03, 2016
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Juliana R.
Feb 26, 2016
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Joanne A.
Mar 20, 2015
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Very good Italian restaurant in the lanes. I love it here, but I hate it at the weekends, when it is at its busiest, for me it is way too loud. But I much prefer it in the week, when it is so much calmer. During the week, the food is at its best, service is much better, but the prices are very good. And the menu, there is so much to choose from!
Pablo M.
Oct 04, 2014
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Marine L.
Sep 20, 2014
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Nazy K.
Aug 03, 2014
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I do not like leaving bad reviews, but feel this one is necessary. Poor service and the food was mediocre. We ordered garlic bread, the Donatello pizza and the vegetarian lasagna. Not sure how anyone can ruin garlic bread, but it happened. Our servers had an attitude from the moment we sat down till the moment we paid our bill. No class in my opinion. Would not recommend this restaurant.
Mick B.
May 09, 2014
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Gemma G.
Apr 26, 2013
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Ok, Donatello's isn't going to blow your socks off as far as the food is concerned, but it's kind of become a Brighton institution over the years. It's a massive place (seats 400 + extra seating outside when the weather is kind), the food is mega cheap and the service is quick. If you want a quick, cheap bite to eat in Brighton then you could certainly do worse.
There are numerous seating areas - upstairs, downstairs, in the bar and outside. Because of it's size, it's great if there is a large group of you. As already mentioned, the food is pretty standard Italian
There are numerous seating areas - upstairs, downstairs, in the bar and outside. Because of it's size, it's great if there is a large group of you. As already mentioned, the food is pretty standard Italian
Andreas H.
Oct 05, 2012
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I was a bit underwhelmed by the food at this famous Brighton establishment.
The Good:
+ Friendly staff
+ The garlic bread was great (how can you ruin garlic bread anyway?)
The Poor:
- The pizza. A strangely hard crust, a completely run of the mill tomato sauce, and some bizarre topping options made the pizza a complete miss.
There are definitely better options for authentic Italian food within a mile radius.
The Good:
+ Friendly staff
+ The garlic bread was great (how can you ruin garlic bread anyway?)
The Poor:
- The pizza. A strangely hard crust, a completely run of the mill tomato sauce, and some bizarre topping options made the pizza a complete miss.
There are definitely better options for authentic Italian food within a mile radius.
John H.
Sep 26, 2011
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5 star for the food. 2 stars for the service. Food was absolutely fantastic. It seemed like the staff didn't really understand English. At least my American-English. I wanted an appetizer and entree, a la carte. I didn't want to order the lunch special. When my food came out, I didn't bother trying to correct them since the lunch special was cheaper and the special actually looked very delicious.
Donatello is situated in an alley in Brighton and has a pretty good view for people watching.
Donatello is situated in an alley in Brighton and has a pretty good view for people watching.
