Quality Time, Quality Food | Vapiano With My Dad | We Love Food Junior

I’d not seen my Dad a lot recently. He’s been busy with his new job and I’ve just started doing some volunteer work for my Duke of Edinburgh award. So when Dad said that he was taking me to Vapiano for lunch I got quite excited to spend time with him. I’d never heard of Vapiano (although Dad said I’d been before in Sweden when I was little) but to be honest I just wanted to spend some time with him.

But first a non alcoholic cocktail

Pizza and pasta are already my favourites (Saff makes the best pasta dishes) and I didn’t think I could like them anymore than I already do, Vapiano changed all this (sorry Saff). Whenever we go out to eat at restaurants, I’m always known as the fussy one. However I didn’t have that problem at Vaps (as Dad calls it) as they cook the pasta dishes right in front of you. You can see exactly what is going into the big pans and choose any extras – it was a no to chilli and a yes to extra bacon.

Carbonara tagliatelle – the best ever

What I loved most were all the different types of pasta that you can have with the sauces – we went for Carbonara tagliatelle (£9.99) but it could have easily one of the other 8 varieties of fresh pasta (9 if you include the kids’ airplane shapes). When I say fresh, I mean fresh. They make a new batch in the restaurant every morning using just water and durum wheat semolina (their pasta is egg free so suitable for vegans).

Antipasti for Dad…

Dad ordered the Piatto Antipasti (£12.99), basically a big plate of ham and cheese (prosciutto tipo Parma, salami, chorizo, roasted vegetables, pesto, Grana Padano D.O.P., buffalo mozzarella, bruschetta). It said ‘to share’ but Dad managed most of it by himself, I was too busy with the carbonara.

… and pizza for me

Dad said that we had to try a pizza as Vapiano also make their own dough. Again I kept it quite simple (I’m the fussy one remember) and ordered a Prosciutto e funghi (£9.79) with ham, mushrooms, tomato sauce and mozzarella. This was so good too, honestly the best pizza and carbonara that I’ve ever had.

All the desserts looked delicious too. I played safe and had the large Panna cotta topped with strawberry sauce (£5.79) as I’ve never had it before. Dad fancied a panna cotta too but had the Cioccolata Foresta Nera (£5.99), it was like a chocolate trifle with Nutella and soft sponge fingers. I had a taster of this, loved it and got Dad to swap desserts, he wanted mine anyway.

All the staff were so friendly, nice and happy to answer any questions about the food or the restaurant. I didn’t really understand the ‘individual charge card’ system but Dad said it’s great if you are out in a group and want to pay separately. All that I know about this system is that you can help yourself to gummy bears when you pay at the front desk as you leave.

Nice slice!

Overall my experience at Vapiano was amazing and would definitely go back (hint hint Dad) and would recommend the restaurant to my any of my friends. I just wish that there was a Vapiano closer to my home then dad could take me more often and I could show my mates just how good pizza and pasta can be.

Find out more here

Vapiano has restaurants nationwide.

Vapiano Bankside
90 Southwark St. London. SE1 0FD
Telephone: 020 7593 2010

Find them on Facebook
Follow them on Twitter
Follow them on Instagram

Nearest station: London Bridge (10 min walk)

We ate as guests of Vapiano, this does not affect our review in any way.
We always write with complete honesty.