Natura

There are 24 pizzas on the menu at Natura, a little neighbourhood Italian in Hackney Wick, ranging from classic mozzarella faithfuls to spicy ‘nduja numbers. The stone-baked crust is a winner but when it comes to the toppings, it can all get a bit tomato slip-and-slide, and the pastas are simple, ode to olive oil dishes that aren’t all that memorable. Inside, it’s got that whole rustic trattoria thing going on, with locals, hungry teenagers, and delivery drivers popping in to collect their orders. It tends to be pretty quiet, so while it isn’t the best place to spend your whole Saturday night, the wooden benches out front are a good place to start it—especially if you’re planning on heading to one of the big, boozy spots along the canal. Sip on something containing Campari, nibble on an olive or two, or mindlessly chew your pizza while watching happy dogs trot past on their way to Victoria Park.

Food Rundown

Italian Sandwich With Parma Ham

Perhaps it was wrong to picture fluffy focaccia when the menu references ‘homemade bread’, and that’s on us. Instead, it falls somewhere between a deconstructed calzone and something we’d make out of tortilla wraps when hungry at 4am. The buffalo mozzarella keeps it from being too dry though.

Amici Pizza

The tomato sauce has a lovely sweet tang to it and the stone-baked crust is thin with a satisfying crunch. It is, however, quite a faff to eat and our toppings fell off. Opt for the pizza fold method to secure your mozzarella and dignity.

Tiramisu

A tiramisu is a beautiful mathematical equation and here the sums are off. The savoiardi biscuits are a nice touch but sparse, and any hint of espresso is masked by the hefty dose of mascarpone. The cocoa on top tastes like instant hot chocolate powder and honestly, if this was a business decision so that dry-mouthed diners order more Aperol spritzes, we salute them.