The story
Sapori is a family-run Italian restaurant at 40 Stadon Road in Anstey, Leicester, serving modern Italian fine dining that earned two AA Rosettes for 2026.
Head chef Andrea Scarpati was born in Torre del Greco, near Naples, and opened Sapori with his wife Cristina in May 2011. He is the only UK-based member of CHIC (Charming Italian Chef), and in 2019 he was named the UK ambassador for Ambasciatori del Gusto. The kitchen makes its pasta, bread, desserts and gelato from scratch, working with seasonal produce.
Antipasti have included pesto burrata and grilled octopus with artichoke and fennel. Agnolotti filled with Genovese beef ragù, served with pea purée, carrot and pickled onions, has appeared among the pasta dishes. Mains have included four ways pork with parsnip purée and sherry jus, and roast monkfish with buttermilk and sourdough sauce. Dessert might be camomile-whipped panna cotta with a strawberry tartlet. The Good Food Guide lists Sapori as Good for 2026.
The restaurant has a redbrick frontage, but the interior was extensively refurbished in 2020 and feels distinctly glamorous. Pizza is served in the restaurant from Tuesday to Thursday and all week in the PizzaBar area. The Italian-leaning wine list includes tasting notes throughout, and the bar hosts live jazz on selected dates.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
History
The Scarpati family hail from the Torre del Greco quarter of Napoli, a long way from the suburb of north Leicester where they are currently domiciled, but their contribution to Britain's Italian dining scene is a precious asset to the families of locals who support the place. Despite the redbrick façade, their restaurant has an altogether glamorous feel within, thanks to an extensive refurb back in 2020. A traditional menu offers antipasti to begin, including pesto burrata or grilled octopus with artichoke and fennel. Pasta variations might feature agnolotti filled with Genovese beef ragù, pea purée, carrot and pickled onions, before the main show introduces 'four ways pork' with parsnip purée and sherry jus or roast monkfish with buttermilk and sourdough sauce. Desserts bring on some imaginative ideas in the shape of camomile-whipped panna cotta with strawberry tartlet. It's all delivered in an atmosphere of irrepressible conviviality. A separate pizza menu is served in the restaurant (Tuesday to Thursday) and all week in the PizzaBar area, while the Italian-oriented wine list has evocative tasting notes all the way through.
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