This neighbourhood Italian restaurant in Hove has quickly become a favourite among locals thanks to easy-going pasta dishes as well as authentic Italian mains, pizzas and desserts. You’ll find Semola on Church Road, just a short walk from Palmeira Square.
Semola’s owners all hail from different parts of Italy, and together they give the restaurant a homely vibe that extends through the decor and service. The interiors are minimal and workmanlike, with natural timber floors, dark wood tables and a flash of electric blue across the walls. On the right hand side you’ll find a bar and service area which doubles as a dining counter, complete with some high stools.
There’s nothing fancy about the menu - Semola is all about no-frills, authentic Italian food done right. At the simplest end of that scale are pasta dishes like linguine with olive oil, garlic and fresh chilli, as well as Roman classics like fusilli Amatriciana (with guanciale, onion and tomato), linguine with meatballs and linguine Carbonara. Semola’s pasta is handmade in house and all cooked to order. There are a handful of mains to choose from as well, including Italian sausages in red wine sauce, baked cod with garlic, olives, capers and white wine, and a range of classic pizzas.
Dessert fans are well looked after at Semola too - the restaurant has a hefty dessert selection to choose from that includes the likes of tiramisu, torta della nonna, chocolate souffle, rum baba and Sicilian cannoli with sweet ricotta filling.
The drinks list is also typically Italian, with a few Italian wines available by the glass or the bottle, alongside digestifs like grappa, limoncello, disaronno and amaro.