Start your Italian journey at the Best Restaurant in Leicester, where every bite tells a story of tradition and flavour. La Fontana serves the Best food in Leicester, featuring the Best Italian starters in Leicester like bruschetta, arancini, and calamari — all made fresh, authentic, and bursting with Mediterranean charm.

Whenever you mention Italian food, the first thing that comes to your mind is either pizza or pasta. However, it is time to savour a whole world of tasting savours before you sink into those substantial main meals, which include Italian starters. The bruschetta is crispy and perfect, and arancini in their golden perfection are a real meal of Italian flavours, traditions, and food love.

When it comes to the genuine Italian starters in Leicester, only one name comes into consideration, and it is La Fontana. This local delicacy takes the Italian flavour to your table and offers a mouth-watering array of appetisers made with love, freshness and the best of ingredients.

At the end, you will know what to order the next time you go to La Fontana and have an Italian experience.

The Art of Italian Starters – The Creating of a Perfect Meal

Each of the meals begins with an antipasto, which is the Italian word used in reference to appetisers or starters. This literally translates to before the meal, and it predetermines all that follows.

Italian starters are also made to wake up the taste buds and not to overpower them as heavy starters would do. They mix textures, smells and simple but bold ingredients to form harmony in each bite.

In La Fontana, there is a story behind each starter – rural country style and Mediterranean by the seashore. Are you a fan of crispy, creamy, or tangy? Their Italian starter menu in Leicester has something that will make your meal a memory.

1. Bruschetta – The Italian Favourite

A plate of fresh bruschetta always makes a meal in Italy complete. This iconic dish is a product of central Italy and Tuscany in particular; it was originally a snack among the farmers who used leftover bread and ripe tomatoes. It is now one of the most popular Italian starters in the world (Leicester).

The beauty of bruschetta is that it is simple. Toast at La Fontana A slice of rustic bread is toasted to perfection, then rubbed with fresh garlic, drizzled with olive oil, and topped with diced tomatoes, basil, and sprinkled with sea salt.

2. Arancini – The Golden Delight of Sicily

If arancini is something you have never tried, then you are in luck. These are golden crispy rice balls, which are also one of the most popular comfort foods in Italy. Arancini was originally a Sicilian dish made out of leftover risotto, which is yet another fine example of Italian ingenuity in the kitchen.

The arancini at La Fontana is prepared in a way that is loving and traditional. Balls are stuffed with creamy risotto, thick ragu (meat sauce), mozzarella, and peas and baked with breadcrumbs and fried until lovely and golden. The first bite indicates that there is a crispy surface and then a soft-tasting interior that melts in your mouth.

3. Caprese Salad: Fresh, Simple, and Stunning

The Caprese salad is evidence that, in some cases, sometimes, less is really more. It is prepared with a few basic ingredients: ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, fresh basil leaves, olive oil and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. It is the ideal option for a person who wants to have a healthy but delicious start to the meal.

4. Fritti Calamari, Tasting of the Italian Coast

Calamari fritti will immediately gain your affection in case you adore seafood. This deep-fried squid dish is a direct export of the Italian coastal areas and is now a speciality of Italian restaurants everywhere.

At La Fontana, the calamari is battered and fried until crisp and served with a lemon wedge and homemade garlic aioli or marinara sauce.

Why Choose La Fontana for Italian Starters in Leicester?

La Fontana isn’t just another Italian restaurant – it’s a place where food, culture, and passion come together. Every dish is prepared with fresh, high-quality ingredients and a deep respect for traditional Italian recipes.

Here’s what makes La Fontana the go-to spot for authentic Italian starters in Leicester:

- Authenticity: Recipes inspired by Italy’s regional traditions.

- Fresh Ingredients: Locally sourced produce combined with imported Italian products.

- Warm Ambience: A cosy, family-friendly setting perfect for every occasion.

- Excellent Service: Friendly staff who treat every guest like family.

- Consistency: Every visit promises the same quality, freshness, and attention to detail.

Whether you’re starting your meal with a classic bruschetta or sharing an antipasto platter, La Fontana ensures every bite captures the heart of Italian dining.

Pairing Starters with the Perfect Drinks

A great starter deserves the right drink to complement its flavours. At La Fontana, you can pair your Italian starters in Leicester with an impressive selection of wines, cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages.

- Bruschetta or Caprese Salad: Best paired with a crisp Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc.

- Arancini or Melanzane alla Parmigiana: Try with a medium-bodied Chianti or Merlot.

- Calamari Fritti: Goes beautifully with Prosecco or an Aperol Spritz.

- Antipasto Platter: Perfect alongside a glass of red wine like Montepulciano.

Conclusion

The love of flavour, simplicity and shared experiences is spotted in each dish, as varied as the freshness of bruschetta and the warm comfort of arancini.

When you are in search of real Italian starters in Leicester, then you need go no further than La Fontana. In this case, all dishes are made with care, authenticity, and passion, just like in Italy. Be it a romantic dinner, a family dinner out, or a light night out, La Fontana will give you the feeling of having a dinner in a small section of Italy.

The next time you find yourself in Leicester and you are in need of a true Italian meal to begin with, go to La Fontana, where each bite comes out with a story of culture, taste and sheer happiness.