The Secret Italian in Barnsley

We went for the first time to this restaurant last night and what a gem it is. The food was amazing, the staff are so caring , they checked all night that you were happy with the food, that you had glasses and ice for your drinks as this is a bring your own alcohol restaurant, the atmosphere was fantastic, we can't wait to rebook and visit again. It was 3 hours of being spoilt ,thank you to the staff for a wonderful experience x

1st time visitors to the secret Italian and definitely will be back. Home from home service and atmosphere. Nothing is to much trouble and I would not change a thing.

Absolutely brilliant. Enjoyed everything about the experience. Would not hesitate to recommend this place to anybody.

Beautiful, authentic Italian food with fabulous, friendly, helpful staff. Definitely value for money. Would recommend and will definitely be back.

Came here for a works Christmas dinner and honestly the food was amazing! One of the best Italian restaurants around! Their roast chicken part of the 7 course was perfect. Their Tiramisu was honestly one of the best I've tasted. Staff were very friendly and welcoming really good atmosphere. If you go here you won't be disappointed!

Absolute hidden gem of a restaurant. Delicious home cooked Italian food at an incredibly reasonable price. The staff are so friendly and welcoming. Highly recommend wearing loose clothing as you will be so full 😃

What a fabulous evening this turned out to be. I'd heard so much about it, and the danger is that when you hear great things about a place, your expectations are raised, and it can so easily be a disappointment. Not a bit of it! Wonderful food, beautifully prepared and presented, seven dishes over four courses, from Antipasti, via Pasta, chicken and veg main, to the most exotic and quite frankly, the most scrummy tiramisu you'll find anywhere. Save yourself a fortune by taking your own alcohol / soft drinks, where the corkage, bottle openers, glasses and ice are provided free, and the next two and a half hours disappear in a warm glow of sheer enjoyment. Took three friends with me, who all agreed the experience was wonderful. Brilliant atmosphere, and absolutely spotless, including the toilet facilities. I'll be back, and I can't wait.

This little gem is a must-visit!! From the moment you walk in, you're met with such warm hospitality and an inviting atmosphere. The food simply phenomenal — each dish fresh with such exceptional flavours. The staff are incredibly friendly and attentive, making the entire experience feel personal and special. Tiramisu was sensational - the best I’ve ever had by a country mile! Highly recommend for all! Will definitely be returning! Thank you Mags and team!

Quirky and different to the usual italian experience but well worth a visit as the food is very good. The 3 - 4 month waiting list for booking Fri/Sat speaks for itself. Food £35pp fixed menu, for 7 dishes, It's bring your own booze so ok for value and a decent night out.

Great food, even greater wine*. 10/10. Would recommend. Intimate, cosy, will attend again. *(Bring you own booze)

Dining at The Secret Italian in Barnsley was, frankly, a laughable experience. My partner and I had hoped for a cosy evening with authentic Italian food, but the meal turned out to be so far from that expectation that it’s now become an inside joke between us—a night we won’t soon forget, though not for the right reasons. The food itself was shockingly bland, clearly assembled with cheap ingredients, and hardly Italian. For the main course, we were served chicken with gravy and a side of boiled broccoli—a dish more suited to a basic British Sunday roast than an Italian trattoria. There were none of the flavours, herbs, or sauces that make Italian cuisine what it is. It was hard to believe what we’d been served, and even harder to stomach the price for something I could’ve prepared better at home. Adding to the amusement, the walls proudly displayed the chef’s food tech GCSE certificates—a quirky detail, though not exactly inspiring confidence in the culinary expertise on offer. Despite the glowing online reviews, I suspect much of this praise is influenced by the host, Maggs, who seems to push guests to leave positive feedback. For those who aren’t too particular about food, this place might be a fun night out. But for anyone who cares about quality or authenticity, I’d recommend giving The Secret Italian a miss.

Our 2nd visit & surprise for our daughter & son in laws birthdays. We all loved it again, amazing food & atmosphere, couldn’t ask for anything more, will definitely be back & definitely recommend

My husband took me to the secret italian first time for both of us and the food was amazing, 7 courses ans each were amazing and the staff so friendly could not do enough. I absolutely loved every couse 100% coming back again. Thank you secret italian for a fabulous birthday meal.

Highly recommend. Lovely food, atmosphere and company, small and friendly will definitely be going back in the near future.

Great food , fantastic atmosphere, the tirumasu is the best , the family have been to Italy a few times and it reminded us of some of the small cafe’s in Malcesine

Great little place where you can really tell the effort is spent on the quality of the food rather than the quantity. Service was amazing, mags lovely to talk to and the other chefs were chatty and polite too. Think everyone should try this for a different type of dining experience

Literally the best place to eat in the whole of Yorkshire! Fantastic food and atmosphere. Margaret and the rest of the staff go over and above to ensure everyone has a great evening . Our second visit and will definitely be back.

Enjoyed a lovely meal. It's a set menu. Had lovely bruscetta and olives, followed by meats and mozzarella sharer for the table. Then for the pasta course - lovely cheesy penne dish. Main course was beautiful - moist chicken with honey and mustard sauce and veg - all served sharing style for the table...perfect portions. The star or the show however is the tiramisu! Amazing 😋. Bring your own wine/beer. This is a lovely friendly place, only 5/6 tables - really intimate. Th email host Mags is mad as a box of frogs but lovely! We will be back...

Wonderful ambience, excellent food and such helpful and accommodating staff.

Absolutely amazing! Me and my husband went last night for our wedding anniversary and it was such a special night! The amount of food you get for the price is unreal, and it all tasted beautiful. Really fresh, well presented and a great atmosphere. Will definitely be returning

My wife booked this for my birthday after hearing about it from a friend. We went on a Thursday night and it was brilliant. Food was fresh and very nice (Tiramisu was unreal) and the environment is great, 12 people in the whole restaurant and not having to decide what you are having because it’s all done for you. A quirky little place that is very enjoyable. Would definitely recommend and will return.

Had a lovely 8 course meal full of surprises. Mags made us feel at home and looked after us all night. Every course was delicious. Can't wait to come back again 😋

A fantastic night at the secret Italian, we came for our anniversary and they pulled out all the stops with the little touches. The food was brilliant and trying the new menu for the first time could not have asked for anything better. The hosts are amazing as always … visited twice now and will be back again for sure.

Great home atmosphere and delicious food

Went here for a large family meal for my moms birthday. To say I was anxious about it as an insanely fussy eater was an understatement, the idea that I couldn't choose my food just stressed me out and I was sure I'd be leaving hungry. Well, how wrong I was! The food was delightful and more than I could ever finish so left very full and very happy. The leftovers were boxed up and some of the party took them to a festival with some friends the day after and they all raved about how nice it was as well. But that gives you an idea on why you absolutely won't leave this place hungry! The women that run it are also fab, so friendly. Honestly it's like going to an Italian family members for dinner, can't recommend it enough.

First time tonight but will definitely not be the last. Everything was brilliant. Lovely little gem in Barnsley

An absolute hidden gem in Barnsley. Everything from start to finish was faultless. This was all made even more amazing by the friendly staff and delicious food. My partner and I loved the fact that this is a small restaurant (only around 20 seats), you can see and smell the fabulous food being cooked fresh and the staff all took time to have a chat and make us feel like we were eating with family. The tiramasu is out of this world, as is the rest of the food. Definitely make sure you are hungry when visiting and do book in advance. To sum our experience up in a word, outstanding.

I'd been here years ago, and this time met a friend from Ireland - we were off to underneath the stars but arrived Thursday so I said we need to go here 😍 Fabu from start to finish. The food is astonishingy good and so much of it! Cannot fault any of the amazing lovely courses. There was a birthday celeb going on so we got to have a sing, and the staff are just wonderful. We'd eat here every day if we could then have a dance and a hug with yer wan. Top top top marks and hope see you soon!

Fantastic & a must try for all Italian lovers and people who just like a great evening out. Brilliant from start to finish

This really is a secret gem in Barnsley. A small but very friendly atmosphere, great host and absolutely delicous food. Would highly recommend you book now as they book up months in advance!

Great food, great friendly staff, very communal atmosphere, felt very much like going round to someone's for tea. Couldn't recommend more highly

Absolutely amazing food! The atmosphere is so energetic and mags makes the night! Cannot explain how good the authentic Italian food is!

Just WOW !!!!! What an amazing meal. I will even go as far as saying the best ever. A delightful little restaurant in a very small industrial estate. Saying this you’d think you were in Italy. Absolutely AMAZING FOOD. Don’t all go booking though or we won’t be able to get booked in. Spaced out meal. No rushing so enjoying your food. Excellent 5 star

Really good food and a great atmosphere. Would recommend to anybody will definitely be coming again thank you for having us

Wow! Absolutely amazing. My first time coming here after hearing so many people say how great it was. I will definitely be back, I am booking my next one whilst I am here, only managed to take one photo as I couldn't wait to get tucked in. I have never had tiramisu before, but wow they have set the bar for future. Thoroughly enjoyed my night and the hostess is absolutely fabulous 👌

Second time visiting. Just as fantastic as last time. Incredibly tasty food. Be prepared to go home very full indeed. Would highly recommend and we will definitely be back.

Visited last night with 2 friends. We were really looking forward to it and pleased to say the secret Italian didn't fail to deliver it was fantastic. The food was cooked fresh whilst we had a good natter. You can actually see into the kitchen which was spotless. Simple classic Italian dishes that were exceptional. Every thing was just perfect. Drinks - BYO which was no bother. Happily kept it in the fridge to keep it chilled. Service was spot on. We were made to feel welcome and put at ease. Nothing was too much trouble. The owner came chatting to us and explained what the dining experience was based on. We booked in again for another meal - roll on October!!

I recently had the pleasure of dining at The Secret Italian, and it was a phenomenal experience from start to finish. Mages, the hostess, was incredibly welcoming and such a delightful character. Her warm hospitality set the tone for a fantastic evening. The food was absolutely amazing – every dish was bursting with authentic Italian flavors and cooked to perfection. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, making it the perfect spot for an intimate dinner or a fun night out with friends. Overall, The Secret Italian exceeded all my expectations. I can't wait to return. Five stars!

Top notch night. Made to feel welcome from walking in. Food was amazing. Highly recommended and can’t wait to go again.

Went for a girls night out after waiting for over a month to get booked in it’s called the secret Italian but am sure this place won’t be a secret for long when word get out.wow absolutely amazing staff very nice and very friendly food was amazing will definitely be going back and would definitely recommend. Thanks mags and staff was well worth the wait!!!

I've been lucky enough to get a cancellation and being able to enjoy the amazing food and warm and welcoming service. Food, staff, atmosphere so great I can't recommend it enough. Can't wait to go back in June. Many thanks to everyone for making it special and unforgettable experience.

Bellissimo ! A sweet, funny, beautiful host who put her heart and soul into making her diners happy. The staff were very friendly, efficient and engaging. I haven’t tasted food as good as this since my last visit to Italy. I’ll certainly visit again in the near future. 🇮🇹❤️

The best Italian in Barnsley and surrounding area

The third time at the Secret Italian. It is advisable to book well in advance otherwise you probably cannot get in. There is a set menu consisting of anti pasti, pasta, main meal with side and dessert. The cost is currently £35.00 per person and is excellent value for what you are served and you also need to bear in mind that you do not have to pay for expensive wines and beers as you are invited to bring your own. The Secret Italian do not stock drinks (except water) so make sure you have your own. My faves are the anit pasti (meat, mozarella, meatballs etc) and also theTiramisu. Margaret is the ameniable host with a couple of ladies working hard in the kitchen,. Everything is spotlessly clean and there is enough parking for every diner in the building. Dining time is 7pm and you'll be finshed at approx 9.30-10pm. All in all nothing to moan about. A great experience.

Such a gem! Excellent cooking and very entertaining host - bravissimo!

Good home cooked fresh Italian food, not licenced but you can take your own excellent food and good atmosphere

Honestly one of the best hidden gems I've ever been to. The food, service and atmosphere are all amazing. Margaret and the staff are so welcoming and caring. 2nd time we've been and it doesn't dissapoint. We can't wait to come again.

What a delicious meal! 6 of us from Hoyland Readers' group went 13/12/23. It was my second time, the others hadn't been before so I was a bit nervous. Shouldn't have been. They were all delighted. Mags is a brilliant host and the girls in the kitchen work hard feeding us. Thank you. Now I'm intent on bringing the family!! Annie xx

Been here quite a few times, and still going back , the hosts Margaret and Jan are very friendly, nothing is too much trouble, the food is tiramisu is to die for

Fantastic ‘secret’ location, friendly staff, real Italian kitchen atmosphere. The place buzzes.

Superb food probably the best I have had for years. The chef is fantastic all the flavours just flowed together. Great decor, spotlessly clean and great service. The fact that they are booked up for months speaks volumes. Thank you for a fantastic night. Update 2.3.22 new chef, second time we have had the pleasure of her cooking, fantastic,very different menu to last twice we have eaten at The Secret Italian. Can't wait to go again. Thank you very much. Returned 15th November 23. Superb evening meal the fixed menu has been tweaked since our last visit as good if not improved. The new layout is lovely. The staff were lovely very very friendly. Love the Secret Italian.

Amazing place. Food authentic. Tiramasu out of this world

Gorgeous food .. fab atmosphere 👌

Very good food and plenty of it. Be aware that it's a set menu, although Margaret does contact you to ask if there are any dietary requirements. Remember it is unlicensed so take your own drinks 🍷

Amazing food , and friendly atmosphere, great service

Home cooked italian food, great service and lovely atmosphere. Lots of food and a very tasty tiramisu

Wonderful food no problem me being gluten intolerant a lovely friendly experience will be returning

Food and service was excellent. Fantastic night out, amazing value. Couldn’t recommend enough. Course after course of amazing food.

Lovely experience, staff were brilliant and so was the food and service

Lovely experience, including for vegetarians. There's certainly value for money in terms of how much food you get. The veggie meatballs were AMAZING and the tiramisu was the proper Italian version, I can't believe it was not made by an Italian! Highly recommended if you're looking for a satisfactory meal and an authentic Italian trattoria experience. A hidden gem in Barnsley. Don't hesitate to try it!

Cancelled our bookings after the Owner got rid of Claudia...she was the soul of the place, and an actual real Italian cook...no more visits for us!

This place is so so lovely the meal was amazing. 9 courses of fabulous food. Cooked fresh while you were there. The staff are brilliant. Margaret the owner she just makes you feel so welcome. It was an amazing night for my birthday. Thankyou xx

Great service and amazing food.

Amazing place good food and plenty of it staff amazing and a fab night had by all of us ,

I had an amazing night at Secret Italian, the staff were so lovely and accommodating. The food was delicious and authentic Italian. Would love to go again!

Fabulous evening , Maggie was the best host and food lovely with the best atmosphere…thankyou

I heard about this little place from a relative, he suggested a visit. So we went in, astounding! The food was all freshly prepared, wonderful, authentic Italian, I have traveled Italy from the top to bottom, it took Me back. I will definitely be returning. You definitely need a big appetite! Margaret and her Team are so very welcoming. Give it a go.

Fabulous food and brilliant service.

Fantastic friendly service! Very intimate venue with only around 5 tables (so book well in advance of your visit!). We enjoyed a gorgeous 5 course set menu for £35pp. Bring your own drinks (no corkage fees). Good for food allergies and dietary requirements. Can pay by cash, card or contactless. Very limited on street car parking outside or 5min walk from multi-storey. Would highly recommend a visit for any lover of good home cooked Italian cuisine. Don’t let the tiramisu put you off if you aren’t a fan of coffee! It’s absolutely delicious and the hint of coffee is very mild.

Went tonight and had a lovely evening. The food was really nice and the staff were great. We will definitely be going back.

I’d heard this place was amazing,,,,, and it is. Love it. We will be back.

Absolutely bloody brilliant. Fantastic food, fantastic service and fantastic atmosphere, could not fault anything. Fresh home made food served with a friendly smile. Loved it.

This is unlike any restaurant you've visited before and more like being invited to dinner by an Italian family. One sitting, no menu, bring your own drinks and have a thoroughly wonderful experience. Not a "fine dining"place but lovely Italian cooking. Very few covers so book well in advance, you'll not be disappointed.

Fantastic night out! Delicious freshly cooked food. Brilliant atmosphere with very friendly, funny staff. We loved it ❤️

Amazing food ,staff wonderful will go again

First time we’ve eaten here and not disappointed! Fantastic yet simple food, welcoming staff who took the time to chat after our meal and give us some background and discussed the ingredients in detail. I said how I was not a massive chicken fan (though it was really good) and was told to ask beforehand as it could be tailored more to my tastes. Desert was a highlight tasted even better than it looked, we will be back here again!

I experienced the secret Italian last night, one word PERFECTION. The food was amazing, i am self confessed fussy with food but enjoyed every mouthful and there was many. The food is plentiful, fresh and full of flavour. The staff were all lovely, efficient and welcoming. Thank you so much for a lovely evening, credit to you all.

Made to feel like we were at a mates house for a night out, excellent food and service 👌

Lovely food great staff loads of interaction between the customers and the kitchen. A real Gem

Me and my partner were lucky enough to get a cancellation. I'd heard about it and read the reviews so we were looking forward to it and we were not disappointed! My partner is a vegetarian and it's a set menu so he was a bit apprehensive. However, he enjoyed every single dish and so did I...could not fault anything! The dessert is a Tiramisu and I've never been a fan but I have to say that was one of the best desserts I've ever had! The service was outstanding from start to finish,especially Jana who cooked and spoke to every customer in between...she is amazing!

We went to The Secret Italian last night 2nd nov 2022, wow! We had an amazing evening the food was so delicious the staff were very experienced and super friendly. This is a hidden gem. We will definately be returning very soon and recommending this beautiful place to everyone I know. The owner, Maggie, is such a lovly friendly lady who cooked us 9 superb dishes.

This was my first visit and it wont be my last.This small hidden gem of a restaurant serves authentic Italian food, cooked to perfection and with love.A daily 5 course menu using the freshest ingredients, pasta and Olive Oil from Italy, Claudia is one of the best Italian chefs!The restaurant is small and intimate and feels like you are in an Italian kitchen eating food like "Mama makes"Too many highlights of the evening but the homemade Tiramisu- heavenly!I shall certainly be back, Bellissimo

We for the first time tonight! And could not believe how amazing and quirky it was! It seats 8 people in a small intimate atmosphere! Claudia was an absolute fantastic host and the food was excellent! The tiramisu is to die for 👌

What a gem of a restaurant, excellent food and service the best Italian I have been to anywhere including the ones in Italy .It was a 7 course set menu it everything was absolutely amazing.

Cerebrated my 60 th birthday with family and friends...the chef and host Claudia makes everyone feel special and welcome . The food that comes out of her small kitchen is a genuine Italian treat.from the meatballs to the sausages and ribs and selection of pasta dishes this is the best Italian you will ever find.., Thank you again Claudia for making my 60 th special I now understand why you have to book months in advance Cannot wait to return !

First meal out in 12 months, and it couldn’t have been better.Fantastic food prepared by the simply brilliant Claudia, how she manages to produce such mouthwatering dishes in a kitchen the size of a large cupboard is amazing.Anti pasti of olives, salami, mozzarella bruschetta, beans, meatballs, and sausages.Followed by chicken with potato’s and vegetables, spaghetti carbonara, and fish, all topped of with a delicious tiramisu.

Will you open post Covid? Hopeful customer 😁🙏 we are really looking forward to making our second visit as and when allowed.

Went for a birthday celebration, first time for us but won't be the last, absolutely fantastic food, very friendly host and amazing food, be warned don't eat all day before going! The food was fresh tasty and plenty of it. Claudia is a superb host and chef. Guaranteed you won't be disappointed. Plan well in advance as it is fully booked most days and weekends.

We love Claudia! Thank you for bringing a slice of Italy to Barnsley, staying authentically true and delivering unreal healthy Italian food... and sending us home for a second nights dinner!

Absolutely amazing authentic Italian food. You wouldn’t get that amount of food for £25 a head anywhere else and when we was full we could take the rest home with us for the next day. The Carbonara, meatballs, sausage dish and the bruschetta were soooo nice. And Claudia is a brilliant host and makes the night, thank you!!! Highly recommend coming here.

Outstanding !!! Authentic food served beautifully prepared and fresh ... can’t wait to go back for a real eating experience in fantastic environment.. thank you. Claudia

Amazing food and amazing atmosphere. Absolutely full to the brim. We had about 6 courses for £25 each and all was simple but really really tasty food. And to top it off Claudia the chef is just simply the cream in the tiramisu! She made our evening. Can’t wait to go again bit have to wait 6 months ah well will be worth the wait

We came here for our anniversary family get together. Was well worth the wait.My wife and I had been the year before and wanted to come back with the family as we enjoyed the food and hospitality.We told the fam to expect to be fed and that its a set menu from the gods. Flavours and amount of food was unbelievable. Everyone enjoyed it even the vegetarian. The carnivors that were here enjoyed the sausages and the meatballs. The chicken we had fell of the bone. Pasta course was delicious, no over powering sauces. Good home cooked food. Lastly the tiramisu was to die for, was nothing like a shop bought one. Our hostess was brilliant. Thank you for a great family niteWe hope to be back again soon

This was our second time here (first was before Covid and second booked in during Covid was obviously cancelled) and as before, we could not fault a single thing! All safety precautions taken; temperature checked before we went in, hand gel given, hand gel on tables and asked to use regularly especially before and after using the toilet. Food was amazing as before, 5 courses with enough to fill a giant! Brought enough home to feed us for tomorrow as well. So friendly service. How one person can manage all this is just unbelievable. Cannot wait to visit again. Secret Italian, you are just amazing! Xx

Been here three times now and all I can say is, this is the closest you will get to being the guest of a true Italian home.The food is traditional home cooked, the meal is set but you will not be disappointed at all. Whatever this lady produces you will want to eat trust me.So warm and welcoming and you could literally sit there with your partner/group and chat away at ease.I recently went to a well regarded pub in the area with friends and felt rushed, unwelcomed and ripped off. This place has it right which is why it is so popular and always busy.

Simply a must for every visit to Barnsley. Lovely atmosphere. Met some great new friends. Thank you for your kindness claudia Edward

After all rave reviews was disappointed.thought it would be a little different but after sampling italian food in Italy couldn't understand what everyone raves about to be honest.

Food was lovely, very generous serving sizes, a beautiful mix of traditional Italian meals. My husband and I had a great night, it was unique in the fact that there is no menu, you get what is served and we loved that. We have booked again and will look forward to our second evening dining with Claudia

Wonderful atmosphere and the food was exceptional. Booked in for September for private dining! Can’t wait!!!

What fabulous food! A great evening with family for a surprise birthday treat. The food served to us was traditional Italian family cuisine that was enjoyed by everyone. A big thank you to Claudia and Becky for excellent food and service.