Lisa’s Trattoria & Restaurant

I’m afraid I can only afford this establishment two stars. Maybe two and a half, maybe, at a push.
A bunch of us arrived in here for an early Sunday dinner (5:30pm, ish) and were the only customers in the place. Unfortunately the waiter is either very inexperienced or is unable read and write, as dish after dish came out incorrect and even a number of dishes that weren’t on our order. (not sure who did order those phantom order as we were the only people there!!). Beer ordered never materialised either.
The one saving grace, and reason I can give them some stars, is that the food was actually pretty good. So at least it wasn’t adding insult to injury.
So, in summary, if you like Italian food, go here. But beware — its a bit Russian roulette.

Hmmm… i guess i will start with positive point about this place… well… i got a free beer and a good company so that deserve a star. Ok, everything else… not so great. They didn’t have what i wanted and feels like they were going thru food shortage or something. Also, the place feels like extremely «dirty». I felt like i needed to get vaccinated after i left the place. Bruschetta and Melon-​prosciutto appetizer was awful. Felt like everything was done wrong… Now my main course… i like salty food, but my mushroom risotto was very salty (that means alot). I recommend this place if you want to experience «what da hell» feeling

Part of me is reluctant to sing the praises of this local restaurant, as I would weep if I had difficulty getting in here on those nights I crave comfort food, a show and some stand up comedy, little of it intentional, all of it in the same venue. Something of a local institution Lisas is owned and run by the same family as have been serving awesome chips in Dinos next door for what feels like eternity.
Chips are good but do not a dinner make, wander in to the reasonable priced eatery next door for something really special. Fabulous pasta dishes with sumptuous sides, and portions which will keep you fuelled for 24 hours or more; there is nothing to fault about this place. I am something of a creature of habit and have always gone for one of the pasta dishes, many of which are vegetarian, but I have been assured by my omnivorous amigos that the meat meals are well up to par, and there are plenty of kids options too, with half portions of adult meals available. I can also promise the house white will work well with the creamier dishes and they are as generous with the drink as the food. Staff are friendly, chatty and hilarious, but with them being family I have been in hearing distance (as has most of Terenure) of many a heated family row in the restaurant, which strangely seem less aggressive than those in my home, when conducted in Italian. And I would not let a little familial animosity turn you off trying here, as I have spent years conducting my own experiment, and can confirm, Italian women cook with passion, the angrier Mama is, the better the food!

Dont know what the fuss is over this place. Its always seems to be busy but there are so many better options nearby.
Admittedly we’ve only been here twice, but on both occasions the food was just average. Coupled with the tired interior and abrasive waiter service we certainly wont be back.

I just moved to Terenure a month ago and thought Lisa’s always looked nice when I passed. I suggested to my housemate that we go one evening because they had a reasonable early bird price. On Saturday afternoon, I called Lisa’s to check what time their early bird was that evening. The woman with whom I spoke said the early bird was on that evening — Saturday — from 5:30 — 7:30. So, we went to Lisa’s. When we arrived, we were getting ready to order from the menu and there was loads of yelling in the back. The manager (a giant angry man) came over to our table and said, without any hint of remorse, that «one person says one thing another one says another» and «ah, that’s just family.» He told us if we ordered a starter and a main it would be the same anyway. This is not true. It would have been twice as expensive. The manager did not seem to think the fact that his employee/​family member has told us the wrong info and did not offer us any compensation and was quite rude with us! We were fairly astounded that we were being treating this way — especially as the restaurant was entirely empty — and decided to leave. Glad we did! Not going to Lisa’s again, that’s for sure.

I remember this place best as somewhere I would go if I got good results in exams or a birthday. I really think it is a great spot. The family that run it are always very friendly and will spend a long time chating away to you. The food is always incredible. The lasagne is the best Ive ever had. The pasta carbonara is always cooked to perfection. The desserts are really top drawer. Ive had the ice cream selection loads of times and its always the same brilliant standard. Ive been here at least 10 times and thats all I can come up with;-) I was here about a month ago and its still as good as always. Im giving it five stars because of memories too. San Lorenzos that was right across the road until it burned down would have got 5 stars too. New place just after opening there now. If I get any cash in my pocket Ill try it out and Unilocal all about it
Funny 2 rival Italian restaurants like that. Very Sopranos like. That cant be an original thought. Goodfellas more like. Dont mess with Lisa

This restaurant came recommended by Paolo Tullio … ok I don’t know him personally, but that’s one of the awards posted on the door, along with Leading Restaurant and Best Restaurant Awards for the past couple of years.
I’ve taken Paolo’s recommendations on other restaurants and I haven’t been disappointed and I figured that he would be even tougher on an Italian restaurant. i’m glad to say that I can still trust good olé Paolo.
The restaurant’s décor was a bit dated, but the food was in no way as understated. The flavours were authentic and delicious; i nearly was expecting to walk outside to a horde of motorinis on a Roman street.

This is owned by the same family who have the takeaway next door (Terenure takeaway) and they apply the same attention to detail to the food but with very different results.
The takeaway deep fries everything to perfection… really, it is very good! The restaurant bakes and fries and produces the same happy customers.
The wine list is healthy but possibly could do with a little work… for example, there are better chiantis to be had at similar prices elsewhere!