Bottelinos

I noticed that most of the reviews were from a few years ago and unfortunately, I didn’t have the same experience that the others had. This time we actually made it here, as the SatNav took us to the other side of the Outlet where you cannot access the car park for Bottelinos. Based on the reviews, I was sure that this was going to be a great place for us to have dinner at and I was super excited to see the inside of this renovated factory.
When we walked in, I was a little confused by the décor… it looks like it may have been a night club before. I say that because there were bar areas that were not being used and areas that looked like they may have been dance floors… Anyway we were seated in the walkway area near the toilet at a large round table, usually for 5 – 6 people. Awkward. Really awkward considering there were tables for two… or even square tables for four in the two main dining areas.
The staff weren’t particularly friendly or helpful, although there was one young man who came over and asked if we would like more drinks since our waitress continued to walk by our empty glasses and not offer refills.
To start with, we had the Garlic Pizza Base. They really bring out a whole pizza base. It was fine, but nothing special. The real problem with dinner was our mains. I decided on the Orechiette della Casa: Orechiette pasta with meatballs and red wine and tomato sauce. Mr. Snarky decided on the Lasagne. When it came out, the pasta was a huge portion with two large meatballs. The Lasagne was a bit on the small side compared to it. The Lasagne was swimming in grease! Not only appalled by the amount of grease in the dish, Mr. Snarky was also concerned about the state of the dish. To be honest it looked like it had been burned a couple of times, but no one bothered to give it a good scrub. Not to mention there were a couple of chips in it, so really I think the dish may have needed to be retired from service. In my head I was imagining this place on «Kitchen Nightmares» with Gordon looking dumbfounded at the food, then spewing loads of insults and swear words.
Since the two meatballs were quite large and know how difficult they can be to cook all the way through without drying them out, I cut them open to see the inside. Unfortunately the centers were a bit pink… so I took a couple of bites of the cooked bits on the outside to at least taste. Not sure if it was the spices used, but the meatballs tasted a bit off. There was this hint of sourness, so I decided no more meatball as I didn’t want to spend the night sick (glad to say that I didn’t get sick, but had some massive heartburn until this morning). The pasta was fine and the sauce was ok, but it just didn’t seem like a homemade sauce and I certainly didn’t taste red wine.
Mr. Snarky, despite the grease ate the Lasagne and said that he suspected it had been made days ago and just reheated. I had a bite and it really had no flavor and was quite mushy. It was really disappointing because had the food been really good, for the price it would be a really great find. We had thought about dessert, but the fact that the only dessert being ordered was the Ice Cream Sundae and because of our mains, we decided to pass. Maybe the pizzas are better??? But to be honest, I’m not sure I would want to go back and try anything else. Disappointing really because based on the older reviews, it looks like this place may have been a real gem!

I am the new head chef at Bottelinos Swindon and i will promise to bring out the best in me to make everyone that leaves a review about this kitchen a good one

Really nice atmosphere, from the table I could see the chef’s cooking the food which was nice.
Had a great time, staff friendly & had a lovely risotto. The pizza’s look amazing and are huge.

Lovely and light interior, very friendly. Food wonderful service consistantly great.

(Revised, at bottom)
Consistently good service, with friendly and knowledgeable staff: attentive without being intrusive, helpful and efficient.
Food reliably good, standard Italian fare nothing that would surprise anyone, but you get what you would expect. It’s always been delivered freshly cooked, always been piping hot, and of a high standard. The only time I’ve ever seen a mistake some chilli got into a dish which absolutely shouldn’t have chilli the response was an immediate and sincere apology, a replacement with any other desired dish (which was produced as fast as one sensibly could) and an assurance that the mistake would not be repeated which it has not yet been.
The desserts are excellent. I particularly favour their Tiramisu, although their own icecreams, an ever-​changing variety, are not to be ignored.
A reliable and good restaurant to visit, we go there often, and always safe in the knowledge it will be a good meal, and a pleasant experience all round.
Sadly, the restaurant has gone downhill since I wrote this review. The quality of the food has declined, the prices have increased, and I can no longer recommend the restaurant at all.

The food in this restaurant was okay, seafood mostly felt fresh, service was standard and the atmosphere was lacking — it felt as if it was some tourist restaurnat in the Mediterranean.

Try the veal escalope or the vegetarian cannelloni! Both are superb. And, outside of my mothers house, I have never seen such a huge portion of tiramisu. Apparently ice-​cream and tiramisu are the only desserts on the menu that are made in-​house.
This branch of Bottelinos is housed opposite the Outlet Village in the old Pattern Store (railway works) building and the parking is free for patrons only (you face £150 in clamping fees if you swan off elsewhere).
Prices here are very reasonable at dinner and there is currently a few lunch specials too to make your money stretch further (any pizza or pasta for £4.95 during selected times only).
This branch also has a take away menu if you’re short on time.
There is also a small deli shop housed inside the restaurant so you can cook your favourite dishes at home.
The menu is huge so there is something for everyone and most special dietary requirements can be accommodated.
The kitchen is open for touring on request which is reassuring!
I also like the piano player. He provides a soothing soundtrack to your meal.
Staff are very helpful and pleasant.
My biggest complaint is the drinks prices– £3.65 for a flute of prosecco!
But its worth it, every time.
As far as Italian options in Swindon go, La Carbonara reigns supreme but Bottelinos is a close second in regards to quality (and Bottelinos is marginally cheaper and better located).

I thought this was a great restaurant. I have been here many times with my boyfriend, family and just friends. I think the food is great for the price and service is brilliant. Great if you love italian food. It’s a nice mood and atmosphere and even better when you have the piano player there!

Great Italian food and super deserts. Nice friendly environment with ample seating and free parking.
Staff were freindly and efficient and there is a small shop on the side which sells differents pastas, sauces and breadsticks etc.
Breadsticks and olives served while you wait for food.

Bottelinos is a small chain doing great Italian food. This one has been well done. Lots of different sorts of seating areas to suit all types of parties. The food is, on the whole good quality. Wine OK. Service quite good. They have a small shop area where you can buy pasta and sauce and stuff and they do specials on prices at lunchtime. free parking. next door to the Designer Outlet place so good to drop in for lunch before or after bargain hunting.

This is a great Italian Restaurant in the old pattern shop in what was the old railway works — just outside the Outlet Village. Nice big car park, nice big restaurant. Tables downstairs and upstairs — I prefer downstairs as that seems to fill up first. Very large portions and very efficient and fast service. Watch how the bill adds up though as it can get very expensive with the drinks.

I really like eating here, because it really bites my wonderful need for Italian-​American food! I have been on many occasions, and the staff are always really kind, polite, interesting and well mannered. The food always seems quick, and is of a high quality, well presented and really good value; oh and reasonably priced! The restaurants are also really cosy, clean and have a great atmosphere, and waiting for food is a rare occurrence. I especially like the presentation at this place; the food looks not just cooked, but also well looked after. Cark parking is a little inconvenient, but well worth it if possible.

I have eaten here on many occasions (it’s close to my house and workplace). The food is lovely– well presented, good portion size and fresh. The pizza’s are huge! Service is good, though at lunchtimes when it gets quite busy service is a bit slow. Prices for dishes are reasonable and you can check out the menu on their website. Their homemade ice creams are delicious– my favourite is the tiramisu flavour.
At lunchtimes everyday apart from Sunday you can get any pasta or pizza dish for £5.

Bottlinos provides a great atmosphere for any kind of evening.
I have had great girly lunches and also enjoyed an evening with our 11 year old — his first grown up night out.
Staff are friendly and there are plenty of them around.
The Piano playing in the background made for a very nice evening too.
OOh almost forgot the food. Great and lots of it.