There is something special about a pizza that is made with patience, cooked in a wood-fired oven and served fresh to the table. At Lacco Italian Restaurant & Bar in Dereham, traditional Italian flavours are at the heart of the menu, with handcrafted pizzas forming part of a dining experience that brings a little taste of Italy to Norfolk.
Located at 30-32 High Street, Lacco opened in February 2025 and was founded by business partners Yaz Coskunyurek and Fero Mahmudov, who previously ran Storico in Ipswich. The restaurant takes its name from Lacco Ameno, a town on the Italian island of Ischia, reflecting the owners’ connection to Italy and their interest in bringing authentic Italian food to a wider audience.
The restaurant’s interior was designed by co-owner Yaz Coskunyurek, who has a master’s degree in architecture. The result is a modern and welcoming space that feels relaxed enough for a casual meal, while still offering the atmosphere of a destination restaurant. It is a place for family dinners, date nights, celebrations or simply an evening spent enjoying good food and conversation.
One of the main attractions at Lacco is its wood-fired pizza. While toppings often receive the most attention, the dough is what gives a pizza its character. Neapolitan-style dough is traditionally made with just a few basic ingredients, including finely milled flour, water, salt and yeast. The difference comes from how those ingredients are combined, rested and cooked.
A good pizza dough needs time to develop. During fermentation, yeast produces carbon dioxide, which helps the dough rise and creates the air pockets that give the crust its light texture. The process also helps develop flavour, making the finished base more than just a support for the toppings.
The dough is then carefully stretched, rather than rolled, to preserve the air within it. This creates the contrast associated with Neapolitan pizza: a thin and tender centre surrounded by a fuller, airy crust. When cooked at a high temperature, the edge rises quickly and develops the lightly charred marks that make wood-fired pizza so recognisable.
At Lacco, the focus on handcrafted pizza forms part of a wider menu inspired by traditional Italian cooking. Alongside its pizzas, the restaurant serves fresh, made-in-house pasta, salads and sharing boards, with ingredients sourced from small Italian villages. The menu is designed to offer a variety of dishes, whether guests are looking for something familiar or want to try a different combination of Italian flavours.
The restaurant’s menu includes popular choices such as bruschetta, burrata dishes and lasagne, as well as desserts including tiramisu and dark chocolate soufflé. These dishes reflect the same approach as the pizza: familiar ingredients, carefully prepared and allowed to speak for themselves.
Burrata, for example, offers a creamy contrast to crisp bread or fresh vegetables, while lasagne provides the comforting layers of pasta, sauce and cheese associated with Italian home cooking. To finish, a traditional tiramisu or rich chocolate soufflé makes the meal feel complete without needing anything overly complicated.
Lacco also offers a range of vegetarian and vegan-friendly options, making it suitable for groups with different tastes and dietary preferences. Its drinks menu includes wine, beers, cocktails and coffee, giving diners the option to settle in for a full meal or enjoy a more relaxed visit.
The atmosphere is an important part of the experience. Italian dining is often centred around taking time over food, sharing dishes and enjoying the company of others. Lacco’s combination of a contemporary interior, traditional recipes and a broad menu creates a setting that works for both informal visits and special occasions.
Its location on Dereham High Street also makes it a convenient option for local diners looking to enjoy Italian food without travelling further afield. The restaurant offers dine-in and collection options, with online ordering available for those who would prefer to enjoy its food at home.
For anyone interested in the craft behind pizza, Lacco provides a reminder that the best results often come from keeping things simple. The quality of the flour, the time allowed for fermentation, the way the dough is shaped and the heat of the oven all contribute to the final result.
Neapolitan pizza is not simply about a thin base and a generous crust. It is about balance, from the softness of the dough to the freshness of the toppings and the smoky flavour created by the oven. At Lacco Italian Restaurant & Bar, that balance sits alongside a menu of Italian favourites, a modern setting and the welcoming feel of a family-run restaurant.
Whether visiting for a wood-fired pizza, a plate of fresh pasta, a sharing board or a classic Italian dessert, Lacco offers Dereham diners the chance to enjoy a relaxed taste of Italy in the heart of Norfolk.
Location: 30-32 High St, Dereham NR19 1DR
Website: https://laccorestaurant.co.uk/index