Nothing beats a hearty bowl of freshly made pasta, period. Sure you could rustle up your own version of your favourite Italian dish at home, but you know for a fact that it can’t compete with a delicious homemade portion from one of London’s leading Italian restaurants.
From rich ragus and creamy cacio e pepe to indulgent cheese-loaded pizzas, nothing quite compares to an authentic Italian experience, made by some of the finest chefs in the business. Read on for our edit of the best Italian restaurants in London.
Paper Moon
Established in Milano in 1977, Paper Moon has now newly opened inside the OWO, Whitehall. The high-end Italian restaurant brings authentic Italian cuisine in the most beautiful setting, featuring olive trees, greenery, terracotta colours and travertine marble.
House favourites include beef and tuna tartare and Mediterranean monkfish, to traditional parmigiana and fresh homemade pappardelle and ravioli.
As for the menu, you can expect an array of delicious Antipasti’s Primi and Secondi Piatti, Pizze, Proposte Leggere and Dessert. House favourites include beef and tuna tartare and Mediterranean monkfish, to traditional parmigiana and fresh homemade pappardelle and ravioli. For something a bit special, we’d also recommend the Linguine with Homarus lobster, datterini tomatoes and bisque sauce to share.
The OWO, 7 Horse Guards Avenue, SW1A 2EX
www.papermoonrestaurants.com
Murano
If you’re anything like us, you want to try as much of the menu as possible. And at Murano, you can. The Michelin-star restaurant brought to you by Angela Hartnett is nestled in the heart of Mayfair and offers humble Italian cooking with flair. The menu offers 3 – 6 courses, and the chefs will tailor your portion size based on how many courses you’d like, allowing you to sample as much as possible without overindulging. The Pappa al pomodoro agnolotti, straciatella is a must and one of the most popular dishes on the menu. We also recommend the Orkney scallop, Datterini tomatoes, dill and Herdwick lamb, new potatoes, spring vegetables and, to finish, the Raspberry soufflé & pistachio ice cream.
20 QUEEN STREET MAYFAIR, LONDON W1J 5PP
www.muranolondon.com
Tavolino
Meaning ‘small table’ in Italian, this neighbourhood Italian restaurant and bar boasts some of the best views overlooking Tower Bridge. Split across two floors, the restaurant provides the perfect stop-off point if you’re after something comforting and authentic after a stroll along the Thames.
Changing seasonally, the menu focuses on freshly made bread, pasta and gnocchi, all of which are made upstairs in the kitchen every day. Pull up a pew at the bar and enjoy a tipple or two, before sinking into the banquette seats for a meal to remember.
2 More London Riverside, SE1 2DB
www.tavolino.co.uk
Eataly
From kitchen cupboard essentials to grab-and-go lunch options, where else would you go to get your Italian fix than Eataly?
Located just outside Liverpool Street, Eataly has become a commuter’s dream destination for quick lunches or business meetings. Downstairs is reserved for takeaway bites to eat, as well as providing the space to grab fresh pasta and sauces for an easy dinner, while upstairs is home to its three in-house restaurants, wine cellar and store cupboard necessities.
In the words of Eataly themselves, Italy has never been so close…
135 Bishopsgate, EC2M 3YD
www.eataly.co.uk
Spagnoletti
With its theatrical open kitchen, this buzzing restaurant serves great Italian food that’s all about using imaginative Italian flavours, crafted by the award-winning chef Adam Simmond. Signature dishes on the menu include a lovely cured salmon with asparagus and olive oil, a sinful agnolotti ( a reimagination of the Italian carbonara) and the crowd favourite slow-cooked lamb rump and belly with tomato, aubergine and soft polenta. The interiors are vibrant and stylish and invite long lunches with plenty of chatter over classic Italian cuisine.
23 Euston Road, London, NW1 2SD
www.spagnoletti.co.uk
La Trattoria By Alfredo Russo
If it’s a date night destination you’re after, La Trattoria by Alfredo Russo is a must-visit. Open from breakfast through to dinner, the restaurant is led under the watchful eye of Michelin-starred chef Alfredo Russo, bringing his signature Italian flare to the table.
Located inside The Pelham, the hotel’s signature eccentric interiors seep into the restaurant, boasting striking red and white striped walls and colourful artwork throughout.
Menu highlights include fish croquettes with lime mayonnaise; slow-cooked marinated pork loin with fine green beans and mashed potatoes; pan-fried Mediterranean gilt-head bream with Brussel sprouts and saffron reduction; and handmade potato gnocchi with broccoli sauce, chilli and Pecorino.
15 Cromwell Place, South Kensington, SW7 2LA
www.collezione.starhotels.com
Sale e Pepe
For authentic, traditional, and top-quality Italian in Knightsbridge, Sale e Pepe is your best bet. First opened in 1974, it has become a staple in West London, serving up fresh pasta and friendly service.
Their pasta and tiramisu are first-rate, but we also especially recommend the Dover sole for the main and beef tartare as a starter – it doesn’t get much better than this.
9-15 Pavilion Rd, London SW1X 0HD
Theo Randall at the InterContinental
The renowned chef launched the restaurant back in 2006 and since then, his commitment to delivering rustic produce-driven Italian food continues to flourish. With a menu changing monthly inspired by none other than Theo’s road trips around Italy, you know you’re in good hands. It’s Italian fare at its finest.
InterContinental, 1 Hamilton Place, Mayfair, W1J 7QY
www.theorandall.com
Trullo
A local favourite since opening its doors in 2010, Trullo is home to the finest seasonally focused, Italian-inspired menu. With dishes changing daily, the menu always boasts something new, different and vibrant.
Located in Highbury East, Trullo’s interiors are simple, with a mix of industrial thrown in. Handmade fresh pasta is a menu staple, whatever the season, alongside heroes changing dishes freshly prepared from their very own charcoal grill.
300-302 St Paul’s Road, Highbury East, N1 2LH
www.trullorestaurant.com
Norma
One of the prettiest restaurants we’ve laid eyes on, Norma London is one of our favourites. Located on Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia, the contemporary Italian is inspired by the food, culture and vibrancy of Sicily.
Drawing influence from the grand café culture found in Sicily, expect to uncover buckets of charm, from the old-school hospitality through to the booth tables and rustic menu.
Look forward to dishes such as spaghettini fritters and parmesan sauce; slow-cooked pork shoulder with wild mushroom and smoked white sweet potato; linguine with Cornish crab, chilli and lemon butter; and ‘Norma’-style aubergine parmigiana.
8 Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia, W1T 2LS
www.normalondon.com
Bocconcino
Fine dining Italian delights at their best, Bocconcino boasts two London locations and caters to all of your carby desires.
Serving up beautiful interiors and traditional Italian cuisine, expect all of the classics from moreish antipasti to Roman-style thin-crust pizzas. Don’t skip dessert – we can’t resist a slice of the tiramisù with indulgently whipped mascarpone cream.
mayfair & soho
www.bocconcinorestaurant.co.uk
Eco Restaurants
If you’re after a traditional, family-run restaurant, look to Clapham’s Eco Restaurants. Established in 1993, this award-winning pizzeria has become a firm favourite with SW locals, serving up delicious and authentic sourdough pizzas.
Order for the table and opt for the Caprese, garlicky green-lip mussels and antipasto meats platter, before choosing your pizza of choice. Topped with organic tomato sauce, made using the finest Italian tomatoes, go spicy with the chilli chicken or go classic with the four seasons, featuring ham, artichoke, mushrooms and olives.
162 Clapham High Street, SW4 7UG
www.ecorestaurants.com
Carlotta
Another restaurant in the Big Mamma Group franchise, Carlotta only opened up in 2023 but quickly became the must-visit destination for dreamy interiors and Italian cuisine.
The restaurant celebrates those who set up little corners of Italy in countries around the world, including America. Expect a mix of Neapolitan and Sicilian classics, with a few American twists added for good measure. The giant ten-tiered chocolate fudge cake is a table essential.
77-78 Marylebone High Street, W1U 5JX
www.bigmammagroup.com
Padella
Simple, affordable and delicious, Padella ticks all of the right boxes when it comes to dining out in London. Whether you’re after a cosy, carb-filled date night destination or you’re catching up with friends, it might be hard to get a table here but it’s always worth the wait.
Once you’ve secured your stall, order your pasta of choice. From fettuccine with Cobble Lane cured nduja, mascarpone and lemon to pappardelle with eight-hour cooked Dexter beef shin ragu, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Shoreditch & Borough Market
www.padella.co
Legare
A Bermondsey favourite, Legare is the neighbourhood Italian you’ll instantly want to add to your growing restaurant bucket list.
Located just a short stroll from Tower Bridge, Legare’s menu is regularly changing, boasting seasonal antipasti and pasta that’s made daily by hand. Expect catch of the day, carby pasta and more.
Cardamom Building, 31G Shad Thames, Bermondsey, SE1 2YR
www.legarelondon.com
Gloria
From the brilliant Parisian bar and restaurant group, Big Mamma Group’s Gloria is home to granny chic interiors and stunning food. Pro tip: make sure you try the pasta dipped in a melted cheese wheel at the table – you will not regret it.
Big Mamma Group is home to a few foodie favourites, including Circolo Popolare. The Fitzrovia restaurant came onto the scene back in 2019, bringing with it 20,000 bottles of spirits lining the walls, as well as floral vines draped from corner to corner and a whopping 280 covers
54-56 Great Eastern Street, Shoreditch, EC2A 3QR
www.bigmammagroup.com
Mucci’s
From the moment you step inside Mucci’s, you know you’re in for a good time. The vibrant blue exteriors welcome guests in, with a beautiful outside area that’s perfect for those alfresco summer moments, while the inside boasts clean design and elegant decor.
Designed to be shared, the menu boasts classic and modern Italian dishes. Order in a selection from the cicchetti menu, from burrata to zucchini fritti, spaghetti alle vongole to octopus with potatoes, tomato and Taggiasca olives.
The bar, home to an illuminated marble counter, serves up spectacular cocktails, and Italian gins and houses one of the largest selections of Japanese whiskeys in London.
442 King’s Road, Chelsea, SW10 0LQ
www.muccisrestaurant.co.uk
The Franklin Restaurant by Alfredo Russo
Another restaurant from the Michelin-starred chef Alfredo Russo, The Franklin Restaurant serves up modern Piedmont cuisine. The menu focuses on simplicity slotted alongside sophistication and seasonal ingredients.
The interiors really speak for themselves, featuring Venetian églomisé mirrors and grey velvet decor. With just 30 covers, this is the perfect space for an intimate date night or get-together with friends.
24 Egerton Gardens, Knightsbridge, SW3 2DB
www.collezione.starhotels.com
Monmouth Kitchen
Bridging the gap between Italian and contemporary Peruvian tapas, Monmouth Kitchen is a gorgeous restaurant slotted in the heart of our favourite London spot, Seven Dials.
Boasting 106 covers, the restaurant can be found serving up the best of Peruvian cuisine, mixed with Italian flavours. Fall in love with the crispy arancini with white ragù and mozzarella; spicy nduja salam pizza with soft cream cheese; pecorino and truffle tortellini; and crispy-skinned sea bass fillets with warm San Marzano tomatoes, avocado and olives.
20 Mercer Street, Seven Dials, WC2H 9HD
www.thekitchensrestaurants.co.uk
Azzurra
Championing the best seafood from the British Isles with the simplicity of Italian cooking, Azzurra is part of the Aqua Restaurant Group and is inspired by acclaimed restaurateur David Yeo’s travels across Italy and Sicily.
The menu, as you would expect, focuses on fresh seafood, with dishes such as red prawn with blue salt and Oscietra caviar; swordfish pancetta with red tuna bresaola, amberjack ham and seabass nduja; and spaghetti with Cornish sardines, fennel, saffron, Sicilian raisins and pine nuts available.
127-128 Sloane Street, SW1X 9AS
www.azzurrarestaurant.co.uk
Lina Stores
It’s no secret that London has fallen in love with Lina Stores’ story and its signature pistachio-hued design since arriving way back in 1944, and years later we’re all still intoxicated with their authenticity and charm.
Now boasting various locations across the capital, this traditional Italian restaurant specialises in homemade pasta, cured meats and cheeses. Enjoy dishes such as linguine with crab, Amalfi lemon and garlic; burrata ravioli with Datterini tomato, pinenuts and basil; and Sicilian cannolo.
Various Locations
www.linastores.co.uk
Luca
From its stunning covered terrace to its Michelin star status, Luca puts a spotlight on ingredients from around the British Isles and Italy.
Tucked away in Clerkenwell, the space is beautifully decked out, complete with red leather banquette seating, exposed brickwork and atmospheric lighting. The menu doesn’t disappoint either, with highlights including roast Orkney scallops with Jerusalem artichoke and ‘nduja; ravioli with sheep’s ricotta, winter greens, kale pesto, chilli and hazelnuts; and Scottish halibut with Cornish mussels, whipped salad cod and braccicas.
88 St John Street, EC1M 4EH
www.luca.restaurant
Bancone
On a mission to bring Londoners high-quality, yet affordable pasta is Bancone, the Italian favourite with branches in the heart of Soho, Borough and Covent Garden.
The restaurant serves up modern classics predominantly from Italy, but they also grab inspiration from Europe.
The restaurant serves up modern classics predominantly from Italy, but they also grab inspiration from Europe and a little further afield, adding a modern twist on your typical Italian classics.
various locations
www.bancone.co.uk
Cafe Murano
Located in the heart of St James’s, Bermondsey, and Covent Garden, you’ll find Angela Hartnett’s foodie empire, Cafe Murano.
The menus pride themselves on being small, but well thought-out to really bring you the best of Italian culture.
The menus pride themselves on being small, but well thought-out to really bring you the best of Italian culture. You’ll soon be munching through Italian favourites, including Chicken Milanese and braised cuttlefish with polenta, as well as tucking into mouth-watering homemade pasta with rich, buttery sauces.
Various Locations
www.cafemurano.co.uk
Cecconi’s
As if you needed any more of an excuse to visit The Ned, Cecconi’s is one of the finest Italian restaurants in the city. Home to rouge velvet interiors and a stunning bar lining the centre of the restaurant, Cecconi’s is an all-day Venetian brasserie, celebrating northern Italian dishes.
If you’re a fan, they also boast sister restaurants all over the world, from New York to Barcelona, Berlin to Miami.
The Ned, 27 Poultry, EC2R 8AJ
www.thened.com
Bocca Di Lupo
For a stripped-back, honest approach to Italian dining, look to Bocco Di Lupo, the Soho favourite created by Jacob Kenedy and Victor Hugo.
Despite being a Soho haunt, the restaurant prides itself on being a family business and a small trattoria at heart.
Despite being a Soho haunt, the restaurant prides itself on being a family business and a small trattoria at heart. Each dish on the menu shows which region of Italy it stems from, as well as usually offering a small or large option. Choose a few of the smaller plates and share the experience with your fellow diners or go it alone and order in a hero main dish.
12 Archer Street, Soho, W1D 7BB
www.boccadilupo.com
Luci
Taking Italian dining to another level, Luci is London’s first Italian dining bakery. Located in Covent Garden, this little hideout features an 18-metre ‘bancone’ counter, featuring freshly baked goods perfect for taking away or enjoying updates in the seated area.
In the restaurant space, you can enjoy classics such as cavatelli with lamb meatballs and Pecorino romano cheese; spaghetti cacio pepe; and a selection of cured Italian meats. Handily located amidst the city’s vibrant theatreland, there’s also a great theatre menu option to try.
136 Long Arce, WC2E 9AD
www.lucirestaurant.co.uk
Larch by Sky Garden
Located just across from Sky Garden, Larch is the perfect stop-off restaurant to refuel after a morning exploring the city’s highest public garden.
Inspired by traditional Italian trattorias, the menu features familiar dishes of cicchetti, antipasta, pasta and pizza. Must-try items include truffle aranchini; king prawn gnocchi; and the burrata e funghi pizza.
1 Sky Garden Walk, EC3M 8AF
www.skygarden.london
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Sartori
Bringing Southern Italy to the heart of London is Sartori. Having first opened its doors in 2010, Sartori quickly became the place to go for authenticity. Nowadays you’ll find them rustling up freshly prepared pizzas and pasta daily.
Even they admit the star of the menu is the pizza offerings.
Even they admit the star of the menu is the pizza offerings. Think stone baked, lashing of fresh tomato sauce and moreish mozzarella.
15 Great Newport Street, Covent Garden, WC2H 7JE
www.sartorirestaurant.com
