London’s Top 20 Restaurants For An Authentic Italian Experience

Norma

One of the prettiest restaurants we’ve laid eyes on, it’s easy to admit that Norma London is a firm of ours. 

Located on Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia, Norma is a contemporary Italian, inspired by the food, culture and vibrancy of Sicily. Brought to you by talented chef, Ben Tish, the restaurant is spread across three floors of an old London townhouse. On the first two floors, expect immaculate dining booths, tables and spreads, while upstairs dedicates itself to a luscious private dining space.

The menu is just as stunning as the interiors, drawing influences from southern Italy and northern Africa.

Tavolino

Meaning ‘small table’ in Italian, Tavolino are the newbies on the block, having opened during the height of the pandemic last July. 

Split over two floors, the neighbourhood Italian restaurant and bar boasts breathtaking views overlooking Tower Bridge – you could literally spend all day just gazing out onto the riverside views of the City. Meanwhile the menu is just as sensational; expect freshly made breads, pasta and gnocchi made upstairs in the kitchen every single 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.

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 commuters 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 their three in-house restaurants, wine cellar and store cupboard necessities. 

And in the words of Eataly themselves, Italy has never been so close…

Theo Randall at the InterContinental 

If you haven’t visited Theo Randall’s stunning Mayfair restaurant hidden inside the InterContinental London Park Lane, stop what you’re doing and book a table for their mammoth reopening come 17th May. 

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 daily, 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.

Trullo 

Londoners 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. 

Passo 

You only need to step foot into Old Street’s Passo to know that it’s a gem of a restaurant. Passo is a rustic modern Italian, priding itself on seasonal and convivial dining. 

Expect immaculate, modern interiors – the sort that’ll leave you wanting to replicate every inch in your own home – alongside delicious dishes.

Bocconcino 

Slotted in the beating heart of Mayfair, you’ll quickly find your carby desires catered for thanks to Bocconcino and their bountiful menu of Italian favourites. 

Home to traditional Italian cuisine, expect all of the classics from moreish antipastis to indulgently rich mozzarella loaded pizzas. Make sure you save space for a Cannolo Siciliano Con Gelato Al Pistacchio – think homemade Sicilian cannolo with creamy pistachio ice cream.

Padella 

Grabbing yourself a table at London’s favourite pasta restaurant, Padella, is near impossible. 

We’ve previously waxed lyrical about the allure of this place, maybe it’s the infamous queuing system or just the dreamy, yet affordable pasta that’s piled high on plates. Once you’ve secured your stall, order in the house favourite: Pici Cacio & Pepe. Trust us, you won’t regret it. 

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 also home to the floral favourite, Circolo Popolare too. 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

Palatino

Brought to you by the creative culinary mind of Stevie Parle, Palatino is a cosy Italian restaurant that’s dedicated to bringing Londoners an authentic slice of Rome. 

Home to fresh, vibrant interiors and booth seating, Palatino is renowned for its authenticity. Start off with a selection of antipasti, from Coppa, finocchiona and pane carasau to Salt cod crocchette, agretti and camone tomatoe, before making your way to the house favourite: Cacio e Pepe.

Monmouth Kitchen 

Bridging the gap between Italian and contemporary Pervuian 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 alongside Italian flavours. Fall in love with dishes from their set menu, such as Burrata Pegliese; Beef Carpaccio; Pan-Fried Salmon with Calabrian Chilli Salsa; and Pecorino and Truffle Tortellini. 

Lina Stores

Another day, another pasta restaurant. This time we’re headed to Lina Stores for an afternoon of fine food, authentic flavours and aesthetically pleasing interiors. 

It’s no secret that London has fallen in love with Lina Stores’ story since arriving way back in 1944, and years later we’re all still intoxicated with their authenticity and charm. You’ll find us tucking into their polpette de melanzane (aubergine polpette with San Marzano tomato) and slurping up their 30-egg tagliolini with vacca brunca, butter and black truffle. Indulgent and delicious.

Terra Terra 

Since opening in 2019, Terra Terra has become a neighbourhood favourite amongst Hampstead dwellers. Focusing on rural simplicity, they are committed to bringing their diners an authentic Italian experience, using seasonal British ingredients.

Bancone 

On a mission to bring Londoners high quality, yet affordable pasta is Bancone, the Italian favourite with branches in the heart of Soho and Covent Garden. 

Working alongside Claudio Melis, as Culinary Director at Bancone, 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.

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. You’ll soon be munching through Italian favourites, including Chicken Milanese and Osso Bucco Risotto, as well as tucking into mouth watering homemade pasta with rich, buttery sauces.

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 in Mayfair, Berlin, Barcelona, Istanbul, Miami and West Hollywood.

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. 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.