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Italian Food and Restaurants in London: The Complete Guide

  • Writer: Daniel Weizman
    Daniel Weizman
  • Jul 16
  • 9 min read

Over the past decade, London's Italian food scene has changed dramatically. Gone are the days when the main options for pizza and pasta were chains like Pizza Express or Pizza Hut, and standard Italian spots served mostly generic, uninspired food. Today, the city is absolutely buzzing with an incredible number of top-tier Italian restaurants, each offering its own unique take on the cuisine beloved by tourists and locals alike.


From tiny, intimate pizzerias to grand, luxurious dining rooms, and niche spots focusing on highly specific regional dishes, London has come a long way on its Italian culinary journey. From north to south, Piedmont to Sicily, the city's newer establishments showcase the true richness of Italy's regional cooking. Some specialize in the creamy risottos and polentas of the North, while others highlight the olive oil-based dishes and fresh seafood of the South. Many also perfectly recreate that warm, inviting atmosphere so crucial to Italian dining, bringing a true slice of "La Dolce Vita" right to the heart of London.


Whether you're craving flawless Neapolitan pizza, a hearty bowl of pasta, a delicate risotto, or deeply flavorful osso buco, we've gathered the absolute best the city has to offer.



Padella (Multiple Locations)


Padella opened years ago in Borough Market, and the line out the door has only gotten longer since. They offer a wonderfully simple menu of about ten seasonal pasta dishes, blending traditional Italian techniques with top-quality British produce. The pasta is made fresh on-site, and passersby can actually watch it being hand-rolled in the window. The sauces are absolute crowd-pleasers, featuring hits like cacio e pepe, slow-cooked beef ragu, crab with lemon and chili, and chicken liver with sage. The original spot became so wildly popular that they recently opened a second location in Shoreditch.



Luca (Barbican)

The brilliant chefs behind the Michelin-starred The Clove Club launched this gem a few years ago, perfectly blending traditional Italian cooking with modern British ingredients and techniques. Luca is elegant, precise, and full of surprises. Expect dishes like pasta with pistachio and spinach or sheep’s milk ricotta, alongside incredible mains like melt-in-your-mouth ox cheek with lemon polenta or lamb with wild garlic and asparagus. Do not skip their famously addictive parmesan fries, and their affogato for dessert is next-level.


  • Address: 88 St John Street

  • Hours: Tuesday–Saturday 12:00 – 14:00, 18:00 – 22:00


Nina (Marylebone)

Easily one of London's trendiest restaurants right now, located in an intimate basement in elegant Marylebone - making it an absolutely perfect spot for a romantic date. The tuna sashimi starter is a must-order, and for the main, go for the seemingly simple tomato pasta, which comes with a massive, delicious twist of melted stracciatella cheese. It’s very much a "see and be seen" kind of place that just happens to serve a phenomenal Italian menu.


Ombra (Hackney)

An ultra-cool Italian spot sitting right on the canal near Broadway Market. It boasts a fantastically laid-back vibe and a massive outdoor terrace that’s perfect for sunny summer days. The menu is short, precise, and constantly interesting, featuring crab tagliolini, plump pumpkin ravioli, and octopus gnocchi. Grab the crispy fried Roman artichokes to start, and finish off with the quince and olive oil panna cotta. They also have an incredible wine list, and the staff are always happy to recommend a great glass.


  • Address: 1 Vyner Street

  • Hours: Wednesday–Saturday 12:00 – 22:00 | Sunday 12:00 – 16:00 | Monday 18:00 – 22:00


Crispy roman artichoke at Ombra
Crispy roman artichoke at Ombra

Trullo (Angel)

A long-standing trendsetter in London’s Italian food scene, and a favorite off-duty spot for many Italian chefs in the city. The menu leans heavily on Southern Italy, specifically the Puglia and Campania regions, known for their rich, rustic dishes. The antipasti is superb, the pasta is fantastic, and the charcoal-grilled meats and fish are seriously impressive. Their slow-cooked beef ragu pappardelle is practically a local legend. You'll also find fettuccine with sausage and fennel, lamb shoulder with chicory and anchovies, and grilled polenta with zucchini and smoked eggplant. Highly recommended for Italian food lovers looking for something slightly elevated.


The Dover (Mayfair)

A dark, elegant Italian restaurant with the vibe of an exclusive private club. You walk through heavy velvet curtains into a candlelit dining room filled with velvet sofas, bookshelves, and luxurious cocktails. On the menu, you'll find buttery Dover sole and their star dish: parmesan and eggplant pasta. For dessert, the cherry cheesecake and praline chocolate (often described as an insanely upgraded Nutella) are absolute knockouts.


  • Address: 33 Dover Street

  • Hours: Tuesday 17:30 – 24:00 | Wednesday–Friday 12:00 – 16:00, 17:30 – 24:00 | Saturday 17:30 – 01:00


Bocca di Lupo (Soho)

For 15 years, Bocca di Lupo has consistently delivered one of the strongest, most comprehensive Italian menus in the city, cementing its status as a beloved culinary institution. Grab a seat at the long bar and order the white shrimp with white polenta and blood orange, or the shaved zucchini and artichoke salad to start. For mains, the red prawn risotto and Tuscan-style aged sirloin are brilliant. The dessert game here is famously strong: ricotta, chocolate, and Sicilian pistachio cannoli, rum baba, and Bicerin (a warm drink from Turin blending espresso, chocolate, and cream). Oh, and definitely pop into Gelupo, their fantastic gelateria right across the street.


L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele (Multiple Locations)

The legendary Naples pizzeria - often cited as one of the best in the world - has a branch right by Baker Street, plus another in Soho. The tomato sauce and mozzarella are flown straight in from Naples, and they use the exact same dough-stretching technique as the original spot, pulling and pinching the dough on a wooden board until it's practically see-through. One minute in the scorching oven, and your massive pizza is ready. Go for the classic Napoletana with anchovies, black olives, and capers.



L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele
L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele

Luci (Covent Garden)

A massive, split-level venue. One side is a modern, elegant Italian restaurant, and the other is a bustling cafe/bakery serving pizza by the slice, pastries, salads, and more. While the main restaurant is great, the casual cafe side is actually the real winner here, especially for a quick lunch in busy Covent Garden. The pizza topped with thinly sliced yellow and green zucchini and melted Taleggio is fantastic. They also do a superb Italian breakfast.


Manteca (Shoreditch)

One of the hottest Italian tickets in town right now, born from a collaboration between chefs who cut their teeth at heavy-hitting restaurants like Smokestak and Kitty Fisher’s. The menu is heavily Roman-inspired, focusing on grilled veggies and dry-aged meats. Kick things off with crispy focaccia, house-made ricotta, fennel salad, and duck liver parfait with date jam. Then, move on to spaghetti alla chitarra with wild garlic and egg yolk, or the pork skin ragu. For mains, the rump, sirloin, and ribeye are spectacular. If you love cured meats, definitely order a plate of their house salumi. Booking well in advance is highly recommended here.



Foie gras parfait with date jam and grilled bread at Manteca
Foie gras parfait with date jam and grilled bread at Manteca

Big Mamma Group (Multiple Locations)

This famously flamboyant Parisian restaurant group touched down in London a few years ago and has been expanding rapidly ever since. You can find them in almost every major neighborhood, with each branch seemingly trying to outdo the others in terms of pure, over-the-top glamour. They offer a massive, highly visual dining experience. While some spots (like Circolo Popolare) have become extremely tourist-heavy, places like Gloria and Ave Mario are still incredibly fun. The menu takes Italian classics and cranks them to eleven - think pan-fried sea bass with buttery mash, creamy truffle pasta served directly out of a giant Pecorino wheel, and rich lobster and squid ragu risotto.



Indulgence at Ave Mario
Indulgence at Ave Mario

Bancone (Multiple Locations)

"Bancone" literally translates to counter or bar, and the sprawling counter at these elegant restaurants is definitely where you want to sit. They serve incredibly fresh, highly original, and seasonal pasta using top-tier ingredients. The absolute standout is their "silk handkerchiefs" pasta with walnut butter and a confit egg yolk. Their cacio e pepe is also phenomenal, served with square-cut spaghetti alla chitarra - the porous texture holds onto the cheese and black pepper sauce perfectly.



Silk handkerchief pasta at Bancone
Silk handkerchief pasta at Bancone

Popolo (Shoreditch)

A meticulous, family-run little spot tucked away on a quiet street in Shoreditch. They serve a constantly changing, incredibly high-quality daily menu featuring fresh pasta made right in front of you. Think jumbo scallops with beans, crab and bottarga tagliolini, and pork cheek agnolotti with porcini butter. Start with the fried olives with labneh and dukkah, and finish with the olive oil cake and baked apricots.



Notto Pasta Bar (Piccadilly Circus)

Proof that you can find uncompromisingly high-quality, perfectly priced pasta right in the touristy beating heart of London. The sauces range from rustic and simple to highly elevated. Hits include a vegetarian bucatini bolognese, red wine oxtail ragu pappardelle, shrimp and mascarpone gnocchi, and osso buco ravioli with saffron butter. The cocktail list is also stellar (try the grapefruit negroni), and definitely grab the parmesan grissini to snack on while you wait for your food.


  • Address: 198 Piccadilly

  • Hours: Daily 12:00 – 15:00, 17:00 – 22:00


Sartoria (Mayfair)

True London elegance. This spot offers a sophisticated, classic atmosphere and gorgeous, top-tier dishes. We’re talking burrata with pickled vegetables, zucchini flowers, grilled octopus, asparagus risotto, and lamb ragu fettuccine. The quality is flawless, served in a spacious, wonderfully quiet dining room. It’s definitely on the pricey side, but if you go, do not miss the fantastic zucchini fries.

  • Address: 20 Savile Row

  • Hours: Monday–Saturday 12:00 – 14:30, 17:30 – 21:30


Lina Stores (Multiple Locations)

Lina Stores is a legendary Soho deli that has been keeping Londoners supplied with the best Italian produce since 1944. A few years ago, they finally opened a restaurant serving phenomenal fresh pasta, and it was such a hit they've since expanded across the city. For lunch and dinner, you’ll find gorgeous dishes like grilled prawns, spaghetti alla chitarra with Amalfi lemon and pink peppercorns, pici with Umbrian sausage and porcini, and a deeply rich 30-yolk tagliolini with truffle.


O ver' (Multiple Locations)

Bright, fresh, joyful Neapolitan cooking with a big focus on healthy (like low sodium), fresh, and organic ingredients. Starters include organic burrata on house-made bread, red tuna tartare, and Neapolitan-style eggplant. For mains, choose between brilliant pastas like handmade lemon/ricotta tortellini and smoked mozzarella gnocchi, or their fantastic organic sourdough pizzas. A brilliant lunch spot if you're in the area.


Ciao Bella (Russell Square)

Ciao Bella is a complete departure from London's sleek, modern Italian landscape. It’s been sitting on one of London's most charming streets for 40 years now. Walking in, you're hit with a wonderful, organized chaos: families packed tightly around tables, waiters effortlessly squeezing by with plates piled high. The menu is massive and old-school: grilled Dover sole, fried veal escalope, prosciutto pizza, classic carbonara, and basically everything else you could want. A legendary, incredibly fun spot for families.



Lardo (Hackney)

A beloved, decidedly hipster neighborhood restaurant featuring cool industrial design and a massive, striking pizza oven. The main draw here is the phenomenal pizza, loaded with great toppings like spinach and sausage or hot-smoked salmon. But they also serve killer pasta and meat dishes, like lamb chops and spaghetti with broccoli, garlic confit, and pecorino. They even have a great kids' menu.

  • Address: 197 Richmond Road

  • Hours: Monday–Friday 12:00 – 22:00 | Saturday–Sunday 10:00 – 22:00


Cecconi’s (Multiple Locations)

A classic Italian spot that refuses to compromise on quality or atmosphere. Owned by the famous Soho House group, they have multiple gorgeous locations across London. The menu hits every classic note perfectly: beef carpaccio, seafood risotto, rigatoni bolognese, lobster spaghetti, and veal milanese, alongside fantastic pizzas and solid vegan options.


Franco’s (St James's)

Another veteran Italian restaurant that has effortlessly managed to stay beloved and relevant. The design is timelessly elegant, and the menu is incredibly varied: fresh salads, grilled or fried fish, veal meatballs with truffle puree, beef fillet with polenta, and beef tagliatelle. They also serve a fantastic breakfast featuring fresh oven-baked pastries stuffed with eggs, bacon, and veggies. Great vegetarian and vegan options here as well.



After a massive tour through London’s Italian culinary landscape, it’s clear the city offers a dining experience that can easily rival anywhere outside of Italy itself. From comforting, rustic plates of slow-cooked ragu to the refined elegance of a perfectly executed risotto or hand-stuffed pasta, London’s Italian restaurants brilliantly showcase the sheer beauty of this cuisine. Serving up that classic, lighthearted Italian spirit, these spots offer way more than just a meal - they take you on a journey through Italy's incredibly diverse regions, pushing way past the basic pizza and pasta we all know. Whether you're a hardcore foodie or a family just looking for a fantastic dinner everyone will love, London’s Italian scene has you covered. Buon appetito!



 
 
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