We Ate at 35 Italian Restaurants in London So You Don't Waste a Single Meal
London’s Italian restaurants food scene is having a full-blown renaissance and honestly, it shows! The city is bristling with restaurants claiming to serve Italian cuisine that is the best in the world, but not all of them live up to that promise. I’ve spent more Saturday lunch outings than I can count hunting down places that are truly worth your time, especially for special occasions. From hyper local, small, family run gems to polished fine dining spots in the centre of town, London has it all but so do the letdowns. Nothing is more disappointing than pasta that arrives overcooked, bland, or worse, drowning in sauce. That’s exactly why I put together this blog post to cut through the noise and share our favourites: places that are genuinely authentic, rooted in local tradition, and worthy of your most memorable evenings.
The Best Italian Restaurants in London for Special Occasions
Tucked along hip and trendy Bermondsey Street, Baccalà is a modern Italian restaurant and a genuine gem in the heart of London that truly earns its place among the best for special occasions. The head chef and co-founder, shaped by years at Four Seasons hotels, delivers refined dishes built around the art of salt cod (baccala), while non-seafood options keep things welcoming for vegetarian diners too.
The restaurant decor is contemporary, with bar counter seating, two levels, an open kitchen, and outside tables on the pavement for good weather days.
Sitting in the heart of Soho, Bocca di Lupo has been open since 2008, quietly setting the standard for what authentic Italian restaurants in London should feel like and it remains one of the most celebrated to this day. Unlike places that lean heavily on Rome or a single identity, Chef Jacob Kenedy takes a bold regional approach, pulling dishes from all 20 regions of Italy, each one rooted deeply in its own Italian province.
I’d strongly recommend you book well in advance and, when you do, go for the marble counter seats watching the chefs cook right in front of you is genuinely a rite of passage here and adds real theatre to the meal.
Briciole named after the Italian word for breadcrumbs – wears its humble identity proudly, from the old-fashioned sign and logo outside to the warmly charming restaurant within, complete with a deli at the front and a semi-open kitchen where you can watch the chefs work. The seasonal menu leans deep into no-frills Italian comfort, and it was here I first discovered bottarga i.e an Italian delicacy of salted, cured fish roe grated over spaghetti.
Price-wise, it stays genuinely affordable by London and Marylebone standards, with big portions and a buzzing atmosphere that makes it a true neighbourhood favourite.
Tucked into Borough near Shad Thames, Legare sits at the intersection of a neighbourhood bistro and a serious food destination. Awarded a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide, this ingredient-led Italian spot keeps its menu small but mighty, rotating with the seasons and changes regularly to reflect the finest seasonal produce. Every pasta is handmade daily by hand using fresh ingredients, and dishes like the purple sprouting broccoli fritti with aioli (a personal highlight) show just how beautifully fried food can be done.
The puntarelle salad with perfectly cooked and grilled squid is another standout; puntarelle, a variety of chicory, felt lighter here than a similar version I tried at Manteca.
• Lina Stores, Soho
Rooted in history since 1944, Lina Stores began as an iconic Soho deli before evolving into one of London’s most loved Italian restaurant experiences. What strikes you first is the decor which includes mint-green walls & chairs, and a warm 90s style that makes every visit feel like a genuine statement venue worth dressing up for. The food holds its own just as beautifully; the fresh pasta is exceptional, and the crab tagliolini and burrata are absolute must-orders, while the fried artichoke, when it appears on the menu, deserves your full attention.
Portions are generous at an honest price, and the rotating seasonal dishes keep things exciting, with solid vegetarian options and at least two or three pasta dishes always available to share.
Luca is the younger sibling of The Clove Club and delivers a refined British-Italian hybrid experience that earns its place among the finest Italian restaurant choices in London for special occasions. The space itself is thoughtfully designed, with a bar, a grown-up dining room bathed in natural light and dressed with art deco touches, private dining rooms for more intimate celebrations, and an outside terrace that truly shines on Summer days.
The menu leans into high-quality seasonal produce sourced from across the UK and Italy, resulting in showstopper pasta dishes that strike the perfect balance between formal and relaxed dining.
• Manteca, Shoreditch
Sitting proudly in Shoreditch, one of London’s most characterful neighbourhoods, Manteca is an Italian-inspired restaurant built around the philosophy of nose-to-tail cooking and whole-animal butchery. The space is split into two rooms, and from personal experience, securing a seat near the open kitchen adds a wonderful layer of theatre to the evening, where you can watch artisan craft unfold in real time. .
Their in-house salumeria is a genuine point of difference, and the focused seasonal menu which changes regularly keeps things exciting without overwhelming you with choices, and even thoughtfully includes vegetarian options. Yes, the food leans pricey, but the quality is excellent and absolutely worth every penny
When you want to truly impress on a special occasion whether that’s a birthday, an anniversary, or simply a night that deserves to feel extraordinary. Angela Hartnett’s Michelin-starred restaurant Murano, nestled in Mayfair near the Ritz, delivers fine dining at its most refined without ever tipping into feeling stuffy or pretentious, despite how undeniably posh the setting appears at first glance. The evening opens with a gorgeous spread of nibbles arancini, nocellara olives, warm focaccia, and salumi that sets the tone beautifully for what follows, and from personal experience, the Autumnal burrata with figs and walnuts is the kind of dish that stays with you long after the meal is over.
Every plate is elegant and sophisticated, rooted in northern Italian cuisine and executed with exceptional technique, drawing on seasonal, high quality ingredients that speak for themselves.
Noci is one of those places that quietly earns a spot on your personal list of favourites with branches in Islington, Battersea, and Shoreditch, it’s well spread across the city, and the Shoreditch branch at The Bower, just a short walk from Old Street tube station, is where we first fell for it. The decor is warm and inviting, offering both counter seating by the window and outside tables that are genuinely perfect for al fresco dining come summer.
The menu leans proudly into authentic Italian flavours, with a solid spread of pasta dishes and an octopus and potato starter that looked as beautiful as it tasted, while the in-house focaccia was so good we ordered it twice without a second thought.
Don’t let the term pasta bar put you off Notto is nothing like the chain experience you might picture when you hear it, and one visit to either the Covent Garden or Piccadilly location is enough to make that crystal clear. The pedigree behind this place is serious: co-founder Phil Howard holds a Michelin star at his Chelsea restaurant Elystan Street, Ali Howard serves as head chef, and their executive chef previously worked at celebrated kitchens Locanda Locatelli and Bancone. The seasonal menu is built around the finest ingredients, and every dish especially the Parmesan and mushroom arancino delivers on that promise completely.
The kitchen recommends ordering three pasta dishes for two people, though honestly the portions are generous enough that two dishes would have done us just fine.
Tucked just off Portobello Road in the heart of Notting Hill, Osteria Napoletana is as close to a genuine piece of Naples in London as you will find, owned by someone from Naples himself and drawing deeply on the food traditions of Campania to produce something truly authentic. Grabbing an outside table on a sunny afternoon here genuinely feels like a holiday, and the food only adds to that feeling the frittatina, a crispy fried bucatini pasta filled with bechamel sauce, sausage, and friarielli (a bitter green leaf), is extraordinary, while the small fried pizza with its intensely flavoured tomato base and the artichoke and Parmesan salad with a bright hint of lemon make for a wonderfully refreshing start.
For the pasta course, the Linguine alla Nerano – silky linguine tossed with fried courgettes, provolone cheese, basil, and mint arrives in frying pans and is gloriously creamy, with a portion size generous enough to leave you completely satisfied.
A local favourite in West Hampstead that has held its ground for years, Sarracino is the kind of neighbourhood Italian that keeps you coming back reliable, warm, and genuinely good, whether you’re sitting in or calling for pizza takeout. The menu stays largely consistent, but a rotating weekly specials board keeps things interesting, and the bread baked fresh in a wood oven is simply divine.
Portions are hearty, reasonable prices make it easy to return often, and on warm days the sliding windows open up to let the outside in almost as satisfying as eating al fresco while familiar faces among the regulars give the whole place the kind of easy, lived-in charm that no special occasion restaurant can manufacture.
If you are looking for a small restaurant in Hoxton Square that truly brings the heart of Emilia-Romagna to London, Via Emilia is worth every bit of the booking and trust me, booking is recommended because seating fills up fast. Having visited over the years, I can say the food here never loses its charm; the menu keeps things tight but gives you a beautiful choice of dishes, with plenty of vegetarian options tucked in. You absolutely must start with the Gnocco Fritto ( also known as crescentina ) paired with salumi and Squacquerone, a wonderfully soft cheese that melts against the warm fried bread in the most delicious way.
The pasta selection is where things get really special, from tagliatelle with Bolognese ragu to tortellini in brodo and a gorgeous ravioli filled with butternut and sage that feels made for a celebration.
Sitting on Charlotte Street, The Ninth is the kind of place that never disappoints a Michelin starred restaurant led by chef Jun Tanaka, blending French and Mediterranean cooking with just enough Italian soul to earn its place on this list. The whole concept is built around ordering dishes to share, which makes it perfect for special occasions when you want to try everything on the menu. What I have always loved is the crispy artichoke served with aioli, a dish so incredible that we once ended up ordering four portions in a single sitting.
The pasta here deserves equal attention; my personal favourite has to be the cuttlefish malloreddus with fried squid and bottarga, carrying the depth of the sea in every bite with a texture that is simply unforgettable.
Tucked into the world-famous epicentre of tailoring on Savile Row, Sartoria is one of the few non-suit-making establishments on this legendary row and easily one of the best Italian restaurants in London. Chef Francesco Chiarelli has worked real wonders here, and the place consistently ranks among the city’s finest a fact that left our reviewer thoroughly impressed during his review.
Order the egg pasta with butter and white truffle starter without hesitation; as a dish, it comes with the highest possible recommendation.
A genuine jewel in the culinary crown of the Square Mile, Piazza Italiana sits inside the former British Linen Bank, where soaring ceilings, columns, and marble surroundings create the feel of a true Italian palazzo making it one of the most stunning settings of any Italian restaurant in London. I dined here recently and every mouthful was delicious, with tables full of actual Italians nearby serving as the best possible sign of authenticity.
Just a short walk from Bank Station or Liverpool Street, it is easily accessible and well worth a visit and do not leave without trying their surprisingly fantastic pina colada.
A true Islington stalwart, Trullo has been one of London’s best Italian restaurants since its launch in 2010, founded by ex-River Cafe chef Jordan Frieda and Tim Siadatan of Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen. The pair have built something genuinely special here, with superb cooking and brilliant ingredients that speak for themselves and if you peer through the windows, you can watch the chefs making fresh pasta right in front of you, which only adds to the authentic charm.
They have even acquired the space next door and turned it into a little Italian grocery, so you can take a piece of the experience home.
From the same folks behind Trullo, Padella at Borough Market has ironically become even more popular, with queues regularly snaking around the block and once you taste the pasta, you will understand exactly why. The pasta-making here has been elevated to an art form, celebrated all over their Instagram and widely considered among the best this side of the Alps.
It is busy, it is fun, the food is great, and you get to mooch around one of our absolute favourite London markets before or after Borough Market really does make the whole trip worthwhile.
Housed inside the stylish Bulgari Hotel in Knightsbridge, Sette channels all the Italian glamour of cosmopolitan Rome through its own private entrance, setting the tone for an evening that is effortlessly suave and cool. From the same team behind New York’s celebrated Scarpetta restaurant, it carries that same smart or as they would say across the Atlantic, upscale sensibility that makes it perfect for a special occasion in London.
Below, the underground bar Nolita Social adds yet another layer of cool, making Sette a complete Italian experience from top to bottom.
A colour-splashed, floral ray of light in the heart of Fitzrovia, Circolo Popolare is always busy, always fun, and delivers the kind of joy you would expect from a sun-soaked Sicilian trattoria right in the middle of London. The grub is just as fabulous as the decorations the truffle pasta here is genuinely among the best I have ever tasted, one of those dishes that earns that unmistakably Italian chef-kiss moment.
As part of the Big Mamma Group, who specialise in gorgeous Italian trattorias, you are always in very safe hands at this popular restaurant.
Meaning granddaughter in Italian, Nipotina in Mayfair welcomes you straight into Chef Somaia Hammad’s Nonna’s kitchen, where Turin-born tradition meets quiet sophistication on the corner of South Audley Street. The space is simple yet elegant, making you feel instantly at home, while the dishes balance classic flavours in ways that are both comforting and delicious.
From handcrafted pasta and wood-fired seafood and meats to crisp Northern Italian pizzas and family classics, the menu reads like a love letter to Italian cooking.
Inspired by the traditional trattorias found throughout Italy, Bocconcino brings genuinely authentic Italian cooking to both Mayfair and Soho, with beautiful restaurants featuring contemporary design-led interiors that are as impressive as what arrives on the plate and we even love the crockery. The food is exquisite, paying tribute to the restaurant’s Forte dei Marmi roots, and both locations remain consistently fabulous.
The pre-theatre menu in Soho is perfect for a West End evening, while the bottomless brunch in Mayfair with live music is the ideal way to spend a lazy Saturday.
Sitting along Electric Boulevard with a stunning terrace overlooking the iconic Battersea Power Station, TOZI Pizzeria & Cicchetti Bar is one of the best spots to refuel between browsing the shops, wandering the riverside, or simply catching up with friends after a leisurely afternoon exploring the neighbourhood. Open from breakfast through to dinner plus weekend brunch.
The menu spans creative pizzas loaded with both classic Italian ingredients and more elaborate combinations, alongside genuinely authentic cicchetti.
• Luci, Covent Garden
A bustling, clattering hive of activity right in the heart of Covent Garden, Luci is a brilliant blur of cafe, deli, and restaurant that defies easy definition but delivers on every level. Best described as a continental-style Grand Café, bakery, and pizzeria rolled into one, the pastries alone are genuinely amazing and worth the visit.
What is particularly noteworthy is the pre-theatre menu, a great way to guzzle top Italian food before heading to any one of the myriad local theatres that surround it.
Named after the popular Venetian snacks that inspired it, San Carlo in Knightsbridge is supremely stylish, sporting a gorgeous art deco interior complete with beautiful artwork and stunning furnishing that makes every visit feel like a special occasion. The food is consistently top-notch, drawing a loyal following that keeps coming back time and again and once you experience it for yourself, it is very easy to see why.
The food is consistently top-notch, drawing a loyal following that keeps coming back time and again and once you experience it for yourself, it is very easy to see why.
Nestled in the Sainsbury Wing of the National Gallery in Central London, Locatelli is as sophisticated as fine dining gets, a true masterpiece added to the museum’s already remarkable collection. The brainchild of beloved Italian chef Giorgio Locatelli whose original Locanda Locatelli in Marylebone earned its well-deserved Michelin Star through both satisfying and deeply technical cooking this restaurant carries that same spirit of excellence forward.
It remains utterly fantastic, and every visit is a reminder of why popular Italian dining at its finest is truly unlike any other cuisine.
• 40 Dean Street, Soho
A true institution on Soho’s dining scene, 40 Dean Street is the story of chef Nima Safaei, who boldly walked away from a planned career in pharmaceuticals to pursue the finest chemistry of all cooking. Running the restaurant alongside his sister, Nima has built a space that channels his deep love of food, inspired by his grandmother and everything she represented.
The result is excellent, authentic, and genuinely fun, with surroundings that feel as warm and inviting as the food itself and it absolutely deserves its place on this list.
A confident newcomer to the London dining scene, Il Gattopardo on Albemarle Street (meaning leopard in Italian ) has wasted no time making waves with its beautiful art deco setting and a menu that celebrates la dolce vita in every bite. This intimate restaurant brings together local specialities and iconic Italian dishes in a space that was once an old gallery, sitting comfortably alongside Mayfair favourite Brown’s Hotel.
Having eaten here recently, I can say the service was impeccable, the food utterly delicious, and the whole experience so much fun.
Manicomio is a genuinely refined experience with a conservatory, garden, dining room, and bar all adding to its considerable charm. The large heated terrace on Duke of York Square is perfect for lingering over a long meal, while indoors the contemporary stylings (think exposed brick and leather banquettes) create a warm and sophisticated atmosphere. With a sister restaurant in the heart of the City, this is a group that knows exactly what it is doing.
A sleek, elegant, and simple as high-end Italian restaurants
Angela Hartnett’s Michelin Starred Murano may be the headline act, but her three Italian spin-offs Cafe Murano in St James’s, Covent Garden, and Bermondsey deliver equally authentic food with a subtle British twist, all without the Michelin price tag.
The north Italian menu is excellent, served in a relaxed setting of leather booths and simple fare that promises exactly as much as it delivers.
• Terra by Carlo Cracco
Getting to Terra by Carlo Cracco means navigating your way through Eataly at Liverpool Street London’s biggest Italian shop past displays of panettone and stalls of truffle before finally reaching the first-floor restaurant, arriving laden with bags of incredible Italian produce and a serious appetite to match. Once there, the light and airy fine dining experience at this premium superstore makes every step of the journey worthwhile.
The breaded lamb chops are cooked to absolute perfection, the beef tartare starter is not to be missed, the wine list is decent, and the staff is genuinely attentive great stuff all round.
Do not let the postage stamp size fool you Florencio in Marylebone is incredibly valuable, and the thin, perfectly crispy yet juicy pizzas made with 48 hours fermented dough under chef Diego have had me licking my lips ever since.
This NYC-inspired Italian food is genuinely superb, and as a sister to Argentine restaurant ZOILO nearby, it sits comfortably among our favourite Marylebone restaurants with the jolly staff in that wonderfully small space making it all the more special.
Far from the glitz of the West End, Lupa in Highbury is the perfect neighbourhood Italian restaurant, owned by locals Ed Templeton of Carousel and Hollywood star Theo James, alongside chef Naz Hassan together they have created a true idyl of genuine Italian cuisine and passion.
The food is fantastic, the reputation well deserved, and it remains firmly among our favourite London restaurants.
• Julie's, Notting Hill
A Notting Hill favourite for decades, Julie’s is a gorgeous neighbourhood restaurant with a warm, welcoming atmosphere and eclectic yet elegant interiors that feel utterly one of a kind.
The menu blends Mediterranean and Italian influences through handmade pastas, fresh seafood, and seasonal dishes that are both comforting and refined relaxed and chic in equal measure.
One of London’s most glamorous new Italian openings, Carlotta in Marylebone delivers old-school Italian-American charm through bold interiors, glossy red leather booths, and a menu of pure indulgence think towering pasta, rich sauces, perfectly cooked veal, and theatrical desserts that are just as delicious as they are dramatic.
Fun, a little decadent, and absolutely perfect for a lively dinner with friends craving drama with their food.
How to Choose the Right Italian Restaurant for You
• For a Date Night
Go to Murano, Trullo, or Daphne’s. These restaurants offer the combination of excellent food, beautiful rooms, and attentive service that makes a date feel genuinely special. Trullo is the most accessible; Murano is for when you really want to impress.
• For a Big Group
Circolo Popolare is made for groups like the theatrical space, sharing plates, and party atmosphere make it an event in itself. Bocconcino and Cecconi’s are also excellent choices for larger parties that want a stylish setting.
• For a Budget Meal
Padella and Notto Pasta Bar are your friends. Both deliver exceptional fresh pasta at prices that feel almost philanthropic. Sarracino for Neapolitan pizza on a budget is similarly outstanding.
• For a Special Occasion
Murano or Terra by Carlo Cracco. Both deliver serious, Michelin-level cooking in rooms that feel genuinely celebratory. Book well in advance.
• For the Best Pasta Specifically
Noci for filled pasta, Manteca for meat-forward pasta, Padella for value, Trullo for the benchmark ragu. All four represent the best pasta you will eat outside of Italy.
Knowing where to eat is only half the equation — what you wear and how you carry yourself once you’re seated complete the picture. The full guide to dining well as a gentleman, in London and beyond, is here: The Modern Gentleman’s Dining Guide.
FAQ
Which part of London has the most Italians?
If you have ever wondered which part of London has the most Italians, the answer traces back to a rich and storied history. Saffron Hill and the Italian Church in the Camden side were once the beating heart of London’s Italian community, and while that legacy still lingers, the modern day tells a more dispersed story. Today, Italians are spread across the City of Westminster, the London Borough of Islington, and the southern parts of the London Borough of Camden meaning the Italian spirit is woven into the fabric of the city far more widely than many realise.
What are London's oldest Italian restaurants?
When it comes to the question of what London’s oldest Italian restaurants are, one name stands above the rest “Franco’s”. Established in 1945, Franco’s holds the distinguished title of London’s oldest Italian dining institution, and after 80 years it remains a beloved staple of the St James’s community. Open from breakfast right through to dinner, it is a living piece of London’s Italian history and a reminder that true quality never goes out of style.
Where to meet Italians in London?
For anyone wondering where to meet Italians in London, InterNations is the perfect starting point it is a welcoming community where Italian expats gather to exchange experiences, share tips, and offer genuine support to one another in the Big Smoke. Browsing the Members Network is all it takes to start connecting with like-minded Italian expats across the city.
Which Italian restaurant is named as best in the world?
When it comes to the title of best Italian restaurant in the world, one name stands unchallenged “Osteria Francescana”. Located in Modena, Italy, this legendary three-Michelin-starred restaurant by chef Massimo Bottura has claimed the top spot on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list more than once, cementing its place in culinary history. A visit is considered a once-in-a-lifetime experience, where tradition and innovation meet on every plate in the most extraordinary way.
