Where to find the best Italian restaurants in London
Italian is a cuisine that captures hearts, from the rich dishes of the country’s northern regions to the seafood of its southern coast and everything in between. Fortunately for us here in London, we get to enjoy these delights from afar thanks to a serious Italian restaurant scene. Narrowing down a list of spots to try can be tough, so here are a few of the best Italian restaurants in London that I love, from a relaxed Florentine trattoria in Clerkenwell to a beautifully designed new spot in Hackney.
Trullo
A name you’ll find on every list of the best Italian restaurants in London, people flock from all parts of town to take a seat at Trullo. But as soon as you walk in, that intimate, neighbourhood feel still delights. On the menu, every dish tempts – from inventive antipasti to hearty Italian pastas, hand-rolled each day. Flavours get better and better as stomachs get fuller and fuller, and it’s all rather wonderful.
300-302 St Paul's Road, London N1 2LH
The River Café
Since 1987, The River Café has showcased the beauty of simple, honest Italian cooking. Here, the quality of ingredients and the team’s talent do all the talking. The menu changes according to the season, but there’s always chocolate nemesis for dessert. An institution within London’s restaurant scene with a Michelin star to its name, this isn’t the cheapest Italian restaurant in town, but it is the most wonderful spot to celebrate something special. Like a sunny day in the city, which is always best enjoyed on the outdoor terrace with a bottle of something from the excellent list of Italian wines.
Thames Wharf, Rainville Road, London W6 9HA
Brutto
Opened back in 2021 by late restaurateur and London hospitality icon, Russell Norman, Brutto quickly became one of the most talked-about restaurants in town. Delivering delicious Florentine flavours alongside second-to-none service, it’s easy to see why. With its gingham tablecloths, £5 negronis and a dollop of tiramisu so good you’ll want to go back just for that, Brutto is a special place that captures the Italian delight in dining perfectly.
35-37 Greenhill Rents, London EC1M 6BN
Ciao Bella
A no-frills institution in the heart of Bloomsbury, head to Ciao Bella for old-school Italian at its best. A place refreshingly void of small plates and minimalist interiors in a city otherwise overflowing with that very combination, expect hefty portions of classic Italian dishes and plenty of fun. Two things I always order are the pere & gorgonzola pizza and the spaghetti con polpette.
86-90 Lamb's Conduit Street, London WC1N 3LZ
Dalla
New to the Hackney neighbourhood, Dalla is a celebration of Italian design as much as cuisine. It occupies a tiny space on the corner of Morning Lane and, while diners are cosily packed in, an intimacy remains at each table. The menu changes often, but you can always expect comforting, rustic Italian dishes. My favourites when I visited included hearty artichoke stew with guanciale and ricotta, and chestnut trofie with wild asparagus and parsley pesto. The tiramisu too, for obvious reasons.
49-51 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3PT
Luca
Last but definitely not least on the list is Luca, the Michelin-starred modern Italian restaurant in Clerkenwell. From the current à la carte menu, dishes include duck agnolotti with artichoke and hazelnut or wild turbot with mussels, bottarga and lemon. Or leave it to the chef to design the perfect menu for you, complete with four courses including antipasti, primi, secondi and, of course, dolci. For a quicker bite, you can take a seat at the bar for a cocktail and some small plates, or there’s a beautiful private dining terrace for special occasions.
88 St John Street, London, EC1M 4EH
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