Last edited by Scarlett Welch
Last updated on 16th April 2024
One of the best Italian restaurants in Central London, dining with a bistro edge has a champion in the name of Osteria. Brought to the City by the Searcys collective, this eatery is not only a sophisticated place to wine and dine, but they're fronting some of the finest plates around.
Coupling stunning pizzas with foosball and vintage games, Pizza Pilgrims are some of the best affordable Italian restaurants in London - and this location is one of their coolest. Perfect for a big kids day out, they deal only in huge sauce-stained smiles here.
Located in Soho, Ember Yard serves dishes from Italy, but with a twist; they're tapas-style and offered alongside a range of Spanish fare. The menu includes cacio e pepe tortelloni with shaved black truffle, panna cotta, and buratta topped off by blood orange and pine nuts.
Mele E Pere is a Soho staple, serving up homemade pasta and 48-hour proved pizza alongside the finest British steaks. This basement hideaway is also famed for its wide array of cocktails and huge collection of vermouths behind the copper bar.
For traditional Neapolitan-style pizza, look no further than Well Street Pizza in Hackney. These scrumptious offerings are wood-fired in the independent restaurant's custom ovens, with plenty of opportunity to customise with your choice of toppings - making them a favourite in the local area. Better yet, there's wine, craft beer or cocktails to accompany and it's only a handy walk away from both Homerton and London Fields stations.
A top-notch shout for traditional Italian restaurants in London, check out Azzurro. When the weather warms, sit outside on their quaint alfresco area or if you fancy a full-on feast, we recommend trying one of their pizzas or a bowl of pasta, most of which are £16 or less.
Terra Terra is an absolutely stunning spot on Finchley Road, sporting simple interiors covered in plants. The food here is just as beautiful, with a menu that features fresh pasta, expertly made pizzas and succulent meat dishes. What's more, they've got tasty set menus starting from £35.
Pizza plates? Carbonara bowls? You're certainly going to want to head to Piccolino on Mayfair's Heddon Street or in Exchange Square. Not only is this venue home to a fabulous menu filled with authentic dishes, but it also has a private dining room, a top-notch cocktail bar and a weatherproof alfresco terrace.
If you're craving traditional Italian food, then head to Bocconcino. This luxury pick of Italian restaurants in Mayfair whips up a glorious range of plates, from burrata to lobster linguine, alongside a crackin' selection of wine. After something different? It offers bottomless pizza brunch too.
Spagnoletti is ideal if you're after top Italian restaurants in Central London, as the 'pasta lab' is right opposite King's Cross station, fronting a cool industrial chic look. Plus, alongside the freshly made primi options, you can nab everything from tuna steak to stuffed pork belly and tiramisu.
Get on down to Zoom East Kitchen & Bar, which champions Italian cuisine, slinging out one helluva menu. The Aldgate restaurant whips a range of delicious dishes, from pasta and pizza to steak and stuffed squid. As for drinks, check out the European cocktails and wines.
Celebrated TV chef Theo Randall's eponymous restaurant can be found in Mayfair, making sure you get your fix it Italian fine dining. From fresh burrata topped with red peppers, to slow-cooked veal agnolotti and dessert in the form of an Amalfi lemon tart, this swanky spot is serving up a mouthwatering selection of food.
If you're on the hunt for the finest Italian restaurants London has in store, check out the live music venue Cafe KOKO in Camden. Get stuck into everything from classic pizzas and garlic chicken to charcuterie plates and much more, alongside a glass of prosecco or red wine.
When it comes to Mayfair's dreamiest spots for Italian food, Tosi Gorgonzola Bar has to be right up there for quality ingredients paired with fine wine. Think cheese and charcuterie boards accompanying raw dishes like truffle beef, oysters and salmon tartare.
The Italian region of Tuscany is not only a great place for wine and rolling hills, it's also a champion of seasonal produce spanning everything from hunted game to Tyrrhenian seafood and quality steak. To get a taste of that without having to leave England, check out Maremma - known for serving up some of the best Italian food in London. Located in the heart of Brixton, the light and airy restaurant showcases stripped-back and seasonal regional specialities, thanks to pasta made fresh and in-house daily alongside meat or fish cooked on the charcoal grill. Plus it's only £25 for three courses on the lunch and early dinner deal. What a bargain.
Vine Bar, an Italian tavern and delicatessen in the heart of St. George Wharf, is inspired by the iconic Italian café culture and the famous Harry's Bar in Venice. If you want an authentic dining experience that's washed down with plenty of vino, this is the place to find it.
If you're on the hunt for fine dining restaurants whipping up Italian cuisine, look no further than Bardo St James's, which is sitting pretty at One Pall Mall. Furnishings have been sourced from Italy at this elegant restaurant, as have the marble bar tops, for a gorgeous red, gold and dark-toned look. Munch on a seasonal menu created by executive chef Graziano Bonacina including everything from homemade rosemary focaccia to lobster tagliatelle and spaghetti with clams.
Flaunting pretty interiors and a cracking selection of pizza and pasta plates, it's no wonder why Sartoria is on our list. The only restaurant on Savile Row, it's got a heated terrace, the stylish Libare Bar, cicchetti counter, two private dining rooms and wine cellar, all designed by the acclaimed David d'Almada. Better yet, the menu at this D&D London location has been curated by Francesco Mazzei, spanning burrata with smoked aubergine puree, chicken marsala broth tortellini and veal Milanese.
For some of the tastiest Italian food around, venture to Alba Trattoria in Wanstead. Not only does this spot flaunt a mouthwatering menu, including 48-hour proved pizzas and lots of creamy burrata, but also has laid-back vibes and homely feels. What's more, you can grab a two-course lunch for £14.50 on weekdays.
Gotta Trattoria is a neighbourhood venue in the heart of Hackney Wick, serving up a daily-changing menu of pasta and other dishes that blend British and Italian styles. The alfresco dining area is perfect for the summer months, and their drinks – such as the homemade vermouth and their signature negroni – are ideal compliments.
Whipping up sourdough pizzas right in front of your eyes is The Hawk's Nest, a restaurant and bar tucked away in Shepherd's Bush Market. This beautiful outdoor venue is covered and heated in winter, while gloriously sunny in summer, with cocktails and comforting grub available whatever the weather.
Head to Croydon and you'll find Basil & Grape boasting authentic Roman pizzas for under £13, delicious sharing boards and a whole host of boozy pours to wash it down with. From sipping on signature or classic cocktails, to glugging the finest Italian wine, you can't go wrong with a trip here.
Piazza Italiana whips up all the Italian dishes you're after, whether it's a traditional carbonara or a four cheese pizza. Located in the City of London, it has a extensive wine list with over 40 options, as well as private dining rooms for a more intimate ambiance.
Bloomsbury Street Kitchen isn't your average Italian restaurant, oh no. Fusing together flavours of the Mediterranean and South East Asia, this swish spot will have you drooling over Chilean sea bass, herb-covered lamb cutlets and halloumi gyozas.
With an impressive wine list and unique signature cocktails, Dehesa is one to pop on your list. It also fronts some stunning eats, from charcuterie and cheese to Mediterranean tapas plates. Head here to sample Italian delights with a sprinkling of Spanish influence thrown in too.
Looking to enjoy your meal with a view? Located near Charing Cross, Garden Rooftop is a winner. Aside from providing plenty of eye candy, there's bottomless brunch, tapas plates and plenty of vegan options to wolf down, with most main dishes coming in at under £15.
Hunting for Italian restaurants in London Bridge? Having received a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand, Legare is a strong choice - thanks to its riverside views and fresh, seasonal dishes. Start off with Maldon rock oysters, before diving into squid ink spaghetti, chilli pork risotto and parmesan fritters, paired with a negroni or a refreshing sprtiz.
Gloria is a Shoreditch favourite, flaunting 70s decor and serving up absolutely massive meals for lunch and dinner. Think giant cheese wheels filled with carbonara, 10-layer lasagnas and huge slices of lemon meringue pie, paired with refreshing signature cocktails.
Just moments away from Coal Drops Yard and Granary Square, you can find Lina Stores. This relaxed restaurant is decked out in calming blue furnishings and fronts a menu of delicious fresh pasta, alongside a range of seafood platters, but don't forget to save room for the dessert trolley.
If you're on the hunt for Italian restaurants over on the north side of the city, Chucs St John's Wood has you covered. Settle down in their gorgeous space to be surrounded by opulence while you dine, with dishes like arancini, tiramisu and cacio e pepe pasta on the menu.
Go Bottomless with unlimited Prosecco, Bellini or Mimosa! and 1 other offer
Il Pampero is a sleek Italian eatery in the Belgravia neighbourhood. Offering a luxurious drinking and dining experience, this place cooks exceptional, authentic bites with a modern twist from its swish home at the Hari Hotel.
Situated right by Battersea Power Station, Fiume is always a winner when it comes to wood-fired pizza and freshly made pasta dishes. As well as their hearty Mediterranean plates, they offer classic and contemporary Italian cocktails in the restaurant and on the terrace that's filled with lemon and olive trees.
This welcoming restaurant lets you watch your meal be created, thanks to the chefs whipping up fresh pasta right in front of your eyes. Officina 00 is a Shoreditch venue with a menu inspired by different regions across Italy, serving traditional Sorrentino sourdough bread, filled ravioli and wine on tap or by the bottle.
Few of even the best Italian restaurants in Soho see the queues quite like colourful Pastaio does. With diners waiting around the block, this Carnaby favourite from restaurateur Stevie Parle is taking affordable pasta next level, all hand-made on site.
Spread across a three-floor townhouse in Fitzrovia, Norma is a stylish restaurant, cocktail bar and private dining venue. You can expect everything from fresh pasta and seasonal meats to family-sized sharing plates as you dine in the botanical interiors here.
Whether you're in Soho or Chelsea, Polpo is worth a visit. These Venetian-inspired restaurants serve up a cracking selection of small plates, with a healthy dose of prosecco and spritz cocktails on the side. What's more, all of these destinations are available for private hire - perfect if you're looking to party Italian-style.
One of the most famous Italian restaurants in London and a renowned spot from Big Mamma group that you've likely seen dotted all over your Instagram feed, Circolo Popolare is famous for epic lemon meringue pie slices and burrata like you've never had before. Our thoughts? You can catch them in our review.
Lardo is a stylish bar and restaurant in Hackney, offering a twist on the classic pizzeria. The chefs here change the menu with each season, cooking up Southern Italian favourites in the summer and Northern delights as it gets colder, alongside classic cocktails and an impressive collection of wine.
With interiors as impressive as their dishes, Carlotta is a tasty Marylebone venture from the Big Mamma Group. Their truffle pasta is to-die-for, with other delicious options such as pistachio arancini and beef carpaccio up for grabs too. Pair your meal with fruity, signature cocktails like the lo sgroppino, and don't forget to make a trip to the toilets where you'll find a Virgin Mary underneath red lights and a decadent chandelier.
Spread across an impressive four floors, Jacuzzi is an Instagram-worthy Italian restaurant located in Kensington. Expect succulent steaks, creamy risotto and their signature pasta dishes, alongside refreshing cocktails and stunning interiors.
Bancone is one of the sleekest Italian restaurants in Covent Garden that's all about pasta, pasta and more pasta. With mouth-watering dishes like spicy pork with nduja ragù for £14 and roasted pumpkin ravioli with oyster mushroom and sage brown butter for £16, you're in for a real Mediterranean-inspired treat.
Brought to you be chefs Paulo De Tarso and Nicolas Jaouën, Margot is a classy restaurant found in the heart of Covent Garden. They specialise in traditional pasta, salads and cured meat dishes, with highlights including their saffron and roast bone marrow infused risotto or crab meat tagliolini. This is always a bespoke experience too, as they allow you to choose the exact size of each dish that you order.
After the best Italian restaurant London has to offer? With a Michelin star to its name, Murano is a popular Mayfair location loved for its relaxed vibe and a menu that takes inspiration from the Northern regions of Italy. While they have a focus on indulgent pasta plates, you can also tuck into juicy steaks and seafood options here too, alongside classic cocktails of course.
Scarpetta on Canada Square is whipping up authentic tasty treats and fresh pasta for you to enjoy. Topping it off are their classic cocktails and aperitivo, the perfect accompaniment to your date night or gathering with friends. Even better, you can nab £5 wines every weekday.
A stylish Italian eatery in Shoreditch, Cecconi's flaunts traditional trattoria vibes with a contemporary London twist. Think marble-topped tables, tiled floors and warm lighting, ideal for a chilled meal out with friends. Alongside an extensive wine list, their menu features everything from beef carpaccio to lobster spaghetti and a range of wood-fired pizzas, and they even offer tasty brunch dishes as well.
Serving up breakfast, lunch and dinner all week long, Canto Corvino is a cool Italian restaurant located in Spitalfields. The warehouse-inspired aesthetic pairs perfectly with delicious eats like lobster ravioli, chicken Milanese and 40 day dry-aged steak.
Vowing for the title of best Italian in London, Padella is an affordable Italian joint serving pasta dishes like cacio e pepe and nduja fettucine for under £15 - with a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand to match. You may have to queue at this walk-in only spot, but we can assure you it's worth the wait for its refreshing cocktails and authentic eats.
Searching for the best Michelin star Italian restaurants in London? Found in Farringdon, Luca is a Michelin-starred restaurant and bar that specialises in small plates made from the finest ingredients. As well as this, you can knock back homemade limoncello, vermouth-heavy cocktails and wine, as well as making the most of a stunning garden area for private dining.
Fusion fare is taking over the city, and Italian-American fare has got to be one of the best. Think huge New York or Detroit-style pizzas loaded with cheese and spicy meats, alongside indulgent pasta dishes and chicken parmigiana. We've got names like Alley Cats, Brooklyn Pizza Crew and the Tik Tok-famous Grasso on our list, so wherever you are in London you won't be far from these mouthwatering menus.
In collaboration with food waste management start-ups and sustainable farming initiatives, Sorella in Clapham aims to produce mouthwatering meals without harming the planet. Think seasonal ingredients in dishes like truffle arancini or venison pappardelle, as well as a range of homemade liquers.
