The Best Italian Restaurants in London

The twiddle of sauce-laden spaghetti around your fork, the bite into a pillowy piece of gnocchi, or the fold of the first slice of Neapolitan pizza are all part of an otherworldly experience. That being, the simple yet sacred ritual of enjoying Italian food. 

Finally, the United Nations has recognised the deep pleasure derived from Italian cooking and last week awarded it the UNESCO cultural heritage status – the first cuisine to be granted the honour. This follows Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's relentless (and justified) campaigning for recognition since her election: “For us Italians, cuisine is not just food or a collection of recipes. It is so much more: it is culture, tradition, work, wealth.” 

Fortunately for Londoners, you need not hop on a plane to experience the best of the Mediterranean. At SPHERE, we’ve munched our way around the city’s best Italian restaurants — which we gladly fell on our swords for — to give you La Dolce Vita, London style. Buon Appetito! 

Bocca di Lupo, Soho 

The first of Stanley Tucci’s recommendations, Soho’s Bocca di Lupo is more than well regarded across the city. Self-described as “stripped-down, honest regional Italian cuisine” designed “for when you’re hungry like the wolf” (Bocca di Lupo translates as in the wolf’s mouth), it does what Italian cooking does best: trusting in the simplicity and quality of the ingredients. The menu extensively displays various regional dishes from all over the country. So, you can enjoy porcini risotto from Lombardy, Roast partridge, polenta & bagna cauda from Piedmont, and caponata from Sicily all in one sitting. Plus, there’s a whole fritti section featuring fried delights – say less – like mozzarella bocconcini and house salted cod cheeks. After you're finished, you must pop next door to Gelupo, Bocca's gelataria. Simply bellissimo.  

Reserve a table at boccadilupo.com  

Legare, Bermondsey 

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Shad Thames is about as British as can be. The cobbled streets, the wharves on either side joined together by wooden walkways - remnants from an industrial bygone era. But precisely halfway down this Dickensian road lies one of the finest Italian restaurants in London. Legare is elevated yet simple Italian dining, and the pastas never, ever miss. A recent menu highlight is the cappelletti di zucca, swimming in brown butter, sage and pine nuts — perfect for mopping up with a nice chunk of focaccia. The staff here really know their wines, so do take their suggestions when pairing with your meal.

Book your visit to Legare via legarelondon.com 

Nina, Marylebone

The abundance of simple carbohydrates in London is nothing but good news. But it’d be naïve to say that the market is not saturated. So, when the fancy Pachamama group – famed for Mediterranean restaurants Zephyr and Bottarga – announced it was expanding into Italian cuisine, it was met with equal parts excitement (especially from the social media crowd) and trepidation (probably from the food snobs). Any apprehension, however, is misplaced. The restaurant itself is stunning, humming with expensive-looking patrons and is filled wall-to-wall with trendy antiques. This is not a style over substance situation though, and the food absolutely delivers. The cacio e pepe, topped with a confit duck yolk, is an elevated take on a Roman classic and has a decadent carbonara feel. The chicken Milanese served with a Parmesan butter is also sublime.  

Nina is not one to miss. Book through nina.london  

Il Gattopardo, Mayfair

There’s the glory of Mayfair and then there’s the all-out dazzling days of la dolce vita in the 1960s Italy. Il Gattopardo is a nostalgia point to just that, with little shying away as glittering chandeliers, glossy marble tops, plush furniture and – not to forget – a statement sculptured leopard (gattopardo) form the makings of its feasting theatre. Stop by the discreetly exotic garden terrace for an aperitivo of truffle or caviar pizzette, pungent sausage arancini and a Red Desert or Roman Holiday spritz, before tucking into the undoubtedly magnificent main event in the dining room. (Read our full review here).

Soak in the Sicilian decadence and book a table via gattopardo.restaurant/

Luca, Clerkenwell 

Rather unsuspectingly, on St John’s St, behind often-drawn café curtains, is Luca. What appears from the outside to be a quaint neighbourhood restaurant is in fact a multi-award-winning and Michelin-starred eatery. Executive Chef, Rob Chambers, is at the helm and is championing the “Britalian” style of the restaurant – influenced by his childhood growing up with his Italian grandparents, making tortelli in Campania. Using the best of British produce, the menu is a happy marriage of the two cultures – think rigatoni with ragu bianco and a winter vegetable tart. The best seats in the house are either at the bar, where you can expertly people-watch and enjoy the express menu, or on the gorgeous terrace, which is typically reserved for private dining, so bring a group.  

To taste the best of Britaly, book luca.restaurant

Pollini, Notting Hill

Set against the exquisitely formidable backdrop of Notting Hill’s Ladbroke Hall, Pollini boasts both culture and taste – values held in equal esteem to Italians. For the summertime, a stunningly verdant terrace unfolds outside where waiters waltz between white-clothed tables and vines climb the rustic brick wall. While we’re still embracing the cooler temperature, the interior is just as seductive, with a striking bubble chandelier ornament and vast, atmospheric abstract paintings complementing the elegantly composed white plates. The seasonal menu currently highights handmade tagliatelle with wild boar ragú or tagliolini with Umbrian black autumn truffle. It’s worth making an evening of it, lingering to explore Ladbroke Hall’s chiselled sculpture gallery or dropping in on one of its jazz and live music events. 

Waltz away a meal at Pollini and book through ladbrokehall.com

Sparrow, Mayfair 

Sparrow Italia is named after the dainty, chirpy bird evoking ‘joy’, ‘simplicity’ and ‘freedom of the soul’. It may be all those things, but what is certainly good for the soul is its decadent twists on Italian classics – as you find yourself striding between creamy truffle honey focaccia, tender parcels of bone marrow ravioli and sips of a Molise cocktail, with Italian chilli-infused tequila, watermelon, agave, yuzu, blood orange oleo and fire. An atmosphere of simple opulence shines through, as the Los Angeles-born restaurant glows with a resplendent bar, sleekly set tables and warm touch lamps to set the mood. The hedonistic nature peeps through the elegance, particularly as you wind your way to the top of the carpeted staircase and end your evening in the secret cigar room up top.

Learn more and book a table at Sparrow via sparrowitalia.com 

Il Maremmano, Brixton

Early evening is a big deal in Italy. The working day is behind you and it’s time to sit back, relax and dip into bruschetta and an Aperol with good company. In London, a (slightly) off-the-beaten-track spot is Tulse Hill’s local, Il Maremmano, where cosy red walls peppered with vintage Italian artwork make for an intimate and inviting atmosphere. The Taglieri board goes down a treat, as do the cocktails such as a Spicy Negroni – all plucked straight from the Mediterranean. With delights on the menu like slow-cooked wild boar, you might just find yourself staying the whole evening, too. 

Peruse the aperitivo or apericena (a blend of aperitivo and dinner) via ilmaremmano.com 

Trullo, Highbury 

If you haven’t at some point in the last 15 years heard of Trullo, your inner circle is doing you a disservice. Shame on them. It’s famed throughout London as one of the really good, nay best, authentic local Italians. The vibe is so relaxed, you could be in your own kitchen – although it’s undoubtedly cleaner and with better crockery – helped by the fact that you can see the chefs rolling out ribbons of golden, eggy pasta sheets. But just because there’s a homely feel, it does not mean that the quality or service is compromised. Everything is made to a mouth-wateringly high standard, and the staff are equal parts charming and helpful. Everyone comes for a beef shin ragu which is perfect for a weeknight bowl of pasta, Friday date, or a Sunday lunch. The 28-day aged chateaubriand is also sublime – they really know their beef – and served on a bed of (criminally underrated) polenta.  

Trundle over to Trullo trullorestaurant.com

Sale e Pepe, Knightsbridge  

Knightsbridge has had a tough few years when it comes to food. Spoiled, in part, by the arrival of the ridiculous Dubai transplant, Nusr-Et and co, it's often thought of as too much money without the quality to back it up. Sal e Pepe is the very antithesis of this. Established in the area as a celebrity haunt for over 50 years, it’s welcomed the great and the good – everyone from Priscilla Presley to Rod Stewart – and is a tried and tested institution. The food is, of course, stellar. Last year, Sal e Pepe was bought by Markus Thesleff, who deemed himself a “custodian of a legacy” and made the decision to elevate rather than innovate, opting to keep half the menu the same – fear not, fan favourites like the lobster linguine remain. But it’s the bar that is catching critics’ eyes with 70s cocktails galore.  

Sip and savour at Sal e Pepe saleepepe.co.uk

Campania, Shoreditch 

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You know you’ve ventured into East London when the plates start getting smaller and the décor begins to embody shabby chic. Campania is precisely that. Exposed brick, wood panelling, and leather-bound iron bar stools. Plus, may I say, a fantastic selection of small plates. Between the gnudi, the pumpkin ravioli, and the Napoletana antipasto, all bases are covered. For the hungrier among you, there are, of course, larger plates to choose from, with the langoustine risotto being a standout. It’s simple comfort food in a cosy environment – perfect for a wintry evening made more snug by the roaring log burner.  

Cosy up at Campania campaniaandjones.com

Sartoria, Mayfair  

We’ve arrived at the second Stanley Tucci recommendation, this time on the iconic Savile Row. Sartoria translates as “tailoring” in Italian and it’s clear from the name that every measure taken here is done so with the utmost precision and purpose and is perfectly executed. The curved, red tufted booth seats serve as a reminder that you're dining in a Mayfair institution. As do the white tablecloths, muslin-covered lemons, and suited staff. Small plates by day and elegant, classic Milanese dining by night, dishes range from simple staples to table-side spectacles. Classics for a reason, you’d be remiss not to try the carbonara, but it's the “per la tavola” sharing plates that steal the show. The real veal Milanese is truly vast and as thin and crisp as you’d like, and the Aubergine parmigiana tortelli drizzled in butter are pockets of pure joy.  

Sample Sartoria at sartoria-restaurant.co.uk