08 Oct 2024
The best Italian restaurants in London
There isn’t a more popular and beloved food than Italian. From classics like carbonara to sweet treats like tiramisu, Italian cuisine has something to everyone’s liking. With choices being so vast, it might be tricky to find the perfect place. Luckily though, we got you covered – check out our guide to the best Italian restaurants in London.
Nestled in the heart of the City of London, Adriatic Bar & Restaurant offers a sophisticated yet relaxed dining experience. Specialising in modern Italian cuisine with a nod to traditional Mediterranean influences, it boasts a well-curated à la carte menu alongside an impressive wine list. Known for its warm hospitality, Adriatic is perfect for business lunches or intimate evening meals. Its central location on Mitre Street makes it easily accessible, with private dining options available for special events. Expect high-quality Italian fare in a stylish, contemporary setting.
Pastaio, located on Ganton Street near London’s vibrant Carnaby area, offers an exciting and casual pasta experience led by celebrated British chef Stevie Parle. Focused on sustainability and affordability, the restaurant’s menu features hand-rolled pasta dishes made fresh daily. With a laid-back atmosphere, communal seating, and a commitment to using responsibly sourced ingredients, Pastaio is a fantastic option for those seeking authentic Italian food in a lively environment. Perfect for families, groups, or solo diners, Pastaio blends quality with comfort in the heart of the city.
31Below on Marylebone High Street earns its place in a guide to London’s best Italian restaurants not because it strictly adheres to Italian cuisine, but for its exceptional ability to deliver standout Italian-inspired dishes. Though its menu spans European delicacies, 31Below excels in creating some of the finest antipasti and burrata in the city, earning it a devoted following among Italian food enthusiasts. The burrata is especially notable, offering a creamy, indulgent experience that rivals more traditional Italian establishments. With a warm, laid-back atmosphere, 31Below seamlessly blends the best of European and Italian dining.
Reform Social & Grill at the Mandeville Hotel is an unexpected yet deserving inclusion in a guide to London’s best Italian restaurants. Though known for its expertise in grilled dishes, it stands out for its fantastic Pasta “A bottega,” which elevates the dining experience with a customisable Italian touch. Diners can craft their perfect pasta dish by choosing from a variety of fresh pasta types, sauces, proteins and vegetables, allowing for a personalised and indulgent meal. This interactive and flavourful take on Italian cuisine has earned Reform Social & Grill a spot among the city’s top Italian-inspired dining destinations.
Da Paolo is the Italian restaurant where you want to take your kids. This traditional Italian restaurant, reputed as “A village restaurant in the heart of London”, prides itself on its ‘family-run’ feel, yet maintains an air of professionalism when it comes to the service and the authenticity of the food. It feels like home – if Italy is where you’re from! It offers the kind of meals a mother would be proud of anyway. Menu highlights include Crab Meat and Prawns Salad, Risotto Salsiccia and Barolo, Pappardelle with duck meat and sage, Whole Grilled Seabass, and a Prime Scottish Beef Filet with blue cheese, while the traditional tiramisu is a must try.
Sanzio in Willesden Green offers uncomplicated dishes from the seaside of the Adriatic Sea, which are always fresh and seasonal. Here you’ll find a relaxing, old-world atmosphere where you can chill with friends over a carafe of wine and a plate of antipasti, while waiting for plates of delicious Southern Italian fare. On the board of daily specials, you might find anything from Baked Sicilian Squid with parsley to Baked Pepperoni Sausages with Chianti, honey and fresh thyme served with toasted ciabatta.
Flat Earth Pizzas proudly offers a new style of pizza. Here you’ll discover the dough is made with a mix of Gilchester’s Organic heritage grain flour and Wildfarmed. It’s not refined or processed resulting in a healthier base for the pizzas. The grains have been farmed responsibly, avoiding any harm to the soil. Meanwhile, the ingredients are sourced locally, where possible, and with the seasons, reducing the carbon footprint and air miles from imported produce. Veg takes centre stage encouraging you to reduce your meat intake without feeling like you are missing out on the sustenance or flavour that people associate with meat. These guys are also proudly zero to landfill and any small amount of unavoidable food waste is turned into fertiliser for local farms.