It's a favourite cuisine for Londoners; but when did Italian food first come to London? Italy may have had an influence in the UK since Roman times, but the first Italian grocers only really set up shop here in the 18th century. Clerkenwell and Soho then became the epicentre of Italian immigration as refugees fled from the Napoleonic wars - with both areas buzzing with Italian restaurants, cafes and delicatessens by the 1930s. But you're probably more interested in what's on offer nowadays, right?
Rustic and local? A buzzing atmosphere with authentic Neapolitan or Roman pizza? Quality ingredients spanning Parma ham, Tuscany's famous T-bone steaks (Bistecca alla Fiorentina) and the fabled San Marzano tomato? Find all this and more across our guide on the best Italian restaurants London has to offer, covering everything from notorious pasta places churning out the tastiest cacio e pepe to fine dining venues with Michelin stars and Michelin Guide-mentions.
Last edited by Lauren Cole
Last updated on 11th September 2024
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 accompaniments.
This place offers a taste of the Italian Riviera while canalside in London, all from the team behind Soho's Mele e Pere.
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 at restaurants 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.
Celebrated TV chef Theo Randall's eponymous restaurant can be found in Mayfair, making sure you get your fix it Italian fine dining that celebrates both the simplicity and robust flavours of Italian cooking. 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.
And if you're taking date night up a notch? Don't miss out on the restaurant's regularly held wine dinners that feature curated menus and pairings from top vineyards.
Sicilian chef Remo Mazzucato and his fifty years of experience are the brains behind Piazza Italiana. This beautiful pick of the best Italian restaurants near Liverpool Street is housed within the former British Linen Bank, featuring restored, original interiors from 1902 for the ultimate wow-factor.
Located on Threadneedle Street, it has a extensive wine list with over 40 options, as well as private dining rooms for a more intimate ambiance and everything from creamy black truffle pasta to ox cheek brûlée on the menu.
Vine Bar, an Italian tavern and delicatessen in the heart of St. George Wharf, takes after iconic Italian café culture and the famous Harry's Bar in Venice. While operating as a wine wholesaler, they also offer an authentic restaurant experience founded on the principles of using highest quality produce from English and Italian farmers.
Think live music on weekends, the finest wine, and everything from rich tomato meatball gnocchi to whole sea bream on the menu.
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 or enjoying a tasting, you can't go wrong with a trip here.
We'd especially recommend the lunchtime deal, which sees you grab a main and glass of house wine for just £16 on weekdays, and two hours of unlimited prosecco for only £25 each when you spend £15 or more on food.
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.
If you're craving traditional Italian food in a gorgeous setting, then head to Bocconcino. This luxury pick of Italian restaurants in Mayfair whips up a glorious range of plates inspired by a range of regions and head chef Marco Corsica's childhood memories of the Mediterranean coast, from burrata to lobster linguine.
The space here is stunning, filled with marble floors, winding staircases and statement columns. While the ground floor is inspired by trattorias in Italy, downstairs takes the ambience up a notch with live music.
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 meals around, venture to Alba Trattoria in Wanstead. Not only does this independent restaurant have a mouthwatering menu centred around seasonal Italian food, but also laid-back vibes and homely feels alongside small batch Italian wine.
Dishes like 48-hour proved pizzas, lots of creamy burrata and pasta that's hand made every day are the main winners here. What's more, you can grab a two-course lunch for £14.50 on weekdays.
Mele E Pere is a Soho staple, serving up homemade pasta and 48-hour proved pizza alongside the finest steaks with beef from British suppliers. This independent basement restaurant is also famed for its wide array of cocktails, which can both accompany your meal or be a draw in their own right, including London's largest collection of vermouth found behind a gorgeous copper bar.
When it comes to Mayfair's dreamiest spots for Italian food, Tosi Gorgonzola Bar has to be right up there for quality Italian produce paired with fine wine. Think cheese and charcuterie boards accompanying raw dishes like truffle beef, oysters and salmon tartare, alongside plenty of the signature Tosi Gorgonzola DOP for an authentic taste of Italy.
Plus, the location here is pretty unique too, as the restaurant sits in a strikingly renovated garage - a unique beginning for a venue that houses this seasoned cheese producer's stunning wine bar.
Terra Terra is an absolutely stunning spot on Finchley Road, sporting simple interiors covered in plants and a gorgeous terrace too. The focus here is on seasonal produce, mastering the art of simple yet sensational dishes that let each ingredient shine. Think tomahawk 28-day dry-aged organic steak to share, alongside arancini, fresh pasta, pizzas and set menus starting at just £35.
One of the most pretty 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 known for epic lemon meringue pie slices and burrata like you've never had before.
Topping it off? The Sicilian trattoria look brings white walls, row upon row of vintage bottles and pretty foliage dangling from the ceiling - all adding to the vibrancy of your meal.
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 British chef-restaurateur Stevie Parle is taking affordable pasta next level, all of which is hand made on site and topped off by seasonal ingredients.
There's a famous sharing lobster linguine for two and 'rhubarbmisu' for a fresh, fruity take on the classic Italian dessert.
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Il Pampero is a sleek Italian eatery found within The Hari hotel in the Belgravia neighbourhood. Offering a luxurious drinking and dining experience, this place combines traditional flavours and modern cuisine, which is in-keeping with the Italian chic yet vintage look.
Think bold Vespa-green, heritage fabrics and soft leather across the space, all creating an ambience to thoroughly enjoy while dining on pan-roasted seabass fillet with courgette cream and clams or pasta in a spicy Calabrian 'nduja ragù. Choose to accompany your meal with something from the extensive negroni menu in the evening or bottomless drinks at brunch.
Spread across an impressive four floors, Jacuzzi is an Instagram-worthy Italian restaurant located in Kensington - Big Mamma's first venture into West London. The venue is spread across a huge 4,000 square foot space with 170 seats, featuring a trove of Italian treasures like Roman statues and Murano glass chandeliers.
Expect a next-level grill section filled with the most succulent steaks, alongside a backbone of Italian produce promising Sicilian gambero rosso, Italian white sturgeon Transmontanus caviar from Veneto, and more. Of course, creamy risotto and signature pasta dishes also feature.
Searching for the best Michelin star Italian restaurants in London? Found in Farringdon, Luca is a destination that specialises in small plates made from the finest British and Italian ingredients with the premium wine list to match.
Seasonal produce here includes everything from Orkney scallops to Cornish turbot and Hebridean lamb, creating a menu that's rife with traditional flavours from Italy while also bending the rules in a contemporary way. As well as the main dining space, there's a stunning terrace and a marble-topped bar for homemade limoncello and vermouth-heavy cocktails.
After the best Italian restaurant London has to offer? With a Michelin star to its name, Murano is the Mayfair flagship location from Angela Hartnett - one inspired by her mother and grandmother's love of humble cooking.
There's a relaxed vibe and a menu that takes inspiration from the Northern regions of Italy across sea trout, rabbit and Morteau sausage risotto, and rose veal, langoustine and white asparagus dishes, all washed down by fine Italian vintages.
No guide to Italian restaurants would be complete without Sale E Pepe; the Knightsbridge institution that's stood just a stone's throw from Harrods since 1974.
Their 50 years in the business, which now continues to be inspired by founder Toni despite his retirement, culminates in the ultimate experience in Italian hospitality - with a modern yet timeless look mirroring Milanese townhouses to match. Dig into specialties like bone-in veal chop, lobster linguine and salt-baked whole seabass.
Hunting for Italian restaurants near London Bridge? Having received a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand, Legare is a strong choice. The neighbourhood spot on Shad Thames is a contemporary gem - thanks to its fresh, seasonal dishes. Small Italian producers are at the fore of the wine list, while the food menu itself is classically based, reasonably priced and robust with flavour.
Head to the cosy restaurant and you'll find a dining room that blends seamlessly with the kitchen, so you can watch all the cooking action while tucking into handmade mushroom and leek ravioli in Madeira sauce, monkfish tail with borlotti beans and a wild garlic dressing, and whole rack of lamb served alongside fondant potatoes.
Bancone is one of the sleekest Italian restaurants in Covent Garden that's all about pasta, pasta and more pasta. Buzzing and informal, yet with a Michelin Bib Gourmand to its name, the venue promises mouthwatering dishes.
Munch spicy pork with nduja ragù for £14 and roasted pumpkin ravioli with oyster mushroom and sage brown butter for £16. Although the signature 'silk handkerchiefs' with walnut butter and confit egg yolk are still hailed the best of the lot.
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 at their Borough Market location.
You may have to queue at this walk-in only spot, but the virtual queue will let you wander around the area a bit while you wait. Regardless, it'll be worth it when you manage to grab a table and watch the pasta here be hand-rolled.
Gloria is a Shoreditch favourite, flaunting the Big Mamma personality we all know and love in London. Most recognisable for its plant-covered exteriors, the restaurant's Instagrammable look continues inside with Capri-inspired 70s decor.
You'll also be taking snaps of the food, such as giant cheese wheels filled with creamy pasta and slices of lemon meringue pie that are bigger than your head. One of the best affordable Italian restaurants in London? We know so.
LARDO is a stylish bar and restaurant in Hackney, offering a twist on the classic pizzeria that's made it a local (and London-wide) favourite. 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.
Their signature carbonara pizza is a must, as is the similarly white based potato, confit garlic and gorgonzola piccante number - although don't miss out on the pappardelle with beef shin ragu either. This is undoubtedly one of the finest Italian restaurants London has in store.
Spread across a three-floor townhouse in Fitzrovia, Norma is a stylish Sicilian-inspired restaurant that pays particular attention to the Moorish and North African influences on food from the island.
Grand Cafe culture and old-school Italian hospitality is strong here, so you can expect family-sized sharing plates, Sunday lunches and a warm welcome. Dishes span rabbit saddle with king oyster mushroom and prosciutto, skate wing in nduja butter, and aubergine parmigiana.
Situated right by Battersea Power Station, D&D London's Fiume is always a winner when it comes to wood-fired pizza and freshly made pasta dishes. This venue sits on the banks of Thames at Circus West Village within Battersea Power Station, offering a gorgeous Italian restaurant as well as a terrace filled with lemon and olive trees.
You'll get to try Roman-style pizzas (pinsa), plus pan-fried veal cutlet, sausage and mushroom ragu gnocchi and rich burrata starters.
Serving up breakfast, lunch and dinner all week long, Canto Corvino is a cool Italian restaurant located in Spitalfields - with low-key vibes just moments from the market. The warehouse-inspired aesthetic pairs perfectly with delicious eats like lobster ravioli, chicken Milanese, and 40 day dry-aged rump steak cooked on a natural lump wood charcoal grill.
To watch great pasta being made right before your eyes? Officina 00 is a Shoreditch venue with a menu inspired by traditional dishes from different regions all across Italy, serving traditional Sorrentino sourdough bread, filled ravioli and wine on tap or by the bottle.
This welcoming restaurant has an open kitchen for a laid-back yet bustling feel, plus homemade limoncello inspired by the Amalfi coast.
Just moments away from Coal Drops Yard and Granary Square, you can find Lina Stores in King's Cross's last remaining heritage building. With over 75 years of experience in serving up quality meals, this is an Italian institution as we live and breath, with locations in King's Cross, Clapham and more adding to the original Soho venue over those many years.
The relaxed restaurant is decked out in calming blue furnishings alongside a mix of counter and dining room seating, fronting a menu of delicious fresh pasta, aubergine parmigiana and chicken Milanese.
In collaboration with food waste management start-ups and sustainable farming initiatives, Sorella (meaning 'sister') in Clapham aims to produce mouthwatering meals without harming the planet. This restaurant is from the same team as was behind The Dairy and Counter Culture, so expect seasonal ingredients in dishes like truffle arancini or venison pappardelle, as well as a range of homemade liqueurs.
Fresh pasta and focaccia are made in-house each day, while the bar focuses on traditional aperitivo with seasonal bellinis and Vault Vermouth negronis on tap.
Expanding from the iconic Soho location to Chelsea as well, Polpo is a Venetian-inspired restaurant centred around cicheti (Venetian snacks) followed by larger dishes like pasta or pizzettes - all of which are shared around the table.
Using British and Italian ingredients that change with the seasons, menus here see you tucking into meals like rump steak with green pepper sauce, prawn and fennel crostino, and octopus on a bed of fava bean puree.
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.
A stylish Italian eatery in Shoreditch, Cecconi's flaunts traditional trattoria vibes with a contemporary London twist - adding to their original Mayfair restaurant. Think marble-topped tables, tiled floors and warm lighting, ideal for a chilled meal out with friends.
Alongside an extensive wine list, their menu is the home of Northern Italian cicchetti, wood-fired pizza and pasta, featuring the likes of beef carpaccio, lobster spaghetti, and a range of tasty brunch dishes as well.
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.
Focusing on regional dishes, including those from Puglia, Rome, Tuscany and Calabria, Bocca Di Lupo is a top choice of traditional Italian restaurants in London - with its popularity showing no signs of slowing down. Celebrities visit regularly, the space is always buzzing and the menu changes on a regular basis so no two visits are the same, while a list of exclusively Italian wines backs up the already delicious food.
Pre-booking a table here is a must, so you can get your lips around Roman anchovy-stuffed sage leaf fritti, Venetian Amberjack carpaccio with orange and rosemary oil, and lemon and rosemary chicken scaloppine inspired by 'Mamma'.
With a nose to tail approach to Italian cooking and a penchant for hand-rolled pasta, Manteca is a much-loved restaurant that combines many traditional elements of Italian food with its super contemporary look.
The Shoreditch hotspot started off as a Mayfair pop-up from Chris Lech from Petersham Nurseries and Sagar + Wilde and Smokestak's David Carter, before finding permanent digs in East London. It quickly earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand and continues to impress now, serving slow-cooked hogget shoulder with preserved wild garlic, 'nduja steamed mussels and blue fin tuna Bolognese.
Fusion fare is taking over the city, and Italian-American has got to be one of the best and most popular right now. 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.
