15 Best Italian Restaurants in London, UK

Last Updated on July 24, 2026 by Daniel Globe

London’s best Italian restaurants cover far more than pizza and pasta. You can choose a glamorous Mayfair dining room, a lively Soho counter, an affordable fresh-pasta bar, or a Michelin-starred restaurant for a special occasion. This guide compares 15 current Italian and Italian-inspired restaurants by location, cooking style, atmosphere, and booking method.

What Makes London’s Italian Restaurants Stand Out

London’s Italian dining scene reflects the diversity of Italy’s 20 regions. You can find northern Italian risotto, Roman pasta, Sicilian seafood, Venetian cicchetti, handmade filled pasta, and modern dishes built around British produce.

The strongest restaurants also have a clear identity. Bocca di Lupo explores regional cooking, Trullo focuses on a daily-changing seasonal menu, Manteca combines hand-rolled pasta with whole-animal butchery, and Padella keeps its attention on a short fresh-pasta menu. At the more formal end, Murano and The River Cafe combine Italian cooking with Michelin-star recognition.

The right restaurant depends on the experience you want, not simply which dining room has the longest menu or highest prices.

How to Pick the Right Italian Restaurant in London

Start with the type of meal you want. For a quick and reasonably priced pasta lunch, consider Padella or Noci. For sharing plates and an energetic room, look at Bocca di Lupo, Polpo, or Manteca. Cecconi’s, Carlotta, and Chucs suit a stylish night out, while Murano, The River Cafe, and Osteria Locatelli work well for a slower special-occasion meal.

Then check the booking system. Some restaurants accept advance reservations, while Padella Borough Market uses a virtual queue. Menus may also change daily or seasonally, so treat named dishes as examples rather than permanent promises.

Best Italian Restaurants in London Compared

1. Cecconi’s, Mayfair for Old-School Glamour

Cecconi’s Mayfair is a strong choice when you want classic Italian food in a polished, energetic dining room. The original Mayfair restaurant opened in 1978 and now serves all-day Northern Italian dishes, including cicchetti, pasta, seafood, and meat dishes.

The room suits celebrations, client lunches, drinks at the bar, and dressed-up evenings. Its central location and fashionable reputation also mean that peak dinner times can be busy.

• Best for: Glamorous dinners, brunch, and people-watching
• Cooking style: Modern Northern Italian classics
• Know before you go: Reserve ahead and check the current menu rather than relying on a single signature dish.

2. Bocca di Lupo, Soho for Regional Italian Plates

Bocca di Lupo explores the cooking of Italy’s 20 regions through dishes offered in different sizes. This makes it one of the most useful restaurants for diners who want to compare several regional traditions in one meal.

The open kitchen and chef’s counter give the restaurant a lively Soho atmosphere. Small and large portions make sharing easy, while the frequently updated menu keeps the experience seasonal.

• Best for: Regional variety, sharing, and pre-theatre dining
• Cooking style: Regional Italian
• Know before you go: Book early for popular times. The restaurant also keeps some seating for walk-ins.

Regional Italian Heritage

Italy is divided into 20 regions, each with its own ingredients and culinary traditions. Bocca di Lupo uses this diversity as the basis of its menu instead of treating Italian food as one uniform style.

Sharing Plate Variety

The option to order dishes in different sizes allows two or more diners to build a varied meal. Agree on dietary restrictions and how many dishes to share before ordering, especially when the table includes allergies or strong preferences.

Lively Soho Atmosphere

The counter offers a close view of the kitchen, while regular tables are better for a longer group meal. Its central Soho setting makes it convenient before theatre, but advance booking is sensible.

3. Chucs, Mayfair for Amalfi-Inspired Style

Chucs Mayfair combines Italian-inspired food with a compact dining room influenced by vintage yachts and the Amalfi Coast. The atmosphere is polished and intimate rather than rustic.

Menus can include pasta, risotto, pizza, seafood, salads, and aperitivo-style drinks. It works well for a stylish lunch or date when atmosphere matters as much as the food.

Amalfi-Inspired Interiors

Blond wood, polished brass, and vintage coastal images create the feel of an elegant Mediterranean escape. The original Mayfair restaurant is small, so reservations are useful.

Rosé and Italian-Inspired Plates

Aperitivi, Italian wines, pasta, and risotto fit the setting well, but menu details change. Check the current branch menu for specific dishes, dietary symbols, and set-menu availability.

4. The Italian Greyhound in Marylebone

The Italian Greyhound is an all-day neighborhood bar and dining room in Marylebone. Its modern Italian approach makes it suitable for a relaxed lunch, drinks, or dinner without the formality of a traditional fine-dining restaurant.

The menu and setting balance familiarity with a more contemporary London feel. This is a practical choice when you want central access, a comfortable room, and a meal that can be casual or celebratory.

• Best for: Relaxed dates, drinks, and neighborhood dining
• Cooking style: Modern Italian
• Know before you go: The restaurant promotes itself as dog-friendly, but contact the venue if you need a particular table or have an assistance requirement.

5. Daphne’s, Chelsea for Timeless Italian Dining

Daphne’s has served Italian food in the Chelsea and South Kensington area since 1964. Its dining rooms, bar, conservatory, and seasonal terrace give it a classic neighborhood atmosphere with a polished finish.

The menu follows a familiar Italian structure, moving from antipasti and handmade pasta or risotto to fish, seafood, meat, and desserts. Vegetarian and vegan menus are also published on the restaurant’s website.

• Best for: Family lunches, anniversaries, and elegant group meals
• Cooking style: Traditional and modern Italian dishes
• Know before you go: Do not assume pets are accepted in every dining area. Ask the restaurant directly before bringing one.

6. Trullo for Seasonal Pasta and British Produce

Trullo in Islington serves a short, seasonally focused Italian-inspired menu that changes daily. Handmade pasta is central to the restaurant, but the charcoal grill and carefully sourced meat, fish, and vegetables are also important.

The atmosphere is closer to a serious neighborhood trattoria than a formal Mayfair dining room. It works well when you want thoughtful cooking without elaborate presentation or a large permanent menu.

• Best for: Seasonal pasta, produce-led cooking, and intimate dinners
• Cooking style: Italian cooking shaped by British ingredients
• Know before you go: Check the same-day menu and reserve early.

7. Padella for Fresh Pasta at Accessible Prices

Padella focuses on fresh, hand-rolled pasta and simple sauces inspired by Italy. It now has branches at Borough Market, Shoreditch, and Soho.

The Borough Market restaurant does not accept normal reservations. Instead, diners join a virtual queue at the door or through the Dojo app. Shoreditch and Soho accept advance bookings and also accommodate walk-ins when space is available.

• Best for: Fresh pasta, casual meals, and stronger value than many central London restaurants
• Cooking style: Focused fresh-pasta bar
• Know before you go: Use the correct booking system for your chosen branch. The three locations do not operate identically.

8. Noci, Islington for Modern Italian Cooking

Noci Islington overlooks Islington Green and serves modern Italian food inspired by different parts of Italy. The menu began with a strong fresh-pasta focus but now reaches further into seasonal meat, fish, vegetable, and snack dishes.

Inventive Pasta Plates

Fresh pasta remains one of Noci’s main strengths. Sauces and shapes change, so check the current menu rather than visiting for one dish mentioned in an older review.

Stylish Islington Green Setting

The original Islington venue is close to Angel station, the Almeida Theatre, and Screen on the Green. Its relaxed room and drinks list suit both planned dinners and easier weeknight meals.

Weeknight Date Spot

Noci offers enough polish for a date without requiring a formal occasion. It also operates in Battersea, Shoreditch, and Richmond, so confirm that you are viewing the correct location and menu when booking.

9. Carlotta, Marylebone for Lively Italian-American Dining

Carlotta brings an energetic Italian-American style to Marylebone. The room uses bold colors, red leather, and theatrical design, while the menu favors generous, rich dishes designed for a social meal.

This is not the place for a quiet regional tasting menu. Choose it when you want a lively group dinner, cocktails, large-format dishes, and a room that feels part of the entertainment.

• Best for: Birthdays, groups, and energetic nights out
• Cooking style: Italian-American
• Know before you go: Portions and presentation can be generous, so ask how many people each dish is intended to serve.

10. Polpo, Soho for Venetian Sharing Plates

Polpo Soho is inspired by the informal bàcaro bars of Venice. Its cicchetti and small dishes make it a good choice for sharing, drinks, or a meal that does not need to follow a starter-main-dessert structure.

The exposed brick and close-set tables create a busy, casual atmosphere. It is especially useful when a group wants to order several dishes and taste a wider range of food.

• Best for: Cicchetti, casual sharing, and Soho evenings
• Cooking style: Venetian-inspired Italian
• Know before you go: Book for weekends or pre-theatre times.

11. Sartoria, Mayfair for Fine-Dining Italian

Sartoria sits on Savile Row and offers a polished Italian dining experience suited to business lunches, celebrations, and formal dinners. The restaurant serves breakfast on weekdays as well as lunch, dinner, and seasonal menus.

Its setting reflects the tailoring heritage of Savile Row, but it should not be described as Michelin-starred unless that status is officially awarded and current. Its appeal comes from the location, composed service, extensive menus, and formal atmosphere.

• Best for: Business dining and refined occasions
• Cooking style: Contemporary fine-dining Italian
• Know before you go: Check the current menu and opening days, particularly for weekend dining.

12. Osteria Locatelli at the National Gallery

Osteria Locatelli operates in the Sainsbury Wing of the National Gallery near Trafalgar Square. Giorgio and Plaxy Locatelli developed the restaurant in partnership with Searcys after the closure of the former Locanda Locatelli in January 2025.

The current restaurant serves seasonal Italian cooking, handmade pasta, crudi, desserts, and Italian wine. It is listed in the Michelin Guide, but the present venue should not be called Michelin-starred.

• Best for: Lunch after a gallery visit, solo dining, and central London occasions
• Cooking style: Seasonal regional Italian
• Know before you go: Do not confuse Osteria Locatelli with the closed Michelin-starred Locanda Locatelli.

13. Murano, Mayfair for Michelin-Starred British-Italian Cooking

Murano is Angela Hartnett’s Michelin-starred restaurant in Mayfair. Its cooking draws on her Italian heritage while using high-quality British produce and a contemporary seasonal approach.

The atmosphere is refined without being overly rigid. Murano is a strong option for an anniversary, milestone dinner, or long lunch when you want a Michelin-starred experience centered on Italian flavors.

• Best for: Special occasions and Michelin-starred dining
• Cooking style: Contemporary British-Italian
• Know before you go: Reservations are secured with card details, and cancellation terms may apply.

14. Manteca, Shoreditch for Nose-to-Tail Italian-Inspired Cooking

Manteca describes itself as a nose-to-tail Italian-inspired restaurant. It focuses on whole-animal butchery, hand-rolled pasta, fire-cooked cuts, wood-fired bread, and salumi made in-house.

The restaurant is a strong choice for diners who want modern technique and bold flavors rather than a strictly traditional trattoria menu. Sharing works well because pasta, salumi, vegetables, and larger meat dishes can be combined across the table.

• Best for: Adventurous groups, pasta, salumi, and fire-cooked meat
• Cooking style: Italian-inspired nose-to-tail cooking
• Know before you go: Tell the restaurant about dietary restrictions before ordering because the menu has a strong meat focus.

15. The River Cafe for Michelin-Starred Riverside Dining

The River Cafe has served seasonal Italian food beside the Thames since 1987. The Michelin-starred restaurant is known for a daily-changing menu, an open kitchen, and a riverside garden terrace.

Its cooking is ingredient-led and often combines Italian techniques with carefully sourced British and Italian produce. It is one of the most expensive choices in this guide, but it remains an important London restaurant for a long lunch or special dinner.

• Best for: Michelin-starred dining, riverside lunches, and major occasions
• Cooking style: Seasonal Italian
• Know before you go: Book well ahead. Terrace availability and weather can affect the experience.

A Note About Julie’s, Notting Hill

Julie’s appeared in the original version of this list, but it should not currently be counted as one of London’s best Italian restaurants. The restaurant reopened in 2024 and describes its food as modern French brasserie cooking.

Julie’s may still appeal if you want a glamorous Notting Hill restaurant with seafood, cocktails, and a long social history. However, diners specifically searching for Italian food should choose one of the 15 restaurants above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which are the best Italian restaurants in London?

Strong choices include Bocca di Lupo for regional dishes, Padella for fresh pasta, Trullo for seasonal cooking, Cecconi’s for Mayfair glamour, Manteca for nose-to-tail cooking, and Murano or The River Cafe for Michelin-starred dining.

Where can you find affordable fresh pasta in London?

Padella is one of the most accessible choices for hand-rolled pasta. Noci can also work for a more relaxed weeknight meal. Prices and set-menu offers change, so check the restaurant’s current menu before visiting.

Which London Italian restaurants have Michelin stars?

Murano and The River Cafe hold Michelin stars in the 2026 Michelin Guide. Osteria Locatelli at the National Gallery is listed in the guide but does not currently hold a star.

Do you need reservations for London’s Italian restaurants?

Reservations are strongly recommended for popular restaurants and weekend dinners. Padella Borough Market uses a virtual queue, while Padella Shoreditch and Soho accept reservations. Always check the individual venue’s current booking policy.

What is Kate Middleton’s favorite restaurant in London?

There is no dependable current public source confirming Kate Middleton’s favorite London restaurant. Older reports have linked her to Locanda Locatelli, but that restaurant closed permanently in January 2025, so the claim should not be presented as a verified current preference.

Is it rude not to finish your plate in Italy?

Not necessarily. Showing appreciation and avoiding obvious waste are polite, but you are not required to eat past the point of fullness. At a private home, a brief compliment or explanation is more considerate than forcing yourself to clear the plate.

What time do most people wake up in Italy?

There is no single reliable wake-up time for the whole country. Schedules vary by work, age, region, season, and family routine. The question is also unrelated to choosing an Italian restaurant in London.

Do London Italian restaurants offer vegan or gluten-free food?

Many offer vegetarian or vegan dishes, and some provide gluten-free pasta. However, shared kitchens may create cross-contact risks. Contact the restaurant directly before booking if you have coeliac disease or a serious allergy.

Conclusion

London offers Italian restaurants for almost every budget, neighborhood, and occasion. Padella and Noci suit relaxed pasta meals, Bocca di Lupo and Polpo work well for sharing, and Cecconi’s or Carlotta provide a more theatrical night out. For Michelin-starred dining, choose Murano or The River Cafe.

Before visiting, check the official menu, booking rules, opening hours, accessibility information, and cancellation policy. These details change more quickly than the restaurants’ broader style and reputation.

Sources

1. European Union: Italy country profile — confirms that Italy is divided into 20 regions.
2. Michelin Guide: Murano — confirms Murano’s current Michelin star.
3. Michelin Guide: The River Cafe — confirms its Michelin star and Italian classification.
4. The National Gallery — confirms the launch and location of the Locatelli restaurant project.
5. Padella Borough Market — confirms its virtual-queue system and current location details.
6. Julie’s official website — confirms that the current restaurant serves modern French brasserie cooking.