Top-notch pizzerias, vibrant aperitivo joints, and fine-dining gems: when it comes to Italian cuisine, London has a diverse and exciting restaurant scene. Whether you’re looking for an intimate Italian wine bar for a cosy date night, a family-friendly spot for a pizza party or a laid-back pasta bar with river views, the best Italian restaurants in London promise good times and lively vibes.
Housemade pasta is served in comforting rich sauces at an iconic establishment in east London, and a stellar pizzeria delights the locals of elegant Mayfair with wood-oven baked pizza. Take your taste buds on a journey from Venice to Sardinia and explore the lively and intimate atmosphere of Italian dining to experience the real essence of la dolce vita. The best Italian restaurants in London come in the form of authentic trattorias, aperitivo hangouts and family-run neighbourhood gems.
That’s just a small taste of what the dynamic London Italian restaurant scene has to offer. Beat the queues and book your seats at the best Italian restaurants in London on OpenTable now.
The best Italian restaurants in London for exceptional food and vibes – check out the full guide
For one of the best Italian restaurants in central London for pre-theatre dining – start your night at Margot Restaurant in Covent Garden
Celebrating the timeless elegance and charm of Italian design, Margot Restaurant is a beautiful venue and one of the best Italian restaurants in London. The Covent Garden location makes this an ideal choice for pre-theatre dining, with two and three-course set menus available specifically for this. Start with a warm octopus salad with parsley and sun-dried tomatoes, then perhaps enjoy chicken breast with olives and capers in a red wine sauce, or a seafood risotto with mussels and tiger prawns in bisque. For special occasions, private dining is also available for up to 32 guests in a stunning VIP room. Expect marble flooring, warm polished brass accents and rich green hues, topped with a bespoke deco light feature within the domed ceiling.
For one of the best Italian restaurants in London for bottomless brunch – get the party started at La Nonna Pasta Fresca in Brixton
La Nonna Pasta Fresca brings traditional artisanal pasta directly from Italy into the heart of Brixton. Discover freshly prepared pasta dishes influenced by classic Roman family recipes, alongside more innovative daily specials. Pair these with Italian-inspired cocktails, beers and organic wines and enjoy while watching the action in the open kitchen. The focus is on top-quality seasonal produce from both Italy and the UK, prepared with passion and served with love. Showstopping dishes include the pappardelle al ragu with eight-hour cooked, melt-in-the-mouth beef short rib in a beef jus, and the agnolotti alla zucca mantovana – ravioli stuffed with pumpkin, leeks and ricotta with a sage butter and amaretti crumb. On Saturdays, there are two bottomless brunch sessions, where you can enjoy three starters for the table, a choice of pasta for the main and 90 minutes of bottomless prosecco, all for just £45 per person.
For one of the best pasta restaurants in London – try Officina 00 in Fitzrovia, Old Street and Covent Garden
Officina 00 boasts three locations in London—Fitzrovia, Old Street, and the newly opened Covent Garden—each offering the same commitment to quality and a great ambiance.Rich and flavourful pasta is at the heart of the philosophy – the restaurant also runs pasta masterclass workshops for those that want to learn more about how to craft hand-made pasta in true Italian style. Whether you want to make your own artisanal pasta or simply indulge in eating some, this is one of the best Italian restaurants in London for enjoying this staple. The menu changes seasonally, with recent highlights including panko lasagne with truffle and aioli, occhi with pork neck, prosciutto and aged parsley pesto, and spaghetti Maradona with anchovies, garlic and chilli. Gluten free pastas are also available on request.
📍 Fitzrovia — Check availability
📍 Old Street — Check availability
📍 Covent Garden — Check availability
For an Italian fine dining experience – treat yourselves to 2 Veneti in Oxford Street
In the heart of Marylebone lies a window to the soul of Venice. At 2 Veneti, you can expect nothing but the best dishes influenced by Venetian history and cuisine, in a bright and modern interior that draws upon the Italian style of today. Understatedly elegant and with a decidedly Mediterranean vibe, influenced by the former capital of the republic as formed after the fall of the Roman Empire. Intimate tables make this an ideal spot for a romantic date night or a business lunch where discussions must be kept discreet. While the menu alters with the seasons, recent highlights have included whipped salted cod – a Venetian specialty served with grilled polenta and fried capers – and grilled calves’ liver with a Marsala sauce and French beans. Add a crisp glass of chardonnay from Monsanto or a rich Pinot Nero from Girlan to complement your meal.
For two of the best Italian restaurants in London for pasta and pizza – get the Italian experience at Eataly – Pasta e Pizza and Terra by Carlo Cracco in Liverpool Street
In summer, take your meal al fresco on the Terrazza, open on warmer days and evenings with an Aperol Spritz van offering views over East London, or book a seat at Terra by Carlo Cracco for simple yet delicious wood-fired dining. For any other day of the year, simply head to Eataly – Pasta e Pizza, where you are guaranteed perfectly al dente pasta made from scratch every day, and pizzas crafted from dough leavened for 50 hours to get you that magical fluffy yet chewy texture the Italians swear by. And with bottomless pizza for just £20 every Sunday, you can really fill your boots. Try the hand-stretched flatbread with rosemary and garlic olive oil to start, followed by a platter of cured meats and cheeses. Next choose your pizza or pasta, with sauces made in-house and a range of toppings and fillings including the showstopping pork cheek guanciale with a carbonara sauce.
For a romantic date night at a neighbourhood gem loved by locals – cosy on up at Vasco & Piero’s Pavilion Restaurant in Soho
A much-beloved neighbourhood gem, Vasco & Piero’s Pavilion Restaurant was until recently run by its chef patron, who worked with passion until he passed away in his 90s. Today his son Paul has taken the helm, honouring the legacy of his father and maintaining the same high quality of food and ambience that made the restaurant so well loved over the years. A change of location in 2021 brought new hand-made interiors from a celebrated Italian designer, alongside artwork from Umbrian celebrity Giampaolo Tomassetti, incorporating a modern ambience combined with those nods to traditionalism that the restaurant has respected for over half a century. For parties of 12 or more, private dining options are available, with a set three-course menu and wine list for as many as 85 guests. No matter the size of your party and the fact that the menu changes regularly, you can expect dishes such as Venetian sardines marinated in juniper berries, hand-made ravioli with smoked salmon and mascarpone, and baked Tuscan sausages with pancetta, lentils and Umbrian truffles.
For special occasions – book at Cecconi’s in Mayfair, Bank, and Shoreditch
Located in Mayfair, Bank, and Shoreditch, Cecconi’s is a grand Italian brasserie with a difference. Serving up ‘cicchetti’, an Italian-style tapas, diners can sample a range of traditional dishes, from quail eggs and polenta with oxtail, to tuna tartare and beef carpaccio, making it the perfect spot for those looking for a fun meal with friends. For a heartier option, feast on superb housemade pasta such as crab ravioli, plus mains including veal Milanese and branzino with olives and tomatoes, all straight from Italy. Cecconi’s modern-day take on Italian cuisine is perfectly complemented by the restaurant’s smart decor, with gleaming marble floors and starched white tablecloths. Whether it’s for breakfast, brunch, or dinner, Cecconi’s serves up perfectly executed classic dishes throughout the day, making it a firm favourite with diners across the capital. With an extensive wine list, as well as a cocktail list that has all the old favourites, such as refreshing negronis, it’s the perfect place to while away the hours in style.
📍 Mayfair — Check availability
📍 Bank — Check availability
📍 Shoreditch — Check availability
For a fun night out – check out Bocconcino in Mayfair and Soho
Whether you want to enjoy a romantic meal with someone special or a fun-filled evening of food and live music, Bocconcino – with locations in Mayfair and Soho – has you covered. Weekends start early here, with the restaurant’s resident DJ ramping up the tunes on Wednesdays, while from Thursday to Saturday meals are accompanied by toe-tapping live performances. Inspiration for the menu is taken from across Italy and has been created by head chef Marco Corsica, a master of Italian cuisine. Start with homemade linguine before moving onto a classic pizza straight from the wood oven or one of the freshly sourced seafood dishes, such as salmon fillet. Sit back and enjoy the entertainment with a glass of wine or a bespoke cocktail designed by the resident mixologist. For the same great quality food in a more relaxed environment, head to Osteria Del Mare, where acclaimed chef Matteo Massafra showcases some of the finest Italian-style seafood dishes in town. Or grab a bottomless brunch on Saturdays, or choose from buffet-style experiences or the three-course set menu.
For homemade pasta at one of the best lunch spots in London – head over to Emilia’s Crafted Pasta in Aldgate, St Katharine Docks, Wood Wharf and Marylebone
One of the best pasta restaurants in London is undeniably Emilia’s Crafted Pasta, which was inspired by founder Andrew Macleod’s extensive travels around the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. The homemade pasta is all made and prepared from scratch each morning, and each one is paired with a mouth-watering sauce made from fresh ingredients, from housemade pistachio and basil pesto with sautéed cherry tomatoes to truffled cacio e pepe. Find your nearest Emilia’s Crafted Pasta across London with locations in Aldgate, St Katharine Docks, Wood Wharf, and an exciting new opening in Marylebone, Baker Street. Reminiscent of the country’s bustling trattorias, each restaurant uses natural light and terracotta-plastered walls to recreate the ambience you would expect from a traditional Italian joint. The interiors have been carefully designed to ensure every diner has a great view of the chefs making the restaurant’s famous fresh pasta – a thoughtful touch.
📍 Aldgate — Check availability
📍 St Katharine Docks — Check availability
📍 Wood Wharf — Check availability
📍 Marylebone — Check availability
For one of the best Italian lunch and dinner spots in London – head to Harry’s in Knightsbridge, Victoria, Marylebone and King’s Cross
Contemporary Italian cuisine meets classic flair at Harry’s, a vibrant restaurant inspired by the glitz and glamour of the 1950s and ’60s Sardinia. With locations in Knightsbridge, Victoria, Marylebone—and a newly-opened King’s Cross branch—Harry’s offers a menu crafted by featuring signature tagliolini, fresh seafood, and speciality pizzas made with 72-hour proved dough. Ingredients are carefully sourced from top Italian suppliers, including a house olive oil from organic Maremma olives. Perfect for lunch, brunch, and outdoor dining, the restaurant boasts a stylish streetside terrace and an elegant Italian decor with Murano glass lights, brass-framed Venetian mirrors, and warm oak panelling— a luxurious setting that calls for lively lunches and evening special occasions.
📍 Knightsbridge — Check availability
📍 Victoria — Check availability
📍 Marylebone — Check availability
📍 King’s Cross — Check availability
For one of the best Italian restaurants in Central London – visit FAROS in Oxford Circus and Holborn
Located in the heart of the capital, at both Oxford Circus and Holborn, FAROS combines a modern blend of Mediterranean and Italian cuisine with some of the classic dishes that are the heart and soul of any Italian restaurant. From wood-oven pizzas to the perfectly al-dente pasta, like the must-try truffle ravioli filled with ricotta and mascarpone cheese and topped with fresh truffle, comfort meets elegance in a lively, casual setting ideal for a lunch break with friends and family. The extensive cocktail list offers some of the best-known drinks associated with Italy, from Aperol spritz to negroni, transporting diners to an Italian terrazza at the very first sip. Don’t miss the Flavours of the Sun cocktail, made with lemon gin, Cointreau, and orange marmalade, which sums up the ethos of the restaurant in one zesty glass.
📍 Oxford Circus — Check availability
📍 Holborn — Check availability
For one of the best affordable Italian restaurants in Soho, London – don’t miss Forty Dean Street in Soho
If you’re after affordable Italian cuisine in the heart of buzzy Soho, look no further than Forty Dean Street. This small, family-run restaurant delivers on both flavour and budget, and more than deserves its place as one of the best Italian restaurants in London. The menu focuses on fresh ingredients and seasonal produce, with favourite dishes including chicken risotto, served with saffron and asparagus tips, and seafood linguine, which comes with cherry tomatoes, bisque and brandy sauce. For classic Italian fare, go for the comforting pizza or pasta, or prefer a chef’s special from the grill, like the sea bass with prawns. There’s also a temptingly comprehensive dessert menu, with the must-try pistachio tiramisu. For those already in love with Forty Dean Street, newly opened sister venue 64 Old Compton Street is also well worth a visit – the same family vibe and commitment to excellent food at affordable prices. And as a dog-friendly restaurant, you really can take the whole family.
For one of the best Italian restaurants in Marylebone – try The Italian Greyhound in Marylebone
Find The Italian Greyhound in elegant Marylebone. The restaurant gives off a tranquil and laidback vibe, with soothing neutral tones and natural oak tables. Prawn and crab ravioli, accompanied by a prosecco and tarragon butter sauce, is one of the highlights on the main menu. The Italian Greyhound also offers a range of superb sharing dishes, with tiger prawns, tomato and homemade focaccia, and pumpkin and gorgonzola arancini just some of the favourites. The bar and terrace here have been designed for drinking, grazing and unwinding, so after you’ve finished your meal it’s time to turn to the extensive drinks menu. Showcasing classic cocktails and Italian aperitivos, as well as a comprehensive wine list to work through, it’s dangerously easy to lose track of time here.
For one of the best Italian restaurants in London for groups – take a trip to TOZI in Victoria
TOZI Victoria is one of the best Italian restaurants in London, specialising in serving Venetian cicchetti (small sharing plates) for a more intimate experience. Drawing inspiration from the casual dining of the Veneto region, this restaurant puts a lot of emphasis on sourcing ingredients from the finest Italian producers. With its welcoming ambience and wide range of inventive dishes, it’s ideal for romantic meals, first dates, or groups of friends. The menu here varies depending on the season, so you’ll be able to enjoy an ever-changing array of dishes. Recent crowd-pleasers have included the lobster linguine with garlic and chilli to share, and the maccheroni, duck and girolles ragout with smoked ricotta. The drinks menu is just as impressive, packed full of cocktails, wines and bubbles to get everyone in a celebratory mood. The pre-theatre menu for two or more people includes a selection of appetizers and entrees for the table, followed by an almond and fig tart with vanilla ice-cream. And if you’re in Battersea, sister venue TOZI Pizzeria & Cicchetti Bar serves up signature small plates with the same great commitment to quality and a bustling family vibe.
One of the best things about Italian food is that there’s something for everyone. This comprehensive list of the best Italian restaurants in London covers all the bases, whether you want to grab a budget-friendly bite or book in for a high-end dining experience. From classic pizzas and authentic pasta dishes to Italian fine dining from one of the most revered culinary cultures in the world, and with cocktails and desserts to complete the experience, London’s thriving Italian food scene is just waiting to be discovered.
Try one of these restaurants for yourself. Book your table at the best Italian restaurants in London on OpenTable now.
If you want to check out more places to eat in London, take a look at these restaurant guides:
- The best brunch spots in London for great mornings and fun weekends
- The best Sunday roasts in London for a memorable meal out
- 10 of the best bakeries in London for delicious pastries and cakes
- 12 must-visit restaurants for the best breakfast in London
- 12 of the best dog-friendly restaurants in London
- The best tasting menus in London await at these stellar restaurants
- The 10 best Asian restaurants in London to book right now
- The best restaurants for groups in London to book for a memorable get-together
- 12 dazzling fine-dining restaurants in London
- 11 bottomless brunches in London worth getting out of bed for
- Londoners can’t get enough of these 13 Japanese restaurants
- London’s 12 best bars
