26 of the best Italian restaurants in London

Whether you're in search of traditional pizzerias, fine-dining Mayfair restaurants or buzzy Soho eateries, read the Bazaar guide to the best places for excellent Italian cuisine.

When accomplished culinary duo, Smokestak founder David Carter and former Kitty Fisher’s chef, Chris Leach, opened a residency at 10 Heddon Street, critics raved about its excellent fresh pasta and rightfully so. With the pop-up now closed, thankfully the pair has opened a permanent home in the form of Manteca in Soho, which serves some of the same dishes from its former menu - including the mouthwatering nduja steamed mussels with cream and parsley. In terms of pastas, order the tonnarelli with brown crab and cacio e pepe, or the rigatoni with kale sauce and coated in parmesan. Meat-lovers should try the porchetta cooked with lemon and rosemary. With Italian restaurants popping up at a rate of knots in central London, Manteca is a standout affordable classic.

Manteca, 58-59 Great Marlborough Street, WIF 7JY

The arrival of Eataly - a sprawling 42,000 square-foot Italian market and dining concept next to Liverpool Street station - has come with much fanfare and deservedly so. Queues of Italians and Italy obsessives form lines around the building every weekend as they clamour to browse the impressive array of culinary products on offer, whether perfect pasta sauces, tomatoes the size of your hand or mouthwatering cannoli. Eataly already housed one restaurant, positioned outside on its undercover terrace, but has since introduced another dining spot - Pasta e Pizza, which offers what its name suggests. A meal here proves exactly why these two culinary staples are the most famous Italian exports - produce is high quality and the dishes simple; think colourful caprese salads, creamy burrata served with artichoke and generous platters of cheeses and salamis. Pasta is either freshly made in the kitchen or from Gragnano in Campania, an area celebrated for its air-dried, bronze-extruded pasta. Treat yourself to the homemade tagliolini with butter, Parmigiano Reggiano DOP and seasonal, fresh black truffle - you won’t regret it.

Eataly, 135 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 3YD

Ave Mario is the latest export from the Big Mamma Group, following in the wake of their two huge London success stories - Gloria and Circolo Popolare (more on those later). The vibrant site in Covent Garden is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the stomach, with bold interiors, playful fruit- and vegetable-themed crockery, and neon-lit toilets that were surely designed with Instagram in mind. But while the surroundings might be all about the fun, the food is serious business; you won't regret ordering the burrata with fresh truffle, the melting aubergine parmigiana, the cheesy potato crocchettes with caviar, or the giant carbonara ravioli. Wash it down with a cocktail from the monthly-changing menu, followed by a dolci slice from the 60cm gelato tower.

In order to keep its customers safe, the Big Mamma Group is operating with a new innovative payment platform 'Sunday', across all three of its restaurants, created by the Big Mamma founders themselves. Perfect for group dinners (Ave Mario can cater for up to 20 people), it means that customers can pay the bill straight from their phones and split it easily among guests. No debating or maths required.

Ave Mario, 15 Henrietta St, WC2E 8QG

Tavolino occupies a picture-perfect spot by City Hall, overlooking Tower Bridge and the Thames. On a summer's evening, sitting outside on its expansive terrace feels akin to being on holiday, framing London at its best as the sun sets over the river. Views aside, the restaurant uses the best produce from Italy and the UK to create a menu so enticing you'll find yourself dithering over what to order. The kitchen is headed by Louis Korovilas, formerly of acclaimed Bancone, so diners are in safe hands. Make sure you order the generously sized burrata, served with perfectly seasoned zucchine alla scapece, and also the bombolini, stuffed with parmesan and lardo ham. The pasta options are bountiful, but we'd recommend the silk handkerchiefs, with walnut butter and confit Burford Brown yolk - a welcome take on the Bancone classic - and the tagliatelle with nduja sausage and pork ragu. Wash it down with Tavolino's take on classic limoncello, a small refreshing cocktail involving the famed Sorrento liqueur, tonic and a hint of mint.

Tavolino, 2 More London Riverside, SE1 2DB

Cin Cin started life as a Brighton street food destination based in a 1972 Fiat 850 van. As its popularity grew, founder David Toscano decided to throw in his day job as a lawyer and open his first restaurant with head chef Jamie Halsall. Next came accolades and a cult following and the duo opened their second restaurant, this time in Hove, in 2018. Since then, Cin Cin has become famed for its outstanding cooking, excellent service and for creating an intimate local restaurant feel in both outposts. In Brighton, it is everyone's favourite place to sink a delicious bowl of pasta washed down by a Cin Cin Bellini. For summer 2021, this much-loved dining spot has arrived in London's Fitzrovia where it has managed to recreate the same intimate neighbourly atmosphere that made it a hit on the south coast. The staff are warm and welcoming, and the food is top rate. Even the small starter dishes, the olives and tomatoes, are excellent, tasting the way they ought to not bland and flavourless which can be the case in the UK. Do yourself a favour and order the gnocchi cacio e pepe - a perfectly cooked dish that will no doubt attract repeat diners.

Cin Cin, 21 Foley St, London W1W 6DS

Franco’s on Jermyn Street has been serving Londoners bowls of creamy pasta and excellent wine for over 70 years. One of the city’s first luxury Italian restaurants has a deliciously traditional air – think white tablecloths, red banquettes and impeccably presented staff, who really can’t do enough for you. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, this is a perfect spot to entertain business guests. No one could fail to be delighted by its creamy burrata, nor linguine with lobster, garlic, tomato and chilli. Its meat dishes also score high, be it the honey-glazed duck or the pan-fried venison. Franco’s is an institution – a badge it still markedly deserves.

Franco's, 61 Jermyn St, St. James's, SW1Y 6LX

Tucked away on a side street about 10 mins walk from Brixton’s main drag sits Maremma, an intimate restaurant named after a little-known Tuscan coastal region. Decorated in Maremma shades of olive, terracotta and sea blue, this two-floor space offers Tuscan food co-created by two Brits who loved the food so much that they decided to open a restaurant. Try the fresh and simply made Battuta with aioli mustard as an antipasti, then follow up with either the cheese and ricotta stuffed Tortelli Maremmani or the deliciously rich wild boar ragu. The whole grilled branzino is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a lighter dish, perfectly and simply executed with peperonata and aioli. The wine list is largely sourced from Maremma itself – a rarity in the wine world. Brixton is all the richer for this perfect local restaurant that is truly committed to celebrating one of Italy’s tourism underdogs.

Maremma, 36 Brixton Water Ln, Brixton, SW2 1PE

Gloria is everything an authentic Italian should be. Every staff member is Italian, so when you step through the doors, you feel like you're already living la dolce vita. The trattoria itself is based in the middle of Shoreditch, but it’s easy to forget the busy London streets once you’re inside. Their menu boasts a mix between old Italian classics and new fun dishes with a twist, with ingredients sourced directly from Italy. We recommend starting with the creamy burrata and crispy baked artichoke, as well as fluffy fresh bread to snack on in-between courses. Burrata is big news at Gloria, as they have four dishes on their dinner menu with the creamy cheese. Choosing between pasta and pizza is never easy, but we opted for the latter topped with pesto and rocket. If you are feeling extra cheesy, go all out with the carbonara cooked in a wheel of cheese.

Gloria, 54-56 Great Eastern St, London EC2A 3QR

Circolo Popolare is the sister restaurant to the ever-popular Gloria. Focusing on Sicilian food, rather than general Italian dishes, Circolo is as cheer-inducing as its predecessor and maybe even more photogenic with shelf after shelf of backlit bottles of alcohol and a ceiling covered in hanging foliage and fairylights. It’s not easy to get a table here, so once you’re inside, the place is buzzing - this is a place to come for a good time, rather than a quiet dinner. The menu is peppered with dishes that will induce instant hunger - highlights include the burrata, with is just as creamy as you’d hope; the truffle pasta decadantly made with mascarpone; the Elizabeth Regina pizza - a delicious combination of mushrooms, ricotta and prosciutto - and the Carmina burrata, linguine served with aubergine, juicy sweet tomatoes and burrata, because frankly you can’t have too much of the latter. A hug for the stomach, Circolo Popolare is worth the queues.

Circolo Popolare, 40-41 Rathbone Pl, Fitzrovia, W1T 1HX

Londoners will long be familiar with Lina Stores, the Soho deli that's been dishing out the best Italian cuisine outside of Italy since the 40s. Its restaurant - an intimate two-floor space on Greek Street - delivers excellent homemade fresh pasta, simple, yet mouthwatering flavours and the best chocolate torte you'll eat in a long time. The budget-friendly plates are small, so order a few to share (we recommend the nduja and ricotta dish, as well as the prosciutto to start, followed by the schiaffoni pasta served with datterini tomato, the caviar of the tomato world) and enjoy the excellent service which offers the best in Italian hospitality - warmth, character and a passion for good food. Expect great food, a warm welcome and a lively atmosphere. This is a restaurant you'll return to again and again.

Lina Stores, 51 Greek Street, W1D 4EH

A cosy neighbourhood Italian restaurant nestled on Bermondsey Street, Baccalà celebrates the finest in seafood, wine and olive oil. With a regularly changing menu depending on seasonality and availability - the delightfully homespun chalk-board kind - the restaurant also throws open its doors every Saturday to host a fish market, providing locals with the finest produce from trusted local suppliers and independent fisheries in Cornwall - which is also where they source the fish for their restaurant menu. Think regular catches including Cornish turbot, hand-dived scallops, Dorset clams and Scottish salmon alongside weekly changing specials.

Baccalà, Unit B3, 194-204 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3TQ

Chucs latest outpost in Kensington boasts a wraparound terrace, which serves as a perfect spot for an Aperol Spritz and a bowl of its delicious signature - the bigoli cacio e pepe. Heaters and blankets are available for when the temperature cools. If you're hungry, start with the beef carpaccio and the chilli burrata, both of which complement each other beautifully. Alternatively, if you're searching for a snack to accompany a few cocktails, don't miss the truffle arancini - mouthwateringly good rice balls that will have you polishing the plate.

Chucs, 97 Old Bromton Road, SW7 3LD

Founded by the masterminds behind the popular Black Roe and Chotto Matte, Fucina is a modern venue new to Marylebone. It's an expansive, beautifully designed space that challenges notions of what an Italian restaurant should look like, with a sweeping red-brick ceiling that mimics the shape of a pizza oven. This is a very stylish restaurant indeed – fortunately though, this doesn't come at the cost of good food.

Fucina, 22 Paddington Street, London W1.

Angela Hartnett has two Cafe Murano outposts located in the heart of London: one in Covent Garden and the other in St James's. Specialising in authentic northern-Italian food, served in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere, this venue is a real treat. The booths and expansive centre table make it ideal for big groups. Bring your (hungry) family here and treat them to a fabulous Italian feast.

Cafe Murano, 36 Tavistock Street, London WC2; 33 St James's Street, London SW1.

If you're looking for an intimate, relaxed and welcoming Italian restaurant to while away an evening, Ida is the one. It has built up a strong reputation among local Queen's Park residents, but its traditional food, excellent cocktails and friendly staff make it worth the journey wherever you're based in London. Situated in a former corner shop on a quiet street, Ida fully deserves the many awards already bestowed upon it.

Ida, 167 Fifth Avenue, London W10.

The brains behind New York's fashionable Scarpetta restaurant have opened its first outpost in London. Sette, which is housed within the elegant confines of the Bulgari hotel in Knightsbridge, is a luxury take on New York-inspired Italian food - so big portions, plenty of sauce and thick pasta noodles. Its tomato and basil pasta is its signature, made with the sweetest, juiciest of ingredients. The crudi plates are also well worth splashing out on - the yellowtail fish simply served with olive oil and onions is particularly good. In terms of sides, order the charred asparagus, which is topped with an poached egg that opens to reveal the most golden of yolks. Make room for the espresso budino dessert, a rich take on tiramisu and topped with salted caramel and hazel nut ice cream.

Sette, Ground Floor, 4 Knightsbridge Green, SW1X 7QA

Harry's Bar has two outposts, one in in Knightsbridge, and another newly-opened spot in St Christopher's Place near Selfridges. We tried the latter, a tasteful, stylish homage to Italian glamour of the 50s and 60s. With its rich mahogany bar, tan banquettes, vintage prints and atmosphere lighting, it's a destination to come for a special occasion - although the dishes aren't as costly as you might imagine. The food is well-presented, yet not fussy, following the simple flavours of Italian cuisine. The Nduja flatbread and the truffle arancini are ideal for washing down one of its moreish gin cocktails (staff will explain how gin has a surprisingly deep-rooted Italian history), followed by linguine vongole or the pappadelle al ragu bolognese, both of which are cooked to perfection. If you still have a room (and with food this good you should really try to), then sample the chargrilled tuna steak, served with cannellini beans and a warm olive and lemon salsa. Convivial and warm, Harry's Bar is a must-try for anyone missing Italian cuisine and hospitality.

Harry's Bar, 30 -34 James St, Marylebone, W1U 1ER

Italian cuisine is known for its simplicity, but that doesn't mean that it can't be updated with exquisite fine-dining twists. Sartoria, helmed by the renowned chef Francesco Mazzei and based in elegant Mayfair, is a case in point. Expect divine polenta with wild mushrooms, truffle and hazelnuts, lobster tagliolini and truly extraordinary tiramisu. The service is exemplary – an army of congenial waiters will attend to your every whim.

Sartoria, 20 Savile Row, London W1.

Obicà is a chain of Italian restaurants, but what it does it does very well. Famed for its mozzarella (but equally good at creamy burrata), Obicà has mastered the warmth and conviviality long perfected by its predecessors. Go with a big group of friends and spend an evening devouring its decadent sharing boards, where gooey cheeses and flavoursome prosciutto take centre stage. With simple ingredients, excellent wine and pleasing prices, this restaurant chain's recipe for success will not disappoint.

Obicà, various locations, London.

White truffles have always been a delicious gourmand delicacy in Italy, but ordinarily they come at a high price point and served within somewhat stuffy surroundings. Passo - which is inspired by relaxed, informal LA restaurants - offers an alternative. Based just off Old Street, this buzzy eatery offers an informal yet chic environment in which to enjoy a delicious bowl of pasta or pizza - both of which come with shavings of truffles. The menu extends far beyond this delectable Italian treat, but we strongly suggest trying it. We recommend the divinely creamy burrata to start.

Passo, 80 City Rd, London EC1Y 2BJ

Streatham isn't the first place you'd think of when it comes to pizza, but aficionados would be wise to make the pilgrimage to the little-known neighbourhood gem, Bravi Ragazzi. Consistently packed yet unassuming from the outside, this intimate pizzeria offers Neapolitan-style sourdough pizzas with traditional toppings, cooked in a red-hot wood-fired oven. Even Italians themselves maintain that Bravi Regazzi boasts the best pizza outside of Naples.

Bravi Ragazzi, 2A Sunny Hill Road, London SW16.

Borough has no end of good restaurants, but Padella has secured the crown. It takes the form of a chic pasta bar where just looking at the concise menu will make your mouth water. Everyone thinks they can make good pasta at home but, we assure you, not many have it mastered like this. Try the eight-hour beef-shin ragu on handrolled pappadelle covered in butter. Thanks to inevitable queues, turnaround is fast – visit for a speedy lunch.

Padella, 6 Southwark Street, London SE1.

Pull up a pew outside 40 Dean Street and watch the hustle and bustle of vibrant Soho with a hearty bowl of Italian and a glass of wine. Al fresco tables can't be reserved, but staff are happy to move diners outside when one becomes available. Tuck into the three-course, very reasonably priced set menu (the truffle-coated arancini balls and lasagne are both delicious) and enjoy the hospitality and atmosphere of this buzzy family-run restaurant.

40 Dean Street, Soho, W1D 4PX

Head to Wandsworth for some of the best, most authentic pasta London has to offer. Il Girasole's menu is seasonal and changes regularly, but the high quality remains a constant. This family-run business offers a low-key, inviting ambience teamed with earthy Italian dishes with highlights by way of crispy courgette and the rabbit ragu. Wash it all down with a shot of chilled limoncello.

Il Girasole, 189 Garratt Lane, London SW18.

Bocca di Lupo has become a stalwart of the Soho dining scene, as great for people-watching as it is for its simple cuisine designed for those with big appetites. The trattoria's unfussy charm has ensured that it remains as popular as ever and its long, banquet-like tables are often packed. A series of monthly regional takeovers exploring the wide expanse of Italian food provides yet another reason to visit.

Bocca di Lupo, 12 Archer Street, London W1.

Canova Hall, a former Grade-II listed work hall, does drinks as well as it does food. It boasts an extensive craft beers list, a wide cocktail menu (we recommend the hazelnut espresso martini) and makes its own gin. It's the kind of buzzy space you could bring friends for drinks whether you deliberate round the bar whether or not to have dinner too. if you do stay for food - and really it's wise to - try the generously sized pasta dishes, followed by Italian dessert Bomboloni - fluffy hot donuts served with three different sweet dips. Things get a little livelier into the late weekend evenings when DJs host live sets and local bands play.

Canova Hall, 250 Ferndale Rd, Brixton, SW9 8BQ