Do you like Italian cuisine? Fortunately, you don’t have to travel to Italy to eat some delicious Italian food. In London, you can find a high number of top-notch restaurants that prepare Italian dishes. Whether you would like to eat a classic Margherita pizza, creamy pasta carbonara, ravioli, or other regional specialties, these restaurants will certainly fulfil your food cravings.
If you want to know which Italian places are worth visiting in London, keep reading. In the following, we will review the 6 best Italian restaurants in London.
1.Campania & Jones
The first restaurant we will talk about today is Campania & Jones. This southern Italian restaurant is situated on Ezra Street, in the heart of east London. Campania uses high-quality, seasonal produce to prepare the best dishes of South Italy. The pasta at this restaurant is made by hand each day. Therefore, if you opt for a pasta dish, you can be assured that the ingredients are fresh.
On the menu, you can find both traditional and new dishes, such as the following ones:
- Gnudi in sage butter
- Tortelli with wild mushroom
- Risotto langoustine
- Scialatielli lobster
Regardless of which food you choose at Campania, you will be served a beautifully presented dish.
Location: 23 Ezra Street, London, E2 7RH
2.Artusi
In Southeast London, Artusi has everything you need for a perfect Italian dining experience. This Italian-inspired, neighbourhood diner offers a quite simple menu. However, since the restaurant uses the best seasonal produce available on the market, the menu is under constant change. The ingredients at Artusi are freshly sourced from carefully selected suppliers and the pasta is made by hand daily.
Here are a few of Artusi’s classic dishes and desserts:
- Spaghetti with leek, bottarga, and pistachio
- Grilled fennel with Violina pumpkin, bitter leaves, and hazelnuts
- Casarecce with winter tomato crudaiola
- Torta primavera with caramelised apple, and vanilla
Try anything from the menu, with a glass of Italian wine, you will certainly feel like being in Italy.
Location: 161 Bellenden Road, Peckham, London SE15 4DH
3.Bocca di Lupo
Without any doubt, Bocca di Lupo is one of the best Italian restaurants in London. This charming Italian diner is located on Archer Street in Soho. Bocca di Lupo has been serving guests authentic Italian dishes from different regions since 2008.
The restaurant’s menu changes twice a day in order to keep up with seasonal changes. Thus, every time you visit Bocca di Lupo, you can discover newer and newer regional specialties. Besides the appetizing plates of pasta, risottos, fried and grilled dishes, salads, and various desserts, you can find an impressive Italian wine list that is more than worth a try.
Location: 12 Archer Street, London W1D 7BB
4.Flour & Grape
Flour & Grape is a casual restaurant with an interesting variety of dishes. You can choose from not less than 9 different pastas: spaghetti, tortelloni, fazzoletti, ravioli, gigli, linguine, pappardelle, taglierini, and casarecce. Besides traditional pasta dishes, here you can also try plenty of other delicious small plates and desserts. These include foods like bruschetta, marinated peppers, burrata, beetroot, almond and prune tart, and tiramisu gelato.
Just like in the case of the above-mentioned diners, Flour & Grape places a big emphasis on using fresh ingredients. Therefore, the pasta is made daily in-house.
When it comes to the drinks, the restaurant has a great selection of Italian wines.
Location: 214 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3TQ
5.Bocconcino
The next diner on our list is Bocconcino. At this restaurant on Berkeley Street, you can find all kinds of Italian dishes. Whether you crave pizza, pasta, fish, soup, or salad, you can certainly choose something from the menu that meets your needs.
Some of the best dishes on the menu include the following:
- Minestrone di verdure di stagione con pesto which is a mixed vegetable soup with pesto
- Pizza Margherita
- Pizza Valtellina
- Homemade tagliatelle with black truffle
- Roasted octopus with cherry tomatoes, Padron peppers, chilli, and garlic
- Salmon steak
Moreover, Bocconcino offers guests a special Italian tasting menu as well that consists of 6 courses. Thus, if you can’t select one or two dishes from the regular menu, we recommend trying the tasting menu. This way, you can taste multiple flavourful Italian dishes.
Location: 19 Berkeley Street, London W1J 8ED
6.Locanda Locatelli
Locanda Locatelli is one of London’s Michelin-starred restaurants. It is run by the well-known Italian chef Giorgio Locatelli who creates traditional dishes with an emphasis on quality, freshness, and creativity.
The main dining room in the restaurant is modern and offers spacious seating for guests. Plus, Locanda Locatelli has a private dining room as well. Thus, if you need some privacy while enjoying your meal, you can get it here.
Concerning the menu, a great selection of foods is waiting for you in this diner. You can find here everything from flavourful plates of pasta to vegan Italian dishes. If you decide to visit Locanda Locatelli, make sure to not miss out on the desserts. They are amazing!
Since this restaurant is extremely popular, don’t forget to make a reservation prior to your arrival.
Location: 8 Seymour St, Marylebone, London W1H 7JZ
The Bottom Line
As you can see, there are many great Italian restaurants in London. Hopefully, the next time you crave some pasta, pizza, or other Italian foods, you will exactly know where to go. Whether you choose to visit Campania & Jones, Artusi, Bocca di Lupo, Flour & Grape, Bocconcino, or Locanda Locatelli, we are sure that you will be satisfied with their cuisine.