It is easy to find an Italian restaurant in London that’s right for you, whether it’s a traditional trattoria or a chic new eatery, a fine dining establishment or a homemade pizza and pasta restaurant. Italian cuisine has always been a favourite for the English population with many London restaurants offering authentic Italian food from all of its different regions. Below you will find a variety of options to meet a variety of tastes and budgets, so there will be something for everyone.

Cicchetti – Knightsbridge

This award-winning restaurant is a true taste of Italian cuisine. A colourful, eclectic art collection and beautiful, sumptuous interiors make this an extremely chic place to eat. Designed by London-based studio Fettle, it is inspired by traditional Venetian architecture and the work of Carlo Scarpa, one of Venice’s most influential residents. The food at Cicchetti is excellent, as is the service, under the direction of Andrea Parente, the Executive Chef. With a tapas-style menu that allows sharing, you won’t miss a thing. Friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive service is provided at the restaurant.

Norma – Fitzrovia

On Charlotte Street, Norma occupies three floors of an 18th-century townhouse that has been beautifully restored. Special events can be held in the private dining room on the top, on the front terrace, or at the raw seafood bar just inside. Its signature pasta, the rigatoni with aubergine, tomato basil sauce, and ricotta, is one of the highlights of its Sicilian-inspired menu. Another tasty dish is whole fish stuffed with sun-dried tomatoes, capers, and herbs. An old-school Sicilian cafe culture atmosphere inspired the charming, inviting atmosphere at Norma.

Bocca di Lupo – Covent Garden

Diners at this restaurant have enjoyed regional Italian cuisine at this London hidden gem since 2008. Each dish on its menu is accompanied by a description of its origin. The buzzy atmosphere and chefs’ busy hands can be enjoyed from the long counter. A range of Italian foods is prepared in the restaurant by their top chefs, including delicious gelati, bread, sausages, salame, and pasta, with the rest sourced from Italy. Rigatoni with sheep ricotta, basil, and courgette flowers are some examples of dishes you can expect to see.

Sette – Knightsbridge

A fabulous menu and a great vibe await you at Sette in the Bulgari Hotel. In London, Scarpetta restaurants bring authentic Italian food from New York City. A few of the outstanding pasta dishes include Scarpetta spaghetti with San Marzano tomato and basil, as well as taglioni aqua pazza with lobster, calabrian chilli, tomatoes, and black breadcrumbs. Pasta with mixed mushrooms and toasted hazelnuts is another highlight dish, as are ravioli cacio e pepe and tagliatelle with mixed mushrooms.

Legare – Shad Thames

Despite opening in late 2019 just before the pandemic, this Italian gem feels new and exciting now. A small natural wine list, fresh pasta and seasonal ingredients are the focus of this neighbourhood restaurant. It’s all about the pasta; it’s tasty and simple. Gargati al torchio with fennel sausage or wild garlic farfalle with peas, courgettes, mint and ricotta are two great options.

Maria Gs Kensington

Robin Gill serves up sumptuous cuisine at Maria G’s in Kensington

Maria G’s – Kensington

Having previously operated Darby’s, Sorella and Bermondsey Larder in south London, Maria G’s will be chef Robin Gill’s second restaurant in west London, following Rye by the Water in Brentford. In a new building in Kensington with stylish decor and a garden terrace, the place is tucked away on the ground floor. Chef Gill’s close network of suppliers supplies Maria G’s menu with seasonal produce. The restaurant’s specialities include hand-rolled fettuccine, monkfish cooked in puttanesca butter, and mackerel bolognese with squid ink linguine.

Murano – Mayfair & Café Murano – Bermondsey

A Michelin-starred restaurant owned by Angela Hartnett shows influences from her Italian grandmother and aunts. A modern Italian menu featuring seasonal, British and European ingredients is served in a casual atmosphere in Mayfair. There is a special emphasis on Italian wines on Murano’s wine list, which focuses on small sustainable producers. It is also recommended to try Cafe Murano, a sister restaurant south of the river that serves North Italian food with a strong flavour profile. In this more casual setting, fresh pasta is made on-site every day. The menu highlights include grilled octopus, chickpeas, fennel and orange with spaghettini, courgettes, Burford brown with pecorino; and linguini with clams, chilli and almonds.

Baccala – Bermondsey

Chef Moreno Polverini and Sommelier Fabio de Nicola founded this cosy Italian restaurant and wine bar specializing in seafood. Among the signature dishes are fresh native oysters and roasted octopus served with marinated bell peppers, olives, and basil. The restaurant Baccala features an industrial aesthetic with a Mediterranean flair for diners looking to enjoy a high-quality lunch or dinner.

Polpo – Soho

It remains one of the best places to take an intimate bite in Soho owing to the original Venetian-bacari-inspired restaurant opened by Russell Norman in 2009. Cicchetti (Venetian tapas) and larger dishes such as pasta and pizza are included on the menu, modelled after the traditional bàcaris of Venice. A pork-and-fennel meatball and a linguine cassopipa are must-tries.

River Café – Hammersmith

Since opening 35 years ago, this ever-popular restaurant offers seasonal Italian cuisine on a daily changing menu. A variety of Italian regional cuisines are served by owner Ruth Rogers and her head chefs Danny Bohan, Sian Wyn Owen and Joseph Trivelli. The menu is updated frequently, but there are some signature dishes like chargrilled squid with chilli and wild rocket.

Al Mare – Knightsbridge

A stellar menu has been created by Italian native Marco Calenzo at Al Mare, former executive head chef at Zuma. In addition to homemade pasta and produce from the chef’s favourite Italian suppliers, the restaurant offers an extensive wine list. There are several specialities on the menu, including Ricciola al Limone and Ravioli ‘Del Plin’ filled with Guinea fowl.

Luca – Clerkenwell

Luca is owned by the Clove Club team, which combines British produce with Italian flavours to create an exciting dining experience. Guests can reserve a table and try the strozzapreti with octopus or the Hebridian lamb with violet artichokes on the dining room menu or enjoy Luca’s famous parma fries on their daily bar menu, available from noon to 3 pm.

So there you are, our pick of the best Italian restaurants in London, with the food as authentic as a holiday to Italy.