The Best Italian Restaurants in London

This likeable trattoria founded by the late, great Russell Norman lies a stone’s throw from Smithfield Market and is one of our favourite places to dine in the capital. The staff are friendly, the atmosphere’s buzzing, and the great value menu of authentic Tuscan favourites offers everything from penne with tomato and vodka to some seriously-sized steaks. Add in a signature negroni and you’ve got all the hallmarks of a great night out.

This cosy, bijoux spot is simple in style and run with palpable pride; dishes are lovingly cooked to order and the friendly team provide attentive service. The kitchen is very much part of the room and the classically based, seasonal dishes that come out of it are well-priced and full of flavour. The homemade pasta is a highlight and the well-chosen wine list puts small Italian producers to the fore.

An elegant restaurant that instantly puts you at ease on arrival, this is one of the lovelier places to enjoy Italian cooking in London. As is tradition, the menu is split into four courses, with pasta dishes like the tortelli of delica pumpkin proving a highlight. Like many of the capital’s best Italians, there is a wine list to match the food – full of premier producers and growers from around the country.

The staff at this appealing, contemporary restaurant are lovely, the Italian menu offers something for everyone, prices are more than fair and the cooking is bold and satisfying – it’s no wonder they're so busy! They use local suppliers, follow a nose-to-tail approach and make everything in-house. The atmosphere is buzzing and, while sharing is encouraged, it’s thankfully not compulsory.

Angela Hartnett’s flagship in the heart of Mayfair bears witness to the passion for Italian cooking inspired in her by her mother and grandmother. The wonderfully appealing menu offers refined, Italian-influenced dishes with their roots in the North of the country, while the wine list features some fine Italian vintages. Charming service ensures guests are put at ease; the only issue will be how many dishes to choose!

Have a mosey round the stalls of bustling Borough Market while you wait in the virtual queue; once you’re in, try for a seat at the kitchen counter and you can watch the skilful chefs at work. This place is dedicated to pasta, which is hand-rolled in house; sauces and fillings are inspired by the owners’ trips to Italy, and prices are extremely pleasing to the pocket. Fast and friendly service completes the picture.

It may be at the pricier end of London Italians, but there’s still something special about this long-standing icon of the capital’s restaurant scene. The simple, produce-led cooking is thoroughly Italian in spirit and delivers on authentic Italian flavours thanks to the quality of the base ingredients. The atmosphere is as good as ever and it remains one of London’s best restaurants for celebrity-spotting.