Can anyone give me any ideas on a great Italian restaurant in London?

Question

I am taking my husband to London at the weekend to go to the theatre and i was wondering if any one knows of any great little places to eat as we don't want to go to the normal big chains.

thanks...

Answer 1

the best Italian restaurant I've ever been to is a small family run restaurant:

La Barca Restaurant, 81, Lower Marsh, London, SE1 7AB

Tel: [phone].

It truly has a wonderful atmosphere, the food is amazing, the wine is amazing... perfect!

their website is:

http://www.labarca.co.uk/

Answer 2

Gotta agree with DreamWeaver.  Passione on Charlotte Street, Bloomsbury.  Book in advance and enjoy the meal.  You won't be disappointed.

Answer 3

If you want an authentic Italian restaurant you could try

Topo Gigio. It is a basement restaurant in Soho and all the waiters are Italian.  The decor is very country kitchen and the food is reasonable.  There always seems to be a lively atmosphere in the place and many times the waiters are authentically rude - but this seems to add to its charm! I keep going back.

36 Brewer Street.

http://www.london-eating.co.uk/3803.htm

If its a warm day and you want to eat outside, one of the best areas in central London is a place called Shepherds Market in Mayfair  W1J 7QQ.  It used to be a place where high class call girls hung out, maybe still is! but the area has some great dining, including one Italian, but i would recommend The Little Square restaurant - It will not break the bank - the food and decor is very good and the staff is friendly.  If you can get an outside table, so much the better - they have the linen tablecloths and great for people watching. The white wine La Croix is very palatable.  The area has its fair share of other fine restaurnants, though prices can go sky high in that area!  If it's convenient to where you are staying I would thoroughly recommend you check it out.  Have a good time.

Answer 4

Passione, 10 Charlotte Street

Fantastic food cooked by none other than Jamie Oliver's old mentor, the brilliant if somewhat insane Gennaro Contaldo.

Not that bad on price either. It's small but popular - probably no walk-ins available but easy to get reservations.

One caveat: order anything except the ravioli, which is a bit of a "diet portion". Everything else very generous.

They're also very good at birthdays - mention to the other Gennaro (restaurant manager) on the email that it's a birthday and you'll get special tiramisu. Signed copies of Gennaro C's cookbook for a small extra if wished.

Tube: Goodge St  or TCR.

Answer 5

the best Pizza outside Naples can be had at Firezza on All Saints Road, W11. However, if you are staying in the West end (theatres?) this may be too much of a trek.

Answer 6

If its a special occassion these would be great:

  

Assaggi £47.00  Italian Kensington

39 Chepstow Place, W2 4TS

Tel [phone]  

Assaggi was awarded a Michelin star in 2005 & securing a reservation at one of its 11 tables has become harder than ever. Many would argue that, with the restaurant  

Daphne's £47.00  Italian Chelsea

112 Draycott Avenue, SW3 3AE

Tel [phone]  Online Booking

The moment you set foot in Daphne’s, you know you’re in the hands of professionals: its polished front-of-house team could give lessons in ‘beautiful service’ & there’s  

  

Giardinetto £51.00  Italian Mayfair

39-40 Albemarle Street, W1S 4TE

Tel [phone]  

Fitzrovia’s loss is Mayfair’s gain as longstanding Charlotte Street stalwart Giardinetto settled into its smart new premises on Albermarle Street last year. The cooking

  

Locanda Locatelli £50.00  Italian Marylebone

8 Seymour Street, W1H 7JZ

Tel [phone]  

We still receive more comment on Giorgio Locatelli’s much-hyped & Michelin-starred Italian eatery than any other restaurant in Marylebone, much of it wildly positive

  

Luciano £45.00  Italian Mayfair

72 St James's Street, SW1A 1PH

Tel [phone]  

After several years as a boarded-up site, the former location of Suntory has reopened as an Italian. Marking a collaboration between two legends of the UK hospitality

  

Neal Street Restaurant £51.00  Italian Covent Garden

26 Neal Street, WC2H 9QW

Tel [phone]  Online Booking

Antonio Carluccio may now be a household name thanks to the roll-out of his phenomenally popular Carluccio’s Caffés but it was here in Neal Street that he first set up  

  

Passione £52.00  Italian Bloomsbury

10 Charlotte Street, W1T 2LT

Tel [phone]  

This cramped little Italian is one of the great draws on Charlotte Street. No jazzy lighting or fancy interior design here, just unfussy decor & ‘simple but delicious’  

  

The River Café £56.00  Italian West

Thames Wharf, Rainville Road, W6 9HA

Tel [phone]  

Sourcing, sourcing, sourcing is the mantra of Ruth Rogers & Rose Gray, the owners of this iconic Italian fine-diner – & it shows. It also accounts for the hefty price

  

Sartoria £47.00  Italian Mayfair

20 Savile Row, W1S 3PR

Tel [phone]  Online Booking

Conran’s tribute to Savile Row tailoring saw some big changes in summer 2005 with a crack new team installed both front & back of house. Regulars seem to be noticing  

  

Zafferano £47.00  Italian Knightsbridge

15 Lowndes Street, SW1X 9EY

Tel [phone]  

We must admit we were nervous when Zafferano’s former owner, A to Z Restaurants, went into administration at the end of 2004 but we’re pleased to report that it remains

Papiyon Brasserie

517-519 Battersea Park Rd, London

Generous souls that we are, we’ve decided to reveal this hidden Battersea gem so that you too can

A good website is:

http://www.toptable.co.uk it contains virtual tours and online booking.

Enjoy your trip!

Answer 7

Pizza Mut

ok just 2 pts then

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