RestaurantsLondonSt James'sSW1

survey result

Summary

£72
  £££
2
Average
3
Good
2
Average
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, this “family-owned Italian restaurant” has long seemed refreshingly down to earth for somewhere hidden in an alleyway in posh St James’s: with its “simple Calabrian menu and good service”, it’s “especially good for lunch”. As with many other central places, it has “appeared considerably more expensive” of late – perhaps they are saving up for a move to new premises: a relaunch a few doors down from its old site scheduled for September 2023.

Summary

£67
  £££
3
Good
3
Good
2
Average
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“A real ‘find’ amongst the big beasts”, tucked away in a St James’s alleyway, “this small family-run Italian is welcoming and good value”“intimate when quiet, a nice buzz when fuller”. They are “clearly passionate about their ingredients”, and offer “absolutely delightful service”.

Summary

£61
  £££
3
Good
3
Good
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

An archetypal “hidden gem” set “in tiny Crown Passage” – this “lovely, little, family-run Italian in the heart of St James’s” has served “authentic” Calabrian-based dishes for almost 30 years – at “great value” too, considering the area. Regulars mourned the death of its owner, Giacomo Bonavita, in 2020, but “the family have really stepped up – the food is better than ever and they’re super-generous with the truffle!” “The sisters run a tight ship, providing a good range of food with friendly service”.

Summary

£55
   ££
3
Good
3
Good
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

Among the plutocrats’ dining rooms of St James’s, this “consistently good and friendly family-restaurant”, tucked away down an alley, stands out as a “reliable Italian local” with earth-bound prices.

For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).

Have you eaten at Il Vicolo?

Restaurant details

Yes
Portions
45
No dress code
60

Prices

Traditional European menu

Starter Main Veggies Pudding
£15.40 £20.90 £4.00 £9.00
Drinks  
Wine per bottle £24.00
Filter Coffee £4.00
Extras  
Bread £0.00
Service 10.00%
3-4 Crown Passage, London, SW1Y 6PP
Make A Booking
Number of Diners:
Required Time:
Powered by OpenTable
Opening hours
Monday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm
Tuesday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm
Wednesday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm
Thursday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm
Friday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm
Saturday6 pm‑10 pm
SundayCLOSED

Best Italian restaurants nearby

Café Murano
Italian restaurant in St James's
£74
  £££
3
Good
4
Very Good
2
Average
Franco’s
Italian restaurant in St James's
£90
 ££££
3
Good
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
Al Duca
Italian restaurant in St James's
£90
 ££££
3
Good
2
Average
3
Good

Best similarly priced restaurants nearby

The Drawing Room at The Dukes Hotel
Afternoon tea restaurant in Westminster
£70
  £££
3
Good
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
Café Murano
Italian restaurant in St James's
£74
  £££
3
Good
4
Very Good
2
Average
Nessa
British, Modern restaurant in Soho
£70
  £££
3
Good
3
Good
4
Very Good