Harden's survey result
Summary
“A tiny nondescript frontage” north of Smithfield Market hides this “deceptively large” and “classy” Italian – a sibling (though you would never know it) of The Clove Club (see also). You enter through the “very convivial” bar (where they serve “a stunning set business lunch”) to enter “a spacious environment” including “a romantic hidden back terrace”. The cuisine is “sensational old school Italian cooking”: “classic dishes are elevated by the clever use of subtle flavours” and there’s “a beautifully-put together wine list (a not cheap, but interesting selection)”. Top Menu Tip – “worth it for the Parmesan churros, or the homemade Limoncello”.
Summary
“An oasis of calm just outside the hustle of the City” (north of Smithfield Market): this “beautiful” bar and restaurant (linked – but you’d never know it – to The Clove Club) is increasingly recognised as “one of the top Italians in London”, and a “special” overall experience (“everyone seems so happy just to be there!”). Even fans acknowledge it as being “on the expensive side”, but there are no quibbles about its “elegant and refined” cuisine which “never fails to hit the spot”. And it’s “also a good place for business”. Top Tips – “the Parmesan fries are dreamy”; and “the bar has a great set lunch menu and wonderful booths”.
Summary
“Subtle and original” cooking (from “the highest quality of ingredients”, all of them British) wins high ratings at this “discreet, classic high-end Italian”, which inhabits rambling and lovely premises north of Smithfield Market, complete with a beautiful rear conservatory. Other than being “a really special place”, it bears no comparison to its sibling, The Clove Club. Top Tips – the Parmesan fries are a trademark; and it’s “great for a business lunch”.
Summary
“Love it every time”, agree fans of this Clove Club spin-off in Clerkenwell that uses prime British ingredients to create “elegant Italian dishes”. “The menu is always original, and whether you sit in the cosy booths at the front or amid the light and glass at the back”, where there is a gorgeous conservatory, “the ambience is great – fun, but serious about the food”. It’s also “excellent for business” – “smooth, polished and reliable”.
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 Luca?
88 St John St, London, EC1M 4EH
Restaurant details
Luca Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Deceptively large restaurant in an old boozer with a tiny nondescript frontage. Characterful interior. Creative menu, excellently prepared. "
"Wonderful on so many levels. Ambience at the back of the restaurant is outstanding. Best value is the lunch in the bar, however, as the Michelin award has led to overly inflated prices in the main restaurant area. "
"Absolutely great food. We had a special chefs dinner with pork as main. You must try."
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £45.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £0.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
88 St John St, London, EC1M 4EH
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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