Harden's survey result
Summary
“Up-market Italian” pair, whose City branch has a “pretty good location near St Paul’s” and is “a reliable business lunch staple”, while the Chelsea branch next door to the Saatchi Gallery boasts “arguably one of the best outside patios in London”. “Prices are high, however, while the food is fine but nothing to write home about” (“I tend to use Manicomio City for entertaining lunches where we have a compliance-monitored expenditure limit, so trips to top-end eateries are, sadly, out – this fills the gap nicely”). BREAKING NEWS: In July 2025, the group launched a big and impressive-looking, new all-day City restaurant – Campanelle – in the former London Shipping Exchange at 19-21 Billiter Street, London EC3.
Summary
“While I do go to this place and enjoy it, I question whether it is good value for what it is: it’s safe and reliable but couldn’t be said to be top-notch” – the verdict we deliver pretty much every year on these civilised Italians in Chelsea and the City, which, so long as you are fairly cost-insensitive, provide a “smart and buzzy” environment for meeting a pal or holding an informal business lunch, with Italian cooking that’s “generally well done if a little uninspired”. Top Tip – cute, heated outside terrace in SW3.
Summary
“Smart and buzzy”, “reliable but expensive” – the underlying themes in reports over the years on this duo in Chelsea and the City, where “fresh Italian food is generally well done, if a little safe and uninspired”. Top Tip – the Duke of York Square branch benefits from a heated terrace as well as conservatory and garden, making it a “happening place when the sun shines”.
Summary
This modern Italian “favourite” makes good use of its large and attractive terrace in Chelsea’s peaceful Duke of York’s Square, and has a big and loyal following as a result. Fans say the food is “interesting” too, but more sceptical diners feel that’s debatable. It also has a twin in the City, which attracts much less comment.
For 34 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).
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Restaurant details
Manicomio City Restaurant Diner Reviews
"A return visit to this smart City Italian. There’s real attention to proper cooking and sourcing of good quality ingredients. Prompt, efficient friendly service. And a a buzzy atmosphere for a Monday night in the City"
"Full marks except for truly awful soggy battered zucchini fritti which they took off the bill. A nice up-market Italian in the City. Would return"
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Opening hours
| Monday | 8 am‑9 pm |
| Tuesday | 8 am‑9 pm |
| Wednesday | 8 am‑9 pm |
| Thursday | 8 am‑9 pm |
| Friday | 8 am‑9 pm |
| Saturday | CLOSED |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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