Harden's survey result
Summary
A well-heeled Belgravia crowd enjoys this “classic Sardinian, which continues to provide an excellent balance of food, service and ambience” under the watchful eye of founder Mauro Sanna, who has managed to “innovate while maintaining high standards” for more than 35 years. (“On a recent visit to London, I had to discover if the magic is still there – and it is!”). Top Menu Tip – “spicy Sardinian octopus with toasted crostini”.
Summary
After 35 years, Mauro Sanna’s “buzzy local haunt” in Belgravia “continues to deliver excellent traditional Italian/Sardinian cuisine” to an often “packed house”. For all the “high gastronomic standards and buzzy atmosphere” though, even some of its most ardent fans recognise that “it is rather expensive” (even allowing for the well-heeled nature of the locality).
Summary
In its day a pioneer of Italian ‘peasant’ cuisine in the capital, Mauro Sanna’s original Belgravia Sardinian remains “steady and always reliable” in its 35th year – “this restaurant has never disappointed”. If it’s “quite pricey”, that has never been an issue for the well-heeled locals who ensure it is perennially busy.
Summary
“An old favourite”, the 33-year-old original in Mauro Sanna’s Belgravia mini-empire was “ground-breaking, as one of the first London Italian restaurants to serve simple ‘peasant’ dishes – in this case Sardinian. Now everyone does it! However, Olivo has never marketed itself at foodies, just well-heeled locals” – who are “never disappointed”. It’s “not cheap, but definitely not expensive compared with glitzier competitors” in the area.
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).
Have you eaten at Olivo?
21 Eccleston Street, London, SW1W 9LX
Restaurant details
Prices
| Wine per bottle | £37.50 |
| Filter Coffee | £6.50 |
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 10.00% |
21 Eccleston Street, London, SW1W 9LX
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Saturday | 6:30 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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