Harden's survey result
Summary
“Classic Italian dishes are executed as well as one could hope for” at Giancarlo & Katie Caldesi’s “long-established” Marylebone stalwart: “the food is always very good – ragu a case in point – and the specials and seasonals can be mouthwatering”. That remains the majority view anyhow, although its critics feel results are “competent if unexciting”. Still, it’s proved a successful base for expansion, as the couple also run a restaurant in Bray (complete with cookery school) and in April 2024 added a new offshoot in Belsize Park: an initial report says the NW3 branch is “a welcome addition, well-designed with friendly staff; and serving a relatively short menu including pizza and pasta, if at West End prices”.
Summary
“Very good Italian family food is served in a buzzy atmosphere” at chef Giancarlo Caldesi and his wife Katie’s Marylebone flagship – “all the classic dishes are available”, accompanied by an “interesting wine list”. The couple also have a country restaurant in Bray and a cookery school, while Tuscany-born Giancarlo has written a healthy cookbook following his diagnosis as a diabetic.
Summary
“Wonderful pasta prepared on site” is the highlight at Tuscany-born chef Giancarlo Caldesi and wife Katie’s long-running Marylebone headquarters (they also have a country venue in Bray and a cookery school). Fans reckon it’s “always a treat to dine here – it’s traditional Italian with attentive and authentic service”.
Summary
“Just a delight” – this long-running Italian in a “nice location” on a Marylebone corner has spun out into a cookery school and a string of cookbooks from Tuscan-born chef Giancarlo Caldesi. But praise for its cooking was more reserved this year, with some feeling it is rather “standard and underwhelming” – maybe it’s simply just too pricey.
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).
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Restaurant details
Caffè Caldesi Restaurant Diner Reviews
"A decent if not spectacular local-style Italian eatery in Marylebone. Quite atmospheric and very Italian. "
"Food was a bit average although on this our first visit we had the fixed lunch. Asparagus with egg was just that - asparagus was fried, which quicker but not as good as keeping flavour as steaming. Ravioli came with a lovely lemon sauce but was small at 6 pieces for a main dish; battered chicken was again just that flattened! Nothing included so the garnish is extra - we had fried zucchini which was again as promised but no more. The lunch has pieces of crispbread and a dip instead of bread - that's extra too. Desserts of ice cream (small ) or a (freezing) strawberry tart made for a weak finish. And still £85. Not one to come back to!"
"Long established and competent if unexciting Italian."
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £26.90 |  |
|
|
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £16.50 | £26.00 | £5.50 | £9.50 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £32.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.50 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 13.00% |
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑2:45 pm, 5:45 pm‑10 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2:45 pm, 5:45 pm‑10 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:45 pm, 5:45 pm‑10 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:45 pm, 5:45 pm‑10 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:45 pm, 5:45 pm‑10 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:45 pm, 5:45 pm‑10 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑4:30 pm |
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