Breaking news
8 Charlotte Street, London, W1T 2LS
Harden's says
Following the success of The Game Bird, The Stafford London and culinary director Ben Tish opened this independent restaurant, in a Fitzrovia townhouse, in late summer 2019. The cooking is "inspired by the food and culture of Sicily, with particular emphasis on the Moorish influences on the island’s cuisine"; a crudo (raw) bar also features.
Harden's survey result
Summary
With its “lovely Italian vibe in Charlotte Street”, this Fitzrovia townhouse provides a high-quality, under-the-radar experience. Launched in 2019, it’s a slightly offbeat part of hotel group The Stafford Collection, although aside from its smart interior that’s the only hint of a wider group connection. The cooking is inspired by the crossover of southern Italian and Moorish cuisine (“I fell in love with Sicily a year or two ago and this is what I’ve been looking for!”) and the culinary offering is “delightful (albeit not cheap)”. Top Menu Tips – “the spaghetti fritters are more addictive than crack!”; and “the set lunch is an absolute steal”.
Summary
“Meals just flow from gorgeous dish to gorgeous dish” at this “comfortable” Sicillian restaurant in a Fitzrovia townhouse, which inspires nothing but praise this year. The menu is a good mix between “creative” and more familiar dishes (“excellent parmigiana and pasta for example”); and it’s all washed down with “beautiful wines”. The golden-hued Moorish-inspired decor verges on “lavish”, with tiled floors and “nice booths”, plus “outside tables that are worth it on a sunny day”.
Summary
“Feeling like a serious step up from your run-of-the-mill Italian, but not breaking the bank” – this unusual and stylish venture is a spin-off from the Stafford Hotel. There’s a Sicilian focus to the menu and the food is “absolutely delicious”. “Booths make it a great spot for a business lunch – intimate enough to be quiet in a bustling restaurant”, with very attentive service. Top Menu Tip – “dangerously delectable focaccia”.
Summary
“The décor feels wonderfully indulgent without descending into kitsch” at the Stafford Hotel Group’s “stylish” three-year-old. Something similar could be said about the “interesting spin on Sicilian cuisine” that’s “excellently prepared and full of authentic flavour”, and delivered in generous portions. “Staff are brilliant” too. Top Menu Tip – “a top choice for inventive and not-too-excessive pasta” or small plates (e.g. prawns, monkfish, burrata); “top it all off with first-rate tiramisu and rose-flavoured panna cotta”.
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 Norma?
Owner's description
Norma is a contemporary and vibrant restaurant, inspired by the food and culture of Sicily with particular emphasis on the Moorish influences of the island’s cuisine.
Norma embodies the celebrated old-school Italian hospitality and charm, taking inspiration from the grand café culture found in Sicily. Set across three floors of a characterful townhouse on Charlotte Street in London’s Fitzrovia, the first two floors are dedicated to the restaurant, with the top floor a private dining space. At the heart of Norma is the Crudo bar at the entrance, serving up the freshest seasonal raw seafood.
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £36.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.50 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 10.00% |
Restaurant details
Norma Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Creative menu, pretty much every item a hit, but let down by indifferent service. "
"Very nice Italian restaurant "
8 Charlotte Street, London, W1T 2LS
Opening hours
| Monday | 9 am‑10:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 9 am‑10:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 9 am‑10:30 pm |
| Thursday | 9 am‑10:30 pm |
| Friday | 9 am‑10:30 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am‑10:30 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
