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RestaurantsLondonCovent GardenWC2N

Harden's says

Taking over the mezzanine dining room in the National Gallery's Sainsbury wing, an all-day Italian restaurant from Giorgio and Plaxy Locatelli – a more casual follow-up to their famous Locanda Locatelli off Portman Square (now closed). It's a good looking space overlooking the square that's never before properly found its mojo. Maybe it's time is now? Branded with the name of the famous Italian chef, it will be run by British caterers Searcy's. On the ground floor there is also an espresso bar, Bar Giorgio, specialising in Roman maritozzi brioche buns.

survey result

Summary

£75
 ££££
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

Taking over the mezzanine dining room in the National Gallery’s Sainsbury wing, an all-day Italian restaurant from Giorgio and Plaxy Locatelli (with the recent closure of their famous Locanda Locatelli, RIP, this is now their sole London flagship). It’s a good-looking space overlooking the square that’s never before properly found its mojo. Maybe it’s time is now? Branded with the name of the famous Italian chef, it will be run by British caterers Searcy’s and it remains to be seen how hands-on Giorgio and Plaxy will need to be as the menu of ‘Giorgio signatures’ is considerably more straightforward than that at Locanda Locatelli. Below, on the ground floor there is also a new espresso bar, ‘Bar Giorgio’, specialising in Roman maritozzi brioche buns.

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Have you eaten at Locatelli at The National Gallery?

The Sainsbury Wing,Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN

Locatelli at The National Gallery Restaurant Diner Reviews

Reviews of Locatelli at The National Gallery Restaurant in WC2N, London by users of Hardens.com. Also see the editors review of Locatelli at The National Gallery restaurant.
Steven B
We had a birthday dinner for 12 in the priv...
Reviewed 2 months, 2 days ago

"We had a birthday dinner for 12 in the private room. Simple outstanding from the ambiance of the room, the ability to talk and hear each other (sadly a problem sometimes) to the attentive service. And the food ? Well all my guest said it was amazing and far better than a typical hotel dinner for a group. You could choose each course. "

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Bernard O
Starter and main course superior Italian co...
Reviewed 2 months, 27 days ago

"Starter and main course superior Italian cooknig but that can only rise so high, bu the chocolate cake for dessert was sensational. Gorgeous gentlemen's club style room."

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Paul P
Food is Locatelli good. Gloomy low ceiling...
Reviewed 4 months, 16 days ago

"Food is Locatelli good. Gloomy low ceiling and only-half-full lack of buzz made me realise how much ambience matters. "

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Francis M
Devotees of Locanda might not expect simila...
Reviewed 5 months, 21 days ago

"Devotees of Locanda might not expect similar standards at a gallery restaurant. But what a pleasant surprise - food for omnivores and veggioes cooked to an exceptional standard. Outstanding starters of cuttlefish "tagliatelle" with fresh and puree peas, chives, delicious (and not boring!) ricotta salad with courgett, basil, almond pesto. Pasta dishes (veal tortelloni, pappardelle with broad beans and pecorino) equally perfect. Front of house attentive and enthusiastic - hard to find such good staff in London these days. We can't wait to try the secondi some other time. Meanwhile, congratulations to Giorgio and Plaxy, and to Searcy's. We hope the business model in an unusual venue like this works out, because this is a real gem and standards like this don't come easy."

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Philip W
Some very good food which we very much enjo...
Reviewed 6 months, 9 days ago

"Some very good food which we very much enjoyed.Seasonal and well prepared. The staff were a bit patchy but came good when they came over and explained thet my order had not been picked up in the system as it was new and untried. The right way to deal with a mistake. The room is awful.Like a second rate A&E. No soft furnishings, no sound absorbing ceiling and very few tables have a view. A useful stop off when in the gallery or close by, a great contrast to the abyssmal Ochre at the other end of the buidling"

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What the Newspaper Critics are saying

The Guardian

Grace Dent seemed rather surprised to find herself enjoying Giorgio Locatelli’s new spot, created in partnership with “poshish” catering company Searcy’s in the Sainsbury Wing of the National Gallery. Admittedly it was “not a patch” on Giorgio's famous and pricey Locanda Locatelli, which closed earlier this year – but it was pretty, “dashingly handy”, and the food clearly exceeded Grace's expectations.

“The lunch menu is a million times more interesting than the usual museum or gallery scones and sandwich fare," she said. "Here, there is piping hot fritto misto, a choice of five fresh pasta dishes, including a juicy bowl of delightfully pungent red gurnard with thick pappardelle, fresh tomato, almonds and black olives that was nothing short of delicious.

"Someone is actually cooking here, not cynically heating things up for tourists.”

Grace Dent - 2025-08-10

Prices

Traditional European menu

Starter Main Pudding
£15.00 £25.00 £10.00
Drinks  
Wine per bottle £30.00
Filter Coffee £3.00
Extras  
Bread £0.00
Service 10.00%
The Sainsbury Wing,Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN
Opening hours
Not Set

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