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.
Harden's survey result
Not enough people have commented yet
Our reviews are based on an annual survey of ordinary diners which runs in Spring each year. But this establishment has not yet gathered enough feedback for our editors to write it up.
Do you think it deserves to be better known?
Write a quick review now using our restaurant diary service. That way it might catch our attention. Next survey, you can transfer your diary entry into our survey system. Everyone who contributes 5 or more reviews in our survey will qualify for a free guide.
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 Locatelli at The National Gallery?
The Sainsbury Wing,Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN
Locatelli at The National Gallery Restaurant Diner Reviews
"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."
"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"
The Sainsbury Wing,Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN
Opening hours
Best restaurants nearby
Burgers, etc restaurant in St James's
British, Modern restaurant in St James's
British, Modern restaurant in Westminster
