Chelsea, Italian Restaurant Guide

2019 Review: This “great little Italian pizza place” in a side street off the King’s Road is a “best-in-class for a cheap and cheerful bite”. There’s a “limited menu, but what it does it does well”… and has done for yonks.

2021 Review: These “buzzing family-run Italians” in southwest London create “an exceptional atmosphere” for large parties of all ages – and “they won’t break the bank”. “Despite the celebratory brouhaha, they produce a very respectable menu of traditional dishes – fish stew, duck, pizza on demand” – “even the veggies are catered for”. “Expect noise and old people dancing.”

“There’s a real buzz and warmth” to this tiny but “intimate” Venetian trattoria off the King’s Road, which packs in well-heeled Chelsea locals and their children. Roberto Colussi, who founded it in 1984, died four years ago, but its regulars continue to recommend it as “great for a night with good friends”. “The cooking is amazing given its minute kitchen”, but overall “you don’t really go to Ziani’s for the food”.

The nice roof terrace at the 30-year-old Chelsea branch is the main reason to mention this small pizza chain, which also has siblings in Battersea and Wimbledon (the latter has yet to re-open as of September 2021).

2021 Review: An “intriguing concept” – ‘A rotation of Mammas’ from 20 different Italian regions per year provide the hearty scoff at this welcoming Chelsea yearling, where handmade pasta is something of a feature. By all accounts, the formula works, delivering “interesting dishes not found in your typical Italian restaurant” to a consistently good standard, and – for the ’hood – it’s not especially pricey either.

The casually luxurious DNA of Goodmans and Burger & Lobster is evident at this two-year-old venture (opened in December 2019), overlooking Chelsea Green. What is essentially a surf ’n’ turf menu with seafood and USDA steaks sold by the 100g is bolstered by Italian dishes and pasta, all served in an elegant, vaguely Alpine setting, complete with fire pit and wooden ceiling. For the most part reports are all good – “a very welcome addition” – but, on the downside, ratings are dragged down by the fact that it’s “soooo expensive”.

2018 Review: “Basic Italian cooking done to a satisfactory standard” along with a “family-friendly atmosphere” have established this “busy” and incredibly “consistent” café as a Clapham institution; it has a Chelsea spin-off too at the King’s Road ‘Jam’ – an age-old place with fun double-decker booths.

This family-run Italian in the Fulham Road has built a solid fan-base over almost two decades for its seasonal cooking – including “particularly good fish” – and offers “spectacular value” for lunch. It is not hugely known, but regulars will travel from across town for a meal.

It’s “nice to sit under the canopy on a summer’s evening”, even if it “can be crowded and noisy”, at this “well-established neighbourhood Italian”, on a prominent Chelsea corner site. An early exponent of serving Italian food tapas-style, it still wins praise for its “reasonable prices” and dependable standards.

This “romantic” Italian near Brompton Cross dates back to Chelsea’s ‘Swinging Sixties’, when it was founded by Richard Burton’s agent, Daphne Rye, and was still swinging two decades later as one of Princess Di’s hangouts. Nowadays, impressions vary between sceptics who fear it’s lost its mojo (“riding on its reputation from many years ago”) and a loyal majority for whom it’s “old-school but consistently good”.

The Chelsea branch of this modern Italian duo (the other is in The City) “was a real godsend during the Covid restrictions” for its “special terrace” – “one of the best in London” – “well away from the King’s Road traffic” and with “lots of flowers and heaters when needed”. “The food is very good but rather pricey” – perhaps as expected at these locations.

2021 Review: Now over ten years old, this Venetian/Mediterranean chain has suffered a drip-feed of branch closures, with only two now trading: Soho and Chelsea. And in August 2020 it parted ways with its co-founder Russell Norman. Fans do still applaud the duo’s “very convivial and fun” formula, but the groups woes have stemmed from Venetian small plates that are often “no better than fine”, and at worst “uncared for” or “very mediocre”. Perhaps it will now finally turn a corner?