City, Italian Restaurant Guide

The Square Mile continues to up its foodie credentials with the arrival of an Italian 'foodie theme park' from Eataly in April 2021 boasting stores, restaurants, market stalls and coffee shops. Eataly was founded in 2004 by entrepreneur Oscar Farinetti and now has 35 megastores worldwide, including in Tokyo and New York. A London location has been touted in the past but has not materialised until now. Separate restaurants within the complex include La Terrazza, Pasta e Pizza and Cucine del Mercato.

“Outstanding seasonal food with very helpful and friendly service” gets a thumbs-up for this modern Italian by Spitalfields Market. There’s a “great wine list – including by-the-glass from the Coravin system”, and it’s also highly recommended for a business breakfast – “much better than the Breakfast Club opposite, and no queue”.

“Smart and rather business-like” stalwart, near Leadenhall Market, that’s one of the City’s longer-established expense-account venues. Even those who feel that the experience is “all a bit ‘staged’” say it “nevertheless serves great Italian cuisine”; and reporters who feel that “after 20 years it’s a tad tired” still say that “it’s always a pleasant visit”.

“A cramped City Italian with good food”, this traditional venue off Bow churchyard “generally performs well” and (in non-Covid times) is “packed at lunchtime – particularly at the tables outside, when weather permits”. “Portions are huge” and there’s “a fantastic list of regional Italian wines, some of which you might not find elsewhere”. Ratings dropped in the last survey year, though, with the odd ‘off’ report.

2017 Review: A “mind-expanding wine list” focussed on Italy at “reasonable mark-ups” and all available by the glass is the big draw at this City wine bar, whose owners hail from the Monferrato vineyard region in Piedmont. The “sensibly short” food selection is “fine”.

From Searcys, a wine and champagne bar on the first floor of the City's One New Change shopping centre, with Italian restaurant attached specialising in pasta and meatball.

Sibling to Stoke Newington's WOLF, this new City branch, by Liverpool St Station, offers up the same seasonal Italian fare, with takeaway options for commuters, from breakfast onwards.