LONDON, Italian Restaurant Guide

2022 Review: This 55-year-old City trattoria is a popular, lunchtime rendezvous spot on account of its “huge” helpings of classic dishes; its terrace by Bow churchyard for al fresco eating; and its good regional list of Italian wines.

“Up-market Italian” pair, whose City branch has a “pretty good location near St Paul’s” and is “a reliable business lunch staple”, while the Chelsea branch next door to the Saatchi Gallery boasts “arguably one of the best outside patios in London”. “Prices are high, however, while the food is fine but nothing to write home about” (“I tend to use Manicomio City for entertaining lunches where we have a compliance-monitored expenditure limit, so trips to top-end eateries are, sadly, out – this fills the gap nicely”). BREAKING NEWS: In July 2025, the group launched a big and impressive-looking, new all-day City restaurant – Campanelle – in the former London Shipping Exchange at 19-21 Billiter Street, London EC3.

2022 Review: A “family-run trattoria” three minutes’ walk from St Paul’s that rates highly for its “varied Italian menu” – and it’s notably well priced for the City, too.

With views of the internal lake, this brasserie above the auditorium of the Barbican complex is a natural choice for a pre-concert supper; and has long been one of the few options in the under-served area created by the surrounding Brutalist 1970s development. Run by well-known caterers Searcy’s in recent times, they reformatted it in 2025 from its ‘Osteria’ branding of recent years. Let’s hope for a return to the venue’s past best, when it’s been an attraction in itself rather than merely a barely tolerable amenity for culture-lovers – reports please!

“Lively Italian” near Farringdon serving “good pizza” and “with some slightly offbeat dishes”, plus “an excellent and not too pricey wine list” (including a notably strong selection from the south of Italy). It’s a “friendly, now often bustling, place” which is for many “a go-to in the Barbican/West Smithfield area”.

“An excellent group serving good food and wine with a smile” – this trio of Italians in the Square Mile offer an impressive selection of red wines in particular from the peninsula, backed up by a sensible menu with a focus on meat from the grill. Prices are “premium” but quality is sound. The Devonshire Square outlet benefits from an attractive outdoor terrace for al fresco dining.

“An excellent group serving good food and wine with a smile” – this trio of Italians in the Square Mile offer an impressive selection of red wines in particular from the peninsula, backed up by a sensible menu with a focus on meat from the grill. Prices are “premium” but quality is sound. The Devonshire Square outlet benefits from an attractive outdoor terrace for al fresco dining.

Opening its 10th branch in 2025 – amidst the towers of Canary Wharf – this much commented- on chain is leaving behind its Soho roots – as a quaint old deli of 75 years’ standing – and is now in full-on ‘roll-out’ mode. Fans still find it “very impressive for a chain that’s growing so fast” and tip its “lovely mint-green” outlets as “an ideal place to meet and enjoy authentic pasta and Italian dishes”. Some branches, though, are better than others: in particular the “friendly and relaxed Marylebone branch at the junction of Wigmore Street is a winner”. Others, though, can show the strains of expansion: “What’s the point? It’s neither stand-out, nor cheap and cheerful. Unexceptional pasta is served in a so-so ambience. I am not sure I get it??”

“Properly Italian food, properly cooked” is on the menu at this “super-authentic Puglian-style” restaurant “near the Almeida theatre” in Islington (“always a favourite place to go before a play”). “The food is rustic and always delicious” – “lovely pasta and rich, fresh, full-of-flavour sauces, in generous portions”, plus “spectacular pizzas”. There’s a “super atmosphere”, although it gets “very noisy at busy times”, and they have a second branch near St Paul’s in the City. Top Menu Tips – “they cater brilliantly for coeliacs, baking their own gluten-free bread on site and it’s fantastic”; “very good Salento Panzerotti di patate, finger croquettes with the lightest of crust rather than a mini-calzone”.

Opening its 10th branch in 2025 – amidst the towers of Canary Wharf – this much commented- on chain is leaving behind its Soho roots – as a quaint old deli of 75 years’ standing – and is now in full-on ‘roll-out’ mode. Fans still find it “very impressive for a chain that’s growing so fast” and tip its “lovely mint-green” outlets as “an ideal place to meet and enjoy authentic pasta and Italian dishes”. Some branches, though, are better than others: in particular the “friendly and relaxed Marylebone branch at the junction of Wigmore Street is a winner”. Others, though, can show the strains of expansion: “What’s the point? It’s neither stand-out, nor cheap and cheerful. Unexceptional pasta is served in a so-so ambience. I am not sure I get it??”