Chelsea, Italian Restaurant Guide

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.”

“Despite being off the beaten track” in Chelsea (albeit near the King’s Road), this tiny trat’ still packs ’em in. Founder Roberto Colussi died a few years back, but the front-of-house team has maintained his warm welcome and the very dependable cooking.

“The sourdough base is slow-fermented for 48 hours”, and there’s “a great selection of toppings (but you can’t beat any with the burrata heart – so creamy, so addictive!”) at these rustic venues in Chelsea and Battersea.

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.

This Chelsea four-year-old (by Chelsea Green) with an Alpine-themed interior is from a duo involved in Beast and Burger & Lobster; and offers a raw bar along with prime cuts of steak and fish from the grill, sold per 100g – all of which attracts little commentary from reporters beyond the consistent complaint that it’s “way over-priced”. In September 2023, a new offshoot – Wild Notting Hill – will open on the site that was formerly 202 (RIP).

“Charming old-style service and delicious food” “still packs the locals in” at this “popular family-run Italian” in Chelsea from Lucio Altana and his sons Dario and Mirko, now in its twenty-first year.

This “fun” Tuscan tapas bar on a Chelsea corner is, say fans, “everything a local Italian should be”, and celebrates its 30th anniversary next year. “It knows what it’s good at and does it very, very well” – “though not exceptional, it’s reasonably priced for SW3; and always relaxed and informal”.

“A terrific Italian with super service… that’s amore!”, declare fans of this smart Chelsea haunt, founded in 1964 by Richard Burton’s agent, Daphne Rye, and frequented in the 1990s by Princess Di. Now part of Richard Caring’s Caprice group, it seems to be defying the ravages of time and remains a “favourite, if expensive” rendezvous near Brompton Cross. Top Menu Tip – “the crab and chilli linguine is to die for”.

“Smart and buzzy”, “reliable but expensive” – the underlying themes in reports over the years on this duo in Chelsea and the City, where “fresh Italian food is generally well done, if a little safe and uninspired”. Top Tip – the Duke of York Square branch benefits from a heated terrace as well as conservatory and garden, making it a “happening place when the sun shines”.

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?