Mayfair, Pizza Restaurant Guide

This “professional and consistently authentic” family-run Italian has occupied a prime corner site in central Mayfair since 1953, and pleases a crowd who are not keen to pay the ‘Mayfair prices’ charged elsewhere in the area. Breakfast (served from 7.30am), pizza and pasta dominate the menu.

2024 Review: “You can’t fail to impress with the food, vibes and service”, according to fans of this Moscow-based chain, whose Mayfair offshoot is not short on glam. It provoked less feedback this year, though, in our annual diners’ poll (too limited for a rating), but expansion is coming in the second half of 2023 with a new branch, below the Strand Palace Hotel.

“A great local Italian with un-Mayfair prices” – this new arrival in South Audley Street is the first Italian restaurant from Samyukta Nair (of Jamavar, Bombay Bustle, Koyn et al) and designed as a family-oriented neighbourhood spot to drop in for a bite at any time of the day from an easygoing menu including pizza and pasta. It inspired lots of reports in our annual diners’ poll, practically all positive. In particular, “how much longer can they afford to offer their exceptionally cheap two-course lunch in this expensive location”: let’s hope a long time, as all reports agree it’s “fantastic value”. And it helps that “staff are so nice!” (Nipotina is Italian for ‘granddaughter’, and the venue is apparently a tribute to Samyukta’s grandfather.)