Soho, Italian Restaurant Guide

“Does one thing and does it well” – pasta is made fresh on site each day at Stevie Parle’s “busy” Soho venue, and the resulting “great dishes are served quickly with a smile”. It’s “great value too”, so “a good go-to with a few friends for a quick bite”. Top Tip – “shows you don’t need burgers and chicken nuggets to make a good kids’ menu”.

“Consistently good family-style Italian restaurant in Soho” with “well priced, excellent food, and a nice vermouth bar serving its own creations” (they claim London’s largest selection of vermouths, as well as those they themselves make). Alongside good ranges of pizza and pasta – all of it homemade – the steaks are the highpoint of the short selection of ‘secondi’.

“Bowled over by the quality of the pasta and the reasonable prices, especially for central London!” – that’s the appeal in a nutshell of these busy Soho and Covent Garden pitstops, which are – for their legions of fans – “useful go-tos in the West End for an affordable meal”. On the downside, some feel “the homemade pasta is less impressive than the reviews lead you to believe”; the experience can feel “rushed” (“I don’t count being reminded every ten minutes how long until they want your seats back as good service”); and the setting can seem “just too cramped”. Still, they must be doing something right, with recent openings in Borough and (as of summer 2025) Kensington.

“Inspired, flavour-packed and distinctive Italian food served with flair” and “rooted in owner Jacob Kenedy’s heritage” helps make it “always uplifting to dine” at this “perennial favourite”, in a backstreet near Piccadilly Circus: one of the Top-20 most popular destinations in our annual diners’ poll. “Whether you sit at the counter with a fascinating view of the chefs making the magic happen – or at the tables – they make you feel like a part of the family and keep the exquisite morsels coming”, all from a “thoughtful” and “complex” menu, presented tapas-style, which incorporates all the regions of the country. There are also “lots of interesting Italian wines, with many available by the glass”, not to mention “top-notch Negronis”. “This place has been on the top of its game for 17 years now, probably because the dishes change so often, with a fabulous, clubby atmosphere even if it can sometimes be a little too noisy” (and “too crowded”). Top Menu Tips: “exceptional charcuterie and polenta”; “lovely Rabbit risotto, fennel sausage and courgette”; “the Courgette flowers are unbeatable”; “Stuffed olives Ascolana, speck, prawn risotto, espresso & Fernet may be the perfect lunch”.

Luxe Italian off Savile Row from an ancient Florentine banking and winemaking dynasty (Michelangelo and England’s Henry VIII were historical clients): it’s “nothing special food-wise”, but “the alfresco dining during better weather is the best in the area”. “The wine list is strong, albeit eye-wateringly expensive” – hardly a problem for the Mayfair hedge-funders who use it as their canteen.

This smart and notably “well-spaced” Savile Row veteran from The Evolv Collection (formerly D&D London) remains “super for business lunches”, but opinion remains split on the quality of its cuisine: some praise “exceptionally good and elegantly presented” dishes, while sceptics find only “disappointing cooking from a previously great restaurant”. Top Menu Tips – “great starters of Battuta di manzo, Tagliolini di cacio and pepe, and exceptional Lobster tagliolini; superb Veal Milanese for two with very light Zucchine fritte”.

“An icon which never disappoints!” – a “classic” both for its foundational role in British coffee culture and for its barely touched 1949 interior, the Polledri family’s famous bar provides “great coffee” 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – plus “a good view of the queues outside Ronnie Scott’s, so celebrity-spotting is a free extra”.

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??”

“This small, unassuming restaurant is a favourite haunt” in Soho, featuring “imaginative, unfussy and tasty food”, with “attentive service in a buzzy environment”. Founders Cameron Emirali & Luke Wilson are “lovely people” who “get everything right”, so “the ambience is fun, with everyone enjoying themselves”. Top Tip – “it’s worth sharing plates to get twice as much pleasure for the same price”.

“This huge trattoria in Fritzrovia” from the successful Big Mamma Group is “basically fake Sicily on steroids” – an “Instagramable kind of place (you have been warned)” with a “menu full of shouting puns” and “carbonara served in a pecorino wheel”. The food is arguably a tad “average” but it’s generously portioned and, unless you were expecting foodie fireworks, “never disappoints”; while “service is always impressively quick, despite the high number of guests at the weekend”.

“Perfect espresso ... perfect vibe” – Italian cocktails from mixologist extraordinaire Tony Conigliaro take centre stage at his chic Soho bar, with a supporting cast of coffee, prosciutto, salami, coppa and Italian cheeses.

Opulently decked out with old-fashioned decor incorporating acres of red fabric, this engagingly flamboyant new hotel basement provides a cosy Soho escape. No survey feedback as yet, but online reviews suggest that for those who are not particularly budget-conscious and seeking a comfortable rather than a foodie experience, it may find a niche; and in a January 2024 review the FT’s Tim Hayward gave a thumbs-up to its traditional-ish, Italian-inspired cuisine. You can unwind pre- or post-meal in the hotel’s rooftop bar.

“Real Bolognese starters and pastas made by real Bolognese” win praise for this “popular, authentic, family-run restaurant” in Soho. Michela makes the pasta every day, her husband Enrico cooks it and their daughter Carlotta serves it. It’s tiny, so “booking is essential – but you may still have to wait if the previous occupants of your table can’t bring themselves to leave!”. Top Menu Tip – “tiramisu is a highlight”.

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??”

“So much fun!” – this big (180-seat), buoyant Soho yearling has something for everyone and seems to be carving out something of a niche for birthday celebrations, which often feature in reports. Decked out like a retro US-style Italian, it serves an easygoing and affordable mix of pizza, pasta (e.g. spaghetti with meatballs) and creamy puds. (“Had my 50th celebration here. Our waiter was very attentive considering our large group of 12. Ambience is fun and lively, others were having birthday celebrations too as I could hear the waiting team singing happy birthday to them too!”)

“Great pasta dishes and very good wine by the glass” are found at this smart two-year-old Italian restaurant in the heart of Soho, with a Tuscan-influenced menu that changes daily and a more formal dining room upstairs.