The Best Italian Restaurants in London

Every neighbourhood deserves a good Italian restaurant, somewhere to hole up and ease the pressures of the outside world with a comforting plate of pasta, and Peckham’s comes in the form of this terrific little spot awarded a Bib Gourmand for its high-quality, affordable dishes. As is often the way with Italian cooking, simplicity is key to its charms, with pared-back and ingredient-led dishes delivering satisfying flavours in abundance. The friendly service and simplicity of the room add to the appeal, helping Artusi feel like a proper local gem.

Ask people for their favourite aspect of Italian cuisine and we bet that you’ll hear a lot of them saying ‘pasta’. The team at Bancone know this and so keep their menu sensibly focused on the art of affordable, straightforwardly delicious pasta dishes. There are some antipasti to begin of course, plus occasional meat and fish specials, but the focus is on the likes of the signature ‘silk handkerchiefs’ with walnut butter and confit egg yolk. There are other branches across the city and, as ‘bancone’ means ‘counter’ in Italian, most of them have seats by the kitchen.

This endearing trattoria founded by the late, great Russell Norman is named after the Italian word for ‘ugly’ and that should be a clue that there are no airs or graces here. That said, what could be more beautiful than authentic Italian food served within a homely and happy atmosphere? The meat-heavy menu includes a choice of steaks and looks to Tuscany for most of its inspiration. To start, order the signature wallet-friendly negroni; to finish, it’s hard to overlook the tiramisu – even among London’s stiff competition, the Brutto version is a belter.

The long-standing London tradition of non-bookable restaurants continues with this likeable eatery on Portobello Road. The queues outside either add anticipation or irritation, depending on your personality, but nobody could argue with the stripped-back, flavour-packed dishes you get to enjoy once you’re inside. The simplicity of the cooking is somewhat reminiscent of The River Café, which is no surprise as the two chefs are both alumni of its kitchen. Given the buzzy, relaxed vibe, it’s equally unsurprising that the owners also run The Hero and The Pelican, two of London’s best pubs.

Occupying a former warehouse at the edge of the Thames, this welcoming and affably run spot combines a comforting neighbourhood feel with a great location for sightseers near Tower Bridge. Robust and rustic dishes are the name of the game, with the finely crafted pastas providing the best value for money. As with so many of the best Italian restaurants, the dishes’ simplicity belies their skilful construction and the depth of flavour in every bite. Finish with a textbook cannolo for the perfect demonstration.

One of the MICHELIN-Starred elite among London’s Italian restaurants, Luca provides both a smart, well-run setting and some of the finest Italian dishes in the capital. The elegant room features plenty of leather banquettes and a bar area where a brilliantly priced ‘Express Lunch’ menu is served. As is tradition, the menu is split into four courses, with pasta dishes like the tortelli of delica pumpkin proving a highlight. Like many of the capital’s best Italians, there is a wine list to match the food – full of premier producers and growers from around the country.

The model pig’s head hanging outside the door gives arriving diners a clue that this Shoreditch restaurant’s menu is underpinned by a nose-to-tail ethos, with the likes of pig tail ragu likely to pop up amongst dishes that are bold, colourful and supremely satisfying. The Italian adage of ‘less is more’ can be felt across cooking whose primary goal is delivering flavour. That being said, it takes an awful lot of skill and care to pull it off, and the chefs here do it with aplomb. A terrific buzz fills the room and the service is impressively efficient in a very busy restaurant.

Angela Hartnett has been at the forefront of London’s best Italian cooking for well over a decade now, and her flagship restaurant continues to serve up MICHELIN-Star quality. The north of Italy is a particular focus in dishes characterised by their intense yet beautifully balanced flavours, available from a flexible menu that can be enjoyed in a choice of lengths. The caramelised Amalfi lemon tart is a stellar way to finish and epitomises the marriage of top-tier produce and well-honed craft that goes into each supremely satisfying dish.

Like Bancone, Padella is all about pasta: lots and lots of very good pasta. The team here has hit upon a successful formula and the place is perennially packed as a result. There are no bookings but instead a ‘virtual queue’ system via QR code or app, meaning you can wander around the stalls of Borough Market while you wait. When your turn arrives, you’ll be treated to fresh pasta hand-rolled that morning, paired with a selection of sauces and fillings that provide a hit of pure Italian flavour. The Shoreditch branch is better for bigger groups.

It may be at the pricier end of London Italians, but there’s something truly special about this long-standing icon of the capital’s restaurant scene. The produce-led cooking is thoroughly Italian in spirit and delivers on authentic Italian flavours thanks to the quality of the base ingredients. The atmosphere has an exclusive, clubby quality and it remains one of London’s best areas for celebrity-spotting. On summer days, it’s hard to resist a seat on the famous terrace; as the sun beats down and the dishes arrive, you could believe you’re in Italy.