Dining
The 4 Best Italian Restaurants in London
From handmade pasta counters to grand old dining rooms: where to eat Italian properly in London.
In short: our top picks are Bocca di Lupo, Padella and Trullo. 4 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
London does Italian as well as almost anywhere outside Italy, if you know where to look past the tourist traps. These are the rooms we go back to, from pasta counters worth queuing for to grand dining rooms that have fed the city for decades.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Bocca di Lupo | Soho | £££ |
| Padella | Borough | ££ |
| Trullo | Islington | £££ |
| Bancone | Covent Garden | ££ |
-
Editor’s choice
Bocca di Lupo
Why we pick itA joyful tour of regional Italy in the heart of Soho; order the small plates and keep going.
-
Padella
Why we pick itHand-rolled pasta at a counter worth queuing for; the pici cacio e pepe is the order.
Worth knowingNo bookings, ever, and a weekend queue that can eat an hour before you see a menu. The room is narrow, loud and built for turnover rather than lingering.
-
Trullo
Why we pick itIslington's grown-up trattoria; charcoal-grilled meats and pasta that changes with the season.
Worth knowingGroups are capped at eight in the evening, tables are hard to get at peak times, and it is a proper trip unless you are already near Highbury.
-
Bancone
Why we pick itSilky house-made pasta done with real polish; the silk handkerchiefs are the signature.
Worth knowingPortions run small, so a proper meal means a starter and two pasta courses, and most sites take no bookings, which means a wait at peak times.
Before you book
Book the well-known rooms ahead, but the best pasta counters often keep seats back for walk-ins, so turn up early. Order what is regional and in season, ask the waiter what the kitchen is proud of that day, and never skip the house wine; in a good Italian room it is chosen with care.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
Bocca di Lupo is our editor's choice: A joyful tour of regional Italy in the heart of Soho; order the small plates and keep going. Bocca di Lupo, Padella and Trullo lead the guide, with 4 places in total, all chosen on merit.
How does Lamplit London choose its recommendations?
Every place is chosen on merit, after first-hand visits where possible, with no pay-for-placement. Read our full method at https://www.lamplitlondon.com/how-we-choose/.
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