Cuisine Guide

Top Rated — Best Italian in London

Discover handpicked Italian restaurants in London, with what to order first at each place.

Every place here is handpicked. Signal score shows how strong and consistent the review coverage is, not a star rating.

34 restaurants

1
Gloria

Italian · ££ · Shoreditch

95Signal

Start with

Pasta al tartufo

A satisfying, 'dank bowl' of fresh mafalda ribbons littered with black Molise truffle, mascarpone, and button mushrooms that critics call 'downright delicious.'

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

2
Padella

Italian · £ · Southwark

93Signal

Start with

Pici Cacio e Pepe

Described as 'critically acclaimed' and 'so simple, so diet-destroying,' this signature dish is a benchmark for the restaurant's hand-rolled pasta.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

3
Baccalà

Italian Seafood · £££ · Bermondsey

91Signal

Start with

Roasted octopus with 'colonnata' lard

Described as a 'bonafide home run' by Square Mile, this starter featuring marinated bell peppers and olives is noted for leaving diners 'wanting more.'

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

4
Popolo Shoreditch

Italian · ££ · Shoreditch

90Signal

Start with

Pork Cheek Agnolotti

Consistently praised as 'flawlessly realised,' this pasta is served in a 'buttery porcini sauce ripe with parmesan' and is noted as a dish it would be a 'mistake to ignore.'

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

5
Jacuzzi

Italian · ££££ · Kensington

89Signal

Start with

Pistachio Profiterole

A 'massive' and 'jaw-slackening' dessert that critics say is worth visiting for alone—even suggesting you 'maybe just come here for dessert.'

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

6
Angelina

Itameshi (Italian-Japanese Fusion) · £££ · Dalston

88Signal

Start with

Hokkaido milk bread

Consistently hailed as '100% the right way to start any meal,' this bread is celebrated for its cloud-like texture and unique accompaniments like kumquat and burnt honey butter.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

7
Artusi

Italian · £££ · Peckham

88Signal

Start with

Pappardelle with Lamb Shoulder Ragu

Jay Rayner calls these 'broad, silky ribbons' a 'standard bearer' for the restaurant, featuring meat cooked down until only the 'deep flavor' remains.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

8
Casa Felicia

Italian · £££ · Queen's Park

87Signal

Start with

Aubergine Parmigiana

Not your typical layered dish, this version uses "tempura eggplant" with a batter that is "light and crisp," described as a "molten, cheesy embrace."

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

9
Maremma

Tuscan Italian · ££ · Brixton

87Signal

Start with

Tortelli Maremmani

These cheese and ricotta stuffed dumplings are a visual highlight of the menu; critics who skip them report 'kicking themselves' when they see the dish served at other tables.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

10
Ida

Italian · ££ · Queen's Park

86Signal

Start with

Tagliatelle al Ragù Marchigiano

The mainstay of the menu, this dish is made traditionally with chicken hearts and gizzards and simmered slowly into what critics call a 'comforting delight.'

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

11
Flour & Grape

Italian · ££ · Bermondsey

85Signal

Start with

Roasted Pork Shoulder Tortelloni

Described as a 'clear winner' that is 'stuffed to within an inch of its life' and served simply with sage butter.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

12
Legare

Italian · £££ · Southwark

85Signal

Start with

Pappardelle with Fennel Sausage Ragù and Cavolo Nero

Described as the 'main event,' these broad, al dente ribbons are wrapped in a rich ragù that critics call 'meaty, carb-laden goodness.'

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

13
Vasco & Piero's Pavilion

Italian · £££ · Soho

85Signal

Start with

Tagliatelle with Beef and Pork Ragu

Regarded as a Soho institution staple, this 'yolk-yellow' handmade pasta is dressed in a 'rich, vinous, slow-cooked' sauce that critics say you'd be pleased to find in Italy.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

14
L Terroni & Sons

Italian Deli · £ · Clerkenwell

85Signal

Start with

Pizza slice

Gigantic and inexpensive, a must-order classic to enjoy while taking in the history of London's oldest Italian deli.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

15
Bocca di Lupo

Regional Italian · £££ · Soho

84Signal

Start with

Shaved Radish, Celeriac & Pecorino Salad

This Umbrian-inspired dish is a menu staple; critics highlight it as a standout example of the kitchen's 'unfancy charm' and regional focus.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

16
Murano

Modern Italian · ££££ · Mayfair

84Signal

Start with

Tagliatelle with roast ceps/porcini and 24-month aged Parmesan Reggiano

Reviewers highlight the 'excellent texture' of the hand-made pasta combined with the 'earthy mushroom flavour' and the 'richness of the cheese.'

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

17
Manteca

Nose-to-Tail Italian · ££ · Shoreditch

84Signal

Start with

Tonnarelli, brown crab cacio e pepe

This is the "dish you'll see most on Instagram" and for good reason. Critics describe the rust-coloured sauce as having a "deep, savoury kick" that is "VERY good."

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

18
Osteria Angelina

Itameshi (Italian-Japanese) · £££ · Shoreditch

84Signal

Start with

Tortellini with Truffle & Kombu

This dish perfectly illustrates the restaurant's 'dual culinary inspiration,' blending Italian technique with Japanese depth.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

19
Ciao Bella

Italian · ££ · Bloomsbury

83Signal

Start with

Spaghetti al Cartoccio

The house signature and a 'greatest-hit' of the menu: a mountain of seafood pasta baked and served theatrically in a greaseproof paper bag.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

20
Duchy

French-Italian (Savoyard) · £££ · Shoreditch

83Signal

Start with

Brown Crab Arancini

Universally praised as an 'easy recommendation' and a 'great, filling start' to the meal.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

21
Brutto

Italian · ££ · Farringdon

83Signal

Start with

Penne con Vodka

Regarded as a staple with 'nice things being said' by critics; it remains a reliable, universally praised pasta choice for those new to the menu.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

22
Circolo Popolare

Italian · £££ · Fitzrovia

82Signal

Start with

La Gran Carbonara

The viral benchmark dish served tableside, stirred up in and then served from a huge round of pecorino cheese.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

23
Nina

Italian · £££ · Marylebone

82Signal

Start with

Bluefin tuna e melone

Described as a 'real winner' and 'as pretty as a picture,' this dish features a successful combination of seriously sweet melon and raw tuna with Italian ponzu and basil.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

24
DALLA

Italian · £££ · Hackney

82Signal

Start with

Tiramisu

Described as 'superlative' and quintessential Italian comfort food, this dish is a staple of the restaurant's nostalgic charm and was even selected for Charli xcx's wedding menu.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

25
Barabba

Italian · £££

82Signal

Start with

Spaghetti with Colatura & Caviar

A 'super-luxe' signature featuring butter, punchy anchovy sauce from Cetara, and a 'healthy whack of caviar.' It is the go-to order for Copenhagen's chefs and restaurant workers who frequent the spot late at night.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

26
E Pellicci

British / Italian · £ · Bethnal Green

82Signal

Start with

Full English Breakfast

Described as a "monumental" and "humongous" plate, it is considered one of the "best fry ups in town," featuring sausages, eggs, bacon, hash browns, black pudding, and fried bread.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

27
Scotti's Snack Bar

Italian Caff · £ · Clerkenwell

82Signal

Start with

Chicken Escalope Sandwich

The restaurant's showstopper; the chicken is boned, bashed, and breadcrumbed in-house each morning, then served on fresh ciabatta with lettuce, tomato, mustard, mayo, and a crucial squeeze of lemon.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

28
Luca

Italian · ££££ · Clerkenwell

82Signal

Start with

Parmesan Fries

Described as the 'exquisite love child of a churro and a croqueta,' these 'gossamer-light and greaseless fingers of cheese' are a Luca trademark that critics claim they could eat by the 'family bucket.'

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

29
Sorella

Italian · £££ · Clapham

82Signal

Start with

Truffle Arancini

Described as 'small, feisty truffle arancini,' these are a staple starter at this neighborhood joint that are consistently praised for their flavor.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

30
Marcella

Italian · ££ · Deptford

82Signal

Start with

Seasonal Ragu Pasta

Whether it's ox cheek, beef shin, or venison, the slow-cooked meat ragu pastas (often pappardelle) are consistently rated as rich, comforting, and technically perfect.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

31
Italo

Italian Cafe & Deli · ££ · Vauxhall

82Signal

Start with

Italian-style Sandwiches

Generously filled with seasonal ingredients like mortadella and sweet peppers.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

32
Bancone

Italian · ££ · Covent Garden

82Signal

Start with

Silk Handkerchiefs with Walnut Butter & Confit Egg Yolk

The undisputed signature dish; described as 'casually orgasmic,' it features paper-thin sheets of pasta draped in a 'heavenly,' 'sticky, nutty, gritty mess of butter.'

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

33
Guido’s

Italian · ££ · Dulwich

82Signal

Start with

Cacio e pepe pasta

The quintessential must-order dish supplied by the editor.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

34
Carlotta

Italian-American · ££££ · Marylebone

81Signal

Start with

Tortelloni With Lamb Ragù

Hand-made tortelloni stuffed with a spicy Cornish lamb ragù and served with a rich tomato sauce, Parmigiano Reggiano, and fresh basil.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

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