London is home to some of the finest Italian dining outside Italy itself — a city whose Italian restaurant scene has evolved far beyond the red-checkered-tablecloth stereotype into genuine regional authenticity, Michelin-starred ambition, and some of the best Neapolitan pizza available anywhere in Europe. Bocca di Lupo in Soho has built its reputation on showcasing dishes from across Italy's twenty regions rather than the generic national menu most Italian restaurants abroad default to, while 50 Kalò at Trafalgar Square brought celebrated Naples pizzaiolo Ciro Salvo to London directly, establishing one of the most authentic Neapolitan pizza experiences outside Italy.
The breadth of London's Italian dining scene reflects the city's broader culinary sophistication. Murano in Mayfair, helmed by chef Angela Hartnett, holds a Michelin star for refined modern Italian cooking, while Locanda Locatelli in Marylebone has spent decades as one of the definitive references for serious Italian cuisine in the city under chef Giorgio Locatelli. At the more accessible end, Padella in Shoreditch has become a genuine London institution for its exceptional quality-to-price ratio on fresh handmade pasta, while Bancone in Covent Garden has built a devoted following specifically around its silk handkerchief pasta.
This guide ranks the 10 best Italian restaurants and pizzerias in London — from Michelin-starred dining rooms to the city's most authentic Neapolitan pizza — with the honest context that helps you choose the right table for any occasion.
Quick Comparison: Best Italian Restaurants and Pizza in London
| Restaurant | Area | Best For | Must-Order | Price p/p |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bocca di Lupo | Soho | Best Italian overall, regional dishes | Pappardelle al Ragù / Saltimbocca | £50–£100 |
| Gloria | Shoreditch | Most photogenic, glamorous | Truffle Pizza / Carbonara | £40–£80 |
| 50 Kalò | Trafalgar Square | Best Neapolitan pizza | Margherita / Marinara | £15–£30 |
| Bancone | Covent Garden | Best fresh handmade pasta | Silk Handkerchiefs | £25–£50 |
| Padella | Shoreditch | Best value pasta in London | Cacio e Pepe / Pici al Ragù | £15–£35 |
| Murano | Mayfair | Michelin-starred Italian | Lobster Ravioli / Veal | £90–£180 |
| Lina Stores | Soho | Historic Italian deli heritage | Truffle Tagliolini / Ravioli | £25–£50 |
| Circolo Popolare | Fitzrovia | Most spectacular interior | Carbonara / Neapolitan Pizza | £35–£70 |
| Locanda Locatelli | Marylebone | Luxury Italian institution | Saffron Risotto / Ossobuco | £80–£180 |
| Santore | Clerkenwell | Most authentic neighborhood pizza | Diavola / Quattro Formaggi | £20–£40 |
The 10 Best Italian Restaurants and Pizzerias in London
1. Bocca di Lupo — London's Best Italian Restaurant Overall
Location: Soho, London | Cuisine: Regional Italian | Price: £50–£100 per person | Best For: The most authentic regional Italian dining in London, romantic dinners, guests who want dishes from across Italy's twenty regions
Bocca di Lupo is widely considered one of the finest Italian restaurants in the United Kingdom — a Soho institution built around a genuinely ambitious concept: rather than offering a generic national Italian menu, the kitchen draws specifically on dishes from across Italy's diverse regions, from Sicily to Piedmont, giving London diners access to a breadth of authentic regional cooking that few Italian restaurants outside Italy attempt.
The Pappardelle al Ragù represents the kitchen's command of slow-cooked Italian classics, while the Saltimbocca alla Romana showcases Roman culinary tradition with genuine technical precision. The roasted octopus demonstrates the kitchen's range beyond pasta and meat, and the artisanal gelato closes the meal with the same regional authenticity that defines the entire menu.
The honest verdict: The best Italian restaurant in London for genuine regional authenticity — for a meal that moves beyond generic Italian dining into the real diversity of Italy's culinary regions, Bocca di Lupo is the city's definitive answer.
2. Gloria — Shoreditch's Most Photogenic Italian Glamour
Location: Shoreditch, London | Cuisine: Italian / 1970s Glamour | Price: £40–£80 per person | Best For: Photogenic dining, Shoreditch nightlife combined with dinner, lively groups
Gloria has become one of the most photographed Italian restaurants in London — a Shoreditch destination built around a deliberately maximalist 1970s Italian glamour aesthetic that has made it as much a visual experience as a dining one. The restaurant's bold design has translated directly into social media visibility, drawing a crowd that wants their Italian dinner to feel like part of a wider night out.
The truffle pizza and carbonara anchor a menu of well-executed Italian classics, while the giant burrata — served as a dramatic centerpiece — has become one of the restaurant's most ordered and photographed dishes. The lemon tiramisu provides a bright, distinctive variation on the Italian dessert classic.
The honest verdict: London's most photogenic and energetic Italian dining experience — for groups wanting bold design, generous shareable dishes, and a genuine sense of occasion in Shoreditch, Gloria delivers on both atmosphere and food.
3. 50 Kalò — Authentic Neapolitan Pizza from Ciro Salvo
Location: Trafalgar Square, London | Cuisine: Neapolitan Pizza | Price: £15–£30 per person | Best For: The most authentic Neapolitan pizza in London, guests who want a direct connection to Naples pizza tradition
50 Kalò brings genuine Naples pizza credentials to central London — founded by celebrated Neapolitan pizzaiolo Ciro Salvo, whose original Naples location is internationally recognized among serious pizza enthusiasts as one of the finest in the city where the format itself was invented. The Trafalgar Square location allows London diners to experience this level of Neapolitan authenticity without traveling to Italy.
The Margherita and Marinara represent the purest expressions of Salvo's technique — the high-hydration dough, the specific char pattern from proper high-temperature baking, and the quality of San Marzano tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella that define genuine Neapolitan pizza. The provola and pepper pizza showcases the kitchen's range beyond the classic combinations.
The honest verdict: The most authentic Neapolitan pizza in London — for diners who want pizza made by a genuine Naples pizzaiolo using traditional technique, 50 Kalò is the city's most credible answer.
4. Bancone — Covent Garden's Beloved Fresh Pasta Destination
Location: Covent Garden, London | Cuisine: Fresh Handmade Pasta | Price: £25–£50 per person | Best For: The finest fresh handmade pasta in London, Covent Garden visitors, theatre-goers
Bancone has built a devoted following around a single, focused specialty: genuinely exceptional fresh handmade pasta, made visibly in-house and treated as the absolute centerpiece of the menu rather than one category among many. The Covent Garden location makes it a natural choice for pre-theatre dining, with a kitchen fast enough to accommodate show schedules without compromising quality.
The Silk Handkerchiefs with egg yolk has become Bancone's signature dish and one of the most talked-about pasta preparations in London — delicate sheets of fresh pasta enclosing a rich egg yolk that bursts when cut, creating an instantly recognizable and frequently photographed dish. The mushroom tagliolini and ricotta and spinach ravioli complete a menu built entirely around pasta craftsmanship.
The honest verdict: London's finest fresh handmade pasta destination — for the Silk Handkerchiefs alone, Bancone has earned its place as one of Covent Garden's most essential Italian dining experiences.
5. Padella — Shoreditch's Best Value Pasta in London
Location: Shoreditch, London | Cuisine: Fresh Pasta | Price: £15–£35 per person | Best For: The best quality-to-price ratio for fresh pasta in London, guests who don't mind queueing for genuine quality
Padella has achieved a status in London's Italian dining scene that few restaurants at its price point manage — genuinely excellent fresh pasta served at prices that make it accessible for regular visits rather than occasional treats, a combination that has made it one of the most consistently busy and beloved Italian restaurants in the city, with queues that regulars consider part of the experience.
The Cacio e Pepe, Pici al Ragù, and Pappardelle al Manzo represent a focused menu of Italian pasta classics, each executed with a level of craft that significantly outperforms the £15-35 price point. The combination of genuine quality and accessibility has made Padella a particular favorite among London's food-conscious younger diners.
The honest verdict: The best value fresh pasta in London without serious competition — for genuinely excellent pasta at prices that allow regular visits, Padella remains Shoreditch's essential Italian dining destination.
6. Murano — Angela Hartnett's Michelin-Starred Mayfair Italian
Location: Mayfair, London | Cuisine: Modern Michelin Italian | Michelin: One Star | Price: £90–£180 per person | Best For: The finest Michelin-starred Italian dining in London, special occasions, fans of chef Angela Hartnett
Murano holds a Michelin star under the direction of chef Angela Hartnett, one of the most celebrated figures in British-Italian fine dining — a Mayfair restaurant that elevates Italian cuisine to the highest level of technical refinement while maintaining genuine connection to the warmth and generosity that defines Italian cooking at its best.
The lobster ravioli represents the kitchen's ability to combine luxury ingredients with classic Italian pasta technique, while the veal preparations showcase Hartnett's command of refined Italian meat cookery. The full tasting menu offers the complete Murano experience, moving through the kitchen's range with the precision expected of a Michelin-starred establishment.
The honest verdict: The finest Michelin-starred Italian restaurant in London — for the highest level of refined Italian cuisine from one of British dining's most respected chefs, Murano in Mayfair is the city's essential destination.
7. Lina Stores Soho — A Historic Italian Deli's Restaurant Evolution
Location: Soho, London | Cuisine: Italian | Price: £25–£50 per person | Best For: Historic Italian heritage, quality pasta in a beloved Soho institution
Lina Stores carries genuine historical weight in London's Italian food scene — originally established as an Italian deli, the brand has evolved into a respected restaurant while maintaining the quality-focused, ingredient-first philosophy of its origins as a purveyor of authentic Italian products to London's Italian community.
The truffle tagliolini reflects the kitchen's commitment to quality ingredients sourced with the same care that built the original deli's reputation, while the ravioli and panna cotta complete a menu of well-executed Italian classics. The Soho location connects Lina Stores to the same neighborhood that houses several of London's other top Italian restaurants.
The honest verdict: A historic Soho Italian institution with genuine deli heritage — for quality Italian classics from a brand whose roots in authentic Italian food retail give it a credibility that newer restaurants cannot claim.
8. Circolo Popolare — Fitzrovia's Most Spectacular Italian Interior
Location: Fitzrovia, London | Cuisine: Italian | Price: £35–£70 per person | Best For: The most visually spectacular Italian dining room in London, generous portions, groups
Circolo Popolare has become famous throughout London for its extraordinary interior design — a Fitzrovia restaurant whose visual ambition has made it one of the most talked-about Italian dining rooms in the city, combined with a reputation for generous portions that has made it a particular favorite for groups and celebratory dinners.
The carbonara and Neapolitan pizza anchor a menu of well-executed Italian classics, while the burrata and lemon desserts reflect the kitchen's broader range. The combination of spectacular design and satisfying, generously portioned food has made Circolo Popolare one of the most consistently busy Italian restaurants in London.
The honest verdict: London's most spectacular Italian restaurant interior — for groups wanting a visually unforgettable dining room alongside genuinely satisfying, generously portioned Italian classics, Circolo Popolare delivers on every front.
9. Locanda Locatelli — Giorgio Locatelli's Marylebone Italian Institution
Location: Marylebone, London | Cuisine: Luxury Italian | Michelin: One Star | Price: £80–£180 per person | Best For: A historic luxury Italian institution, fans of chef Giorgio Locatelli, refined occasion dining
Locanda Locatelli has stood as one of the definitive references for serious Italian cuisine in London for decades, under the direction of celebrated chef Giorgio Locatelli — a Marylebone institution whose Michelin-starred status reflects sustained excellence rather than a single moment of acclaim. For years, it has represented one of the most trusted names for guests seeking authoritative, refined Italian dining in the city.
The saffron risotto is among the kitchen's most celebrated dishes — a Milanese classic executed with the precision that has defined Locatelli's reputation, while the sea bass and ossobuco demonstrate the kitchen's range across both seafood and classic braised meat preparations. The combination of culinary authority and elegant, understated dining room design has made Locanda Locatelli a long-standing favorite for serious occasions.
The honest verdict: One of London's most enduring and trusted luxury Italian institutions — for guests who want a restaurant with decades of consistent excellence under a chef of genuine renown, Locanda Locatelli remains an essential Marylebone destination.
10. Santore — Clerkenwell's Most Authentic Neighborhood Pizza
Location: Clerkenwell, London | Cuisine: Italian Pizza | Price: £20–£40 per person | Best For: Authentic neighborhood pizza, local favorite among Londoners, genuine Italian comfort food
Santore has earned a devoted following among Clerkenwell locals as one of the most genuinely authentic neighborhood pizzerias in London — a restaurant whose reputation has spread primarily through word of mouth among Londoners rather than tourist guides, a distinction that speaks to the consistency and honesty of what the kitchen produces night after night.
The Diavola and Quattro Formaggi represent the kitchen's confident command of classic Italian pizza combinations, while the lasagne extends the menu into comforting baked pasta territory. Santore's appeal lies precisely in its lack of pretension — genuinely good Italian food served without the design theatrics or social media ambition of some of London's newer Italian openings.
The honest verdict: The most authentic neighborhood pizza experience in London — for genuine Italian comfort food beloved by locals rather than designed for visibility, Santore in Clerkenwell is the city's most honest pizza recommendation.
How to Choose the Right Italian Restaurant in London
Choose by Occasion
- Best overall Italian restaurant: Bocca di Lupo — authentic regional dishes from across Italy.
- Best Neapolitan pizza: 50 Kalò — genuine Naples technique from pizzaiolo Ciro Salvo.
- Best fresh pasta: Bancone — the celebrated Silk Handkerchiefs in Covent Garden.
- Best value pasta: Padella — exceptional quality at accessible prices in Shoreditch.
- Best Michelin-starred Italian: Murano — Angela Hartnett's refined Mayfair dining room.
- Most photogenic and glamorous: Gloria — 1970s Italian energy in Shoreditch.
- Most spectacular interior: Circolo Popolare — Fitzrovia's visually unforgettable dining room.
- Best luxury institution: Locanda Locatelli — decades of excellence from Giorgio Locatelli.
- Best historic heritage: Lina Stores Soho — rooted in an authentic Italian deli tradition.
- Most authentic neighborhood pizza: Santore — Clerkenwell's local favorite.
London's Best Neighborhoods for Italian Dining
- Soho: Bocca di Lupo, Lina Stores — the highest concentration of authentic Italian dining in central London.
- Shoreditch: Gloria, Padella — glamour and exceptional value side by side.
- Mayfair: Murano — Michelin-starred Italian at the city's most prestigious address.
- Covent Garden: Bancone — the best pre-theatre fresh pasta destination.
- Marylebone: Locanda Locatelli — a long-standing luxury Italian institution.
- Fitzrovia: Circolo Popolare — spectacular design and generous portions.
- Clerkenwell: Santore — the most authentic neighborhood pizza experience.
- Trafalgar Square: 50 Kalò — genuine Naples pizza in the heart of the city.
Insider Tips for Italian Dining in London
- Padella does not take reservations. Arrive early or expect to queue — the wait is part of the experience for regulars, and turnover is generally fast.
- Bancone is ideal for pre-theatre dining. The Covent Garden location and efficient kitchen make it well suited to guests on a show schedule — book a slightly earlier table if you have a tight curtain time.
- 50 Kalò's pizza dough requires no rushing. The high-hydration Neapolitan dough is meant to be eaten promptly while hot — avoid ordering too far in advance of when you plan to eat.
- Murano and Locanda Locatelli both require advance booking for weekend dinners. As Michelin-starred destinations, both fill quickly — reserve well ahead for Friday and Saturday evenings.
- Circolo Popolare is best for groups. The generous portions and shareable format make it particularly well suited to larger parties rather than intimate dinners for two.
- Santore rewards a slight detour from central London. Clerkenwell is a short journey from the main tourist areas, but the neighborhood authenticity makes it worth the trip for genuine local Italian dining.
Frequently Asked Questions: Best Italian Restaurants and Pizza in London
What is the best Italian restaurant in London?
Bocca di Lupo in Soho is widely considered the best Italian restaurant in London, celebrated for showcasing authentic dishes from across Italy's diverse regions rather than a generic national menu. For Michelin-starred Italian dining, Murano under chef Angela Hartnett is the top choice.
Where can I find the best Neapolitan pizza in London?
50 Kalò at Trafalgar Square offers the most authentic Neapolitan pizza in London, founded by celebrated Naples pizzaiolo Ciro Salvo. Santore in Clerkenwell is the most beloved neighborhood option among local Londoners.
What is the best value Italian restaurant in London?
Padella in Shoreditch offers the best quality-to-price ratio for fresh pasta in London, with prices from £15-35 for genuinely excellent handmade pasta. 50 Kalò and Santore offer similarly accessible pricing for authentic pizza.
Where can I find fresh handmade pasta in London?
Bancone in Covent Garden is the city's most celebrated destination for fresh handmade pasta, particularly known for its Silk Handkerchiefs with egg yolk. Padella in Shoreditch offers similarly excellent fresh pasta at more accessible prices.
What is the most photogenic Italian restaurant in London?
Gloria in Shoreditch and Circolo Popolare in Fitzrovia are the two most visually striking and photographed Italian restaurants in London, known respectively for 1970s Italian glamour design and spectacular interior architecture.
Final Verdict: The Best Italian Restaurants and Pizza in London
London's Italian dining scene rivals what's available in Italy itself across multiple categories — genuine regional authenticity, Michelin-starred refinement, and Neapolitan pizza made by pizzaioli trained in Naples, all within a single city.
For the most authentic overall Italian experience, Bocca di Lupo remains London's definitive answer. For Neapolitan pizza specifically, 50 Kalò brings genuine Naples credentials to Trafalgar Square. And for the finest fresh pasta in the city, Bancone and Padella represent two excellent options at opposite ends of the price spectrum.
Explore More: Continue exploring London with our guides to the Best Romantic Restaurants in London, Best Restaurants in London and the Best Hotels in London.
