The 7 Best Italian Restaurants in London

How can you even choose the 7 best Italian restaurants in London? That’s what you’re probably thinking, and we hear you. Truth be told, choosing the 7 best Italian restaurants in London was no picnic. No picnic at all, because good Italian restaurants cover London like a more than generous sprinkle of parmesan. Even so, we had to start somewhere, so just see this list as one Italian restaurant per day of the week or something, we dunno.

1. Augustus Harris

First up, Augustus Harris makes the cut owing to the inspiration it takes from the small local wine bars of Venice, or bàcari, if you know Italian. It’s on Catherine Street in Covent Garden where you can get involved with all kinds of light bites, lunches and platters in a dining area that’s almost entirely wooden yet still as contemporary as they come. Hot tip: try the dates stuffed with gorgonzola and wrapped in pancetta.

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2. La Cucina

You can’t have a list of the best Italian restaurants in London without a mention of Brick Lane somewhere in the mix, and Brick Lane is exactly where you’ll find La Cucina. It’s a pretty simple space with much wine and many pizzas, all of which are high-quality and fresh. Call this no-frills Italian dining if you please, all we know is La Cucina is well-priced and the menu is the best on Brick Lane.

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3. Bocconcino

If the best Italian restaurants in London were all laid out as a Monopoly board, Bocconcino would be Mayfair. Partly because it’s actually in Mayfair but also because it’s as sophisticated as Italian dining can get and therefore a must on this list. Start with sea bass tartare before moving onto fillet of beef served with duck foie gras and black truffles. These dishes and plenty more showcase the way Bocconcino takes simple ingredients and refines them in a way that’s impossible to resist.

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4. Colosseo Restaurant

Right by Westminster Abbey and Victoria Palace, Colosseo Restaurant makes it onto the list of the 7 best Italian restaurants in London because it’s loved by Londoners as well as by tourists, theatre-goers, business folk, romantics and everyone else. But, and here’s what’s so great, even though it’s an any-occasion type of place, the food remains absolutely spot on and true to Italian cooking tradition. Executive chef Vincenzo Romano ensures nothing less and even creates five new dishes every week.

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5. Locanda Canton

A huge hit in Camden Town and therefore a huge hit in London, Locanda Canton is a simple Italian restaurant that just gets it right. Locanda Canton knows who it is and what it’s about and the food is so authentic that not an artificial colour, flavour or additive can be found anywhere in the kitchen. The menu is packed with Italian classics that won’t break the bank and the restaurant itself is chill – perfect for whatever your casual occasion might be, we promise.

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6. Bacco Restaurant

A bit further out in Richmond, Bacco Restaurant has been run by the same family for over 15 years now and is somewhat of a heavyweight Italian restaurant in this lovely part of Greater London. Here you’ve got ample chance to enjoy wines sourced from boutique wineries scattered throughout regional Italy, paired with dishes presented on a classically-structured menu. The restaurant itself isn’t far from Richmond station on Kew Road and the interior design of the place is magnificent. There’s also a nice alfresco area if the sun decides to put his hat on for the day.

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7. Caminata

Last but not least on our list of the best Italian restaurants in London, Caminata in Balham is another place with a nail-bitingly cool interior. Part rustic farmhouse, part funky loft that displays rotating local art, Caminata is an exquisite space to relax and enjoy an Italian fill. The menu offers an eclectic mix of rustic gourmet and urban cuisine with everything from traditional stone baked pizzas and pasta to salads with varied selections of meat, fish and vegetarian dishes as well. The truth of the matter is we love Caminata because it’s different. Get involved.

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