Italian food in London goes back a long way. For more than a century the capital has been home to delis and osterias, trattorias and ristorantes. It’s hard to spend a better £10 than in Terroni in Clerkenwell, Italia Uno in Fitzrovia or Bar Italia in Soho. All will bring you a mighty sandwich — ciabatta usually — fine espresso or a jovial spritz. Why anyone ever goes to Pret outside a train station is one of life’s great mysteries. Just head to Bar Bruno for a whopping great chicken Milanese.
Those who require a proper lunch or dinner, these are 10 of London’s greatest old school Italian restaurants. Sadly, we’ve had to remove the wonderful Da Maria in Notting Hill as founders Pasquale and Maria Ruocco decided to retire in February 2026 after more than 40 years.
