During the late 1800s, Italian immigrants sought to escape poverty and civil war in their native country and settled in the UK in their thousands. Some were wealthy, but most were poor, and the community established London’s Little Italy in Clerkenwell. They set up as ice cream makers, restaurateurs, confectioners, and shopkeepers.
As the Italian population grew, they moved to a second district, Soho. It added a new food dimension to the area’s existing and diverse European cuisine. The Italian gastronomy scene varies from rustic, family-owned trattorias to fine-dining ristorantes. Pour a Vermouth as we take a culinary journey around six of the best Italian restaurants in Soho.
The Best Italian Restaurants in Soho
Whether you fancy traditional or contemporary Italian, Soho has everything:
In This Article show
1. Amalfi Ristorante – The Amalfi Coast in Soho
The Amalfi Ristorante is a traditional Italian restaurant set in a modern, friendly, and relaxed environment. It is ideally located across the road from the London Palladium, making it a great choice for pre-theatre or post-theatre dining.
The Amalfi base their restaurant style and menu on unpretentious food from the Amalfi Coast, just South of Naples. They serve fresh fish and homemade pasta dishes, and as you would expect, with Naples, the home of pizza, Amalfi makes authentic hand-stretched sourdough pizzas.
The ristorante offers an A La Carte and weekend Bottomless Brunch menu.
The Bottomless Brunch menu, from 11.30 am – 3 pm, is £35.00 per person for pasta and pizza and 90 minutes of Presseco or draught beer. Additionally, they have themed bottomless options with live music for £50.00 per person. Check the website for dates.
From the A La Carte menu, start with a Calamari Fritti with an aioli dip for £8.75.
For authentic hand-stretched pizza prepared in the open kitchen with an added show of pizazz, try a Fiorentina with spinach, olives, garlic, mozzarella, and a free-range egg for £14.75.
A fresh pasta dish of Linguini Al Gamberoni is king prawn in a tomato, chilli, garlic and white wine sauce for £16.95.
If you have room, an Italian Fondant dessert for £7.50 finishes the meal nicely.
Visit Amalfi for authentic Italian cuisine in Soho. Like many restaurants in the area, Amalfi gets busy, so if you plan on a pre-theatre dinner, it is best to book a reservation.
Address: 25 Argyll Street, Soho, London, W1F 7TU
Telephone: 020 3375 3251
Related: Cafes and Coffee Shops in Soho: Sipping in Style
2. Bocca Di Lupo – Highlights from Italy’s 20 Regions
A meal at Bocca is a culinary voyage. The restaurant showcases dishes from Italy’s 20 regions. They hand-make what they can, such as sauces, bread, sausages, pasta, and pickles. The rest they selectively source from Italy.
Chef Jacob has three cookbooks under his belt and a consultancy clientele, including The Royal Opera House and Langham Hotels.
It is possible to book a front seat at the Chef’s Counter and watch the dishes prepared and cooked.
The menu is like a mini dictionary, with the names of dishes in their original dialects.
- On the menu are Fritti Romani, from Rome, a Cauliflower flower stuffed with mozzarella and anchovy for £6.00 each.
- A Halibut carpaccio from Venice is £16.00 for a starter and £32.00 for a main course.
- Lunch and pre-theatre set menus are available for two courses at £15.00 and three courses at £20.00.
A post-theatre menu is available, with one course priced at £19.00. Options include
- Aubergine parmigiana & Roman lettuce from Campania
- Fritto misto, soft-shell crab, red prawns and courgettes from Veneto
- Rump steak, salsa verde and fried polenta from Lombardy
Bocca has a lively vibe and glamorous decor. However, they maintain the relaxed ambience of a family-owned ristorante as one of the best Italians in Soho.
Address: 12 Archer Street, London, W1D 7BB
Telephone: 020 7734 2223
Related:
3. Lina Stores – Since 1944
Lina Stores opened in 1944 and remains in the same location today, trading as an Italian speciality deli on Brewer Street in Soho. Lina Stores Soho continued as a delicatessen for 75 years but has since added five restaurants to the business, which they felt was a natural expansion to the company.
The Greek Street restaurant is a stone’s throw from Brewer Street. The first Lina Stores restaurant recreates deli favourites, such as freshly made pasta dishes and antipasti. They update the menu regularly to include fresh seasonal ingredients. Their pasta is handmade daily.
The restaurant on Greek Street has a downstairs dining area and a bar service for walk-in diners. In addition to the main menu, the restaurant offers vegan and vegetarian menus.
Some antipasti from the main menu include Carciofi Fritti, fried artichokes, aioli and pangrattato or Caponata Siciliana with toasted sourdough. Both are £7.00.
A pasta choice from the main menu is Casarecce alla Calabrese with prawns, tomato and chilli for £13.00.
A vegetarian pasta dish of Ravioli con Burrata e Salsa di Datterini with tomato pinenuts and basil is £11.00.
The reviews for Lina Stores Greek Street are excellent. It means it is busy, and a restriction of 90 minutes is in place from when seated to finishing your meal.
Address: 51 Greek St, Soho, London, W1D 4EH
Telephone: 020 3929 0068
Related: Birthday Restaurants in London: Hip Hip, Hooray!
4. Pastaio – Carnaby Street
Pastaio opens every morning with a team of Pastais handmaking fresh pasta. They add the best seasonal ingredients to bring you the best pasta in Soho. The eggs are local and free-range. They buy freshly-made ricotta cheese daily, use organic grains, and a small farm produces olive oil exclusively for Pastaio.
There are two Pastaio restaurants, the first on Carnaby Street in Soho and the second in Westfield. The Soho diner has bold, brightly coloured decor designed by award-winning British designer Tom Dixon.
- The Whole Lobster Linguine for two is a popular choice at £48.00
- Carbonara at £15.00
The Vegan menu includes
- Squash Caponata for £8.00
- The Vegan meatballs are available for £14.00
On the Dessert menu are
- Tiramisu for £7.50
- Baked Ricotta Cheesecake, rhubarb for £8.00
Pastaio serves authentic Italian food with freshly-made pasta, using simple but high-quality ingredients.
Address: 19 Ganton Street, Carnaby, Soho, London, W1F 9BN
Telephone: 020 3019 8680
Related: Lobster Restaurants in London: King of the Sea Diners
5. La Porchetta Pollo Bar – Pizzeria and Pasta
La Porchetta, one of the best pizzas in Soho, joined forces with Pollo Bar, which has been serving some of the best pasta in Soho since 1952. Together they are La Porchetta Pollo Bar, bringing a piece of Italy to Soho, London.
On the Starter’s Menu is,
- Rosemary Focaccia at £6.50
- Antipasto Misto for £8.90
On the Pasta menu is,
- Fusilli alla Campagnola for £11.30
- Melanzane Parmigiana, with aubergines for £10.50
Pizzas include,
- Fiorentina, with spinach and egg, £10.90
- Napoletena, £10.90
It is possible to have gluten-free pasta. However, cooking time takes an additional 15 minutes.
La Porchetta Pollo has a lively atmosphere, with a mixed clientele of locals and tourists, including Italians, which is always a good sign. The portions seem generous and reasonably priced, so an excellent option for a pizza and pasta place in Soho.
Address: 20 Old Compton Street, London, W1D 4TW
Telephone: 020 7494 9368
Related:
6. Mele E Pere – Trattoria and Vermouth Bar
Three brothers and a friend opened Mele E Pere in 2012, bringing the authentic Northern Italian trattoria experience to your Soho table. They use the best of British seasonal produce and traditional ingredients from Italy. The vermouth is homemade, and the pasta, pizza, desserts, and ice cream are freshly made in the kitchens daily.
They stock London’s largest display of vermouth, and their wines are wholly Italian. Mele E Pere serves an A la Carte and a Pre-Theatre menu. There is a range of gluten-free and vegan dishes.
Antipasti options include,
- San Daniele Ham, aged 24 months, is £9.50
- Tuna Carpaccio, £12.00
Pasta dishes available are,
- Spaghetti alle Vongole, with clams, for £18.00
- Tortelli Mantovani, with pumpkin, is £15.00
For the main courses, there are,
- T-Bone steak, a 28-day Welsh Angus, 1.2 kg for £80.00
- Cod Fillet, £19.00
The Lunch and Pre-Theatre Dinner menu is available for two courses at £17.50 or three courses at £22.50.
People praise Mele E Pere for their exceptional service and food quality.
Address: 46 Brewer Street, Soho, London, W1F 9TF
Telephone: 020 7096 2096
Related: Portuguese Restaurants in London: Bom Apetite!
3 Tips for Choosing the Best Italian Restaurant
- Carry out some research. The internet is a great help. Read reviews.
- How do you choose an authentic Italian restaurant? It’s all about the food. Italians use fresh seasonal ingredients.
- Is Italian tapas a thing? Antipasti is similar to Spanish tapas. Only it is served at the beginning of a meal. Antipasto is one, and antipasti are plural. You might have several antipasti which could fill you up before you start your meal.
