Fancy Italian restaurants in London

Osteria by Bocconcino in Covent Garden offers an Italian-inspired dining experience celebrating the cooking of Italy's many regions. Standout dishes include the likes of scallops with pumpkin cream, aubergine parmigiana, and ossobuco risotto with saffron. Set in an ocean-themed interior with hand-painted ceilings, undulating chandeliers, and breezy summer tones, the fancy restaurant combines elegance with a relaxed holiday feel.

Novikov in Mayfair brings together three concepts under one roof, starting with its downstairs Italian restaurant. Here, suede-clad walls, a roaring wood-fired oven, and sparkling chandeliers create a polished yet inviting atmosphere in tune with the neighbourhood's sense of luxury. On the menu at this fancy Italian restaurant, you'll find indulgences such as Wagyu bolognaise tagliatelle, black truffle pizzas, fresh seafood, and more.

Food at Theo Randall at the InterContinental is inspired by the chef's frequent travels to Italy. Dishes are rustic but upmarket, prepared with fine ingredients and presented with elegance. Various menus are offered, including daily-changing specials. Events regularly take place too. The venue is spacious and contemporary with a gentle colour palette. 

From the team behind legendary restaurant The Clove Club, Luca is a Michelin-starred restaurant serving Italian cuisine. Food is prepared using fine British produce. A variety of menus cater to different needs, from long luxury meals to speedy lunches at the bar. The restaurant is classy and has an elegant courtyard for private dining.

Any of Big Mamma Group's restaurants are ideal for a fancy Italian meal, and Ave Mario is a popular one in Covent Garden. The interiors are bold and lavish whilst the food is all about indulgence. Expect a monthly-changing menu of classic recipes including pasta and pizza, alongside decadent desserts, wines, and a load of original cocktails.

Michelin-starred restaurant The River Café is synonymous with fine Italian cooking in London. This Thameside spot is renowned for its idyllic setting, fine produce, creative daily-changing menus, and warm atmosphere. Expect authentic flavours from the Mediterranean and don't miss the signature Chocolate Nemesis cake. There's an extensive Italian wine list that includes wines by the glass.

Located just off Piccadilly, Franco's is one of the oldest Italian restaurants in the city. It's a classic dining destination that opened in 1945. Visit this sophisticated spot for refined Italian food all day. The main à la carte menu includes antipasti, pasta, and grilled meat. Private dining is also available here.

Daphne's has a history going back to the 1960s and is well-established in West London. This sophisticated Italian restaurant is decorated with Murano crystal chandeliers and carefully-curated art. The menu is seasonal and balances filling dishes with lighter options including pasta, meat dishes, and salads. Cocktails and global wines are also served here.

Sample traditional Italian dishes in lavish surroundings at Bardo St James's. This luxurious restaurant has table lamps and booths that give it a cosy feel, plus the atmosphere is enhanced with live music. Private dining is also available. Work your way through the traditional Italian courses here, with a decadent menu that changes frequently.

Murano comes from renowned chef Angela Hartnett. This sophisticated restaurant holds one Michelin star and is known for its modern and seasonal Italian dishes. There's an à la carte menu of classic recipes, plus a set menu for lunch. Food is accompanied by global wines. The setting is contemporary and upmarket, with private dining and a chef's table.

Bocconcino serves carefully-crafted Italian dishes prepared with quality produce. Authentic dishes served here include pasta and pizza. The elegant restaurant is set across two floors, offering a lively experience with entertainment from DJs or a more intimate and sultry setting. There's a choice of menus including tasting menus and a set option.

The food at Ristorante Frescobaldi centres on Tuscan cuisine but also shows influences from other parts of Italy. Dishes here are seasonal and the menu changes regularly. Wine is also important at this venue, as the restaurant is owned by one of Italy's oldest wine dynasties. The interior is rustic but upmarket.

With a couple of locations around the city, Piccolino is a favourite for refined Italian meals. The expansive terraces at these classy and contemporary venues make them ideal for al fresco dining. Private dining space is also available. The classic menu includes antipasti, pizza, pasta and risotto, and steaks, meat, and seafood dishes.

The Dover is a fashionable New York Italian dining spot and bar that appeals to Mayfair's sophisticated tastes. Here, you'll find a refined interpretation of Italian favorites, like lobster ravioli, as well as a selection of luxurious dishes and ingredients, including caviar and filet mignon. Accompanying these exquisite meals is a bar offering an array of martinis and cocktails, paired with an extensive wine list featuring selections from around the world.

Sale e Pepe is a renowned Italian eatery located in Knightsbridge. The former celeb haunt underwent a modern makeover in early 2024, aligning it with contemporary styles. The restaurant offers traditional Italian cuisine infused with modern touches, served in an elegant setting featuring pristine white tablecloths, decorative art, and a hospitable ambiance.

With iconic establishments such as Hakkasan and Yauatcha in its portfolio, Tao Group is a proven quantity in these parts already. Now it's expanding its sophisticated Italian dining brand to the UK with the opening of Lavo Ristorante at Marylebone's luxurious new BoTree hotel. Expect upscale coastal Italian fare such as tagliatelle with beluga caviar or a great big wagyu meatball on the menu, with all the glitz and lavishness that have made Lavo such a celebrity hotspot in Los Angeles.

Behind its unassuming front, Agrodolce hides an opulent dining room boasting chandelier after chandelier, gilded mirrors and artwork covering the walls, and marble table-tops providing a deep-blue backdrop to the colourful dishes carried out from the kitchen. Despite the undeniably luxe feel of the place, the menu prices are firmly in the friendly range, and once you add in the warm service and comforting flavours of the Roman-style cuisine, Agrodolce is a real bargain.

40 Dean Street is one of Soho's most popular Italian restaurants, combining nearly two decades of heritage with an air of timeless charm. Its elegant interiors, dressed in vintage details and deep-blue tones, create an intimate atmosphere, while pavement tables in summer offer one of the chicest alfresco settings in the neighbourhood. The menu delivers Italian classics with finesse, complemented by wines, cocktails, and other beverages.

In addition to the same naming convention, 40 Dean Street sibling 64 Old Compton Street brings the former's retro elegance to a second location. Inspired by infamous New York club Studio 54, the Italian restaurant features a setting tinged with glamour, yet remains affordable when it comes to prices. The stars of the menu here are the homemade pasta dishes and pizzas, accompanied by house cocktails and other drinks.

Peckham restaurant Artusi is a sophisticated and chic neighbourhood eatery. It's all about seasonal Italian dishes made with local ingredients, with wine imported straight from Italy. The simple menu changes every week and is written on chalkboards; fresh pasta is always on offer. Larger groups can book the kitchen table and enjoy an exclusive sharing menu.

West London restaurant Bocconi serves authentic Italian food in a classic environment – think crisp tablecloths, shelves of wine bottles, and menus on blackboards. The space is airy and refined with a friendly atmosphere. À la carte and set menus are available. Drinks include a curated range of Italian wines, cocktails, and beers from Italy.

Marcella in Deptford serves Italian food made with fine seasonal produce. These are Italian dishes with a British influence like pheasant tagliatelle. There's an exclusively Italian wine list to go with the food. The innovative menus change regularly, with a set menu served on Sundays. The restaurant space is airy and contemporary.

Noci first opened in Islington but has now expanded around the city. These neighbourhood restaurants are bright and contemporary, serving classic and inventive pasta dishes that celebrate regional Italian flavours. Expect small plates like arancini and burrata, pasta recipes, and an extensive range of wines from Italy. Big groups are welcome here.

Located in Bermondsey, you'll find a refined destination for casual dining at Flour & Grape. This laid-back venue has comfortable leather seats and exposed brick walls. There's an intimate basement cocktail bar downstairs too. The fuss-free menu features small plates and classic pasta dishes, plus there's a wine list of Italian bottles.