Guide to fancy Italian restaurants in London

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.

Locanda Locatelli serves Italian food with the wow-factor, and has earned a Michelin star in the process. The regularly-changing menu includes antipasti and salads, pasta, and meat and fish dishes. Vegan and gluten-free choices are served too. The venue is sophisticated with a comfortable and modern style, with private dining space available as well.

Il Pampero is a luxury destination for eating Italian food. This restaurant in Belgravia boasts elegant and polished interiors and serves food all day. Breakfast and brunch dishes are available whilst the main menu features antipasti, homemade pasta, and meat dishes. A seasonal set menu is offered too and there's a lengthy wine list to pick from.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Covent Garden restaurant Margot is elegant and refined. The menus showcase regional cuisine from all over Italy. Set menus are available for easy lunch and pre-theatre meals, or you can choose antipasti, pasta, and traditional dishes from the à la carte selection. Signature cocktails and an award-winning wine list are also on offer.

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.

Covent Garden's La Goccia is bursting with botanical touches, including a bar made from individually-cast bronze leaves. A flower-laden outdoor terrace and private dining spaces are available. Seasonal dishes are served here, based on the ethos of slow food. Expect contemporary Italian cooking plus a wine list that's exclusively Italian.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Part of Aqua Restaurant Group (of Shiro, Hutong and Aqua Shard fame), Luci is an elegant Italian dining destination in Covent Garden. On the ground floor, patrons can indulge in convenient takeaway options, ranging from Italian sandwiches to sweet treats. Meanwhile, the first floor is dedicated to Italian classics such as wood-fired pizzas and pasta dishes.