The best Italian restaurants in Central London

Acclaimed chef Theo Randall cut his teeth at London's renowned River Café for two decades before launching his eponymous restaurant at the luxurious Mayfair hotel. This is Italian fine dining at its finest, with the daily menus inspired by Randall's trips to Italy and served in a crisp neutral setting. Regional tasting menus provide deep dives into the cooking of different parts of Italy, while the regular à la carte and set menus offer a comprehensive overview of the country's cuisine.

Big Mamma Group's restaurants are known for their over-the-top aesthetic and attention to detail, and their Central London branches are no different. The Italian restaurants feature eye-catching decor, quirky touches like Italo-disco toilets, dozens of actual Italian waiters, and indulgent takes on classic Italian dishes, right up to the show-stopping signatures desserts that vary from location to location. They would border on caricature, were the food not so good.

This minimalist spot has earned plaudits for its genuine Italian fare, showcasing regional specialities from all over Italy. Accompanied by an impressive list of Italian wines, the food menu at Bocca di Lupo is updated daily. Choose from a changing assortment of antipasti, handmade pasta, and hearty meat options, reflecting the varied flavours and traditions of Italy and embracing seasonality throughout the year.

Murano is a legendary Italian restaurant in Central London. Run by acclaimed chef Angela Hartnett, it celebrates Italian cuisine through a British lens, putting the best of local produce to work in traditional family-style recipes. With a soothing, contemporary interior and a private room complete with an intimate chef's table experience, Murano knows how to make your meal special regardless of the occasion.

One of the best things about Italian cuisine is that even though it's built on similar foundations, it varies greatly from region to region. Sicilian cuisine is very much its own thing, and few places do arancini, swordfish pasta, and cannoli better than Norma. Spread across three floors, this Italian restaurant in Central London features an elegant ground-floor dining space and cosy rooms upstairs. Begin your meal by pouring obscene amounts of premium olive oil on fresh focaccia and go from there.

The Bocconcino restaurants view Italian dining as the pinnacle of pleasure and indulgence, serving everything from wood-fired pizzas and fresh seafood to homemade pasta made with authentic Italian ingredients. These opulent Italian restaurants in Central London feature spacious dining areas, attentive service, and a hearty helping of la dolce vita, complete with live music and bottomless brunches. You can also book the private dining room for a more exclusive experience.

The fast-growing Lina Stores restaurants have their roots in a historic Brewer Street delicatessen. With a direct line to authentic Italian goods and produce, these Central London Italian restaurants serve up handmade pasta swimming in rich sauces and showered in parmesan. Other delicacies are available as well, along with aperitifs and fine Italian wines, all served in a modern, welcoming setting. True to their past, they also offer Italian products to buy for home. 

A well-loved fixture in Soho for nearly twenty years, 40 Dean Street has become a go-to spot for Italian restaurant in the Central London area. This family-run eatery features a cosy, stylish interior and outdoor pavement seating, creating a warm and welcoming vibe. The menu showcases traditional Italian favourites like handmade pasta, risottos, and pizzas, all best enjoyed alongside timeless cocktails like a negroni or Aperol spritz. Dogs are very welcome here too.

No expense was spared when designing this Central London Italian restaurant, from the incredible interiors telling ancient myths to the toga uniforms worn by the staff. Of course, these expenditures mean you won't be spared any expenses, either, but if you can afford it, this is the closest you'll get to dining with the Roman pantheon. Set menus can help alleviate the cost of this immersive Italian dining experience, too.

You might be surprised to learn that there's a very British person behind these very Italian pasta bars in Central London. Notto is Michelin-starred chef Phil Howard's expression of his lifelong love of pasta. Don't expect stiff-necked service and culinary frills here, however. These contemporary restaurants feature soothing minimalist interiors and a simple, concise menu of seasonal pasta dishes. It's all fresh and expertly prepared – top-level cooking without the fuss.

Celebrity chef Giancarlo Caldesi has based his UK operations in Marylebone. His flagship Italian restaurant in Central London showcases his commitment to carrying on the traditions of genuine Italian cuisine, from artisanal ingredients and seasonal produce to classic recipes and fine Italian wines. As a diabetic, Caldesi also makes sure there are plenty of enjoyable dishes everyone can enjoy.

Italian food isn't home just in Italy – there's a distinct version of Italian cuisine that evolved across the pond, among Italian immigrants in the US. It's this kind of Italian cooking you'll find at Grasso, a family-run Italian restaurant in Central London. Across two levels, including private dining rooms, a DJ booth, and two bars, you'll be served comforting dishes such as spaghetti and meatballs made according to the owner's mum's original recipe, chicken parm, vodka sauce pizza, and more.

Tom Cenci's career reads like a who's who (or where's where, for that matter) of modern dining, so you know you're in good hands at Mortimer House Kitchen. On the ground floor of a grand Art Deco building in Central London, complete with outdoor terrace, the renowned chef serves food throughout the day, championing simple yet flavourful Italian cooking and the best produce. Enjoy a leisurely meal with family and friends, or pop in for a quick meal.