The best Italian restaurants in Soho

Try regional Italian cuisine with the Venetian-style sharing plates at Polpo. The restaurant is modern and also has a private dining space. It's ideal for a sociable meal with dishes like croquettes, arancini, and miniature pizzas. Salads and meat and fish recipes are also available here. Cocktails and Italian wines are served.

In Greek Street you'll find Lina Stores, a renowned destination for pasta. This affordable eatery has a big reputation and a cosy ambience. This place is well-known for its handmade pasta, including gluten-free options, but also serves antipasti and desserts. Wine and cocktails are available here as well.

Old-school restaurant Vasco & Piero's Pavilion Restaurant is based in the heart of Soho. It pays homage to the Italian region of Umbria, with original art on the walls and a traditional menu. It's bright and modest and the menu changes twice a day, promising diners fresh flavours and exciting authentic food.

L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele is the award-winning outpost of one of the most famous pizzerias in Naples. The restaurant is full of dramatic style and also has outdoor tables. It's a modern menu of pasta, grilled dishes, and a considerable selection of pizzas. There's a concise wine list but the bar also mixes up classic and signature cocktails. 

Get some authentic Neapolitan pizza at modern eatery Pizza Pilgrims. The restaurant's ingredients are sourced from Italy for genuine flavours. There are two locations in Soho, with the Carnaby branch also having outdoor seating, whilst the Dean Street branch has a foosball table. The varied selection of pizza toppings mean there's something to suit every taste.

Bancone serves a simple Italian menu of fresh pasta, antipasti, and desserts. The restaurant has a modern look and there are private dining facilities. Try out recipes like cacio e pepe or courgette ravioli, washed down with signature cocktails and a well-curated wine list that includes some rare vintages.

Amalfi Ristorante will transport you to the Italian coast with its authentic menu and stylish surroundings featuring bursts of colour, tiled walls, and foliage. On the menu you'll find lots of Italian favourite like burrata, stone-baked pizza, pasta, and risotto. There's a menu for children too and the restaurant also offers private dining and bottomless brunch.

Rudy's Pizza Napoletana brings Neapolitan pizza by way of Manchester to London's diners. This laid-back contemporary restaurant puts a twist on an old favourite. Dough is freshly-made each day and cooked in blistering heat for just 60 seconds. A varied range of topping combos are on offer and you can add extras if you like.

Family-run restaurant Il Cucciolo offers diners a warm welcome and a menu of traditional Italian cuisine. There's a friendly atmosphere here. The menu is comprehensive, featuring starters like salads and calamari fritti, plus mains like pizza, pasta, risotto, and meat dishes. There's a full range of drinks to complement a meal here.

Family-run restaurant 40 Dean Street is well-established in Soho. The interior is intimate and tasteful but pavement terrace tables are available too. Authentic Italian dishes are on the menu here – think pizza, pasta, risotto, and chicken Milanese. Classic and house cocktails are served as well as Italian wines and wines from other regions.

A must-visit destination for cheese lovers is Obicà Mozzarella Bar. It's a rustic restaurant with a friendly atmosphere and a menu where imported fine mozzarella is the star of the show. You can sample small plates, pizza, pasta, and several types of mozzarella and burrata on their own. Drinks options include wine and cocktails.

It's all about pasta at Pastaio, a lively and modern restaurant with bold and colourful art on the walls. This sought-after spot aims to give diners the best plate of pasta they've ever tasted. You can expect generous portions of fresh pasta with mouthwatering sauces like vegan meatballs with tomato sauce or carbonara. Frozen prosecco slushies are served too.

Family-run bar and restaurant Fadiga specialises in cuisine from the Emilia-Romagna region and Bologna in particular. Begin a meal with antipasti before trying freshly-made pasta like pappardelle with mushrooms. The bar serves cocktails and Italian wines. Enjoy it all in a homey space that's rustic yet still clean and minimalist. 

Macellaio RC brings Soho a steakhouse with a distinctive Italian touch. The venue is classic and sleek, adorned with crisp white tablecloths. Butchery is a passion here and steak is big on the menu. If that's not your thing, the alternatives include seafood and pasta dishes. You can bring your own alcohol here.

At Cinquecento you can try out authentic Neapolitan pizza in a decorative environment. There are intricate details everywhere from the tiled walls to the front of the menu. There are a range of starters to choose from plus plenty of pizzas, including fried pizza. Pasta and gnocchi are served too, and Italian wines and aperitifs top off the experience.

Spanish and Italian restaurant Dehesa specialises in tapas and charcuterie. It's buzzy and spacious with plenty of outdoor tables. Simple menus that change with the seasons are served here. The tapas options include Italian influences like mushroom and truffle raviolini and Italian meats and cheeses are served too. There's a curated choice of wines on offer here.

Award-winning Bocca di Lupo is stripped-back and intimate. The menu features regional highlights from across Italy, including antipasti, seafood, and pasta dishes. You can sit at the counter to watch the chefs at work or organise private dining. This place also has a lengthy wine list of Italian bottles to choose from.

Accessible Italian food is served all day at Cecconi's Pizza Bar. This versatile restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere. A range of menus are available – all day dining, late-night, and set menus offer tempting dishes at any time of day. Complete the meal with something from the Italian wine list or concise cocktail selection.

La Porchetta Pollo Bar serves hearty portions of classic Italian dishes. The atmosphere here is informal and cosy. Start with antipasti like deep-fried mozzarella and rosemary focaccia. Then there are wide variety of pasta dishes and pizzas available here, including vegan pizzas. Aperitifs, beer, and wine are available too.

For an energetic Italian meal in a space that embraces chaos, check out Negroni's. The restaurant has comfortable leather seating and weathered walls and the space is full of activity and energy. On the simple menu you'll find antipasti and plates for sharing, plus indulgent pasta recipes. Desserts, cocktails, and Italian wines are all available too.

Family-run restaurant Il Conte is understated and classic, with checked tablecloths and a bustling atmosphere. You can expect friendly service and a traditional Italian menu. Try out generous portions of pasta, risotto, seafood, and pizza, with classic cocktails and Italian wine to wash it down. Outdoor seating is also available at this restaurant.

Mele e Pere is an independent and family-run trattoria with a warm and friendly atmosphere. Here you can try authentic recipes prepared with top quality British ingredients including polenta chips, fresh pasta, and pizzas. Added to that, the restaurant has London's biggest selection of vermouth. It also runs regular events and supper clubs.

An authentic, family-owned Italian eatery in bustling Soho, 64 Old Compton Street aims to offer reasonably priced Italian fare crafted from fresh, seasonal ingredients. The restaurant's deep-blue ambiance draws inspiration from New York's famed Studio 54 and features antique decor. Sample traditional Italian favourites like pasta, stone-baked pizzas, risottos, and more, complemented by timeless Italian cocktails and unique creations.

Dear Jackie, located within the luxurious five-star Broadwick Soho hotel, offers an intimate and elegant atmosphere adorned with lavish Murano lighting, red silk walls, plush seating, and opulent decor. This restaurant specialises in dinner service, featuring a menu centred on contemporary Italian cuisine, showcasing elevated pasta dishes like sheep's milk ricotta mezzaluna with Sicilian lemon and marjoram.

Located on Dean Street, Grasso offers a New York Italian-inspired menu that includes time-honoured dishes like Mom's spaghetti and meatballs, chicken Parm, Caesar salad, and a vodka sauce pizza. This two-storey establishment features private dining spaces, a DJ booth, and a pair of bars, combining the warmth of traditional Italian hospitality with contemporary dining flair.