The best Italian restaurants in Southwark

Handmade pasta is the star of the show at Padella, featuring options like silky ravioli, pici, tagliarini, and more, all made by hand in the window with fresh, seasonal ingredients. It's a walk-in only kind of place (though they use virtual queuing via QR codes), and yes, you'll probably queue, but it's absolutely worth it. There's also a cracking little wine list and a few Italian cocktails like Negronis.

Flour & Grape is Bermondsey Street's answer to “where should we get pasta that isn't Padella?”. Inside, it's trendy with exposed brick, leather banquettes, and a downstairs bar for swigging cocktails late into the night. The menu is simple with just a handful of small plates, including pasta that's rich and saucy. The linguine is a local favourite, and the Italian wine list makes it all far too easy to turn dinner into a late one. Go early or be prepared to queue, but it's so worth it.

Baccalà is Bermondsey Street's Italian restaurant, with a seafood focus, and feels like the kind of place you'd find in a little Italian town, except it's just five minutes from London Bridge. It's smart but not pretentious, with a menu that includes everything from roasted octopus to sea urchin linguine (although it does change), and a bar menu that's ideal if you just want a snack and a glass of wine. As for wine, the list is serious, including bottles you'll want to drink on the spot, plus ones you can buy to take home. 

Bancone's Borough Yards branch is the biggest of the group, but it sticks to the same format, including antipasti, fresh pasta, and desserts in a modern, lively space. Signature dishes like the cacio e pepe are the main draw, and the wine and cocktail lists are worth a look, too. It's casual and quick, and more of a place to drop in for a quick plate of pasta than to stick around all night.

Angela Hartnett's Bermondsey spot feels like a safe choice when you want Italian food done properly. The menu features antipasti, pastas, and mains, including chicken Milanese and risotto, along with a set lunch and pre-theatre deal that's convenient if you're nearby. It's refined and simple, and the wine list is well put together. 

Giuseppe's is an old-school, family-run Italian restaurant located opposite Borough Market that has been around for decades. The menu mixes seasonal specials with classic pasta dishes and hearty mains, but the atmosphere is as much of a draw as the food. At weekends, there's live music, the room gets loud, and the place stays open late.

This Grange Road restaurant is a short walk from London Bridge, but it feels more like a neighbourhood gem than a central London one. The menu features a range of comforting home-cooked dishes, including pasta, seafood, and bread baked in-house, with most ingredients sourced fresh from local markets. The terrace is a foolproof option when the weather cooperates, and the atmosphere is laid-back, not flashy, but that's part of the appeal.

The thing that sets 'O Ver apart is that they use seawater in their pizza dough, which makes the crusts light and chewy, making the Neapolitan-style pizzas a solid choice. The space is sleek, smart, and modern, and the menu also features pastas, seafood, and antipasti for those who want more than just pizza. It's an easy option near Borough Market, and the wine list has more than enough to keep things fun.

Legare is a small, modern Italian located by Tower Bridge that focuses on seasonal produce and fresh pasta. The menu changes regularly, but expect dishes such as carpaccio, handmade pappardelle, and the occasional seafood plate. The space is stripped back and bright, and the staff know their wine, which includes a list that leans natural with lots of bottles from small Italian producers. It feels like a neighbourhood restaurant despite its touristy location.