Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights.
Italian food is considered the world's most popular cuisine, according to a recent survey by research data and analytics organisation YouGov. Here is a selection of some of the best Italian restaurants in London from casual pizzerias to Michelin starred fine dining.
Following her successful Italian restaurants in Mayfair, Bermondsey and Covent Garden, Chef Angela Hartnett has just opened a new Cafe Murano in Marylebone. The dinner menu features the best in Southern Italian comfort food from traditional cicchetti, primi, secondi and dolce, with hand-rolled pasta, generous plates to share and regularly changing specials. For a fine dining experience, Chef Hartnett's superb Michelin-starred restaurant Murano in Mayfair features seasonal, modern Italian dishes while menu highlights at Cafe Murano, south of the river spaghettini, includes linguini, clams, chilli and almond pangrattato and grilled octopus, chickpeas, fennel and orange.
Cicchetti's sumptuous interiors and a colorful, eclectic art collection add to an excellent dining experience. The design is by London-based studio Fettle who were inspired by classical Venetian architecture. From the tapas style menu, burrata with parma ham, shaved truffles and a piquant olive oil is a must, as is the tuna tartar with delicate spices, zesty lemon, olive oil and mache leaves. Decadent black truffle ravioli and black salt sea bass with herb and olive oil are also highlights.
Il Gattopardo, translated from Italian as 'The Leopard' is another gorgeous venue serving Italian classics and modern interpretations of dishes from across Italy. Signature dishes include Gamberi, Sicilian Mazara prawns; Astice, lobster bolognese; and a Northern Italy specialty, 24-month aged Culatello di Zibello Oro Spigaroli, Oro Spigaroli, gnocco fritto. A dedicated Crudo Bar serves a selection of raw and marinated fish and shellfish reminiscent of the bountiful fresh seafood of the Italian Riviera.
The Lina Stores restaurants are easily recognisable with their pretty mint-green façades and pastel-colored interiors. The daily handmade pasta is the main event here and does not disappoint. Spaghetti al nero is great and for dessert, try the cannoli with ricotta, pistachio or chocolate. Bloomberg Arcade in the city, Marylebone and Shoreditch are the latest restaurants in this successful mini-chain.
Bocca di Lupo has been pleasing diners since 2008 with regional Italian cuisine; each dish on the twice daily changing menu includes a note about which of the 20 areas it comes from. If you sit at the long counter you'll see the chefs at work. Expect dishes like ravioli with butter and sage or rigatoni with sheep ricotta, basil and courgette flowers.
Caldesi in Marylebone is a family business run by Katie and Giancarlo Caldesi. Menu highlights include beautifully grilled meat and fish and handmade pastas like fettucine with lobster and pappardelle with ragu. The gourmet pizza is also superb, with delicious choices like Burrata, Nduja and spicy Calabrian salami and Quattro formaggio with truffle.
Baccala, a modern Italian Restaurant and Wine Bar on Bermondsey Street specialising in seafood was founded by four friends, including Sommelier Fabio de Nicola and Chef Moreno Polverini. Signature menu dishes include an Oyster tasting menu with fresh native oysters, roasted octopus with marinated bell peppers, olives and basil and spaghetti with sea urchin & green peas. Baccala has a minimal industrial meets Mediterranean aesthetic and a lovely chilled vibe that invites diners to settle in for a leisurely lunch or dinner.
Norma occupies three floors of a beautifully restored 18th-century townhouse on Charlotte Street. Highlights of the Sicilian-inspired menu include the fantastic signature pasta: rigatoni with aubergine, tomato basil sauce and ricotta. The Cornish crab in chilli and lemon butter is beautifully presented in a giant crab shell. Seasonal whole fish stuffed with sun-dried tomatoes, capers and herbs is another winner.
The frequently changing menu at Bancone features pasta, made in-house daily. The menu has included delicious Barolo ox cheek pappardelle with Barolo vinegar and Cornish cod served with tagliatelle. The burrata served with heritage tomatoes and basil oil is divine. The chic interiors feature attractive blue leather banquette seating.
Since opening its first petite restaurant on Dover Street in 2014, Chucs has expanded to locations in Belgravia, Mayfair and South Kensington. Chucs' popularity is due to beautiful interiors and terraces, and much-loved dishes such as Bigoli Cacio e Pepe, Tagliolini with lobster and chilli, Chicken Milanese with rosemary and lemon, Beef Carpaccio with crispy capers, and their legendary traditional Tiramisu.