Italian Restaurants in Soho, London
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Everybody loves an Italian. Whether it's the pizzas, the pasta, the soups, risottos, salads or creamy desserts, there is something for everybody at Italian eateries. Perhaps that explains why there are possibly more Italian restaurants in London than any other one nationality of cuisine. Once you have decided that you want some Italian for dinner, you will still have further decisions to make. Do you want to splash out on a high-end Italian eatery? Do you want to find a local family fun place to eat? Do you want somewhere that just does pizzas and pasta or do you want a full four-course Italian extravaganza? Would you prefer somewhere with tapas-style sharing plates?
This page will provide an overview to the pizza restaurants in Soho. You will find listings for some of Soho's popular pizzerias. They are split into categories of high-end pizzerias, more affordable pizza restaurants and take away pizza places. You will also find links to individual pages on some of Soho's popular Italian restaurants. Each listing links to an informative page where you will be able to find out about the location, contact details, what to expect, a map and photos of the restaurant.
What to expect from the Italian restaurants in Soho
Soho is absolutely jam-packed with different Italian restaurant options. The differences between the restaurants can be great in terms of price and cuisine. Therefore, to get a better idea of what to expect from the Italian restaurants in Soho, see the categories and listings below.
High-end Italian restaurants in Soho
Boca di Lupo:
Boca di Lupo is fast gaining a reputation as one of the best Italian restaurants in the whole of Soho. It has a slick interior - dark wood furnishings, marble floors and the option of sitting up at a bar to watch the chefs at work. They offer sharing plates (see below for more details) of regional Italian dishes. The menu changes on a regular basis in accordance with the seasons and next to each dish on the menu you can find out which region of Italy it originates from. The staff are friendly and efficient, and they will steer you in the right direction when it comes to making menu decisions.
If you are a fan of ice cream you could decide to skip dessert at Boca di Lupo and head over the road to their deli and ice cream shop to get your sugar fix. Gelupo sits right opposite the restaurant and shares the same opening hours. The ice cream flavours are made on-site, and they change on a regular basis. A good option whether you have eaten in Boca di Lupo or not.
Bocca di Lupo
12 Archer Street
London
W1D 7BB
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7734 2223
Website: Boca di Lupo Official Website
Vasco and Piero's Pavilion Restaurant:
In an area packed with modern and trendy restaurants this place is a breath of fresh air. It serves traditional Umbrian cuisine in old-school surroundings - there are crisp white tablecloths, wooden chairs and closely packed tables (ensuring that the atmosphere is snug and friendly). The menu changes twice daily, so you can be sure that you are enjoying fresh and seasonal ingredients. This is an ideal place to head for post- or pre-theatre dinner.
Vasco and Pieros Pavilion Restaurant
11 D'Arblay Street
London
W1F 8DT
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7437 8774
Website: Vacso and Piero's Pavilion Restaurant
Sharing plate Italian restaurants in Soho
Sharing plates are the latest phenomenon to be taking over Soho. The concept that Spaniards have been calling 'tapas' for years has now spread to other nationalities, including Italian. Restaurants offering small sharing plates are suitable if you would like to sample a large proportion of the menu - they offer you the opportunity to keep the variety coming. Soho offers a variety of small plate Italian restaurants - see below for more details:
A word of warning - these restaurants tend to seat a small number of people (in these spaces fifty people is considered to be alot) and they do not take reservations. This means that, particularly in the evenings, you could have to wait anything up to an hour for a table. So, before heading there it is worth having a little think about how hungry you are - if you think you can handle not eating for a while then you can enjoy a refreshing drink whilst you are waiting.
Polpo:
Polpo was one of the original sharing plate Italian restaurants in Soho. They call themselves a 'bacaro' - this is a Venetian style of restaurant. And the small plates that they serve are known as 'cicheti'. The menu includes dishes such as a cured meat platter and anchovy and chick pea crostini.
Polpo Restaurant
41 Beak Street
London
W1F 9SB
Tel: +44 (0) 20 4537 4341
Website: Official Polpo restaurant website
Authentic Italian restaurants in Soho
For the modernity in Soho you will also find a generous helping of classic and traditional Italians in the area. If you are looking for small trattorias, simply look for the little restaurants with net curtains on their windows and charming interiors. They will generally be to a reasonably high standard.
Bar Italia:
Bar Italia is not strictly a restaurant, but no self-respecting guide to Italians in Soho can leave out this Italian institution. It is a small café that sits in the very heart of Soho and has been serving coffee, pastries and aperitifs to Soho locals for year. If you have been out for Italian, there is no better way to end the evening than with an espresso at Bar Italia.
Bar Italia
22 Frith Street
London
W1D 4RF
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7437 4520
It is worth remembering that when you are in Soho, you are in the vicinity of Covent Garden - Covent Garden and Soho sit right next to each other and have similar atmospheres. In Covent Garden you will find lots more Italian restaurants to choose from. See our Guide to Places to Eat in Covent Garden for ideas of Italian restaurants and pizzerias that you can try in Covent Garden.
Pizza restaurants in Soho
Soho is jam-packed with pizza joints. So much so that we have dedicated a whole separate page to them! For details of the pizzeria options in Soho, head to our Guide to Places to Eat Pizza in Soho
Remember, Soho isn't just about the restaurants - it is also a suitable place to head for a night out of drinking and dancing. In Soho there are endless bars and nightclubs to choose from. Take a look at our Guide to bars in Soho for more ideas on places to head for a drink. And check out our Guide to Soho Clubbing to plan a night out in the area - starting with some lovely pizza or pasta of course!
Soho is jam-packed with places where you can try out all manner of different Italian restaurants. So much so that Italian eateries in the area now tend to distinguish themselves in terms of regions of Italy, rather than simply Italy itself. Have a look at the different options that are available to you and choose a place that best suits your mood, tastes and budget.