Italian-inspired Mediterranean
The Garden at Corinthia London
One of London’s prettiest courtyard dining rooms, with orange lamps, climbing flowers and beautiful blue-and-white plates that make lunch feel especially transportive.
LONDON · CURATED GUIDE
Italian restaurants and pizza
Italian tables, Roman-inspired plates, crisp pizza and proper gelato in London. Every place here comes from my own visits and is somewhere I would happily return to.
FROM MY NOTEBOOK
7 personal picks
Italian-American
The Dover
A candlelit Mayfair dining room with old-school glamour—start with the seafood tower, order the fish, and leave room for the deeply indulgent chocolate desserts.
Traditional Italian
Scalini
An old-school Chelsea favourite with generous plates and a lively, celebratory feel. Save room for dessert.
New York-style pizza
Crisp Pizza at The Marlborough
A thin, crisp base with deeply blistered edges and plenty of character. Exactly the pizza to order for the table.
NYC-style pizza
Alley Cats Pizza
Big, generous pizzas, red-checked tables and a lively room that makes sharing one feel like an occasion.
Modern Italian
NINA
A celebratory Marylebone table made for sharing—bright crudo, generous Italian plates, excellent cocktails and a room that feels effortlessly special.
Artisanal Italian gelato
Badiani
My pick for the best ice cream in London—properly creamy Italian gelato, especially Buontalenti, with flavours that make choosing one scoop nearly impossible.