Ten of The Best: Italian Restaurants in the UK

The UK has long embraced Italian cuisine, and for many of us it is an everyday choice of food. Italian cuisine cooked at the highest level takes our comfort classics and lifts them into something truly wonderful. For any that doubt Italian cooking translates to fine dining, remember the ‘Best Restaurant in the World’ last year in the San Pellegrino list was Massimo Bottura’s 3 Michelin star Osteria Francescana, located in a cobbled back street in Modena. Discover the finest Italian restaurants both in and out of the capital in our guide to ten of the best…Buon appetito!

Casamia

The General, Lower Guinea Street, Bristol, BS1 6SY | www.casamiarestaurant.co.uk | 0117 959 2884 | 1 Michelin star, 5 AA Rosettes, Sunday Times Top 100

In 1999 the Sanchez family made a life changing decision. They quit their day jobs, their home on the other side of Bristol and moved their two young boys to open the doors to Casamia; a trattoria serving pizza and pasta.  As time went by the Sanchez-Brothers began to transform the former trattoria into something spectacular. Focusing on seasonality and questioning everything, this young, formidable duo were named “two little geniuses” by Gordon Ramsay. The self-taught chefs were awarded a Michelin star in 2009 – the restaurant now offers one set menu that changes (along with the restaurants decor) once a season.

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Il Pampero

20 Chesham Place, Belgravia, London, SW1X 8HQ | www.ilpampero.com | 020 3189 4850

Traditional homemade Italian cooking meets contemporary London dining with il Pampero, a true Italian gem in Belgravia. Located within The Hari hotel on Chesham Place, the exquisite restaurant is a destination in its own right, attracting local Belgravians and a London crowd looking for a refined eating experience and a vibrant atmosphere. 

Member Club Offer: Members and their guests receive a complimentary dessert when ordering additional dishes from the a la carte menu – click here for more details

Murano

20 Queen Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 5PP | www.muranolondon.com | 0207 495 1127 | 1 Michelin Star, 4 AA Rosettes

As elegant as its name would suggest, the classically tailored interior of Murano features magnificent painted fresco panels, and traditional blown glasswork light fittings, specially commissioned as sculpted chandeliers for this beautiful restaurant. Everything you would expect from a restaurant under the careful control of celebrity chef Angela Hartnett, who worked alongside Gordon Ramsay for a number of years.
Angela, alongside head chef Pip Lacey, has created a menu with a strong Italian accent, reflecting her family roots.

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Caldesi in Campagna

Old Mill Lane, Bray, Berkshire, SL6 2BG | www.caldesi.com/caldesi-in-campagna/ | www.caldesi.com/caldesi-in-campagna/ | 01628 788500 | 2 AA Rosettes

Inspired by Giancarlo’s rural upbringing in Tuscany, Katie and Giancarlo opened Caldesi in Campagna, meaning Caldesi in the Country, in 2007. The Caldesi’s are passionate about seasonal and sustainable ingredients and use local produce such as game, meat and eggs where possible. They are proud of their authentic Italian cooking and herb garden where diners can eat al fresco.

Member Club Offer: Members receive a 10% reduction for the total food and beverage bill – click here for more details

L’Anima

1 Snowden Street, Broadgate West, London, EC2A 2DQ | www.lanima.co.uk | 020 7422 7000 | 2 AA Rosettes

Named for the Italian word for soul, this snazzy City eaterie serves up southern Italian soulfulness by the plateful. Chef Francesco Mazzei’s food bursts with vibrancy and features such succulent treats as wood-roasted aubergine and burrata, magnificent rabbit stew, the sweetness of the meat brilliantly balanced with a faint balsamic sourness and bombastic fish stew that delivers a mouth-watering fusion of red mullet, clams, mussels and scallops on a tomatoey risotto.

Member benefits do not currently apply here. Click here for booking information

 

Union Street Cafe

47 – 51 Great Suffolk Street, Southwark, London, SE1 0BS | www.gordonramsayrestaurants.com/union-street-cafe/ | 0207 592 7977 | 2 AA Rosettes

Inspired by the casual glamour and laid-back luxe of Italy, Gordon Ramsay’s Union Street Cafe is an urban ristorante with a menu influenced by authentic Italian family recipes. Located in Southwark it is a lively urban restaurant and bar in central London offering quality Mediterranean and Italian artisan foods.

Member Club Offer: Members and their guests receive a complimentary glass of fizz when dining from the a la carte menu – click here for more details

 

Hartnett Holder & Co at Lime Wood

Beaulieu Road, Lyndhurst, Hampshire, SO43 7FZ | www.limewoodhotel.co.uk | 023 8028 7177 | 3 AA Rosettes

Hartnett and Holder’s food comes with the much loved Italian approach to eating – where sharing and provenance is everything. The style is chefs’ home-cooked food not chefs’ food cooked for restaurants. Both Angela and Luke are famed for their informal, grounded style of cooking and their respect for local produce. Expect a menu of Italian influenced dishes, pulling together both Chefs much admired signature styles!

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Amaranto Restaurant

Four Seasons Hotel London At Park Lane, Hamilton Place, Park Lane, London, W1J 7DR | www.fourseasons.com | 0207 319 5206

Surrounded by greenery in the heart of Mayfair, Amaranto is located in Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane. Offering a modern Italian menu with international flavours, the restaurant exudes warmth and style with a tranquil terrace for summer al fresco dining.

Member Club Offer: Members and their guests receive a complimentary glass of Champagne – click here for details

Daphne’s

112 Draycott Avenue, South Kensington, London, SW3 3AE | www.daphnes-restaurant.co.uk | 0207 589 4257 |

Esteemed designer, Martin Brudnizki has created a space which represents the vibrant colour palettes of Italy and ensure that Daphne’s maintains the effortless charm and familiarity so synonymous with Italian culture, and which has made it such a favourite amongst the residents of Chelsea and further afield.

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Brunello at The Baglioni

60 Hyde Park Gate, Kensington, London, SW7 5BB | www.baglionihotels.com | 0207 368 5700

Situated on the ground floor of Baglioni Hotel London facing Kensington Gardens, Brunello Bar and Restaurant is a vibrant restaurant with luxurious decor and furnishings. The menus incorporate many classic Italian dishes alongside more contemporary interpretations by chef Alberto Rossetti, who has a love for pasta and risotto.

Member Club Offer: Members and their guests receive a complimentary glass of ‘Ferrari’ sparkling wine when having dinner – click here for more details

 

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