The Best Italian Restaurants In London

If you're looking for delicious, well-priced wood fired pizzas then look no further than Crust Bros. The Neapolitan pizzeria has locations in Waterloo, Covent Garden and Earls Court and each restaurant has an authentic Italian feel.

After a road trip around Italy in 2014, the founder Joe brought his interpretation of Neapolitan pizza back to London and started Crust Bros as a street food pizza company in tap rooms and markets around Peckham, Walthamstow, Kew and Camden. With three brick and mortar branches, it's the perfect stop for you and your friends to catch up. Top tip: make sure to order some dips for the deliciously oversized crusts.

If you love pasta and don't mind queuing, Padella is one of London's most hyped-up restaurants for a reason. Considering quite how delicious the dishes are – the cacio e pepe in particular – the price point is incredibly fair. It's also the perfect place to go with a group of friends to celebrate a special occasion, as long as they like sharing.

Located in Borough Market and Shoreditch, you can even queue virtually and have a glass of wine round the corner. It sounds like a perfect evening to us!

This cosy pizzeria is based in Nunhead, but even if you're not local it's worth the trek. Bar D4100 (Dinner for 100) is unbelievably popular and not just because of the impeccable menu, frequent pop ups and chic interiors – but because the owners are also famed for hosting community supper clubs and singles nights that sell out within minutes.

If you haven't tried it yet, you know where to book your next dinner...

For something that feels a little on the fancier side, consider booking a table at Trullo where there is much more than just pizza and pasta on the menu. The Islington haunt has a buzzy atmosphere and is conveniently located a short walk from the tube and overground station – making it the perfect spot to meet friends who live further away.

Another Padella rival where it's becoming increasingly difficult to find a table (you have to move fast) is Lina Stores. Luckily, there are branches on Brewer Street, Greek Street, Stable Street, Bloomberg Arcade, Marylebone Lane, Clapham, South Kensington, Shoreditch, Broadgate Circle and Canary Wharf so you've got plenty of chances.

The pasta is famously delicious, as are the snacks and starters, so if you fancy Italian food but are tired of pizza, this is the place for you.

If your dinner group is are after something independent instead, then try L'Antipasto in Battersea. Famed for its consistent quality and affordable prices, it's a firm favourite with locals, families and large groups of friends. It has a slightly more authentic feel than some of the chains on this list, which makes it the perfect location for a long catch up. Make sure to leave space for a big dollop of tiramisu.

Is it really an Italian restaurant without tablecloths? Ciao Bella in Bloomsbury is an institution and its reputation speaks for itself – the menu also contains every classic dish you could dream of. If you want a delicious, high-quality, generous meal, then this is the spot. It's also a brilliant venue for a birthday.

For those on the hunt for a unique Italian experience, head over to the iconic family-run establishment that is E. Pellicci in Bethnal Green. This East End cafe is world famous – and loved by celebrities – for good reason. The food is delicious, the portions are huge, the atmosphere is distinctly unpretentious and the service is second to none. If you head there for brunch on the weekend, you will have to queue, but you will be thoroughly entertained and fed snacks while you wait.