RestaurantsLondonWappingE1W
Metropolitan Wharf, 70 Wapping Wall, London, E1W 3SS

survey result

Summary

£61
  £££
3
Good
3
Good
4
Very Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

This neighbourhood Italian of almost 30 years’ standing in a Wapping warehouse conversion “never disappoints” with its food and service, but “it’s the lively atmosphere that really sells it”, drawing a “great mix of local families and couples just getting together”.

Summary

£57
   ££
3
Good
2
Average
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“If you want a family Italian restaurant look no further”, say fans of this trattoria and pizza favourite of two decades standing at the foot of a Wapping warehouse conversion: “supported by locals and always busy”.

Summary

£52
   ££
3
Good
3
Good
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“Huge portions and great Italian family vibes” have ensured this Wapping trattoria has remained a “real neighbourhood favourite” for more than 20 years. The “very large portion sizes” mentioned by almost every reporter mean only one thing: bring your hungriest, greediest teenagers along.

Summary

£52
   ££
3
Good
3
Good
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“Wapping’s favourite” for more than 20 years – this “classic local Italian trat” scores well for its “friendly service”, “and the food remains terrific”. There’s a recurrent complaint – rare elsewhere – that “portions are too large”, but to both management and happy regulars this is without doubt a badge of honour.

For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).

Have you eaten at Il Bordello?

Owner's description

Often packed & buzzing, this modest Wapping restaurant attracts a loyal following, with queues at the door & much fuss & warmth attending the arrival of regulars, for whom this is ‘the quintessential local Italian restaurant’. The reasons for its success are not hard to divine: ‘decent portions’ of ‘great food’ served with efficiency & the occasional dash of charm by waistcoat-wearing Italian waiters. Starters are of near-main course proportions & include perfect garlic mushrooms with highly moppable oil & a commendably generous octopus salad; the pizza & pasta choice is bewildering, from a mammoth calzone to the il Bordello with artichokes, & there are meat & fish mains including a few more ambitious dishes among the chalked-up daily specials. The wine list provides plenty of sub-£20 choice to ensure it’s all washed down with suitably Italian gusto.

Prices

Traditional European menu

Starter Main Pudding
£9.95 £15.95 £8.95
Drinks  
Wine per bottle £30.00
Filter Coffee £5.00
Extras  
Service 12.50%

Restaurant details

Highchair,Portions
No dress code
96
Metropolitan Wharf, 70 Wapping Wall, London, E1W 3SS
Opening hours
Monday6 pm‑11 pm
Tuesday12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑11 pm
Wednesday12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑11 pm
Thursday12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑11 pm
Friday12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑11 pm
Saturday1 pm‑11 pm
Sunday1 pm‑10:30 pm

The 2024 Harden's Guide

2024 Hardens London Restaurant Guide

"User friendly in price, size and outlook"

Financial Times