RestaurantsLondonBelgraviaSW1

survey result

Summary

£116
£££££
2
Average
3
Good
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

Food writer Laura Santini nowadays oversees this datedly chic Belgravia Italian founded by her father Gino in 1984, and which had quite a celebrity following back in the day (Frank Sinatra was a fan). Ever since we started our guide in 1991, it’s been priced for the rich residents of SW1 (a bowl of pasta is about £30), and most years don’t see a huge volume of reports. Representative of feedback this year: “OK food on the whole (if unexciting)… and big wine list mark-ups”.

Summary

£111
£££££
2
Average
3
Good
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

This “time-capsule” version of the classic Belgravia Italian restaurant attracted the likes of Frank Sinatra in its 1980s heyday. These days it is run by Laura Santini, daughter of the founder, Gino – and the food is by all accounts “undeniably delicious”. Even fans, though, can find it “outrageously expensive”.

Summary

£107
£££££
2
Average
3
Good
4
Very Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

This chic old-timer in Belgravia is still hanging in there with a “wonderful atmosphere” and “superb Italian dishes”. “Long favoured by Frank Sinatra, Roger Moore and Joan Collins, it’s not as dated or stuffy as that might make it sound, but it is expensive.” Founded in 1984 by Gino Santini, it is now run by his daughter Laura. Top Tip: “you can’t beat the outside terrace in summer”.

Summary

£80
 ££££
2
Average
3
Good
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

There’s “still a sense of occasion when you dine” at this “very smart and fashionable” Belgravia Italian, which remains in the same family after 35 years and is nowadays run by Laura, daughter of founder Gino. It’s “very business-y” though, and having hosted Frank Sinatra and the Clintons back in the day, it’s not un-fair to say it is “past its glory years”.

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 Santini?

29 Ebury St, London, SW1W 0NZ

Restaurant details

Yes
Yes
30
No dress code
85

Prices

Traditional European menu

Starter Main Veggies Pudding
£27.00 £41.50 £9.00 £9.00
Drinks  
Wine per bottle £32.00
Filter Coffee £4.00
Extras  
Service 13.50%
29 Ebury St, London, SW1W 0NZ
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Opening hours
Monday12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑11:30 pm
Tuesday12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑11:30 pm
Wednesday12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑11:30 pm
Thursday12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑11:30 pm
Friday12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑11:30 pm
Saturday6 pm‑11:30 pm
SundayCLOSED

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