Chelsea, Italian Restaurant Guide

“A little cramped but full of people enjoying themselves” – this “traditional trattoria” is tucked down a sidestreet off the King’s Road, where – for more than 40 years – guests have enjoyed “a warm welcome (you feel you are being properly looked after)”, along with “excellent, old- fashioned, competent cooking”. “The wine list is limited but there are some unusual and enjoyable bottles”.

“This King’s Road stalwart” is “still going strong after all these years” as “a good local standby for pizzas and pasta” (the latter only in SW3). “Always busy with a happy vibe – a great choice for a cheap and cheerful night out”. Its longstanding sibling in the ‘Nappy Valley’ closed in June 2025. Top Tip – covered rooftop terrace for walk-ins only.

With its alpine-themed interior, this Italian-ish Chelsea haunt from the team behind Goodman and Burger & Lobster opened to rave reviews just before lockdown. This year, though, its offering – combining a raw bar, with prime cuts of steak or fish from the grill and a selection of pasta – received little but opprobrium in our diners’ poll for “ridiculously overpriced and average meals” (“you don’t have a value-for-money category. If you did, this would score 0/10!”).

For over 20 years, this “excellent local Italian with a friendly ambience” in Chelsea has delighted its fan club, which crosses London from all points of the compass to dine here. Founder Lucio Altana was maître d’ at San Lorenzo in Beauchamp Place when Princess Diana was a regular; these days his sons Mario and Dirko work alongside him.

“Friendly and professional service” has helped make Riccardo Mariti’s Tuscan venue on a Chelsea corner a “favourite local” – “always relaxed and informal”, it has built a “loyal following” over three decades and more. Another winning feature was his early adoption of a small plates format – all the Italian dishes come in “tapas portions as well as standard”.

“Still very much in business and appealing to all generations” – this “brilliant, Italian throw-back” near Brompton Cross is “suspended in time – you rather expect Joan Collins to appear at any moment”. Founded in 1964 by Richard Burton’s agent Daphne Rye, it is now owned by Richard Caring – who seems wisely to have changed nothing. “The food is good, if expensive, but what do you expect in this area? At least you can leave well-fed and looked-after”. Top Tip – “eat at the bar, which is more fun for being informal”.

“Up-market Italian” pair, whose City branch has a “pretty good location near St Paul’s” and is “a reliable business lunch staple”, while the Chelsea branch next door to the Saatchi Gallery boasts “arguably one of the best outside patios in London”. “Prices are high, however, while the food is fine but nothing to write home about” (“I tend to use Manicomio City for entertaining lunches where we have a compliance-monitored expenditure limit, so trips to top-end eateries are, sadly, out – this fills the gap nicely”). BREAKING NEWS: In July 2025, the group launched a big and impressive-looking, new all-day City restaurant – Campanelle – in the former London Shipping Exchange at 19-21 Billiter Street, London EC3.