Italian

1 Rufus St, London N1 6PE

Italian restaurant Senza Fondo has one key selling point - its bottomless lasagna. That comes in traditional or artichoke varieties (and even in a sandwich) but there is more to the restaurant than layered pasta. You'll also find pizzette, pasta and snacks like deep-fried mozzarella sticks, as well as tiramisu for dessert. All that's assuming you don't overdo it on the lasagna, of course.

49-51 Curtain Rd, London EC2A 3PT

Originally big in Soho and now David Carter (Smokestak) and Chris Leach's Manteca moved to Shoreditch. Designed around an open kitchen with plenty of open-fire cooking. The food is described as a nose-to-tail "Italian with a British accent" with both seasonality and a whole-animal approach to cooking the name of the day (alongside some great pasta).

36-37 Greenhill Rents, Cowcross St, London EC1M 6BN

The late, great Russell Norman, who also created Polpo, founded this restaurant just off Smithfield Market. It takes its influences primarily from Northern Italy with a particular focus on Florence. So you'll find Italian snacks and pasta alongside huge T-Bone steaks. It's also part-bar, with an extensive list of cocktail classics, so very handy if you're looking for a decent bar in the area.

1 Phipp Street, London EC2A 4PS

The original Padella is a London sensation, with its affordable fresh pasta winning friends far and wild. It's hugely popular, which led to this second outpost in Shoreditch. Expect the same great value, high quality pasta and more.

12 Archer St, London W1D 7BB

Jacob Kenedy's Soho Italian wins universal praise for its cuisine, a well-chosen wine list and for being one of the best counter dining spots in London. Pull up a stool at the counter and enjoy the regional Italian dishes on a menu that changes regularly..

33 Dover St, London W1S 4NF

The Dover is a Mayfair restaurant by Martin Kuczmarski, former right-hand man to Soho House's Nick Jones, aiming for understated glamour with NYC Italian-inspired cuisine. With an ambience best described as "casual but not too casual", there's a real feel of old-school Mayfair hospitality here. The menu is also welcomingly old-school with dishes including an excellent Chicken Cordon Bleu. On top of that, there's an impressive bar specializing in martinis that' it's worth visiting for alone.

40-41 Rathbone Pl, Fitzrovia, London W1T 1HX

The Big Mamma Group's second opening in London saw them hit up Fitzrovia with a massively OTT slice of Mediterranean charm and flavour. It's extremely popular with a stunning looking room.

310 Portobello Road, London W10 5TA

This Italian restaurant in Notting Hill comes from the same team behind pub hits The Pelican and The Hero. Here, they brought in two ex-River Cafe chefs to create a classic Italian menu that's going down very well with the locals.

191 Rye Lane, London SE15 4TP

Cafe Britaly is not for Italian purists as they take a "Britalian" approach to the menu which brings in a lot of local influence, clearly seen in their signature carbonara dish with cream and a fried egg topping. Here you can expect dishes from porchetta to pasta given a similar light Brit makeover in a restaurant that seems modeled more after a greasy spoon than a classically Italian restaurant.

27 Poultry, London EC2R 8AJ

The Ned is both an impressive City hotel as well as a collection of restaurants. Soho House took over an impressive (and huge) old banking site and stuffed it with places to eat. There are ten restaurants to choose from and while some City restaurants get quiet at the weekends - this is buzzy at all times.

77-78 Marylebone High St, London W1U 5JX

This Marylebone restaurant from the Big Mamma Group (Circolo Popolare, Gloria) is described as more "intimate" than the others but it still has the mad, flamboyant design that they're known for (and some crazy toilets). Food is their take on Neapolitan and Sicilian classics with an Americano twist - and some pretty large portions along the way.

Thames Wharf Studios, Rainville Road, London W6 9HA

Decades after originally opening, Ruth Rogers' River Café opened a new café close to the original legendary restaurant that's a much more casual affair. As well as pastries and cakes, you'll also be able to order dishes cooked up by the main River Café team here.

62 Seymour St, London W1H 5BN

The Italian Greyhound occupies an enviably large corner space in Marylebone, offering both a sunlit dining room as well as a great terrace space. Billed as a neighbourhood Italian restaurant, you can find classic Italian food on the menu, from pizza to pasta, and there are some great snacks if you fancy popping in for a glass of wine. There's a handy private dining room downstairs if you need somewhere for a group.

300 - 302 St Paul's Road, London N1 2LH

Probably Islington's most famous restaurant, this Italian affair sees Tim Siadatan (also behind Padella) and Chef Owner Conor Gadd in charge. Expect superlative Italian cuisine at any time and at weekends, you can also pop into their wine bar next door for a glass and some snacks.

56 Dalston Lane, London E8 3AH

This Dalston restaurant has a modern take on Japanese and Italian food - resulting in a creative fusion menu that's inspired by both cuisines, while also pushing the envelope. They serve a 13-course Kaiseki menu which changes every five weeks to reflect the seasons, so there's a lot of opportunity for repeat visits.

4 Harriet Street, London SW1X 9JR

This high-end Italian restaurant has an impressive background, coming from the Antinori family, one of the most famous winemakers in Italy. The restaurant is focused on Tuscan cuisine, so as well as pasta, carpaccio and other dishes, you'll also find huge Florentine T Bones here. The design is a highlight, with a much more homely feel than typically upscale Italians, so it has a much more cosy vibe.

15 Henrietta Street, London WC2E 8QG

Ave Mario is from the people behind Gloria and Circolo Poplare, and once again it's another hit for them. Expect no holds barred on the design and BIG food, like the enormous ice cream cake that they wheel about the room. Specialities here include a caviar section, massive cocktails and a veal milanese that's twice as big as your head. 

6 Southwark Street, London SE1 1TQ

Probably the London restaurant that's done more for this city's passion for pasta than any other opening, Padella comes from the Trullo stable and serves up freshly-made-each-day pasta. The only downside is the queue or waiting time for a table. Prepare to be patient.

88 St John Street, London EC1M 4EH

This Michelin-starred Clerkenwell restaurant is from the team behind World's 50 Best restaurant The Clove Club. An Italian restaurant using British produce it's split between a more casual cafe at the front and more formal dining in the restaurant at the back. It's also blessed with a beautiful courtyard.

4 Knightsbridge Green, London, UK SW1X 7QA

This is the main restaurant inside the Bulgari Hotel in Knightsbridge. It's run by the same group that runs Scarpetta in New York (and a few more restaurants worldwide). Sette is an upscale Italian restaurant, taking in some influences (and signature dishes, like the frozen chocolate dessert) from its American cousins.

79 Barlby Rd, London W10 6AZ

Set with the impressive arts and design collective Ladbroke Hall, Pollini is their seasonal Italian restaurant. It's led by chef Emanuele Pollini, who has worked at a host of Michelin-starred restaurants in Italy before this. The room is impressive, if a little cavernous, and Pollini's creative take on traditional Italian cuisine is proving popular.

120 Morning Ln, London E9 6LH

Dalla took over from Peg on Morning Lane and is a collaboration among three Italian friends with diverse backgrounds. Gennaro Leone, focusing on design, joins forces with Mitchell Damota, ex-head chef at P Franco, and chef Gianmarco Leone, formerly at Claridge's. Together, they aim to offer homestyle Italian cuisine, rediscovering old recipes in a contemporary setting.

27 Albemarle Street, Mayfair, London W1S 4HZ

This high-end Itlaian restaurant comes from the same people behind Coya, Amazonico and Bar des Pres. It's taken southern Italy as the inspiration in a restaurant that's made of a warren of rooms and bars. The room with the retractable glass roof will be a hit on warm days, while their veal tomahawk Milanese is a must.

National Theatre, Upper Ground London SE1 9PX

They started out as a rooftop in Peckham and for their second restaurant, Forza Wine took over one of the restaurants at The National Theatre. It has a great view of the Thames and on a good day, you'll definitely want to grab a table on the extensive terrace. As for the food, expect Italian small plates and a natural wine list that's pretty good value for the area.

4 Suffolk Pl, London SW1Y 4HX

For maximalists rather than minimalists this Italian restaurant took over a former bank just off Pall Mall, so expect acres of marble and gilt. In addition to the restaurant and bar, there’s also a walk-in wine cellar, whisky room and private dining room - it’s definitely a dress-up place for a special occasion.

1 Norris St, London SW1Y 4RJ

Finding well-priced restaurant options in St James can be a bit tricky but this Italian pizzeria is always a good bet. The USP here is that they use Mediterranean seawater in the pizza dough - that may sound gimmicky but the proof is in the eating and the pizzas are really good.

94 Kensington High Street, London W8 4SH

Jacuzzi comes from the Big Mamma group, also known for the hugely popular Circolo Popolare and Gloria. Here in Kensington it's an opulent three-floored affair decked out with trees and flora throughout. As for the food, expect Italian cuisine in huge portions and a few high-end items like caviar that are better priced than you might find elsewhere.

Holland Park, Abbotsbury Rd, London W8 6LU

Belvedere is a complete reinvention of a classic restaurant in Holland Park, relaunched by the people behind Wild Tavern after months of attention lavished on it. The glamorous interiors match a menu that has an Italian flavour.

198-200 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EZ

Notto sees top chef Phil Howard opening a fresh pasta restaurant on Piccadilly. More affordable than his previous restaurants, like Elystan Street, you can expect an Italian menu (and Italian cocktails) and his own takes on pasta, created together with chef Louis Korovilas.

Town Hall Hotel, Patriot Square, London E2 9NF

Elis is the second restaurant in the Town Hall Hotel in Benthal Green from the two-Michelin-starred Da Terra team. Inspired by chef Rafael Cagali, the menu takes its inspiration from his Brazilian/Italian heritage.