London’s Italian-restaurant scene is as vibrant as it is varied, and it’s impossible to write about the best Italian restaurants in London without including Bocconcino. Housed around the back of Oxford Circus, and seriously upgrading the Soho dining scene, this chic Italian restaurant and bar has a menu that transports you to every region of Italy, from Tuscany to Rome to Sicily and Florence though an extensive (and impressive menu) that includes classics like the silky Aubergine parmigiana, comforting seasonal minestrone vegetable soup and all your favourite pasta dishes like Carbonara and seafood linguini.
Bocconcino is heaven sent for those looking for a good meal in central London- Here classic dishes are perfectly cooked and beautifully presented. The seared scallops with Jerusalem artichoke puree, shimeji mushroom and veal being just one excellent example. The Yellowtail tartare with avocado, orange and soy sauce is also a delicious little number, zinging and bursting with flavour. From the secondi, the slow cooked beef short rib falls off the bone and is served on a pile of the most delicious creamed truffle potato you’ll possibly ever taste. The freshly steamed broccoli is the perfect accompaniment for this, perfect for balancing out the unctuousness of the beef. It would be remiss to not choose an Italian staple and pay homage to the classics, and for this we recommend the veal milanese served with rocket and cherry tomatoes- a fine dish that delivers on flavour and comfort in equal measure.
If you still have room for dessert, you’ll be blown away by the lemon meringue tart – a wobbly wedge of deliciousness with just the right amount of lemony tang and creaminess. The Tiramisu is the showgirl of the pudding menu arriving in a daring metallic martini glass, looking absolutely stunning.
There is also an impressive wine list and a selection of delicious cocktails to complement your meal at Bocconciono. Two that stood out were the Catarrato – a silky smooth red from Sicily and the sun kissed white- the Cannonnau from Sardinia. If you have time, after dinner, remember to sneak into the Sotto Bar which is hidden beneath Bocconcino for a cheeky nightcap or indulge in one of the reimagined classic cocktails with a distinctive Italian twist.
Bocconcino: The Italian Restaurant Soho Needs on Its Radar
Bocconcino earns its place among the city’s best not through novelty but through consistency, every course from the aubergine parmigiana to the slow-cooked short rib is executed with the kind of precision that comes from knowing exactly what a good Italian restaurant should deliver. It’s the sort of menu that doesn’t need gimmicks to hold its own against London’s most celebrated Italian kitchens.
A Spot That Rewards Lingering
What sets Bocconcino apart is how much it upgrades the surrounding Soho dining scene without losing its neighbourhood warmth, tucked just behind Oxford Circus rather than performing for the main strip. The wine list plays its part too, with the Catarrato, a red from Sicily, standing out as the kind of pour worth ordering again before the night in Sotto Bar even begins.
Whether you’re a seasoned food enthusiast or simply seeking a taste of Italy’s finest, Bocconcino Soho promises an unforgettable dining experience that will linger in your memory long after the last bite.
