Top Best Italian Restaurants in Barbican

"An unlikely London institution in an even more unlikely location, The River Cafe by Hammersmith riverside has been churning out simple, ingredient-focused dishes since 1987. At around £35 for most main courses, it doesn't come cheap, and we reckon there's much better value to be had elsewhere on this list. That said, some things are worth experiencing, and for a fan of Italian food in London The River Café is one of them: mark it down for a special occasion."

"Thames Wharf, Rainville Road, W6 9HA Only the River Café could have a wood-burning oven so white, so virginal, that it looks like a wedding cake. It's somehow fitting for a place whose USP is the very finest Italian produce married with genuine Italian cooking techniques in the kitchen, and a great sense of fun in the restaurant. The wonderful thing about the River Café is that it keeps on doing what it has always done: bringing you the best."

"Where: Thames Wharf, Rainville Rd, Hammersmith, London W6 9HA. As long as you don't think about the bill, sitting out on the banks of the Thames enjoying the super Italian food here really is a case of 'life doesn't get much better than this'."

"Restaurants Italian Highbury. Canonbury’s star Italian has made the restaurant biz look like child’s play since day one by combining irresistible food with spot-on service and affordable prices. It’s home to some of London’s best pasta (its pappardelle with slow-cooked beef-shin ragù is a silky delight) and there’s brilliant stuff from the charcoal grill too, while a comprehensive all-Italian wine list emphasises Trullo’s calibre."

"Sure, have beef shin pappardelle to break the fast — why not, go big. But for an easy start to the day that doesn’t require a table and cutlery, head to Trullo’s deli and shop, next door to the north London Italian restaurant. Snag one of the savoury pastries which are hearty enough for a breakfast and lunch combo."

"Restaurants Italian Seven Dials. Loud, informal, bustling and tailor-made for kids in town for a treat, Homeslice serves up ginormous 20-inch pizzas for sharing at the table – although they provide individual slices too (ideal for picky youngsters who don’t want to play ball) – and they’ll even let you have more than one choice from the toppings selection if you ask nicely. Branches in Fitzrovia, Shoreditch, City and White City."

"Homeslice’s City, White City, Shoreditch, Neal’s Yard, and Marylebone restaurants are currently offering delivery via a selection of third party apps. Moreover, the group has also launched ‘Take & Bake’ pizzas, available for delivery nationwide. Featuring 12-inch pizzas ready to bake at home, each is made using high-quality ingredients, available alongside Homeslice’s range of sauces."

"London may not seem like one of those cities that are synonymous with great pizza, but Homeslice seeks to change that. Serving up a selection of hearty pies (or slices!), Homeslice also offers vegan opions. The Covent Garden (Neal's Yard) location in particular is close to great shopping, so after a day of retail therapy, stop in for a delicious slice."

"In a former tea warehouse on the corner of Shoreditch High Street and Bethnal Green Road, Pizza East Shoreditch serves seasonal smalls, wood-oven dishes, pizzas and some of the best cured meats & cheese in London. The oversized banqueting tables and bustling atmosphere make this a place that parents will enjoy just as much as little ones, Pizza East is a great choice if you’re in Shoreditch. There’s plenty to choose from on the menu, from their signature pizzas to mozzarella sticks, baked carbonara to gelato scoops."

"Can’t decide between a fancy members club and McDonald’s for brunch?. Pizza East has got you. The Shoreditch pizzeria from the Soho House team has recently revamped its brunch menus, which feature an Italian-American twist on some London breakfast favourites."

"Pizza , Italian"

"Wood-fired sourdough pizzas with serious artisan credentials guarantee queues at Franco Manca – no wonder this cult-status mini chain has spread across London like a drizzle of chilli oil on your plate. Prices are rock bottom, the pizzas are served up super-quickly, and the toppings include everything from gloucester old spot sausages to gragnano tomatoes. As you might expect, vegan and gluten-free options are always available."

"The Richmond outpost of London’s original sourdough pizza chain is definitely one of its coolest, situated as it is in the old police station. Beautiful wooden accents and exposed brick make the interior as cosy as can be, while the pizzas are as dependable as rain on a Bank Holiday weekend. Specials change according to the season and include meat, vegetarian and vegan options."

"Complete with flower installations, huge terracotta pots and the smartest outdoor furniture we've ever seen, this is the second restaurant from Petersham Nurseries in Covent Garden. La Goccia is more casual than Petersham next door (which also has a small number of tables outside), serving delicious plates of Italian cichetti: squid in chilli-spiked tomato salsa and white asparagus sprinkled with edible flowers. Everything on the plate is as pretty as the surroundings and really, that is why you're here."

"It’s the strangest thing, but sipping lukewarm prosecco in that paddling pool you ordered from Argos really isn’t making you feel like you’re on Lake Garda. Luckily, the hidden courtyard at La Goccia will give you that whole dolce vita feel, and more importantly, access to some great Italian small plates. Be warned that prices can stack up quickly, but it’s totally worth it for a top-tier catch-up or a special date night."

"The Petersham team also have a restaurant on their Covent Garden site, which has a somewhat secret garden in an internal courtyard, protected on all sides from the surrounding building. That, plus cosy blankets on the seats, make it a popular choice for al fresco drinks and nibbles, especially during aperitivo hour."

"Also known as the Temple of Mithras, this museum is centered around the remains of an ancient Roman temple in the City of London, left from the days of Roman rule, and is one of the lesser-known free museums in the capital. Named as one of the UK’s most significant archaeological sites, the museum showcases the ancient temple and a selection of interesting Roman artefacts found during excavations, including fragments of writing-tablets which feature the first known reference to London and the earliest hand-written document in Britain."

"One of London’s quirkier and lesser-known spots is literally a blend of old and new. The London Mithraeum is a museum centred around the ruins of a Roman Temple and is located, rather oddly, underneath the shiny glass Bloomberg Buildings in the middle of the city. A visit to the Mithraeum is not just looking at old artefacts, but a full on sensory experience."

"Year Built: c.240 CE Location: Modern-day Walbrook Purpose:  Temple/sanctuary Still Standing:  No – only partial ruins remain. photo source: Wikimedia Commons. The Temple of Mithras is one of the few remnants leftover from the Roman Empire’s time in the area and is one of the oldest buildings ever discovered in London."

"This inventively redesigned museum vibrantly relates the history of the British Army, from the perspective of its servicemen and servicewomen. The museum reopened with a big bang in 2017, with five brand-new state-of-the-art galleries, including the Soldier Gallery, the Army Gallery, the Society Gallery (exploring society's relationship with the army), the Battle Gallery (the army at war) and the Insight Gallery (on the impact of the British Army through the world). Free talks, workshops and tours are also hosted: see the website for details."

"Alternatives: There are many other things to see in the area (mostly in Chelsea), including the Chelsea Physic Garden (fee*), Leighton House Museum (fee), Design Museum, Portobello Road Market, Chelsea Football Club Stadium Tour & Museum (fee*), and the recently renovated National Army Museum. London Itinerary Day 6 – Greenwich or Free Day"

"Located southeast of the city center, Crystal Palace Park was named for the impressive iron and glass structure that was built just three years earlier in Hyde Park and then moved to the top of Sydenham Hill in 1854 for the new park's opening. Although the original structure burned in 1936, the Crystal Palace Museum was built by the same company as the palace, and today it contains photos, scaled replicas, and artifacts from the grand edifice that visitors can enjoy while at the park. The original Italian Terraces and Sphinx-guarded staircases that once surrounded the palace still stand, giving visitors perspective on the actual size and presence of the former building."

"Cycle from Clapham to Crystal Palace- nothing like being a tourist in your own city💓💓 • • • #crystalpalace #dinosaur #dinosaurs #london #england #lockdown #staycation #bikerides #tourists #cycles #southlondon #selondon #cycle #home #park #crystalpalacepark #hills #family #familytravel #familiestravel2_ #londoncycling #journeynotdestination #familybikeride #travel. A post shared by Family Travel (@familiestravel2_) on May 24, 2020 at 2:35pm PDT. Channel your inner T-Rex in the dinosaur park, get lost in one of the UK's largest mazes, or simply explore the many ponds, playgrounds and green spaces Crystal Palace Park has to offer its visitors."

"No mere park, this was originally brought to life as a Victorian Pleasure Ground. Among its attractions are lakes, a maze, their famous world-first dinosaur models (which, despite exaggerated rumours of their demise, are still in place) and the Italian terraces, which survived the fire that destroyed the Crystal Palace. There's also the 'rusty laptop' concert stage, on the site Bob Marley once played, but it's sadly underused, and perhaps more interesting as an oddity of architecture."

"A grade II listed Art Deco classic, originally built in 1938, but a refurbishment in 2005 brought an unusual stainless-steel liner being added to give the water some extra shimmer. A large pool that is popular with families, it has good hot showers and a café for after swim snacks. You’re guaranteed a lot of fun at this swimming pool."

"Hampstead Heath‘s popular outdoor pool has been rated as one of the best in London. Here you will find a variety of water-based activities. The shallow paddling pool and the outdoor pool are great for younger swimmers who want to practice their swimming skills."

"The Lido at Hampsted Heath is uncovered and unheated, so is definitely one for hot, sunny days!. However, the whole experience of swimming outside is one not to be missed. There is even a paddling pool for younger children."

"One of Europe’s largest inland wetland projects, this 42-hectare centre run by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust was transformed from four Victorian reservoirs in 2000 and attracts some 140 species of bird, as well as frogs, butterflies, dragonflies and lizards, plus a thriving colony of watervoles. The glass-fronted observatory affords panoramic views over the lakes, while meandering paths and boardwalks lead visitors through the watery habitats of black swans, Bewick's swans, geese, red-crested pochards, sand martins, coots, bitterns, herons and kingfishers."

"Voted in 2012 as Britain’s Favourite Natural Reserve, WWT London Wetland Centre is an oasis of natural wildlife placed right in the heart of London. Managed by Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, this idyllic wetland reserve is located in a loop of the Thames and occupies more than 100 acres of land. Home for a significant number of unique species of birds, insects, amphibians and other wildlife representatives, the Wetland Centre represents a real natural wonder."

"Just ten minutes from Hammersmith, you'll get lost in the London Wetland Centre and its lakes, ponds and gardens. Aside from the daily guided tours, you can meet the otters, feed the birds, or take part in a host of family activities such as pond dipping and nature walks."

"Restaurants Street food London. If you’re in Soho, why not head to Street Food Union, a collection of a dozen or so stalls that sets up shop on Rupert Street five days a week. Traders are on rotation and newcomers are added regularly, but the line-up currently includes self-explanatory names like Confit Street (fine French food) and Lil’ Falafel, plus more obscure-sounding outfits such as Oshpaz – a quirky one-off specialising in authentic ‘plov’, Uzbekistan’s legendary national dish (slow-cooked lamb on the bone, in case you were wondering)."

"Assembling all the right stuff for a hand-held nosh, Lils Falafel is all about unusually moist vegan/veggie balls which come packed into wraps with vibrant salads, pickles and sauces. These impressively moist little beauties are full to bursting with all those vibrant flavours and textures we love so much. If you’re after a takeaway lunch, we suggest ordering one of their salad boxes, and adding some feta for an extra quid."

"Stop by Street Food Union Soho for some of the best street food in London, with a small group of passionate traders. There are many options, but I particularly love the New Orleans-inspired Slinging Poboys. On Saturdays Street Food Union transforms itself into one of the best vegan food markets in London – packed with innovative and delicious eats."

"Kings College London only recently opened this permanent site for the Science Gallery, a dedicated space for showing contemporary artwork that explores scientific questions. Its inaugural exhibition is all about addiction, called Hooked, and previous shows in its travelling days have investigated blood, food and orifices. Think of it as looking at science through the eyes of an artist."

"Science Gallery London is an art-science-and-health inspired gallery in London. The free museum has been open since 2018 in London Bridge after a series of pop-up exhibits across London. The gallery aims to bring together scientists, artists, and communities with three themed seasons every year."

"Not a single shop, but a collection of exclusive boutiques and restaurants, founded in the 16th century and housed in a striking building constructed in 1837. Shops include Hermès, Georg Jensen and Tiffany & Co, and goods available to buy range from fashion and accessories to beauty products and homewares. 3 Royal Court, Royal Exchange, Unit 15C, London EC3V 3LN"

"Sitting snugly between Bank and Monument Tube stations, the Royal Exchange building used to be the centre of commerce for the City of London. It has twice been burnt down and rebuilt, most recently in the 1840s. Royal Proclamations were traditionally read out on its lavish steps by the town crier."