Top Best Italian Restaurants in Golders Green

"Not to be confused with the wallet-beating Italian restaurant, this particular River Cafe is an old school caff located right opposite Putney Bridge tube. It’s a stunner inside, with blue and white tiles, creaking plywood wall panels, and formica tables, largely unchanged since the 1960s. There are plenty of nods to the Italian owners too, with walls covered in Italian football flags and posters."

"I thought of who I would share it with, what I would wear, the endless photographs, and which song I would want played. If you think I’m talking about my wedding, you are sadly mistaken. I’m talking about the magical day where I could finally eat River Café’s signature Chocolate Nemesis dessert at home."

"Papparadelle with beef shin ragu; Trullo, 300 - 302 St Paul's Road, London N1 2LH, tel 020 7226 2733; www.trullorestaurant.com. Padella is truly one of London’s greatest gems, but it’s also hard to grab a seat at the best of times. If you want the same exceptional pasta, but with the ability to book a table in advance, sibling restaurant Trullo is for you."

"This Islington neighbourhood restaurant has a reputation that reaches far beyond its borough. Owners Jordan Frieda and Tim Siadatan met while working at the River Café and the Italian menu keenly reflects those roots. Trullo is best described as a contemporary trattoria, with small, white-clothed tables, industrial-style hanging lamps and white walls."

"Trullo went from restaurant to shop during lockdown and as well as selling soups, pasta, bread, booze and deli items, they’re doing a very strong line in pastries, including this carbonara swirl. It’s a frankly inspired mashup of pasta dish and pastry with some serious #yolkporn action."

"If you’re big on pizza, pizza doesn’t come much bigger than at Homeslice. This street-market-to-restaurant convert produces 20” pizzas (£20) as standard - designed to share, but that’s to your discretion (do not fear, snackers can order by the slice in Homeslice’s favourite flavours). What to expect: The Margherita is heaven to tomato lovers, thick with fresh, zingy passata, but the more adventurous types are treated to Homeslice’s inventive topping menu, which features the likes of aubergine, cauliflower cheese, spinach and harissa or oxtail and watercress with horseradish and sorrel cream."

"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."

"Restaurants Cafés Surrey Quays. In the mornings, anything goes at this colourful, casual local diner – such as brunch burgers and smashed avocado – but the rest of the time the focus is firmly on Italy. This inviting space is the setting for top renditions of the classics – think arancini with beef ragù, the usual pizzas, more unusual pastas and humbly delicious chicken Milanese, plus desserts involving Nutella (obvs)."

"Tucked away on a quiet Spitalfields backstreet that feels untouched by the last hundred years, there's much about Enoteca Super Tuscan that doesn't feel like modern London at all. In fact, of all the restaurants in this list this is the one that's most evocative of Italy itself. As you might guess from the name, wine is as important as food here, and there are some very impressive bottles from Tuscany and beyond on the list, along with more affordable options."

"You will notice the quirky décor with its exposed brickwork as soon as you set foot in La Vita é Bella, another popular Italian spot in Islington. There’s a wide-ranging menu here featuring wood-fired pizzas and a variety of pasta dishes. Located on Theberton St, La Vita é Bella is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Upper Street."

"Chef Mitshel Ibrahim’s Vyner Street trattoria cannily slants mainstays of Italian cuisine to create a restaurant that feels like the London Italian that it is, rather than the Venetian bacaró that inspires it but to which it isn’t really to be compared. The canalside dining room and ample terrace awaits faithfully with Roman artichokes; pillowy gnocchi fritti anointed with mortadella; carne salada paired with shimeji mushrooms alongside Parmesan; and quality rotating pastas. The tiramisù is deservedly legendary."

"Inspired by Venetian wine bars, this chilled-out spot is also canalside but found in Hackney. The wine list is excellent so get into the bacaro spirit and stop by for a glass and cicchetti like scarlet prawns and crostini. Staying for a plate of homemade pasta which shows off seasonal British ingredients is also highly recommended."

"Canalside Ombra showed great dexterity under lockdown with its fresh pasta kits and grocery offer, and it’s doing the same upon reopening, with heated terrace seating and unheated terrace seating, depending on how hardy a party is feeling."

"The go-to destination for those looking for some tasty plant-based pancakes, Megan's serve up their signature dish of vegan pancakes with chia yoghurt, maple syrup and pistachios for Shrove Tuesday. Known for their Insta'-ready interiors and pup-friendly policy, the London-wide restaurants are perfect for a mid-morning munch."

"A stalwart on London's brunch scene, Megan's certainly know how to kick your weekend off right. With venues spanning the city, from Clapham to Islington, you're never far from their signature blue-checkered table cloths, twinkling fairy lights and healthy breakfast plates."

"If you're looking to update your Insta-feed with a few beautiful food snaps in a pretty restaurant, look no further than Megan's. A favourite among celebrities and bloggers, the restaurant boasts beautiful interiors paired with equally tantalising food offerings."

"Another longstanding veggie stalwart, The Gate has been serving fantastic vegetarian food since it opened more than 30 years ago. It now serves an almost entirely vegan menu across its branches in Islington, Marylebone, Hammersmith and St John's Wood. After tucking into veg-packed dinner dishes of miso-glazed aubergines, wild mushroom risotto cake and meat-free tagine, head over at the weekends for the brunch menu, complete with vegan pancakes and vegan full English."

"A post shared by Sara 🌺Lifestyle Blogger (@sara_sharingdreams) on Mar 13, 2017 at 2:18pm PDT. Sample food inspired by various cuisines at The Gate in Hammersmith. Drawing on their Indo-Iraqi and Jewish heritage with some French and Italian flair thrown in for good measure, brothers Adrian and Michael Daniel opened this veggie restaurant in 1989."

"The Gate is a Brick Lane restaurant with a drop-dead gorgeous outdoor terrace. Offering sleek furnishings, incredible views of the surrounding city and a menu of top-quality organic dishes, this is a real all-rounder."

"Good news for regulars of Barry’s and Hotpod Yoga in Eccleston Yards, as Atis – the East London salad bar – brings its bowls of goodness to the wellness hub in West. The menu includes Atis’ staples like Miso Hungry (shredded kale, wild rice, edamame, charred lemon broccoli, miso lime and ginger dressing) and Seiz’a Ceasar (a riff on the the chicken Ceasar salad), but there’s also the option to build your own bowl from scratch. 1-2 Eccleston Yards, Belgravia, SW1W 9AZ | 145 City Road, London, EC1V 1AZ"

"Located on Ealing Road, in the heart of Wembley’s ‘Little India’ neighbourhood, this amazing vegetarian café is a real hidden gem. Don’t be deceived by the unassuming exterior, plain decor, or lack of modern frills (it doesn’t have, or apparently need, a website) - Ashers serves some of the best Gujarati cuisine available in London. This simple, neat, family-owned café serves a delicious selection of shaaks, assorted flatbreads, rustic favourites such as khichdi and khadi, and plenty more."

"Next suggested stop is HMS Belfast(fee*), which is permanently moored on the Thames a short walk from Tower Bridge on the south bank. This historic warship, operated today by Imperial War Museums, will definitely be of interest to military buffs, or anyone with an interest in boats. Launched just before the outbreak of World War 2, this Royal Navy Light Cruiser saw action in both World War 2 and the Korean War, before being decommissioned in 1963."

"After you’ve crossed tower bridge, you might consider visiting HMS Belfast, which is permanently moored on the Thames a short walk from Tower Bridge on the south bank. This historic warship, operated today by Imperial War Museums, will definitely be of interest to military buffs, or anyone with even a slight interest in boats."

"Between Waterloo and Hungerford bridges you can retreat to the landscaped Victoria Embankment Gardens, where you will find an unmatched tranquillity in this tourist area. In the summer recline on deckchairs and take in a bandstand performance."