Top Best Italian Restaurants in The London Apprentice

"Ruth Rogers and the late, Rose Gray have had a profound impact on the restaurant industry in London. This leafy riverside overlook might not be the cheapest place to eat Italian food, but it’s unshakable commitment to the importance of ingredients has influenced a generation of chefs. The River Cafe alumni roster reads like the Harlem Globetrotters of food: Jamie Oliver, Theo Randall, April Bloomfield, Sam Clark, and Anna Tobias."

"An iconic pillar of Italian dining in London, The River Café in Hammersmith is as revered today as when Ruth Rogers and the late Rose Gray opened its doors more than 30 years ago. The menu, as it has always done, sings to the tune of the seasons and shows off the finest ingredients. Expect risotto with winter greens, dover sole whole roasted in the hot pink wood oven or buffalo ricotta-stuffed ravioli drenched in marjoram butter."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"Neal’s Yard is a colorful alley in Covent Garden. It’s worth the quick visit just to take a photo. Just around the corner is Neal’s Yard Dairy, one of the best spots in the city to sample artisanal cheese."

"Read the full review: LegareCardamom Building, 31G Shad Thames, Tower Bridge, London, SE1 2YRHoused in an old dockyard archway, this tiny restaurant in Shad Thames punches above its weight when it comes to pasta. Silky, fresh plates of pure comfort food joy are bookended by simple antipasti and homemade desserts."

"Westminster eatery Osterio Dell’Angolo is known for fusing traditional Italian dishes with more contemporary cuisine. On an a la carte menu full of innovation, you’ll find the likes of saddle suckling pig with organic Umbrian lentils and white Belgian chicory, or pappardelle with braised wild boar in red wine and sage. Make sure to also relax in the lounge bar afterwards with a cocktail or two."

"Tucked away on Notting Hill high street, Farina is a nondescript little gem for people exploring this particular neck of the woods. What to expect: The pizzas are the reason to come to Farina, in particular its use of burrata, which elevates its pizzas with a miasma of cool, gooey cheese as if it were the sour cream on a perfect tray of nachos. Special mention also to Farina’s cannolo: little pistachio-dusted horns of heaven, they’re so good that you’d leave the gun and take them too."

"The Royal Institution has been encouraging scientific minds since 1799, and it isn’t stopping anytime soon. At the Institution’s museum, you’ll can explore Faraday’s very own 1850s magnetic laboratory, get elemental with a interactive periodic table, and meet some of the characters that have frequented the Royal Institution throughout its history, including a staggering 14 Nobel Prize winners. Albemarle Street, Mayfair, W1S 4BS, rigb.org"

"Located in the heart of Chelsea, The Phene is a charming gastropub that has got a slick choice come lunchtime. From light lunches that let you combine proteins and salads through to open sandwiches, lunch here is a healthy and tasty affair."

"Whether you’re looking for local crafts or designer duds, you’re bound to find something that strikes your fancy at this quirky shopping arcade located opposite Windsor castle. Housed in a fromer Victorian Railway Station, architecture lovers will get a kick out of spotting the building’s original remaining features including Jubilee arch, the cobbled stones, and Queen Victoria's Royal Waiting Room."

"Windsor Royal Shopping, in the heart of the town, boasts top retail brands in a cafe culture setting. Names like Links, Pandora, Phase Eight and Whistles rub shoulders with Carluccio's, All Bar One, Bill's and La Tasca providing a welcome break from serious shopping. This is the place to meet and be seen."

"London’s best nordic bun is a fiercely contested title: Nordic Bakery, Fabrique, and Pavilion may make fine laminated offerings, but this Soho arrival from Edinburgh has proven it has the consistency to wrench the title away from Fabrique’s Hoxton arch. Like its competitor, cardamom and cinnamon are the strongest and cardamom is the clear winner, with less of an emphasis on caramel shards at the base but more fragrant spicing and lightness of chew in the bake, where it truly matters."

"Swedish bakery Soderberg made a name for themselves in their hometown of Edinburgh, Scotland and have now migrated South to London’s Soho. They offer authentically Swedish food including open sandwiches, cakes and of course no Scandi cafe would be complete without a freshly baked cinnamon bun. Catch them out of the oven when they are warm and squidgy."

"Parsnip cake full of grated parsnip, candied orange peel and vanilla, plus one single layer of cream cheese frosting and chopped almonds on top. It’s wholesome and moist like carrot cake, but sweeter, a little citrusy and far more interesting. 36 Berwick St, London W1F 8RR"

"Heritage abounds in this upscale London dance club / night club. Opened in 1924, with its parisian cafe chairs and crystal chandeliers, this place says flappers, twenties glamour and pure unadulterated enjoyment. It's as though it is a secret members only club in the height of prohibition, where once through the doors, a glittering smokey world opens up before you, glasses chink and everyone is enjoying themselves."

"Cafe de Paris opened its fabled doors in 1924 and has become the jewel of London's Piccadilly. The legendary London venue has a breathtaking sweeping staircase, glittering crystal chandeliers and a stunning ballroom. Cafe de Paris still knows how to attract London's elite throwing the most lavish parties in town."

"Café de Paris is a great example of bringing France to home. In this case, the ultimate French clubbing scene in London’s heart. One of the original show clubs in the city, Cafe de Paris offers premium ‘disco’ cabaret and late-night experiences to the elite class."

"With four stunning venues across the city, you're never short of trendy places to eat when Dirty Bones is about. Devoted to all things New York, from decor down to delicious American grub, the chic bar and kitchen is adding a taste of Manhattan to your meals out."

"Not a name to go shy when it comes to hunking great plates in London, join Dirty Bones this Shrove Tuesday as their double dutch pancakes are topped with your choice of 10 amazing ingredients, from fresh strawberries marinated in lavender to fried chicken."

"Jinjuu is a Korean restaurant in Soho, founded by chef Judy Joo. It is influenced by traditional and contemporary street food – signature dishes include the famous Korean fried chicken and house made kimchi. The bibimbap is great too – Jinjuu works well for date night, pre-theatre, meeting friends or just about anything."