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Il Cucciolo Restaurant — Italian restaurants in London

Il Cucciolo Restaurant

Italian restaurantsLondon

4.4 out of 5 stars4.4(968 reviews)

Quick info

+44 20 7437 0302
8 Old Compton St, London W1D 4TE, United Kingdom
£20–60

About Il Cucciolo Restaurant

Il Cucciolo Restaurant is an Italian restaurant at 8 Old Compton St in London's West End theatre district. The family runs it, and Italians staff the dining room, which is small. Pre- and post-theatre offers give theatregoers a way to eat before a show or after the curtain falls. The kitchen works through traditional pasta, meat and fish dishes, with pasta carbonara and a pesto chicken pasta among the plates on the menu. Pizza sits alongside the pasta for those who want it. Tiramisu closes the menu as the dessert.

Good to know

  • Reservations
    Accepts reservations
  • Parking
    Usually difficult to find a space
  • Accessibility
    Wheelchair: seating
  • Good for kids
    Good for kids · Family-friendly
  • Dietary
    Vegetarian options

Reviews

4.4/5
968 reviews

What reviewers say

Reviewers most often mention pizza, pasta carbonara, pesto chicken pasta and calamari starter.

5★
632
4★
196
3★
62
2★
25
1★
53

Customer Review Summary

Pizza is the dish reviewers raise most, with two diners calling it tasty or excellent, though one reviewer objects that it has nothing to do with Neapolitan pizza from Naples despite the Italian staff. Close behind are the pastas, including a pesto chicken pasta and a carbonara described as not too heavy. Reviewers also name the bruschetta, calamari starter, grilled sole, tuna salad and tiramisu. Several describe an authentic, family-run place with friendly owners, generous portions and a clean toilet. Many mention eating between West End theatre shows, and one praises the pre and post theatre offers while advising others to book because it gets busy. Opinions on cost differ. One reviewer finds it rather pricey and would save it for special occasions, while another calls the portions good value. A solo diner between two parts of The Cursed Child recalls being welcomed warmly and enjoying the staff's red wine recommendation.

Featured reviews

  • Google user
    “An authentic Italian restaurant in central London with great pizza. I went here with my son in the 2 hour interval between The Cursed Child performances. The pizzas were tasty and the service was very friendly and fast. This restaurant was recommended to me by a friend and I would recommend it to others.”
  • Google user
    “Happened to find this place close to where I was at the time and it did not disappoint!! The person I went with and myself both had pasta, and they were both soooo yummy. I got the pesto chicken pasta and it was delicious. Tried my friend's order of pasta carbonara and it was super tasty too (and not too heavy which is sometimes an issue I have with carbonara). Chicken was so moist and the pasta and pesto were perfect too 👌 so satisfying and super reasonably priced. Oooh and the brushetta was fantastic as well!”
  • Google user
    “This is the type of restaurant that may not appear to have the wow factor from outside, not be in a “high end” road HOWEVER the food served in this place is a 10/10. Authentic, traditional family run Italian restaurant with lovely service (feels like the type of restaurant that you could be a regular at) and even better food. Can’t wait to go back as this was the first time visiting after looking at many many reviews. Did not disappoint at all!”
  • Google user
    “Amazing authentic family run Italian. Great service and delicious food. The portions are very good value for money. The calamari starter was so tasty and cooked well! Excellent pizza and tiramisu to die for! 100% recommend! Great find!”
  • Google user
    “Although they call themselves an Italian restaurant and have staff from Italy, I do not understand how they can call this pizza Neapolitan. It has absolutely nothing to do with pizza from Naples. I am curious whether the Italian staff actually eat it.”

Highlights

“Small, family-run trattoria for traditional pasta, meat and fish dishes in a simple space.”

  • Great coffee
  • Great dessert
  • Great wine list
  • Popular for lunch
  • Popular for dinner
  • Popular for solo dining

Amenities

  • Wi-Fi
  • Wheelchair accessible seating
  • Accepts reservations
  • Takeout
  • Dine-in
  • Family-friendly
Show more amenities
  • Vegetarian options
  • Bar onsite
  • Cozy
  • Beer
  • Coffee
  • Late-night food
Offerings· 5
  • Alcohol
  • Cocktails
  • Hard liquor
  • Healthy options
  • Wine
Popular for· 1
  • Solo dining
Parking· 1
  • Usually difficult to find a space
Dining options· 5
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Dessert
  • Seating
  • Table service
Facilities· 1
  • Restroom
Family-friendly· 1
  • Good for kids
Highlights· 2
  • Great dessert
  • Great wine list
Atmosphere· 2
  • Casual
  • Romantic
Crowd· 2
  • Groups
  • LGBTQ+ friendly
Planning· 1
  • Dinner reservations recommended

Location

Italian restaurants near Il Cucciolo Restaurant

Il Cucciolo Restaurant
£20–60
4.4968

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