Piazza Italiana
Tucked away in the heart of London’s financial district, Piazza Italiana brings an unexpected dash of Roman glamour to 38 Threadneedle Street. You might walk past and think it’s just another city restaurant-but step inside and it’s clear: this isn’t your everyday Italian spot. Grand chandeliers, sweeping arches, and ornate décor immediately transport you to a luxurious dining hall more reminiscent of Milan than the Square Mile.
Now, let’s talk food-because that’s where Piazza Italiana truly earns its name. The Tagliolini al Tartufo, a silky nest of pasta laced with indulgent black truffle, is the kind of dish you daydream about long after the last bite. Rich, earthy, and perfectly al dente, it’s one of those “just one more forkful” situations. The Risotto al Tartufo delivers on that same truffle promise, but with a creamy, luxurious base that feels both comforting and refined.
For seafood lovers, the Carpaccio di Branzino is a standout. Delicate slivers of sea bass are dressed with just the right amount of citrus and olive oil to keep things fresh without overpowering the fish. If you’re feeling a bit more carnivorous, the Rigatoni alla Guancia di Manzo Brasata-a slow-braised beef cheek ragu-takes the familiar comfort of pasta and elevates it with a deep, meaty richness. The Vitello Tonnato, a Piedmontese classic of veal paired with tuna sauce, is executed with finesse and flair-balanced, smooth, and surprisingly light.
It’s not just about mains here. The small plates make it easy to sample the breadth of the menu. The Tuna Tartare is lively with citrus and peppery notes, while the Carpaccio di Manzo offers a tender contrast with rich umami tones. And don’t overlook the Ostriche Scozzesi (Scottish oysters), often part of their “Offer of the Day”-plump, fresh, and with a briny kick that pairs effortlessly with a glass of chilled Prosecco or a crisp Sour Fair cocktail.
Speaking of drinks-Piazza Italiana doesn’t skimp on its bar program. Whether you're into classics like the Aperol Spritz, prefer something with a twist like the Berry Negroni, or want a non-alcoholic throwback like Crodino & Campari Soda, the beverage menu is well-rounded and thoughtfully curated. Wine lovers will appreciate a wine list that leans heavily Italian, featuring bold reds and sparkling whites, while cocktail enthusiasts will find plenty to love from aperitivo to digestivo.
And when dessert arrives, it’s game over. Their Tiramisu is the type that demands silence at the table-layered, creamy, just boozy enough. But if you’re after something zingy, the Lemon Tart is sharp, buttery, and bright-perfect after a heavy meal. Paired with a smooth espresso, it’s a finale worthy of applause.
Piazza Italiana also makes space for those who want a more intimate experience. With private dining rooms available, it's an ideal setting for business dinners, celebrations, or just a quiet date night away from the buzz. The service? Slick, knowledgeable, and never overbearing. Whether you’re solo-dining, catching up with colleagues, or bringing the family, there’s a quiet confidence in the way the staff handles every table.
Accessibility is clearly considered here. The entrance, seating, and restrooms are wheelchair-friendly, though do note there’s no accessible car park. It’s best to plan ahead if you’re arriving by vehicle. On the plus side, Piazza Italiana offers takeaway and delivery options if you're in the area but want to enjoy their offerings from home or the office.
Live music nights add another layer of charm to the ambiance, giving you more than just a meal-it’s an experience. And for those midday cravings? This place is just as popular for lunch as it is for dinner. Whether it’s a quick bite or a long, wine-soaked evening, Piazza Italiana adapts to the vibe you bring.
From its refined Italian fare to the elegant surroundings and standout drinks menu, Piazza Italiana isn’t just a place to eat-it’s a destination for those who appreciate the art of good food, done right.
Piazza Italiana Menu
Reviews
Visited with colleagues just after midday on a Tuesday and it was pretty empty when we arrived. Large space with good seating options. Served immediately and waiter was friendly. The bread starters were a nice touch and presented really well. Went for the Arancino and Cannelloni under the 2 for £30 set menu and it was really nice! By the time we left, the place was packed so quite popular. Solid 4 stars and would recommend coming for a spot of lunch. Can imagine it would get pretty busy in the evening.
Well now - I went here many years ago, and was impressed. I went again last night, and was very impressed indeed! Now look, a Threadneedle Street address means we're not in Poundland (itself, like the UK economy, now defunct). Sure, its pricy but you get really good food, a nice environment, well-informed and helpful staff. And of course, yummy-scummy Italian food. Recommended! You're worth it! Especially if on an expense account.... Oh, and there's two bars, and an internal courtyard seating area.
We came to the restaurant to celebrate our anniversary and couldn't be happier with our experience at Piazza Italiana. We loved the food, from the starters to the main course, and the extraordinary attentiveness of the staff made this celebration even greater. Thank you, Szabi, for the invitation. We'll definitely be back soon.
We had a lovely experience at Piazza Italiana, it was the perfect venue for a belated Christmas and New Year catch up with my good friend. The venue was nicely very quiet, surprisingly so for a Saturday lunchtime. Only a handful of other tables were occupied during our time in the restaurant. As we went in traditional Italian music was playing and later moved on to a good selection of more upbeat, popular contemporary tracks. Our waitress was very attentive during the whole meal and was knowledgeable about the dishes on the Bottomless Italian Brunch menu. For £35 you can enjoy an hour and a half of bottomless pizza and pasta, alongside a starter and the dessert of the day. For £59 you can include bottomless Aperol Spritz, Prosecco and Bellinis as well, which works out better value if you are having two or more of these drinks. My friend had a Winter Berry Negroni to drink, which we were impressed had the restaurant’s logo shaped into the giant ice cube inside. The truffle and mozzarella arancini were very nice for my starter, as were the pasta dishes and pizza for our main course, with a good selection of dishes on the menu. My friend tried the vanilla cheesecake with cranberry sauce for dessert which looked very nice and well presented. The only ways in which this menu could be improved would be to have a slightly larger portion of pasta and speed up the time taken between ordering and when you receive the food, as you are on a time limit of 1.5 hours. Alternatively the time limit could be increased to two hours which would work well. The only slight downside of our meal was the steep service charge that was added to our bill (£14), though this is to be expected for London. This always frustrates me as I believe that tipping should be left to the diner’s discretion and not expected by the restaurant. I had my half of the service charge removed, though annoyingly the waitress questioned this and asked if her service hadn’t been good. I gave a £3 tip as it would have been mean not to, especially as my friend had paid theirs. The other noteworthy part of this restaurant was the bathroom with rather unique lavatories in them. There were flannels to dry hands with in the bathroom which was a nice touch. I would definitely recommend visiting this restaurant if you enjoy Italian dining and are looking for somewhere a little posh. The décor of the restaurant was really nice as well, with comfortable armchairs, columns and a high painted ceiling. The restaurant is situated in an impressive Grade II listed building and is the former home of the British Linen Bank. The menu is designed by Sicilian-born culinary maestro Remo Mazzucato.
Came here to celebrate my birthday with friends and had the best time! The food was absolutely delicious — proper feast vibes — and the venue is just stunning. Staff were super lovely and looked after us so well even though the place was really busy. Honestly couldn’t have asked for a better spot to celebrate. Already thinking about when I can come back!