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    Carluccio's

    3.5 (62 reviews)
    Open 7:30 am - 11:30 pm

    Carluccio's Photos

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    Meike B.

    I remember the original Carluccio run restaurant in Covent Garden, fine cuisine popular with media folk on expenses accounts. I have always been fond of the affordable spin-offs for a quick lunch of pasta. This particular branch just doesn't do it for me. It's a big, draft, noisy open plan space with little character. It's almost always busy, probably because it is just such a convenient meeting place immediately opposite South Ken tube station. The last visit was the most disappointing so far ... I know plenty of French bakeries in the area but friends were on a tight schedule and we settled for a breakfast meeting at Carluccio's ... big mistake While the cakes for afternoon tea are lovely despite obviously being mass produced, the morning pastries were disgusting. Not even heated on site as in most supermarkets nowadays - staff agreed and we weren't charged but there were literally no alternative options available.

    Arthur F.

    Visited this location in south Kensington, after attending mass at Westminister Cathedral. We were on our way back to Barnes to see the Oxford vs Cambridge rowing race and stopped off at the So Kensington tube station. Lucky find. This is a chain Italian restaurant, and the food was excellent and not pricey. The soup, linguine with a basil was amazing. Go it's worth it!

    The eggs Benedict without a runny yolk, my smoothie from a pre-made bottle, and our Bloody Mary that lacked vodka and flavor
    Suzie F.

    We did not eat a huge breakfast here. However, my boyfriend was disappointed when his poached egg didn't have a runny center and I was disappointed when my smoothie came from a pre-made plastic bottle. Also, our Bloody Mary's were only tomato juice and barely any vodka - no trace of tabasco or pepper.

    Anna A.

    If there is one Spaghetti Vongole I can choose from it must be Carluccios! Being not a fan of chains, I have to admit, Carluccios is the place I visit over and over again. There is a good thing about chains; you can get all over London the same recipe of Spaghetti Vongole. If you are a cautious seafood eater, this is the place to start trying mussels. They are always fresh! No surprise that Carluccios is always full any time of day. I feel around South Kensington tube station, there are not a lot of good restaurants. This is for sure one reason why we always end up at this place again. They have big windows, so you might feel a little bit exposed. They have their own deli selection at the counter, which makes me always walk out with an olive bread, some dried tomatoes or marinated olives.

    Soup of the day! Delicious pumpkin soup :)
    Isabella M.

    Really good italian food and great home made pasta ( ravioli with spinach and ricota ) , the 10.95 menu definitely a good deal u can choose between app and main dish or main dish and dessert. The chef menu is also very tempting with fresh food. the atmosphere of the place is very nice and the service was impeccable !

    Italian chicken Milanese
    Jing Shyang Y.

    I've only been here for dessert, but I was surprised that they didn't do Pizza.. An italian that doesn't do pizza? Huh? So the emphasis is on pasta, and the food is pretty good. It's a little pricy if you go for the a la carte menu but I got the 3 course menu for around £15 which was pretty good. I had the Chicken liver pate with caramalised onion and toast. Very very good. Italian chicken milanese. Basically a chicken schnitzel with some rocket and potatoes. The potatoes were a little salty, but the portion was perfect and chicken perfectly cooked and mouth-watering. Dessert was a panna cotta with rum infused orange peel. Exceedingly rich and whilst lovely I couldn't finish it all. In terms of service our waiter was great. My food seemed to have more problems that anyone else, since I was the only person to order from the set menu and items came our erattically. E.g. Despite asking for my food to come out with everyone else's to prevent them having to wait for me. My starter came out before everyone's main, but then my main seem to have been forgotten and there was a small wait. Similar situation with dessert. I'm not one to hold it against them as the place was pretty busy with lots of big tables and they did a great job in the situation ensuring we always got what we needed quickly after grabbing a member of staff's attention and ensuring food came out mostly at the same time. I'd come back to this chain again for sure. It's a safe bet for good quality food that is nothing mind-blowing but simple, safe and hearty.

    Bruce C.

    I don't know why some people say this is the McDonald's of Italian. I disagree. The food here is delicious and well cooked. I had linguine with seafood and it was one of the best I've tasted. I went here with five other friends, and they all loved their choices of food as well. At the moment they also have a two for one offer until end of January. I shall be back there for lunch tomorrow then.

    Qype User (amethy…)

    Be prepared to queue when you want to eat, or drink, at this vibrantly buzzing branch of the eponymous Italian caffè chain. Although it's a good, decently-sized site, it's popular to the point of being oversubscribed. The queue was good-humoured though and moved at a reasonable pace. Another small downside - before I get on to the good stuff - is the volume of the noise; the chatter levels here (due to the layout and popularity) are so high on the decibel scale that it won't be to everyone's taste or tolerance. The menu, as in all their caffès, has something for (almost) everyone and the staff seem very tolerant to eclectic combinations. I was in a veggie mood and opted for a starter-size of the vegetarian antipasti: delicious as ever, and I supplemented it with a side of their perfectly cooked fresh spinach. Accompanied by some of their walnut bread, it didn't disappoint but I was sorry to see that the smoked mackerel paté (sgombro) no longer appears on the menu. My companions were very happy with their parma ham, risotto milanese and arancini (rice balls); I sampled the mozzarella one - and found it much more flavoursome than I remembered. We shared a light dessert of chocolate meringue with blackberry sauce - a great taste success! The service was efficient and smiling (although not Italian).

    Arancini di Riso
    Syd M.

    Unbeknownst to us, as tourists, we had not known that Carluccio's was a chain restaurant :( But the cute interior and tempting menu seemed very inviting so we stayed. I started my dinner with the Arancini di Riso. Two crispy fried rice balls one flavored with a basil pesto and one with a meat ragu filling, served with a side of red pepper dipping sauce. The basil was my favorite of the two, offering a balanced creamy and savory interior. The meat ragu filling was a bit bland. I couldn't really taste the ragu or any tomato-type flavor and I'm not quite sure I even recall any meat in the ball(?). The arancini's flavor was enhanced when I used the red pepper dipping sauce. Both were cooked perfectly with a nice creamy, chewy texture and a light crispy, crunchy exterior. For my main dish the Risotto special. (I didn't really think my selections through, starting with rice balls and having rice again for dinner!) The special that day was Risotto with chicken and spinach. A hearty dish that actually tasted like a warm bowl of chicken noodle soup. Creamy, chewy risotto tossed with tender chunks of white meat chicken and spinach leaves. A plate of comfort food...just wished the spinach was chopped smaller. Some of the large wilted leaves had a mushy texture and were unappetizing. Service was prompt, however, not super friendly and the food came out timely and piping hot! The restaurant itself was pretty packed (I think we were there on a Monday or Tuesday night(?) )and noisy and the tables are close together. Not a huge problem, but it was difficult to have a conversation and to hear the server. They also have a cute mini store with a deli, bakery, books and sweet treats near the entrance of the restaurant and their barista was mixing coffees, teas and espressos exposed adjacent to the dining area. Overall good experience.

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    5 months ago

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    2 years ago

    Food was decent, nothing special. Unfortunately my husband had the seafood pasta with mussels which gave him food poisoning.

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    7 years ago

    The food is always predictable and just okay but the place is always bustling, kid friendly and great wait staff.

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    17 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    4 years ago

    really expensive and not that good to me. the mushroom risotto was really watery and not rich.

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    15 years ago

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    13 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Sadly after changing hands this is no longer the same Carluccio we knew. Changing the menu should have gone with changing the name.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Review Highlights - Carluccio's

    The place has a charm all its own with the desserts in the window and the deli counter of meats.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

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    Oliveto - Den gade der ligge på

    Oliveto

    4.0(57 reviews)
    1.0 miBelgravia
    ££

    I rarely write negative reviews. I'd like to think maybe I just had a single bad experience of…read morewhat otherwise COULD be a nice restaurant which had an off day... However, I need to warn my fellow Yelpers to stay away from Oliveto if you value Good Pizza! I mean, how hard is it to have good pizza!?! It is a simple staple which I have enjoyed in the US, in China and yes even in Italy. At it's most basic, it should be dough, sauce (doesn't have to be tomato necessarily), mozzarella and maybe some toppings, right? Here is where Oliveto went wrong for my mother and me: 1) they use cheap cheddar cheese - not mozzarella! 2) not a lot of sauce, maybe just enough to color it 3) the dough was soggy and didn't rise (I actually like thin crust, but this was inferior doug and 4) topping that were not as advertised, i.e. prosciutto should not look like and taste like store-bought sliced ham! Service was okay - the men like to talk about customers in their native tongue, thinking that patrons don't know what they are saying about them. We were so glad that we split a pie - most tables got a pie per person. Neither of us could finish this "pizza" honestly. Perhaps the only redeeming thing are the prices - this might be the cheapest choice in an otherwise expensive neighborhood.

    Great, great pizza! Staff is super friendly and efficient in moving tables. The sausage pizza…read moremaybe one of the best I've had in a while. House rose was on point and the pacing of the food was solid. The only downside was the noice level. Super loud. Could be managed with some under the table sound damping. We will return for sure

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    Oliveto - Elizabeth St

    Elizabeth St

    Oliveto
    Oliveto

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    Osteria Romana - Bucatini Ciochiara

    Osteria Romana

    4.5(42 reviews)
    0.8 miHyde Park, Kensington

    We picked this restaurant for dinner during a recent trip to London based on a review on Yelp and…read moreit lived up to expectations! It is a small sit, so reservations are a must, although they did accommodate some walk-ins. Everything was freshly made which added to an elevated experience. Service was perfect balance of being prepared to execute as well as being able to spending time getting to know each other. This palace is highly recommended!

    This place was quite good but I don't think it was amazing and here's why:…read more 1 - you have to be a BIG fan of pecorino cheese. My mom is, which is why we went but there are rather limited options, at least on pasta courses, that don't include pecorino. 2 - we tried three different pasta dishes. What made them truly stand out was the freshness of the pasta. That said, the sauces weren't remarkable. I tried a special pasta with pecorino, butternut squash, and mushrooms which was nice and not heavy but not partial flavorful. 3 - the ambiance is great if you like a small restaurant- with maybe 10 tables and 500 sq ft of space, this restaurant has character and charm. 4 - the service was outstanding. The staff were kind and efficient. 5 - the dessert was just OK - had some scoops of ice cream and the peanutella was outstanding while the strawberry and the pistachio were just fine. 6 - the appetizer cheese plate was the real highlight of the night here. Fresh cold cuts and cheese with the most wonderful fig jam. All in all; this is a good stop and you certainly won't have a bad experience! Perhaps just not the most notable.

    Photos
    Osteria Romana - Cozy Interior

    Cozy Interior

    Osteria Romana - Truffle Pasta + Veal Meatballs

    Truffle Pasta + Veal Meatballs

    Osteria Romana

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    Caraffini Restaurant - Lamb chops

    Caraffini Restaurant

    4.2(24 reviews)
    0.8 miBelgravia
    ££

    Having been here once before with a friend and had a great meal with excellent service, the next…read moretime up to that part of town with my wife, I immediately thought let's go here - I booked...don't try and "pop in" And was that a good decision! We chose different things form the menu than my previous visit...answer all is good...yes it is a lttle crowded, a lot of ladies who lunch...but then the good food has the added attraction of people watching...and listening to all the gossip Unfortunately at some point you have to pay and leave...£160 for 2...its not cheap but actually if you took the glass of bubbles each away and the bottle of wine, it is very reasonable, so it is doable The service is discreet, smooth, unobtusrive - things just happen around you A place to go to a few times a year as a relaxing treat

    Really nice and intimate establishment. We made a reservation ahead of time and upon entering, were…read moreseated with no problems. While it is a beautiful date place, I will say the only con is you're very close to each other. You practically could hear each other's conversation even though it's a quiet environment. Even tables away, you can hear everyone. I did enjoy how upon entering, they request if you'd like your jacket hung and assist for no charge. I ordered the lamb chops and personally I wouldn't recommend. For the price, I was disappointed in the size. While in the photo they may look large, the chops were almost the same size as the potatoes on the left. So although they were seasoned really well, you'll still be hungry after. The old fashioned was very pleasant however. Would recommend for sure!

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    Caraffini Restaurant
    Caraffini Restaurant
    Caraffini Restaurant

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    The Queens Arms - Pink grapefruit spritz

    The Queens Arms

    4.5(280 reviews)
    1.5 miVictoria
    ££

    Visited The Queens Arms while in the area. Best pub experience! I think you have to get there early…read moreif you are coming for dinner or you have to reserve your table. I'm not sure on that, it's just something I thought we caught on to before we left and there started to be RESERVED tents going on the tables. We went and had Scotch Egg, Calamari, Arancini, fish & chips and STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING. Oh. My. Goodness! First the Scotch Egg. I don't want to be a Debbie Downer but it was....ok. It was a little plain. A little tasteless. They could have thrown a few spices into the meat, just a little something. To say that we've made better at home wouldn't be far out. But still good. The calamari was cooked just right. It's what you expect out of a calamari appetizer. Was it the best you'll ever have? Not really. Worth the price? Add it to your appetizer list! The rice balls, which is arancini is, were good. Add a little salt to the top and they were, also, as you'd expect. The fish & chips were exactly as we were hoping when visiting an English Pub for fish & chips. The fish was perfectly cooked, the coating was fabulous, and of course the chips were a perfect compliment to the fish. A great fish & chips experience. The star of the show was the Sticky Toffee Pudding. What a treat! Granted I've nothing to compare it to, this was my first time having it, but whether I've had it before or not THIS was perfection. Perfect texture, the flavour was amazing, the caramel drizzle was perfectly proportioned, and the little bit of ice cream on the side was just perfect. I would go back here simply on this dessert alone. As for the drinks, because, you know, it's a pub....I couldn't say. I don't drink alcohol but my Diet Coke was great! Fresh bottle! ....I suppose I could have gotten a non-alcoholic beer. Wait....did they have non-alcoholic beer there? SOMEONE FIND OUT IF THEY HAVE NON-ALCOHOLIC BEER THERE. The atmosphere was great. I can see how it would be perfect in the evening and on into the night. Very welcoming with a great looking bar.

    Food is always superb. Its best to make reservations because it is a busy place every time we have…read morebeen.

    Photos
    The Queens Arms - The place

    The place

    The Queens Arms - Baked Mac and cheese, truffle fries, and the Sunday roast.

    Baked Mac and cheese, truffle fries, and the Sunday roast.

    The Queens Arms - Front of restaurant

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    Front of restaurant

    La Bottega

    La Bottega

    4.1(13 reviews)
    0.8 miBelgravia
    £

    I went here for lunch today and had an amazing meal. Although it isn't cheap, it is considerably…read morecheaper than its fellow restaurants in Chelsea, where it is usually unusual to eat for less than £20. It was lunchtime and busy so I grabbed the only table available which was outside. I didn't mind because it wasn't cold out but the man behind the counter was so sweet and came out to tell me when a table inside became free. He knew everything about all the produce inside, and I went for ricotta and spinach cannelloni. It came with a choice of delicious fresh salads and I got rocket, tomato and pesto. My meal came to £5.60 which was such a bargain considering it was the best food I'd had in weeks. Go here if you can, it is only a two minute walk from Sloane Square tube stop everything about it is perfect.

    Straight up Italian deliciousness…read more More functional cafe than deli, the fresh lunch options are fantastic. Some of the best deli food I've had, and great value too. A salad plate with cold meats and a moussaka with bread and a couple of drinks came in at just under £20. It's away from Sloane Square, and you're unlikely to happen across it unless aimlessly wandering the streets of Belgravia and Chelsea, but it is worth the quick detour if in the area! The guys behind the counter are very knowledgeable and you'll likely come away with a bag full of goodies when you leave. MMM..... biscotti.

    Photos
    La Bottega - Cappuccino

    Cappuccino

    La Bottega - Patio

    Patio

    La Bottega - Spicy salami sandwich

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    Spicy salami sandwich

    Carluccio's - italian - Updated May 2026

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