Harden's survey result
Summary
“Absolutely brilliant” – Jacob Kenedy’s “go-to place in Soho” (in a backstreet near Piccadilly Circus) remains one of the most interesting Italian restaurants in the UK. “No stereotypical Cucina Italiana here”: “the stellar menu is constantly changing” and the finest and freshest ingredients are treated with the utmost simplicity and respect in “regional small plates” that are “seasonal, well-judged and always memorable”; and which can be paired with “a very fine Italian cellar covering every price point”. “Thoughtful and friendly staff” help “everything function like clockwork”; and while “the room is a little challenging” (“it can be NOISY”) it “has a very good atmosphere”. Top Menu Tips – “mince-stuffed olives Ascolani, Amberjack carpaccio with rosemary oil and orange zest, Sweetbreads with morels and Marsala, Sicilian cannoli with a light and tangy ricotta filling”. “Heaven for olive oil and garlic lovers. Courgette flower with mozzarella and anchovies, Wild garlic pappardelle with duck are all to die for. Every dish packs a punch, down to the sweet Pig’s Blood and Chocolate Paté”.
Summary
“Jacob Kenedy’s terrific Italian restaurant in the heart of the West End hasn’t lost its edge in 15-plus years” (est. 2008) and is one of the most popular London destinations in our annual diners’ poll. It serves “inspired, regional-Italian dishes” – “lots of interesting choices from an original, constantly-changing, seasonal menu” – all at notably “sensible prices”. “The sommelier will assist you to navigate a marvellous Italian list and introduce you to some new wines; and service generally is both professional yet very friendly”. Many diners “prefer sitting at the counter” watching the chefs to the “more formal” tables at the back, “but you always get a good meal either way”. “It is deafeningly loud, but that’s the price you pay for such a buzzy atmosphere”. Top Tip – “wonderful ice cream shop opposite which they also own”.
Summary
“Wildly popular for its diverse offering of small plates of terrific and original Italian regional cuisine”: Jacob Kenedy’s “relentlessly busy” (“cramped and noisy”) West End venue is many reporters’ first choice for a favourite London Italian. Aided by a convenient situation, just a short stroll from Piccadilly Circus and “well-located for the theatres” – it’s become a regular feature in the list of Top-20 London restaurants in our annual diners’ poll. The selection of carefully researched and sourced Italian ‘tapas’ are “reliably original and sometimes surprising”; and matched with a “hugely varied” Italian wine list. The food rating slipped a tad this year, though, due to gripes of some dishes “lacking their customary perfection” or “leaning towards being overpriced”. “It’s a fairly small, intimate venue with counter seating at the front, where you can watch the chefs cook, as well as some more relaxed and comfortable tables at the back” (most regulars feeling it’s “best at the bar”). Top Tip – “superb negronis and stuffed olives and the risotto is always top notch”.
Summary
“Absolutely oozing with regional Italian flavours” – the “exceptional”, “gutsy” small plates at Jacob Kenedy’s “perennial favourite” near Piccadilly Circus earn it a ranking in London’s Top 40 most-mentioned restaurants. His menu remains “very innovative”, with many offbeat dishes and “novel takes” on more familiar ones. (“You really can come here and slowly explore the entire wonder of Italian cuisine, from Piedmont to Sicily!”). “Really superb value too for such a central Theatreland location” including “a top Italian wine list, with many bargains”. “Chic”, yet quite tightly packed, many regulars’ favourite perch is by the open kitchen: “a stool at the chef’s counter is my happy place!”. (“Excellent home delivery boxes” also feature in many reports).
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Bocca di Lupo?
12 Archer St, London, W1D 7BB
Restaurant details
Bocca di Lupo Restaurant Diner Reviews
"A bit cramped in the main room, so sitting on the bar is a better option. Excellent and efficient service. Some dishes fail to live up to their looks whilst others are fantastic, bursting with flavour. "
"We just wondered why we left it so long before returning! Menu changes and we could still have the courgette flower and octopus. This time added squid and will strawberry which was £25 but my weakness. And they were good. Good wine by the glass and friendly service. Only problem for us is the noise level"
"My favorite Italian restaurant in London "
"Excellent seasonal food. "
"Excellent seasonal food. "
"I love this place. I've been eating here since it opened and I read Rayner's review. I bring everyone I like here, and my favourite thing is eating at the counter and watching the pass, and wishing I could eat it all. I brought my American family here the day after we had eaten at Giovannis ( see my review) and while they loved Giovanni's charm they admitted Bocca was in an entirely different league. The room at the back is a little crowded, but the staff glide through the cracks with ease. And they remember me, which is exactly what you want in a resto. The food is always delicious and a lot of it you can't find anywhere else, and there's new stuff on the menu all the time. Mr Kennedy is a genius. "
"A perennial favourite- each time I go I wonder why I go anywhere else. The dishes are always exceptional whether it is sausage, charcuterie, polenta or chicken peas. Wonderful to sit at the counter and watch the staff at work."
"We brought our own truffle from the shop vis a vis. Great idea. Well prepared Italian food"
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £16.00 |  |
|
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Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £9.30 | £18.50 | £7.00 | £6.00 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £29.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 15.00% |
12 Archer St, London, W1D 7BB
| Number of Diners: | |
| Required Time: | |
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑11 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑11 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑11 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑11 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑11 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑11 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑3:30 pm, 5 pm‑9:30 pm |
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