Our Review of the Italian Restaurants in Brixton London: Homemade Pizza, Sicilian Cuisine, and More!
It’s been a few months since we’ve moved to Brixton and we are extremely delighted to find that proper Italian food is in just about every corner! Take a look at some of the most amazing restaurants near Brixton that we’ve tried!
What makes Brixton a Good Area for Italian Restaurants?
- Large Italian community and culture in the area
- Brixton has a long history of Italian immigrants, so there is an established Italian community and culture.
- Abundant fresh ingredients and food markets
- Brixton has several fresh food markets like Brixton Village with high quality ingredients for Italian cooking.
- Brixton has a young, diverse, and food-passionate local community interested in trying authentic Italian food.
Pizza Brixton
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I recently visited Pizza Brixton, an authentic Italian restaurant located right in the heart of Brixton. As soon as I walked in, I was greeted by the wonderful aromas of homemade pasta and pizza straight from their wood-fired oven.
The cozy restaurant had a relaxed vibe with checkered tablecloths and strings of lights hanging from the ceiling. I started with the Burrata – creamy, fresh burrata cheese served with sweet tomatoes and fragrant basil.
For my main, I had the pappardelle bolognese. Each dish was a culinary delight that was absolutely packed with flavour!
Great For: Couples, Groups of Friends
📍105 Brixton Hill, London SW2 1AA, United Kingdom
La Nonna – Pasta Fresca
La Nonna is a delightful Italian cafe and pasta shop located right in Brixton Village Market. You can watch the chefs handmaking pasta through a glass window. I tried their spinach and ricotta ravioli with a simple tomato basil sauce and it was incredible – the pasta was so fresh and tender.
In addition to the made-to-order pasta dishes, they sell fresh pasta by the pound to take home. I bought their tagliatelle and made a delicious lemon shrimp pasta later that week. The small cafe has just a few tables but it’s nice to sit and watch the market bustle around you.
Great For: Couples, Catching up with Friends, Close Friends
📍36 Brixton Water Ln, London SW2 1PE, United Kingdom
Maremma
We felt transported to the Italian countryside with the rustic chic decor, exposed wood beams, and hanging dried pastas. We indulged in the chef’s tasting menu which started with arancini rice balls and moved through dishes like ricotta gnocchi in a sage brown butter sauce, seared sea bass with squash puree, and a melt-in-your-mouth tiramisu.
Each course was incredible and the wine pairings from their 200+ bottle list were spot on. Maremma offers a fine dining experience with Tuscan-inspired cuisine made from locally sourced ingredients, ensuring the freshest dishes to be served at your table!
Great For: Couples
📍36 Brixton Water Ln, London SW2 1PE, United Kingdom
Franzina Trattoria
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On a cozy Saturday evening, my partner and I headed to Franzina Trattoria, a charming Italian restaurant tucked away in the vibrant neighborhood of Brixton. As soon as we entered, the warm and welcoming ambiance enveloped us – exposed brick walls, rustic wooden tables, and the aroma of simmering marinara sauce in the air.
From the cozy setting to the top-notch service to the mouthwatering cuisine, Franzina Trattoria exceeded our expectations for authentic Italian dining in London and as an added bonus, there’s also a a great view of the outside streets, perfect for relaxing and people-watching.
Great For: Couples
📍395 Coldharbour Ln, London SW9 8LQ, United Kingdom
Mamma Dough – Brixton
We began with some bruschetta topped with fresh tomatoes and basil from their garden. The authentic wood-fired pizza oven then caught our eye, so we opted for two of their house specialty Neapolitan-style pizzas with thin, crispy crusts.
One was topped with flavorful San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella and pepperoni, while the other featured caramelized figs, prosciutto and arugula. The ingredients tasted so fresh and each bite was delicious.
To end the meal, we enjoyed tiramisu made in-house by the talented chef. he intimate setting, personable service, and high quality, homemade Italian fare made for a wonderful dining experience at Mamma Dough. It’s easy to see why it’s become a local favorite in Brixton for regional Italian cuisine.
Great For: Groups of Friends
📍354, Coldharbour Ln, Brixton SW9 8QH, United Kingdom
San Marino Brixton
San Marino is an authentic family-run restaurant located in the heart of Brixton, London. Having been serving the local community delicious Italian cuisine since 1993, it has established itself as a Brixton institution and a local favourite.
The food at San Marino is fresh, homemade Italian cooking using family recipes passed down through generations. The ingredients are high quality and many imported directly from Italy. The prices are reasonable given the quality of the food and service.
It provides excellent value for money which a lot of us just love and with time-honored dishes and techniques, this place is sure to impress those who are looking for a touch of history and tradition with every bite.
Great For: Close Friends, Business Meetings
📍413 Brixton Rd, London SW9 7DG, United Kingdom
500 Degrees Pizza Brixton
500 Degrees is an authentic Italian pizzeria located on Ferndale Road in the heart of Brixton. Having opened its doors in 2017, it has quickly established itself as a go-to spot for delicious wood-fired pizza in South London.
The highlight of 500 Degrees is undoubtedly the wood-fired pizza. The pizzas are cooked in a traditional domed oven that reaches 500°C, resulting in perfectly charred and crispy thin crusts.
I’ve dined at 500 Degrees a number of times and have always had excellent service from the friendly Italian staff. The laidback atmosphere makes it a great spot for a casual dinner with friends or a weekend date night.
Great For: Groups of Friends
📍191 Ferndale Rd, London SW9 8BA, United Kingdom
Osteria Toscana
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Located on a trendy street in Brixton, Osteria Toscana is a cute family-owned Italian that basically draws you in from the outside with the smell of mushrooms, sourdough, and tasty pasta.
I cannot stress enough how aromatic this place is, which is no surprise considering everything is made fresh and in-house. What’s amazing about this place is despite the ingredients being sourced directly from Italy, they did not hold back on the portion sizes!
It’s also worth noting that their menu changes regularly depending on what is on season. I find myself going back here again and again if me and my partner are looking to spend a night of celebration or for just regularly date nights.
Great For: Groups of Friends, Couples
📍31 Abbeville Rd, London SW4 9LA, United Kingdom
Franco Manca
For our pizzas, we opted for two classics – I chose the Margherita, a simple combination of tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and basil. My partner ordered the Napoli, topped with anchovies, capers, and olives.
The ingredients really shone through in each bite. Considering the excellent authentic pizza and service, the prices were very reasonable, with our pizzas costing just £5-6 each. Sitting there enjoying our meal as crowds of shoppers passed by, the buzzing atmosphere made us feel like we were dining at a pizzeria in Naples rather than Brixton!
Great For: Groups of Friends, Couples, Catching up with Friends
📍1-3 Market Row, London SW9 8LD, United Kingdom
Looking for more Guides?
If you’re looking for more spots serving the finest food in the city, check out some of our other guides! We’ve got recommendations on other restaurants with excellent customer service, great food and a memorable time in this neighborhood!
What is a good Italian restaurant in Brixton that is affordable?
Franco Manca is a great affordable option for Italian food in Brixton. It specializes in authentic Neapolitan-style pizza cooked in a wood-fired oven, with margherita pizzas starting at just £5. The restaurant has a casual atmosphere and is located right in the heart of Brixton Village
What is an authentic family-run Italian restaurant in Brixton?
La Nonna Pasta Fresca is an authentic Italian restaurant in Brixton Market run by a family from Rome. They make fresh pasta daily and serve traditional Roman recipes passed down through generations. The cozy trattoria has a neighborhood vibe and main courses under £15
Is there a good Italian restaurant near Brixton station?
Yes, Franco Manca has a location right by Brixton station, making it very convenient for anyone traveling through or near the station. It’s only a 2 minute walk from the tube exit to reach this popular pizzeria
