Barbarella — Restaurant in London

The food was sooooo good! The staff were genuinely warm and welcoming, greeting us with big smiles and a level of hospitality that felt sincere and heartfelt. The atmosphere was cozy and intimate, with soft lighting, rustic décor, and gentle Italian music playing in the background — the kind of place where you immediately feel relaxed and taken care of. We started our evening with a glass of red wine, which was smooth and paired beautifully with the antipasti platter we ordered. Each bite was full of rich, earthy flavours that transported us straight to Tuscany. For mains, I had the seafood plate, and my partner went for the pizza. The seafood plate was exceptional, packed with freshness and depth. You could taste the care that went into preparing it — nothing rushed, just real, honest cooking. We were already full but couldn’t resist trying the desserts, and we’re so glad we did. It was light and creamy. Easily one of the best we’ve had anywhere. We also shared a slice of lemon tart, which was tangy, buttery, and just the right amount of sweet. Paired with a smooth Italian espresso, it was the perfect ending to a truly special meal. Throughout the evening, the service was attentive without being intrusive. The team clearly takes great pride in what they do, and it shows in every detail — from the way they talk about the dishes to the beautifully plated food and the relaxed, joyful vibe of the place. This restaurant is a true gem — a place that reminds you how food should feel: comforting, flavourful, and made with love. Whether you’re after a romantic dinner, a catch-up with friends, or a quiet solo meal with a good glass of wine, this is the kind of spot that leaves a lasting impression. We left feeling full, happy, and already planning our next visit. If you're looking for authentic Italian cuisine in the UK, with heart, soul, and flavour in every bite — this...

I’m writing to express my disappointment following a recent visit to Barbarella Canary Wharf restaurant, which unfortunately turned what should have been a special anniversary celebration into a frustrating experience.

We arrived without a reservation and were seated at a table tucked away at the far end of the restaurant. It was a particularly hot day, and we quickly began sweating as the air conditioning in that section was not working. Our server was polite and attentive, and she noticed our discomfort as we tried to cool ourselves using the menus. When she returned to take our order, I asked if the air conditioning could be turned up, as the heat was genuinely overwhelming and made it difficult to breathe

The manager kindly offered to move us to another table on the opposite side of the restaurant where the air conditioning was functioning. However, the new table was far too small for our party of five—clearly designed for three at most. Once our food arrived, there was barely enough space for the plates, let alone glasses or even room to rest our arms comfortably. It felt cramped and awkward throughout the meal.

While the food was delicious and the service from staff was commendable, the physical discomfort and lack of appropriate seating completely overshadowed the evening. For a bill £733.27, I would have expected a far more accommodating and enjoyable experience. It would have been more considerate to inform us that no suitable table was available rather than trying to make do and leaving us to suffer through the evening.

I left feeling embarrassed and disappointed, especially as this was meant to be a memorable anniversary celebration. Sadly, the experience was ruined, and I will not be returning. There are many excellent restaurants in Canary Wharf, and I would urge others to think twice before booking here unless...

Very nice food, amazing table (backlit orange like marble) and ambience as it was our anniversary so that was much appreciated. Back to the food, it felt like something was missing as it was meant to be authentic Italian but the portions of starters were very small and the pizza base quite soggy (not like in Naples or Rome). The chicken ravioli was very tasty and rich albeit a little small. Service was attentive from the chap who introduced himself as the server, but quite odd as the food was brought to the table by a different waitress. She seemed less friendly and didn’t know who had what, and I didn’t have a knife for my starter which wasn’t noticed - like she was a bit under trained or less bothered than the chap. The atmosphere and decor are wonderful, and feels like theatre, so it’s the food and service that need to catch up. The theatre element was pleasantly distracting, so much so that the management asking us how things were going meant we were saying positive things and only felt the negative parts like smaller portions and slightly off service later (and didn’t want to spoil the mood at the time). The main niggle was being asked to wait outside for 5 mins in the rain (under cover and light rain), as they were just ‘closing’ lunch service to change over to dinner. I’m sure there could be some kind of accommodation at the bar or even in reception for just a few mins. Overall, 6 or 7 out of 10 at most. Feels a bit like emperors new clothes so the attentive management need to pay attention to the details and hopefully it will improve. Not currently worth over £200 for two people (no bottle of wine, just...