Franco's — Restaurant in London

A Timeless Italian Experience at Franco’s London

Franco’s London is more than just a restaurant—it’s a piece of history, an institution that effortlessly blends tradition with exceptional service and cuisine. I chose this restaurant for its deep-rooted history, and from the moment I stepped inside, I could feel it. The atmosphere exuded a refined yet welcoming charm, and the service quality was a testament to years of perfected hospitality.

The experience was elevated by the staff, who spoke in a delightful “Italian English,” adding an extra layer of authenticity. It felt like a brief escape to Italy, not just through the flavors but also through the warmth and charisma of the people who brought the evening to life.

I personally prefer small Italian restaurants, where everything is prepared with great care and rooted in a unique cultural tradition. A true Italian dining experience isn’t about grandeur but about craftsmanship, authenticity, and attention to detail—and Franco’s delivered exactly that.

For dinner, we indulged in steak, lasagna, and linguine, each dish crafted with the kind of precision and care that define true Italian cuisine. The steak was cooked to perfection—tender, juicy, and with just the right level of seasoning to let the quality of the meat shine. The lasagna was a masterpiece of layered flavors, with velvety béchamel, slow-cooked ragù, and pasta that melted in the mouth. The linguine was another highlight, cooked al dente and coated in a sauce that balanced richness with subtlety.

To complement our meal, we selected a Brunello di Montalcino—an impeccable pairing. Its deep, complex notes of dark cherry, tobacco, and earthiness elevated each dish, creating a harmony between the wine and the flavors on the plate.

Beyond the food and wine, what made this evening truly memorable was the ambiance. The setting was elegant yet comfortable, and every detail—from the way the staff interacted to the way the dishes were presented—reflected a deep respect for tradition.

Franco’s London is not just a place to eat; it’s an experience, a journey through time and taste. It’s the kind of restaurant that lingers in your memory, calling you back for another visit. If you’re looking for a dining experience that seamlessly blends history, authenticity, and careful craftsmanship, Franco’s London is...

I dined at Franco's last week with a friend of mine, it was busy but we managed to get a table for us both inside. No food menu was provided, only a drinks menu. We waited far to long for the food menu and had to flag the waiter to ask for it, after the waiter zoomed off immediately after taking our drinks order.

Awful, awful service, the worst I've ever experienced and with the service charge it was a smack in the face when we eventually got the bill! We waited and waited on the waiter when it's very definition is to wait on customers not the other way round. And with no exaggeration, we waited 20 mins attempting to cordially catch the waiters attention upon finishing our meal and after finally managing to do so the waiter said something in unclear poor mumbled English and zoomed off once more, my friend had to go up to the woman at the reception to ask for the bill a second time after 10 minutes had passed since first asking the waiter for the bill.

I had to phone to delay a booking I had at a nearby cigar bar in the mean time, for which I was late. I also very unfortunately had my time in the wonderful Davidoff across the road cut short as a result of all my waiting. Later that evening I visited a much busier Italian restaurant as the food didn't fill and the difference in attentiveness and speed from the waiting staff and the jovial welcome with smiles around from the many maître d' at the door was astonishing in comparison.

I must say that the mocktails and lasagna were quite delicious!

I will be returning to London in some few months and while it would be a delight for me to book ahead next time and sit outside looking across at the Davidoff store enjoying a cigar, it's not worth the disservice nor the lynching of my time in a city with so much to explore as London.

It's possible this restaurant reserves it's energy only for those they deem deserving. My friend and myself are in our early 20's and were possibly sidelined for that reason. Filtering to one star reviews on this restaurant showed a lot of the same problems, and also showed how the restaurant has a cookie cutter response saying "ignore these trolls" copied and pasted for any critique. That attitude is appalling and pretentious. I am not a troll and in fact dined in your restaurant as I assume many of the other low...

Elegant and authentic Italian restaurant located on St Jermyn Street. Considered as one of London’s first Italian restaurants, Franco's was established in 1945 🍝

With the late October sun, we were lucky enough to be greeted with an alfresco table, which provided us with a vantage point of the lively Jermyn Street ☀️

The menu features a luxurious selection of clasic Italian dishes and something to suit everyone. Our waiter was extremely knowledgeable and explained each dish that was presented to us, which elevated our dining experience. 🍽

We had the pleasure of trying a range of dishes from the menu, which consisted of a Selection of cured meats, Fresh hand-picked crab, Poached veal fillet, and ended with a creamy luxurious Pappardelle with mixed mushrooms & black truffle 🤌🏻

Franco's offer an extensive drinks menu, comprising of Signature cocktails, liquers, classics, scotch, and much more. Not forgetting the impressive wine list, bound to please anyone 🍷

Non-alcoholic menu Franco's have recently introduced a non-alcoholic menu, comprising of the finest natural ingredients to give you that 'feel good' sensation without the negative effects of alcohol. All the ingredients are designed to enhance your brain's natural GABA - thought to be the reason why alcohol is so popular. We really enjoyed this concept and would love to see this in more restaurants! 🧡

Lastly, make sure you head to the loo before you leave. On entering, instead of the usual background music, it had been brilliantly substituted with an audio recording of Winnie the Pooh & Paddington Bear, which I thought was the perfect touch to end...