Nina — Restaurant in London

Nina – Effortlessly Chic Dining in Marylebone

Tucked into a quiet corner of Marylebone, Nina is a restaurant that blends understated elegance, bold seasonal flavors, and relaxed charm. It’s not flashy, nor trying to be – and that’s exactly what makes it stand out. In a neighborhood full of polished options, Nina feels confident, intimate, and refreshingly unpretentious.

Location & Setting: Stylish Simplicity

Located just off Marylebone High Street, Nina strikes the perfect balance between design and ease. The interiors are minimalist but warm — natural woods, soft lighting, and clean lines create a space that feels more like a thoughtfully curated home than a commercial dining room. It's compact yet airy, with a layout that fosters a sense of calm conviviality.

Food: Seasonal, Brave, and Comforting

The food at Nina leans heavily on seasonal produce, with a particular focus on vegetable-forward cooking and modern Mediterranean flavors. One of the most distinctive aspects of the menu is how it revisits traditional Italian dishes in a bold, contemporary way — not by simply deconstructing them, but by infusing them with a sense of creative courage. This is not about replication but reinterpretation, and it adds a real spark to the experience.

Each dish is composed with a clear sense of balance — rich where it needs to be, bright where it counts, always thoughtful. There’s a quiet confidence in the kitchen, and the result is food that feels both familiar and new at once.

And then there’s the tiramisù — which deserves a special mention. Not only is it surprisingly well executed in flavor and texture, but the portion size is unexpectedly (and delightfully) massive. It’s the kind of dessert that draws a laugh and a photo before the first bite, and yet it’s so good you’ll likely finish every spoonful anyway.

Drinks: Clean, Modern, and Purposeful

The wine list is compact but smart, with a leaning toward low-intervention European wines that mirror the ethos of the kitchen — fresh, characterful, and clean. Cocktails are minimal but well-executed, with an emphasis on clarity and balance. Whether you're here for a long lunch or a casual evening out, the drinks program complements the meal without overshadowing it.

Service: Genuine and Engaged

Service at Nina is attentive, relaxed, and sincere. The team moves with ease, always available but never interrupting the natural rhythm of your meal. There’s a real sense of hospitality here — the kind that feels intuitive rather than scripted. It reflects the tone of the place: modern, unfussy, and deeply guest-focused.

Final Verdict: Contemporary Comfort with a Creative Edge

Nina is a confident, character-driven restaurant that quietly redefines what a neighborhood spot can be. It’s stylish without being sterile, refined without losing warmth. The food is intelligent, seasonal, and — in the case of some dishes — even a little bit brave. Whether you're there for the light-filled lunches, evening sharing plates, or just a slice of the biggest tiramisù in Marylebone, it’s the kind of place you’ll want...

There are restaurants that you visit once, enjoy, and move on. Then there are places like Nina, where the experience lingers in your mind long after the last bite, compelling you to return. After an exceptional dinner, I had to come back for lunch with colleagues, and once again, it was a masterclass in modern Italian dining.

The Ambiance & Service Nina is effortlessly stylish—its bold, contemporary take on Italian decor is both inviting and electric. It’s a space that feels vibrant yet intimate, perfect for a lingering meal. And the service? Impeccable. The team is warm, knowledgeable, and effortlessly charming, striking that rare balance between attentiveness and giving you space to indulge in the moment.

The Food—A Love Letter to Italian Excellence Starters: We kicked things off with the beef carpaccio with vitello tonnato sauce—a stroke of genius. The contrast between the delicate beef and the rich, velvety tonnato was an unexpected but utterly addictive twist. Then came the focaccia with parmesan butter—honestly, this should be illegal. Fluffy, golden, and paired with that umami-packed butter, it was dangerously good.

For a lighter start, the sea bass crudo was a revelation—clean, bright, and kissed with just the right acidity to let the freshness shine.

Mains: Pasta is a serious affair here, and Nina delivers. The cacio e pepe was everything it should be—silky, rich, and unapologetically peppery. The duck ragù? Deep, meaty, and slow-cooked to perfection, wrapping itself around each ribbon of pasta like a hug. And then, the bottarga pasta—a dish that made me sit back and say “wow.” The briny intensity of the bottarga elevated it to something truly special.

For those craving something hearty, the chicken Milanese is a must. Perfectly crisp, golden, and accompanied by a bright, zesty salad—it’s simplicity executed to perfection. And if you’re after meat, you’ll be in heaven. The cuts are succulent, cooked with precision, and bursting with deep, satisfying flavor.

Dessert: And then, just when we thought we were done, the stracciatella cheesecake arrived. This isn’t just dessert—it’s an experience. Creamy, indulgent, with that perfect balance of sweet and tangy, it’s one of those rare dishes you find yourself daydreaming about days later.

Final Thoughts Nina isn’t just another Italian restaurant—it’s a celebration of Italian flavors reimagined with creativity and confidence. Every dish feels intentional, every bite is a delight, and every visit leaves you planning the next one. If you haven’t been yet, go. If you have, well, you already...

On a Wednesday lunch time we went to the new italian restaurant in Marylebone that everyone is talking about, Nina. Being italian I'm always going to an Italian restaurant with a challenging attitude... First of all the restaurant has a very contemporary look a bit like industrial chic... which is super cool. And then the food... OMG! That's all I can say... fresh simple and delicious ingredients like a proper italian restaurant should offer but... with a twist... the combination of flavours are surprising and I suggest to taste as much as you can out of the menu in order to have the full experience. We had few starters: house focaccia and the parmesan butter coming with it was lavish. Taleggio arancini, which I am normally not to keen on, since i find them dry and tasteless... well think again... the burst of the taleggio cheese inside, together with the truffle confit mayo ... soooo good, I'm still dreaming about them. Burratina with marinated roasted peppers, this dish took me straight back to my childhood. We had some raws too: Bluefin tuna e melone with italian ponzu and basil, very unusual combination for my palate but nevertheless interesting. Yellowtail crudo on stracciatella, sweet jalapeños, such a delicate combination of flavours just delicious. By the way, let's not forget to mention the freshness of the fishes. Pasta dishes: Cacio e pepe, traditionally made with spaghetti here it is made with rigatoni, and soon you realise what a great idea that was. It is served with a confit egg yolk on top and once you break the yolk and it is incorporated with the cacio and pepe sauce the rigatoni are soaking up all the sauce providing you with a burst of flavours. Gnocchetti, don't be mislead by the name, for whom it doesn't know, those are not gnocchi but instead a traditional sardinian pasta. The gnocchetti were served with a sage and truffle butter... okay well, when I had the first spoon of it my taste buds went absolutely crazy. The flavour is rich and delicate at the same time, absolutely scrumptious!!! As a main we had the chicken milanese with parmesan butter with a herbs breading, the chicken was super moist and delicious. We couldn't leave without tasting some desserts though, so we had a chocolate sorbet with salt and olive oil, what a combination!!! Also leave some space for the superb cheese cake... not the usual cheese cake as we know it... it is beyond any imagination! A warm thank you to the manager Mattia who was a wonderful host with his attentive and...