Nipotina — Restaurant in London

Nipotina in Mayfair offers an exceptional dining experience with a perfect mix of elegant surroundings, warm hospitality, and delicious Italian food. The venue is beautifully designed, combining modern style with a cosy and inviting atmosphere. It is ideal for a relaxed evening out or a special occasion. From the moment we arrived, the service was excellent. The staff were friendly, attentive, and professional throughout the evening. A special thanks to Luke, who looked after us and made excellent recommendations that truly enhanced our meal.

We began with three starters that set the tone for the evening. The Arancini (five pieces) filled with spinach and Fior di Latte mozzarella were golden, crisp, and perfectly seasoned. Each bite revealed a soft, creamy centre that was full of flavour.

The Fritto Misto was another highlight, featuring crispy calamari and shrimp with a touch of pink peppercorn. The seafood was fresh, tender, and coated in a light batter that wasn’t greasy. Then came the Panelle, Sicilian crispy chickpeas served with a yoghurt dip. This was one of the standout dishes of the night. Light, crunchy, and full of texture, it was a simple yet excellent starter and one I would highly recommend ordering.

For mains, we had the Gamberi alla Busara, Costolette di Agnello, Filetto di Manzo, and a Margherita alla Bufala pizza. The Gamberi alla Busara featured king prawns cooked in a rich tomato, parsley, and chilli sauce. It normally includes ‘Nduja, but we had it removed due to dietary requirements. Even without it, the dish had great depth of flavour however it needed to be a bit more spicy for us. The prawns were cooked perfectly.

The Costolette di Agnello was outstanding. The marinated lamb cutlets were tender and full of flavour, served with mashed potato, mint, balsamic fig glaze, and sun-dried tomato. The lamb was cooked to perfection, the mash was silky and smooth, and the glaze added a nice sweetness. Personally, I enjoyed the fig glaze, though my friend preferred the dish without it.

The Filetto di Manzo was a beautifully cooked beef fillet served with roasted pepper sauce and sautéed cime di rapa. The sauce had a lovely depth, and the greens added a nice contrast. My only small comment would be that the portion could have been slightly larger, but it was very enjoyable. The Margherita alla Bufala was a classic done right, with a thin base, fresh tomato sauce, and creamy buffalo mozzarella.

For dessert, Luke brought over the La Dolce Vita Trolley, a lovely interactive touch. He prepared our Tiramisu – Our Way Gianduia Cream right at the table. It was light, creamy, and delicious, with a balanced coffee flavour and smooth texture. On Luke’s recommendation, I also tried the Torta di Nonna Lina, a homemade ricotta tart based on a family recipe passed down to the chef from his mother or grandmother. It was simply outstanding – delicately sweet, rich, and the perfect way to finish the meal. This is a must-try dessert.

To accompany our meal, we enjoyed two mocktails. The Tè Freddo Alla Pesca, made with chamomile tea, peach, elderflower, and citrus, was refreshing and well-balanced. My friend had the Brezza Marina, made with Everleaf Marine, kiwi, lychee, citrus, and soda, which was tropical, crisp, and aromatic.

Overall, Nipotina delivers an exceptional dining experience where everything feels thoughtfully prepared. The food is beautifully presented, the ingredients are fresh, and the flavours are balanced. The service, led by Luke and the team, was attentive without being intrusive, adding to the relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.

I will definitely return soon, this time with my wife, to enjoy the intimate setting and explore more of the menu. If you are looking for an elegant Italian restaurant in Mayfair with great food and service, Nipotina is a place you...

Having been regular visitors to the other restaurants in the LSL Capital group which were good and to which we have invariably given five star reviews, we went for lunch at Nipotina at the end of the soft opening period. Our experience here was absolutely abysmal. One star is only because it is not possible to give no stars.

We had four inedible dishes. The pumpkin soup was heavy and uninteresting; chicken livers were overcooked and the accompanying “potato gateau” was mashed potato which had been put in the microwave/under the grill and then allowed to go cold so as to be inedible; the pasta in the Mafalde al Ragu was rubbery and way past al dente while the veal “ragu” was a parsimonious soup without flavour; and a grilled seabass dish was an offence to the fish. In fact, overcooking and absence of any taste were features of all that was presented to us and the consequence was unpleasant indigestion. The fact that this was the end of a soft opening week does not excuse the violence done to the ingredients, especially as we were told that the main chef was in the kitchen.

We did not dare risk a dessert or coffee and were not charged for any of the food items, but the manager did not have the experience, intelligence or authority to waive the charge for our two glasses of (passable) wine (which we had ordered to accompany food which we could not eat) in the interest of good customer relations. This means that we have no hesitation in passing on our genuine and independent advice: if you want well-made pasta at a decent level try Notto near Piccadilly Circus; if you want quality Italian food go to Cantinetta Antinori or, above all, Theo Randall; and, as regards, this...

Tucked away in Mayfair, Nipotina is where luxury meets comfort food. The atmosphere is effortlessly chic, dimly lit with cosy sofas, wide windows, and a golden-hour glow that feels like the warm embrace of a place you’ve somehow always known. And the food? Mama mia. This is where luxe meets homey, like Nonna opened a Michelin-starred speakeasy

From the first bite of those perfectly crisp zucchini fritti, delicate, salty, addictive, we knew we’d found something special. The Paccheri al Pesto di Pistacchi was a love letter to Italian summers, nutty and rich, with every mouthful making my heart sing. And the Parma pizza was sheer perfection, crispy and flavourful.

The Poletto Nipotina was a standout - juicy, tender, and seasoned to perfection. Paired with fresh, earthy salads that burst with colour and taste, every plate was thoughtful and beautifully composed. And then, of course, the velvet tiramisu, soft, rich, and sweet enough to linger in your memory long after the last bite.

But no visit is complete without the Nipotina Negroni, served from a rustic clay jug like an offering to the gods. Smoky, smooth, and slightly mysterious, it complemented every dish while holding its own like a true main character.

Service was flawless, attentive without hovering, warm without performative polish. It felt less like dining out and more like being fed by someone who genuinely wants you to be happy and full. we left feeling like we had just walked out of a dream, or my grandma’s kitchen in Florence.

Would we go back? Absolutely. Even if it’s just for another plate of zucchini and a smoky Negroni whispering sweet...