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Polpo

Italian Restaurant££££

Charing Cross, London

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Polpo

7.8^/10

396

ratings

Ranked #2 for meatballs in London
"I also love the arancini, bianca pizette, and fried gnocchi."(4 Tips)
"Spicy pork meatballs are worth it and the Nutella pizetta is divine."(6 Tips)
"flank steak with white truffle sauce"(6 Tips)
"mushroom pizzetta"(3 Tips)

101 Tips and reviews

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meatballs
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healthy food
bruschetta
spicy pork
casual
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great value
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Aperol
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Amy YOctober 4, 2016
Authentic Italian small plates in nice atmosphere. Meatballs and crab & chilli linguine are musts. I also love the arancini, bianca pizette, and fried gnocchi. Decent vegetarian selection as well!
Elizabeth LeeNovember 21, 2014
Amazing Italian cuisine served tapas-style. Some mention-worthy dishes: crab starter, spicy pork & fennel meatballs, piadina meatball smash, braised octupus, duck ragout w gnocchi, pig head crostini.
MarinaJune 6, 2015
Such a lovely atmosphere! Great service and tasty food. The fritto misti was a highlight, but actually, all six dishes we ordered between the three of us were great. Definitely recommended!
Kukkii KoppeeDecember 27, 2018
The crab linguine was my absolute fave. Others including the tiger prawns and potato and parmesan croquettes were also very delicious.
Polina MelamedJuly 26, 2015
A fail-proof spot for a Friday night. Try the meatballs and pizzetti! They also serve a great affogato.
Tomantha MercedesJune 11, 2019
Bruschetta was great (had the crab one). Loved the wine list and sea bass was well prepared (stems of chard could have been more cooked)
Leigh HoangJuly 21, 2016
Good service and great food. You only really need 4 to 5 dishes between 2 people. The pizettes are good. As are the cocktails.
Vic McGinDecember 22, 2015
Meatballs, pizzette, crostinti. Italian food at its best. With great service. Playlist is weird though...Great, but doesn't scream intimate Italian restaurant.
Namrata MurlidharOctober 28, 2013
Potato Parmesan croquettes are Delish. Try surprise are the chickpeas and spinach "meatballs" - no meat, still delicious. Not to miss Tiramisu for dessert.
Mark MakinMarch 5, 2016
Great beers and tapas and usually not too busy (you can get a seat) which is a rarity in this part of london
Priya ChandranAugust 4, 2014
Definitely one of the best Italian places I've been to in London. Great food, a tad bit pricey but the food is great
Marcelo VallecilloAugust 4, 2015
Chickpea meatballs, broccoli ricotta hazelnut bruschetta, zucchini salad, cucumber and basílica martini, everything is delicious...
Jocelyn LiDecember 12, 2015
Cozy night vibe with simple but nice food. Pizza and meat balls r great.
Ruth SutherlandJune 17, 2011
Bargainous top notch cuisine like *I imagine* mama used to make. Would recommend everything I've tried - garlic prawns, sirloin, meat balls... & make sure you save space for a gelato!!
JustinNovember 1, 2015
Friendly & comfortable with great staff. Order a few plates to share - the meatballs & pork belly are great
Ceara PixieJune 4, 2017
The house white is pretty decent. Have the anchovy olives while you wait and make sure you order the crab linguine.
Roberto AnnunziataNovember 9, 2014
Great meatballs, duck ragu gnocchi, goat cheese bruschetta, tiramisu, wine... Excellent modern/traditional fusion!
Constance | @croostifoodiMay 20, 2016
Not worth it, don't understand the fuss about this place. Hard steak, thick and oh so soggy pizzetta, meatball are nothing exceptional, average tiramisu. Service was not good.
Jenny StewartNovember 9, 2018
Loved the octopus carpaccio and sliced steak with kale. Wine was reasonably priced too.
Keng YuukiJanuary 30, 2020
A bit difficult to understand the seating system but we got a table after 10 mins so it wasn’t bad. Bruschetta was really good
NoneOneMany Simon RahillyJuly 30, 2013
Great small plate Venetian inspired cuisine. Try the potato and octopus or the Tuscan bread salad with an Aperol spritz.
Edith SJanuary 5, 2013
Been here 10+ times
Meatball smash delicious and filling - flat bread covered in meatballs, sauce and cheese, grilled, folded over and served with coleslaw.
Valentina CiolinoFebruary 22, 2015
The pork meatball are top, soaked in spicy tomato sauce. A little disappointed by crab arancine and potato crocchette, as they looked frozen.
Abi SilvesterJanuary 27, 2016
Sit up at the bar for the best experience, and consider visiting outside peak hours as they don't take reservations. Great vegetarian choice
J HSeptember 21, 2014
Spicy pork meatballs are worth it and the Nutella pizetta is divine. The sliced flank steak is over rated.
Ministry of WaxingMarch 29, 2012
Da Polpo is bringing that New York City cool back into London. Think hip Italian joint with fabulous food, but with a cheaper price tag than you’d expect.
Becky HMarch 1, 2015
Try the feta cheese and grape bread. Nice combination of flavours
Mu-An 🍄‍🟫November 7, 2015
Potato crocchette, mushroom pizzetta, spicy pork meatball, zucchini, flank steak, pear & fennel soda. – 💯
Pete MarcusFebruary 19, 2013
You've *got* to have the flank steak with white truffle sauce - sublime strips of steak, cooked perfectly.
Jen SiddallDecember 21, 2012
The buffalo plate. Yumm. Also-- the roasted grape bread. Roasted grapes?! Hell yes!
Mark HFebruary 9, 2012
Brilliant - just back from lunch and we enjoyed great food and superb service. Definitely would go again and recommend to others...
Ziga ZigJuly 2, 2013
Forgoe the meat, the chick pea, spinach and & ricotta meatballs are awesome. Also, go downstairs :)
Jane KellyJuly 31, 2017
This place is bloody great! Small Italian plates and each one was delish.
Sinan KazaklarOctober 19, 2012
A good taste of trendy Italian restaurant that would almost belong to Williamsburg. Brown shrimp pizette is delicious.
Jimmy MoutonOctober 24, 2012
The Pizzette's are great, the steak is really nicely seasoned. Only thing to steer clear of is the pork belly.
Michael AmbjornJanuary 23, 2015
Been here 10+ times
The Spicy Pork and Fennel Polpette. Never disappoints.
Yasmin A.August 7, 2014
Great tucked away place. Food is awesome. Get the cookbook!!
Justine RAugust 8, 2016
Italian "tapas". Try any pizette and the chilli shrimp. Wine is overpriced at 8£ min per glass.
Nicholas AmpazisJuly 21, 2013
the spinach & egg pizzette is extremely saulty.the buffalo plate is a snack...the meatballs are good, but I ve had much better. in general it 's ok but nothing to write home about or recommend
【 @tin_fish 】December 12, 2014
You are best with about four dishes per person. All SO good.
Alan BoughenMay 22, 2013
Delicious fritto misto. The chef is obsessed with fennel which is a good thing.
Yann B.May 26, 2013
The buffalo plate is absolutely tasty and big enough to share with friends !
James WhatleyJuly 5, 2015
Venetian small plates; one of my favourite restaurants in London.
Mario RojasNovember 26, 2012
Fantastic place. Great service and amazing value for such good quality.
Tom GApril 26, 2016
Amazing Italian tapas in a dark cosy setting.
Warren HutchinsonJune 6, 2014
Disappointing. £6 for ½ a bowl of frozen peas with a bit of asparagus? Peas off! Okay. It may have been £3, but either way... Flank steak, average. Meatballs, average. Croquettes, Iceland.
Milad CerkicFebruary 4, 2015
Focaccia was amazing, but just about anything we ordered was great
Tony WardSeptember 3, 2011
You must try the grilled mortadella, gorgonzola and pickled radicchio pizzette. It's to die for!
Cla ClaNovember 23, 2018
Incredibly good. I really enjoyed it.
Urban NomadDecember 16, 2012
Spicy pork and fennel meatballs (Time Out London's 100 Best Dishes)

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