Bar Italia
Coffee shop · Soho
22 Frith St, London W1D 4RF, United Kingdom
Highlights
Iconic Italian cafe serving coffee & pastries 24/7
Iconic Italian cafe serving coffee & pastries 24/7
"Until 3am daily (dependent on busyness) From 7am all the way until around 3am, Bar Italia caters to Soho’s every need. If those needs are football, strong coffee, and Kisstory classics. You can get hot dishes at this memorabilia-covered, old-school Italian cafe—like the superb yet simple spaghetti aglio—until 11pm, and saucy chicken milanese paninis and creamy tiramisus are served all the way until closing. So do like the other night owls and seek refuge and a cannoli on these faded terrazzo tiles." - jake missing, sinead cranna
"Bar Italia remains one of London’s most precious institutions, a relic of the mid-20th century sitting indomitably on Soho’s Frith Street. More than almost anywhere else in the capital, Soho is a victim of change, fads, and nonsensical restaurants. (True story: A half decade ago this same street played host to a venue called Flavour Bastard.) But Bar Italia never changes. And for that, we must be grateful. Its consistency and sense of self is what makes it so steadying and reassuring in a world of flux and uncertainty. At Bar Italia you always know your espresso will be bitter, your Peroni will be cold, and your bacon ciabatta will be better than almost anything else you can get in this storied but spoiled patch of the city. Best for: An iconic, reliable breakfast and espresso." - Adam Coghlan
"You don’t come to Bar Italia because it’s the best place for an espresso or a cannoli, or because it’s cheap. You come for the atmosphere and camaraderie, the late-night (or early-morning) buzz, the people-watching, and to aimlessly yell at Italian football on the TV. It takes all the intangibles of Soho and puts them all in one place. Like The French House a couple of streets away, everyone passes through here at one point or another. It’s an institution—treat it like one." - jake missing, heidi lauth beasley, rianne shlebak
"Something old, something new—not just for brides on their big day, but also London coffee shops. Bar Italia is expanding with a new spot at Outernet. They’ve described the move as “a blend of timeless tradition and cutting-edge innovation”. We’re looking forward to seeing if the 1949-founded cafe meshes with the LED-lit chaos of Tottenham Court Road." - team infatuation
"What To Get: An espresso, a cappuccino, or a Negroni. Time Capsule Factor: Few places feel more essential to Soho than Bar Italia. The fashion crowd have always used it for a coffee and a cigarette, but you’re just as likely to find a couple of high-vis workers sitting outside, too. Plenty of other restaurants feel paused at a moment in London’s time. Bar Italia is a snapshot of London, full stop." - jake missing, sinead cranna, heidi lauth beasley, rianne shlebak
