L Terroni & Sons

"We truly don’t understand how pensions work but we do know that we plan on spending our retirement sitting outside this quintessential day-to-night spot, sipping espressos with our fellow older arancino enthusiasts. Terroni of Clerkenwell is a Kimbo Napoli-branded napkin dispenser kind of deli that’s been around since 1878, and it’s ideal for ricotta tortellini lunch breaks and casual pizza catch-ups out on the pavement seating. More power to you if you’re able to stop by without buying a bottle of Sassicaia, a slab of dolcelatte, and three flavours of cannoli to take home. " - jake missing, heidi lauth beasley, rianne shlebak

"Terroni Of Clerkenwell is somewhere you’ll want to become a regular. If only to sit beside the group of 70-somethings who hold court at this Italian restaurant-deli, as they chat, and shout towards the counter, gesturing for more cappuccinos and pistachio cannoli. In the evening, drop by for a pizza, a bowl of comforting, reasonably priced ricotta tortellini, and a couple of beers. You won’t be eating London’s best Italian food by any means, but Terroni replicates the joy of stopping by a family-run spot on holiday." - sinead cranna, jake missing

"Terroni Of Clerkenwell makes us wish that we were an 81-year-old, drinking coffee, eating arancini, and watching the world go by with nowhere to be. Groups that seem like they've been regulars for years hold court on large tables at the old-school Italian deli and cafe in Clerkenwell. Their discussions are only occasionally broken up by someone shouting towards the counter and gesturing for more cappuccinos and pistachio cannoli. Office workers making the most of their lunch breaks find quiet corners to read a book while eating comforting, reasonably priced bowls of ricotta and tomato tortellini. In the evening, drop by for a casual pizza and a couple of beers. You won’t be eating London’s best Italian food by any means, but Terroni comes the closest to replicating the joy of stopping by a family-run spot while on holiday, buying more dried pasta than you could ever possibly eat, and picking up a bottle of sassicaia for a picnic. photo credit: Koray Firat photo credit: Koray Firat photo credit: Koray Firat photo credit: Koray Firat photo credit: The outside seating at Terroni." - Sinéad Cranna

"Like Scotti’s Snack Bar, St Peter’s Church, and the 67-year-old multilingual driving school up the road, L Terroni & Sons is a beautiful remnant of Clerkenwell’s old Little Italy. It’s a surprisingly historical spot, which claims to be London’s oldest delicatessen. But Terroni’s is hardly gathering dust. The place draws a steady crowd, who step over the prehistoric doorway mosaic to enjoy gigantic, inexpensive pizzas and pastas, all doused in a tomato sauce more lurid than a setting sun. Try the delightfully round raviolis, the squidgy gnocchi, or maybe a colossal, puffed-up calzone, then grab some cannoli and something suitably pungent from the deli counter to take home." - Isaac Rangaswami

"Terroni has been selling Italian produce since 1878. And now it has a café serving quick Italian food with no frills. Which is good, because sometimes 2pm meetings happen and you only have time to order some pasta al forno off the blackboard at the counter, find a seat, eat, and get back to the grind. But it’s also a shop and a deli, so good luck getting out of there without buying some emergency Italian cheese. And there’s no excuse for returning to the office without a bag of biscotti for the troops." - oliver feldman, jo harris cooksley, heidi lauth beasley, jake missing