A local’s guide to the best Italian cafes in London, pastry shops and bakeries for cornetti, coffee and Italian specialties – must-visit breakfast spots!
Having lived in Rome for a year, the change in food, especially breakfast was hard when I moved back to London.
I made a promise to myself, that of finding Italian cafes in London so I could always have a real Italian breakfast and deliciously strong coffee whenever I’d want to.
There are not a lot of Italian coffee shops in Tottenham, where I moved after a few months spent in North Finchley.
However, after living in London again, I know exactly where to get the best Italian coffee in London.
And I’m not talking about only caffè latte.
I’m talking about those delicious cream-filled cornetti and caffè ginseng, of the kind you’d get if you were looking for the best breakfast in Rome!
London’s Best Italian Cafes, Bakeries and Pastry Shops
If you’re interested in finding Italian places in London, I’ve written a couple of guides on the subject already.
For instance, for those looking for Italian food shops, there are a few I visit as often as possible to get my fix of Chinotto, San Pellegrino, even the Rio Mare tuna and De Cecco pasta.
Or, how about you embark on an Italy in London itinerary with me, and follow me as I show you some of the most amazing Italian places in the city, from secret gardens to shops?
Anyhoo.
For now, I want to tell you all about the best Italian cafes in London.
Luckily, there are quite a few and according to the seasons, you’ll even find maritozzo and zeppola there – what more could we ask for, really?
Best Italian Cafes in London: Bar Italia
Bar Italia, in the heart of Soho, is one of my ultimate favorite Italian cafes in London.
The small coffee shop offers filled cornetti, that staple of Italian breakfast, and really strong, delicious coffee.
It’s open from early in the morning to late at night, and if you’re ever looking for the best Italian coffee shops in London, that decor and small tables will remind you of proper Italian cafes – like in Italy.
Read: The Best Cafes in London With a View
Best Italian Breakfast in London: Cafe Brera
Very different from Bar Italia, Cafe Brera is a chain of Italian cafes in London that double as Italian restaurants.
I first mentioned this place in my guide to the most instagrammable cafes in London, and Cafe Brera near Canary Wharf is my favorite.
If you’re ever looking for a good Italian breakfast in London near Fenchurch Street and Sky Garden, which offers some of the best free views in London, that’s one of their more central coffee shops.
You’ll have there all the staples from good Italian coffee to some of the best pizza in London when lunchtime comes.
Read: The Most Unique Shops in Central London
Best Italian Cafes in London: Caffè Napoli
Caffè Napoli is one of the best hidden gems in London and located on Goodge Street, in beautiful Fitzrovia, and just a few steps away from Tottenham Court Road.
At Caffè Napoli, you’ll find my favorite of Italian breakfast, ginseng coffee, utterly sweet and deliciously spiced.
One of the best Italian cafes in London, and it’s a shame they don’t have more seats outside as it’s really a tiny, tiny coffee shop.
Tiny, but powerful.
Read: The Prettiest Church Cafes in London
Best Italian Cafes in London: Caffè Vergnano
Caffè Vergnano almost needs no introduction; present in Italy and abroad, it’s one of the best Italian cafes in London.
The branch in Holborn, one of London’s historic neighborhoods (and near Oodles Chinese!), is quite big, and you’ll find at this institution of Italian coffee lots of seating space to enjoy your Italian breakfast properly for as long as you want.
When you taste their coffee, you’ll understand why they’ve been a classic of Italian cafes in London and in Italy since 1882.
Read: The Best Free Things to Do Along London’s Central Line
Best Italian Breakfast in London: Italian Bear Chocolate
Italian Bear Chocolate is best known for its hot chocolate, actually one of the best in London.
Creamy and delicious, their cakes topped with hot white, milk and dark chocolate gather crowds that often queue in front of this Italian coffee shop in Central London.
Italian Bear Chocolate might be famous for their deliciously exquisite hot chocolate, but their Italian coffee is otherworldly and available in their branches in Soho and Fitzrovia.
Read: The Best British Desserts in London
Best Italian Coffee in London: Mister Lasagna
Mister Lasagna is not one of the best Italian cafes in London per se; it’s a coffee shop slash restaurant located just a stone’s throw away from Caffè Napoli, which I mentioned earlier in this guide.
There, you’ll find delicious Italian coffee and breakfast, in addition to, of course, their amazingly authentic lasagna.
21 kinds of lasagna make for a must-visit Italian restaurant, now don’t they?
But if you’re looking for the best Italian breakfast in London, you’re going to need to try their almond and pistachio croissants.
Read: The Best Charity Shops in London
Best Italian Breakfast in London: Caffè Tropea
Caffè Tropea on Russell Square is one of the Italian cafes in London still family-run, and was born in Calabria, in the South of Italy.
There are lots of options for a Full English breakfast there, however, and happily, there are lots of Italian breakfast options on the menu as well, from affogato to sfogliatelle, tiramisu, and cannoli.
No filled cornetti there, but Caffè Tropea is also one of the best Italian restaurants in London, so whether you come for an Italian breakfast or the best pizza in London, you’ll be served there.
Read: The Best Things to Do in Fleet Street, London
Best Italian Cafes in London: Lavazza Soho
Lavazza near Carnaby Street is one of my latest finds when it comes to Italian coffee shops in London.
first came across the cafe after having lunch at the amazing nearby Aqua Kyoto.
To be honest, was stunned to find an Italian coffee shop right next to Oxford Circus, where I happen to spend a lot of time.
A lot of Italian pastries there, like their filled cornetti and classy cakes, a huge coffee shop sadly without power outlets so you can’t consider it a proper work cafe, but still a delicious, creative coffee spot.
Read: The Best Themed Cafes in London
Best Italian Cafes in London: Quarantacinque
Quarantacinque in Bethnal Green is one of my favorite Italian cafes in London, and it’s located close to Jambala Bookshop, one of the best charity shops in Bethnal Green.
Quarantacinque has been an institution of Italian coffee and breakfast in East London for quite some time now.
The very small coffee shop offers all kinds of Italian pastries from cornetti to sfogliatelle, and even arancini if you fancy something savory.
Read: The Most Instagrammable Cafes in London
Best Italian Bakeries in London: The Good Rice Bakery
The Good Rice Bakery is one of the best Italian cafes in London if you’re really looking to dig deep into Italian pastries.
Located near Warren Street station, on Robert Street, the Good Rice Bakery is one of the most famous Italian coffee shops for breakfast; and its location in Central London really helps.
Cannoli, cornetti, arancini, sfogliatelle; all these and more are available in this hidden gem of an Italian bakery.
Read: The Best Cafes in London Bridge
Best Italian Breakfast in London: Da Vicenzo North Finchley
Da Vicenzo in North Finchley is, like La Dolce Piazza I’ll mention after, one of the best hidden gems in London if you’re looking for the best Italian coffee and breakfast.
More than a simple coffee shop, it’s one of the best Italian food shops in London to visit if you’re craving some Mulino Bianco biscuits, De Cecco pasta, or Balocco panettone.
With a few seats and a very rustic, vintage decor, you’ll know straight away you’re about to have breakfast in one of the best Italian cafes in London, a few steps away from some of the best charity shops in North Finchley.
Read: The Biggest TK Maxx in London
Best Italian Breakfast in London: La Dolce Piazza
La Dolce Piazza in Edmonton is one of the best hidden gems in London; this coffee shop is run by a Sicilian lady who takes Italian coffee very, very seriously.
I’ve had at La Dolce Piazza some of the best caffè lattes I’ve been given to taste in London.
If you’re looking for Italian food shops in London, you’ll also find lots of Italian specialties for lunch and afternoon snacks.
And since Home Bargains is so close, you could definitely check out their super cheap scented candles section after breakfast!
Read: The Most Colorful Streets in Notting Hill
Best Italian Cafes in London: The Roasting Pimlico
The Roasting is not only one of the best Italian cafes in London but also one of the best cafes in Pimlico. Its not-too-central location makes it a bit longer to reach.
Yet, once you sip some of the best Italian coffee in London along with filled croissants and focaccia, you’ll understand why it’s definitely one of the must-visit places in Victoria.
Delicious, delicious espresso and stunning Italian breakfast.
Read: The Best Cafes to Work in South London
Best Italian Breakfast in London: Lina Stores
Lina Stores is a chain of Italian restaurants slash coffee shops that have proven to be very successful in London.
Whether you’re looking for a proper Italian breakfast in London combined with strong Italian coffee or lunch, you’ll find yourself right at home in this vintage, beautiful decor.
Lina Stores started out as an Italian deli and continued to grow to become one of the institutions of Italian restaurants in London.
Breakfast and brunch there is a treat, and Lina Stores is even one of the best spots for brunch in Kings Cross, in the heart of Coal Drops Yard.
Read: The Best Breakfast in Notting Hill
Best Italian Cafes in London: La Rocca Enfield
La Rocca in Enfield is one of the coffee shops located furthest from Central London, but you’re going to want to visit if you’re looking after real, proper Italian breakfast and coffee.
Beyond just a simple Italian coffee shop, La Rocca also offers homemade cakes, pastries, and gelato.
I often think some of the best places’ names only travel from word to mouth, and that’s the case with La Rocca.
Very unassuming, and one of the most perfect Italian coffee shops in London for an authentic experience.
London’s Best Italian Cafes, Bakeries and Pastry Shops
There you have them, all the best Italian cafes in London whether you’re looking for ginseng caffè, caffè latte, cornetto, or cannoli to enjoy as part of an authentic experience.
If you’re after a proper breakfast combined to delicious Italian coffee, you’ve got all you need here!