Il Baretto

Eating out isn’t always about wanting to experiment and try all sorts of innovative new flavour combinations. Sometimes you just want food that you know you’re going to enjoy, a nice bottle of wine and a pleasant atmosphere; this is exactly what Marylebone’s Il Baretto is all about, even if it doesn’t come cheaply. The food isn’t ground-breaking and neither is the decor, but it’s still a very pleasant place to go for some pretty decent – and sometimes decadent – Italian cookery. 

The restaurant’s navy façade initially screams classic French bistro rather than upscale Italian trattoria. However, once you’re inside, a framed print of an Italian flag hangs from the exposed brick wall and Italian TV blares in the background. It’s nice that the restaurant doesn’t take itself too seriously but equally there’s something a little jarring about football being shown in a restaurant where your napkins are refolded when you leave the table. The interior of the two-floor restaurant is simple but cosy, with the downstairs feeling slightly more formal than street level.

When it comes to the cooking, there isn’t a lot to complain about. A subtle tuna carpaccio comes served atop a disc of crushed avocado while crisp slices of rosemary bread are perfect for dipping into the creamy burrata. And we wolfed down the acorn-fed San Daniele ham generously served on a long wooden charcuterie board.

Larger dishes included a wonderfully rich fillet of beef served alongside foie gras and a deep red wine jus and finished with the earthy notes of shaved black truffle. If you can, try and leave space for a classic but particularly special tiramisu served in something resembling a silver goblet. The accompanying wine list is impressively extensive, but with few bottles under £30, you might just want to stick to glasses or carafes.

Il Baretto is old fashioned and by no means cheap, but if you’re after top-quality Italian produce cooked really rather well and can afford the hefty bill, it’s a name worth knowing.

Il Baretto is closed between 24 December 2022 and 14 February 2023 due to refurbishment.

This neighbourhood restaurant in the heart of Marylebone serves a selection of traditional and contemporary Italian dishes, all executed with an elegant flourish. The name ‘Il Baretto’ translates to 'little bar’, so guests can expect an extensive wine and cocktail list too, whether it’s to accompany your meal or to enjoy on its own as an aperitif.   

The décor, like the food, is a combination of both traditional and modern design elements. The restaurant is split across two floors: upstairs, a light-flooded dining room featuring white tablecloths, large gold-framed mirrors and a counter deli where guests can order a selection of salads makes it a versatile spot for either a quick bite or a relaxed meal. The basement restaurant downstairs, meanwhile, features deep mahogany tables, banquette seating and a glass-faced wine cellar, for a cosy and more traditional Italian dining experience.  

The menu comprises a range of Italian classics and specialty dishes with a heavy lean towards pizza and pasta. To start, there is a selection of bread-based items which are cooked in its wood—fired oven, while favourites including burrata, charcuterie, calamari and beef carpaccio are all present. For primi, you might like to choose one of its pasta or risotto dishes, such as pappardelle with ox cheek ragu or lobster taglioni, but a decent range of Northern Italian-inspired pizzas will also do the job. Main courses keep things meaty, from beef sirloin with roast potatoes to grilled lamb chops with fennel salad.  

A generous selection of Italian wines includes recognisable bottles as well fine and rare wines, along with dessert wines, Champagnes and wines by the glass or carafe. Of course, its cocktails include all the Italian classics, from Negronis to Bellinis.