Barbarella is a glamorous Italian restaurant in Canary Wharf, run by Big Mamma Group - the team behind other well-known London restaurants such as Gloria, Circolo Popolare and Jacuzzi. Big Mamma Group has become an international powerhouse off the back of its signature maximalist Italian cuisine and the unique and glamorous experience they sell diners. Barbarella is no exception - this restaurant is housed in the iconic YY Building in Canary Wharf, just a few minutes from the main station.
Walking into the restaurant, guests will be captivated by the jungle-themed first floor dining area, complete with chocolate-brown walls, an astonishing three-meter wide chandelier, and a long mirrored glass bar that serves magnum and vintage wines, as well as a huge variety of cocktails, like the house-favourite Pistacchio Espresso Martini. One floor up you'll find the 70s-inspired lounge, where a golden-framed open kitchen takes centre stage, surrounded by furniture decked out in vintage Ferragamo silks. Through a set of silver curtains you'll find the waterside terrace, with incredible views of the River Thames and the rest of the docks.
Naturally, the food is just as extravagant as the interiors. Big Mamma restaurants take great pride in making everything in-house, from pizza dough to gelato, and Barbarella will have a lean towards Roman-style cooking, with a daily changing menu of extra-thin, extra-wide Routa di Carretto pizzas, baked in an enormous bronze pizza oven. The menu offers a huge range of different Italian foods, ranging from a Lady and the Tramp-esque one-meter long spaghettone, to a caramelised Italian tomato tatin with Parmigiano cream, or buttered Cornish lemon sole to share. The grill section is also a signature of the restaurant, with big sharing steaks coming from highly regarded butcher Phillip Warren.