Set just a stone’s throw from the River Thames and the London Eye, Strada Southbank is a relaxed Italian restaurant that delivers big on charm, flavour and location. With its prime spot on the South Bank it's ideal for pre-theatre dinners, long lunches or celebratory get-togethers. Think of this as a place that wears its warm, laid-back hospitality with pride.
Strada’s menu sticks to the Italian classics, but does so with real flair. Think hand-stretched pizzas, fresh pasta dishes and flavour-packed risottos which are all made with seasonal ingredients and rooted in simplicity. Start things off with crispy squid and arancini diavola, or dive into an abundant antipasti board (with or without cured meats). Their flatbreads make a great table centrepiece, especially when shared with cocktails. By the way, the Genovese, topped with passata and basil pesto, is a must-try.
From there, the pasta menu takes over. Seafood linguine with mussels, squid and prawns brings a touch of the Amalfi coast, while the rich, slow-cooked beef pappardelle Bolognese is just the thing for a cold London evening. For something hearty but meat-free, the risotto primavera with tenderstem broccoli and lemon delivers bright, springy flavours.
Mains include big hitters like chicken Milanese, pan-fried sea bass and sirloin steak with fries, but the pizzas are hard to ignore. The Campagnola with grilled vegetables and basil pesto is a hit with vegetarians, while meat lovers will gravitate to the Vesuvio, a spicy, smoky mix of 'nduja, pepperoni and smoked peppers.
Of course, no Italian meal is complete without a spritz. The drinks menu spans Negronis, Bellinis and Limoncello spritzes, with a few low and no-alcohol options to keep everyone covered. There’s also a thoughtful wine list and great coffee if you’re finishing things off with dessert or a post-meal espresso. Friendly, familiar and easygoing, Strada Southbank is that rare thing: a central London restaurant that’s both reliably crowd-pleasing and worth returning to again and again.