Azzurro

Azzurro brings a sun-drenched slice of Italy to the edge of the South Bank, with an elegant bar, spacious dining room and a terrace made for long, lazy afternoons. Lively and welcoming, it is the kind of place that suits family gatherings as comfortably as an evening with friends, all helped along by warm service and a central perch near Waterloo Station.

In the kitchen, the mood is handmade and fresh, with a menu that favours timeless Italian comforts. Think salad caprese and crisp calamari to start, followed by pizzas from the beloved margherita to a spicy pepperoni, and pastas ranging from spaghetti bolognese to penne Portofino. The broader crowd is well looked after too, with hearty burgers sitting happily alongside the trattoria staples, while house specials run to the likes of spaghetti carbonara and risotto gamberetti.

The bar keeps things convivial, pouring Italian and international wines, crisp beers including Guinness, and classics from a mojito to an espresso martini. To close, it is hard to resist a classic tiramisu or a scoop of gelato as the South Bank buzzes just beyond the terrace.

Gather your favourites, find a sunny spot and settle in for an easy-going Italian escape. Go on—say ciao to good times.