Baracca in Islington

So sad to hear that Baracca has closed. Remo, Yvonne and Alain were always so welcoming and nothing was ever too much trouble. It was 'The Old Birds' favourite restaurant, and the Christmas season started with a lunch at Baracca. Wishing the "Baracca Family" all the very best in their retirement and thanking them for being a part of and helping to create so many happy and special memories. You will all be missed xx

A home from home for years - thanks for having us and for occupying a special place in my heart. A real shame you are closing, very best wishes for the future

Baracca A small, but not that small, family run Italian restaurant tucked away in Cherry Tree Walk EC1 behind White Cross Street. In the main restaurant and bar area there are perhaps forty-five places. There is a good outside space on a traffic free street for summer evenings with another ten places. The surrounding area is buzzing with life during the week. The main entrance to the Barbican Centre in Silk Street is just round the corner. White Cross Street market starts about 200 yards from Baracca and extends another 400 yards to St Luke’s Church. For me Baracca is reminiscent of the 60s and some of the Italian restaurants you could find in the streets around Soho, behind Oxford Street just north of Oxford Circus. Like Baracca these restaurants were refreshingly informal, and yet still had the glamour of ‘foreign food’ accompanied by a glass of good red Italian wine. These were havens for the unsophisticated having their first taste of London and magnets for those looking for Swinging London. Times and tastes have changed. Spaghetti and ravioli are as familiar to most people as Yorkshire Pudding. The menu at Baracca is small, excellently cooked and it provides for a variety of tastes (not vegan). But apart from the food the very best thing about the place is what is the main residual influence of Italian restaurants in the fifties and sixties – unobtrusive warmth, friendliness and hospitality where everyone is treated as a valued guest. Even when apparently over-stretched the service is as slick as you will find anywhere with an army of waiters. There is no sense of hurry or tetchiness. It is our local restaurant. A lovely place to eat on a cold winter evening and a warm summer day.

Great restaurant with very friendly people.

Fettuccine tasted good but had a lot of oil, presumably refined. The dessert was below average, flavours weren’t balanced in the apple pie. Felt it was made by a novice chef. A service charge of 2.5 was added implicitly in the bill. Didn’t like it.

This is a great little place, rather tucked away and unassuming but the food is solid and the service is great. Ideal for a pre-Barbican meal as they are absolutely on the ball if you tell them you have a specific time you need to get there! The food is good but not outstanding - albeit well worth the price. Risotto a bit disappointing but on the other hand the pasta and meat were above expected quality, so it evens out.

Good dining spot in the City. Good food and good atmosphere and attentive service

Authentic Italian cuisine. Great food. Excellent service. Affordable prices. The specials we chose were amazing. Loved it!!!

Lovely little restaurant with very tasty food. Doesn't look too much from the outside but the service was excellent and the staff super friendly. Would definitely recommend pre/post theatre meal!

Just had the most incredible meal here. I had the King Prawns to start which were delicious and fresh, followed by Rigatoni alla paesana which was incredibly tasty. To finish I had the most divine Lemon Pancakes with a double espresso. Incredibly friendly service, wonderful food. I will definitely be returning many times.

Came to Baracca before a show at the Barbican, and fell in love with the restaurant. The atmosphere was nostalgic and reminded me of my Nonna's house growing up. Service was very kind and friendly, and happy to have a laugh. The food was incredible, and came out very quickly following our order. I would highly recommend and will definitely be coming back.

A really lovely Italian with a real authentic feel to it. Small, homely, cosy and personable. Great service from the lady with the fabulous silver belt. Gorgeous food and great drinks.

A very nice restaurant. Unpretentious, tasty fresh food, reasonable prices, and pleasant service. Recommended,

This is a rare restaurant in London where you can enjoy pasta that is not overcooked. The lasagna and carbonara are very delicious, and they also serve after-dinner drinks. It's a very nice store with pleasant customer service.

Food was nice well priced and good portions. The service was excellent and the staff friendly 👌 only downside was the taste of the spaghetti Bolognese was underwhelming and lacked sauce and taste. I think this has been mentioned in a previous review.

Delicious Italian food, reason prices and a lovely peaceful atmosphere on a Tuesday evening. Would absolutely eat here again and recommend to friends/ family

Lovely family run business in the heart of the city!

Had a fabulous meal this evening, excellent service & food . Highly recommend it

Excellent meal. Great food and very friendly service. Recommended. Will definitely visit again

Nice and delicious food with very friendly staff

Made our anniversary quite special True Italian family atmosphere. A great find. We'll be back.

What a place this is. It's in the most unlikely spot - tucked away amid the concrete underpass by the Barbican centre. From there you step into a little treasure trove of authentic Italy. We loved the feeling of family - the team have been here for more than thirty years - and the warmth that comes from hospitable service and wonderful food. Of course, there are Italian classics, so one of our group had a brilliant lasagne. But then there are plenty of specials - garlicky snails were a big hit with us. I can't recommend Baracca highly enough. Utterly charming.

It’s been a while since we had such delicious food at such a reasonable price in London. It’s what we like to call honest food, decent portions and home made taste. The service was warm and friendly. We will definitely come again, and recommend to friends.

Absolute hidden gem of a restaurant. The food is amazing and the service excellent and so welcoming. We will be returning very soon.

Italian classics served professionally with a smile

Overpriced spaghetti bolognese. Hardly any meat or sauce. It was practically flavorless. I asked for a bit more bolognese and they said they would have to charge me extra? Very stingy with the parmesan cheese. Atmosphere is dead. Will never come back. Thanks.

An awesome place. Totally underrated. Find it and eat there x

My favorite Italian in the neighborhood :-) cozy and welcoming with great food always❤️

I've visited this restaurant on many occasions over the past 30 years. It is family owned, genuine Italian cooking and with consistently good service. One of my all time favorites for delicious and unpretentious Italian cuisine

Great food, friendly staff, what more could you want 👍

This Italian restaurant has a great ambience, it has an authentic family feel and the food was delicious. If you're into spice, ask for their chilli flake mix - it added a tasteful kick! Def coming back having enjoyed the food and a lovely service.

Delicious food... Decent portion sizes... Reasonable pricing... I can see why it gets a crowd...

Nice little Italian place for lunch. Good pasta and nice staff, a hidden gem.

Very good and tasty. I went with my parents and they loved it too. The portion are just the right amount. And the staff is absolutely lovely. Very nice family vibe. Highly recommend

Old school Italian restaurant between Barbican and Moorgate stations. Feels like you are in a time warp, but in a good way. Clearly has loyal customers coming back time and again. Steak was cooked perfectly and came with a great sauce. My friend's lasagne was also nice.

This is a lovely restaurant. Pre-order of food for a large group worked really well and was worth it. Everything was ready shortly after arrival and food was good and hot also. You can tell this is a family run restaurant, staff are welcoming. I was slightly apprehensive about visiting but please don't hesitate to visit.

Hidden gem. Tasty meals, daily specials.

The staff in this restaurant are so lovely, they were so helpful and friendly, they have such a great menu too, I have had there take away lunch which was great too Their pasta dishes are the best, The atmosphere and decor done with beautiful pictures

Friendly service, tasty food and chilled, unpretentious atmosphere. Brilliant value.

This restaurant has been in business for many many years and I have visited many times over many years. Went today and is as good as ever - authentic Italian food, interesting specials, caring attentive owners and staff and excellent value for money. Decor a little outdated but food is excellent - highly recommended

A lovely family run restaurant. Felt very welcomed. 3 courses plus drinks, £60 per head. Acceptable for central London.

Excellent service, fabulous food and drinks and sweets

Went there after concert at the Barbican. Very good value, friendly service. Would definitely visit again

Fantastic little Italian restaurant, we had some great pasta. Ideal before a Barbican concert, quick friendly service and very reasonable prices, thank you!

Baracca is a quiet, family run Italian restaurant hiding in Clerkenwell -- the front door faces the piazza behind its facade on Whitecross Street. I am always greeted warmly by the host, and there were specials like asparagus parmigiana that night. As Dermot and I wanted just a quick meal, we went just for mains. I was delighted that the pieces of lemon veal were incredibly tender, a difficult feat to pull off . And Dermot's grilled king prawns were pronounced great. We shared the mixed veg, a snap at only £3.50 The house whites were fine. So it's affordable and friendly--and I've never had a bad dish

Friendly staff, great prices, great atmosphere - so glad there are still places like this in central London

Lovely staff. Nice family feel. Felt like we were transported back in time to the Italian alps. Food wasn’t fancy but was very tasty. So glad there’s a still a joint like this in central London.

I enjoyed my recent visit with work colleagues as I always do to this family run restaurant that seems to have been in this part of the Barbican and survived everything given its loyal customer base. Simple and well executed, fresh Italian classics served by friendly and welcoming staff at considerably competitive prices. The decor is very dated, a bit unloved and very basic indeed, but I think that's part of the charm and makes it what it is.

Good food but small portions for relatively costly prices 5.5 for 3 pieces of normal garlic bread

Have eaten here a lot, Always welcoming and and helpful staff. or shall i say family. Food is always hot and plentiful, never feel rushed even when busy. i alway try something off the specials board. Really cosy friendly place to eat.

Was taken to this restaurant by a friend. Their treat. I did not have a starter but I had the sea bass, my favourite fish with vegetables. It was absolutely delicious and a large portion. For dessert I had the tiaramasu. Again large portion and delicious. Rounded off with a cappuccino. The ambiance was very similar to restaurants I have been to in Italy. I loved it. Cant wait to go back.

Baracca is an Italian restaurant in Barbican. The food is very good, the staff very friendly.

Family run Italian restaurant a few minutes walk from the Barbican. We came here before a show and the food was fresh and tasted great. The prices are very reasonable and service as quick (as I suspect that a lot of the customers are going to a show). Would come again.

Delicious, reasonably priced food and friendly service.

Homely place, quick service. Great for a simple pre theatre show at the Barbican.

We have been going to this restaurant for over 10 years, although only once or twice a year with old work colleagues. Food and service are excellent. Never ever had a problem, and this is a hidden gem for great food.

Went here before a show at the Barbican centre, the waiter was friendly and we were seated straight away. I had the Risotto al Fungi, first of all it was made with basmati white rice instead of risotto rice, the mushrooms were tiny and soggy and the whole dish had next to no flavour, it was also topped off with some store bought pre grated parmesan which added nothing to the dish. On the whole I was quite disappointed at what I had just spent £9.50 on. The other dishes my friends had looked slightly more appealing but nothing special, hope the food improves soon considering it's in such a great location and handy for the barbican.

Nice Italian food and a very kind and helpful owner, but there is no pizza on the menu so you have to choose pasta or something else. Food was really delicious and average price per person was £30.00 for a three course dinner.

Great Italian food!! Its not the most modern looking restaurant but the food is delicious 😋

Good, traditional home made Italian food. Great welcome.

Friendly service. Helpful re dietary requirements. Reasonable prices for the location.

Nice family run restaurant near the Barbican

Delicious food and friendly staff, what more could you want?

Popular local Italian Very convenient for the Barbican

This is a gem of an Italian restaurant hidden away in Whitecross Street, Clerkenwell. It is family run, and stays open pretty late, particularly handy if you've been to a show in the Barbican( only 5 minutes away), as I had been. A good test of a kitchen is how they manage veal-- not easy to serve up tender. But their veal in marsala- based sauce was perfect! However, you need to order side plates of veggies. There is no pizza oven, however. My starter of crispy melt-in-the-mouth whitebait was fine, and didn't add much to the bill. I will keep going back.

It was the third time I visited the restaurant with my husband. We were greeted by the same Romanian waiter who once again did his job at the highest level. We are very happy with the services of the restaurant but especially with this boy who works there. We will definitely be back.

Really Really nice Carbonara, been here over 10 times now and superb every time. Staff are really nice and friendly and service is good. 5 years later and I can say it hasn't changed, still a great place to eat with great service and food.

Booked 5.30pm on a Tuesday for a meal with the Squeeze before a jazz gig at the Barbican, which is only a couple of minutes walk away. A gin & tonic + two large glasses of a Montepulciano accompanied snails & whitebait starters with mains of liver & bacon + sage (excellent) and a fish special (also very well received) with mixed veg., spinach and mushrooms as sides. A pleasant experience and would use again (although the 1st floor toilets need better illumination and signage). Staff pleasant and helpful. Decent Italian menu (plenty of veal dishes!) plus some specials and a relaxed feel to the restaurant. £81 including 10% (their choice) tip. 90 minutes well spent.

Lovely meal before we see the show at the barbican. Makes a great change for us going out on a week night. We Hope to visit again. Xxxxx

This is well worth finding as the food is good and they are excellent at providing gluten free choices. It was tasty, well cooked and excellent value for London. The service was excellent, friendly, efficient and helpful.

We had dinner here after our matinee at the Barbican. It turned out to be a perfect choice, as it's close by but a genuine family restaurant - not surprisingly they have many loyal regulars. The staff were very friendly and welcoming, and the food was delicious.. We'll certainly return next time we're in that area.

I only recently discovered this restaurant, and have been there twice. The food is quite good. I live nearby and had intended going at least once a week. But tonight was a major disappointment - especially since on the last occasion I dined alone there I left a £5 tip in addition to the service charge on the bill, because I was only one 'cover' for them. I arrived and stood by a small table with two place settings, one either side. It took a little while for anyone to look after me, and just as they came up to where I was standing, a couple entered the restaurant behind me. The waitress (I think she is the wife of the owner) told me the restaurant was full, and then proceeded to give the table I was standing at to the couple who had come in after me. It's regrettable, but I will never again try to eat there and risk being treated so badly.

First time visit for my wife and I to the Barbican theatre to see the very entertaining "Anything Goes", followed by our first time at Baracca where we both enjoyed a first class early evening meal. We had three courses all of which were excellent, especially the two different fillet steak mains. The service was first rate also with all the staff being extremely helpful, highly efficient and friendly. Not surprising the restaurant was virtually full by as early as 6.30. We will certainly return when next in this area of London.

My wife and myself enjoyed lovely pre-theatre pasta meals last Monday evening. The service was exemplary and the food wonderful. If attending The Barbican theatre or cinema, I can't recommend highly enough. Excellent value for money too. We'll definitely return!

What a find. I loved the spaghetti vongole, decent house wine and good service. I can’t wait to go back.

Excellent old-style Italian restaurant. Very warm welcome and we enjoyed the food. Nothing fancy but tasty and filling. Good value for money. Really friendly service. We will definitely be back.

Such delicious pasta! I had a take away order for lunch - was made fresh and to order - extra spicy and extra saucy! So happy to have discovered this place.

Fantastic food from a treasured team - February 2021 - Baracca doing lunchtime meals to take home Mon-Friday, plus dinner to take home Thursday & Friday evenings - order until 20.15h - it's great! Thank you.

Little gem on the edge of the City - go here if you want a meal with friends/colleagues that won't break the bank and won't have you looking over your shoulder trying to get the attention of the waiter like some of the trendy joints in the area. Perfect for either a three-course working lunch (sit-down to coffee in under an hour) or making an afternoon of it.

Family restaurant with excellent food and service, has been in the same family for generations, quite a rare find now days in the city.

Family run Italian restaurant that's comfortable and fun. Baracca is my guilty secret. You can definitely find "better" Italian restaurants around, but you won't find anything with the same level of welcome, friendliness, and repeat custom. If you have a favourite table the staff will remember and try and seat you there. Plastic grapes, chianti and red sauce - Baracca has a place in my heart.

The Baracca has been a long time favourite of ours when in London anywhere near Barbican. It’s a family run place that has delighted our family for over 25 years. We don’t get to go too often these days, but their food never disappoints us...

Family atmosphere.Good food.Reasonably priced.All round great value

Comer bien en Londres a un precio razonable es muy difícil, por eso fue una grata sorpresa dar con este...

Delicious! The pasta was great, the staff were friendly and the atmosphere was fantastic!

Great Italian restaurant with classic dishes - I had two classic dishes, Prawn and Avocado cocktail and Steak Diane. Both were delicious - well cooked and presented. I finished off with a rich and creamy Tiramisu. My guest had Tiger prawns starter and Spaghetti bolognese...

He comido aquí varias veces antes. Esta fue la comida más decepcionante que he tenido. La salsa con la ternera era insípida en el mejor de los casos y la porción era bastante pequeña en comparación con lo que he probado anteriormente. Pero porque he tenido mejores comidas que esto aquí, volveré otra vez.

Nice and quiet.. Full with customers but cosy place... Plenty of food and tasty too

Remo and his coffee deserves more than 5-star review!

My husband and I were in London for a concert at the Barbican on Saturday night and on Friday we decided to get our bearings in relation to our hotel on Old Street. At the Barbican we asked a staff member if he could recommend...

Lovely place. Don't be off-put by the overall look or you'll miss out. Small and family run. My meal was delicious and the staff were attentive without being disruptive. The spaghetti carbonara was exceptional.

The carbonara has too much cream which tastes quite sweet which is not typical Italian taste. And it's my first time to have carbonara without any eggs! The service was after all not bad but I wouldn't go back...

Can't say the food is bad, nor can I complain about the service that was good. It's just not really traditionally Italian. But prices are honest.

Nice family style Italian. Decent food and service. Unfussy.

Nice cosy family style Italian restaurant. Decent food and very friendly service.

Really enjoyable dinner here. They were able to sneak us a walk in table during a busy Christmas seating. Pasta carbonara was amazing. Very solid and reasonably priced table wine. Child friendly. Gluten free friendly. Big and pleasant surprise. Will definitely return.

We visited this restaurant for the first time this evening. From the first moment we entered the building til we left we were made to feel very welcome. The food and service was excellent. We will certainly go back. Thank you so much for a...

Food was very good. A bit minimalist for my tastes.

Very nice place and the food is delicious, I think the best I ate so far in a restaurant in UK 👍👍👍💯

Had a very ordinary spaghetti Bolognese and tasteless tiramisu. There are better Italian restaurants in London