Franco's in City of London, Westminster

Snooty lady on the reception, would not let me sit outside because I just wanted a coffee, I sat inside for 15mins with no service whatsoever. Walked out and said to Snooty, if they can’t be bothered to serve me I can’t be bothered to wait, she just shrugged her shoulders. Lots of nice places to have lunch or a coffee nearby, try them instead.

First time to have a meal at Franco’s. Food was excellent! Very busy, but relaxed atmosphere. Top-notch service! Suggest you book a table for 9 or 9:30 am since the business crowd (nearly all men, by the way) thins out about then as they head to their offices. We enjoyed the avocado toast and porridge with fruit, along with excellent coffee/tea. Very fresh eggs! Great location right in the heart of St. James. Highly recommend!

Just stopped for coffee. Had a superior crème brûlée.

Visited here with my elderly mother for and the staff couldn’t have been more helpful. The food was excellent as well. Definitely recommend.

Brian the Colombian boy made the difference Excellent service!!

Historic bar and very kind waiters. There was even a waiter who spoke Italian. Good breakfast.

Franco's is a fine Italian restaurant The service here is great and the dishes are very excellent

We stopped off just for coffee, but looked at the menu. We will definitely return. Lovely spot

Absolutely great Italian food With exemplary and engaging SERVICE I can’t recommend it enough Michael Collins

My wife and I stopped in for a quick bite to eat after a long day in London. The restaurant is much more exclusive than we expected; a visit for a full-blown dinner would have been more appropriate. The service was impeccable and the food fantastic. We'd love to come back.

Very good food but ridiculously expensive - starters around £20 and mains around £50 (plus sides), £9.50 for a small beer and £20 for a medium sized glass of average wine (all plus 15% service). First bottle of wine the waiter suggested was £155 a bottle (plus that service charge), which I thought was a bit naughty - who spends that much on a bottle of wine with lunch? I used to think £100 a head was a lot for a 3 course lunch with a couple of glasses of wine, although it's getting pretty normal in London now - but over £150 a head is just too much. Very nice thanks, but I won't be returning

great place for cocktails and extensive menu in Restaurant go there for any occasion and they will spoil you super place

Formerly a great place that I visited weekly but today I was made to feel very unwelcome by an unpleasant staff member. I’ll not be back.

I am quite fussy when it comes to Italian food. It was my first time today at Franco’s and I’ve tried the tagliatelle with mixed mushrooms and fresh perigord black truffle. While I was eating I felt like I was in Italy, and this happens rarely when I eat Italian food outside the “Bel paese”. Friendly and professional service, great atmosphere with a mixed between old fashioned and modern vibe. I’ll be back soon to try the linguine with lobster, but until then I am very pleased I can add one more authentic Italian restaurants in London to my list. Five stars well deserved.

This is a place where you can eat authentic Italian cuisine in London. In my life, this is the only place where lamb is so delicious. I was very satisfied as it was soft and did not have the unpleasant scent of lamb. The pasta with fusilli noodles and fish steak were also great. After eating dessert to finish, I realized that it is a lie to say that London is not a city of gourmet food.

Superb lunch and, as always, Martina and Giovanni looked after us wonderfully. Unreservedly recommended.

Got here and asked to be seated on the balcony, were told we need to dine to be available. No problem, we were going to anyway. I ask again how long it will be I get a bit of a rude response saying 15 minutes. Then they proceed to seat multiple tables for just drinks. Finally get seated (~25 mins), another 10 mins to get an order in. Ok. We ask if we can order their mushroom truffle pasta, even though it’s not on the lunch menu, they say yes but without mushrooms. Okay great that’s fine, we’ll take a half order then. Food was good, wine was good. I then order an espresso, which they forget about, I wait 15 mins and just get the bill, they charged me for a full order of Tartufo pasta. All the while having cigar smoke blown in my face. I’m good on this restaurant, thanks, especially at these insane prices. I have no issue paying for quality, this did not meet that standard.

A great regular coffee & snack spot with good staff & high quality. Highly recommended & so convenient.

Met a business associate here for lunch and was very impressed. Very busy but prompt attentive service. Food was excellent - very authentic Will keep in mind for both business and pleasure and definitely visit again.

Acústica muy alta y es muy difícil hablar con su invitado. El personal era encantador y la comida era excelente. La única zona donde podrían haber estado mejor es al final de la comida cuando el camarero desapareció y tuve que cazar pieles de alguien para pedir café y más tarde la cuenta. Eso fue bastante pobre.

Thank you to the staff and management at Franco's for how you handled a misunderstanding on our order this evening. You clearly care deeply about your customers and it didn't go unnoticed! We will definitely be back (and not in a rush for the theater next time!)

What a real Italian/British cafe experience.quite upmarket, but not too stuffy. Simple meals done exceptionally well. I had a lovely breakfast. Best fresh blood orange juice ever tasted!! Also, amazing blueberry pancakes. Would have to book a table Tuesday, wed and Thurs mornings, we just snuck in, in March!! Wait until you go to the bathroom, they recite a story,I'll leave that a surprise..a nice one Staff were lovely.

Had a lovely dinner at Franco’s—the atmosphere was really nice, calm, and intimate, perfect for a more relaxed evening. Our waiter recommended some Valentine’s specials, and I went for the gnocchi with truffles and seasonal mushrooms, which was delicious. Also had a really cute Valentine’s cocktail, which was a nice touch. The zucchini fritters were super nice, and we couldn’t skip dessert—the tiramisu was amazing. One of the more unexpected but fun details was hearing different Winnie-the-Pooh audios playing in the bathroom, which just made the night even more memorable. Overall, such a nice experience—would come back.

I visited Franco's for the first time with my girlfriend for our anniversary. We were absolutely blown away by the quality of the service. Danilo, Patricia and Boban made sure we were more than looked after and comfortable the entire night. My girlfriend is coeliac and was completely accommodated for with an amazing gluten free menu. The food is absolutely outstanding, the cocktail list is one of the most interesting I have seen in a restaurant, the atmosphere and decor is lovely, all topped off with incredible service from some wonderful people. It was our first time here but certainly not our last, I would love to bring my family here in future. I would even go so far as to say that Franco's has become my favourite dining experience in London. Thank you to all who made it such an amazing experience.

A great team of people serving first class food & great wines.

Food came very very quickly between starter and main, main was also cold so the timings were wrong. Staff were very friendly and attentive when available. Food exceptional. Advice is not to dine on your own otherwise sat next to the door and slightly forgotten about.

Excellent service and wonderful food. Recommended by several people this restaurant is an authentic Italian experience. The venison was cooked to perfection and literally melted in my mouth, quite possibly the best I've ever had. Keep up the great work!!

Empty breakfast. All a bit boring really. And pricey too boot.

Siempre me gusta comer aquí, ya sea desayuno, almuerzo o cena. En esta ocasión fue para el desayuno. La comida es de alta calidad y una buena elección de bebidas. El personal te hace sentir especial.

Always a favourite business breakfast choice. Bacon sarnies and croisstants with fab coffee.

Poor food quality, watered down Aperol spritz.

A Timeless Italian Experience at Franco’s London Franco’s London is more than just a restaurant—it’s a piece of history, an institution that effortlessly blends tradition with exceptional service and cuisine. I chose this restaurant for its deep-rooted history, and from the moment I stepped inside, I could feel it. The atmosphere exuded a refined yet welcoming charm, and the service quality was a testament to years of perfected hospitality. The experience was elevated by the staff, who spoke in a delightful “Italian English,” adding an extra layer of authenticity. It felt like a brief escape to Italy, not just through the flavors but also through the warmth and charisma of the people who brought the evening to life. I personally prefer small Italian restaurants, where everything is prepared with great care and rooted in a unique cultural tradition. A true Italian dining experience isn’t about grandeur but about craftsmanship, authenticity, and attention to detail—and Franco’s delivered exactly that. For dinner, we indulged in steak, lasagna, and linguine, each dish crafted with the kind of precision and care that define true Italian cuisine. The steak was cooked to perfection—tender, juicy, and with just the right level of seasoning to let the quality of the meat shine. The lasagna was a masterpiece of layered flavors, with velvety béchamel, slow-cooked ragù, and pasta that melted in the mouth. The linguine was another highlight, cooked al dente and coated in a sauce that balanced richness with subtlety. To complement our meal, we selected a Brunello di Montalcino—an impeccable pairing. Its deep, complex notes of dark cherry, tobacco, and earthiness elevated each dish, creating a harmony between the wine and the flavors on the plate. Beyond the food and wine, what made this evening truly memorable was the ambiance. The setting was elegant yet comfortable, and every detail—from the way the staff interacted to the way the dishes were presented—reflected a deep respect for tradition. Franco’s London is not just a place to eat; it’s an experience, a journey through time and taste. It’s the kind of restaurant that lingers in your memory, calling you back for another visit. If you’re looking for a dining experience that seamlessly blends history, authenticity, and careful craftsmanship, Franco’s London is a must-visit.

Gorgeous food and service, though admittedly it’s a tad pricey!

What a wonderful find ! A cozy traditional Italian restaurant with great friendly staff.The welcome we received was out of this world, the service was excellent throughout - especially from Giovanni. The food was really good, excellent lasagne, a delicious veal chop, fresh sea-bass cooked just right and a classic tiramisu to end. It is so difficult to find a really good Italian in London these days - look no further. We'll be back soon !

Expensive coffee and not hot either

Usually amazing but my main was not great. However service and staff amazing as usual

The food is always delicious and the service is flawless. However on a recent visit with a 7 month old baby the staff really excelled, it was a busy lunch service and they moved us to accommodate the pram, and then all of the team made time to interact with the baby and ensure we had all we needed! First class!

Faultless food ,service good , lovely place . Relaxed atmosphere Champagne bit under par , little pricey overall hence 4 star I’d like to go again for lunch though

Just perfect. Excellent breakfast, nice drinks and friendly staff. . ❤️

As a resident of Jermyn Street, I've had the pleasure of trying most restaurants in the area, and Francos truly stands out. The service and food are unparalleled and represent what a proper local spot should be. The attentiveness of manager Jason and his team makes every visit welcoming and delightful, creating a warm atmosphere that makes Francos the heart of the St. James’s community. Highly recommend for anyone seeking a top-notch dining experience!

We hosted a breakfast event with Francos in their private room downstairs and were delighted with the service from start to finish. Solene, Sandrine and Amine were so helpful and went above and beyond to meet our requests and ensure our clients had a memorable experience. Thank you!

Very disappointing experience. The food portion was too small , with very limited options on the menu. The restaurant was uncomfortably cold, and the staff’s attitude was far from welcoming or professional. Definitely not worth the visit.

Not worth the money! The food took far too long to arrive, and when it finally did, it was completely average at best. The place was freezing, and the staff outright refused to let us change seats or do anything to make it more comfortable. Very disappointing experience overall.

Nice restaurant situated near The Ritz hotel and opposite Davidoff of Geneva cigar store where you can comfortably smoke a cigar outside with your meal, including during colder months as there is outdoor heating provided. The beef lasagne and old fashioned I tried were very good and I will be returning to sample more of their menu along with a nice cigar and cocktail soon.

Careful….you call them to make a reservation, they don’t pick up. Next thing you know you receive a confirmation via text of a reservation for a random day and random time and a request for credit card details?! Didn’t call back to query as didn’t want another booking….

Entró sin reserva para un almuerzo solo. Me trataron como a la realeza desde el momento en que entré. Servicio verdaderamente excepcional y luego derretir en la boca chuletas de cordero, las mejores que he tenido (y soy muy viejo!). No podría recomendarlo demasiado y estoy deseando llevar a mi esposa allí!

I visited for dinner and pleased it was a wonderful experience. Both the service and food were impeccable, the restaurant ambiance very inviting. The staff were very welcoming and attentive, just the right level without being intrusive. The food was amazing, all courses were delicious and beautifully presented. I ordered a couple of dishes recommended to me by an Italian work colleague and I’m very pleased that I tried them, they were very tasty. I will definitely recommend Franco’s to others, and will make return visit - thank you.

Es la primera vez que cenamos aquí. Disfrutamos del ambiente y el personal era en general eficiente y atrayente. Realmente disfruté de la pasta de setas con una generosa adición de trufa (raramente ver un vino Timorasso ofrecido aunque por un precio tonto) y carpaccio de ternera, pero me abrumó por los postres que eran demasiado ricos para mí. Volveré a visitarlo con gusto, especialmente en temporada de trufas.

Our lunch - wine, food and service including welcome and farewells were all excellent. It is certainly an au revoir rather than a farewell from us.

Fantastic service and great food

5 star, elegant service, superb food and refined atmosphere.

This place is an absolute gem! The charm and the delicious food make it a standout every time I visit. It never fails to impress. Stopping by for a late-morning coffee is a treat—you can relax outside, soak in the atmosphere, and watch the world go by. The service is consistently excellent, and the friendly team always makes you feel welcome. If you’re looking for a spot to unwind and enjoy great food, this is the place to be. Highly recommend coming by and experiencing it for yourself!

Amazing service and delicious food. Highly recommend.

Had dinner on the 19th December, my partner had Lasagna and I had the Hake with spinach. Great food pefectly cooked, very attentive staff and a great atmosphere. We both enjoyed the food which was piping hot and the fish was moist, pefectly cooked and i recommend this restraurant.

Came highly recommended, so for our final night this was the place. From the moment we walked in it felt comfortable. The food, those taking care of us beyond excellent. Don’t miss this St. James gem.

Great food, all stone cold. I had a king prawn risotto when it came it was as really cold. I sent it back and when it came for the second time it was still cold. I had 2 warm mouthfuls. I think the problem was freezing cold plates. Shame it tasted delicious but not good cold. Service is wasn’t good. We had to ask twice for water. It was very cold atmosphere. Shame it could have been great.

Excellent service but the food does not deserve to be so expensive!!!

We generally come to Franco’s once a year, probably because I have eaten a lot of food during my 55 years in existence on out beautiful planet and I haven’t yet found a consistently better restaurant anywhere in the world. Believe me, I’ve tried. Of course, you can go Michelin star where it’s all tasting menus and wine pairings, but you need a quick trip to your broker followed by a MacDonalds afterwards to satiate your yearning for a proper Feed with the fiver you have left in your current account. However, if your desire is pasta or grill with a diabolical depth of flavour (try the hare if it’s on) and attentively friendly but not sycophantic service for £85 a head à la carte for three courses and a bottle of the fragrantly excellent house white, I defy you to do better. Even in Bologna. So, Vivat Franco’s! Although it’s been going a while, so I very much expect that it will. They don’t even seem to mind that I generally turn up with my bedraggled-looking family and we take all afternoon to eat. Also, I have a vegetarian and she loves the separate veggie menu.

Saturday was very busy as usual . Ordered lobster linguine, porcini pappardelle & ravioli with a carpaccio thrown in . Lobster was accompanied by a flavourful tomato sauce and the pasta was beautifully cooked Al denté. Porcini was bathed in a silky mushroom emulsion. Veal chop was truly magnificent , perfectly cooked to medium rare …. The knife seemed redundant . Big flavours with an accompaniment of truffle mash. Although the restaurant was busy the service held up .

Thank you Franco's for a lovely breakfast on my birthday. Staff were so relaxed and friendly and the food was excellent. The coffee was as good as you'll ever find in London - the barista certainly is clearly highly skilled. I even received a complementary birthday treat of petit fours. Already looking forward to our next visit.

The best Italian restaurant in London

What an incredible meal. We had no reservation, and the accommodated us, including needing space for a stroller. Very pleasant staff, all friendly. The food was fantastic. It is expensive (easily starting at £60 per person for two courses and a drink each) but it is certainly one of the best meals I have had. Perfect for a nice date night or a rare catch up with friends.

The food was decent. But the service and overall atmosphere were lacking, to say the least. Our waiter had a major attitude problem, and we had to ask multiple times for everything, including the drink menu - like, who wants dinner with nothing to drink? The place also doesn't allow you to hang your coat on the chair, so you have to check it, but then it is too cold in the dining area. The servers are all over the place constantly, and I had to move to avoid being hit in the face several times. Sadly., the food was the only saving grace here. We come to London every year for almost two weeks, and we won’t be dining here again due to the horrible, rude, and lackluster service.

Great evening out with friends. Beautiful table setting. Nice welcome, food and service.

£16 for a mulled wine?!! Also, you didn’t mention you would charge us for donations?! Also, my friend paid for service charge before leaving and the rest of us had to pay it again. Definitely won’t be coming back again.

Outstanding kitchen and service, and a very buzzy and cool ambiance! Top marks!!

Very nice food and service. Set menu is good value and reasonable choice

We stopped by spontaneously for lunch and were very impressed by Franco’s. The staff is very friendly and professional and make you feel welcome from the minute you walk in the door. The restaurant is cozy even though it was very busy at the time. The menu is extensive but our waiter gave great suggestions. The wine menu is excellent as well. We will definitely come back.

Highly recommended! 5 Stars. We had such an amazing lunch. The staff were very friendly and very welcoming. Great atmosphere, great wine and great champagne. Everything was superb. We will be back again very soon.

Our favourite restaurant in London. Service is great, food is excellent and we will be back soon!

Estábamos apurados, pero queríamos un gran almuerzo y pensamos que probaríamos Francos Desde el momento en que llegamos el servicio era excelente, el ambiente con clase y la comida fantástica Sopa de calabaza y un excelente tartar de filete seguido de bacalao con lentejas y una pasta de atún sublime Volveremos.

A lovely restaurant with kind, obliging and very well trained staff all of whom seem to thoroughly enjoy their jobs. No unnecessary music means normal conversations can take place without the need to shout, and the excellent food can be enjoyed in peace.

Excellent from the cocktail to the coffee. Best restaurant meal for a long time.

Realmente disfrutamos de Franco, la comida era buena, el servicio era increíble y el entorno era el mismo, increíble. Sé que es en Mayfair, pero pensé que era un poco caro, la comida no era tan buena como el precio exige, eso es solo mi opinión, pero he cenado en algunos restaurantes muy buenos a lo largo de los años! Todo lo demás era de muy alta calidad. En general, una experiencia muy agradable!

Delicious high quality food and friendly service.

El servicio no era bueno (teníamos tres servidores diferentes) , el interior era anticuado y no acogedor. La comida tampoco era genial, y no coincidía con el nivel de precios (bastante caro) . Me sentí robado cuando llegó la factura. Se había añadido un 15 % a la factura como cargo por servicio, que está en la parte alta de Londres y ciertamente no coincide con este tipo de restaurante. Qué experiencia decepcionante. No recomendaría.

Very good food, great ambience and friendly service. Priced above Swiss levels.

All very good. But the highlight is the service. Gunther was 10/10.

My favourite restaurant and bar in London, whether coffee, lunch, cocktails or dinner. Ever buzzing and welcoming, crips white linen, delicious cuisine, professional and extremely friendly staff, in the best part of London!

When visiting London, I always try to make time to dine at Franco's. I have now been several times over the past 2 and a half years. Sometimes with friends, this time was solo. Franco's reminds me of what fine restaraunts were like many years ago. Good service, pleasant atmosphere and delicious well prepared food. It also has a outdoor patio to enjoy a after dinner/lunch cocktail and a cigar if you like. I cant wait to go back, as this is truly one of my favorite overall restaraunts!

We dined here with friends a couple of nights ago. Service was very attentive with a nice ambiance. All of our dishes were very well prepared. Slightly overpriced but goes with the location. Would recommend for special night out.

Came here for lunch with some friends. We ordered green leaf salad, burrata and octopus carpaccio to start with. I absolutely loved the burrata! My main was the pappardelle dish and it was very tasty, I finished it all. I did try a bite of other dishes too and they all tasted great, the salmon had a really nice crispy skin and was seasoned very nicely. The lobster linguine had a nice amount of kick to it, and the lasagna was delicious but would be too heavy for me personally as a lunch item, would do great as a dinner meal for us. Crème brulée was yummy, and the special dessert of the day was so good! Very pleased with my meal here. We sat outside and they do have space heaters if you get cold.

Went there for lunch with my two sons, we were sited at the entrance although the main area was almost empty (found out later) , food was mediocre and my fish wasn’t cooked enough they claimed that they serve the fish medium. Super expensive 150 pounds for father withe two kids. Not worth it!!!

Best real authentic dishes in London. Highly recommended 👍🏻👍🏻

A home away from home - foodwise - but a bit closer to heaven. Imagine at the Pearly gate beeing greeted by St. Peter: "Welcome to us - today Franco's are doing the dinner" :-)

Food was very good, service was excellent. Friendly atmosphere and very quick.

I do recommend the Ricotta mousse with fresh figs & caramel gelato 💯, it was delicious.

Sehr netter Empfang. Restaurant im Stil Italianita eingerichtet mit herrlichen Wandspiegeln. Grosse Speisekarte für alle Wünsche und auch guter offener Wein!

Great food, exceptional staff. Winnie the Poo stories in the toilet are a bonus :-)

Good food but very overpriced even for the location. The service charge at a whopping 15% is totally unjustified but to be fair it’s become common in the west end of london. The menu prices are high enough without the need for a 15% ‘tip’ on the vat inclusive price.

Fantastic food wonderful first class service incredible beautiful people as customers best part is Jason director of both Francos and Wiltons !!!!! A splitting image of the actor Andy Garcia !!!!! Jason always looks like he stepped out of the Vogue or Cigar magazine suave !!!!! A must restaurant for all Italian lovers 😋

Sometimes you visit a place where you think, can I actually bother to write a review? Franco's sort of redefines mheh. To the lady directing us to a table... darling you work in a shop. Lose the attitude. To the waiter who eventually arrived to take our order, which eventually arrived after which we eventually got a bill after I had to ask for it, mate, raise your game. At the prices you guys charge I expect more. So drinkable coffee but really Franco's is mheh!

Traditional ambience that caters to its target audience of business / professionals. we were here in the morning and had coffee and breakfast. Food was average and the coffees were pretty poor and inconsistent. My first flat white arrived lukewarm, the next over extracted and bitter. Considering the prices, it’s terrible value. Be great if they focused more on substance and quality than ambience. I’d happily ditch the coat hanging service in exchange for a decent coffee, thanks.

Fantastic food, great service, a delight as always. We will be back.

I really enjoy breakfast and a cigar under cover whilst watching London come to life in the morning. It helps that the food and the service is always outstanding too.

I love live jazz, and heard a lot about Franco’s. I visited for dinner, it was £95 for live music, and dinner. On arriving, the band played for 15 minutes the time we took to read the menu and get our drinks. They then took a “short” break. There was no music playing when the band left. Silence. During this time, we had our first course, mediocre. The band returned when our main courses were served. We enjoyed that with a few songs, and the band took their second break mid main. We then finished our main course and our dessert in absolute silence, requested our bill twice and took 15 minutes or more to arrive. The band still had not started playing again. They probably played for 30 minutes in a 1 1/2 hour evening. The food was average, the overall experience should not be more than £60 per head, due to location, ambience and cost of ingredients. The 2 members of the service team seemed like they were on a date, behaving inappropriately with each other. I very rarely write reviews, usually when something is exceptionally good or very disappointing. Unfortunately this was the latter.

I had lunch here this week and didn’t find the experience or food in line with the prices you are paying. Firstly trying or order wine was quite challenging as it was clear the two different servers who tried to help us were clueless and had clearly very little knowledge of both the drinks menu and what the wines were. For starters we both had a squid special with black rice, whilst it was nice it really wasn’t anything special. For mains we had the Lobster linguine and a risotto, again both were fine but not overly tasty or enjoyable to eat. The best thing I had was dessert and amaretto crème brûlée which was delicious. Overall by the time the bill came I felt a little robbed and would unlikely return

Attentive service and obliging given tight schedule. The bread basket was ample and varied. Parma ham and melted cheese a little over the top. Lobster linguine a solid 4 and the veal chop was also on point. Ambience was buzzing during lunch which added to the overall vibe of the place. Decent business lunch venue.

Good restaurant to stop by. However, it seems like the bathroom is only for customers, and that creates problems with some people who do not wish to pay for the restroom fee. Other than that, portions are big, quick service, and prices moderate.

It's a good place to people watch, butcher the staff are unnecessarily snooty and not what i would call convivial. Still play Winnie the Pooh audiobolks in the loo, though!