The Italian Cotto in Lambeth

I will struggle to find the words to describe my experience with this amazing Italian restaurant. I have flown around the world for work and have had countless "Italian" meals and after a long red eye flight from America I didn't "look" for an amazing meal I was just looking for something close. To my astonishment, I found Cotto. The only thing that caught my eye was another review talking about Tortellini. I love Tortellini so I was in...and better yet 2 min walk from my hotel. The tortellini....omg, hand made and giant. Stuffed with cheese and asparagus. The sauce....Devine. friends....family, you simply must indulge in the Tortellini. I might book a return flight in a couple weeks just to taste these again. Please 🙏 do yourself a favor and put Cotto on your list to visit. I don't know the owners name, but I felt like part of the family as soon as I walked through the door. Make sure to book a reservation ;-) seating is limited....as the best things in life usually are.

The best Tagliatelle al salmone and Risotto al funghi we've ever had. Authentic Italian cuisine, highly recommended.

Really enjoyed the food, really nice

Happy people & reallllyy good Italian food! Greetings from Amsterdam

I simply loved it! Genuine Italian food. Super plentiful and delicious food, affordable prices and the owner was super friendly and welcoming. We didn't speak any English, as he is Italian, he still "scrambled" to speak Portuguese.

Cutthroat! ..hand out slices of bread without mentioning that it will cost anything. The invoice is confusing and you can't understand what you ordered. NEVER AGAIN

Restaurant with a great Gluten free menu!!! Very nice place and excellent treatment!!

Don't let the ambience put you off! The Italian cuisine here is excellent! Even gluten-free pizza and pasta are on offer! Even on Lake Garda, where we have been vacationing for many years, there is hardly anything better! Pizza, pasta and the tiramisu were amazing! Service was quick and super friendly, the chef was absolutely unique! The prices are also more than acceptable for London standards!

In a city that does not pay due attention to those who need to eat exclusively gluten-free (not by choice) this restaurant stands at levels of excellence in terms of friendliness, service and quality of ingredients. To clone!

Probably the tastiest pizza of my life. Came without a reservation and had to wait briefly at the bar, but fantastic service there too. Mega familiar and attentive. When it's full it gets a bit noisy, but you just have to be prepared for that.

Cozy Italian restaurant. The owner is a very friendly Neapolitan man and the waitresses are attentive (some spoke Spanish). The pizzas are very good. Very good quality-price ratio.

I had a great time, the staff is super friendly and our favorite server too!

Fantastic place to eat. We went as a large group without booking and they attended to us without any problem. Easy to go with children and eat well and not especially expensive. The service was very pleasant, both the owner and the waitresses.

Everything is great and the people are super nice.

Great welcoming. Food didn't look fancy, but all tasted amazing. Starter bread was nice, but it was more like a roll. Puddings were great. I had salmon pasta, tiramisu. My family also had tuna, carbonara, penne, coconut sorbet, lemon mousse. Pinot grigio wine was great. All staff were amazing. Really great options for Gluten free!!!

Hidden gem! Pizza is Neapolitan style and top notch! Homemade pasta is excellent as well!!

The pizzas and pastas are very good, gluten-free variants for each pizza, pleasant service, warm boss but atmosphere a little spoiled by a feeling of being disturbed from 9 p.m. on a Friday evening. We eat well, we are well received but for an Italian restaurant the dolce vita is not there.

We were visiting London and this restaurant was a 3 minute walk from our hotel so we decided to try it. It was around 8.20pm. We managed to get a table without reservation which was positive. This was for a table of 3. Initially the atmosphere was ok, the waiter and waitress were welcoming and accommodating. We were quickly given menus, the food and drink menu. Then a waiter without asking put down olives in the centre of the table. We didn’t eat these as we didn’t ask for them and assumed they were a complimentary thing the restaurant did. A tall older man I assume the owner possibly came to take our order I assumed drinks were ordered first so began to say Diet Coke, and he said I will be taking the food not drinks before the kitchen closes. So I said ok and we ordered the food. He did check if we had any allergies which we didn’t which was nice to be asked. He also checked the pasta dish I ordered was ok for me as will be a spicey dish. Around 15 minuties later another table of people arrived which made me wonder why our food was ordered quick before kitchen closes, as another group of people were allowed in. A waiter then came a few minutes later to take our drinks order. While we were waiting a waitress came around with a large basket of bread asking if we would like them. All three of us had one piece of bread. Again we felt this was a complimentary item as it is in other restaurants. While we waited for our food a family sat on the next table quiet close kept looking a lot they seemed to be ok good terms with the owner as they would often talk in their own language and then the older man made a gesture about us like a shooing away and the man on the other table laughed. I found this unpleasant and it felt if you were not local or Italian you were not as welcome. However they food did arrive my dad was surprised the Carbarnara pasta was spaghetti and not a thicker pasta however he said he really enjoyed this nevertheless. I also enjoyed my pasta the spicey tomato based pasta with very small pieces of chicken. My son ordered a margretia pizza as he could not eat it all as was large, they wrapped this in tinfoil for him to take home. Overall I did not like how close the tables were together especially when the next table were constantly looking while we were having conversations. I was glad to leave as it felt regulars were treated nicer by the owner Overall the meals wee nice. However was surprised to see on the bill we were charged £4.50 for olives and bread. We didn’t ask for or eat the olives so was shocked at this. Do please say no if you do not want these because you will be charged. Also service charge was £6.50. We are use to eating out so it is not because we don’t like to pay for food but do think this needs to be addressed properly by the waiter before putting down items and then to be charged later on. Total bill for three drinks, three main meals £70. 40

Most authentic place we visited while in London! Food was amazing and the people even better.

Perfect atmosphere Perfect food Perfect price Just 👌 The owner made us very welcome 🙏 Nothing was too much trouble. Good prices for London.

Wow Estábamos buscando italianos amables, acogedores, auténticos. Sí, es lo que encontramos aquí. Tan bien. 👌 Si te alojas en hoteles de Westminster o Waterloo, esta deliciosa comida te hará cosquillas en las papilas gustativas y satisfará tu apetito. Fresco, alergias como vegano y sin gluten grandes opciones. Mis invitados sin gluten nunca vieron tantas opciones sin gluten. Ven aquí y vuelve cada noche para un saludo personal del maravilloso propietario. Comidas perfectas, precios perfectos, compañía perfecta 😍

One of the best pizzas I ate in London !!! A bit expensive unfortunately

Absolute recommendation! Even though it was very full, they managed to find 2 seats for us and saved us from starvation 😉 Extremely nice and humane service and the food was fantastic! We would love to come back, definitely with a reservation 😊 Thank you so much for a wonderful dinner. Take care

Smiling and professional waiter and waitress owner. They try to speak in my native language. Super good dough

I have wanted to go to this place for some time as I heard how good it was for gluten free as the owner is coeliac himself. Spontaneously, I booked a hotel practically next door and was so happy to find it on my doorstep. The food was absolutely outstanding. I haven’t had a decent quattro stagioni pizza in years. I want to come back and try a pasta dish, as anyone who is gluten free will be all too familiar with penne being the only offering. There was lasagna, ravioli and all sorts. The owner and staff are really friendly and welcoming. I will definitely be back. Lovely little hidden gem!

Sorprendido por las críticas positivas cuando esta fue literalmente la peor comida que me han servido. Carbonara cubierta con crema, vongole sin un toque de aceite o salsa de ningún tipo y mucho menos sazonada, pulpo con tomate que estaba tan picante que no pude comer a pesar de no tener chile en el menú. Envié de vuelta de inmediato y luego el dueño discutió conmigo que están tan ocupados y nadie se queja ... .. única mesa en el primer piso a las 20: 00 un sábado por la noche. Puedo ver por qué. Para colmo, me cobraron por el pan rancio que me acababan de poner en el plato. Ahora me voy a McDonalds, incluso eso es mejor que lo que me acaban de servir

Good Italian food in London at a very affordable price. I saw families and friends gathering there.

We visited for dinner on a family trip from Japan. There seemed to be many regular customers, and the atmosphere was very friendly and pleasant. The food was relatively reasonably priced, and tasted and looked good. There was more volume than I expected. There was also staff who could speak Japanese, which was helpful.

Truly one of the best meals we’ve had. And soooo many gluten free pasta opens! The tortellini was so good omg. Husband LOVED the lasagna and said it’s the best he’s ever had. Not to mention the best gluten free bread. Absolutely loved it! The owner was the sweetest. Very attentive and funny lol. 100000% would go back. Might even visit twice on this trip!

Maravilloso restaurante tradicional y tantas opciones sin gluten. Estaba encantado de disfrutar de una lasaña fabulosa. Muchas opciones y sin duda volveremos.

Great Italian food. We had a gluten free person and they had lots of options for GF. Desert also was great with good selection of GF choices. They have a fair selection of vegetarian options as well. Dont forget to ask for the chili oil if you like your food spicy. The owner was very nice talking to all the customers.

I had the pleasure of visiting this establishment for lunch with my son. We ordered two Margherita pizzas—one gluten-free and the other standard—accompanied by two non-alcoholic beverages, and my son also had a slice of bread. The gluten-free pizza was perfectly acceptable, though it lacked a certain finesse, hence my decision not to award a full five stars. That said, my son thoroughly enjoyed his meal. The proprietor was very hospitable, and our total bill came to approximately £30, which, by London standards, is quite reasonable. If passing through, I would certainly be inclined to return to sample their gluten-free dessert offerings. Lastly, I particularly appreciate the transparent pricing for gluten-free options, of which there are a commendable number.

Disappointing experience – not family friendly! Unfortunately, our visit to this restaurant was a big disappointment. The atmosphere upstairs was unpleasant and anything but inviting. As a family we felt absolutely unwelcome. The service was extremely unfriendly - hardly a smile, annoyed looks and a tone that had little to do with hospitality. What particularly bothered us was that the dishes had already been cleared away even though some of us were still eating. Something like that doesn't work! There were also problems with ordering: it wasn't even possible to order something as simple as arugula on a pizza. Completely incomprehensible for a restaurant that offers pizzas. One thing is certain for us: never again! If you value good service and a pleasant atmosphere, you should definitely look for another restaurant.

Joya escondida en el área de London Waterloo Southbank. Restaurante de propiedad familiar con dueño acogedor. Nuestra hija es celíaca y tiene que comer estrictamente sin gluten. El propietario tiene enfermedad celíaca y es muy acogedor. Lugar seguro para comer y un montón de opciones! Menú separado de gv.

The tomato sauce was one of the best I've ever tasted. The aroma was heavenly. :)

This is a tiny restaurant really nearby to Waterloo. It is an absolute gem of a place. The food was delicious, my children had pizza and they loved it. If you are south of the river and want amazing Italian food, go here!

The best pasta I've had after my celiac diagnosis. The owner is such a wonderful host!

I heard nothing but great things about the food and the family who owns Cotto. They lived up to the hype and they did not disappoint! It is a family owned/ran authentic Italian restaurant. Mr. Lino knew a lot of his customers either by name or remembers something about a previous encounter he has had with them. That was very impressive to me. His wife prepares and cooks all of the food. This is by far the best Italian food I have ever had. I ordered the penne con pollo and I was satisfied after every bite. It had a nice kick to it, but not too much. I highly recommend coming here if you’re looking for Italian food. It’s a warm atmosphere and it makes you feel like you’re in their home.

We were recommended this restaurant by family who had had it recommended to them. It is a small family run restaurant. The owner was extremely friendly from the moment we walked in. The house wine was very nice and the food was very good. We will definitely be back next time we are in London and it’s close to Waterloo too which is an added bonus.

Excellent attention, everyone was super nice. The food was excellent, super delicious and the desserts espectacular! Great prices! Perfect for gluten intolerants

The gf pizza was tasty. More generally, the food was decent but nothing special and overpriced given the quality of ingredients used (the aubergines in the parmigiana were tough and the bresaola clearly a cheap cut). I’m particularly disappointed that they charge an extra £4 for gf pizzas. Although I’m coeliac and appreciate the abundance of gf options, I won’t be coming back.

Friendly Restaurant. Excellent food. Gluten free options Real authentic Italian atmosphere. Great service

Wonderful place, delicious food with majority of the menu being gluten free & suitable for my coeliac husband. Having been to Italy a few times & be dining out with an Italian, we can confirm this is a very authentic Italian. The portions are huge. The staff are all really friendly and welcoming. Overall a coeliacs dream come true & not very far from Waterloo station either!

Awesome authentic Italian food. The first thing we were greeted with was the owner who was so nice and funny. He joked with all the guests and made everyone feel like home. Never tasted such an amazing lasagna. And my son loved the pizza. My family recommends Cotto wholeheartedly! Top notch from experience to taste!

We absolutely LOVED this place!!! The owner is the nicest man…his staff are so friendly and attentive..the food is REALLY GOOD!!! You must visit this place if you are in town!!!

Charming place. The food is delicious and the owner is super friendly. Lovely decor. Also has the best choice of gluten free options I have seen.

Amazing Italian! Went this evening for my birthday with a group of 11. 2 gluten free, rest regular diets and every single person loved their meals! Everyone would love to go back. Homely setting and great staff. You certainly won’t regret visiting Cotto! Pictured is the seafood pasta gluten free!

Amazing place, the best Italian food around, and definitely the best owner. It was a great experience, he was so kind, charming and very funny 😁. If you're nearby and want to have a great meal, this is the place.

A celiac’s dream! Cotto is one of the best Italian restaurants in London that caters to those who eat gluten free. Rather than feel like a second thought, the free from gluten options are well crafted, and incredibly satisfying. Anyone who is gluten intolerant will know how rare it is to get lasagna or ravioli. However, Cotto has excellent versions that don’t make you feel like you’re missing out! I also appreciate the gluten free bread, and the desserts A must if you’re a fellow flourless foodie!

It is a great restaurant and if you are celiac, for me it is the best in London, it has the entire gluten-free menu and everything is delicious. The owner is a nice and very kind person and the rest of the staff is also very pleasant. We left there delighted, if I return to London we would definitely repeat. It also has a lot of food for vegans.

Servicio fantástico y rápido. El personal era muy amable y servicial. El menú proporcionaba una variedad de buenas comidas, la mayoría de ellas sin gluten. La comida para dos personas tenía un precio razonable.

Fabulous food. The owner was moving about the tables and talking to guests, giving our work group a bit of fun and jest. The food was lovely and felt authentic. I will absolutely be back.

10/10 <3 the food is great and since I have celiac disease I was able to eat perfectly and without any worries 🫂 the staff is very nice and they make your stay while you eat very pleasant. I hope to return one day 🪽

Brilliant food - best profiteroles I’ve ever had - and the staff and owner are incredibly friendly and authentically from Naples. Also incredible olives. Solidly recommend!

Great spot for home made food. Family restaurant. Great pizza and desert. Ask for Simone to serve you

£4 for a slice of bread? You are insane

Lasagna to take away tasted good, but for the price (16) the bowl could have been better and not just half.

Food excellent as always and service kind and familiar. I truly recommend this gem in London

This GF girl was over the moon with the amazing meal I had. The non GF people in our group loved their meal too.

A coeliac pilgrimage for decent pizza! Was very lovely and I felt very looked after with food from the gluten free kitchen. Lovely pizza and pasta and a CHOICE of pudding!

Esperienza super positiva che posso consigliare a tutti in particolare a chi è celiaco perché qui troverà delizie e tsbta attenzione!Dalle lasagne fatte in casa alla pasta alla pizza!! Pizza ottima per tutti! Mai mangiato una pizza così buona!!! E il proprietario veramente gentile e di compagnia !

EXCESSIVE PRICE Be careful, the price displayed on the internet does not correspond to the price on site. 22 pounds a plate of pasta !!!!!

Very good. Fair prices, large portions and good service.

A lovely meal. Simple, but beautifully cooked. Will return .,,

Wonderful experience! The best gluten free pizza I have ever had. If you have a gluten allergy you need to try Cotto.

I ate really well. The cook is a Miss of Italian origin with traditions. The fact that she is the one cooking made me feel very comfortable. In addition, Mr. Lino is a very helpful and friendly person who welcomed me at the door. From time to time both he and the waiters come by to see if we need anything. They offer a lot of attention to customer care. An Italian restaurant that deserves London!!🍝🇮🇹🇬🇧

Super friendly, authentic Italian! Family owned and operated. Delicious food, spectacular service. The owner works everyday and was educating (playfully) not to be cutting his spaghetti. And demonstrated how to use his spoon, twirl and eat 😀🙏👍 100% awesome. MUST VISIT !!

Lovely family run resturant and fabulous food and friendly service in busy waterloo

Absolutely amazing food, I usually have food envy but everything we all ordered was incredible. My crab and lobster pasta dish was phenomenal. And we had brilliant service from the super friendly team. I absolutely love this restaurant, such a find, I will definitely be back with my hubby

I love pizza, actually I am crazy about pizza. I am the type of guy that will tell you if a pizza is good or not just by looking at it. 😁 That being said, this one is one of the best pizzas 🍕 I ever ate, hands down. So if you are in mood for one… don’t you dare second guessing… this is the place!

Our favourite restaurant when ever we are in London, the food is amazing and fresh, the service is perfect, not rushed and the owner remembers people and is such a pleasure to talk to. Recommend this to everyone when ever I hear they are going to London.

Very last minute and spontaneously we were looking for a place to grab some dinner and this was just across the road from the tube station we were stood in front of. As I peered through the window, a man (who I presume to be the owner) came out and gestured for us to come inside. They were very accommodating and being greeted with “ciao bella” upon arrival was sweet. It felt very European inside and I loved it. It was an escape from the UK for a couple of hours. The olives (already prepared and put on the centre of every table) were divine! And so was the olive loaf that was offered (for an extra charge) I ordered a glass of house white wine and a seafood linguini. I wasn’t overly impressed with my linguini I’m sad to say and I wasn’t totally convinced it was freshly made. Overall the bill came to £55.50, which I don’t think in London for nibbles, 2 drinks (one of which was wine), two main courses and service charge included that was an unreasonable amount of money.

Gluten free pasta and standard pasta dishes were quite good. Unfortunately, the tuna steak was possibly the worst I’ve ever had. Cooked through - completely dry and brown - and inedible. No employee asked why I hadn’t eaten it when clearing our plates, so I brought it up as I was paying the bill and the employee was dismissive and said, “I don’t know why you’re telling me, you should have told the boss, I’m only his daughter, what do you want me to do.” It was the most expensive thing we ordered and absolutely awful, yet I was going to pay for it without issue (and did!), but the lack of customer service in addition to the poor cooking is disappointing to say the least. Definitely stick to the pasta and be sure not to complain about any issues if you dine here!

I have eaten at Cotto multiple times and have even brought friends from work here who also loved it! The tortelloni prosciutto is my absolute favorite!

A restaurant for a respectable family who welcomed us warmly Serve olives and bread with butter We ordered pizza (primavera) and pasta (penne napoli) The dishes were delicious Their service is fast We thank them for their cooperation, and I recommend visiting them

We had a fantastic meal. It felt like we were traveling through Italy. The owners are marvellous and very warm people. They made us feel welcome even though we arrived slightly before they were opening and interrupted their staff meal. Looking forward to visiting them again on our next trip to London

Fantástica comida. Todo casero. Todo estaba cocinado a la perfección. Algunos platos inusuales. El restaurante estaba ocupado el sábado por la noche. El dueño del restaurante era muy acogedor. Gran hospitalidad de este pequeño restaurante italiano encantador. Lo recomiendo encarecidamente.

Amazing food and atmosphere, and absolutely wonderful gluten free pizza, safe for celiacs!

Great food, excellent for coeliacs!

The experience here was disappointing overall. Although the staff spoke a little English, it was still difficult to communicate effectively. We waited a very long time for our food, which added to the unfriendly vibe. Given the location in central London, I expected a more welcoming atmosphere. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a place I’d recommend.

Food was ok, waitress was unfriendly, overwhelmed and unmotivated Inflexible for children's requirements (order)

Lovely pre-theatre meal at Cotto, nice welcome, good service and excellent food and wine. Good value too with a nice buzz in the early evening.

Exceptional. Gluten free and very good flavor! Spectacular attention. Essential.

We have been coming to Cotto for the last decade….from the USA! Absolutely the best family-run restaurant in England. The entire menu, from pizza to pasta, is gluten-free. Leno is the best!

I dined here two years ago, and after my recent visit, I’m happy to say it’s still as amazing as ever. I had the steak and carbonara, both of which were outstanding. I ended the meal with an authentic tiramisu and a cup of espresso, and the tiramisu was truly the star of the show. A perfect way to finish a lovely meal!

Best GF Italian meal we have ever experienced! What a treat to have so many menu options. The GF lasagna was delicious, even came with a GF sticker on plate as reassurance that the dish was safe to eat. (We are from San Diego, California, USA)

Excellent service and very pleasant family treatment. Paradise for celiacs, everything is gluten-free!!! Spectacular, I totally recommend. The sublime lasagna....and the tiramisu I won't even tell you.

Wonderful Italian food - including many gluten-free options - in this family run gem near London Waterloo. Good service from friendly staff. Thank you. See you soon!

Maravilloso restaurante italiano a solo 5 minutos a pie de la estación de Waterloo de Londres. Un montón de comida italiana maravillosa con muchos gluten - opciones libres incluyendo pizza fresca y pasta. Mi marido comió de las opciones ordinarias (sin gluten) y dijo que la comida era genial. Comí del menú g - f, que era extenso - un placer - y todo cocinado en un gluten dedicado separado - cocina gratuita para evitar la contaminación cruzada. Muy recomendable.

I was looking forward to a dinner here as I heard great things regarding GF food. We made reservations for 4 people for 20:45, last of us arrived at 20:40 only to be talked rudely by the waiter. We were told from all the GF options on the menu they could only make the pizza GF because they closed the kitchen (?). Why allow for a 20:45 pm reservation then in the first place? Cannot comment on the food as we left without ordering but horrible service.

AVOID AT ALL COST. We booked a table for 20:45 today for a party of 4, as our friend was celiac, we (2 ppl) arrived first and sat down, no one came down to take our drinks order, the first contact we had with the waiter was when he came down to say "Are your friends even coming? Kitchen is closing, so...?", then when our friends came the waiter said "you can only have pizza, no pasta and no risotto, kitchen is closing" so we argued why did they let us book so late. The waiter (older man) was rude and the lady manager said 'oh well, what did you expect!?' then later on they told us you cant pay with card as we only had drinks, so we need to go take cash out.We argued that in the menu minimum card payment is 10£ and they let us pay then. RUDE and UNPROFESSIONAL.

The food was delicious and the service was good very family run vibes, which is nice to see there was a lot to choose from. And it was quite busy inside but we managed to get a table within a few minutes.

La peor lasaña que he comido y el personal más oxidado. El hombre mayor me preguntó si había terminado cuando apenas había comido algo y le dije que no, que no estaba muy bueno. Luego me preguntó si podía hacerlo mejor, a lo que dije absolutamente. La mujer más joven dijo entonces que yo era ofensivo, ya que esta era una receta de 100 años. Señalé que prácticamente no había carne ni queso en la lasaña, si hubiera estado al frente, habría señalado que sabía como había estado sentado durante 100 años. Este lugar es una inmersión, con comida de mierda y personal horrible, evitar.

OH WHAT! Great restaurant for coeliac. You are in safe hands here the owner is a coeliac and most and I mean most of the menu is gluten free. The bread tastes like I remember. It was warm fluffy and tasted so great. Pizzas and pasta with a wide choice and eight yes eight dessert choices. The staff are all attentive and we had a great chat with the owner and his daughter. Well worth the trip to London alone for me. Thank you Cotto!

Food ok. Charge for bread and butter of £1.50 for one slice! The food was ok. We were then told we had to pay cash or there would be a £3.50 charge per person. Spoilt the evening would not visit here again when in London

Food was very average. Tinned salmon. Not freshly made. We told our party of 7 had to split our order across pizza and pasta, as the two chefs couldn't manage a big order of one type of dish. They charged us £10 for bread and butter, and olives that we had not asked for but were already on the table. As we were away on business, we needed to pay individually and they wanted to charge us £3 each for paying by card, which has been illegal in the UK for some years. I eat away for business alot, across the UK and have never had issues paying individually. Rude service. Needless to say I will not be back. Which is a shame for the restaurant as we are staying for three weeks just round the corner, and they will miss out on our business.

Excellent food in a family run restaurant. Would definitely recommend. This is not a fancy restaurant which makes it even more endearing.

Wow, delicious and quality food. Yum Yum Yum

I have been several times in two consecutive years and I can only say that the food is very good and delicious, as well as the friendly and friendly treatment of all the staff, especially the owner Lino, always friendly and making sure that you are missing nothing. Manolo (Ceuta - Spain 👌👌)

Used to be good but no more. Soggy pizza and poor service.