Trullo in Islington

One of the best dining experiences I’ve had in London thus far. The wine was the highlight, incredible recommendations from our waiter Jessie - she also knew so much about the food and contributed so much to our experience, highly recommend etc xx

Trullo masters the art of Italian simplicity with bold flavors and impeccable ingredients. The Beef Shin Pappardelle is a must-try—tender, slow-cooked beef enveloped in silky, handmade pasta. To finish, the Ricotta Doughnuts with Cinnamon Custard and Marsala Prunes are light, crispy, and utterly indulgent. With a warm, welcoming atmosphere and consistently excellent food, Trullo is a true gem. 5/5 – Effortless Italian perfection.

Loved it. Cool but efficient service. Delicious homemade pasta.

An Italian restaurant near Highbury & Islington Station, with freshly made pasta that you can see them make on the outside left window. Their lunch and dinner menus update daily, but Beef Shin Ragu is usually a regular dish that they have and known for. I tried the beef shin ragu many times in the past and the quality is consistently good and would recommend this dish for people trying this restaurant first time. You may need to book a table for dinner but usually you will get a table walking in for lunch.

Very cute restaurant, great intimate atmosphere and very friendly and attentive staff. The scallops were AMAZING and its sauce is to die for.

Our starters took forever but that manager kindly took that off the bill. Really went out of their way to apologise for having to wait an hour for starters. So very happy with that. But the food is massively overrated.

Very yummy food, lovely atmosphere definitely would recommend.

A nice dining experience. The pappardelle and tiramisu are so good. The turbot is nice as well. Very rich and complex seasoning but you can still the taste freshness of the fish, but the tiny bony tuebrcles are a bit annoying.

Everything was amazing the food was delicious also the service was perfect 👌

Jessie looked after us for the evening and was absolutely exceptional, she made us feel completely at ease, knew the perfect time to come over when we needed her and was a joy to have around, it completely made my day and my boyfriends (we both commented on how great she was as we were leaving) The whole experience was so lovely, stunning food without being pretentious and a delightful ambience to the restaurant

Despite a pre-booked table and high expectations for the 'best pasta in London', our meal was disappointing. The salad and pasta dishes fell short, with the only highlight being the lemon tart. Overall, I cannot recommend this restaurant

Trullo is easily one of North London’s best Italian restaurants, striking the perfect balance between comforting classics and inventive seasonal dishes. The menu changes regularly, keeping things fresh and exciting, but the staples—like their legendary beef shin pappardelle—remain a constant highlight. No matter when you visit, you’re guaranteed something delicious. On my most recent trip, I had the blood orange and quail fritti, and wow—it was a standout dish. The contrast of crispy, golden-battered quail with the citrusy brightness of blood orange was simply unforgettable. Every plate here is crafted with care, showcasing high-quality ingredients and a clear passion for Italian cooking. A word of advice: make sure to book. Trullo is a popular spot, regularly frequented by locals, and walk-ins can be tough to secure. If you arrive early, though, there’s a great little aperitif bar next door, perfect for a pre-dinner Negroni or a glass of wine while you wait. What sets Trullo apart is its consistency—whether you’re indulging in their signature pasta, exploring the ever-evolving seasonal dishes, or just soaking in the warm, neighborhood-friendly atmosphere, it always delivers. It’s the kind of place that feels special yet totally unpretentious, making it perfect for anything from a casual dinner to a celebratory meal. If you’re a fan of top-quality Italian food with a seasonal twist, Trullo is a must-visit. Highly recommended!

Pasta was very good and big portions. The saffron mussels pasta was my favorite, and the agretti side was a great accompaniment to the meal. Dimly lit, a buzz in the air, filled tables, and you can still eat a bunch and be satisfied. Great for dinner with friends when you want to eat eat eat (and share a bottle of wine)!

Having discovered this restaurant on a must visit list I booked a dinner with my colleagues while we were in London. The menu offers excellent options, food is well-prepared of high-quality ingredients and taste didn't disappoint, but service is too efficient ...lacking in a warmth and effusiveness one expects to find in an Italian restaurant. We were also seated lower level which has none of the charm of upstairs (which come to think...no idea why we were downstairs when upstairs was mostly empty as we had an early reservation). In general the feeling I had from the moment we arrived was rushed. We ordered appetizers, a very nice bottle of wine, bread (the thing I enjoyed most) and our mains, and were verbally hurried through the desert course. In hindsight, we probably should have met up at the wine bar or pub across the street beforehand for socializing and then just come to eat. I know turning tables provides profit but when a customer selects a good bottle of wine that should buy them a little grace. All things considered, I've had far more enjoyable experiences.

It is a very noisy restaurant. We four found it difficult to hear each other. Husband had a pasta for a starter then a pork chop. He enjoyed the chop. I had the mozzarella and black tomatoes which was nice but they were not generous with the dressing. My pasta with chopped shellfish was not very nice. The fish had been pulverised into a slightly crunchy topping on the pasta . It tasted more like greasy bread crumbs than shell fish. I left most of the topping. Normally I would have complained but the couple we were with had booked weeks before and I did not wish to upset them. Trullo is pretentious and does not have that Italian generosity in my opinion. I would not recommend it.

Great Italian alternative. Great food and good service. Always very busy!

Well worth the hype. Make sure you book, I'd recommend downstairs if you get the option but upstairs is still good

Great atmosphere, great food, great staff. Can we please have a dedicated tiramisu station that sells just tiramisu? Please. The food took quite a while to come out. I arrived at exactly 1 PM, and it took a full two hours to receive four dishes. That said, the quality of each dish was great. To be honest, the starter wasn’t particularly impressive or memorable—I’ll definitely order a different starter next time. But the main dishes? Absolutely delicious. The beef ragù was chef’s kiss. Overall, the seasoning was on the stronger side—definitely a bit salty. But a glass of water can fix it.

A lovely evening, great food and service. Can’t wait to come back.

Lovely restaurant with amazing food. The staff very friendly and knowledgeable. Will definitely go back again

yep this is a 5 and fair priced. the olive oil pasta is a must get dish here

The food at this restaurant is good, but it doesn’t quite reach exceptional. There’s a noticeable British influence over the Italian dishes—most evident in an overly generous use of pesto on the burrata, which overpowers rather than complements. The pasta is fresh and well-made, but again, the sauce is a bit excessive, masking some of the delicacy of the dish. Dessert followed the same pattern: the lemon tart was enjoyable, but not something that would make me rush back. Overall, a solid meal.

Exceptional service with meticulous attention to detail from the hosts. I visited based on a recommendation from friends who heard Charli XCX mention it on social media, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. A fantastic spot for Italian cuisine if you're in the area!

Scallops were incredible, fantastic atmosphere and service!

My favourite restaurant in London. I had to visit Trullo again after the exceptional review they received from the FT before Christmas. From a quick drink before dinner in their great little bar to the beautiful desserts, it was faultless. The service, food, atmosphere and vibe are second to none. They manage to serve unbelievably delicious food in such an understated, perfect way. Some lovely wines to choose from too! The team that run Trullo have nailed the perfect restaurant!

Amazing food and vibes. Highly recommend the beef shin ragu and tiramisu. Service was great.

Fuimos por el cumpleaños de mi hija. Llamé para arreglar un poco de pastel y me acaban de ofrecer los postres, así que elegí la panna cotta. La comida era preciosa y el servicio del camarero era muy bueno. Estás hacinado y por desgracia estábamos al lado de una mesa de 6 que eran muy ruidosos, lo que estropeó nuestra conversación. Llegó el panna cotta, sin vela, sin feliz cumpleaños, así que fue una pérdida de tiempo mencionarlo. Los baños están por escaleras empinadas a una zona oscura y sucia, donde hay 2 puertas con unisex en . Una botella de Chianti era de £ 50, que era la 2a botella más barata, por lo que esto me pareció bastante extorsivo. Era viernes a la hora de comer, y estaba lleno, así que debe ser un restaurante popular. Iría de nuevo, pero sería más selecto donde nos sentamos.

Conveniently located, the pumpkin ravioli was one of the best I ever had !

Delicious food and a lovely team.

The staff were amazing which is a rare thing in London now and then came the food… wow! Best scallops in the land followed by Turbot and the best pasta I’ve had in years.

Fantastic dining experience! Trullo is undoubtedly one of the very best (if not the best) restaurant in the area. They have got everything down to perfection, from the service and atmosphere to the food and wine! Having wanted to come here for quite some time (ever since buying their fabulous cookbook), we came by for lunch, and it certainly did not disappoint. We had mozzarella, scallops, and langoustines to start. All delicious, but the scallops and langoustines were absolutely stand-outs in both flavours and presentation. For the main we both went for the pappardelle with beef shin – which was incredibly tender and tasty. Due to some unforeseen traffic challenges getting there, we unfortunately ended up being a bit delayed as a complete company, but I was seated on time and the service staff was incredibly courteous and understanding, which turned what could have been an uncomfortable wait into an incredibly inviting one. And seeing as they have some delicious wines available, not a problem at all. Needless to say, I will absolutely be returning, and cannot wait to do so.

A bit too salty, but generally taste fine

Very disappointed with my dining experience yesterday. I have been here a few times and we came back as we’ve loved it in the past. The service was appalling, they forgot to put our main dish order through which meant we were waiting approx 45 mins for our mains and we flagged it with the team and they admitted they had forgotten to put it through. Not acceptable. Our server was just floating around the restaurant, not observing anything happening around her. We barely got an apology and gave us a tirimasu for free. I didn’t want anything for free for the sake of acknowledging it. The team could have offered a round of drinks whilst we were waiting. They didn’t do anything to try and make it better. We were sat next to the door and they kept opening the door to let smoke out of the restaurant (not the experience you’d want when it’s 5 degrees outside) all the fans in the restaurant were on, just blowing over everything I.e. menus and candles. Seems to have been a problem in the restaurant yesterday and the team could have maybe mentioned this, instead of masking over everything and creating a bad experience.

A great evening of delicious food and speedy service. Everyone left wanting to book again.

Trullo ha estado en mi lista de deseos por más de 10 años. Superó las expectativas. El almuerzo del domingo estaba lleno y había un gran bullicio ya que el Arsenal estaba jugando más tarde. Nos sentamos a la vista de la cocina viendo a la brigada hacer su magia. La masa madre con aceite de oliva Le Ferre fue excepcional, y la comida asegurada y deliciosa: la Mozzarella con garbanzos machacados y cime di rapa, Pappardelle con shin ragu de ternera, Tagliarini con alcachofa y fettucina con cerdo Middlewhite y conejo; seguido de Black Hampshire chuleta de cerdo con una increíble polenta suave y salsa verde. Tristemente no hay espacio para donuts con crema de canela. El personal era sonriente y el servicio estaba pulido. Cada restaurante de destino que ha estado abierto 15 años necesita polvo mágico, Trullo tiene una abundancia

I sent this directly to the restaurant a week ago but they have yet to acknowledge it…so posting it on here…pretty poor Hi, we had lunch there on Sunday at 12:30pm and I wanted to give some feedback. The food was delicious and the service was cordial and efficient, I cannot fault either. However, we ended up having to leave half our desserts and take away the rest of our bottle of wine. We were served our desserts at 1:50 and when I asked if we could have a few more minutes to finish them we were told there was a 2pm reservation so we would need to leave the table by then. While I fully understand our reservation was for 90min I was surprised there was no buffer of even say 10-15minutes between table bookings. Either way I don’t think you should serve people another course if there’s not enough time to eat it. We did ask if there was another area we could finish it in (bar etc) and told there was none. Again while the food was excellent I would expect slightly better from what is clearly an excellent restaurant.

Food absolutely fantastic!! High quality of ingredients Pappardelle with beef ragu the best I have had ( and I am italian). Service attentive which make the difference..

Enjoyed a business lunch here. Fresh pasta, perfectly cooked cod and exceptional service.

Fantastic food - I had a mozzarella and pumpkin salad, pici with a garlic cream sauce, and beautifully soft ricotta donuts, and everything was excellent (particularly the fresh and authentic pasta). Friendly staff, very relaxed.

Reservé temprano antes de un espectáculo cerca. Hermosa comida italiana cocinada y presentada. Ambiente cálido y acogedor con un servicio muy amable y eficiente.

Super nice pasta and wines. They have a cute bar where you can drink a glass whilst waiting for your table.

My partner and I came here as he was keen to come having loved Padella, Trullo's sister restaurant out near Borough Market. However, where that was a nice surprise, we did find ourselves slightly disappointed by Trullo having had quite high expectations. That being said, we did have a rather pleasant experience her for lunch. What was also encouraging was that there were no qualms about us sharing dishes so that we could experience all 4 courses on the menu. We shared two starters, bread, a pasta dish, the lamb and a dessert with a couple of aperitifs. Overall, the main standout dish was the lamb which we thoroughly enjoyed. I enjoyed the burrata with chestnuts but my partner felt there was something missing in the flavour. The beef shin ragu pasta was nice but the portion was very small compared to other pasta dishes we saw others eating. We had a very friendly server who was very attentive. However, the food was quite slow to come between courses meaning that we were in the restaurant for more than two and a half hours - quite lengthy for lunchtime, but with it being the holidays there may have been staff shortages in the kitchen. Overall, we were glad to have experienced Trullo. For the price point though we probably wouldn't hurry back.

Delicious food and fine service.

This food is impeccable, the staff are hospitable and the overall atmosphere is inviting. What more can you ask for?

Outstanding Italian food, in a warm and unpretentious setting delivered by great staff.

Tuvimos una gran comida, la comida y el servicio era perfecto. Encantador ambiente y gran pasta, cordero y donuts para terminar! Volveré.

Overall experience I loved. Downstairs there are vault like enclaves and it felt private. The vegan/vegetarian options were much more limited compared with the non-vegetarian selections.

4.5 Went here for a night out with my husband and we were both very happy with the quality of the food and service. Upstairs is much more intimate and romantic—downstairs, where we sat, is brighter and more casual but still lovely. The chopped beef filet was unctuous in the best possible way, as the olive oil used is divine. The skate was so incredible crispy on the outside but stayed moist and delicate on the inside. The panna cotta with bitter caramel was the perfect way to end the meal.

Brilliant experience. The food was of high quality and fresh ingredients. The bruschetta with tartare on was amazing, and the lamb was rich and perfectly cooked. The staff were friendly and the atmosphere was relaxed. I would 100% recommend.

Wonderful meal. Food was excellent, cocktails and wine by the glass well recommended and warm professional service. Highlights for me were the clam starter, ragu and cacio pepe pastas and panna cotta dessert. One of my best meals of 2024.

Great place beef shin is amazing

The food was delicious, especially the burrata, but the pasta portions were quite small. Also we were celebrating a birthday, which I did specify to them when I made the reservation, however they completely ignored it.

We came to Trullo after it came recommended to us for Great Italian food - it located a stones throw away from Highbury and Islington station. The table was located in the basement, giving the evening a very intimate feel. The service was good and prompt. However, they seemed quite busy overall. When cocktails arrived, they were good with the negorni in particular tasting great. The food was generally very good with the Pici cacio e pepe tasting great with plenty of depth to the dish. In addition to this, we sampled the desserts the triamasu and lemon tart were amazing also! I wasn't a fan of the Tagliarini crab & focaccia starter- as I felt this lacked depth in its favour, and the bread tasted and felt very similar to a sourdough rather than a great tasting focaccia Overall, it was a very good Italian with good service and atmosphere but not my favourite Italian place London.

Had the vegetarian fare, which was lovely even if it didn't blow the mind. The service was horrendous with the waiters constantly reminding us of the time we had to give up the table (we left 5 mins earlier than our timeslot ended)

So so good. The pasta was Devine. The seafood so well cooked and the service so welcoming. Will definitely be back.

Mientras visitaba a mi familia en Londres recientemente mi hija nos invitó a almorzar en Trullo. Nos hicieron sentir tan bienvenidos cuando entramos ya que el personal era tan atento, y nos ayudó a decidir qué platos elegir. La comida era increíble. Tenía el venado que recomiendo encarecidamente. Mi hija estaba igualmente feliz con su elección vegana. No puedo esperar a volver cuando la próxima visita.

My husband and i recently dined here for a date night. It was our first time and it did NOT disappoint. We were seated downstairs in a little hut which was so lovely and a total vibe. The service was wonderful and kind. We opted for the burrata and croquettes to start and then had the Ragu and the cacio pepe. Amazing from start to finish. Can’t wait to come back.

This place is one of London’s best! The food, the atmosphere, and the wine list are just incredible. We had two pastas cacio e pepe and pappardelle, both were perfect. I highly recommend!

We tried to get a table for few months in this restaurant and finally made it for my husband birthday. We weren't disappointed. The restaurant is cute not too over the top. Quite cosy even if I think the table clothes could be a bit nicer (as in paper). We had a romantic table in the underground which was perfect for the occasion. The waitress was very welcoming and nice the entire time. The menu is quite selective but I like it as it feels more authentic. We had olives as starter, I had the beef ragu pasta and my husband the fettucini. Both were very tasty and delicious. And for dessert the lemon tard and gorgonzola cheese. Same desserts were perfect. Drink wise, my husband had a campari spritz and classic negroni and weren't disappointed. Overall we recommend this restaurant as the quality of the food was really good and we had a nice evening.

Such a fantastic restaurant, beautiful food and fabulous service. Highly recommend!

Great spot for dinner with friends or a date night. Lovely and helpful service too always adds a massive plus to the food.

Another excellent experience at Trullo! Lunch today. Perhaps the best cocktail I have ever tasted, apple, quince, vodka and gin. Superb! Starter of clams in buttery juices, delicious. Primo was fettuccine with chicken livers, rich and perfectly balanced flavours. Chocolate sorbet perfection. Wines chosen well by our waiting staff. All was delivered with pleasant manner, giving us all the information we needed to make choices and showing their pleasure in our enjoyment of the food and wine. Definitely the best Italian restaurant in North East London. Possibly in all London. Thanks to the chefs and waiting staff. We will be back...again and again.

Great place for a special occasion! I celebrated my birthday here and had an incredible time. The ragu and burrata were great. They even topped it off with a birthday tiramisu. Would definitely recommend. Great service, thank you!

My husband and I absolutely loved this place! We were seated downstairs, which we both agreed was much more intimate and charming. Elena was amazing and made our experience even more special. We started with the sourdough bread as an appetizer and each chose a pasta dish. I went with the short rib ragu, and my husband opted for the fettuccine. We really appreciated the lighter portions, especially compared to what we’re used to in New York. We ended the evening with the chocolate sorbet and the doughnuts—both were absolutely mouthwatering. We highly recommend this place and can’t wait to return!

Best Italian in London, hands-down. Unique cocktails as well.

Worth the few week wait for a table— the crab linguini and sourdough were divine and the wine list was exceptional and reasonably priced. I’m rarely wowed by Italian food (especially in London) but this was exceptional!

It was my second time at Trullo. I came back with a friend and once again we fell in love with both the venue and the food. The monkfish carpaccio with orange and pistacchio is my favourite antipasti, it cannot be missed. The crab and mussle tagliolini were truly delicious - they reminded me of my parents' home region, Tuscia, Italy. The Amalfi lemon tart left us both speechless! It was full of flavour yet delicate; it left my taste buds tingling in a happy way. Please, bring back the fig-leaf pannacotta as well

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A true London gem! The kitchen works pure magic - every dish explodes with flavor. Impeccable wine pairings and wonderfully kind staff make the experience unforgettable. The lighting and ambiance are perfect. Londoners are lucky to have this spot on their doorstep. Visitors, don't miss it - this is London dining at its finest. Tip: Book ahead!

Attentive staff catered to allergies by offering a special menu for one of our guests, and we were offered a goldilocks sized table to seat 5 adults, a toddler and an infant in a small buggy comfortably (something that can be a challenge in london). The restaurant space is quite noisy, which is the only reason we knocked 1 star off, as it was challenging to have conversations, although I'm not sure how this can be improved, other than more sound insulation.

One of the best meals I’ve ever eaten. I would eat here every night if I could. Best Panna Cotta in London

Just fabulous: food, service, ambiance. I aim to make our visits a regular occurrence 😋😋😋

Absolutely fabulous restaurant with a comfortable atmosphere that makes you want to stay all night. Menu highlights were the clams (incredible), beef shin ragu and lemon tart all which I highly recommend.

Delightful dining room, super friendly staff, obliging chef who offered a couple of off-menu choices when there was only one vegetarian pasta. Pricing much higher than sister restaurant Padella.

Great meal - couldn't really fault it. Each course was delicious, and very attentive yet unobtrusive service from our server. We shared two starters and two pastas, then had a secondi between us, then two desserts. The pasta in particular was simple yet fantastic. Worth the reputation.

Beautiful food, lovely atmosphere, friendly and professional service. Highly recommend the pear salad and the beef shin ragu.

My favourite restaurant in London. Top quality pastas and amazing atmosphere

I love trullo. i’ve been 3 times. you know what you’re getting. great food. great service. great vibes. one of my top lunch spots in London.

Such lovely staff last night, cocktails and food delicious as always

Food was fantastic, and service from Molly was amazing. The interior was beautiful - will definitely be visiting again.

absolutely gorgeous every piece of food i tried

A very special place - excellent food and a really great atmosphere

My second visit to my favourite restaurant. Lovely welcome and wonderful atmosphere. We had a simple lunch of primo followed by pasta. Each dish was exquisite and delicious. Great service and all three of us were very happy and impressed with the offerings. We’ll be back for sure. Thank you.

£15 for 5 pieces of ravioli is crazy

Very nice and well-kept place, excellent quality food

Delicious! - Beef Shin Ragu full of flavour and the steak was out of this world! Great wine list as well. Highly recommend.

Such an amazing restaurant for pasta!!! It was absolutely delicious! I didn’t realize there was a downstairs area but we got seated downstairs at a table that felt like it was a little cove just for us, it was super cute and cozy. The service was great and the atmosphere was beautiful! I got the zucchini pasta and donuts as a dessert, both were absolutely delicious.

Would highly recommend Trullo, everything we ordered was absolutely delicious! We shared the sourdough bread, croquettes, and burratta with pesto to start. The pesto was incredible. Then for mains we shared the beef shin ragu, courgette pasta, and lamb, which was cooked perfectly. I don't think I could pick a favorite dish because everything was that good. We also had the house chianti which was very smooth and paired nicely with the lamb and the ragu. We will definitely be back!

We came here for our wedding lunch and food, service and ambience were perfect. We took our time, three and and half hours, and felt welcome and comfortable. Highly recommended!

The courgette fettucine is heavenly!

Sensational meal. Fresh food, great flavours, loved the wine list!

Great place... Food delicious and a really good wine list very reasonably priced

What a great place. Superb atmosphere, attentive staff and excellent food. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Strongly recommended.

Great atmosphere, lovely staff, wonderful food

Our server was fantastic and made wonderful suggestions. Will highly recommend to anyone coming to visit London!

Really enjoyed the quality of the food. Prepared and presented really nicely. The pace of service was just right - unhurried but not slow.

Good food but kid portions. Everyone at the table had to order a second plate of pasta and desert cause we were still hungry!

Beautiful atmosphere and great food, every time.

Trullo consistently ranks among the best Italian restaurants in the city, and for good reason. This cozy, understated, and romantic spot isn’t chasing trends—it’s here to serve classic Italian dishes with care and expertise. The service is impeccable, with attentive and knowledgeable staff who make you feel at home. We started with the fig and goat cheese and mozzarella with pesto antipasti—both excellent, though the pesto was a standout, among the best I’ve ever tasted. Good tip: order the sourdough to go with it! The beef shin pappardelle came highly recommended, and it lived up to the hype. The fresh pasta and perfectly balanced sauce make it a must-try. While the cod and lamb were also well-prepared, the price-to-quality ratio for the meats could be better. The wine list, though exclusively Italian, offered a fantastic selection of Nebbiolo varieties, which made up for the lack of diversity. For dessert, their panna cotta with caramel sauce offered a pleasant twist, and though the tiramisu was a bit dry, it still hit the spot. Reservations are easy enough to secure, but I’d recommend booking ahead, especially from Thursday to Sunday.

This amazing Italian restaurant offers a cozy ambiance and authentic flavors that transport you to Italy. Every bite is a delight. The friendly staff and impeccable service make dining here a memorable experience. A true taste of Italy in every dish.

Quite a let down. Service was good, food was ok, but atmosphere was pretty hectic, plus the place was absolutely boiling. Sorella in Clapham is much better value and has a way better atmosphere.