Trullo in Islington

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.

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.

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.

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.

Great place beef shin is amazing

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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

Great atmosphere, lovely staff, wonderful food

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

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

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.

It was such a privilege to make a second visit to this justifiably very highly regarded Italian restaurant. We had beautifully fresh sardines, an exquisite vitello tonnato, wonderful home-made fresh pasta with cream, chili and crab, followed by a huge oven-baked Brixham sea bass for sharing, prepared with great sensitivity and respect for the quality of this freshest of ingredients. And the courgette tempura fritter-fries with it were delightful. The staff are so attentive and kind. Tremendous cocktails, relaxed and unstuffy dining room. I hope very much to visit again soon.

If you're looking for Italian food, this is a very good representation of what a good Italian eatery looks like. Although it's a little far out of the main city, I'd actually travel here if I'm craving for some good Italian food. Mozzarella di bufala with pesto genovese actually went very well with the sourdough bread that they give. The grilled brixham sardines with pinenuts, sultanas and moscatel vinegar was superb, although it sounds quite complex. Had the classic favourites, pappardelle with beef shin ragu, and the tagliarini with picked dorset crab, amalfi lemon and chilli. Both pastas were very enjoyable. Washed it all down with some Pinot Grigio white wine, some tiramisu, and some panna cotta.

Perfect wedding lunch for 15 in their private dining space. Food, wine and service was amazing with special thanks to Nikki for being a dream when organising.

We returned here for the first time in many years and were delighted to see it still going strong. We should have known that it was still good because we struggled to get a table and think we must have caught a last minute cancellation. After a short wait, we were sat downstairs at one of the alcove tables. At first, I was disappointed to be downstairs away from the gorgeous main restaurant. But actually downstairs was perfect. Having an enclosed table was lovely and intimate and perfect for our anniversary meal. The food was fantastic and our waitress was more than happy to help us match wine to each course. I would definitely recommend doing wine by the glass - rather than getting a bottle - particularly if you want to go full Italian and have antipasti, primi, and a secondi. That way, you get to match wine to each course. If it's a normal menu fixture, I'd definitely recommend the sausage Ragu and the cod. One lovely touch was the menu: as we had told them it was our anniversary, the menu included a message to congratulate us. A small touch that was not unnoticed. Be prepared for an expensive bill, but it's totally worth it!

We had read about Trullo in an article from The Standard called "Where the chefs eat in London" and decided to give it a try....and WOW it was absolutely incredible - I am so glad we tried it - every course we had was exquisite. The food & atmosphere was exactly how we like it - casual atmosphere, great service with brilliant food. Nothing overly fancy and certainly no foam (!) - just truly delicious, typical Italian food, with an interesting twist, cooked & served to a very high standard....and sensible prices too. Thank you so much - we are already planning a return trip!

We had such an amazing time here. The food was absolutely delicious and the service was great. If they are still on the menu, we would highly recommend the Sausage Pici and the Beef Shin Ragu. Atmosphere was great too!!

I visited the place 2 consecutive days and if we had more days in London we would go again! The taste and quality of the food is exquisite and the staff is friendly and smiling! Amber welcomed us with a sweet smile and Nadia was such a pleasant and professional waitress! The homemade pasta is simply phenomenal and the Brill fish was delicious and cooked perfectly! Wine and Sardinian beer were excellent and Tiramisu is yammy❤️we’ll definitely be back!

Great atmosphere and lovely atmosphere. Staff very friendly and helpful. Food was stunning. Would highly recommend!

16 people in our party. We all had a great experience and were well fed and watered.

Fantastic spot, one of the best pastas in town!

Wow! This was such an amazing evening. The food is fantastic. We had the bruschetta with figs to start which was so creamy and delicious and then shared the beef shin Ragu and Dorsey crab pasta and I cannot recommend the lamb rump enough. Our waitress Nadja was so attentive and friendly she really added to the night ! We sat downstairs in a gorgeous booth. Negronis are so smooth. Finished with a tiramisu, which doesn’t disappoint ! We got a limoncello on the house as it was our anniversary which is such a touch of class ! Will definitely be back

Really enjoyed the food here. The mozzarella with prosciutto and melon and the fettuccine with sausage were quite good. Took a star off because they hit me with a 1 pound “donation” and a 12.5% service charge on the bill. As well as allowing non-service dogs inside the restaurant next to my table.

My girlfriend and I have recently dined at Trullo and had a generally good experience. The location is good, and the service was quite good—our waitress was friendly, and the food arrived quickly. The croquette was delicious, and the tiramisu was a lovely finish. Prices were fair too. However, I was disappointed that the cacio e pepe was made with Parmesan instead of Pecorino, which changed the flavor significantly. Overall, it’s a nice spot, but stick to the items they excel at.

We had a fantastic visit to Trullo. Everything was great and it was enhanced by the beautiful service provided by Beth, who was exemplary. The vibe is relaxed but everything flows so smoothly. The food was all on point and the wine (recommended by Beth) was also very good and reasonably priced. If you’re in the area go, if you’re not, get on a bus or tube and go! Thanks all

Nothing fine dine, try to impress... just beautiful, very tasty amazing italian food. People are great, venue nice.... who would say...? What else!

Loved the atmosphere and the food was mostly gorgeous save the desserts which we felt let it down somewhat

The second time coming and we were hoping it would live up to expectations, and it so did! Food was great, ambience was great (down to.lighting etc), and Saoibh was a great mf attentive host. Please pass on thanks. Will definitely be back

Trullo is a north London gem. Great atmosphere, great food, and wonderful wine list. Certainly worth a visit - and I’ve dined here on numerous occasions in the last few years

Having used the Trullo cookbook for a couple of years, we took the opportunity of visiting the restaurant on a recent trip to London from Norfolk. Like the area, the restaurant was buzzing with a great atmosphere. The staff were welcoming, friendly and knowledgeable. The lady who served us was particularly helpful in accommodating my wife’s chilli allergy making various suggestions to adapt the menu. This was most appreciated and meant my wife could order with complete confidence. The realistically sized menu meant we weren’t overwhelmed by choice. Our individual choices were wonderful. Overall a very enjoyable experience. Highly recommended.

Nice place with Italian cuisine. I ate well, I recommend booking in advance because, being small, you risk not finding a seat

Really poor experience at Trullo. It has been on my list for a while however my partner and I were left so underwhelmed. We were sat down stairs in an uncomfortably hot room, zero fans or AC which was truly unbearable in the heat. A couple of other tables were seated after us and had much more tentative service. Both tables were given menus before us, had orders taken before us and were served before us despite us being there 10+ mins before. Starter plates were left on our table and not cleared whilst said tables were being served mains. Nobody asked how the food was, if they had they would have known it was not great. My pasta was undercooked- not al dente. My partners pork was OK, however there were only a couple of bites of meat and the rest was a thick unrendered piece of fat. Truly some of the worst service we've had though, I asked for no service charge and paid as quickly as possible to get out of the sauna. I'm therefore rather surprised to see that I was in fact charged service. Honestly, there are so many better restaurants around Highbury/Upper Street, I'd recommend giving this overpriced and underwhelming place a miss and go elsewhere.

Nadia and Jack are amazing. Thank you for a wonderful night ❤️

Agree with a few other reviews - food is absolutely amazing, we both highly enjoyed our meals and would come back. However the service was extremely slow, and wasn’t too friendly. Nice environment though, and the decor throughout was nice. Would still come back.

You won’t get better pasta in London than at Trullo. I’m local to the restaurant and see them hand-making pasta everyday. They have a small menu that changes often, and everything is always delicious. Highly recommend this place!

The food was ok. Came here to try out the tiramisu. The pasta I had was decent. A bit on the salty side, but I personally like that. Tiramisu review (Maria’s tiramisu quest): perfect level of sweetness, as in not too sweet. The biscuits were just right, but the cream was too separate from them. I also found it a bit on the heavier side like it could have done with either some more eggs or liquid mixed in. It overall tasted like it was made on the same day as serving, which is fine but I personally believe tiramisu needs at least one day for the flavours to really mix.

Amazing everything! Fantastic service, delicious food. Great atmosphere and really welcoming staff. Definitely coming here again.

Wonderful surprise to see ‘happy anniversary’ on our menus and a great table downstairs in an alcove, normally for 4 or 5 people, thank you. Only criticism is we weren’t told we had to vacate table within 2 hours and had to finish our drinks upstairs in the wine bar.

Felt harassed as they don't accept cash.

I went to Trullo 2 years ago and the pasta was over cooked and tasted mediocre. I spent the last 2 years calling it the most overrated spot in London. I was convinced to go back for another try. Turns out 2 years ago must have been an off night. This time was incredible, one of the best meals I’ve had in London. Perfectly cooked.

Superb dinner - memorable evening - staff and chef engaging!

Everything was amazing! I really gratitude for meet good friends there. London deserve this Best one restaurant Thanks

Quaint little neighborhood restaurant with a daily menu

Best dinner we had in London — and certainly in Islington. From the quality of the freshly made pasta, meats, and apps, through to the service, it’s all 10s. If you walk by and see a packed restaurant, that’s already a good sign. If you sit and eat and realize it’s mostly locals, that’s a second good sign. And once you taste the food and have happy kids at the end of the meal, you’re in for a great night. Throw in the fact that they cater to kids as well (my daughter loved their fresh pasta with butter and parm), you can’t go wrong. Also, save room or ask for a slice of their chocolate tart to go. You will be very happy.

An amazing place, delicious food, nice atmosphere and great service. Will definitely come back here again! Such a great spot!

Exceptional! We went here for birthday dinner and I wouldn't have wanted to eat anywhere else. The food was unreal, the pastas were a decent size and all delicious. The staff were very helpful with menu and service was superb!

Excellent dining experience. Tasty food, great service with a cool and cozy atmosphere downstairs. Was the perfect restaurant to celebrate a birthday.

Would recommend the pastas, the other dishes are just okay and quite underwhelming after hearing such positive reviews. My drink was served with a rogue piece of paper towel floating in it. I had to request a new one and when the server came by they quickly took it away and served a new one with an apology, felt like that also let down the whole experience as the wait staff all seemed rushed off their feet. Felt like accidents like this was not a one off as the service didn’t improve much for the rest of our dinner.

Nice place. Got the pappardelle with the beef shin ragu- nice but could have done with a bit of spice perhaps. The beef carpaccio and bread was great. The waitress was lovely. Book in advance to secure a table or very last minute and hope to get a cancelled booking.