Jacob Kenedy is a renowned chef, restaurateur, author, consultant, and YouTuber, best known as the chef-patron of several acclaimed London establishments including Bocca di Lupo, Gelupo Gelato, and Plaquemine Lock....
Insights
ItalianMediterraneanLevantineSeafoodVegan-friendlySeafoodUpscaleLunchDinnerCasualWine Bar
Last updated: 8/12/2026, 3:26:05 AM
Key Information
Bocca di Lupo is a vibrant regional Italian trattoria located in Soho, central London's Theatreland. It offers an engaging dining experience with an open kitchen and counter seating, allowing guests to watch chefs at work. The restaurant also provides private dining options.
Customer Perception
Customers consistently praise Bocca di Lupo for its excellent Italian food, highlighting outstanding pasta, tender meats, and delicious fish with unique flavors. The lively atmosphere and efficient, friendly service are frequently mentioned positives. Many enjoy the entertaining experience of sitting at the counter overlooking the open kitchen. However, some reviews note that the restaurant can be very busy and the space feels cramped, with tables packed closely, which can detract from privacy and comfort.
Additional Details
Bocca di Lupo has a 'little sister' establishment called Gelupo Gelato. The restaurant is known for its commitment to regional Italian cooking.
The restaurant is often very busy, so making a reservation is highly recommended, especially for dinner. Counter seating can be a good option for those without a reservation or seeking a more interactive experience.
This restaurant serves truly excellent Italian food. We were lucky enough to get seats at a high table overlooking the open kitchen, which made the whole evening both entertaining and enjoyable as we could watch the chefs at work.
The food was outstanding. The pasta was delicious, the meat was incredibly tender, and every dish was full of flavour. You could really tell that great care went into the cooking.
The restaurant was very busy, and since we hadn't made a reservation, we had to wait for a table. However, the staff were kind enough to fit us in later that evening, which we really appreciated.
Because it was so busy, the servers didn't have much time to spend with us, but they remained friendly and efficient. The lively atmosphere, combined with the exceptional food, made for a fantastic dining experience.
I would definitely recommend this restaurant and would happily return.
This was my second visit to Bocca di Lupo and it did not disappoint. For me, it is one of the best Italian restaurants in London. I was there to celebrate my friend’s birthday and we had an amazing time. Martin looked after us really well. He gave us great food suggestions and he is very friendly and funny. The team was also very sweet and surprised us with a hand signed birthday card.
We had the grilled turbot and the T-bone steak, which comes from the same cattle used to produce Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. Both were excellent. The crab linguine was also very tasty.
I highly recommend this place, whether for a casual meal or a special occasion.
5
This is a can’t miss, if you are in London.
The staff were amazing, from the servers to the chefs! Great wine list options by the glass. Sitting at the counter was a fun experience, seeing all the dishes come out.
Artichoke and Sea Bream Carpaccios were light and perfect to start.
The fried options - Buffalo mozzarella, sage and anchovy’s and the fried olive were so goo and light. The surprise of the whole app courses was the scallop. It’s a must if not sold out.
Pastas: Tagliatelle with morels, garlic & parsley and maniche with beef stracotto - are can’t miss. Definitely get the large portion!
3
We dined at Bocca di Lupo and while there were some highlights, the overall experience was mixed.
Starting with the food:
• Pappardelle (1 portion) – Absolutely delicious. This was the standout dish of the evening, full of flavour and clearly made with care.
• Pork Chop – Very disappointing. The cut was extremely fatty, to the point that over 40% of it was left uneaten. Not what you expect at this level or price point.
• Potatoes (small) – Fine, nothing particularly memorable but acceptable as a side.
• Blood Orange (small) – Fresh and enjoyable, a nice light finish.
Wine:
• Valfresca 500ml (£60.60) – Enjoyable, though priced on the higher side.
Service was polite and efficient, no issues there.
However, the biggest drawback — and it significantly affected the experience — is the space. The restaurant is extremely cramped and feels quite claustrophobic. Tables are packed very close together, and staff have to manoeuvre carefully behind you while serving other guests. At times it felt like someone might bump into your back.
There is also absolutely no way to have a private conversation, as you are sitting uncomfortably close to other diners, which detracts from the overall dining experience.
Overall, some strong elements, particularly the pasta, but let down by the pork chop and the very uncomfortable, tightly packed environment. This is why I give it 3 stars.
5
Had such a lovely time! Had dinner with my girl friends and we all loved it here. We loved the spaghetti with the braised (?) squid specifically, and the wine they suggested was perfect as well. Our server was James and he was really attentive and smiling the whole time, it really makes the dining experience so much more fun and enjoyable. Thank you so much and we hope to come back again 😊
