Great private dining experience! The staff has been very accommodating and friendly and the food was excellent! Watching the chefs preparing the food just in front of us in the show kitchen made the experience even more special. Definitely a 5 star experience!
I visited L'Anima Cafe for dinner and it was like a trip to Italy! I loved the cured meat and cheese board and the ribeye beef with vegetables was blissful! If you are looking for an authentic Italian restaurant in London this is the best place!
I love everything about this place!! Food tastes very good and ingredients are always fresh and well presented in the plate. They also do entertainment nights during the week....this restaurant has everything you need!
The first thing that strikes you about L’anima Cafe is that it doesn’t seem like a cafe at all. It is set in a sprawling contemporary space with modern furnishings. There is a futuristic island bar, slotted next to a wood fired oven for pizza. The seating is well spaced out with formal place settings and the length of the room feels like a catwalk as you proceed to your table. It is a showpiece, with sidewalk views to look out on to, but also for people to look in with envy.
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The first thing that strikes you about L'amina Cafe is that it doesn't seem like a cafe at all. It is set in a sprawling contemporary space with modern furnishings. There is a futuristic island bar, slotted next to a wood fired oven for pizza. The seating is well spaced out with formal place settings and the length of the room feels like a catwalk as you proceed to your table. It is a showpiece, with sidewalk views to look out on to, but also for people to look in with envy.
On arrival you are greeted by smiling receptionists. Once seated, you notice the team around you work the room like a theatre production. The menu is simple, on one page which for lunch, should make it easy to eat and go, or so you would think. The dishes all sound tantalizing and it was a task to decide what we wanted. In fact we kept changing our minds. Our advice to you is get your servers attention as soon as you make a decision or you will start to change your mind again, and again.
The dining guests vary from young professionals to suited business types. The style is formal, but not stuffy. You will feel comfortable, whoever you are. Ordering was a treat as the team know their products. Simple questions were answered with confidence. Our table was a little wobbly which no one picked up on, hopefully for other diners it will be made steady.
Our dining journey began with Tuna Carpaccio with chilli, lemon and spring onion. The tuna was so delicate and the lemon did not overpower the taste at all. Of course I opted for the burrata. I am becoming more and more of an expert on this having tasted it in no less than five places of late. It was a good portion, creamy with the right partnership of soft versus firm. The cherry tomatoes it came with, were flavoursome.
Onto the main course we continued with a sea theme. My companion had the seared prawns and grilled courgettes. This was coated with breadcrumbs. The prawns were plentiful and meaty. I had the grilled salmon with Jerusalem artichokes. A big yes for the salmon. There is nothing worse than dry meat, but this was moist, cooked to perfection. The portions are large but with our eyes being bigger than our belly, we had a side of caponata which is grilled aubergine, peppers and celery. We were gutted that we did not have the space to try the gorgeous selection of desserts on offer. Maybe next time.
I know people use the phrase "hidden gem" a lot, but this is the perfect description for this cafe. It is off the beaten track behind Liverpool Station, so you could miss it. In a way that is a good thing as only those in the know come along and we all like to have our little secret spots we go to. Next door, they have an all day deli and around the corner is the fine dining formal restaurant. They have well and truly made their mark on the ground floor of this office building and with Amazon HQ opening across the road, they will see a new wave of clientele fighting for their Italian magic.
My starter was grilled calamari with pappa al pomodoro, a thick Tuscan soup made from tomatoes, bread, olive oil, garlic and basil. I loved the smoked chargrilled taste of the calamari that was cooked perfectly so it wasn't chewy or tough. The accompanying soupy sauce was the perfect pairing as it was slightly spicy but didn't overpower the delicate taste of the calamari. I even loved the earthy china which reflected the rustic style of the Southern Italian cafe.
My friend chose one of the daily specials, a grilled octopus dish with Tuscan beans and tomatoes. Once again the mollusc was prepared to perfection, I think octopus can go so horribly wrong when it's not. Both dishes were a large portion size and actually would have been fine for a main course too.
With my trip to Cannes in three weeks and Bali and Singapore shortly after, I had the best of intentions when I headed for dinner at L'Anima Cafe...maybe just one glass of prosecco, two light fish courses and definitely no dessert...who was I kidding?. L'Anima Cafe is the less formal little sister of the award-winning L'Anima restaurant - serving Southern Italian food that lives up to the meaning of the restaurant's name. L'Anima is the Italian word for soul and the food is authentic and rustic; you can tell that the chefs really put their heart into creating the dishes.
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I can find working in the city a bit souless at times, especially when it comes to restaurants. There are a couple of great ones (for example City Social, Duck and Waffle and Goodmans) but they are definitely on the treat yo’self list, unless work is paying! I personally think there is a lack of interesting places to venture to for lunch. That’s why I’m happy I have L’Anima Cafe just within reach of my office. Being based at Bank it’s a good 15 minute walk, but oh so worth it.
L’Anima Cafe is the sister to the award winning L’Anima just around the corner. This is a more informal setting with all day dining and great for after-work drinks. There’s also a deli for food-to-go.
I’ve eaten here only twice but I hope I make many more visits. On my first visit I had a terrific lamb ragu: a rich, deep and salty ragu over parpadelle. I have thought about it many times since! This time we shared a couple of starters: an artichoke, asparagus and anchovy salad with pecorino shavings and a simple tomato, basil and garlic bruschetta. The salad was light and fresh with the moorish saltiness from the anchovy, a really wonderful dish. The tomatoes were seasoned perfectly on the bruschetta, however a couple of pieces came out a bit burnt as you can see, so we ended up eating the tomatoes but leaving the bread on those pieces.
There was a veal ragu on the menu this time which I did contemplate ordering but thought I should change it up a little. There were some great fish dishes but in the end I ordered the spaghetti alle vongole: clams with garlic, chilli, parsley and white wine. This is one of my favourite pasta dishes and it did not disappoint! The al dente spaghetti with the soft salty clams and a slight kick from the chilli was wonderful. The parsley in there keeping it nice and fresh. Oh, I wish I was eating a plate of it now!
Another pasta dish was also ordered, the fettuccine primavera. This entailed saffron, broad beans, peas asparagus and courgette flower. I had a taste of this too and it tasted garden-fresh, if that makes sense, really clean and light. A lovely dish.
My other colleague wanted to order something different to us; the daily special of sole was decided upon. It was humungous! It came served with slices of crisp potatoes and cherry tomatoes. Oh my god, the flavour in the fish was incredible and so juicy too. We struggled to finish it all. All in all a great meal.
Just two small points, the staff can be a little slow and also, last time we ordered the broccoli pizza and it was pretty bland. So I would avoid their pizzas. But everything I’ve ever ordered has been very good and rather beautiful too. It is very much full of suits mid-week but I imagine there is a different vibe in the evening and at weekends as it pretty much on the boarder between the city and Shoreditch (it’s right by the Queen of Hoxton). One day soon I hope to try L’Anima next door. But in the mean time this is the place to go for great Italian food!
I can find working in the city a bit souless at times, especially when it comes to restaurants. There are a couple of great ones (for example City Social, Duck and Waffle and Goodmans) but they are definitely on the treat yo’self list, unless work is paying! I personally think there is a lack of interesting places to venture to for lunch. That’s why I’m happy I have L’Anima Cafe just within reach of my office. Being based at Bank it’s a good 15 minute walk, but oh so worth it.
Nice bar / restaurant within 5 minute walk of Liverpool Street just off of Appold Street and opposite the Queen of Hoxton. Busy most evenings with people having a drink after work. I visited on a Thursday lunchtime for a bite to each with three others - we ordered 2 x Lamb, one pizza (salami) and one steak. My colleagues said the lamb was lovely (albeit the portions were a little small), the pizza was large and flavoursome and the steak looked pretty good. All in all - lovely place to go but a little on the pricey sid for what you get.
A lot of my colleagues think that L’Anima is one of the best Italian restaurants in London. L’Anima is located in the city, it is a very elegant restaurant where the main chef Francesco Mazzei serves his contemporary Italian food. L’Anima Café is a sister restaurant to L’Anima and it recently opened and serves equally delicious Italian food but more casual for half the price in a less formal environment. You don’t have to book L’Anima Café (but can, which is what I did) and the space is very big, equally bright as L’Anima with a deli selling delicious Italian food and a bar located on the premises as well, besides the restaurant. I came here with my very good friend Paul for lunch on a Wednesday and the menu was divided into antipasti, primi, secondi, contorini, insalate and pizza and we decided to order a few things from various sections and then share.
From the exteriors, this place looked like a very high end place with expensive delights. However, when we looked inside, it was much more welcoming that we had thought and quite pleasant. The food we ordered was quite affordable and delectable. The staff was pleasant and attentive as well. I will definitely recommend this place to everyone.
The place is a delight! To begin with, service is welcoming, attentive and amicable. they are helpful without being intrusive. Coming to food, the dishes are delectable and flavorsome. On the downside, the portion sizes are less for the price. Ordered squid ink pasta and seafood pasta, both incredible! Do visit!
The popular opinion about this place is that it is the best Italian option in the city's restaurant scene. It is a very elegant place, with an extremely nice setting. The Italian food served here is delicious, and stands as a testament to the culinary skills of the chef. The cafe opened as a subsidiary is also good, but it has no holds to the main thing.
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Excellent rustic southern Italian food with bold flavours. Service was prompt and friendly, ambience was calm on a late weekday afternoon after the peak hours.
Pork Belly to die for. The Norfolk pork belly with sanguinaccio was so delicious. The skin was perfectly crisp, the pork itself was tender and moist, plated with so many other different textures and surprising flavours, every bite oozes a very special and unique taste. It was truely fabulous. It was a dish so good, I will return just for this. If you were wondering what sanguinaccio is, according to my research, it has to be the very interestingly flavoured dark coloured puree on the plate. The ingredients include chocolate, pine nuts, cinnamon and the all important blood sausage.
Besides the pork belly, we had the raw tuna for starter & sea salt crusted baked bream. The sea bream was less interesting compared to the pork belly but it was a very well executed dish. Desserts of panna cotta and mascarpone cheesecakse was really yummy.
There will be a full list of photos and review on my blog so do check it out too.
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The first time I visited here was when I attended the Chowzter Awards where there were small canapes to sample, so I was looking forward to what the actual restaurant menu had to offer.
The sister cafe to L'Anima on Snowden Street, London's award winning Italian restaurant by Francesco Mazzei, L'Anima Cafe offers rustic Southern Italian food in a more casual setting.
As soon as we were seated, the bread trolley was brought to us, as we ogled at the selections before us...the best bread trolley selection that I have seen so far.
As much as we would have liked to grab as much as we liked, we were only allowed as much as our little ceramic bowl could contain. This came with some dips on the side - nduja and a fish-based paste. My favourite was probably the rose shaped pastry with nduja filling, and the focaccia was pretty good as well. I'm not quite sure if you are allowed to request for more after, but I guess it would be worth asking...
I really enjoyed the calamari alla griglia - the squid was soft and slightly chewy, but not tough or rubbery, and it went well with the pappa al pomodoro. The pork belly was tender and juicy with a nice bit of crispy crackling. I don't usually eat blood, but I actually quite liked the little pieces of blood sausage - after all, and I do love sausages...
I was not quite a fan of the sea bream as I found it a bit plain and bland.
My favourite part of the meal was probably the dessert! No surprise there of course, knowing how much I love desserts. The pannacotta was very smooth and creamy with a generous portion of blueberries, soaked in grappa - yummy. I also really liked the cassata siciliana which was a ricotta and chocolate-filled cake, with layers of sponge and pistachio.
Overall an enjoyable meal, and I would gladly visit again - especially for that bread trolley.
You may find the full list of dishes that I had with photos on the blog x
Great place to enjoy your meal and drinks.
Nice atmosphere and service, especially that food bill 50% on Fridays!
The only thing annoying is the light that keeps changing from red to green and blue.
What a great place. Doesn't look much from outside, but inside it has high ceilings and is bright and airy. No real surprises on the menu, but everything that we had was absolutely perfectly cooked and really tasty.
The deep fried calamari, prawn and courgette with paprika starter was GORGEOUS - as was the lasagnetta.
Wine was reasonably priced, especially for London. Service was friendly and efficient, and everything was just 'right'. Will definitely be going again!
Always a beautiful experience. Very good food and nice staff.
Extremely good value for money.
I often (every three weeks or so now) go there with my family. We have a child who is two years old, he loves the food there (they also have a special menu for children)! The music is not too loud and you can easily have a conversation at the table.
Pizza is among the best ever tried (surely the best in London so far).
Highly recommended, for a special dinner with your lady, for some drinks on a Friday night or simply a dinner or lunch with your family.
Went there for the closing night of the Aperitivo on Thursday. Supercrowded but still entertaining. The food is good and it's done in the Italian style (I can tell, I'm Italian). However drinks are expensive compared to the London average. £22.50 for 2 spritz is way too much.
Going there at least once a week for the take away food. Quality is always good, specially the fresh pasta. They recently increased the price but the quality is worth it. The other part of the place (restaurant, bar) is also really nice, weather it is for a lunch or an after work event.
One of the best Italian restaurants in the city. Though the portion size of Ravioli is quite small the taste is so good that it makes up for it.
Tiramisu is brilliant and, if my memory serves me good, it's better than the ones I had in Italy.
Recommended and will visit again!!
Lovely open plan restaurant (but called a cafe) with a small but perfectly further menu.
I had a huge veal milanese with side salad so couldn't accommodate dessert.
Staff were very friendly.
Prices are slightly on the high side because you're practically in The City.
Slight confusion when booking online since there is an even more classy restaurant next door.
One of my favourite city spots. Seasonal Italian cuisine, modern and generous. Great staff and service on the edge of the city. Have tried a take away breakfast, eat in breakfast, a deli lunch, restaurant lunch and dinner. I've even hosted a few events there. Definitely worth a visit.
Authentic Italian cuisine, good wine list and a nice environment. The Cafe is quite a bit cheaper than the its sister L' Anima Restaurant around the corner, but the food is just as good. Expect to spend around ~£50 per head for a meal & drinks.
5 star quality for 3 star prices. It is around the same price as a good pub lunch for excellent service and quality food. Be sure to ask the price of the specials though, the steak is £80 although it can feed 2 to 3 people.
Had loved L'Anima restaurant so was slightly concerned about taking friends to the Cafe version but I need not have been. Food delicious, service excellent, booking easy, clean lavatories - what more can one ask? A delightful lunch
We (my partner and I) have eaten here several times, just the two of us and with friends. On each occasion it has excelled our expectations. L'Anima Cafe received luke-warm reviews in the press and elsewhere when it opened but honestly for the money it has to be among the best Italian restaurants in this part of London. Everything we've eaten has been beautifully prepared, authentically Italian food. Considering the prices are not much more than you'd pay at Carluccios or other Italian chains I'm not sure what people who are complaining about this place are expecting. The portions are generous, the service is friendly and the food is delicious. We'll be back
The head chef is now Antonio Favuzzi and he is maintaining the same standards as the previous chef, Francesco Mazzei. Good Italian food, at a price, in a contemporary but somewhat stark setting. It was also a little loud at times but overall, we had another excellent meal here.
Many people have suggested that this is the best Italian in London - I would not disagree with that sentiment as the food here is indeed very fine. However, some might add that no Italian restaurant outside of Italy is ever significantly better than a serious restaurant in Italy.
Good healthy food at reasonable price for London. Mice coffee typical Italian food and cake. Alas the cake was too tempting to resist despite my virtual effects to resist
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