An Italian Institution in London
Il Bistrotto has been a fixture on the Ligurian Riviera since 1982. For its London debut, the restaurant brings that history with it. Back home, the original venue sits between Genoa and Portofino and is recognised for its Yves Klein blue walls and distinctive personality.
About to celebrate one year in London, Il Bistrotto defines Italian bistro dining with the very finest ingredients and a true taste of Italy. What sets Il Bistrotto apart is the team. Passionate, precise and so very proud of their brilliant offering. Il Bistrotto is not a restaurant with a big PR machine, but the experience speaks for itself. There is a huge depth of quality in their ingredients and drinks programme, which is so very well curated.
To shape the bar and masterclass programme, Il Bistrotto London has partnered with Velier, a leading Italian spirits distributor and a global reference in the world of spirits. Velier played an instrumental role in the natural wine movement, having authored the Triple “A” manifesto in 2001. Its owner, Luca Gargano, is a highly respected figure in the world of rum and the owner of the Caroni brand, often described as the Rolls-Royce of sugar cane distillates. By sourcing exclusively from the Velier catalogue (via Speciality Drinks in the UK), Il Bistrotto guarantees that whatever lands in your glass is of the highest quality.
The Masterclass Series
Besides its food offering, Il Bistrotto hosts a monthly Masterclass Series, held every last Thursday of the month. The restaurant developed the programme in collaboration with Speciality Brands to explore spirits with a strong sense of place, craftsmanship and cultural identity. Rather than hosting formal lectures, the team designs each session as an engaging evening where spirits are treated as culture, not just ingredients. Expect storytelling, guided tastings, and a hands-on approach in a setting that’s thoughtful but still properly relaxed.
Tequila and Mezcal: The Opening Masterclass
The series opened with a masterclass dedicated to Tequila and Mezcal, guided by Gaby Moncada of Speciality Brands, an expert in Mexican spirit culture and Agave Ambassador for the group.
The experience went beyond tasting alone, offering an immersive journey into the history of agave, the people behind its production, and the landscapes that define it. Throughout the evening, Gaby broke down the origins of both spirits, the production techniques, and exactly what separates the quality stuff from the rest. After learning how to spot the different aromas and textures, guests got to step behind the bar and mix up cocktails using their favourite spirit from the session. As well as all that lovely agave, there were also some world-class small plates, including an Italian-inspired porcetta taco with so many different textures and flavours.
Upcoming Masterclasses
If you missed the first one, put the next dates in your calendar.
The next masterclass will take place on 26th February and will focus on cocktails, led by expert mixologist Angelo Canessa. Guests will be guided through the basics of classic cocktails, exploring their origins, techniques and structure, before stepping behind the bar to create their own drinks. And yes, there will be dishes served to complement the drinks.
On 26th March, the focus turns to Clairin, the traditional rhum agricole of Haiti. This project holds particular significance for Velier, which has played a key role in the rediscovery and international recognition of Clairin by working directly with local Haitian distillers. An expert travelling from Paris will join the evening to share first-hand insight into the spirit’s history and cultural importance. The session will include a guided tasting of six Clairin expressions, alongside an exploration of their use in cocktails.
A Focused, Deeply Italian Menu
In the kitchen, Chef Raffaele Savarese is keeping things traditional. The philosophy here is simple: quality ingredients, intentionally focused menus, and dishes designed to be shared. The menu is focused and brilliant.
One of the restaurant’s signature dishes is the Focaccia al Formaggio. The kitchen brought this much-loved Ligurian speciality to the UK to honour Il Bistrotto’s Genoese roots. The dish reflects both the cuisine and the restaurant’s identity. This is really unique in the UK and must be tried! Another highlight was the most tender carpaccio made with Black Angus beef fillet and a hint of Parmesan.
Alongside this, Il Bistrotto hosts “Pasta o’Clock”, a nightly ritual held every evening. You pre-pasta, choosing between one vegetarian and one non-vegetarian option. The pasta selection changes twice a week. As a result, you can return and discover new combinations, while the shared format creates a lively and fun atmosphere throughout the restaurant. We enjoyed the most brilliant seafood risotto made with black rice and topped with samphire.
On Sundays, the restaurant introduces the Italian aperitif tradition. Anyone joining for a drink is invited to enjoy a complimentary buffet, offering a relaxed and social way to close the week.
For more information, visit Il Bistrotto
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Imagery courtesy of Il Bistrotto / Speciality Brands.