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Londonderry

Europe

United Kingdom

Nestled in the heart of London's vibrant West End, San Carlo Cicchetti offers an authentic Italian dining experience that captures the essence of Italy's rich culinary heritage. This lively restaurant is renowned for its tapas-style dishes, allowing guests to indulge in a variety of flavors and textures, all served in a cozy yet stylish setting. The moment you step inside, the warm ambiance and inviting decor set the perfect scene for a memorable meal.

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We attempted to visit after seeing Les Miserables, but unfortunately the restaurant was about to close. Made a reservation to return another day and I'm so glad we did. We were greeted and seated promptly. The interior is so cute, it's totally my speed. The seating is close but if that doesn't bother you, it's not horrible. They have the wine list on the ceiling which was hard to capture in a photo, but pretty cool to see. 

The menu is full of tapas which I love because it gives you a chance to try a variety of things and even share with others in your group. 

Everything I tasted was very good - for starters I ordered the Basilico, a refreshing herb cocktail. 
We also tried the olives, fish, pasta and other tasty items. Everything was seasoned well. 

I'd return in a heartbeat and try other dishes. Location is great, right in the center of everything - just walking distance from shopping, theatres and more.

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My wife and I visited San Carlo Cicchetti for dinner on a recent trip to London. The restaurant features a large selection of sharable Italian dishes so this allowed us to try a variety of foods. We tried the Bruschetta, Sicilian Arancini, Ravioli Aragosta, Polpo & Patate, and Dolci Cicchetti. The Bruschetta featured lightly charred toast topped with juicy tomatoes and crisp arugula. The Arancini were nicely crisp on the outside and filled with a savory cheesy risotto. The Ravioli were savory and al dente and filled with tender lobster and prawns and topped with a creamy lightly briny lobster bisque sauce. The Polpo & Patate had nicely tender octopus and creamy mashed potatoes. Finally, the Dolci Cicchetti was the perfect way to try bite size pieces of multiple desserts including tiramisu, chocolate cake and pistachio mousse cake. All the dessert pieces were delicious. Overall, we had a nice dinner.

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This is a review for the location on 172-173 Picadilly. 
The food was good, service could have been faster. It took nearly 30 minutes just to put my order in. My reservation was for 5:30, the restaurant was nearly empty and I did not leave until 7pm. 

When you first sit down the hostess asks if you want still or sparkling: I asked for sparkling - I was brought still in a glass bottle by who I assume now is the manager. I asked the waiter if he could bring the sparkling instead because I cannot stand the taste of still water in London. He took the bottle away and brought the sparkling. 

When I got the check, I was charged 5.50 TWICE for each bottle of water. I immediately asked for the still to be taken off because 1 I didn't ask for it, and 2 they took it away from the table and it hadn't been drank from. The manager came and had an attitude because I said it was odd that it was so expensive and I was not told water costed extra.

I took the bottle of water with me  just be sure to check your bills since this is not something they inform you of and it feels quite scammy!

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Very fun, great food. Usually packed. Love that it is tapas style. The service was very good for how busy it was. Be wary that food may not come out in the order you ordered it. Also don't hesitate to wave down the servers. Beyond that 4.5/5

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We were staying at a nearby hotel and decided to stop by for dinner. Inside the restaurant was pretty busy with tables placed closely together. The restaurant is Italian with dishes served tapas style. We ordered about 5 dishes and they were okay but nothing special. Each dish was also pretty costly (about the price of a standard entree) considering it was tapas and meant to order multiple. If I had known this. I probably would've went somewhere else for a decent meal that was decently priced

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San Carlo Cicchetti is a great choice on all levels. The food is excellent. The service is terrific and it is a great space so the ambiance is wonderful. We were dining with two children under five and they were incredibly accommodating. The cocktails are fine, but wine list is excellent -- the 2018 is amazing and a bargain at the price.

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I went here recently with two friends and had a remarkably bad time. First, one friend had nut allergies, which we informed the server of. A different person came over, and questioned them quite rudely about their allergies and how bad they were. We at first dismissed this experience as a one-off, because it makes sense to be concerned about allergies and to take them seriously. 
Next, though, I asked for water - none arrived; other guests were served items that they asked for later than we had. I asked again, and then, after about 10-15 minutes had passed, a third time. Finally we got water. 
Then, upon ordering food, the same person who was strange about my friend's allergies was quite harsh towards them for not specifying which burrata they would like (there were two on the menu). They got a bit flustered and changed their order. 
Finally, food came out. Some of the items were decent, but the carbonara was extremely salty. The bruschetta had far too much dried basil on it, and none of the food was particularly tasty (though some of it was more edible than the carbonara). One of us ordered a drink and it did not arrive until all of us were done eating, after 2 separate reminders. 
My other friend also was given a strange look for asking for a box at the end. 
We could not help but feel a little singled out, since other guests seemed to be spoken to relatively nicely and had good service. We wondered if our age, clothing (not that dressed up) or gender nonconformity might have played some part in how negative the experience became. We genuinely tried to be friendly, and pleasant (of the three of us, I am definitely the least pleasant of the bunch, yet received the most positive service). 
But generally the atmosphere felt tense and I could not have been happier to leave. I don't often comment on service in restaurants, since it's clear to me that servers have a legitimately challenging job and that a difficult day can cause customers to treat them poorly. So while I have sympathy for the servers involved, I certainly did not enjoy my dining experience at this restaurant and I would advise diners against it.

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Very good food! Spending just the weekend in London and found this gem! Small portions that allow you to try several items from a very authentic Italian menu!
It was a full house, and as great vacation travelers, we just walked in at around 9pm on a Sunday night! After very little wait we were presented with our table.

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The food was tasty, and I get that it was supposed to be Italian tapas, but honestly for the price I would have expected the food to be so much more.  Location was convenient if you are staying near Covent Garden, but the service was lacking, it's amazing that there were waiters everywhere but we had to wait for someone to help.

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Excellent small plate Italian menu. We tried the caprese salad, prosciutto & mushroom pizza, penne arrabiatti, and fettuccine bolognese! All dishes were delicious.

San Carlo Cicchetti: Top Italian Tapas in London’s Covent Garden

Experience the vibrant flavors of Italy in the heart of Londonderry at San Carlo Cicchetti, a renowned destination for authentic Italian cuisine with a modern twist.

Kick off your Italian feast with a variety of sharable and flavorful starters. Indulge in Bruschetta topped with juicy tomatoes and arugula, or savor Sicilian Arancini with its crispy exterior and cheesy risotto filling. For seafood lovers, the lightly seasoned Polpo & Patate features tender octopus paired with rich mashed potatoes.

Delight in an array of expertly crafted Italian dishes. Try the Ravioli Aragosta filled with lobster and prawns, topped with a creamy lobster bisque, or enjoy the Polpo & Patate, featuring tender octopus with silky mashed potatoes. For a satisfying experience, the menu offers a variety of pasta and seafood options that showcase authentic flavors.

Conclude your Italian journey with an assortment of delightful desserts. Sample bite-sized treats like Tiramisu, rich Chocolate Cake, and Pistachio Mousse Cake from the Dolci Cicchetti selection, perfect for sharing and satisfying your sweet tooth.

Complement your meal with a curated selection of Italian wines, cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages. Sip on refreshing herb cocktails like Basilico or enjoy a glass from the excellent wine list, featuring standout bottles such as the 2018 vintage, offering great value and flavor.

Enjoy the dynamic atmosphere and innovative Italian tapas, perfect for sharing and sampling a variety of flavors. The restaurant’s vibrant setting and friendly service make it an ideal choice for a lively dinner in the city center.

Discover San Carlo Cicchetti in London’s historic WC2E 7BD. Savor authentic Italian cuisine in a chic, lively atmosphere. Book your culinary escape now!

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