Maison Bertaux Cafe
Classic Intimate Literary
Maison Bertaux
Soho
$$
Greek Street's 1871 patisserie — London's oldest French pastry shop, still hand-laminated upstairs
Cafe
Bar Italia
Frith Street since 1949 — the espresso bar Soho is built around
Reviewed by Mes Prestiges Editorial Team Last reviewed May 2026
Lou and Caterina Polledri opened Bar Italia under their flat on Frith Street in 1949, and three generations of the family have kept it more or less unchanged since. The Gaggia is original. The wall of Rocky Marciano photographs is original. The Italian football scarves above the bar accumulate but never get thrown out. Open until five in the morning most nights, it is the canonical Soho stop — the place actors, taxi drivers, late-shift chefs and aimless tourists end up at the same counter. The espresso is correct, not transcendent. The point of Bar Italia has never been the coffee. It is one of the last places in central London where the room means more than the menu.
Editor's Tip
Stand at the counter, not the tables — the price doubles the moment you sit. Order an espresso and a slice of torta della nonna. After dinner in Soho, this is the only correct nightcap if you don't want a cocktail.
At a Glance
- View
- Street Scene, London Skyline
Views & Setting
View Type
Street Scene, London Skyline
View Quality
Good
Indoor Terrace
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about Bar Italia — reservations, hours, dress code, and price range.
Where is Bar Italia?
Bar Italia is located in Soho, London — 22 Frith Street, London W1D 4RF.
What are the opening hours of Bar Italia?
Bar Italia is open Mon–Sun 07:00–05:00.
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What's Nearby
4 Bar, 1 Cafe, 1 Restaurant — 6 venues within walking distance
