Last Updated on October 12, 2026
Mayfair Italian Bocconcino is the Real Deal
4.5 out of 5.0 stars
The Bocconcino group of three restaurants across London’s West End are a small but perfectly formed prizewinning restaurant group with their flagship restaurant in Mayfair and other outposts in Soho and the Strand.
We visited the Mayfair site which on a Monday night was buzzing with the sound of happy Italian punters chowing down on their favourite dishes. The menu celebrates regional Italian cooking and is both un-gimmicky and authentic. Head Chef Marco Corsica, a Marco Pierre White alumnus and Napoli native, is in charge, with pasta being freshly rolled every day. Although prices are Mayfair level, portions are generous and the quality of both ingredients and the cooking is extremely high.
The restaurant sits on two levels. The handsome ground floor has red leather banquettes, marble tiles and blood red walls adorned with decorative metal studs. Metal columns and outsize linen light shades add to the atmosphere.
There’s a sculptural iron spiral staircase that takes you down to the lower floor. The space has all the theatre of an open kitchen and is lit by the glow of a wood-fired oven. There are regular DJ and live music nights for the party crowd..
The à la carte menu is set out in traditional Italian style with plenty of choice. Whilst deciding we kicked things off with a couple of cocktails. The classic Campari Spritz, Campari, Prosecco and soda water was punchy and refreshing with the Campari delivering that familiar bitter jolt of flavour. The Luna Rosa, a blend of sloe- infused Bombay Sapphire gin, apricot liqueur, citrus, tangerine foam and dragonfruit was light and sophisticated with the sweetness of the apricot balanced by tangy tangerine notes. A welcome snack of pickled cauliflower and red pepper and a salty chunk of Parmesan set us up for the meal ahead.
We chose two dishes from the Antipasti menu. Lightly seared Queenie scallops came on the shell, doused in melted butter, with a hint of garlic and chilli and lots of fresh parsley. They were juicy and delicious.
The trio of tuna, salmon and yellowtail tartare was a simple dish but so good. The raw fish was lightly dressed with some excellent olive oil and parsley and prettily dressed with edible nasturtiums.
Bocconcino has a list of more than 300 wines and a Coravin system that allows fine wines to be served by the glass without spoiling.
We drank a Verdeca ‘Talò’, San Marzano, Puglia, 2024 which had a light minerality and floral notes and was perfect with our fish dishes. Grillo “Dei Respiri”, Baglio Oro, Sicily, 2024 was dry, fresh and full of citrus aromas.
From the Primi Piatti menu we tried the Tagliolini al Limone e Scampi. The pasta was fresh, eggy and served al dente with its gentle lemon sauce not overwhelming the delicate flavour of the raw langoustines. I loved this dish which was probably the best plate of pasta I have eaten this year.
We couldn’t resist the turbot on the Pescato Del Giorno (fish of the day) menu although there are plenty of good-looking meat dishes. I was expecting a lonely fillet to arrive on my plate but instead we were brought a fabulous sweet-fleshed whole grilled turbot slathered in a piquant garlic, caper and butter sauce and surrounded by olives, courgettes and tomatoes. Sensational!
The dessert menu is a role call of Italian classics including tiramisù, vanilla soufflé, pistachio fondant and a lemon tart with Italian meringue. However we went for a perfectly-delivered Fondente al Cioccolato con Gelato alla Vaniglia, a hot, melting chocolate fondant served with a dollop of excellent vanilla ice cream and a sliver of freeze-dried pineapple.
Italian food can be about taking high quality ingredients and cooking them simply. The kitchen at Bocconcino does just that but can also has the technical capacity to deliver more complex dishes at a high standard. It’s the real deal gastronomically and service has the typical Italian friendliness and good humour. With its two quite distinct spaces it works as well as a space for a business lunch and client entertaining as it does for a date night or family and friend outings or even just a casual pizza.
Bocconcino Mayfair
19 Berkeley St, London, W1J 8ED
020 7499 4510
Bocconcino Soho
59 Great Marlborough St, London, W1F 7JY
Osteria by Bocconcino
366 Strand, London, WC2R 0JF
If you are interested in high end Italian restaurants in London check out our review of Langosteria.
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