Last Updated on February 18, 2026
A Convivial Italian Alternative to the Classic Sunday Roast
3.8 out of 5.0 stars
Sunday lunch is one of my favourite meals. At London Unattached, we’ve been diligently working our way through some of the capital’s best, a task I take very seriously. I usually opt for a Sunday roast, but this Sunday called for a change of scene. I headed to Macellaio RC in Soho to try their Italian Sunday Feast.
Macellaio RC has branches in South Kensington, Exmouth Market, and Soho. I visited the Soho branch, which is on Shaftesbury Avenue, just a short walk from Covent Garden, Leicester Square, and Soho. I paired it with a visit to the National Gallery, making it a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Macellaio RC was founded by Genoese visionary Roberto Costa, who still describes himself as a waiter at heart. Here it’s all about the beef; they champion high-quality, minimally processed cuts, sourcing breeds such as Marango – a sustainable cross between Black Angus and Maremmana cattle, and Fassona beef from Piedmont, which is known for its leanness and purity. Older, grass-fed cattle produce darker, more intensely flavoured steaks.
As you enter, your eye is immediately drawn to the butcher’s fridge, which displays a fabulous array of prime cuts. At its centre sits a charcoal grill, where all the real action happens, and we were invited to watch the steaks engulfed in flames before they hit the plate.
The vibe is old-school Italian, warmly lit, with marble bistro-style floors, oak panelling, and a gallery of West End show posters lining the walls. There are low ceilings and a mezzanine level with extra seating, which wasn’t open during our visit.
We settled into deep green leather banquettes and ordered a couple of glasses of wine – I enjoyed a glass of Sicilian Grillo – dry and aromatic, with citrus notes – while my companion opted for a glass of the house red.
The Italian Feast is £60 per person, or if you’re in the mood for fizz, they do a bottomless prosecco option for £80 per person. You are invited to help yourself to starters from the buffet, which is laid out in front of the open kitchen. There was a good spread of freshly baked, moreish focaccia, silky Parma ham, beef carpaccio dressed with peppery rocket salad, salsa verde, tuna mayo, and huge chunks of Parmesan and Pecorino, perfect for hacking off generous shards.
The lively duo began performing, filling the restaurant with melodic Italian classics and a few contemporary favourites, which added to the atmosphere.
Once we’d worked our way through the buffet, our steak arrived: a fantastic 600g T-bone, brought fresh from the flames.
Juicy slices of pink, tender meat, which were perfectly charred. And from the buffet, sweet roasted carrots, crushed potatoes, tender broccoli, and a rich, glossy gravy completed the feast.
Dessert is a help-yourself affair -there’s classic pots of tiramisu – rich, creamy and satisfying, alongside chocolate brownies, which were just gooey enough to tempt any chocoholic.
I rather enjoyed the pineapple carpaccio, which is a lighter and more refreshing option with paper-thin slices soaked in warm spices – cardamom, cloves, star anise, with a hint of citrus peel and sugar syrup, finished with bright pops of pomegranate. Paired with a double espresso, it was the perfect way to round off a relaxing Italian-style Sunday lunch.
Macellaio RC Soho is in a great central location, and is a welcome alternative to the classic Sunday roast – a lovely way to share your Sunday with friends or family.
Macellaio RC Soho,
Shaftesbury Avenue
London,
W1D 6LA
Phone: 020 3848 1030
Looking for something different? Check our roundup for the best Sunday Roast in London
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