Last Updated on March 26, 2026
Italian fine dining in Mayfair
4.5 out of 5.0 starsSparrow is a swanky modern dining establishment in Mayfair set across three floors of a Georgian townhouse, complete with an uber sexy cigar lounge and a rooftop terrace. Helmed by the Noble 33 Group, also behind hotspots in New York, Miami, and Downtown Los Angeles, it offers a mix of international flair and London charm.
Entering through a sleek doorway into a polished brass and wood-panelled, lowly lit hallway, complete with an open fireplace, Sparrow immediately draws you in. Being a little early for our booking gave us a good excuse to enjoy an aperitif at the ground-floor bar.
The central bar at Sparrow stands out with brushed brass fittings and a marble top, surrounded by deep turquoise velvet banquettes, linen-topped tables and tan leather seating. Grey-painted windows and curtains add subtle grey-blue tones, giving the space a calm feel.
The cocktails at Sparrow are as theatrical as the ambience – iced, shaken, stirred, and even smoked, adding extra fun. As a martini enthusiast, I tried the Puritan, a mix of gin, yellow Chartreuse, and dry vermouth, offering a fruity, subtly sweet tang.
Meanwhile, my companion, a Negroni aficionado, opted for the Abruzzo – with Malfy blood orange gin, Discarded Cascara vermouth, and a walnut-infused amaro blend, finished with a hint of orange oil smoke. It arrived in a haze of smoke, with buttery orange notes, and a lighter amber hue; an interesting twist on the classic Negroni.
After enjoying cocktails in the bar, we were invited up to the first-floor restaurant, taken by lift into a distinctly different space. Here, the mood shifts subtly, leaning towards a touch of Italy. Olive trees and lush greenery give it the feel of an elegant night-time conservatory.
Tables are dressed in crisp white linen, and I loved the napkins, each neatly tucked with a sprig of rosemary. On the stereo, there were jazzy, Buddha Bar vibes. It was remarkably busy for a Tuesday night, so clearly word has got out to those in the know.
The first arrival at the table was the sensationally good, freshly baked focaccia. My companion declared it the best he’d ever eaten. Remarkably crisp on the outside with an almost gooey centre, it was fabulous, especially dipped into the excellent olive oil served alongside.
The menu offers high-end, classic Italian fare, designed for sharing. It is divided into several sections – Hot, Cold, Salads, For the Table (pasta dishes), Butcher’s Reserve, Seafood & Poultry, and Sides. The professional and friendly staff helped us select just the right number of dishes, carefully considering a few food intolerances.
Opting for wine by the glass, I began with Florian Mollet Sancerre Loire Valley 2023, France, a fresh acidity with notes of citrus and peach. My companion chose Terrazze Dell’Etna Carusa Etna Rosso, which was a bright ruby red with aromas of ripe cherry.
First to arrive were hot, golden balls of arancini, beautifully crisp and with a lovely soft wild mushroom risotto filling, finished with Parmigiano and served with a moreish truffle aioli.
The Hamachi ceviche was super fresh, the glistening sea bass brightened by yuzu and lifted with a gentle kick of Italian chilli.
Adding to the table’s flavours, an artichoke, rocket and Parmigiano salad, which felt like a meal in itself, piled high with rocket, finely sliced artichoke and Parmigiano with a touch of chilli and a bright, salty citrus dressing – I could happily eat this for lunch every day.
Next came the Cacio e Pepe, served table-side from a wheel of cheese. The tagliatelle was cooked perfectly al dente, coated in a rich, creamy blend of Parmigiano and Pecorino with plenty of fresh pepper. Indulgent but delicious!
We paired our mains at Sparrow with a glass of Gaja Idaia Etna Bianco 2023, a white wine from Sicily with a pale straw hue and aromas of citrus and Mediterranean herbs. And with Mastroberardino Taurasi, Campania, Italy – an intense ruby red with a bouquet of wild berries and plum, with spicy-woody notes.
There’s an enticing line-up of mains, so we opted for both a meat and a fish dish. From the Butcher’s Reserve, a Calabrian chilli rubbed NY Strip, a high-quality, juicy cut of steak, was served with a rather glutinous, mild pepper sauce.
Grilled branzino (the Italian name for European sea bass) was gorgeously presented on a wooden board, the mild, clean flesh topped with crushed Sicilian pistachio, herbs and charred lemon, adding texture and flavour. On the side, a bowl of creamed polenta and vibrant broccolini with a crunch of breadcrumbs and just enough spice from the pepperoncini.
Our meal at Sparrow ended with Amalfi Lemon delight – a light sponge laced with lemon curd coated in a mild lemon cream. And some superb Italian gelato.
After dinner, keen to see the famed cigar lounge, we took the lift upstairs, navigating the dark corridors to discover a magnificent room with an incredible choice of cigars. It’s furnished with dark wood panels, brown leather bucket chairs, grey banquettes, and grey marble-topped tables, with chessboards at the ready.
It oozes sultry charm, and my companion, clearly in his element, looked like he could happily spend the entire evening there.
Sparrow is perfect for a hot date or a little indulgence, but, as you’d expect, it does come with inevitably steep prices. Then again, you are in Mayfair after all.
Sparrow Italia
1–3 Avery Row,
Mayfair,
London
W1K 4AJ
Tel: +44 20 3089 9501
Check out New Restaurants in London – Tried and Tested in 2025 for more options
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