Last Updated on February 1, 2026
Modern Italian dining
4.0 out of 5.0 starsThe Italian Greyhound can be found in a calm spot on Seymour Street, usefully just round the corner from loud goings-on on Marble Arch, Edgware Road and Oxford Street. The restaurant’s aim is to cook food that is both familiar and innovative, using ingredients from sustainable, high-quality producers and growers. We went along to try out their take on casual Italian dining.
We fled from the rain into a sedate, modern environment, think low lighting and lots of pale wood. We liked the well-spaced tables and comfortable seating. Equally important, we appreciated the fact that we could dive into deep conversation thanks to the good acoustics, light music and gentle chitter chatter of the other guests.
I usually feel the need to start the night at an Italian restaurant with a spritz. This time I picked the Aperol Spritz, that unbeatable mix of Aperol, prosecco and soda. It was pleasantly strong and set me up for a good evening. I later moved on to the wine list and was delighted to spot that the Italian Greyhound serves a white Burgundy by the glass. I can recommend their smooth and lovely Mâcon Villages, 5 Terroirs, Famille Paquet.
My friend tried two of the red wines offered by the glass, starting with an Italian wine from Abruzzo. She described the Montepulciano, Linea Classica, Bosco Nestore as robust and full-bodied. Next up, she thought she’d give the Italian Greyhound’s house red a go (always a useful test). This was slightly lighter than the Montepulciano and was much enjoyed.
We took a look at the food menu and quickly decided to share two small plates to begin our meal. The Burrata was served with fig and walnut pesto – an inspired way to distinguish this currently ubiquitous cheese dish from the competition. The sweet fig, the crunch of the walnuts and creamy walnut pesto plus crunchy parmesan tuiles and crispy basil all added flavour and texture to the plate.
Our other small plate was simpler, but a necessary accompaniment to mop up the burrata. The Italian Greyhound’s menu offers Today’s bread with olive oil and balsamic. We were happy to coincide with a focaccia day.
For main courses, the Italian Greyhound offers Large Plates, Pizzas and Pastas. We were both in a pasta mood and thought it would be a good idea to assess the restaurant’s fresh pasta-making skills (they passed with flying colours).
I opted for the very satisfying Lamb ragu tagliatelle with pangrattato with a good grating of Parmesan to top it off. The pangrattato added a herby crunch to the dish, the ragu was meaty and juicy, the pasta springy and moreish.
My companion thought her Crab linguine, spring onion and chilli was quite delicious. The linguine had a good bite, with a generous amount of white and brown crab meat (fresh from Devon), all brought together by a strong garlic punch and just the right amount of chilli.
From the Sides menu, we were tempted by the Broccolini, chilli and garlic. This was quite the glossiest of broccoli, beautifully cooked.
When it came to time for pudding, we were prepared to keep going. Pistachio tiramisu tasted enough like a common or garden tiramisu to keep me happy.
By this point, my friend was feeling less open to another large plate of food. She asked for a couple of scoops from the gelato and sorbet list, choosing chocolate and raspberry (this was the more exciting of the two). We were both foxed by the presentation when the two flavours appeared in separate dishes.
Prices are moderate for central London. The most expensive plate on the menu at the Italian Greyhound is the Galloway rib eye with green beans in red wine jus at £35, while the pizzas start at £14. The pasta dishes are all around the £20 mark.
We both enjoyed our night out at this smart, modern take on the Italian restaurant. The dishes we tried were all classics from the Italian canon, lifted by innovative twists.
Address: 62 Seymour Street, London W1H 5BN
Telephone: 020 3826 7940
Looking for something different? Do check our summary of the best British restaurants in London
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