64 Old Compton Street

Dubbed the ‘cool lesbian sister’ of its older brother Forty Dean Street just around the corner, Italian restaurant 64 Old Compton Street verges more into cool lesbian aunt territory (in the best way possible), with deep blue wallpaper, dark wooden wainscoting, quaint floral art, and china plates adorning the walls. This intimate restaurant is a tight squeeze, but nonetheless cosy and comfortable, with warm pendant lighting and plush cerulean banquets. It’s a lively place, so if you are looking for peace and quiet, maybe dining in the beating heart of bustling Soho isn’t for you.

Servers are friendly and efficient, presenting dishes and drinks with a flourish. Speaking of, the Coconut and Pineapple Cooler was creamy and smooth, while the bright, tart Ramble was a perfect refresher for a summer evening in London.

64 Old Compton Street’s menu boasts fried squid and zucchini for a light and crunchy starter, but it is the pork and beef meatballs that stand out: juicy and flavourful in a rich tomato and basil sauce which strikes the right balance between sweet and acidic. A final dusting of cheese creates a delicious crust around the edge of the dish - our spoons battle over the last one.

The home-made beef lasagne is surprisingly light for a substantially-sized dish, and a bowl of pappardelle ragu saw tender chunks of beef atop freshly made in-house pasta. While no match for the meatballs, they still went down easy, with just enough room for dessert. The pistachio tiramisu wasn’t overwhelmingly sweet, which many desserts tend to fall victim to, and the vegan chocolate fondant with vanilla ice cream was cautiously decadent.

64 Old Compton Street doesn’t exactly serve dinner on a budget, with starters averaging around £12, but for a satisfying three-course meal, it won’t break the bank. And the atmosphere is vibrant and high-spirited, matching the energy of Soho.

Italian food is hard to screw up, but difficult to master, although we’d argue that 64 Old Compton Street sits comfortably on the latter end of that scale. Regardless, we’d hop back in a heartbeat for the meatballs alone.

64 Old Compton Street is a family-run Italian restaurant from owner Nima Safei, who is also the mastermind behind 40 Dean Street just around the corner. Similarly to its sibling, this second site specialises in classic Italian dishes centred around seasonal produce. Located in the heart of Soho, it's also a great option for a pre- or post-theatre dinner, where you can make use of the excellent-value set menu.

64 Old Compton Street is a vibrant venue with sleek interiors. Think velvet seating with orange accents, vintage paintings across the sapphire blue walls and scattered white orchids. The menu features a wealth of Italian classics and is perfect for sharing, from tasty antipasti to homemade pasta dishes, risotto and grills. 

Start off with a selection of Italian cured meats and cheeses, or try pork and beef meatballs in a rich tomato sauce served with focaccia. For a light lunch, there is a selection of refreshing classic salads like Caprese, Caesar and goat’s cheese with beetroot, walnut and pear. For an authentic experience, choose from an impressive range of pasta and risotto dishes, from familiar favourites like penne arrabiata and spinach ravioli, all the way to indulgent homemade beef lasagne with oozing layers of béchamel and beef shin ragu. Finish the meal with its signature pistachio tiramisu, or a chocolate fondant with vanilla ice cream, raspberries and chocolate sauce.

The drinks menu covers all bases, from classic cocktails to digestives and dessert wines. The wine list, meanwhile, is heavily focused on Italian bottles, albeit with a few French features thrown in for good measure. Discover its bespoke house cocktails, like the Amaretto Cherry Sour which combines Disaronno, cherry liquor and lemon juice, or the Refuel Martini comprised of watermelon juice, sugar syrup and Stolichnaya.