Located in Mayfair, Il Gattopardo's dishes range from a Margherita to Milanese.
“The Middle Eastern market have been ordering the tiramisu to-go, snapping photos outside and sharing them on Instagram,” laughs the waiter. We’re at the Italian restaurant Il Gattopardo on Albemarle Street, Mayfair. Located in London, on the outside, it’s on a sleek yet serene street, and on the inside, it’s a buzzing, busy restaurant. Welcome to a world of fun and fancy fine dining.
In 2023, Il Gattopardo opened in London, and in 2024, it expanded to ICD Brookfield Place in Dubai. The name translates to leopard, and draws inspiration from a novel by the Italian writer Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa. In the Mayfair restaurant, the motif can be found in the form of a statue on a shelf, prints on chairs and, of course, powdered topping on that tiramisu. It comes close to kitsch, but manages to remain plush and playful.
Drawing inspiration from the 1960s, Il Gattopardo boasts a sultry sophistication with low lighting and snug, sink-into seats. Photo-ready, it feels like the sort of place Federico Fellini might visit. The design includes Italian artwork, gold accents, shimmering chandeliers and a fireplace feature.
Take your pick from the dining room, terraza and crudo bar. On our Tuesday evening visit, even the counter tops were taken. The couches can feel London levels of close to your neighbour, but the tables are wide enough for food, drinks and phones. As the night started, there were after-work London locals, and as the night went on, it filled with a Middle Eastern crowd.
Il Gattopardo aims to create an authentic taste of Italy in the heart of London. Spectacular for sharing, the menu spans insalate, crudo, affettati, pizzette, pasta, padella, contorni, formaggi, pasticceria and desserts. The staff are ready with recommendations and on hand to help. Everything was served on pretty plates – a Polpo grilled octopus salad on a ceramic dish with pictures of octopus, anyone?
The pizzas come with a range of toppings, from the Marinara with anchovies to the Tartufo with truffle. Little and light, they are a superb starter. The Cavolo Riccio was texture-tastic with caperberries, kale, pomegranate and pine nuts. The Aranchini with beef Bolognese and smoked scamorza were balls of brilliance.
If you want to go traditional, order the Milanese with veal tomahwak, anchovies and capers. The dish was served on a wooden board, and carved at the table. The crispy and crunchy dish was offset by the creamy, caramel-y lemon brown butter.
No trip to Il Gattopardo is complete without ordering the Tiramisu. While it does come in at £42, it is big enough for four – yes, really. It might hit your wallet, but also your sweet as well as social media spot.
The restaurant offers a day-to-night experience. The drinks menu pays homage to Italian films, and includes an illustration of a woman taking a leopard for a walk, naturally. The wine list includes bottles from Piedmont and Tuscany. There’s a dedicated negroni list with classic to creative takes – there’s even a Choco Negroni. Plus, the mocktails range from a Belli-No to a Dolce Colada.
Il Gattopardo: It’s classy, characterful and, of course, camera-ready.
GO: Visit https://gattopardo.restaurant for more information.