Nipotina on South Audley Street in Mayfair has quickly become one of London’s most talked-about Italian restaurants since opening in late 2024. Named after the Italian word for “granddaughter,” the neighbourhood ristorante marries the warmth of family-inspired cooking with the polished energy of one of London’s poshest areas.
Under Turin-born chef Somaia Hammad, the menu covers time-honoured Italian recipes and seasonal produce, from handmade pasta to wood-fired seafood and meats, crisp Northern Italian pizzas.
The new Nipotina x Saatchi Yates menu
And because the new year invites new beginnings, this charming restaurant has launched a special collaboration with contemporary art gallery Saatchi Yates. There’s a curated selection of artworks adorning the terracotta-toned walls of the restaurant. But beyond the art pieces, there’s also a brand new special menu – the Nonna’s Sharing Menu (£68pp for 4 courses). Vegetarians will be thrilled to know that there’s a fully veggie version too (£58pp for 4 courses), so you can sit back and enjoy the feast, too.
We visited the restaurant earlier this month to try this new menu – here’s all about our experience:
Starters
A glance at the menu is enough to see this is a “best of” compilation of inspired, lesser-known Italian dishes – and the starters are heaven on earth. We started with panelle, crisp Sicilian chickpeas with a cooling yet boldly spiced yoghurt dip (something we had never tasted before, and we’re serious dip people).
Then came the arancini, golden spheres of spinach and molten mozzarella with a tomato sauce on the side, followed by the luxurious burrata e carciofi that was soft and pillowy, paired with sautéed artichokes and a drizzle of mint oil.
Finally, we had a refreshing insalata di mele cotogne with rocket, parmesan, roasted pistachios, and caramelised quince apples. As far as a leafy salad goes, it was definitely an A, but we did have a few other competing priorities at the table.
Mains
Starters were a cacophony of flavours, and we were genuinely impressed – yet equally apprehensive about the mains, fearing they might falter (that’s how high the bar had risen). Let us assure you: they more than delivered. We started with melanzana affumicata, a casserole of smoked, meaty aubergine cloaked in tomato sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan, and fresh basil. Polished it off to the last spoonful. We were also served a pan of rosemary roast potatoes but let’s just say they were completely overshadowed by the aubergine dish.
Next up was capellini al pomodoro, essentially a tomato pasta with freshly grated parmesan on top. We thought we’d had the best tomato pasta at Nina earlier this year, but this somehow topped it. It was packed with flavour and just the right level of cheesy – a main course that totally hit the mark and felt worthwhile despite the simplicity.
Dessert and wines
Every now and then, a tray of desserts would make the rounds, adding a little spectacle and theatre as other tables peeked to see what was being served. There are plenty of tempting desserts at Nipotina (the tiramisu apparently takes the crown) but we went for the salted caramel pannacotta as part of the set menu.
No complaints here. With a layer of biscuit at the bottom and the rich, layered sweetness of the salted caramel, this pannacotta felt far more indulgent than the usual light, fruity version. It was a great finale: satisfying and sweet without being too heavy, a gentle landing after such a generous feast.
Wines
Last but not least, we have to give the sommelier our praises – he picked us a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon–Syrah that paired beautifully with the meal. Nipotina is ideal if you know your wines, or even if you just like discovering something new. You can stick with a Nipotina Negroni as part of the set menu (£9.99), but the full one-page wine list is tempting.
Our verdict
Nipotina is charming, intimate, and romantic, with its soft pink walls, deep green banquettes and velvet-trimmed windows. And the menu more than delivers – every course feels a step above your average Italian in London. Bold, distinct flavours, yet everything still feels confidently Italian. The perfect spot for Valentine’s or a dinner date.
Key details
Address: 49 South Audley Street, London W1K 2QD, United Kingdom
Website: nipotinaristorante.com
Socials: @nipotinaristorante
See also
Review – Nina is the coolest see-and-be-seen restaurant in London