Fine Foods - Locanda del Melo

You need to try the best Italian food in London. Pasta gamberi is my favourite and I’m a regular here! All ad photos for the insanely good desserts!

Came on a weeknight for dinner with friends and we loved it! There was a good selection on the menu (including vegetarian-friendly dishes marked out). Our group of three shared two starters and deserts, each had our own main. Portions were good, ingredients fresh, and all dishes delicious (especially the homemade pasta and tiramisu)! My Italian friend left happy, which is always a good sign. Theres limited outdoor seating (would fit tables of 1-2 people), so we sat indoors. Staff were polite and helpful when we asked for recommendations. Would definitely come back!

We went to Fine Foods for some pasta, and overall, the experience was quite good. The pasta is excellent, especially the ones with rabbit—absolutely delicious! The tagliatelle with crab, however, wasn’t my favorite; I felt like it needed a bit more flavor, though I’m not sure exactly what was missing. That said, the waiter is lovely, welcoming guy, which added to the experience. It is a bit on the pricey side, but considering the quality, I think the price is fair.

This is a gem of a restaurant. The pasta dishes are absolutely amazing. We’ve been visiting for several days and finally stopped in to eat. We were not disappointed in the food or service. We had the pheasant and the rabbit dishes and they were fantastic! We even went back a second night and had the same dishes and my son had the steak; it was delicious. Everything is made to order and comes out piping hot. The service is absolutely wonderful very friendly and personable. Of all the places we ate in London this was by far the best!

Fantastic pasta dishes. Really well made, beautiful ingredients and super fresh. No need to go to Italy - just come here!

Thankful for the excellent service, impeccable food and outstanding wine suggestion. We ordered the prawn pasta, duck pasta, potato dumplings, deep fried seafood platter, cheese platter. And all were good. 💯 will come back again when we are in London. 🥰

Fabulous authentic home cooked Italian food. Not easy to find this level of quality outside of italy.

A hidden gem in Bermondsey. So authentic and delicious. Just like being in Italy! ❤️

Yep. We were staying across the street at the Residence Inn. We passed the restaurant several times during the day and also in the evening. By day, it wasn't so exciting looking. By night, it looked warm and inviting. But we never judge books by their covers. That's a fool's errand. Instead, we look at yelp and then at other reviews that the reviewers wrote. What we read was intriguing enough to walk across the street and in the door. There was one table in use when we walked in. We asked for a table and were led to the back room and told to take the two-top of our choice. A young woman, who was apparently being trained shared the responsibility of taking care of us under the tutelage of an experienced server. They were both wonderful although my wife told me to quit joking with the younger server because she could see that I was causing confusion or consternation or both. We ordered: Minestrone Soup - 5 - THE BEST Minestrone Soup that we've EVER HAD, EVER! Pappardelle with Pork Ragu - 5 - OMG, the PASTA! Ribbons of perfection. And the Ragu was pretty darned good too. Gamberoni Fregula - 5 - Never really a fan of couscous, Fregula is similar with the primary difference that it is made by hand rather than by machine. It was the perfect support and accompaniment for the large Prawns on top of the dish. Spinach - 5 - We needed some kind of veg besides what we got in the soup and this simple spinach dish hit the spot. Bread & Oil - 5 - It was good enough to take the leftover bread home with us to toast and butter the next morning. Apple Fruit Tart - 5 - Flakey, buttery and just the right sweetness to support the apple which still had a bite to it. And of course, the Vanilla Ice Cream was good too. Tiramisu - 5 - They have permanently ruined all future Tiramisu for us. No one has ever made such a delicious creation. It was NOT packed with drunken Lady Fingers. It may have only had three or four suspended in a creamy custard held together by a lovely thin tuille and then dusted in cocoa. We were seriously thinking about going back just to have Minestrone Soup and Tiramisu but decided that we had to try some of the other restaurants nearby. We did go to another Italian restaurant nearby and were so disappointed. That restaurant had shared tables and when we saw how disappointed our seatmates were with their orders, we suggested to them to go to Locanda del Melo for the Tiramisu and all would be better. They were intrigued so we walked them over and said our good nights as they entered the restaurant.

So so good, just ask my spaghetti bolognese eating son. That's all he wanted as we traveled through Europe, and this was by far his favorite restaurant. My wife and I tried several of the pasta and meat dishes, as well as multiple deserts over the 5 times we visited. All were superb and presented beautifully. The restaurant is situated on the corner adjacent the Residence Inn of London Bridge. The owner was always there, very inviting, full of great suggestions and smiles. If you're anywhere in that area, it's a great place to eat.

Omg! What an amazing little spot! A hidden gem! If you are in Bermondsey, stop by this place , you will enjoy every second your being there. The decor is very simple yet homey. Service is great ! The food is absolutely delicious ! We had bruschetta and caprese as our antipasti.Tomatoes, mozzarella, basil were so fresh and fragrant. For the primi we had beef over a bed of arugula with Parmesan , homemade pasta with braised duck and homemade ravioli. For desert we had tiramisu and panecotta. Our server told us this was going to be the best tiramisu in the world, and she was absolutely right. My daughter who never liked tiramisu , devoured this one I'm so glad we came to that restaurant and ended our visit to London on such a delicious note.

Like others have said, what a great little spot, tucked away on a quiet street. Italians run the place so you know it's genuine. Cozy, quick service, very amiable (and a quite attractive waiter from Palermo!) My friend and I split the crab pasta, cod with lentils and the chocolate fondant. The pasta was fresh and perfectly al dente, with a delicious buttery flavour. The cod was plump and juicy, expertly cooked, and I was delighted with the huge amount of lentils. A treat! The fondant could be plated differently- honestly it looks like a poop smear- but it was utterly delicious to end the night, with a dollop of vanilla ice cream. The wine carafe was a bit too expensive at £23 (!!) but the suggested dry white wine choice from Sardinia was delicious. Overall a wonderful experience and I would return.

The service was impecable. David provided great recommendations and everything was spectacular. My husband had a pasta dish with prawns which was light and delicious. I had the duck that was perfectly cooked. For dessert The tiramisu was just perfect. Had wonderful conversation with David about Spain and he provided excellent wine recommendations as well. Definitely recommend it great food, excellent service and ambiance was just right for a dinner for two.

We decided to stop in one night because this restaurant was across the street from our hotel. I don't know where to begin. The atmosphere and inside brought me back to my visits in Italy. The food, I can't say enough about the food. My husband ordered the Cacio e Pepe (we can never find it in the US) and he was not disappointed. I ordered the gnocchi, and was delighted how the gnocchi melted in your mouth. Sal and David are the friendliest and so welcoming. We had such a wonderful experience we came back again the next night for dinner. This is a must stop when in London, and will be a must stop for us every time we're here. Plus, I have to make David California famous!!

Mouth watering Italian food. Visited there about five times on my last two trips to London. Super friendly, down-to-earth staff. Melo, who I mistook for the waiter until I looked at the website more closely when I got back to the USA, is actually the owner. Because I didn't realize this, I actually missed that he actually brought the chef from below to meet us at our table. I gave the interaction short shrift - just not realizing. My wife now considers it our default restaurant. The food is just inexplicably sophisticated and savory for such a small back-of-deli Italian restaurant.

This wonderful neighborhood gem is cozy and welcoming, with superb house-made pastas and a seasonal menu that would please any palate. Their bresaola carpaccio is a particular favorite of mine, along with their veal-stuffed agnolotti with saffron and thyme broth. Service is friendly and casual, just what you want in a place like this. And they have gluten free pasta for those who can't tolerate gluten. In addition to the restaurant, the deli makes wonderful sandwiches at lunchtime and the small shop's shelves are stocked with Italian pastas, sauces and wines for you to take home. I love the busy restaurants around the corner on Bermondsey Street, but Locanda del Melo makes me feel like I'm being treated to a special meal at a neighbor's home. I can't think about the place without smiling -- can't wait to go back!

On my first trip to London, we found this great little restaurant across the street from our hotel. At first glance, it appeared to be a small wine and meat shop but thank goodness we stopped in. Locanda del Melo is by far the BEST italian restaurant I have eaten in. The food is delicious and the service is exceptional. David and Sal make you feel welcome and part of the family. My Risotto was the best I have ever had. During our time in London, we returned twice. If you are in London, this restaurant is a MUST to eat at. You will not be sorry. I am sure that I will not find an italian restaurant in my area, back in the States, to compare to the quality of Locanda del Melo.

Well...this place is right across the street form the hotel, already gets almost 5 yelp stars, and the hotel staff recommends it (I hope they get some sort of commission) . Got the Tortelloni and a side of broccoli. Tortelloni are much larger than Tortellini. This place charges more than £4 for bread! First Italian restaurant I've ever been to, that charges for bread. The tortelloni were very good. Could tell they were handmade and very fresh. The filling was very good. Cheesy, which I like! Broccoli was just ok. I think steamed with some sort of sour taste, which I didn't care for. Finally, tried the Tiramisu. Very different take than I'm used to. Lot of rich custard and the cake in a crispy cookie bowl. If you like A LOT of custard and not so much cake, you'll love this dish!

Tiny family restaurant, soothing Italian ambiance, amazing food. This hole in a wall restaurant is a real gem, highly recommended for anyone visiting the area. For specific items, the veal ravioli was simply beautiful, and charcuterie board is very good too. We enjoyed the moscato and chocolate fondant as well.

Great neighborhood restaurant. Fine selection of wine. Enjoyed the pan fried goat cheese with spinach and red onion dressing. Ravioli was cooked perfectly. Spaghetti with seafood had a generous amount of clams. Tiramisu was amazing. Service was top notch. I would return.

Fine Foods Locanda de Melo is a spectacular bonanza of culinary awesomeness- If you love a good tiramisu, then get your sassy butt over here! Beatrice is a plate-wielding goddess, flinging freshly sliced bread and tangy prosciutto to all under her spell- If you choose to forgo this local favorite while in London, you will live with eternal regret. And more than likely, your children's children will forget your name.

Delicious wine, bread and dinner with a nice intimate setting. Highly recommend. The Parmigiana was baked to perfection and the bread was fresh and had unique flavor. They had a nice range of menu options. Well done.

I'm not sure if this is called Café Incas or Long Lane Deli but this little Italian deli is a blessing for the nearby residents as Long Lane is a bit sparse on the shopping and retail front. Most of the products are sourced with care from farms in Italy. There are meats, cheeses, pastas and selections of traditional sauces to more extravagant ones such as wild boar or walnut cream (which is very delicious on raisin bread or stirred in pasta). What I enjoy is the personal service, very rare indeed in London. Custom-make your own baguette or sandwich, sit and have a delicious coffee while you wait or discuss ways of saving the world with Milo, the friendly counter assistant who can't resist a good chat. Although a Tesco Metro has opened toward the end of the street, I am hoping that people will continue to patronise this deli.

Very sweet little neighborhood shop! I stopped in for lunch on a Sunday afternoon and was greeted very enthusiastically by the Italian owner. I had a great sandwich of mozzarella, prosciutto, and sundried tomatoes on yummy crusty bread. Great find, especially if you need some authentic and fresh Italian ingredients for cooking!

Ate here on 12th Jan 2015. Rang up hoping that they would have a table for one, the guy on the phone was very accommodating and fitted me in. Started with the antipasti Italian meats and olives to start with a beautiful Italian craft beer, good proportions in terms of size and the meats and bread were fresh and wonderful. Had Spaghetti amatriciana which was on the specials for the day, very fresh and well balanced flavours. Service was friendly and efficient, total cost with 2 craft beers and the above a very reasonable £23! I will be coming back again and again.

Ghetto on one side of the street, yuppies on the other, Long Lane was an interesting place to live. Especially since midway down, on the ghetto side, was a fabulous little Italian deli. Specialising in artisan products, it was a bit out of place but nonetheless delicious. Get your coffee early in the morning or gorgeous fresh breads in the evening. If you are having people over, pick up some high quality pasta, cheese and choose from one of the endless jars of sauces. They will cost you though, some of the stuff can be quite pricey. But a place like this makes you feel good about supporting local businesses. Like the previous reviewer said, Cafe Incas is all about friendly, welcoming service, so stop in and have a chat.

Delicious Italian food. Amazing desserts. Staff is very friendly. A+ experience. Definitely recommend trying this place.

I popped in here to pick up a few ingredients to make a proper pizza. I soon found myself in the capable hands of a few very knowledgable Italians who recommended some delicious spicy salami, buffalo mozzarella, and a lovely to tomato passata for sauce. This tiny shop has the inviting atmosphere of an authentic neighborhood Italian cafe, perfect for a dropping by for a quality espresso and panini.

Fantastic quality ingredients in a cozy deli! They serve a selection of sandwiches, salads and warm food as well as selling high-quality Italian ingredients. There isn't much room to sit but last time I visited I was told they are extending into the back of the deli to create a proper cafe area! The place isn't cheap but you are paying for great quality ingredients.

Fine meats and cheeses. And wine. Olives and imported sundries, too! Totally dig the neighborhood bodega vibe. Italian owned and operated.

Great Imported italian foods and coffee.

I was in London for 3 weeks and did not know about this place until the day before leaving :( . This food is pretty much the only good food I have found in London, but that's coming from a New Yorker (no good pizza here). This deli gets most, if not all, of its products from Italy, so the quality is magnificent. The food there is just so good and the workers are so friendly as well. I highly recommend trying this place out.