Italo

"Italo has a freewheeling vibe that defined Bonnington Square in the 1980s. The deli and cafe is one of London’s most idyllic locations for an alfresco lunch that spills out onto the pavement. Snack on ciabatta filled with goats’ curd and braised leeks, or whipped ricotta french toast. If you sit down at midday, you probably won’t leave until late afternoon." - heidi lauth beasley, jake missing, rianne shlebak

"One of our favourite ways to spend an afternoon in south London is… to pretend we’re not in south London. Italo, a coffee shop and deli on Bonnington Square, has the kind of outdoor patio that makes you forget that you’re a 10-minute walk away from Vauxhall station. A lunch here consists of things like ciabattas filled with goats’ curd and braised leeks, fresh pastas, and blueberry sauce and whipped ricotta french toast. The deli has a bunch of Italian produce, from specialty olive oil to Pan di Stelle cookies, so you can take that holiday feeling home with you." - heidi lauth beasley, jake missing, rianne shlebak, sinead cranna

"There are few better ways to spend an afternoon in south London than… pretending you’re not in south London. Italo, a coffee shop and deli on the corner of Bonnington Square, has the kind of outdoor patio that makes you forget that you’re a 10-minute walk away from one of London’s busiest underground stations. An alfresco lunch here consists of things like ciabattas filled with goats’ curd and braised leeks, and fresh pasta. Don’t skip dessert and end the afternoon by browsing the deli filled with Italian produce." - heidi lauth beasley, jake missing, rianne shlebak

"It would be easy to talk about Italo’s charmingly ramshackle, genuine interior, its secluded Vauxhall location, and its raft of much-better-than-above-average deli staples in the context of its breakfast menu, but it would be even easier to just list off the following dishes. Saffron leeks, fried shallots, and crisp toast; wild mushroom kitchari with the spiced hum-crunch of sev and tart apple raita; a baked vacherin with potatoes, cornichons, and quince jelly. At breakfast. Get among it." - James Hansen

"Strolling around idyllic Bonnington Square is a balm for the soul by itself — it’s easy to forget this oasis is just around the corner from the labyrinth of roads and relentless traffic outside Vauxhall station. And deli and cafe Italo makes the leafy neighbourhood even more dreamy. As it gets chilly, order a steaming bowl of porridge laced with maple syrup or one of the mega sandwiches on ciabatta. Think sausage and braised onions or good tomatoes and a fried egg. Browse the windows for any deli bits then head around the back to pick up the food. There are tables out front, or find a nook in the gardens opposite." - Suze Olbrich, Daisy Meager