Circolo Popolare 🇮🇹

Circolo Popolare in Fitzrovia is part of the Big Mamma group of Italian restaurants and is famous above all for its extraordinary interior: walls and ceilings completely covered in wine bottles, vegetables, pasta shapes, and an explosion of Italian decorative excess that creates one of the most photographed dining rooms in London. Beyond the spectacle, the food is genuinely excellent — fresh pasta, thin-crust pizza, antipasti, and Italian desserts made with real care and quality ingredients. For families with children old enough to appreciate a proper sit-down restaurant experience, it is a memorable meal in a setting that does a lot of the entertainment work on its own — children simply cannot stop staring at the decor.

The noise level is high, which works in families' favor: it is that kind of place where children's voices blend in rather than standing out. Bookings are essential and should be made well in advance, particularly for weekend lunches and all dinner sittings. The restaurant does not have a stroller-friendly layout due to the densely packed tables and decor, but children who can sit at table comfortably are absolutely welcome.

The menu offers enough familiar Italian options that even moderately picky children will find something they want to eat.