Naughty Sports Bar

There are some things in life that just shouldn’t be messed with, and several of those things are Italian dishes. Da Beppe is about as authentic as it comes for Italian food in Fitzrovia – no pomp and circumstance, no fluff, no fuss, no fantastical marketing campaigns, just good, honest Italian fare done as it would be by nonna. Found on Cleveland Street, Da Beppe makes fresh pasta in-house practically to order, tossed in the traditionally basic but perfectly complementary Italian combos, from simple ricotta and spinach to a hearty Bolognese sauce. Throw in their tasty antipasti options, beautiful sharing platters, bona fide traditional desserts (the Sardinian seadas – fried pastry with pecorino, citrus zest and honey – are to die for) and the fact they also have a section serving as a sports bar, and you’ve got a satisfying combination of quality, superb value and entertainment almost unheard of in central London.