London is a vibrant culinary hub, with a food scene shaped by global influences and long-standing migrant communities. Italian delis, in particular, hold a special place for both locals and expatriates, offering access to authentic ingredients and familiar flavours. Whether you’re looking for fresh pasta, quality charcuterie, or a bottle of Italian wine, the city offers a surprising depth of choice. In this guide, we explore some of the best Italian delis in London, both physical shops and online suppliers.
Many of these delis sit at the centre of a broader Italian food culture in the city, often overlapping with traditional cafés and regional specialities. If coffee is part of that ritual for you, you may also enjoy our guide on where to drink real Italian espresso in London.
1. Terroni of Clerkenwell
Established in 1878, Terroni of Clerkenwell is widely regarded as London’s oldest Italian delicatessen. Located near St Peter’s Italian Church, the shop retains the feel of a traditional neighbourhood deli, stocking pantry staples, cured meats, sweets, and everyday Italian brands that generations of customers recognise.
Alongside packaged goods, Terroni offers fresh pasta, cheeses, and a carefully chosen wine selection. Its appeal lies less in trend-driven products and more in continuity — the sense that little has changed, and that is precisely the point.
2. I Camisa & Son
I Camisa & Son, founded in Soho in 1929, is often described as one of London’s earliest Italian food businesses. Known for its handmade pasta and classic sauces, the shop attracts a loyal following for its generously filled panini and traditional approach to Italian cooking.
Despite Soho’s transformation over the decades, I Camisa has preserved its character, continuing to produce fresh tagliatelle and pappardelle on site while stocking familiar Italian cupboard essentials.
3. Lina Stores
Founded in 1944, Lina Stores is instantly recognisable for its green-and-white façade. While now expanded into restaurants and an online shop, its roots as a Soho deli remain visible in its focus on fresh pasta, sauces, and quality ingredients prepared daily.
4. Salvino
Based in Kentish Town, Salvino specialises in Sicilian food, from arancini and fresh ravioli to pastries and regional wines. Run by two brothers, the shop has developed a loyal local following, particularly for its informal aperitivo evenings and relaxed neighbourhood atmosphere.
5. Giacobazzi’s
Giacobazzi’s in Hampstead is a family-run deli offering fresh pasta, cheeses, cured meats, and a strong Italian wine selection. It caters both to everyday shopping and to customers looking for higher-quality regional products.
6. Delizie D’Italia
Located in Pimlico, Delizie D’Italia focuses on Sicilian home-style cooking. Fresh pasta, aubergine parmigiana, arancini, and desserts such as tiramisu are central to its offering, alongside a small selection of imported Italian products.
7. The Green Truffle
The Green Truffle, in Bethnal Green, specialises in gourmet Italian products with an emphasis on truffles and regional specialities. Despite its compact size, the shop has become a reference point for East London cooks looking for harder-to-find ingredients.
8. Online Italian delis
For those who prefer shopping from home, several Italian delis operate online, delivering fresh and packaged products across London and the UK. These services are particularly useful for sourcing cheeses, cured meats, and regional pantry items that may be difficult to find locally.
- Nife Is Life – Known for fresh mozzarella, pasta, sauces, and same-day delivery within London.
- Italicatessen – A nationwide supplier offering Italian food products, wines, and speciality ingredients.
Many of the products found in London’s Italian delis reflect regional food traditions rather than generic “Italian” cooking. This is particularly true for ingredients from Emilia-Romagna — from cured meats to fresh pasta — which are explored in more detail in our guide to the taste of Emilia-Romagna in London.
Conclusion
London’s Italian delis offer more than convenience shopping — they act as cultural reference points for food traditions carried across borders. Whether you favour long-established shops or newer specialist retailers, these delis continue to play an important role in keeping Italian food culture alive in the city.
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