Just a short walk from Elephant and Castle tube station, Theo’s offers a rich, full-flavour Italian food experience.
Although the menu may appear restricted at first glance, its limited selection is compensated by high quality and ample portion sizes.
We kicked off our lunch with a selection of antipasti (starters): two wild garlic arancini (£6), a sharing plate of crescentine (a deep-fried dough from Emilia-Romagna), burrata, mortadella, and guindilla chillies (£12), plus one fried pizza (£7.50).
While not entirely traditional, the wild garlic arancini hit all the right notes—crispy on the outside and delightfully soft and cheesy in the centre.
The sharing plate was freshly prepared in front of us, the chef slicing the mortadella, and every element complemented the next. The burrata was creamy, the chillies added the right kick, and the crescentine were warm and chewy— a balanced and satisfying starter for two.
The pizza fritta, a traditional fried calzone filled with salami, tomato sauce, ricotta, and mozzarella, could easily pass as a main dish on its own. It is absolutely delicious, from the golden dough to the flavourful filling.
As a main, since I had previously tried the Margherita pizza (which was excellent), I went for something new: the sausage and gorgonzola panuozzo (£6.50), a wood-fired sandwich with shredded Italian sausage, melted cheese, rocket, and mushrooms. Each bite was delicious, melting in my mouth and leaving me satisfied.
To finish, we took the staff’s advice and ordered the homemade tiramisu (£7.50). I’ve been let down by tiramisu in London more times than I can count, so I was sceptical, but this one was different. It was creamy and soft, with a balanced mix of flavours. The coffee didn’t overpower the cream, and the sweetness was just right. Highly recommended.
Whether you’re working or studying nearby, Theo’s is a must. It’s a rare find, tasty, and surprisingly affordable considering London prices.
Arianna Distefano