Christoff.ai

Campanelle

restaurants•
London
London

Campanelle

19-21 Billiter St, London EC3M 2RY, United Kingdom

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Christoff

Christoff's Take

Insider review

Housed in a former London Shipping Exchange on Billiter Street, Campanelle transforms a piece of City history into one of London's most theatrical Italian dining experiences. With 180 covers spread across a grand historic hall and tableside salt-crusted seabass that's pure dinner theatre, this isn't your typical neighbourhood trattoria.

Campanelle: Where Historic Grandeur Meets Modern Italian Theatre

A Grade II listed shipping exchange turned spectacular dining destination

My Honest Review

Atmosphere & Ambiance

The moment you step into this Grade II listed former shipping exchange, you're struck by the sheer scale and architectural grandeur. The light-filled historic hall maintains its original character while contemporary Italian touches prevent it feeling like a museum piece. With a sophistication score of 8.5/10, it strikes that perfect balance between impressive and approachable. The energy level sits at a healthy 7.5/10 - buzzy without being overwhelming, particularly when the City crowd descends for lunch and dinner. The space transforms beautifully throughout the day, operating from dawn to dusk as it shifts from a relaxed coffee hub to a lively dinner destination. The 44-seat all-weather terrace provides a welcome escape from the grand interior, while a private wine room caters to more intimate gatherings. The venue scores 9.0/10 for social group size accommodation, making it equally suited to business dinners as special occasions.

Food & Drink

The menu showcases modern Italian cuisine with serious attention to both tradition and spectacle. The wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas are a highlight, emerging from the ovens with that perfect char and authentic flavour profile. House-made fresh pasta, including their signature campanelle bell-shaped pasta that gives the restaurant its name, demonstrates proper Italian craftsmanship. But the real showstopper is that tableside salt-crusted wild seabass service - pure Instagram-worthy dining theatre that justifies the moderate splurge pricing. The 45-day dry-aged truffle rib-eye and classic parmigiana round out a menu that takes Italian cuisine seriously. Breakfast offerings like eggs Benedict and yolk omelettes cater to the early City crowd, while desserts like tiramisu and Amalfi lemon meringue tart provide satisfying conclusions. The kitchen accommodates dietary requirements with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, though specific details aren't available.

Service & Experience

Operating in this grand space requires a certain level of service sophistication, and the staff seem to understand the assignment. The tableside theatre element, particularly with the salt-crusted seabass, requires skilled execution and timing. Given the venue's positioning for both quick City lunches and leisurely dinners, the service needs to be adaptable - rushing when business demands it, but slowing down for special occasions. The attentive service mentioned suggests they've got this balance right, though specific service details aren't extensively documented. The venue's ability to transform from coffee hub to dinner destination throughout the day indicates well-trained staff who can pivot between different service styles as needed.

Value for Money

With a price level of 3/4, Campanelle positions itself as a moderate splurge that's particularly strong for business dinners and special occasions. The City lunch offerings appear to offer good value for the location and setting - not every day you can dine in a Grade II listed building near Monument tube. The combination of historic architecture, theatrical dining elements, and quality Italian cuisine justifies the pricing, especially considering the 180-cover capacity suggests they're not relying on exclusivity alone. The all-day operation from breakfast through dinner provides flexibility for different budgets and occasions. While not cheap, the venue seems to deliver sufficient spectacle and quality to warrant the investment, particularly for those seeking something beyond standard City dining options.

Insider Tips

Best Time to Visit

Queue for the 7:30am breakfast slot to experience the magnificent space before the City rush arrives - you'll have the historic hall largely to yourself. Weekday lunches see the buzzy City crowd in full swing, while Thursday and Friday evenings (open until 9:30pm) offer the liveliest dinner atmosphere. Note that weekend closure limits options for non-City workers, with Saturday service ending at 9pm and Sunday wrapping up at 4pm.

What to Focus On

Don't miss the signature campanelle pasta and those wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas. But the real must-have is the tableside salt-crusted wild seabass - it's their claim to fame and provides proper dining theatre. For a more substantial option, the 45-day dry-aged truffle rib-eye showcases their serious approach to Italian cuisine. The classic parmigiana offers comfort food excellence.

Christoff's Insider Tips

The 44-seat all-weather terrace provides a quieter alternative to the grand hall's energyThe private wine room is perfect for business meetings that need both privacy and impressive surroundingsPets are welcome on the outdoor terrace only, making it one of the few City options for dining with your dog

The Final Verdict

Campanelle succeeds in creating something genuinely special in the City - a restaurant that honours its historic setting while delivering modern Italian cuisine with theatrical flair. The Grade II listed building provides a stunning backdrop that elevates the entire experience beyond typical restaurant dining. While the weekend closure limits its appeal for some, and the moderate pricing means it's not an everyday option, the combination of architectural grandeur, quality food, and tableside theatre creates a memorable experience. The venue's ability to cater to everything from quick business lunches to special celebrations makes it a valuable addition to the City dining scene.

Christoff's Rating:
7.8/10

Perfect For:

City professionals seeking impressive lunch venuesSpecial occasion diners wanting architectural dramaItalian cuisine enthusiasts who appreciate both tradition and spectacle

Quick Details

1

Campanelle

⭐️ Grade ii listed
⭐️ Tableside theatre
⭐️ City dining
⭐️ Historic grandeur

Housed in a Grade II listed former London Shipping Exchange, this grand 180-cover destination transforms Italian dining into architectural theater. The light-filled historic hall with contemporary Italian touches creates a sense of occasion that few restaurants can match, while the 44-seat all-weather terrace provides City refuge with Italian flair. Their signature tableside salt-crusted wild seabass service delivers Instagram-worthy drama , the whole fish emerges from its salt shell with theatrical flourish, perfectly moist and seasoned. The house-made campanelle bell-shaped pasta gives the restaurant its name and showcases why fresh pasta makes such a difference. Their 45-day dry-aged truffle rib-eye represents serious Italian cooking applied to premium British beef, while classic dishes like parmigiana and fresh calamari honor tradition. Operating from dawn to dusk, the space transforms from relaxed coffee hub to buzzy dinner destination serving the City crowd. The wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas and extensive global wine list ensure something for every palate, while vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options accommodate all dietary needs in this grand setting.

What's Great

✓ Tableside salt-crusted seabass creates Instagram-worthy dining theatre

✓ Grade II listed former Shipping Exchange offers historic architectural grandeur

Keep in Mind

× Weekend closure limits social dining opportunities for non-City workers

Christoff

Christoff's Tip:

Arrive for 7:30am breakfast to experience the space before the City rush begins

Vibe check scores

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Venue details

🕐"Mon-Wed: 7:30am-9:30pm, Thu-Fri: 7:30am-9:30pm, Sat: 10:30am-9pm, Sun: 10:30am-4pm"
📍19-21 Billiter St, London EC3M 2RY, United Kingdom
💷££££
📞+44 20 7283 8888
🌐Website

Featured In My Guides

Campanelle has been featured in 1 of my curated guides. Here's where you can find more context and discover similar spots.

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