A stylish, centrally located Italian restaurant with genuinely strong pasta, pizza and desserts, but an uneven early operating record means booking ahead and allowing time are wise.
Jamie's Italian Leicester Square delivers solid food quality and friendly service, but inconsistent execution and variable speed during busy periods prevent a stronger grade. Opening-phase variability in pasta doneness, sauce balance and dish temperature, alongside occasional service delays, undercut what could otherwise be a reliable casual dining destination in a prime West End location.
Jamie’s Italian Leicester Square is a bright, polished West End dining room that offers a welcome breather from the square’s tourist churn. Reviews repeatedly describe a colorful, spacious interior, lively atmosphere and warm servers; one diner summed up the experience as feeling like “a taste of Italy in a great location.” The terrace is especially attractive in good weather, while heat, ventilation and kitchen noise have occasionally spoiled otherwise promising visits. The cooking leans familiar Italian with contemporary flourishes rather than experimental cuisine. Lasagne, pappardelle, carbonara, pizza and the Amalfi lemon cheesecake are the clearest crowd-pleasers, and the menu offers broad comfort-food appeal at a central-London price. The important caveat is operational consistency: many diners report excellent, fast meals, but a meaningful minority describe cold or bland food, long waits and unavailable dishes, suggesting a restaurant still settling into its rhythm. Families are well served by the current menu: £10 children’s options include Margherita pizza, tomato rigatoni, chicken lollipops and prawn spaghetti, with cookies or fruit and ice cream for dessert. Reviews specifically praise the playful kids’ presentation and child-friendly experience. Vegan diners have fewer substantial choices than vegetarians, so families or groups with dietary restrictions should check options carefully before ordering.
Area vibe: Busy, tourist- and entertainment-focused West End district known for dining and nightlife.
Safety: Generally busy and well-lit at night though pickpocketing and late-night rowdiness can occur.
What's nearby: Adjacent to Leicester Square, cinemas, theatres, Chinatown, and major Tube connections at Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus.