Planning a trip to London?

Foursquare can help you find the best places to go to.

Category icon

Polpo

(Now Closed)
Italian Restaurant££££
Clerkenwell, London
Save
Share
Tips and Reviews icon50 Tips and reviews
User icon
Log in to leave a tip here.

Sort:
  • Popular
  • Recent
  • Roberto B.heart icon on user image
    Roberto BuaOctober 30, 2014
    Been here 5+ times
    Food as good as their other restaurants, but this is the best one in my opinion and getting a table is relatively easy. Menu changes constantly, make sure you check the specials on the board.
  • Chris H.heart icon on user image
    Chris HainesDecember 8, 2014
    Been here 5+ times
    An excellent Italian that offers a great menu selection of authentic food. Great vibe and friendly staff inside. The meatballs are a must try! The Nutella cake as well is not to be scoffed at!
  • Ged C.heart icon on user image
    Ged CarrollMarch 8, 2019
    I can't comment on the drinks but the Venetian snacks are great, I can particularly recommend the mushroom arancini and all the bruschetta boards. Just a sort work from Farringdon tube station
  • Odo
    OdoOctober 9, 2014
    Great as usual. Nice and quiet. Zucchini salad fresh simple and nice, and you can go wrong with any of the meatballs or pizzeta
  • Jenya S.heart icon on user image
    Jenya SSeptember 16, 2016
    Good Italian tapas style. Wasn't impressed with the pizzettas (especially Nutella desert version), but Octopus Carpaccio and Flank Steak in truffle oil were good. Coffee is v nice, Afogato is a treat.
  • Jess L.heart icon on user image
    Jess LVOctober 27, 2014
    The food is tasty and original so as the ambiance. One of my favourite in London although avoid the deserts they re not as good as the rest of the menu.
  • Alexander L.heart icon on user image
    Alexander LobovNovember 3, 2017
    Most of the dishes here are probably bested elsewhere in London but the whole is greater then the sum of its parts. Downstairs speakeasy is cool though the bartender mixes poorly.
  • Tracey C.
    Tracey CooperSeptember 4, 2012
    The cuttlefish & squid ink risotto is amazing, you can book for lunch but not for dinner. If the sun's out - request a table outside. Can't wait to go back.
  • Lidia V.
    Lidia VorontsovaSeptember 24, 2014
    The portions are a tad too small for how much they cost, but seriously. Everything is so, so good. The squid ink risotto is a must.
  • Russell Z.heart icon on user image
    Russell ZackMay 9, 2015
    Fantastic atmosphere and delicious sharing plates. Meatballs are a standout but I haven't had a bad dish there ever.
  • Michael M.heart icon on user image
    Michael McCallamJanuary 27, 2019
    Italian tapas, some people just having cocktails, others tapas, or full meals- cosy atmosphere and friendly staff.
  • Andrew E.heart icon on user image
    Andrew EllisMarch 23, 2015
    One of the best meals I've had in the area, charming service and cosy atmosphere. Highly recommended!
  • Sarah S.
    Sarah SpillipsFebruary 20, 2015
    the nutella pizza is a must - if needed head straight for desert. the meatballs are a dream also.
  • Jeff M.
    Jeff MelnykNovember 20, 2012
    Much more spacious and enjoyable than the west end location. The goats cheese and honey bread is amazeballs.
  • WishlistEtcheart icon on user image
    WishlistEtcFebruary 15, 2015
    Intimate and relaxed, it makes a nice date spot. The food is not mind blowing but scores high points nonetheless.
  • Brad T.heart icon on user image
    Brad TNovember 1, 2014
    Second experience was better than the first on in Soho. Great Italian small plates.
  • BigglesZXheart icon on user image
    BigglesZXJanuary 14, 2014
    Goat's cheese, roasted grape and honey bruschetta was amazing, as was the duck ragu.
  • Dan H.heart icon on user image
    Dan Hopchet ✨December 18, 2015
    Great atmosphere, really good for client lunch or dinner date
  • Robheart icon on user image
    RobMarch 3, 2018
    Great small plates, cool atmosphere, good music.
  • Samheart icon on user image
    SamNovember 18, 2016
    Food here never fails. Always delicious
  • David R.heart icon on user image
    David RMay 24, 2019
    Been here 5+ times
    Really nice ambiance and pricing, but food is generally under seasoned.
  • Steve C.heart icon on user image
    Steve ChambersNovember 23, 2014
    Bit more relaxed than the West End branches and more spacious.
  • Sandra D.
    Sandra DzērveDecember 8, 2016
    Their meatballs are definitely worth a try!
  • Andrea M.heart icon on user image
    Andrea MestrinerMarch 24, 2015
    Must try! Nearly real Venetian style cicchetti
  • Sam D.heart icon on user image
    Sam DuffyAugust 16, 2012
    Been here 10+ times
    Great music but clearly not aimed at the average (young) clientele! Early Bowie, Smiths, Human League, early Radiohead, Rolling Stones. Am I so old that I am now retro?
  • Nat M.heart icon on user image
    Nat MAugust 12, 2015
    Not impressed. Didn't seem very "Italian", just a mishmash of tapas style food. Lamb meatballs were the highlight. Decor is nice though & servers friendly.
  • Sergey M.heart icon on user image
    Sergey MikhanovAugust 27, 2015
    Good food, but it's way way way too expensive for the type of place it pretends to be (namely, an informal restaurant for a quick bite)
  • Lidia V.
    Lidia VorontsovaDecember 6, 2015
    Good old Polpo, you never let me down. A*, as usual.
  • Sonia R.heart icon on user image
    Sonia RaiJanuary 24, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    Must try the Chilli and garlic prawns.It is amazing!
  • Sam D.heart icon on user image
    Sam DuffyFebruary 22, 2014
    Been here 10+ times
    The bar here is fab for a quick tasty snack and a cocktail en route to the Barbican.
  • Jennifer H.
    Jennifer HicksAugust 18, 2012
    Love this small London chain. This is my new favorite location.
  • Glen C.heart icon on user image
    Glen ChristieApril 12, 2013
    Spinach and egg pizzette and buffalo plate were ace
  • Shannon L.
    Shannon LowJune 8, 2014
    Pricey but excellent small plates.
  • Steph A.
    Steph AgenAugust 12, 2013
    Try the classic beef and pork meatballs!
  • Rune H.
    Rune Hven-JensenAugust 31, 2012
    Try the cuttlefish & ink risotto
  • Sam D.heart icon on user image
    Sam DuffyJune 13, 2013
    Been here 10+ times
    Sold out of spinach pizzeta, crisis! It's good, order it if you can.
  • Tom
    TomAugust 25, 2012
    Peach almond dessert is worth a try!
  • Michael M.heart icon on user image
    Michael MrakFebruary 16, 2016
    Italian style but akso jazzy :-)
  • Marika G.heart icon on user image
    Marika GardonovaFebruary 9, 2015
    Meatballs + focaccia!
  • Nowi
    NowiMay 22, 2014
    Don't think it was great. Somehow the food wasn't that tasty and the music too loud. Staff is nice though
  • Mikael F.heart icon on user image
    Mikael FalgardApril 15, 2013
    Great food, try one of each.
  • Oliver S.heart icon on user image
    Oliver ShreeveDecember 8, 2014
    Been here 5+ times
    I can't be positive enough about this place
  • Brooke L.
    Brooke LouiseDecember 4, 2019
    Do not care about vegans. Menu almost non existent; staff think the whole idea is ludicrous. Vegans avoid.
  • Anastasia S.heart icon on user image
    Anastasia SmolinaJanuary 12, 2016
    Risotto, meatballs
  • Nills N.
    Nills NullingsFebruary 17, 2018
    It’s cheap. Nothing more to add - too simple and not tasty.
  • Rosanneheart icon on user image
    RosanneApril 30, 2019
    Cute setting but food is underwhelming and pricey.
  • randomheart icon on user image
    randomApril 22, 2016
    Been here 50+ times
    Small plates
  • Filip M.heart icon on user image
    Filip MitrovicFebruary 13, 2016
    Too pricey, food is average.
  • Valeriy A.
    Valeriy AlberichFebruary 17, 2018
    Tasteless food
  • Sergio E.heart icon on user image
    Sergio EstevesJuly 16, 2015
    Os pratos são pequenos, mas deliciosos.
Photos66 Photos