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In the heart of London’s financial district, Enoteca da Luca St Paul’s brings a distinctly Italian approach to dining on Watling Street, a short walk from St Paul’s Cathedral. With a menu celebrating regional Italian cooking and an extensive wine collection, the restaurant offers an inviting setting for business lunches, relaxed dinners and after-work drinks.
Part of the Enoteca da Luca collection, the restaurant embraces the Italian tradition of enjoying good food and wine in relaxed company. Its combination of familiar favourites, seasonal dishes and carefully selected wines makes it a welcome addition to the City’s dining scene.
A Taste of Italy in the City
Enoteca da Luca takes its inspiration from the traditional Italian enoteca, a wine-focused establishment built around regional producers and convivial dining. This philosophy shapes the St Paul’s restaurant, with wine playing an equally important role alongside the food.
Situated on historic Watling Street, within easy reach of St Paul’s Cathedral, Mansion House and Bank, the restaurant is particularly convenient for City professionals. Its relaxed, sociable atmosphere also lends itself to leisurely lunches and evenings spent exploring the menu.
Italian Cooking at the Heart of the Menu
The menu draws on Italian ingredients and regional traditions, offering antipasti, small plates, pasta and substantial main courses. Familiar combinations sit alongside more inventive preparations, particularly among the seafood and meat dishes.
Starters and Sharing Plates
The Antipasto all’italiana is a natural starting point, bringing together cured meats, artisanal cheeses, olives and pickles. Other highlights include Porchetta, crispy pork belly served with mostarda di frutta, and Carpaccio di manzo, cured beef with rocket and Parmesan.
Seafood options include Capesante alla griglia, grilled scallops with lemon and roe butter, and Crudo di orata, sea bream carpaccio with candied orange, roasted almonds and chives. The Caprese e sorbetto offers a lighter combination of buffalo mozzarella, datterini tomatoes and gazpacho sorbet.
For smaller bites, Crocchette di coda features braised oxtail croquettes with reduced tomato sauce, while Crostini Toscani pairs chicken liver pâté with Tropea onion jam on toasted sourdough. Fried baby squid with spicy mayonnaise and roasted padron peppers round out the selection.
Pasta and Main Courses
The pasta selection is particularly appealing, with dishes such as Agnolotti ai funghi, porcini-filled pasta with Taleggio sauce and crispy chestnuts, and Risotto zucca e gorgonzola, combining butternut squash, creamy Gorgonzola and caramelised pumpkin seeds.
Seafood features in the Tagliolini al granchio, prepared with Devon white crab, garlic and chilli, and Linguine ai frutti di mare, with clams, mussels, king prawns and lemon zest. The Pappardelle al cinghiale, served with slow-cooked wild boar ragù, mountain herbs and Parmesan, offers a richer alternative.
Among the main courses, Costata di manzo is designed for sharing, featuring grilled beef entrecôte with herb butter and jus. The Petto d’anatra combines slow-cooked and grilled duck breast with black garlic, coffee and sweet grapes, while Baccalà in guazzetto pairs pan-fried cod with sautéed mussels, beans and parsley oil.
Vegetarian options include Melanzane alla parmigiana, baked aubergine layered with mozzarella, tomato sauce and basil. Accompaniments range from rosemary and garlic chips to broccoli with garlic and chilli, and French beans with honey-mustard dressing and toasted almonds.
Italian Wines and Drinks
Wine is central to the Enoteca da Luca experience, and the St Paul’s collection offers an extensive exploration of Italy’s leading wine regions. Piemonte, Tuscany, Veneto, Friuli, Sicily and Sardinia are well represented, with a particularly impressive selection of reds alongside Italian whites, sparkling wines and less familiar varieties.
White wine highlights include Bergaglio’s Gavi La Minaia, Timorasso from La Spinetta and Antinori’s Bramito Chardonnay. Premium selections feature Querciabella’s Batàr, Planeta’s Didacus Chardonnay and Cervaro della Sala from Antinori.
The red wine collection is especially strong, with Barolo and Barbaresco from respected producers including Vietti and Gaja. Tuscany features prominently through Brunello di Montalcino from Il Poggione and Biondi-Santi, alongside celebrated Super Tuscans such as Tignanello, Guado al Tasso and Sassicaia.
For those interested in exploring less familiar styles, the list includes orange wines from Friuli, Etna wines from Sicily and Italian sparkling wines from Ferrari. Champagne selections extend to Ruinart Blanc de Blancs, Laurent-Perrier Rosé and Dom Pérignon.
A dedicated Coravin selection makes premium wines available by the glass, including Vietti Barolo Castiglione, Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino and Ca’Marcanda Magari. It is a particularly appealing feature for diners keen to sample distinguished wines without ordering a full bottle.
Cocktails provide further variety. The Coco Pandan-quiri combines coconut rum, pandan, lime and sugar, while Beet It features mezcal, beetroot, agave and lime. The Paper Plane, made with bourbon, Aperol and Amaro Montenegro, offers a familiar alternative. Alcohol-free options include the No-Negroni and Amaretto Sour.
Private Dining and Special Occasions
Enoteca da Luca St Paul’s accommodates private dining and group occasions, making it a convenient choice for corporate entertaining and celebrations in the City.
A dedicated private dining room provides an intimate setting for smaller gatherings, while larger groups can enquire about semi-exclusive arrangements or full restaurant hire.
The Italian sharing plates, varied main courses and extensive wine collection are particularly suited to hosted lunches and dinners, with opportunities to select wines that complement the menu.
Hospitality with Italian Warmth
The restaurant’s approach reflects the convivial traditions of an Italian enoteca, encouraging guests to enjoy food and wine at a comfortable pace.
Its flexible menu accommodates different occasions, whether sharing antipasti over a bottle of wine or settling in for a more substantial meal. Smaller plates suit informal gatherings, while the pasta and main courses offer plenty of choice for longer lunches and dinners.
Its central location and weekday opening make Enoteca da Luca St Paul’s a practical option for business entertaining and relaxed evenings in the City.
A City Address for Italian Dining
Enoteca da Luca St Paul’s offers an appealing introduction to regional Italian cooking, supported by a varied menu and an accomplished wine collection. Its emphasis on quality ingredients, distinctive dishes and respected Italian producers gives the restaurant a clear identity.
For those seeking Italian dining near St Paul’s Cathedral, it provides an inviting setting for good food, thoughtfully chosen wines and relaxed conversation.
Location: 20-21 Watling St, London EC4M 9BR
