Osteria Angelina, London: Best Italian-Japanese Fusion in Shoreditch

For weeks, I couldn’t scroll through Instagram without coming across Osteria Angelina on my feed. So when my friend chose it as her birthday dinner location, I was more than ready to finally see if it lived up to the hype. With a near-perfect 4.9-star rating on Google and over 1,000 reviews, it’s clear this isn’t just a trend, it’s become a serious name in London’s dining scene.

In this blog post, I’m taking you through my full experience, what makes Osteria Angelina so unique, everything we ate (we ordered almost the entire menu!), and ultimately, if it’s worth the spend.

Background About Osteria Angelina

Osteria Angelina is located in Shoreditch at 1 Nicholls Clarke Yard, tucked away just enough to feel like a hidden gem while being right in the heart of the action and about seven minutes walk from Shoreditch High Street. It’s the sister restaurant to the well-loved Angelina Dalston, and just like its sibling, it draws inspiration from the concept of an Italian Osteria, a place rooted in generous hospitality, warm ambiance, and dishes that are simple in idea but elevated in execution.

The restaurant celebrates Itameshi, a fusion of Italian food with Japanese ingredients and influences. This isn’t a gimmicky mashup, it’s an intentional culinary philosophy. Every element is thoughtful, from the freshly made pasta visible through their open kitchen and pasta lab, to the seasonal à la carte menu that shifts with what’s at its peak. They proudly make their pasta, ice cream, and bread daily in-house, which definitely sets the tone for quality. The menu is designed for sharing, making it ideal for groups or anyone who suffers from chronic food FOMO.

Osteria Angelina also offers a private dining room just off the main area. It’s self-contained with its own entrance and server, and while slightly tucked away, it still carries that signature osteria warmth, refined but relaxed.

What They Are Known For

Osteria Angelina has made a name for itself with its refined Italian-Japanese fusion concept. They are widely known for:

• Their fresh, handcrafted pasta with Japanese elements such as kombu, truffle soy, or kosho that elevate classic Italian dishes into umami-rich masterpieces.
• Their raw dishes, especially their sashimi and crudos where super fresh ingredients are paired with truffle soy, ponzu, and furikake.
• The Sicilian red prawns, which have practically become a signature dish thanks to their incredible sweetness and delicate preparation.
• Large showpiece mains like the Aged Angus Ribeye on the bone and Whole Cornish Brill, perfect for sharing and designed to impress.
• An intimate atmosphere paired with high-end culinary execution, making it a hotspot for special occasions, date nights, and celebratory dinners.

This isn’t a restaurant that relies on Instagram aesthetics alone, its reputation is built on flavour, quality, and innovation.

What is the Experience like at Osteria Angelina?

I went with a group of ten to celebrate my friend’s birthday, and right from the moment we arrived, the experience felt curated and personal. The staff guided us to a semi-private section that is bright and nicely lift just for our group, and I absolutely loved this touch. It felt intimate, almost like we had our own dining room without being disconnected from the buzzing atmosphere of the main area.

The main dining room itself is dimly lit with warm lighting that gives everything a soft glow. It creates that perfect ambiance that feels special without being stuffy. You can choose to sit at the bar, which overlooks the open kitchen if you’re into the chef’s table kind of vibe, or at regular dining tables in the main area. Regardless of where you sit, the ambiance is relaxed yet refined.

The staff were friendly. They weren’t just servers, they were guides, eager to share recommendations, answer questions about the menu’s inspirations, and help us build a selection that balanced flavours across raw dishes, pastas, and large plates.

From the beginning, I could tell that this is the kind of place where hospitality is just as important as the food.

What is the Food like at Osteria Angelina?

Since we had a large group, we took full advantage and ordered almost everything. Here’s a breakdown of what we had and what stood out:

Breads

Nori Focaccia (£4)

A beautiful start. Soft, chewy, and slightly salty from the nori. If you’re planning to order pasta (and you absolutely should), order extra focaccia because you’ll want something to scrape up that sauce.

Hokkaido Milk Bread, Jam & Burnt Honey Butter (£6)

Fluffy, cloud-like, and slightly sweet. The burnt honey butter added richness while the jam balanced it with a delicate tang. Simple yet delicious.

Raw & Cold Dishes

Tuna, House Ponzu & Wasabi Mustard (£15)

Fresh and vibrant. The ponzu dressing highlighted the natural flavour of the tuna while adding brightness and depth.

Hamachi Sashimi, Truffle Soy & Furikake (£16)

One of my absolute favourites of the night. The hamachi melted in my mouth. The truffle soy was aromatic without being overpowering, and the furikake added the perfect texture. If you order one thing, let it be this.

Burrata, Mizuna, Fig & Plum Ponzu (£14)

The burrata was light and creamy, almost delicate in texture, and the plum ponzu added a gentle sweetness with a subtle tartness that balanced it beautifully.

Scallops, Apple & Hazelnut (£17)

Delicate with just the right amount of tartness from the apple and crunch from the hazelnut. A wonderful balance of texture and flavour.

Sicilian Red Prawns, Tentsuyu & Crispy Rice (£19)

I’ve been obsessed with Sicilian red prawns ever since I visited Italy, and this dish reignited that obsession. The prawns were sweet and perfectly complemented by the crispy rice. This was one of the clear standouts for me.

Pasta

Tortellini, Truffle & Kombu (£15)

Rich, silky, and deeply umami. The truffle flavour came through beautifully and the kombu added a savoury depth that made this more than just a truffle pasta.

Fazzoletti, Duck Ragu & Lotus (£15)

For the meat lovers. This pasta was hearty, comforting, and generously coated in a rich duck ragu. The lotus crisp added a surprising but welcome crunch.

Tomato Pasta & Kosho (£10)

Simple yet exceptional. The tomato sauce was full of flavour, bright, slightly sweet, and addictive. The kosho brought a subtle citrusy heat that made it unique.

Large Plates to share

Whole Cornish Brill (£38)

A great dish for sharing. Fresh, aromatic, and perfectly cooked. The fish was huge and easily fed our group. This is a must-order if you love seafood.

Aged Angus Ribeye on the Bone (£90)

Another showstopper. The beef was tender, juicy, and full of flavour. Not chewy at all, just perfectly cooked, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. Ideal for a group to share.

Ikuko’s Aubergine (£9) Side dish

This was the only dish that fell short for me. The portion was quite large for a side, and I found the flavour profile a bit flat compared to the rest of the menu. I would have preferred a stronger miso umami element added to it.

What is the Price like at Osteria Angelina?

Although the average price is listed at £30–£40 per person, we ordered a lot and included drinks, which brought our total to about £74 per person including service. Yes, it’s definitely on the pricier side, but considering the quality, fresh ingredients, handcrafted pasta, and the private dining experience we had, I felt it was worth it. This isn’t an everyday kind of restaurant it’s a treat, a destination for celebrations or special occasions.

Final Thoughts

Osteria Angelina is a culinary experience that blends two of the world’s most beloved cuisines in a way that feels both innovative and deeply satisfying. There wasn’t a single moment during the meal where I felt underwhelmed (except perhaps the aubergine). The service was exceptional, the dishes were thoughtfully prepared, and the atmosphere felt warm yet elevated.

It’s the kind of restaurant that reminds you why dining out can be such a joy when every dish tells a story, every flavour surprises you just a little, and every moment feels intentionally crafted.

Would I go back? Absolutely!

If you’re looking for your next special dining spot in London, whether it’s for a celebration, a date night, or a foodie outing with friends, Osteria Angelina should be at the top of your list.

I hope this review helps you decide what to order and gives you a glimpse into what makes this place so special. If you do visit, let me know which dishes you fell in love with!

Highlights and Tips

• Best known for their Italian dishes enhanced with Japanese ingredients
• Must try dishes: Hamachi Sashimi, Sicilian Red Prawns, Tortellini Truffle pasta, Aged Angus Ribeye on Bone
• Cuisine: Italian-Japanese Fusion (Itameshi)
• Menu Style: À la carte, designed to share
• Book in advance, especially for groups
• Ask for the semi-private section if dining with a large group
• Order extra bread to mop up sauces
• Perfect for celebrations, date nights, special dinners, foodie experiences

Osteria Angelina Details

• Location: Shoreditch, 1, Nicholls Clarke Yard, London E1 6SH
• Opening Hours: Mon (5:30–9:30 pm); Tue – Wed (12–2:30 pm, 5:30–9:30 pm); Thur – Fri (12–2:30 pm, 5:30–10:30 pm); Sat (12–3 pm, 5:15–10:30 pm); Sun (12–3 pm, 5:15–9:30 pm)
• Price: average £30 – £40pp
• Accepts card or cash

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