When it comes to dining in London, it can feel a little chaotic. The good places are either fully booked or require planning weeks ahead, and when you don’t do the research, you end up somewhere that’s just fine. Not bad, not great, not really hitting the spot. It’s not like Bangkok where you can walk into almost anywhere and find something that works. Dining in London sometimes feels like roulette.
This time felt different, though. I came across a photo my friend posted, a pan con tomate with anchovy that looked almost too good, from a place called Lita Marylebone. It opened as a modern neighborhood Mediterranean bistro, but quickly gained attention, eventually earning a Michelin star and becoming one of those places that quietly ends up on every “where to eat in London” list. We were heading to London anyway, so we booked it for our last week.
[Feature Image Credit: Lita Marylebone]
The Vibe
Lita leans minimal, but not in a cold way. There’s warmth to it. Soft lighting, clean lines, nothing overly styled or trying too hard. Inside feels intimate, but not cramped. Outside feels like you’re part of the street, in that very London way.
We had a table indoors but chose to sit outside instead. Watching people pass by, the city slowly shifting from day to night, a glass of red in hand. It felt effortless. The kind of place you could go on a date, but also just as easily sit there alone and feel completely comfortable.
The Menu
We got there around 7pm and it was already full of energy, but never overwhelming. Service was seamless. The sommelier’s recommendation worked on its own, but even more with the food.
We kept it simple. Pan con tomate with Cantabrian anchovies and a chopped Hereford beef tartare. The pan con tomate was easily the best I’ve had. To the point where I had to ask about the tomatoes. They didn’t taste like anything standard. Fresh, almost sweet, piled generously so the first bite hits bright before the saltiness of the anchovies comes through, all on top of soft, buttery brioche with just enough crunch.
The tartare followed in the same direction. Clean and balanced, with seasoning that enhanced the beef rather than overpowering it. We also loved the shoestring fries on top, adding a light, crisp texture.
For mains, we shared the strozzapreti duck ragu. It wasn’t your typical ragu. The sauce was silky, slightly deeper in flavor, and oddly reminded me of khao kha moo. Not in a literal way, but it somehow felt familiar without trying to be. We ended up ordering the cacio e pepe after, and it was exactly what you wanted it to be. Simple and well executed.
Lita Marylebone isn’t a hidden gem. People know about it. It’s booked, talked about, very much on the list. But when you’re actually there, it doesn’t feel loud or overhyped. It still feels easy to be in, which is rare for a place with this much attention.
Pimmi’s Perspective
London has a lot of restaurants that try to be memorable. Lita already is, but it doesn’t feel like it has to prove anything. It just does what it does well, and that’s enough. I’ll be going back next time I’m in London.
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