5 Signs of an Authentic Italian Restaurant in London (Know Before You Dine)
Jun 23, 2025
Not all Italian restaurants are created equal. Whether you’re craving a proper Neapolitan pizza or a dish that reminds you of your last trip to Rome, spotting the real thing can be tricky in a city full of imitators. This guide breaks down five simple ways to tell if you’re in a truly authentic Italian restaurant, the kind that cares more about tradition than trends.
TL;DR: What Makes a Real Italian Restaurant?
A short menu, Italian ingredients with protected status, traditional cooking techniques, and a few spoken words of Italian go a long way. If the food tells a story and the dishes aren’t buried under toppings, you’re probably in the right place. At ‘O ver Borough, we put these ideas at the centre of what we do.
1. They Use DOP Ingredients
The first thing to consider if you want to know how to spot real Italian food is understanding DOP ingredients. DOP stands for Denominazione di Origine Protetta, or Protected Designation of Origin. It means the product was made in a specific region of Italy, following strict rules around how it’s grown, processed, or produced.
Look for items like DOP buffalo mozzarella, Parmigiano Reggiano, or San Marzano tomatoes on the menu. These aren’t just labels, they’re a mark of quality and respect for tradition. When restaurants go the extra mile to use these ingredients, it usually shows in the final dish.
2. The Pizza Follows Neapolitan Standards
True Neapolitan pizza isn’t just about the toppings. It’s about how the dough is made, how it’s cooked, and how it feels when you take a bite. The centre should be soft and slightly stretchy, the crust light and blistered.
At ‘O ver, the dough is made with purified sea water, a natural alternative that keeps the salt content lower without sacrificing flavour. This extra step doesn’t just change the taste; it speaks to a level of care that defines authentic cooking.
3. The Menu Is Focused
If the menu has ten types of curry, twenty pasta dishes, and sushi for some reason, it’s probably not Italian at heart. Real Italian restaurants tend to keep things simple. You’ll often find a few pizza choices, a handful of pasta dishes, and one or two desserts done really well.
This approach isn’t about being limited. It’s about putting attention into every ingredient and making sure everything is prepared fresh. Fewer options usually mean more focus and better results.
4. You’ll Hear Some Italian Spoken
Language isn’t everything, but it can be a strong signal of authenticity at an Italian trattoria. If the staff can chat about the wine list or menu in Italian, there’s a good chance the kitchen takes its roots seriously too.
It doesn’t need to be a full conversation. Even just seeing Italian terms on the menu that go beyond the basics shows that there’s a deeper connection to the culture behind the food.
5. They Respect Simplicity
Real Italian food doesn’t try too hard. The best dishes often have only a few ingredients, but each one has a purpose. A Margherita pizza with DOP mozzarella, basil, and a good tomato base says more than any overloaded version ever could.
Authentic restaurants don’t drown food in sauce or pile on toppings. They let the ingredients speak for themselves, and that’s where the flavour really comes from.
Book a Table at ‘O ver Borough
If you're looking for an authentic Italian restaurant in London, ‘O ver Borough offers something rare. Our team follows traditional Neapolitan methods and adds our own approach by using sea water in our pizza dough. The result is a lighter, more balanced crust that stays true to its roots.
Want to come visit us near London Bridge? Book a table at ‘O ver Borough and taste the difference for yourself.