In the heart of North London, a culinary revolution is taking place with the arrival of Lupa Trattoria, the city’s newest Roman neighborhood eatery. Located at 78 Highbury Park, this authentic Italian establishment opened in late June under the guidance of chef Naz Hassan, who works alongside Ed Templeton and Theo James. The restaurant features handmade benches and ceramic vases, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that transports diners to the streets of Rome.
The star attraction at Lupa Trattoria is certainly its carbonara, which draws direct inspiration from the renowned Pipero restaurant in Rome. Chef Hassan strictly adheres to Roman tradition when preparing this iconic dish, maintaining its authenticity while still delivering a fresh take that resonates with London diners. The carbonara has quickly become a central offering on the menu, which focuses entirely on traditional Roman cuisine. Templeton’s culinary epiphany came after experiencing a mind-blowing carbonara prepared by chef Ciro Scamardella during his visit to Pipero.
Authentic Roman carbonara takes center stage at Lupa, where tradition meets London’s palate in perfect harmony.
Beyond the signature pasta dish, Lupa offers other remarkable items including a contemporary interpretation of porchetta and an authentic tiramisu made with a special mascarpone cream from the Emilian Mambelli family. The cream’s precise composition—60% mascarpone and 40% milk—demonstrates the restaurant’s commitment to authenticity.
While Lupa champions tradition, other establishments like Motorino in Fitzrovia take a more liberal approach to Italian cuisine. This 150-cover restaurant by Stevie Parle and Luke Aherne features dishes like Agnolotti Carbonara, showcasing a less dogmatic but equally appealing interpretation of Italian classics. The restaurant’s impressive North End Design interior provides a stylish backdrop for enjoying these innovative Italian dishes.
According to Tripadvisor ratings, Bancone Borough Yards currently holds the top spot for carbonara in London with a 4.8 rating from 334 reviews, followed closely by Faros Oxford Circus. With 258 restaurants serving carbonara across the city, competition is fierce among London’s Italian eateries.
As new Italian restaurants continue to open throughout London, Lupa Trattoria distinguishes itself as a genuine corner of Rome in the British capital, offering diners an authentic taste of Roman tradition while contributing to the city’s diverse and evolving Italian culinary scene.
