Polpo is a Venetian inspired restaurant with two locations across London. We visited their Chelsea restaurant finally after eyeing it up for a couple of years and the food and atmosphere did not disappoint! Continue reading to find our review and what we think you should order on your trip!
Table of Contents:
- Our review of Polpo, Chelsea
- What’s on Polpo’s Menu
- Polpo London’s History
- Restaurant Locations
- FAQs
- What to Do in Chelsea or Soho
Our Review of Polpo, Duke of York Square
We’ve been eyeing up Polpo in Chelsea ever since we first moved to the area and we finally got around to visiting the Venetian restaurant. After waiting so long to dine, we weren’t disappointed at all.
The inside of Polpo has a really rustic feel to it, with lots of wood, tiles and leather.
There were two of us dining and we opted to go for some shared starters including the truffle and potato croquettes which were absolutely delicious (would highly recommend getting these to start), as well as some zucchini fries.
For mains, I went for one of the seasonal vegetable pasta dishes of pumpkin ravioli served in a browned sage butter sauce. Whilst the portion size looked small, it was deceptively filling and tasty. If they have this on the menu again, I’d definitely think about reordering!
For dessert both of us went for tiramisu, which was served as a large slice – the perfect treat to finish off the meal. Sometimes tiramisu can be a little too heavy on the alcohol but this certainly wasn’t!
What’s on the Menu at Polpo?
The Polpo menu starts with small plates that are great for sharing with the table. Here’s a sample of what to expect:
- Focaccia
- Truffle & Potato Croquettes
- ‘Nduja Arancini
- Olive Tapenade Crostini
- Octopus Salad
Main dishes are split into four sections on the menu: pizzete, meat, fish, and vegetables. Here are a few highlights of the menu:
- Pork & fennel meatballs
- Beef shin rigatoni
- Fritto misto
- Octopus, fava bean, and basil
- Vegan ‘nduja pizzette
- Beetroot tortellini, sage, and parsley
Finally they have desserts, here’s what we’re eyeing up:
- Affogato
- Nutella pizzetta
- Panna cotta
Polpo London: All You Need to Know
First opening in 2009 in Soho by Russell Norman and Richard Beatty, Polpo aims to serve Venetian small plates to Londoners. The small plates are followed by something a little more substantial like pasta and pizzas. They blend British and Italian ingredients with close attention to seasonality, to create delicious dishes.
Polpo’s 2 Locations & How to Get There
Chelsea: 81 Duke of York Square, SW3 4LY
The closest tube stop is Sloane Square which is less than a five minute walk away.
Soho: 41 Beak Street, W1F 9SB
The nearest tube stops are either Oxford Circus or Piccadilly Circus.
FAQs
Polpo is dog friendly – so long as your dog is well behaved. So if you have a quiet pupper, bring them along to your meal.
Polpo has two locations.
Polpo serves a range of small plates that are perfect for sharing with loved ones.
There are a few vegan dishes on the menu.
What to Do in Chelsea & Soho
Whichever restaurant you’re visiting there’s lots to do in both areas either before or after your meal.
Chelsea:
Chelsea is one of our favourite London neighbourhoods as it is full with beautiful houses, cute shops, and cosy cafes. We’d recommend getting off the King’s Road and taking a stroll around the houses, there are a couple of roads (like Bywater Street) that are full of rainbow coloured houses. Then you can stroll down to the river and take in the view.
Soho:
Soho is one of London’s busiest areas and is the main shopping and entertainment district. Why not have a little shopping spree on Carnaby Street or Regent Street, followed by catching one of the shows currently showing on the West End.
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