Bar Italia, Soho, London

good

This is where Italians - passionate for their sport -
go to watch matches : its impossible to get any
seat at World Cup, so what will happen when
we host the Olympic Games, who knows.....its
great for the ebullient atmosphere & lovely coffee.
In this building- upstairs- in 1924 the scottish scientist
& inventor,John Logie Baird, occupied two attic rooms
& on 26th January, demonstrated television before 50
scientists. A year later, he transmitted a signal through
480 miles of telephone line between London & Glasgow.

One of the few 24-hour places in London, it offers, simply, the best cappuccino in town. The decor feels really authentic and they show italian football matches! But the nicest thing to do is to sit outside, even in winter, as they have heaters, and watch the mixed and particularly interesting Soho crowd.

Bar Italia is a tad pricey. A small cappuccino and a large latte came up to more than £7. I'm fairly certain that it should have been less than £6 in most independent coffee shops, but I guess that's the price you pay for partaking of coffee in one of Soho's most established institutions.

Cost aside, Bar Italia's a great place for people-watching and, more importantly, watching football games, especially if Italy happen to be playing. It's open 24 hours and is one of those places you can adjourn to after a long night out without being harassed.

I've never been here for an alcoholic drink, but those coming here late at night should note the 'Bar' in 'Bar Italia' means a European bar, as opposed to an English bar, so no alcohol is served after 11 pm.

For a coffee shop it's blooming expensive... no two ways of looking at it. Over £3 for a double macchiato is punchy wherever you are.

that being said, it's a Soho institution and there are a number of people who will remember whiling away an evening round the old pinball machine upstairs.

Great little place to stop for a coffee and a sandwich. Wonderful cappuccino, tasty sandwiches, and pleasant service. I'm not sure why everyone is complaining about the prices: no, it's not the cheapest place on the block, but it's reasonable considering the location and the quality.

Bar Italia is open 24 hours.the best place for a late night,the best espresso in London....

60's themed decor, legendary, old time haunt, open long hours and an institution in Soho. All of this is true of this fiercely Italian joint where you can still catch a strong cuppa at 3 in the morning.

It isn't cheap (quite pricey in fact) and the staff do have a brusque sort of italian male thing going on but you do get to people-watch and may even see someone rather famous come in for their fix.

I came here to meet a friend who practically lives here. They had never been to Rays Jazz Cafe in Foyles, I’d never been here. Shocking, no? So we rectified this sharpish with a trip to both in one evening.

And I like it here. But I don’t really see what all the fuss is about. Friendly staff? Check? Old fashioned decor? Check? Nice atmosphere? Check. Everything about this place is great. It’s just not singing out to me. I don’t care that famous people come here to drink their coffee.

For everyone else, i imagine this a five star venue, but for me, they’re missing that extra something that will keep me going back time and time again. I just don’t know what that something is, as they’re doing everything right.

Am I being fussy today?

Absolutely shocking prices! Granted, it does look like an authentic Italian coffee shop, but after getting past the nostalgia its just a shabby coffee shop.

For a very small espresso shot (looks like half a shot), I feel ripped off paying £2.

The only redeeming quality about the place is if you like Italian football, as they seem to show live matches on their big screen telly.

I feel a bit mean giving such a landmark a low score, but of late I feel it’s justified. Bar Italia does have some wonderful perks, it’s in a great location and it’s a great late night venue. What I don’t get on with are the prices, or more, the ever changing prices.

I am convinced that 5 lattes shouldn’t cost £25! It felt like pocket rape. Another friend of mine also said they felt ripped off by the place.

Like all tourist attractions, they love ramping up the prices and I feel Bar Italia is doing that. It is a shame, given that the place is full of legend and the coffee is beautiful.

If they stop playing with prices I will happily go there more often. But at present I only go there when it’s the early hours and I am desperate for a latte.

An insomniac’s best friend. This Soho standby is the perfect place (and the only place) to end a late night out or to run off to at 3am when you can’t sleep and just want to leave the house. A bit on the pricey side and probably not the best latte in town, but as one of the few places actually open after midnight in London it’s probably the best latte you’ll get in the small hours. And thanks to the smoking ban, staying indoors is a bit more tolerable without the cloud of cigarette smoke hanging around your head. Be prepared for massive crowds at just about any time of day. That being said, its the sot of place you have to go at least once to form your own love/hate opinion of.

Legendary. The place where I’m almost guaranteed to end up in on a night out in Soho. Bar Italia is open 24 hours and you can head for a strong, sobering coffee at any time. You get a real mix of people here, true Italians, gay men and women, tourists, those who have heard the song by Pulp and want to experience it first hand etc. I’ve heard that Miss Moss is seen here a bit but cannot say if it’s true as I’ve never seen her there. Oh, and the food is OK if you a) have enough cash left at the end of the night (it’s a bit pricey for what it is) and b) can eat after alcohol consumption.

Have you ever been stranded at 4am in Soho? You've got 15 mates on your back, collectively chiming "you're the native Londoner, what are we gonna do now, it's bloody freezing!" You count on one hand the options that don't involve nudity, lecherous men or 20 quid pints and resolve you have two options.

First up, you've got Balans on Wardour Street renowned for its queer door policy, overpriced food and snooty staff. Or you have cheap, cheerful and colourful Bar Italia, one of Soho's archetypical Italian institutions, delighting sober and less-than-sober punters since 1949. But hey, don't ask me, let's rope in my favourite anecdotal Britpoppers once more for a more musical exposé!

The only place to end up in Soho when you know you shouldn’t drink anymore but you are not ready to go home yet.

It’s 3am so line up with the other drunk revellers, order an overpriced toasted panini (like £8!) and eat half of it while talking to other random people.

Then it’s time to stumble off to the mini cab round the corner and get totally ripped off again.

Bar Italia is a place to chill out with a group of friends. There are outdoor seating and it is good for having a cigar with a cup of tasty coffee. Sometimes they have cakes. Although I am not into cakes and sweets, my girlfriend also goes crazy when she orders them from the bar counter. According to her, the cappuccino is quite good and strong and she is a picky gal. I love the authentic atmosphere of the place and the relaxing air around it. Marvelous café! I think it serves food too; will like to try it someday.

Good to grab a quick, cheapish bite to eat before hitting Soho proper. Or good to grab something a bit more upmarket than a kebab on the way home. Not somewhere to stay and eat, I wouldn’t say.

A must go to if you’re in Soho. Great Italian coffee and nice pastries/cakes. There’s a great atmosphere and a fantastic place to people spot/watch Soho life go by.

I was first taken here on a date when Italy were playing in the World Cup a few years ago and the place was rammed. I thought this was a one off but really, this place is so popular and such an institution that it is always full of interesting, lively people. Coffees here are the best of the best in London - ignore those nearby coffee chains and come here for a REAL coffee!

There are lots of other things to drink here - the Peroni is always flowing and there are lots of other Italian drinks to quaff. Food is good - ranging from great sarnies to cakes.

This is a great place to bring friends who are new to London and want to people watch!

this place is a London institution. its been around since the 60’s, and likely has been a meeting and pickup hub ever since. you can grab a decent Euro coffee here (not as rare now in London as back in the day), and plan an evening of derring do and dastardly deeding, or contemplate some Foucault or Derrida over your long shot (i mean the coffee, not your unpublished script).