H T Harris, Fitzrovia, London

If you want one of the best ciabattas outside of Italy itself, then this is the place to go! Truly delicious selection of freshly cut meats, cheeses and salads - always put together with care and flare. Even if you aren't that hungry it's worthwhile popping in and simply observing the chaos of the kitchen and revel in the to-ing and fro-ing of the husband and wife team running it! An absolute gem of this part of town and a place I whole heartedly recommend to anyone.

OMG.

My friends have been going on about this place for a while. I was rather skeptical because I'd been told their sandwiches are as good as burritos. This is a very bold claim to make.

I am pleased to report that the claim well founded. The sandwich I had was huge. Like... huuuuuuge! And so tasty! At first I didn't think I'd be able to finish it, such was the size, but each bite was more yummy than the last and I found myself wanting more at the end.

All for the princely sum of £4.50.

Best sandwich ever!

You have like a little travel to Italia thanks to the staff!! It like they've been taken off Italia and directly put in this little London coffee... and you can feel they're doing this for a long time, THE old Italian familly!! Food is VERY tasty and huge for the price... You have a toasted sandwich that you don't even know how you'll eat all... with the top in of your choices, for 4 to 5£! Very exceptional for central london :) Salad looks very good also.
Sometime a bit difficult to get a table to site but I would definitely recommended it !

Well, I don't know how I managed to go this many months working so close by without visiting this place, especially when seeing how many of my chums and colleagues obviously love it dearly.

But now I've sorted out that unsettling oversight, I'll agree with everyone that the sedate service is worth the wait. The mammoth portion size was certainly worth the £4.50, and after successfully bagged a table, we were in perfect place to stuff ourselves silly whilst watching the world go by. Smoked cheese and honey-roast ham was my choice this time, but reading everyone else's rave reviews about all the other options gives me the perfect excuse to go back and experiment!

I'm new in London and i discover this restaurant in Qype. I tested their sandwich at the lunch and it's delicious. I took a chicken escaloppe and i pay only 4.5£. Besides the woman is very nice and kind. A good place !!!

How have I not reviewed HT Harris yet? When I worked on Mortimer Street years ago this was my Friday-lunchtime destination of choice. I would challenge myself to get a prawn and avocado ciabatta and see if I could finish it in one sitting - I never did.

This place makes sandwiches like Michael Bay makes movies - huge, show stopping, blockbuster sandwiches that are difficult to get through (because of their size, not the taste - they taste great).

It's a proper family-run enterprise as well, with the whole clan joking and bickering behind the counter, while they make some of the best lunchtime food this side of Naples. Even the salads are a thing of wonder - they just keep piling on the ingredients until you wonder how the hell you're going to get the thing back to the office.

Local, family-run restaurants like this are very scare in London these day - if you're in the area, be sure to track it down and get some lunch, you'll thank me afterwards.

May be oneofthe best sandwich in Ciabatta bread I ever had... I don't know what i can add more eccept that even if the place is not at nice as its sandwiches are, it remains a great place to enjoy your lunch.

great little place that makes the best sandwiches. Italian style and attitude here. the kind of unspoken unassumed gem you wished you discovered before.

HT Harris get the easiest five stars I've given so far. Sure, I'm usually generous, but they really, really deserve it here.

Contrary to impressions it's actually Italian run, two old ladies and one old gentleman. They make ciabattas and salads. Slowly, but don't rush them! They're the best in the world! Tell them vaguely what you want and they'll fill the gaps in the most generous fashion with the best tasting ingredients you'll find. So you think you like ham? How about half a pig rolled up neatly on a bed of artichokes, sun dried tomatoes, avocado, olives, lettuce and balsamic? That's the parma ham salad.

It'll set you back a bit, but you'll struggle to finish it. You can have a doggy bag if you ask nicely enough, though beware of being ticked off that you must finish your dinner. The staff may seem like hard nuts to crack but they are genuinely the friendliest and most sparkling set of people you can meet. Watch out for the 'old chicken' banter between the regular Marge (always outside eating carrot cake) and the gentleman owner.

The pasteis de nata are really rather good too, if you've still got room.

Procuring today's lunch at this exquisite deli presented a whole heap of new problems.

You see, my panini was so bursting at the seams with such a generous helping of delicious, freshly-sliced beef that I was tempted to arrange a posse in order to get home without being pillaged and ploughed by rustlers.

My state of alertness, which had me clutching the aforementioned item tightly to my chest, resulted in the liberal splashings of fine Italian olive oil dousing my cashmere cardigan with what can only be described as a 'wet patch'. And a greasy one at that.

But, you know what? I'd do it all again.

Service wasn’t exactly quick during the lunchtime rush, but definitely worth the wait. The filled ciabattas were delicious as well.

As far as I could see, the name of the shop isn’t displayed anywhere on the outside, but given the number of people inside, they don’t seem to need to work too hard to advertise - even Tommy Walsh (of Ground Force fame) walked in while we were waiting for our sandwiches to be prepared!

this has to be one of the less pretentious sandwich places around this area. It felt good to purchase in a family owned place rather than samey chain sandwich places… not a well kept secret anymore…

One of the best sandwich shops i have ever been to. Simple and unassuming, the gang at HT Harris are quietly confident about their sandwiches -

Italian lady: Is this your first time here?
Me: Yes it is.
Italian lady: We do good sandwiches here. I’m sure you’ll be satisified.
Me: I’m sure i will.

I must admit, i found it quite difficult shouldering the weight of the spicy salami and mozarella panini that was thrust at me. These things are HUGE and i was slightly worried that i was in for an “all weight, no taste” experience. But the early sign of “grease through paper” osmosis allayed any fears i had conjured regarding deliciousness. My first bite was truly memorable - sharp, fresh salami, plump mozarella cheese and enough rocket to satisfy Ronnie O’sullivan himself. Perfect.

I polished off the sandwich in about 3 1/2 minutes and washed it all down with a trademark DC (Diet Coke). Not everyones cup of tea, but for me, that was the perfect lunch.

This place slots in with the old 'don’t judge a book by its cover’ fandango - this little unassuming deli has probably been walked passed by hundreds who never knew of its soft chewy centre. It’s amaaazing. The ciabattas are the size of rugby balls and the fillings are very generous. It’s the kind of place where when you stipulate your toppings they make them on both sides of the roll then smack them together. Brilliant. When I was handed my warm toasted delight I wanted to climb over the counter and hug the little family behind it. But I thought they’d prefer cash. Prices start from £3, my parma ham, mozzarella, tomato and rocket ciabatta set me back £4.50 and I was very happy to hand it over given I’ve eaten half of it and am already full. But will be nibbling it throughout the afternoon because it’s extra tasty. If you’re in the area screw the chain stores, this deli is a must for super fresh, tasty Italian sandwiches.

Drop into this unassuming venue and get a ciabatta the size of your arm for £4.00- choose your own filling and watch the little people get cracking. Not little people like minions, they really all are very short, and sweet, and possibly imported from another friendlier era.
I love that he cash register is held together with tape, the contents of the kitchen are all on display and there isn’t really anywhere to stand for take away. Why? Because you don’t get more authentic than barefaced. They got my vote.

A very nice place owned by the unforgettable “Pietro” and its italian familly. We enjoyed the tastes of local products, especially the delicious and very hearty paninis!

I would definitly recommend this place for its warm atmosphere and for the quality of italian food.

It was a pleasure to enjoy a meal in this lovely place. When you enter there is a real taste of Italy with the Latino spirit of the owner and fresh products in delicious paninis.

what can i say about this place…...ummmmm….yummmy (now thats for starters). After a week of bad food this place was a breath of fresh air…the owner and his little cafe are very inviting. i ordered a milano which was to die for…(close your eyes.. take a bit and you’re wisked of to italy…..so if the credit crunch means you cant get out to italy this year, go to H T Harris…...you wont regret it …....Belissimo.

I was the lucky one who get 2 kisses from the owner of this place ! :-p
Very friendly place ran by an Italian family, quiet and so Nice !
Quality of food is exceptional, hand made sandwiches with local italian products. As enjoyable as simple.

I highly recommend this place if you wish real italian food !

As i was saying ;-) I just stepped out of the hair dressers and grabbed a coffee. The cheapest coffee in London (£1) and the panini’s are out of this world.

Family owned coffee shop, fully licensed and REAL Italian. Its an absolute GEM :-)