Rudy’s Neapolitan Pizza is a relaxed neighbourhood pizzeria which finds its home in bustling Soho. The brand already operates several outlets up north, but this is its first outing into London.
From the offset, Rudy’s snazzy metropolitan atmosphere emanates throughout the dining room. The space is romantically lit with candles and home to a wonderful collection of plant life, giving the restaurant a suave, contemporary feel.
We began with cocktails; the Sospiri was a mellow fruity concoction that pleased, while the Amaretto Sour was a darker, moody blend that was perfectly quaffable. Rudy’s also offers a range of wines, our favourite being the ‘Alta Vita’ Sauvignon Blanc, a crisp sip which boasts credentials of sustainable sourcing.
Starters bring together a wide range of flavours. The creamy burrata served on crunchy fresh house baked bread, topped with ripe sweet cherry tomatoes, was a welcome introduction to food at Rudy’s. The veggie campana meanwhile was a small feast, an Italian charcuterie board of flavourful vegetables that was easily shared between two.
Pizza is evidently at the heart of the restaurant, with guests offered a clear view of the chefs cooking, adding a sense of thrill and excitement to proceedings. The pizzas themselves do not disappoint; the Tonno is lavishly drizzled in extra virgin olive oil, topped with sharp green chillies and red peppers making for a spectacular, filling meal. Although uncomplicated, the margherita also smacked of an obvious enthusiasm towards authentic pizza making.
The desserts at Rudy’s, whilst modest in number, offered lavish flavours - the pistachio tartufo wrapped in a chocolate shell and boasting a nutty filling was an appropriately indulgent treat. For a light, less intense alternative, instead take your pick from the selection of ice creams.
Rudy’s isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel, but its tight menu of authentic Italian pizzas and relaxed atmosphere make it a welcome addition to Soho’s ever-expanding restaurant scene.