Ave Mario is a lively Italian trattoria from the Big Mamma group on Henrietta Street in Covent Garden. The expansive restaurant takes inspiration from a Florentine palazzo, combining soaring ceilings, bold retro details and a central bar lined with thousands of bottles.
The kitchen celebrates seasonal ingredients sourced from Italy through generous homemade cooking. Soft Neapolitan pizza arrives with a lightly crisp edge, while the signature carbonara is finished in a large wheel of pecorino for an especially rich and theatrical presentation.
Antipasti, burrata, cured meats and vegetable plates can be shared before pasta, pizza, grilled fish or aged beef. Familiar recipes sit beside playful combinations, allowing the menu to move between simple Italian comfort food and dishes designed for a celebratory table.
Desserts continue the generous approach through tiramisu, panna cotta and an imposing lemon meringue tart. Several dining spaces, courtyards and a basement provide different atmospheres for dates, family meals and groups, all within a short walk of the theatres and piazza of Covent Garden.
Address: 15 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 8QG, United Kingdom
Ave Mario Menu
Antipasti
Lunch Set Menu
Insalata Trevigiana al Gorgonzola (R)
Crispy endive salad topped with chunks of gorgonzola, Parmigiano Reggiano, balsamic glaze and toasted walnuts. vegan version available
Arancini Cacio e Pepe (R)
Golden-fried arancini filled with cacio e pepe risotto and topped with grated Pecorino.
Bruschetta del Bosco (R)
Toasted focaccia with creamy taleggio topped with a seasonal medley of mushrooms and sautéed kale.
Mains
Lunch Set Menu
Pasta ai Funghi (R)
Home-made mafaldine in an indulgent sauce of seasonal mushrooms, with lots of Parmigiano.
La Carbonara
Home-made spaghetti alla chitarra, creamy pecorino, crispy guanciale, egg yolk, a lot of pepper.
Prosciutto Cotto, Funghi e Stracciatella
Creamy ricotta, sautéed mushrooms, prosciutto cotto, mozzarella fior di latte, stracciatella.
Carpaccio di Manzo (GIF)
Beef carpaccio with rocket, balsamic and 22-month Parmigiano Reggiano.
Dolci
Lunch Set Menu
Il Tiramisu (V)
The unbeatable classic, not so classic.
The Big Pineapple (VEG)
Thinly sliced pineapple and crispy coconut crumble, served with passionfruit coulis, coconut chantilly, fresh lime.
The Incomparable Lemon Pie (V)
Zingy tart and humongous 5’9-inch meringue layer, THE must.
Time for Aperitivo?
Theatre Menu
Aperol Spritz
A classic for a reason
Margarita
Made with Olmeca Blanco tequila
Amore Piccante
Ginger beer, chilli kick, and alcohol free
No-Groni
All the Negroni soul, zero alcohol
Antipasti
Theatre Menu
Insalata Trevigiana al Gorgonzola (R)
Crispy endive salad topped with chunks of gorgonzola, Parmigiano Reggiano, balsamic glaze and toasted walnuts. vegan version available
Calamari Fritti
Crispy fried Cornish baby squid with lemony aioli dip.
Tartare di Manzo (GIF)
A bold beef tartare with mustard and pickled cucumber, topped with Greek yoghurt and a fresh chimichurri made with anchovies, Taggiasche olives, sun-dried tomatoes and fried capers.
Mains
Theatre Menu
Spaghetti all’Arrabbiata (V)
Home-made spaghetti with a slow-cooked spicy San Marzano tomato sauce, smoky heart of the burrata and fresh chilli. vegan version available
Mafaldine al Tartufo (V) (4£ Supp)
Home-made mafaldine with indulgent truffle and mascarpone cream, fresh black truffle from Italy.
Pizza Patate & Pancetta
Potato cream, smoked mozzarella, fior di latte and pancetta.
Insalata di Finocchi e Ricotta al Forno (V)
Endive salad with roasted fennel, fresh orange supreme, seed pesto and crumbled ricotta di bufala al forno, salsa gribiche, served atop a bed of herby yoghurt.
Dolci
Theatre Menu
Il Tigramisù (V)
The unbeatable classic, not so classic.
Panna Wintour (V, GIF)
Ultra-creamy organic Madagascar vanilla panna cotta with red fruit coulis.
The Big Pineapple (VEG)
Thinly sliced pineapple and crispy coconut crumble, served with passionfruit coulis, coconut chantilly, fresh lime.