Osteria Antica Bologna has been a familiar part of Northcote Road since 1990, earning its place as a longstanding neighbourhood restaurant near Clapham Junction. Its approach is rooted in the generous traditions of an Italian osteria, where good ingredients, relaxed hospitality and the pleasure of sharing a meal matter most. The restaurant welcomes regular local diners alongside visitors from across London, creating an atmosphere that feels personal and established rather than formal or showy.
Chef Marzio Zacchi leads the kitchen with experience shaped by his upbringing in Biella in Piemonte and a career in respected Italian restaurants across London. Since taking over Osteria Antica Bologna in 2009, he has maintained its traditional character while bringing his own knowledge of regional Italian cooking to the menu. That background gives the food a clear sense of place, combining the comfort of familiar recipes with the judgement needed to let seasonal produce speak for itself.
The menu changes frequently to reflect the best ingredients available from the market and across the seasons. Diners can expect traditional pasta and risotto alongside seafood, grilled meats and other classic Italian dishes, with variety that encourages repeat visits. Rather than relying on unnecessary embellishment, the cooking aims for balanced flavours and the natural appeal of carefully sourced produce. An entirely Italian wine list complements the food and offers choices suited to both a casual plate of pasta and a longer dinner.
Rustic wood panelled walls give the dining room a warm and intimate character that suits the restaurant’s neighbourhood spirit. The setting can feel romantic in the evening, yet it remains comfortable enough for a family gathering, a meal with friends or a relaxed work lunch. This versatility is part of Osteria Antica Bologna’s lasting appeal. It offers the reassurance of an established local favourite while keeping the experience fresh through seasonal cooking, thoughtful service and genuine Italian hospitality.
Address: 23 Northcote Road, Clapham Junction, London SW11 1NG, United Kingdom
Osteria Antica Bologna Menu
Antipasti
Pane, Olio extra vergine di oliva e aceto balsamico (Vg)
Bread basket, Extra Virgin Olive oil & Balsamic Vinegar
Olive cunzate
Olives marinated in chilli and garlic (Vg) (GF)
Zucchine fritte (V)
Deep-fried courgettes
Olive all’ascolana
Deep fried giant olives stuffed with mortadella salami
Arancine siciliane (V)
Sicilian saffron rice arancine with mozzarella and green peas, arrabbiata sauce
Fritto misto
Deep fried calamari, prawn, whitebaits, courgettes and panelle
Bruschetta al pomodoro (Vg)
Tomato bruschetta
Bruschetta con burrata (V)
Tomato and burrata bruschetta
Vitello Tonnato (GF)
Thinly sliced roasted veal, with tuna, capers, mayo and anchovies sauce
Caprino dorato con insalata tiepida di barbabietole e cipolle rosse(GF) (V)
Pan fried goats cheese with warm beetroot salad and red onion vinaigrette
Prosciutto crudo e burrata
Parma ham & burrata (GF)
The selection of Italian charcuterie (GF)
The Big selection
larger selection to share with bruschette, olives & n’duja
Primi piatti
Small/Regular
Minestrone di Verdure (Vg)
Mixed vegetable soup with bread croutons and Sicilian olive oil
Ravioli di ricotta e zucca Mantovana al burro e salvia (V)
Homemade Mantova pumpkin and ricotta ravioli with butter and sage
Gnocchi pomodoro e basilico (Vg)
Homemade gnocchi with tomato sauce and basil
Linguine al granchio, vino bianco, aglio e peperoncino
Linguine with fresh Cornish crab, garlic, sweet chilli and white wine
Tonnarelli al ragú di cinghiale
Fresh black pepper spaghetti with wild boar ragout
Risotto al Parmigiano Reggiano, carciofi e prezzemolo (GF) (V)
Risotto with Parmesan, artichokes and parsley (Please allow 20 minutes)
Carne e Pesce
Polpo alla griglia e insalata di patate novelle tiepida e olive Taggiasche (GF)
Chargrilled octopus with warm new potatoes and Taggiasche olives salad
Filetto di merluzzo con lenticchie verdi di Castelluccio e salsa verde (GF)
Panfried cod fillet with Castelluccio green lentils and salsa verde
Fish of the day
Fish that has been ethically sourced whenever possible
Tagliata di manzo con rucola, Parmigiano e Aceto Balsamico di Modena (GF)
Grilled beef entrecote steak with rocket & Parmigiano Reggiano salad and Aceto Balsamico
Cosciotto di agnello al latte dei Pirenei arrosto (serves1 to 2 persons)
Roasted milk fed Pyrenean leg of lamb and rosemary roast potatoes (Please allow 25 minutes)
Fiorentina served with French fries and mix salad (GF) (Please allow 30 minutes)
Chargrilled T-bone steak to share. Please ask for price, weight and availability
Side orders: Chips, Spinach, Mixed or Green salad, Tomato and onion salad, Rocket salad with Parmigiano Reggiano
Dolci
all our desserts are home made
Cannolo alla Siciliana (V)
Tiramisu’ (V)
Torta al pistacchio con gelato al caffe (V)
Pistachio tart with coffee ice cream
Torta di pere e cioccolato con gelato alla vaniglia (V)
Pear and chocolate tart with vanilla ice cream
Panna cotta con salsa ai frutti di bosco (GF)
Vanilla panna cotta with wild mixed berries sauce
Mixed ice-cream and fruit sorbets from Ice Cream Union (V) (GF)
Formaggi misti Italiani
Italian cheese selection: Pecorino Romano, Pecorino Sardo, Fontina, Taleggio, Gorgonzola
ANTIPASTI
Gnocco fritto e Mortadella
Deep fried gnocchi puff with Mortadella
Bruschetta al pomodoro (V) o alla n'duja
Toasted Italian bread with fresh tomato, basil and garlic or Calabrese spicy salami spread
Zucchine fritte (V)
Deep fried courgettes
Caprino dorato con barbabietole e cipolle rosse (V) (GF)
Pan fried goat cheese with beetroot salad and red onion vinaigrette
Panelle (V)
Deep fried chickpeas fritters
PASTE
All our fresh pasta, focaccia and desserts are Osteria home made
Minestrone di verdure (V)
Mixed vegetable soup with bread crouton and Sicilian olive oil
Rigatoni alla puttanesca (V)
Rigatoni with tomato, black olives, capers, parsley & chilli
Spaghetti alla bolognese
Spaghetti with Bolognese ragù
Tonnarelli al ragu di cinghiale
Tonnarelli with wild boar ragù
SECONDI
Filetto di salmone grigliato con spinaci e salsa al rafano
Grilled salmon with spinach and horseradish dressing
Milanese o paillarde di pollo alla griglia
Pan fried chicken Milanese or chargrilled chicken paillarde with spinach and fries
Tagliata di manzo con rucola, Parmigiano (£6.00 suppl.)
Grilled beef entrecote with rocket, Parmigiano, Aceto Balsamico di Modena (GF)
DOLCI
Cannolo Siciliano (V)
Tiramisu’ (V)
Torta al pistacchio con gelato al caffe (V)
Pistachio tart with coffee ice cream
Torta di pere e cioccolato con gelato alla vaniglia (V)
Pear and chocolate tart with vanilla ice cream
Panna cotta con salsa ai frutti di bosco (GF)
Vanilla panna cotta with mixed berries sauce
Gelati misti and fruit sorbets (V)
Mixed ice-cream
Formaggi misti
Italian cheese selection
Dolci
all our desserts are home made
Cannolo alla Siciliana (V)
Tiramisu’ (V)
Torta al pistacchio con gelato al caffe (V)
Pistachio tart with coffee ice cream
Torta di pere e cioccolato con gelato alla vaniglia (V)
Pear and chocolate tart with vanilla ice cream
Panna cotta con salsa ai frutti di bosco (GF)
Vanilla panna cotta with wild mixed berries sauce
Mixed ice-cream and fruit sorbets from Ice Cream Union (V) (GF)
Formaggi misti Italiani
Italian cheese selection: Pecorino Romano, Pecorino Sardo, Fontina, Taleggio, Gorgonzola
Aperitivi
Bellini
Campari Spritz
Aperol Spritz
Negroni
Crodino non alcolico
RED:
Nero d’Avola
Montepulciano
Barbera
Pinot Noir
WHITE:
Fiano IGT
Giatto Bianco
Gavi
Pinot Bianco
Coffee
Espresso
Double espresso
Cappuccino
Latte
Fresh mint tea
Tea
Affogato
“Espresso & vanilla ice cream”
Liquori
Averno
Amaro di Montenegro
Amaro del Capo
Fernet Branca
Jagermeister
Amaretto
Limoncello
Liquore di Chinotto or Camomilla, Quaglia
Cointreau
Baileys Irish Cream
Sambuca Strega
Sweet wines
Vino Liquoroso del Nonno
An enticing smell of nuts and candied fruit oozes off this wine. Served with Cantucci biscuits.
Bianco Passito “Dindarello” Maculan
Intense nose of Muscat grapes with honey and flower notes
Barolo Chinato “Distilleria Marolo”
Aromatised wine infused with rhubarb, cinnamon and cloves. Cloudy, unfiltered.
Recioto della Valpolicella “Sterza”
A full-bodied, muscular red, mainly sweet in the middle and a touch of dryness on the finish
Brachetto D’Aqui fermo “Batasiolo” Maculan
Light ruby red, sweet, aromatic sparkling red wine with fine persistent bubbles
Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice “Melini” Chianti Classico DOC
Elegant wine with lovely acacia honey aroma and good acidity
Coffee
Espresso
White or Black Coffee
“Caffé Corretto” Grappa, Amaretto…
Double Espresso
Cappuccino and Latte
Flat White
Affogato
“Espresso & vanilla ice cream”
Teas & Infusions
Breakfast
Earl Grey
Green tea
Chamomile
Fresh Mint tea
Liquori
25 ml £ 4 | 50 ml £7
Averna
Amaro di Montenegro
Amaro del Capo
Fernet Branca
Jagermeister
Amaretto
Limoncello
Liquore di Chinotto or Camomilla, Quaglia
Cointreau
Baileys Irish Cream
Sambuca Strega
Grappa
25ml 50ml
House Grappa
Grappa Barolo 9Y, Marolo
Grappa di Barbera, Marolo
Grappa di Moscato, Marolo
Grappa al Padre, Marolo
Grappa gli Alberi, Marolo
Cognac & Brandy
25 ml 50 ml
Vecchia Romagna, Brandy Etichetta Nera
Cognac, Maxime Trijol V.S.O.P.
Armagnac, Baron de Sigognac
Calvados, Père Magloire V.S.O.P.
Whiskey
25 ml 50 ml
Jack Daniel’s Whiskey
Glenfiddich 12y
Laphroaig 10y
Jameson Black Barrel Irish Whisky
Lagavulin 16y, Islay Single Malt Scotch Whiskey
Oban 14 Single Malt Scotch Whiskey
Rum
25 ml 50 ml