C
caff_caldesi
C

CAFFÈ CALDESI

71

Signal score

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

A stalwart Marylebone institution split into two distinct personalities: a buzzing, casual street-level café for coffee and antipasti, and a more refined, linen-clad restaurant upstairs for serious Tuscan feasting.

Cuisine

Italian

Price

£££

Neighborhood

Marylebone

Location

118 Marylebone Ln, London W1U 2QF, United Kingdom

Ordering Strategy

Choose your floor based on the occasion: downstairs is walk-in friendly (for small groups) and great for a casual lunch, while upstairs requires booking. If dining as a group, let the kitchen curate a selection of antipasti.

What to order

Safe first

Antipasti Board

Described as 'groaning with Italy’s greatest hits', this board includes nocerella olives, silky mortadella, superior pecorino, and ribbons of warm grilled courgette; it is easily large enough to serve three as a starter.

Hungry

I Rigatoni al Ragu

This dish features a deeply rich Tuscan pork and beef ragu that is cooked down to a 'perfect consistency' so that it wraps itself around the pasta.

Wildcard

Warm Chocolate Mousse with Butter Biscuits

Served in an espresso cup with buttery biscuit fingers, this dessert is praised for a consistency that sits perfectly between a light mousse and a rich chocolate pot.

Wildcard

Parmigiana di Melanzane

A personal recommendation from the owners, noted for a 'truly outstanding' tomato sauce made from seasonal tomatoes shipped in from Sicily.

What to skip

Skip
Le Penne alla NormaWhile the flavors are good, reviewers have noted that the aubergine is 'not actually crispy' as advertised on the menu.

More in Marylebone

See all restaurants in Marylebone

Signal Score

71
Solid SignalWell-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.Agreement 59%0 Elite · 1 Editorial · 10 mentions

Signal score reflects how strong and consistent the review coverage is, not a star rating.

Top critic: The Sauce Mag (100%)

Editorial Weight 57 pts

Authority + depth + recency

Agreement 6 pts

How aligned the critics are

Coverage 8 pts

How many real review signals exist

Public Signal 0 pts

Google rating + volume

Boosts 0 pts

Manual boosts + hidden gem

Review signals

0 Elite · 1 Editorial · 4 total signals

Public signal

(0 reviews)

Good to know

The venue operates as two separate entities: the 'Caffe' (downstairs) and the 'Kitchen' (upstairs). Service can occasionally be distant during peak times. Bookings for the bar area are generally only accepted for groups of five or more.

Trust signals

  • Not yet visited
  • mediumConfidence level

More Italian in London

Feedback

Spot something off?

If a recommendation feels outdated, the map is wrong, or there is something that would make this page more useful, send it through.