Come for the Italian hospitality, stay for the East London party energy – your new favourite hangout is in the heart of Shoreditch.

Where is it?

Located in the ground floor restaurant of The Hoxton, it’s less than 15 minutes' walk to Liverpool Street Station, ideal for commuting if you haven’t been lucky enough to book yourself a stay. 

What is the place like?

Buzzy and playfully luxe. Plush, boldly patterned banquettes, giant tasseled lampshades and staff in cute pink tees emblazoned with Bambini (btw, where would one get one of those… asking for a friend) ensure the ‘gram gang will be here in droves, ready to snap away next to piles of pasta.

What did you eat and drink?

We started with cocktails, which didn’t disappoint. The Amalfi margarita in particular was a refreshing sip with a hint of tartness from the limoncello, the addition of tequila and Cointreau ensuring this is one you need to enjoy slowly.

We greedily snacked on earthy mushroom arancini with truffle ricotta and scampi fritti, smartly paired with a bright lemon mayo. We would have turned up the notch slightly with the seasoning, but it’s hard to go wrong with deep-fried morsels. The seasoning quibble came up again for the roasted sea bass fillet with escarole, capers and olives, but there was no argument over how well the fish was cooked. Interestingly enough, our favourite dish was a fuss-free margherita pizza. Truth is, achieving a toothsome chewy crust with a crisp base isn’t easy – Il Bambini pulled it off effortlessly.

For dessert, the caramel sundae was a light and creamy end to our feasting, little flecks of dark chocolate and a pleasingly deep golden caramel keeping the balance from being too sweet.

The verdict?

Il Bambini Club is an excellent option for group dining, be it with family (they offer a breakfast and Sunday roast menu) or friends. Pizzas are a winner, especially when paired with their extensive range of cocktails and a few classic sides.