Vegan-friendly
Lacto
Italian
Organic
Mediterranean
Beer/Wine
London vegetarian organic restaurant near Barbican tube. Serving Italian cuisine like stuzzichini, pasta, risotto, and classic secondi where meat is replaced by tofu and seitan. Confirmed closed, Mar 2017.
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Last update on 24 Mar 2017 by Guest
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42 Reviews
First Review by peter shannon
estefinparis
Points +864
Best seitan I've ever had - Edit
I had read a great review of Amico Bio and was looking forward to trying out. I was not disappointed! The atmosphere is warm and welcoming and the menu has good vegan options. I had the tomato bruschette, which were good, but was absolutely impressed with the seitan scalopini. Wow! The subtle flavours of the lemon and black olives mixed with a perfectly cooked seitan and vegetables. Everything is organic too - can't wait to go back!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on Friday January 28, 2011
AgaTrzak
Agreed, their Seitan is amazing!
Read moreGuest
veganaurora
Points +283
Lovely atmosphere but small, pricey portions - Edit
This restaurant has a really nice atmosphere. It's a lovely space with simple wooden furniture and floors and extra interesting touches with the ornaments and pictures. The waitress we had was also sweet and attentive.
Read moreHowever, I had a discount Groupon voucher for this restaurant like many others and I think the restaurant hadn't really counted for such capacity. So, because the restaurant was quite full, it took quite a while to get served and for our dishes to arrive.
When they did arrive, they weren't as tasty as my friend and I had hoped (I'd promised her fireworks and I don't think we even really got sparklers!). For starters, I had cauliflour fritters which were the nicest thing about the meal. They were good-sized and crispy and came with a tasty, salty salad. My friend had a foccacia and olives starter which was fine and prettily presented but nothing out of the ordinary.
For mains we shared gnocchi and pumpkin with sage, and a seitan dish with roasted vegetables and chestnut. The seitan was a bit tasteless and there were only two small pieces of it, there were a few nicely roasted vegetables but just two tiny bits of chestnut.
Any other taste in the gnocchi and pumpkin dish was thoroughly drowned out by a very strong taste of sage and the portion was small.
Perhaps the portions are so small because with a real Italian meal you order more courses than just starter and main and dessert and, to be fair, the menu is set up for this. Yet, at Amico Bio, because the courses are set average to above average prices that would make doing the whole dinner traditionally with extra courses very pricey indeed.
My friend enjoyed her dessert very much though, a kiwi sort of pie. Sadly this wasn't part of the voucher discount! And so cost her £6! Having enjoyed the fritters for starters so much I ordered them again for dessert but that was a mistake as they were apple this time and the flavour of them wasn't strong enough to be particularly noticeable. The fritters this time came with a very small pot of chocolate sauce too and that was delicious but there wasn't quite enough of it.
I would love to go back there again but I think they need to make their portions bigger and be more judicious about the flavour of the dishes.
Pros: Great atmosphere, Attentive staff
Cons: Too expensive , Small portions, Food needs more flavour
Guest
Jane H
Points +16
Not recommended at all - Edit
Not recommended. This is one of the worst vegetarian restaurants I have been too in a long while. I should have known to leave the moment I arrived. Instead of nice food smells it smelt of cheap fat like a fast food joint. It didn't get any better - had olive oil, olives and bread for starters - the oil olive was of the cheapest kind and the bread was tasteless. Then followed the main course which was also bland. The choice of wine was limited and ours although cost £21 tasted like a £3 bottle a bit like paint stripper. Do not go to this place.
Read moreGuest
Ashni
Points +2328
Simple but excellent Italian food - Edit
We visited this restaurant through a special offer and got 2 main courses and a glass of prosecco for GBP 9. As a result of this we had to book a week in advance to get a table, they were not picking up their phone when I called to say we were running a bit late and the restaurant was very busy.
Read moreOn first glance, we thought the menu looked unimaginative when compared with the exotic/ creative choices at other vegan restaurants. However we were really impressed with the food.
For starters we had a tofu and cucumber salad with mint - sounds simple but was very tasty and refreshing. The texture of the tofu was wonderful. Our second starter was a squash salad - again simple but very good quality squash, and well textured and balanced.
For mains we had a seitan and mushroom dish - this was delicious. The seitan was probably the best we have had. The aubergine and potato cake was a bit oily.
Unfortunately the dessert wasn't up to the standards of the starters and mains. There was only a selection of ice cream and sorbets for vegans and some of the sorbets lacked taste, with the exception of the lemon which was very sharp/zesty.
Portion sizes are fairly small - you need two courses to fill yourself up minimum.
Service was excellent - we had a well informed, polite waitress who helped us select our dishes.
Pros: excellent food
Cons: small portions, unimaginative menu
Guest
Bow
Points +80
Pretty good - Edit
We enjoyed a nice meal at Amico Bio, calling in for lunch on a weekday. The first thing we saw on entering was a fantastic looking focaccia - the product placement worked, we ordered it and it tasted good! For starters we shared warm olives, and the focaccia. The warm olives were extremely delicious. The focaccia was also very good, served with slightly less interesting olives. Both portions were modest in size. We had to remind them to bring our drinks, and then remind them again for a drink that was missing, but otherwise the service was fine. My husband really enjoyed his freshly squeezed orange juice. I had the special, a fresh melon juice, which was actually rather disappointing - the melon was not ripe enough and it lacked sweetness and flavour.
Read moreFor mains, I had the seitan with aubergine, and husband had the strudel. He was very happy with his dish (I didn't try it as it wasn't vegan). He had his with fries, I had mine with roast potatoes and salad. The seitan was very tasty, although again the portions weren't that big. The roast potatoes were a little undercooked. Bear in mind that all accompaniments - potatoes, vegetables, salad - have to be ordered in addition to a main course. So a main course at £8 becomes £18 once you add potatoes and vegetables (which are necessary additions, otherwise there really isn't enough food).
The only vegan desserts they had were ice cream and sorbet. I worried that the ice cream would just be Swedish Glace, but to their credit, it was actually a home-made ice-cream that tasted really good. This time the portion was a generous two scoops, one vanilla, one chocolate.
Overall, this was a positive dining experience, and we'd happily go back.
Pros: Tasty food, Nice ambiance, Interesting menu
Cons: Smallish portions, Potatoes and veggies are costly extras
Guest
plonitalmoni
Points +133
real Italian in City of London - Edit
Met up with a friend for lunch. It was quite empty which is a shame because the food is so nice. Everyone enjoyed what they ordered (thought the seitan sausages weren't the best thing they had). The portion I got for pasta was also a bit small but it's like a real Italian restaurant where you have a small pasta and then a second main dish. The staff was very friendly and we look forward to going back.
Read morePros: good food, location
Cons: smallish portions
Guest
Sylvia
Points +47
lovely Valentines-menu - Edit
My boyfriend surprised me with a reservation at Amico Bio on Valentinesday.
Read moreIt's a small and lovely place. The staff were super helpful and sweet (I asked if we could change tables as I felt a bit squeezed into the chair behind me - they were busy and obviously had reservations due to it being Valentines - but we were seated to our table of choice without a problem)
There was a special menu for the occasion and there were at least two choices for each course. We chose different ones so basically were eating our way through all the specials. Simple presentation, rather small portions (but then I am a big eater) but nicely thought out.
Prosecco first, then the starters. He had sliced boiled potatoes with mushrooms, it looked liked nothing great but tasted excellent and just showsd how delicious simple food can be (memo to myself: one to try at home).
I liked my Broad Bean Soup and the Fennel Bread. Bf thought that the soup was bland (it wasn't, he is used to tinned food that's why)
Bf continued with a Pasta dish which he loved, for me the pasta was a bit too al-dente. But Hey - the Aubergine & Tomatoe Bake was a real hit with me (memo to myself: definelty one to try at home) looked very good in a rustic pot too.
And the desserts: the vegan chocolate tart was rich and yummy. Also enjoyed the tofu tiramisu and machiato (that was seriously good coffee).
The only thing I didn't like was the moment we sat down the Valentines-Menu was put in front of us and the price showed boldly on it - my boyfriend had this reserved and invited me and didn't really want me to see the price. They should have had a different copy of the courses without the price. If I remember correctly it was £35pp.
Anyway, I enjoyed the evening very much, the food was delicious and the atmosphere relaxed and friendly.
x
Pros: clever and ethical cuisine, relaxed, friendly place, very good Italian coffee
Cons: staff a bit shy
Guest
maggiecotton
Points +129
Loved this Place - Edit
What a find. Tucked out of the way this Fabulous rustic Italian restaurant is a must when you are in London. We recently went for a Saturday night and liked it so much we went back on the Monday, 4 of us ordered lots of different things the bruschetta was my personal favourite, the food was freshly made using lovely fresh ingredients. Lots of Vegan choice. The price is very reasonable and the service was great, genuine warm Italian people working in there, The owner is Vegetarian so has a good understanding of veggie food. The atmosphere very pleasant. Cant wait to go again.
Read morePros: Fresh Ingredients, Lovely Atmosphere, Reasonable Prices
Guest
jodiH
Points +99
Best Restaurant in London - Edit
This is BY FAR my favorite restaurant in London. It is charming, and the owners and servers are quite pleasant and helpful, and really make you feel welcome and appreciated. The vegan options are clearly labeled including the wine. And everything tastes absolutely wonderful. Just perfect!
Read morePros: Great food, Lots of vegan options, Wonderful staff
Cons: None
Guest
JessUK
Points +283
Gorgeous venue but... - Edit
This restaurant looks lovely. I walked in and was instantly charmed. Surprisingly quiet for a Thursday night for such a gorgeous little intimate venue...
Read moreThe man who showed us to the table was fantastic. Very patient and kind - explained well when we asked about items on the menu.
Food seemed a little too affordable - mains were only £7-£8ish. However when you add a side (which I think most needed), it made a more standard £10 for a main.
Unfortunately the food sounded so exciting but I wasn't blown away... neither were the people I dined with which was a shame. It had so much potential! My main was the best of the three, pasta with butternut and a sage sauce. I ordered a side of curly kale with chilli and garlic.
We had planned to have pudding, but they took so long to come and ask us what we wanted that we had to give it a miss or we risked being late for the show. (I'd mentioned that we were seeing a show at the time of booking too!)
Although the house wine is only £12.50 (reasonable) the starting price for a bottle of vegan wine was £18.50 - much too steep and definitely put us off buying a bottle to share. A glass for £4.50 was ok, but worth noting if you plan to spend a longer evening there!
A shame as with just a little tweaking of flavour and a little speedier service this could be a really top notch veggie restaurant.
Pros: Lovely venue, Kind staff
Cons: Food underwhelming, Slowish service
Guest
Veganismo
Points +59
Do I have the right place? - Edit
I am confused that this place has such a high rating. I am a long-time vegan and do not write bad reviews lightly. But this restaurant is just no good.
Read moreI went with my wife, eager to try all their vegan food. We started with the tofu appetizer: a piece of seared tofu with fresh plum jelly. This tasted good, but was not extraordinary. Just a plain unseasoned piece of tofu with some very tart jelly.
Next, the entrees. I ordered a pumpkin past dish, recommended by the waiter because it was in season. It had absolutely no flavor. You could tell it was fresh homemade pasta, which was nice, but NO FLAVOR. My wife ordered another recommended dish, a flat pasta with mushrooms. Again, nice pasta with no flavor. It really is impossible to believe that anyone could put it in their mouths and say, "MMMMMMMM! This is so good!" You may as well eat pasta with nothing on it.
Finally, the dessert. The only vegan option was a plum sorbet (I guess plum was the big deal that month). So, we get a bowl of fresh plum sorbet. Again, this is really TART! And how does the chef decide to set off this tart flavor? Well, on the side comes a huge whole plum. And guess what's on the plum? A tart PLUM sauce! The flavor of the plum sauce really helped to balance the flavor of the plum sorbet, and the big plum. Is this for real???
Anyway, the whole thing cost a fortune on top of everything else. I am confounded at all the 5-star reviews this place has received. Sorry.
Pros: Homemade pasta, Unoffensive appetizer
Cons: BLAND food, NO FLAVOR, Laughable dessert composition
Guest
aclasse
Points +320
Great atmosphere - like being in Italy - Edit
This smartish but not too expensive restaurant had a great atmosphere, I thought, and felt authentically Italian - just like being on holiday for an evening. Good Italian-style (i.e. professional but friendly) service too.
Read moreI had a salad made of peach, chard and radish first, then a focaccia with fried green peppers on top, and finally pears poached in what tasted like mulled wine.
Everything we had seemed freshly prepared and was delicious. There are quite a lot of vegan options on the menu - best mention that you're vegan on arrival in case any adjustments need to be made. Some of the wines are marked vegan too.
I think it would also be a good place to take omnivorous friends because a lot of the food is just vegetables, legumes etc without the seitan and tofu that some omnivores seem suspicious of (though you can have those if you want).
Pros: Fresh delicious food, Lots of vegan options, Pleasant, friendly atmosphere
Guest
veggiegoth
Points +217
so so good! - Edit
tucked away on a quiet little street in london is where amico bio lies. lovely restaraunt with a rustic feel to it. i had a pasta dish which was delicious. i also had the brushetta which was lovely as well. nice staff.
Read moreGuest
REMF
Points +57
Amico Blanco - Edit
Fantastic place! Wonderful fresh ingredients and imaginative menu. The mozzarella is to die for. I was sorry to see its predecessor go, but not remotely sorry to find a new vegetarian haven. Very friendly owner. Wonderful.
Read moreGuest
peter shannon
Points +13
a great exprience - Edit
i`m just back from amico bio, and the food was spectacular to treat your taste buds, fresh, unusual but wonderfully cooked. I am a vegetarian and i loved the variety of products and tastes which made my meal very enjoyable. pasquale a veg top italian chef. i never had seitan cooked in this way. i`ll be back soon.
Read morePros: top quality food, good prices, friendly staff
Guest
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