Zilli at Elaine's

17-Jul-2025 | Luisa Welch

Celebrity chef Aldo Zilli is heading a new restaurant in Holborn: Elaine’s.

The award-winning chef, with his colourful personality, is injecting style, taste and fun into this rather gorgeous restaurant, which also operates as a bar and deli.

Zilli has created a delicious Italian menu, inspired by bold flavours and Italian passion. Expect small plates and appetizers, pizza, pasta dishes, as well as fish and meat main courses and grills. There are dishes like Black Charcoal Tagliolini with Tiger Prawns, New York Fettuccine Alfredo, Monkfish Wrapped in Parma Harm and Rib Eye Steak Tagliata. On the night I visited, the most amazing Lobster Tortelloni were on offer, indulgent and moreish, in a rich seafood sauce.
Zilli also hosts a Chef’s Table weekly, showing guests at the table how fresh pasta is made, and then you are treated to a 4 course ‘Taste of Italy’ sharing dinner.

Meanwhile, the bar offers a range of expertly crafted cocktails, well-chosen wines and live music events. There are good Proseccos and champagnes like Taittinger Brut Reserve, a good Pinot Noir from Patagonia in Argentina and a lovely Nik Wis Urban Riesling from Germany, to name but a few. I was delighted to see a restaurant which also offers a good selection of non-alcoholic drinks, including alcohol-free proseccos, and the tasty Botanic non-alcoholic beer, made with 100% Italian ingredients, including a mix of spices and botanicals.

If you are after a ‘bite on the go’ there is a range of expertly made sandwiches, artisanal cheeses, and hand-picked charcuterie, ideal for a snack or a takeout.
With a pre-theatre menu too, all the more a reason to visit soon.

Elaine’s is at 77 Kingsway, London, WC2B 6SR www.elaineslondon.com