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
Sabine82
Points +30
Closed in the afternoons? - Edit
Since the breakfast I looked forward to our visit at Amico Bio. On their website, they specify that they are opened Mo-Fr from 12 pm to 10.30 pm.
Read moreWe arrived at 3.30 pm with our baby and our toddler. We entered and a friendly server said hello. There were two persons sitting down at table, apparently choosing from the menu. When we went to the bar the barman - the owner, I suppose - told us, that they were closed. So we went away, assuming that he didn't want a family in his restaurant. Maybe I'm wrong. But we were very disappointed.
Guest
KayClover
Points +57
Healthy, Italian and tasty - Edit
Cosy Italian restaurant where all the dishes seem to be of the finest quality organic ingredients. Lovely setting and relaxing atmosphere. Everything I have tried here (on three visits) has been very tasty too. Interesting tofu dishes, some wonderful goats cheese and good selection of vegan deserts.
Read morePros: Relaxed atmosphere
Cons: Can be slow, allow time
Guest
AlanW.
Points +13
Our favourite veggie/vegan Restaurant. - Edit
A most welcoming cosy Italian restaurant set in an historic part of London. Friendly helpful attentive staff.
Read moreThe food and service are both so good my wife and I cannot keep away. The menu is constantly changing, using fresh organic produce, much of which is supplied from the Chef/Owners own farm in Italy.
All dishes are freshly prepared to order, which of course will take a short time, however we understand if a customer states they are in a hurry service will be undertaken more promptly.
We feel the food is far from expensive, when considering all food and wine is organic, and of top quality. The Special 3 Course lunch at £12 (mon to fri) is most impressive (with a choice from 3 options at each course)
Many vegan options, however, where applicable veggie courses can be adapted to vegan on request.
Highly recommend, would advise booking to avoid disappointment as can become busy.
Pros: Relaxing, and very clean throughout., Welcoming with friendly staff, Excellent food& service
Guest
aner1kind17
Points +1215
expensive and not very good - Edit
Veg Italian is so good when done well, so was keen to try this spot. Homemade pasta, what can go wrong? Well it was not very good. The sauce basically tasted like minestrone soup that the noodles were in. The bruschetta was bland and flavorless. For an expensive and classy place, the food was not on par.
Read morePros: Ambience
Cons: taste, price
Guest
Ryecatcher
Points +2178
Very good Italian for special occasion - Edit
Since I had been at Amico Bio in Napoli (awesome restaurant), I was eager to visit their outlet in London. Again, the menu leave nothing to be desired except maybe for the vegan desserts: They are very tasty, but more options certainly would be nice (the vegan cheese plate was interesting and most certainly not bad).
Read moreAmico Bio is a popular vibrant Italian restaurant, so it can be a good idea to reserve a table, just to be sure to get one.
There are already plenty of vegan dishes on the menu, but the staff can offer you even more by replacing dairy in some dishes - just ask.
Excellent side dishes, pay attention to them!
I have been there twice, very pleasant experience, no regrets whatsoever. It's kinda expensive though. However, it's more a high-end restaurant for special occasions than something for a quick bite.
They have good wines (non-vegan ones are mentioned) and good a WiFi connection.
Service can be a bit slow; again, arrange enough time for your visit.
I was told by an Italian that the food is fairly authentic. It's really tasty, too, that's for sure.
I would go there again. Highly recommended!
Pros: awesome food, authentic, friendly place
Cons: expensive, slow service at times
Guest
jord_aka
Points +374
Very nice - Edit
Visited in September 2016: went for romantic dinner. Both the service and food were very good, authentic cuisine and nice building. Pricy for what it is but that's London.
Read morePros: Good vegan options, Cakes and deli things also on offer to takeaway
Cons: Right next to meat market
Guest
dkinjer
Points +309
Good food, slow service - Edit
Since I avoid carbs, my choices on the menu were few (after all, there are breads and pastas at an Italian restaurant), but what I did have was excellent: a salad (very prettily arranged) with pear (my carbs for the day) and gorgonzola cheese, which was superb (it was actually a first course), and then I had a green salad as a side dish. My spouse had a different kind of salad that was large and very nice. The service was slow - we had to call over the waitperson who was chatting with a worker at the bar.We did enjoy the food.
Read morePros: tasty food
Cons: slow service, could use more low-carb options
Guest
TimJS
Points +30
Disappointing - Edit
Had a Sunday dinner here to celebrate a family b'day. First time to dine here. Very quiet, although that's what I expected for a Sunday in the city, and service was very slow. The Sunday menu is confusing. I expected Italian organic veg/vegan but there were British-inspired veg/vegan roasts on offer as well. No major issue, just didn't expect that. Wine selection needs some work. No vegan organic Prosecco even though there are plenty of options on the market now. We had vegan mains, and unfortunately these were poorly seasoned and a little bit bland. I really wanted this to be a great restaurant, but it didn't live up to our expectations.
Read morePros: Location
Guest
LondonVegetarian
Points +49
Good overall - Edit
The staff here explained the 'concept' here in a pretty convoluted way before they'd take our order, but it was done in good faith, so that's fine. The food was tasty. It can get pretty busy at dinner time, so not good if you're in a hurry. Not a quiet venue either, but each to their own.
Read morePros: Tasty food
Cons: Staff can be a bit overwhelmed at busy times
Guest
ChelseyEllis
Points +50
incredible Italian - Edit
Beautiful vegan Italian! So so so so nice! Great service and amazing food and wine
Read moreGuest
jon active
Points +2657
a bit hit or miss but potentially excellent - Edit
I've eaten here a couple of times now and have had some lovely food. But it's not cheap, the portions can be ridiculously small and the service problematic! If the manager/chef? comes out and explains what you can have things tend to improve. Taking an Italian linguist with you might be a good idea though. I will go back when I'm with someone who wants to eat Italian vegan food but not before then.
Read morePros: Fancy food., Some excellent food.
Cons: Dodgy service., Not cheap!, Not all vegan
Guest
girlinblue
Points +91
Great! - Edit
Love the delicious Italian food at this restaurant - fresh pasta, home-made foccacia, great desserts. The service is also very warm and welcoming. This area is a bit of a black spot for vegans so it was good when Amico Bio opened. We always go when we're going to the Barbican.
Read morePros: Great food, Great service, Nice vibe
Guest
konlish
Points +5298
Nice place, good food - Edit
They used to have very nice pizza's shame they have stopped them now. They are a lacto ova vegetarian restaurant with Vegan options.We have been to both Amico Bios. The owner Pascal is such a friendly guy.
Read moreThey have a paper based lunch menu that changes every day.They also sell some of their organic vegetables from their own garden which I just love. They also sell organic pastas and beans.
Good food, nice environment.
As it has non-vegan options I give it a 4 star.
Pros: Relaxing place, Good Food
Guest
fabricadabra
Points +132
get your pasta fix! - Edit
we ate here three nights in a row(out of four in London). The menu seems to change nightly so neither of us repeated an entree. There were many non-pasta options available. We did order the vegan salumi tray twice, partly because of the novelty, but it was also quite tasty. I enjoyed the (vegan) cheese plate for dessert; hubby had a cake that was just sweet enough with a very light texture. We can't wait to go back!
Read morePros: variety, excellent food, pleasant atmosphere
Cons: addictive, occasionally a bit sodium rich
Guest
Littlething
Points +188
Disappointing, tasteless food, unwelcoming staff - Edit
I was here with my (non-vegan) boyfriend, he had a vegetarian pasta dish with cheese and I tried a vegan pasta dish with tofu, red bell pepper and zucchini. My dish was dry (no sauce), tasteless and boring. He liked his dish but it wasn't anything special. We also tried the chocolate cake for dessert and that as well was dry and tasteless.
Read moreThe staff wasn't very welcoming or service-minded. There was also a really awkward and strange incident where one of the staff members tried to kill a bumblebee that was flying around my head. He basically swung a newspaper right over my head and nearly hit me - without saying one single word of apology. All while the waitress was hiding behind the counter because she was terrified of bumblebees. Of course it wasn't their fault that a bumblebee was in the restaurant - but they could have handled it with more grace. The bumblebee didn't really bother us anyway.
Overall, this is not a place I would want to visit again. I left feeling unfulfilled and uncomfortable. This place does not deserve 2 cows and if I could, I would have given it just one cow.
Cons: Dry, tasteless vegan food, unwelcoming staff
Guest
DrJamesP
Points +26
wonderful restaurant with lots of vegan choice - Edit
We were in London today to see a show and decided to stop off here. The food was absolutely lovely. Tasty and so much choice for vegetarians, vegans and gluten free folk.
Read moreThe service was gently and friendly. Each course was flavoursome and the apple and cinnamon cake was my favourite. This dessert normally comes with orange sorbet, but they were happy to swap this to vegan vanilla ice cream (which was also home made and tasty). I would recommend.
Pros: value for money, service
Cons: I wish there was one in Birmingham!
Guest
sweet-toof
Points +34
not great - Edit
Had the spag bol, it was essentially pasta with a thin tomato sauce, not "meaty" at all. My brother was sick and could only stomach plain pasta no sauce and he was still charged £9.50! The crumble dessert was also a let down
Read moreGuest
Vegan Hobo
Points +42
Organic Italian - Edit
So good to have the option of organic and vegetarian within the city of London.
Read moreThe food is really good and tasted very fresh. Exactly what you are looking for when your meals are vegetable based! Also very reasonably priced and great coffee.
The only criticism I would have is that when we were there there was no music playing so the atmosphere was a little stark. Could hear the conversation at the table next to us as the restaurant had not yet filled up so was a little "library awks"! I should point out that their other restaurant in Holborn was much warmer - not sure if they had music there either but didn't notice as there was a nice buzz.
Pros: Fresh food, Value for money
Cons: Atmosphere a bit sterile
Guest
robz
Points +514
Very enjoyable - Edit
This place is pretty good. Friendly but professional staff, knew what was vegan without having to check (its marked in the menu too). Food was great tasting and I would call the style "gourmet-rustic" Italian ;), and all organic. Grown apparently on their own biodynamic farm in Italy.
Read moreI started with a mozzarella, aubergine and beetroot salad. Hang on mozzarella? Yes, this is vegan mozzarella made from rice milk. I'm guessing they make this themselves. I've never eaten "real" mozzarella so I can't tell you how authentic the taste was, but I liked it. The dish was well presented too - a neat pile of sliced mozzarella, aubergine and thin sliced beetroot surrounded by a bed of salad.
For main I went for the seitan burger rather than one of the more Italian dishes (I don't normally eat this kind of stuff, but decided to try on this occasion). Surprsingly it came in foccacia bread, with chips and side salad, served on a wooden bread board. Again great taste and a hearty meal, but I did not feel over-full afterwards, which was good news since I had an inkling that the dessert menu should not be missed...
And it shouldn't. I mixed and matched - taking the chocolate tart from one item on the menu and the kiwi sorbet from another. At this point I was considering moving over to their Italian farm (where they also run a hotel) to live and work and being paid in food and lodging.
To commiserate being stuck in London I finished with an organic liquorice liquer to warm up a bit before facing the cool spring night air.
Although I was dining alone the atmosphere, service, food and presentation would make this a great place to take someone you wanted to impress, but still have a relaxed time with, or as a group to celebrate.
Prices are mid to high I guess compared with other veggie places, but that makes it in the normal range for non-veggie restaurants and the quality was high plus the ingredients are organic and much better value than buying something in one of the organic health food shops! They seem to be doing some offers on 3 course meals currently.
Pros: tasty organic food, lots of vegan options, good atmosphere and staff
Cons: Wish it was 100% vegan
Guest
Conor.harrington
Points +40
Great night out at nice sit-down restaurant - Edit
We have been here three times since living in London and enjoyed it each time. The menu changes regularly with the seasons which is great. The quality and presentation is of quite a high standard. All Vegetarian with lots of Vegan options (I always have trouble choosing because I want it all!) and it is all Organic which I really value. Good selection of Veg/Vegan wines. Nice location and is a good night out if you are going to something at the Barbican centre - there are two Amico Bio's (the other in Holborn which I have never been to). The staff are always friendly and very professional. The price is reasonable for London - I would recommend this place for a nice night out where you can sit for a couple of hours and really enjoy a few courses. My partner LOVES the Vegan ice cream.
Read morePortions are a good size. Try the 'piatto unico' if you are feeling super hungry!
Updated from previous review on Monday July 29, 2013
Pros: Good service, Nice atmosphere, Organic/quality ingredients
Guest
OllieHedges
Points +24
Nice location, food was quite nice. - Edit
Service wasn't the best here. We had to keep asking for the bill as they didn't bring it straight away. Also food isn't completely vegan as my friend is severely allergic to dairy products and the waiter told him to avoid certain dishes (Just in case). All in all the location was very nice. The restaurant could do with a nicer refurbishment as it's quite "old" styled, though this adds to the italian authenticity, I guess. It is a hidden little gem especially for you veggies if you don't mind a bit of slow service when they're busy.
Read morePros: Nice food
Cons: Slow sevice
Guest
munderscoreo
Points +26
Exquisite dining - Edit
On our last trip to London, after weeks having hard time finding vegan food in restaurants, we decided to celebrate an anniversary by getting a table at Amico Bio. I had no expectations but I had previously read the reviews on this site wich alternate between brilliant and so-so. First of, the restaurant is located on a quiet street in the City. It's a pleasant walk from the tube and was quite easy to find. Upon arriving, we were directed to our table. The ambiance was fine but the space is limited hence it is quite crowded. The sound level from the other patrons was acceptable at first and became quieter during our dinner. The service was perfect all through the evening. We were never rushed.
Read moreWe were presented with a menu and some items were not available that night. It is important to underline that all the food come's from the owner's family farm in Italy and some items on the menu might not be available. We asked for recommendations and were pleasantly surprised by what was offered to us. The food was hot, well presented and subtule in taste. Flavors were brilliantly mixed, textures perfect, never under/over cooked. The wine pairing was also remarkable and the price of meal and wine was in line of what you could expect. I want to stress how fresh and tasteful the ingredients were.
After dinner we had a pleasant conversation with Pasquale, the owner, about the vegan cheese plate we just had. It was the perfect ending for a very nice dining experience.
Pros: Fresh and organic ingredients, Original menu, Very pleasant service
Cons: Crowded
Guest
LaraJames
Points +48
Tasteless and pricey - Edit
Title says everything.
Read moreWe had the cauliflower thing (that is a couple of bits of caulilower in a soggy heavy batter), the radicchio , chard and lupini (literalli one lupino cut in half and 2 invisible stripes of swiss chard stlolk); main was a ridiculous overcooked chestnut pasta (how can one have an overcooked pasta at an italian place?!) , mine a completely bland and tasteless spelt kind of stew.
Wine was all right, the only good thing of the dinner.
Definitely not to recommend.
Pros: Decent wine
Cons: Pricey compared to quality and portions, Tasteless food
LaraJames
Review I just posted is actually about the Holborn branch.
Read moreGuest
pefff
Points +83
Groupon experience - Edit
A group of three friends and I attended the restaurant with a Groupon voucher this week.
Read moreThe food was very good. I had the tempura vegetables which were very delicious. Staff were a little strange. One of my friends is vegan like myself and we realised the only dessert of a sweet nature we could have was ice cream (the other was vegan cheese). So we asked the waitress what the selection was. The waitress asked if we were vegan and we said yes and she said ok and walked off. We were confused to say the least. The same waitress walked off before we were able to ask for the bill. The service experience was a little strange but maybe this is because we had a voucher.
Pros: Tasty, Vegan options, Price
Cons: Service
Guest
lachat
Points +298
Not very impressed - Edit
I wasn't very impressed by this restaurant, I asked if the salad dressing was suitable for vegans but could not get an answer, service was disagreable, it felt very unwelcoming. Very small portions, no vegan desserts. The food had nothing special and was expensive. They had vegan wine which saved the evening though!
Read morePros: All vegetarian, all organic, vegan wine
Cons: unwelcoming, small portions, expensive
Guest
Saddler
Points +149
Paradox - Edit
Amico Bio does seem to be a paradox when one reads the reviews. This was our (my vegan wife and I) second visit and we have been disappointed both times. The first time was a couple of years ago so, since we were visiting the Barbican, we thought that we would try it again, particularly in light of the recent good reviews.
Read moreThe first thing to say is that it is a very attractive restaurant with a real Italian feel and in one of those lovely historical London back streets, ironically close to Smithfield meat market. I think what the owners are trying to do is to create a vegetarian version of Italian food, so I guess to have the real experience, one should go through the whole menu with starter, pasta, main and dessert, accompanied by suitable wines.
We both started with deep fried cauliflower. It was very greasy, probably because the oil was not at the right temperature. The accompanying salad was too salty, which I suppose is authentically Italian but not to our taste. The main courses: I had something called Seitan kebab, which was like a bready spring roll full of plain vegetables. My wife had aubergines but they were again greasy. Neither dish showed any sort of imagination. For dessert, we had home-made vegan ice-cream, which was fine; in fact, the chocolate was very good indeed. To accompany all this, we had a bottle of house white wine, which was perfectly acceptable on a hot summer evening.
So, I just do not know what to make of those reviews that say it is the best vegetarian restaurant they have been to - there is a better one (Carnevale) just a few minutes walk away. But, it does seem reasonably popular and it does have a great atmosphere. But the other part of the paradox is that many reviews say it is expensive: we had 3 course each plus wine and the bill was under fifty pounds, which is inexpensive by London standards. Perhaps there are really two places, one expensive and attractive and the other cheap and not so pleasant. I should go to the former if I were you!
Pros: Atmosphere, location, Changing menu
Cons: Greasy food, Not much taste
LaraJames
I have never tried Carnevale that you mention. But I do agree totally with your review about Amico Bio!
Read moreGuest
molloy206
Points +91
Lovingly created food with a relaxed atmosphere - Edit
We went to Amico Bio on a busy Friday evening. The constant stream of eager diners through the door was testament to the quality and innovative nature of this restaurant.
Read moreThis has to be the most imaginative vegetarian (and particularly vegan) Italian food I've had in London. Nothing on the menu was 'typical' and even those familiar favourites had a twist (I recommend the zuchinni Gnocci!) They even offered a vegan cheese board for dessert!
The food at Amico Bio was overwhelmingly made with love, care and attention. Everything tasted extremely fresh, authentic and lovingly created. The price was very reasonable for central London and the rustic and laid-back surroundings made for a relaxed dining experience.
This is where my only criticism lies, while the service was friendly and professional, it was fairly laid back (verging on the slow at times).
However, if you're looking for an innovative, tasty and authentic (home-cooked feeling) veggie Italian experience, Amico Bio surely won't disappoint. This is definitely a place where the food is the primary passion, which is why the relaxed service merely becomes just part of the experience.
Pros: Imaginative, Fresh, Extensive choice
Cons: Slow service
molloy206
Since writing this review, I have returned quite a few times to Amico Bio. I have to admit, although the food standards have remained good, the slow and inattentive service which was once endearing, is now just annoying and rude.
Read moreOur last visit lasted 3+ hours due to the agonising wait for our food and us having to ask for the bill at least 3 times. We raised our concerns with the staff who's response was both defensive and rude.
I still maintain that this is a good vegetarian restaurant but the service issues mean I won't be returning anytime soon.
Guest
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