L'ulivo Leicester Square
Leicester Square, London
Restaurant in London, United Kingdom
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
L'ulivo Leicester Square is a practical West End choice for a casual meal around theatre plans, not a trophy booking. Use it when location and easy logistics matter; choose J.Sheekey, The Terrace by Pommery, or Steak and Company Leicester Square when the occasion needs a clearer focus.
About L'ulivo Leicester Square
For a meal in London with time-sensitive plans, L'ulivo Leicester Square is best framed as a practical option rather than a destination dinner. Key points are its London location, long daily hours, a smart casual dress code.
That makes it most useful when the group has limited time, mixed plans, or people arriving from different parts of the city. If the goal is to compare it with another London option, J.Sheekey works as a separate London choice. If the goal is a direct meal window with minimal planning, L'ulivo Leicester Square remains the simpler reference point.
Use it for convenience, not for a trophy meal
The case for choosing it is practical: London location, long daily hours, a smart-casual dress code. The case for caution is just as clear: it does not feature awards, chef-led credentials, price guidance, cuisine details, or named signature dishes, so it should not be treated as a special-occasion anchor on those terms.
Consider its long operating hours when setting service expectations. L'ulivo Leicester Square is open from 11:30 AM to 11:30 PM Monday through Saturday, from 11:30 AM to 11 PM on Sunday. For diners mapping a broader London trip, the useful next step is to compare it with other London dining options that better match the occasion, budget, or preferred style.
Who should pick another table
Choose elsewhere if the meal needs a clearly documented point of view, named chef credentials, published price guidance, or a more defined format. J.Sheekey, Steak and Company Leicester Square, The Stage at The Londoner, The Terrace by Pommery, Arya Bhavan Leicester Square are other London options to consider depending on the plan.
For a wider itinerary, keep the comparison general unless a venue's specific strengths are apparent. L'ulivo Leicester Square is easiest to assess on its simple advantages: London, long opening hours, smart-casual dress.
Planning details
- Location
- 14-15 Irving St, London WC2H 7AU, United Kingdom
- Website
- lulivoleicestersquare.uk
- Phone
- +442030071859
The take
The Take
The Vibe
L'ulivo positions itself as a quietly defiant presence in the bustle of Leicester Square. The name — the olive tree — frames the restaurant around ideas of rootedness and slow growth, which the writing uses to distinguish its approach from the surrounding speed and throughput. Rather than theatre-style spectacle, the kitchen stakes its claim through measured, ingredient-led cooking and a neighbourhood-minded temperament. That contrast with the area's tourist flow is the point of the restaurant's personality: a considered, grounded Italian address that quietly asserts seriousness amid a noisy, transient setting.
Best For
This is a place that suits evening plans tied to the West End: pre-theatre parties and post-cinema meals are part of the restaurant’s context, thanks to its spot on Irving Street near Leicester Square. It also fits diners who want a straightforward, ingredient-focused Italian meal in a busy tourist precinct — people who value sincere cooking rather than formal tasting-menu theatre. Groups and casual get-togethers that need a reliable dinner destination near the theatres will find the location and menu well aligned with typical West End rhythms.
Ordering Tips
Lean on the menu’s house signatures. The kitchen’s pasta and pizza staples (Pasta al Pomodoro, Margherita Pizza) read as trustworthy choices, while heartier options such as Osso Buco and the Raviole All'ulivo showcase the restaurant’s technique and sourcing. Finish with the classic Tiramisu. Given the restaurant’s positioning as a sincere neighbourhood Italian in a pre-theatre neighbourhood, sticking to these staples gives a clear sense of what the kitchen does well without overreaching.
Venue details
Ambiance
Rustic Mediterranean with exposed stone walls, earthy colors, twisted rope lighting, cozy and inviting like a home kitchen in Italy.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Small
Signature Dishes
- Pasta al Pomodoro
- Margherita Pizza
- Osso Buco
- Raviole All'ulivo
- Tiramisu
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Steak and Company Leicester Square, Notable alternative
- The Terrace by Pommery, Notable alternative
- Arya Bhavan Leicester Square, Notable alternative
- J.Sheekey, Seafood, £££
- The Stage at The Londoner, Notable alternative
Restaurant context
How it compares in Leicester Square
Against Steak and Company Leicester Square, L'ulivo Leicester Square is the more general-purpose option. Pick Steak and Company when the group wants a meat-led meal with a clearer brief; pick L'ulivo when the priority is a casual central table before or after plans nearby.
J.Sheekey is the stronger splurge for seafood and a more established dining mood, with its £££ positioning making it a better fit for date nights or client meals. The Terrace by Pommery reads more drinks-led, so it suits a lighter stop rather than a full dinner comparison.
Arya Bhavan Leicester Square and The Stage at The Londoner are useful cross-shops for diners who want to stay in the same West End orbit. Choose Arya Bhavan for a casual alternative, The Stage for a hotel setting, L'ulivo for the easiest all-purpose Leicester Square fallback.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full L'ulivo Leicester Square guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare L'ulivo Leicester Square
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Price | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L'ulivo Leicester Square | London | ; | ; | No published awards |
| Steak and Company Leicester Square | London | ; | ; | No published awards |
| The Terrace by Pommery | London | ; | ; | No published awards |
| Arya Bhavan Leicester Square | London | ; | ; | No published awards |
| J.Sheekey | London | Seafood | £££ | Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 20262026 OAD Casual in Europe Recommended2025 Michelin Plate2024 Michelin Plate2023 OAD Casual in Europe Recommended |
| The Stage at The Londoner | London | ; | ; | No published awards |
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How L'ulivo Leicester Square compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a first-timer know about L'ulivo Leicester Square?
Start with the basics: L'ulivo Leicester Square is in London, the dress code is smart casual, the hours run long every day. It opens from 11:30 AM to 11:30 PM Monday through Saturday, from 11:30 AM to 11 PM on Sunday. Use it when the priority is a flexible meal window rather than a tightly defined chef-led format.
What should I order at L'ulivo Leicester Square?
L'ulivo Leicester Square does not feature signature dishes or detailed cuisine information, so avoid planning around a specific must-order item. The safest approach is to check the current menu through the venue's official channels and choose based on your group's appetite on the day.
What time is best at L'ulivo Leicester Square?
L'ulivo Leicester Square opens from 11:30 AM daily and stays open until 11:30 PM Monday through Saturday, until 11 PM on Sunday. Choose the time that best fits your plans, confirm current service details with the venue before going.
What are alternatives to L'ulivo Leicester Square in London?
Other London options to compare include Steak and Company Leicester Square, J.Sheekey, The Stage at The Londoner, Arya Bhavan Leicester Square, The Terrace by Pommery. L'ulivo Leicester Square is easiest to assess on its key features: London location, long daily hours, smart-casual dress.
