Name: Forza Wine at the National Theatre
Address: National Theatre, South Bank, SE1 9PX, London, GB
Telephone: 020 3989 5455

The story

Forza Wine at the National Theatre brings seasonal Italian cooking to London's South Bank

From pop-ups to a permanent base

Forza Wine at the National Theatre in London brings a seasonally minded Italian kitchen to the South Bank after years of running successful temporary events. The team cultivated a loyal community through direct digital engagement and branded merchandise before launching a fixed location in Peckham. That experimental foundation now fuels their most ambitious venture on the theatre’s upper level. The move marks a natural progression for staff accustomed to adapting quickly to shifting culinary demands.

Seasonal plates and shared tables

The menu focuses on compact Italian-inspired dishes crafted for sharing rather than formal courses. Guests typically begin with crispy cauliflower fritti served alongside house-made aïoli or a rich blend of potato, pancetta, and wild mushrooms. The main selections lean heavily on well-sourced produce, featuring roasted Delica pumpkin resting on creamy pearl barley with fresh sage. Slices of slow-cooked lamb shoulder appear alongside celeriac and bright salsa verde to balance the richer elements.

Cocktails and riverside views

A recent Good Food Guide recognition highlights how the space successfully balances high turnover with genuine hospitality. The 160-seat room mixes exposed concrete, timber, and large glass panels to create a bright environment that works equally well for pre-theatre drinks or extended meals. Staff guide guests toward approachable modern European wines poured by the glass, while the cherry Negroni remains a consistent crowd favourite. Patrons often spill onto the partially covered terrace to watch the light fade over Waterloo Bridge.

Recognition

Awards & accolades

2026

The Good Food Guide

Good

Details

At a glance

The Good Food Guide 2026 — Good

Cuisines Italian

Services Bar, Catering, Cocktails, Dinner, Fine Dining, Lunch, Outdoor Seating, Private Parties, Table Service, Walk-in Only

History

On the record

2026

The Good Food Guide — Good

After years of pop-ups, this Italian-inspired restaurant group is firmly established south of the river with a permanent spot in Peckham (Forza Wine). Now its most ambitious project to date is to be found on the second floor of The National Theatre. The concrete, wood and glass 160-seater is the place to pop in for drinks – Forza’s special cherry Negroni leads the cocktail charge and there’s an interesting list of approachable, modern European wines including plenty by the glass. From the kitchen comes a compact, seasonally aware list of Italian-style small plates to share. To begin, we enjoyed a generous serving of cauliflower fritti with aïoli, as well as a satisfying plate of potato, pancetta and porcini mushrooms. As dishes arrive when they are ready, we happily discovered that roasted Delica pumpkin set atop a pool of creamy pearl barley and sage worked really well with pink, well-flavoured slices of lamb shoulder, celeriac and salsa verde. Each of these items was simply executed and tasted deliciously of its excellent well-sourced ingredients, although not everything we sampled passed muster. However, there was nothing awry about our milk soft serve with roasted apple and a topping of candied walnut; the famed ‘Custardo’ – an affogato made with custard – is not to be missed, either. While on-the-ball staff check if you are dining pre-theatre, such is Forza’s following that few people depart when the final call sounds for the Lyttelton Theatre one floor down – the atmosphere remains lively. It's also worth checking out the pleasant, partially covered terrace looking onto the river and Waterloo Bridge.

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Established

Location

Find us

National Theatre, South Bank, SE1 9PX
London, United Kingdom
020 3989 5455
peckham@forzawine.com
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Map showing Forza Wine at the National Theatre