Popolo

The story

Popolo, London – Italian Sharing Plates with a Middle Eastern Flair

Popolo

Popolo means "people" in Italian, and that is exactly who this small independent restaurant in Shoreditch is for. Chef Jon Lawson and his team cook food for the people and visitors of the neighbourhood, crafting seasonal sharing plates that draw on Italian, Middle Eastern and Moroccan influences.

The kitchen is small but ambitious. Lawson hand-rolls fresh pasta for every service, and the menu changes with the seasons and the regions that inspire it. Dishes on a recent sample menu include fried olives with labne and dukkah, jumbo diver scallop with fresh borlotti beans, and agnolotti with pork cheek and porcini butter. The cooking is thoughtful, ingredient-led, and unfussy.

The dining experience is shaped by the space. Downstairs, a counter seats you directly in front of the open kitchen – what the team calls "kitchen theatre". Upstairs, tables and a window bar overlook Rivington Street. The wine list is equally considered: raw and low intervention wines from small producers, chosen for authenticity and character.

Popolo’s approach has not gone unnoticed. In 2026 it received a Michelin Bib Gourmand, an award that recognises good quality, good value cooking. It is a fitting nod to a restaurant that balances ambition with warmth, and that treats its ingredients – and its guests – with care.

Reservations are available for individuals, couples, and groups up to five. Larger parties can book the private dining room, which seats up to sixteen.