Is this the UK's largest Italian restaurant?

Next month will see the arrival of what is thought to be the largest Italian restaurant in the UK.

Juno is the latest concept from London operator Incipio Group. The new restaurant opens its doors at London Olympia’s Grade II-listed National Hall on Friday 16 October.

At 11,500 sq ft, the group believes it is launching the biggest Italian restaurant in the country. It will cater for up to 265 covers and has a capacity for 500 guests.

Open daily from 12pm until 11pm, the restaurant will serve traditional Italian dishes alongside a considered drinks offering and programme of live entertainment. At full capacity, Juno will be operated by a team of 50. 

"Juno is a significant opening for Incipio Group and one that we have approached with real ambition," says Ed Devenport, chief executive of Incipio Group. "We wanted to create a restaurant that could work in different ways throughout the day, from an aperitivo or long lunch to dinner and drinks, while bringing the scale and energy of a destination restaurant to West London. The combination of the food, the space and the events programme makes Juno a particularly exciting addition to our portfolio."

What's on the menu?

Incipio says the menu is designed to take diners through "the full Italian experience", from Aperitivo, Contorni and Spuntino through to Antipasti, Primi Piatti, centred around homemade pasta, and larger Secondi Piatti.

Highlights include Tomato and Mozzerella Paccheri, Crab Linguine with hand-picked crab, chilli and vine-ripened cherry tomatoes, and Osso Buco alla Milanese with saffron risotto and gremolata.

Alongside the wider menu, Juno will also feature a dedicated Pizza Napoletana counter, seating 10 guests. 

The 11,500 sq ft space features 5-metre-high ceilings, with original windows, pillars, mirrors and timber wall features retained throughout. The original marble and tile floor of the entrance foyer is also being retained. 

Juno forms part of Incipio Group’s growing presence at Olympia, following the Grade II-listed site's £1.3bn redevelopment. 

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