London

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-location-nbsp">THE LOCATION&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/05/Unknown-7-1024x576.jpeg" alt="ToZI restaurant Victoria " class="wp-image-11057" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/05/Unknown-7-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/05/Unknown-7-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/05/Unknown-7-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/05/Unknown-7.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Just seven minutes from Victoria underground and coach station, or a little longer if you don’t re-centre your googlemaps and head off in the wrong direction. Conveniently situated for all kinds of capital entertainment, like seeing <a href="https://www.victoriapalacetheatre.co.uk/whats-on/hamilton" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hamilton</a> at the Victoria Palace Theatre or sightseeing at Buckingham Palace (a 15-minute stroll away), yet it still has a pleasingly neighbourhood atmosphere despite being in tourist central. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="677" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/05/TOZIVIC2-1024x677.jpg" alt="Fiat 500 at Tozi restaurant " class="wp-image-11035" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/05/TOZIVIC2-1024x677.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/05/TOZIVIC2-300x198.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/05/TOZIVIC2-768x507.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/05/TOZIVIC2.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Italian. The word Tozi is Venetian slang for a group of friends, and that feels pretty spot on for this cavernous space with an open kitchen which could work for a laidback supper somewhere central with mates or a stylish place to linger over lunch with a bestie. 



What’s more, it serves cicchetti (think Venetian tapas), which we’re reliably informed is also city slang for a hot younger guy (a tasty bite *wink*). Italian language lessons are the soundtrack in the restrooms, a bright red Fiat Cinquecento sits at the entrance and back and white photos of stylish Italians doing stylish things hang on the bar&#8217;s walls. Needless to say, this place has a strong sense of identity. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff-nbsp">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="636" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/05/Tozi-HighRes-JustinDeSouza-93-1024x636.jpg" alt="TOZI restaurant Victoria " class="wp-image-11036" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/05/Tozi-HighRes-JustinDeSouza-93-1024x636.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/05/Tozi-HighRes-JustinDeSouza-93-300x186.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/05/Tozi-HighRes-JustinDeSouza-93-768x477.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/05/Tozi-HighRes-JustinDeSouza-93.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Let’s start with the service. Our attentive waiter explained the Venetian sharing plates idea, recommended around two to three small dishes each, discussed wine-by-the-glass options and took note of my friend Paula&#8217;s gluten intolerance. His knowledge and pleasant chat really set us at ease and no menu QR code could ever replace this level of info. 



We also found the menu pretty delightful on a warm Spring evening. There were a surprising amount of light-sounding dishes packed with in-season ingredients such as asparagus and radishes amongst the Raw, Fritti, Counter, Pasta &amp; Soup and Grilled &amp; Baked options. Guided by our waiter, we chose a selection of salads and seafood to share and ordered glasses of crisp Pinto Grigot Blush Sartori from the all-Italian wine list. 



After just the right amount of time had passed &#8211; enough to chat and devour fluffy focaccia (a gluten-free bread option also appeared), but not enough to hear stomach rumbles &#8211; the dishes began to arrive and were slightly larger than expected. This is a major tick for Muddy as we’ve been left hangry in the past when served three prawns, a slice of chorizo and a croquette for an extortionate amount of money at a popular Spanish tapas restaurant.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="771" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/05/PXL_20250507_175719656-1024x771.jpg" alt="Asparagus salad at Tozi restaurant " class="wp-image-11054" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/05/PXL_20250507_175719656-1024x771.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/05/PXL_20250507_175719656-300x226.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/05/PXL_20250507_175719656-768x578.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/05/PXL_20250507_175719656.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Grilled asparagus with quail eggs and truffle </figcaption></figure>



A delicate tuna tartare with chilli, lime and rocket exceeded expectations in looks and taste, next a simple yet refreshing avocado, parmesan, radish and baby gem salad then a bowl of delicious grilled asparagus served with endive and topped with expertly cooked soft quail eggs and generous shavings of truffle &#8211; a pleasing dish for all the senses. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="860" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-14-at-18.57.31-1024x860.png" alt="Hake at Tozi restaurant " class="wp-image-11058" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-14-at-18.57.31-1024x860.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-14-at-18.57.31-300x252.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-14-at-18.57.31-768x645.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-14-at-18.57.31.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pan-fried hake </figcaption></figure>



Pan-fried hake with fennel and samphire was a great marriage of ingredients, and it was easy to share the chunky filet of fish complimented so well by the salty and anise flavours. A chargrilled wild sea bass with salsa verde was less exciting in the mouth than it appeared and a little over priced at £28. The highlight of the meal, however, was a plate of octopus on a bed of chickpea purée and fennel, which not only looked tempting, but was perfectly tenderised and conjured up memories of Italian coastal holidays. 



Confession: we didn&#8217;t have room for dessert thanks to the larger than expected dishes and bountiful bread basket, but our waiter convinced us to share scoops of zingy mango sorbet. Those with a sweet tooth and bigger appetite can look forward to pistachio tiramisù, chocolate delice and Amalfi lemon, ricotta and pinenut tart. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict-nbsp">THE MUDDY VERDICT&nbsp;</h2>



Bellissimo. TOZI Restaurant &amp; Bar might at first glance appear to be another hotel restaurant (it&#8217;s next to the Park Plaza Hotel), but the food and waiting staff are surprisingly authentic. It felt like a bit of a find and we loved the mix of salads, fresh ingredients, handmade food and option to choose large or small portions for the grilled and baked dishes. 



Good for: If you love well-cooked Italian food (and really, who doesn&#8217;t?) and waiting staff who know their onions, a meal at TOZI is going to put a smile on your face. 



Bad for: If you like your cicchetti joints small, dark and intimate, this large, bright dining space might lack a little atmosphere. 



The damage: Tuna tartare, £15.25; avocado and parmesan salad, £12.25; asparagus, £14.50; octopus, £18.25; hake, £14.95; wild seabass, £28; two glasses of Pinto Grigot Blush Sartori, £20; mango sorbet, £9. That&#8217;s £132.20 for two, or £66.10 per head. There&#8217;s also a set lunch menu option for £23.95 and a pre-theatre menu for £29.95. 



<a href="https://www.tozirestaurant.co.uk/#" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TOZI Restaurant &amp; Bar</a>, 8 Gillingham Street, London SW1V 1HJ. There are also outposts in Battersea and Vondelpark in Amsterdam.

Review: TOZI Restaurant & Bar, Victoria

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