Sitting just beside the gleaming curve of Battersea Power Station, Tozi Grand Café brings a slice of Venetian-inspired charm to a dramatically modern riverside setting. With sleek interiors, curated cichetti, and confident cooking, it’s a polished but welcoming space for long lunches or candlelit evenings.
The Ambience
The restaurant straddles hotel sophistication and riverside cool—part of the art-filled art’otel on one side, and open to the world on the other. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with natural light by day and reflections by night, while offering plenty of people-watching opportunities. Abstract art and bold modern lines lend the room a quiet vibrancy, and there’s a gentle buzz even before the cocktails arrive.
The Food
We begin with cichetti and cocktails. A negroni is as it should be—bittersweet, herbaceous, and confidently poured. The mushroom arancini are a triumph: crisp-shelled with an almost molten centre, where earthy mushrooms and a whisper of truffle come together beautifully.
Aubergine parmigiana follows, layered with tender slices and enveloped in a robust, slow-cooked tomato sugo that’s rich and balanced without tipping into heaviness. It’s comforting, clean, and deeply moreish.
The wild boar pappardelle is an elegant take on a rustic classic. The pasta is silk-ribbon perfect, and the ragu is lighter than expected—delivering gentle depth and savoury meatiness, sharpened just enough by a pecorino cream that rounds the dish off nicely.
To finish, a carbonara pizza. Rich, indulgent, and absolutely worth the deviation from tradition. Pancetta lends a gentle smokiness, working well against the molten cheese and the golden, chewy crust. Guanciale purists might quibble, but pancetta keeps the balance here—and it works. A chilled rosé brings a refreshing lift across all the dishes, never overwhelming the flavours.
The Verdict
Tozi Battersea is stylish without being showy, bringing together sharp service, quality Italian cooking, and a striking riverside location. It’s a place to relax, indulge, and linger, preferably with another glass of wine and good company.
The Details
Address: Tozi Grand Café, art’otel London Battersea Power Station, 1 Electric Blvd, London SW11 8BJ
Phone: 020 3953 4200
Website: www.tozigrandcafe.co.uk
Cuisine: Italian (Venetian-inspired)
Drinks: Full bar, strong negronis, great rosé list
Terrace: Riverside location with large windows and outdoor tables