There's a new Italian eating experience in west London, and it's an ambitious one. Juno has opened its doors at Olympia, the revitalised exhibition and events venue, and it's being billed as the largest Italian restaurant in the UK. For a city already spoiled by oversized Italian dining — think Gloria and Circolo Popolare — that's a bold claim.
Juno is the latest offering from the Big Mamma Group, the Paris-born restaurant collective behind some of London's most photographed trattorias. Their formula is well known by now: maximalist interiors, generous plates of Italian comfort food, and a party atmosphere that turns dinner into an occasion. Juno brings that same energy to Olympia, occupying an enormous footprint inside the venue's redeveloped complex.
The setting matters. Olympia has been steadily transforming into a destination in its own right, with new music and event spaces, restaurants and bars drawing crowds well beyond the exhibition calendar. Juno slots neatly into that vision — a place where you can settle in for a long lunch before a show, or gather a big group after an event without anyone needing to book three separate tables.
As for the food, expect the Big Mamma playbook: fresh pasta made daily, oversized antipasti, pizzas, and decadent desserts served in surroundings that lean into the drama — think marble, velvet, trolleys and table-side theatrics. Portions skew indulgent and prices sit in the mid-to-premium range for central London Italian, with cocktails and aperitivo hour a big part of the draw.
Practicalities matter here. A restaurant this size lives and dies by its booking system, and Big Mamma's London spots are notorious for filling up fast — especially Friday and Saturday evenings. Book ahead where possible, or aim for a weekday lunch or early dinner when walk-ins stand a better chance. If you're heading to an event at Olympia itself, consider a pre-booked slot so you're not scrambling among the crowds.
Why should travellers care? If you're visiting London and want a single dinner that doubles as entertainment, this kind of place delivers — it's dinner theatre without the theatre ticket. It's also a good excuse to explore a corner of the city most tourists skip: Olympia sits a short Tube ride from Notting Hill and Holland Park, so you could pair a visit with a stroll through the park or the Portobello Road area nearby. For anyone staying in west London hotels, it's a far more interesting option than another chain dinner.
Juno is open now at Olympia, and with its scale and the group's track record, expect it to be a busy reservation book for the foreseeable future.