Like lots of the trendy restaurants in Soho, you can’t book a table for Polpo. Great for impromptu dinners but not so good for big groups (if you’re more than a four, forget it! And even with a group of 4, expect upwards of an hour’s wait for a table on a Friday). As a result, it’s always buzzing with every table full and people spilling out of the bar.
The food is worth the wait though – small, original ‘Venetian’ tapas dishes, with plenty of veggie options – great for sharing.
I have been to Polpo quite a few time and the menu changes regularly, while sticking (wisely) to a few firm favouries like the spinach and egg pizetta and arincini balls. Be sure to try the Polenta – runny and buttery and perfectly cooked. Two to three dishes per person is plenty, which comes to around £30 a head with wine and a desert.