From Soho's Bar Italia to London's oldest deli dating back to Queen Victoria's ... trends now

For anyone wanting Italian food in London today, there are hundreds of venues to choose from.

From what was Little Italy in Clerkenwell to the hub of Italian venues in Soho, the capital is awash with outlets serving pasta, pizza and other dishes.

The history of Italian food and culture in the capital stretches back to the 19th century, when immigrant ice cream sellers flogged their wares on poverty-stricken streets.

London's oldest delicatessen, Terroni of Clerkenwell, which opened during the reign of Queen Victoria, is still trading today.

As is the iconic Soho establishment Bar Italia, which was set up in 1949 to serve good coffee and act as a social hub for the capital's Italian community.  

Antonio Polledri, 59, whose family still own and run the business on Frith Street, told MailOnline he is 'incredibly proud' to be part of the set-up. 

He said: 'My grandparents arrived here from Italy and opened up a cafe in Covent Garden when it was a fruit and veg market. 

'They saw an opportunity of opening an Italian cafe in the heart of Soho, making espresso coffee with the first Gaggia coffee machine in London.

'They borrowed £50 off the ice men who were distributing ice and opened a cafe in the winter of 1949.'

Lou and Caterina Polledri's venue was both a place for good coffee and a social centre, where Italians in London could meet and talk. 

The outlet was an instant hit. For a time it hosted a competition to find Soho's champion coffee drinker.

In March 1954, the Mail told how that year's winner, Mr Mercantino Picanati, downed 13 cups in 10 minutes 'and then went for a stroll to cool off.' 

Mr Polledri added: 'I left school at 16 and came into the cafe in 1982 and have been here ever since. 

'Soho has changed. From sex shops closing in the 1980s to cafes opening where they were, I can only say it is a transition from black and white into colour.'

Speaking of Bar Italia's celebrity clientele, Mr Polledri said: 'We have been very lucky. I've had David Bowie, he came in with Mick Jagger.

'I've had Suggs from Madness, Kylie Minogue, Rupert Everett, there's a list that goes on and on.' 

Five generations of the Polledri family are still involved with the business. There are Antonio's parents Nino and Vera, both 88, his brother Luigi and their children.

'I'm incredibly proud to be part of the Polledri family who run Bar Italia,' Mr Polledri added. 

'The way Soho has changed so quickly, it's amazing to see the way that Bar Italia still plays its part. And we are all very proud.'

Another stalwart of the Italian food scene in London is the Spaghetti House chain of restaurants, which was founded by Simone Lavarini and his friend Lorenzo Fraquelli.

The first venue, on Goodge Street in Knightsbridge, opened its doors in 1955. 

In September 1975, the venue was the subject of an armed robbery that became known as the Spaghetti House Siege.

Three robbers held staff hostage and barricaded themselves in the venue.

For six days, police were engaged in a standoff with the criminals before the gunmen gave themselves up. All three men were later put in prison. 

Today, the Spaghetti House chain has nine venues. Including the original one in Goodge Street, there are outlets in Marble Arch, Holborn, Oxford Street, Kensington and at Westfield in White City.