Grasso Italian-American restaurant near Selfridges

Exhausted from navigating Selfridges' six floors of luxury? Just finished a shopping marathon on Oxford Street? Grasso awaits you with open arms and hearty Italian-American comfort food, just a 20-minute stroll down Oxford Street and into Soho's charming streets from London's most iconic department store.

After hours of browsing designer collections and dodging Oxford Street crowds, there's nothing quite like sinking into our warm, family-run trattoria where the aroma of fresh basil and slow-cooked marinara instantly melts away shopping fatigue.

We're the perfect antidote to impersonal chain restaurants and overpriced department store cafés – serving hearty, homemade dishes that actually satisfy.

Whether you're celebrating a successful shopping spree, need fuel before hitting more stores, or planning to catch a West End show after dinner, we're perfectly positioned between Oxford Street's retail madness and the West End's glittering theatres.

How to reach Grasso from Selfridges

Quick 10-minute journey through the heart of London:

  1. Exit Selfridges through the main Oxford Street entrance (the one with the famous gold Art Deco facade)

  2. Head east along Oxford Street toward Tottenham Court Road for about 10 minutes, passing the bustling shops and street performers

  3. Turn right onto Wardour Street – you'll notice the atmosphere immediately becoming more intimate and quintessentially Soho

  4. Continue down Wardour Street for 3 minutes, admiring the mix of Georgian architecture and modern boutiques

  5. Turn left into St Anne’s Court, then immediately right onto Dean Street

  6. Spot our distinctive green awnings on your left – you've made it to Grasso!

Navigation tip: Soho is lined with historic pubs and independent shops, making it a delightful walking route that feels worlds away from Oxford Street's commercial hustle.

What’s on the menu

At Grasso, we bridge generations of family cooking – from our grandmother's traditional Sicilian recipes to the bold, generous flavors of New York's Little Italy.

From 6am every morning, we’re preparing our pasta sauces for the day’s service, slow cooking lamb shoulder for the ragu, and preparing marinara to be paired with our chicken parm. Our mother makes both our desserts - the New York Cheesecake and Tiramisu from scratch, and our meatballs are made by the original family recipe.

About Selfridges

Selfridges isn't just a department store – it's a 115-year-old institution that revolutionized retail therapy. When Harry Gordon Selfridge opened these doors in 1909 with the revolutionary concept that "the customer is always right," he created more than a shop; he built a temple to style, innovation, and experience.

Architecture: The building itself is a masterpiece of Edwardian architecture, with its distinctive yellow-stone facade, ornate columns, and those famous floor-to-ceiling windows that were groundbreaking for their time. The iconic clock above the main entrance has been a Oxford Street landmark for over a century.

Cultural Impact: Beyond its 550,000 square feet of retail space, Selfridges has shaped London's cultural landscape. From hosting the first public television demonstration in 1925 to showcasing avant-garde fashion installations today, it remains at the forefront of retail innovation. The legendary window displays, changed seasonally, are considered works of art in their own right.

Shopping Experience: Today's Selfridges houses over 3,000 brands across fashion, beauty, technology, and lifestyle. The Food Hall alone is a destination, featuring everything from artisanal chocolates to fine wines, while the rooftop restaurant offers panoramic views over London's skyline.

What to do near Selfridges

Luxury Shopping District: Bond Street, just 3 minutes south of Selfridges, epitomizes luxury retail with flagship stores from Chanel, Tiffany & Co., and Louis Vuitton. The street's Georgian architecture provides an elegant backdrop for window shopping or serious splurging.

Oxford Street & Beyond: Extend your shopping adventure along Oxford Street's mile-long stretch, home to over 300 shops including flagship stores for Zara, H&M, and the enormous Primark. When the crowds become overwhelming, duck into the quieter backstreets of Fitzrovia for independent galleries and boutique coffee shops.

Carnaby Street Culture: A 7-minute walk south brings you to legendary Carnaby Street, where the Swinging Sixties were born. Today, it's a pedestrianized haven of independent fashion boutiques, vintage record stores, and eclectic eateries housed in beautifully preserved Victorian buildings.

Soho's Hidden Gems: Venture into Soho's labyrinthine streets to discover Berwick Street Market (London's oldest fruit and vegetable market), specialty bookshops tucked into basement levels, and intimate jazz clubs that have hosted legendary performers for decades.

Green Respite: When shopping fatigue sets in, escape to Cavendish Square's garden oasis (2 minutes from Selfridges) or the more substantial Soho Square, where you can rest beneath centuries-old plane trees and watch the world go by.

Cultural Attractions: The BBC Broadcasting House offers behind-the-scenes tours, while the nearby Wigmore Hall hosts world-class classical concerts in an intimate Art Nouveau setting.

If you’re wondering what else you can get up to, then take a look at our insiders list what to do in Soho.

FAQs about Selfridges

  • Around 20 minutes through some of London's most characterful streets. The route takes you from Oxford Street's commercial energy into Soho's intimate village atmosphere – it's like stepping between two different worlds. We're located at on Dean Street, and you'll smell our pizzas before you see our green awnings.

  • Selfridges pioneered the concept of shopping as entertainment. Beyond its incredible product range, it's famous for its theatrical window displays, experiential retail concepts, and cultural events. The building itself is an architectural landmark, and the customer service philosophy of putting shoppers first was revolutionary when it opened in 1909.

  • Weekday mornings (10 AM-12 PM) are ideal for a more relaxed experience. Avoid Saturday afternoons and the weeks leading up to Christmas. If you're shopping during busy periods, the upper floors (4-6) tend to be less crowded than the ground floor beauty and accessories departments.

  • Absolutely! We understand that shopping in this area often means carrying multiple bags. Many of our regular customers use us as a convenient pit stop during their Oxford Street shopping marathons.

  • Our buzzing atmosphere, generous portions, selection of wines create the ideal setting to unwind and plan your next retail adventure. Plus, our location makes it easy to continue your evening in Soho's vibrant nightlife scene.

Theatres near Grasso

Gielgud Theatre

Piccadilly Theatre

Lyric Theatre