The independent 5,000 sq ft opening will bring together Torino Bakery, Torino Restaurant and Torino Rooftop under one roof, with a focus on quality, accessible Italian food from morning until late.
Veteran restaurateur Claudio Obertelli is returning to restaurant ownership with the launch of Torino, a new independent Italian and Mediterranean hospitality concept opening at 1 Paddington Square in late September.
The 5,000 sq ft venue will span three floors, bringing together a ground-floor Italian bakery and deli, first-floor restaurant and rooftop bar. Designed to trade from the morning commute until late into the evening, Torino has been developed around a simple proposition: quality Italian food and hospitality at accessible prices, with something on offer throughout the day.
The opening marks a return to restaurant ownership for Obertelli, whose career in hospitality began working alongside his father from a young age. At 21, he opened his first restaurant and coffee shops and went on to build a portfolio of 11 venues in London and New York. Among them was the purchase of Ménage à Trois in Beauchamp Place , Knightsbridge and Lexington Avenue, New York, known for its unconventional menu of starters and desserts and attracting a high-profile clientele.
His portfolio also included San Frediano, named after a church in Tuscany, an early London take on the Italian trattoria, with traditional regional, home-style Tuscan cooking; and Sticky Fingers, the Kensington restaurant created with Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman.
Following the sale of his restaurant group, Obertelli moved into hospitality consultancy, beginning with an Italian restaurant group in Turin. Under his leadership, the business expanded internationally, opening in Berlin and London. It was this chapter of his career – and his time working in Turin – that would later inspire the name Torino. The opportunity at Paddington Square ultimately prompted Obertelli’s return to restaurant ownership.
Obertelli said: “When I found the site for Torino, I approached Peter Fulton, a long-term friend, about going into partnership. His experience complemented mine with his design, vision and execution expertise and it felt like the right opportunity to get back into restaurants. One thing that has stayed with me throughout my career is that the key to success is surrounding yourself with people who are experts in their field. That’s what we’ve done with Torino. We’ve built a team of people who can challenge us, improve the concept and make it better. Led by Henry Lay, leading the front-of-house operations, and Stefan Negura, leading the back-of-house and, importantly, the menu creation.”
Torino has been developed as three complementary concepts within one building, allowing the business to move through multiple dayparts and respond to Paddington’s mix of commuters, workers, residents and visitors.
On the ground floor, Torino Bakery will open for the morning rush, serving coffee, pastries and breakfast alongside a counter filled with freshly made sandwiches and seasonal salads for lunch. The space will offer plenty of seating alongside an external terrace seating area.
Upstairs, the 68-cover Torino Restaurant will explore Italian cuisine beyond pasta. Executive chef Stefan Negura will lead a grill-focused menu taking guests through the different regions of Italy, informed by seasonal, quality ingredients and regional cooking traditions.
At the top of the building, Torino Rooftop will complete the offer with a rooftop bar serving an Italian-led drinks and cocktail menu, alongside small plates, taking the venue from daytime trading into the evening.
The model is intended to make full use of the site throughout the day, with the bakery and deli serving the early morning and lunchtime audience before the restaurant and rooftop take over through the afternoon and evening.
Obertelli said: “London has become incredibly expensive, both for operators and for guests. We want Torino to offer the quality people expect from a great restaurant, but at a price that means they can come and have lunch with us twice a week rather than saving us for once a month. There is no reason why good-quality food has to mean inaccessible prices.”
Torino will open at 1 Paddington Square, London W2 1GL, in late September 2026.