The four-strong business is marking its 60th anniversary with its first location in the UK, launching in the crypt of Mercato Metropolitano in Mayfair on 27 November.
The site will serve De Santis’s range of paninis, salads and snacks, as well as its meat and cheese boards, promising ‘a nod to British flavours and produce, whilst keeping Italy at its heart’.
Paninis will include the Cesare made with breasola, mozzarella, artichokes and olive paté; the Bologna, featuring mortadella, gorgonzola and pepper jam; and the Angel, made with Cantabrian anchovies, stracciatella, green tomatoes and lemon.
It will also serve a large selection of Italian spirits and cocktails as well as a selection of wines and beer from across Italy.
“We are delighted to be joining the Mercato Metropolitano family for our flagship London venue, with our shared Milanese heritage and traditional approach, it feels like the perfect partnership,” says director of De Santis International Michael Weber.
De Santis was founded in Milan in 1964 and operates four locations in Milan - including the historic premises on Corso Magenta 9 and a recently expanded and renovated site on the top floor of Rinascente Milano Piazza Duomo.
It can also be found at Mediaset in Cologno Monzese, and in Rome at Via del Tritone 61.
“We are thrilled to open in London with a key partner like Mercato Metropolitano, housed in such an iconic building, with such a rich history” adds Alberto Corte, chairman and CEO of De Santis.
“Our aim is to offer an authentic culinary experience and help to bring Italian culture to the world.”