LONDON'S PASTA GUIDE

Eat pasta like a pro

Pasta, the glorious carb from Italy. We love every form it comes in, penne, spaghetti, even the little pockets packed with glorious fillings called ravioli. Quite honestly, we could talk about it all day, so enough with the chat and onto our guide on where to eat the BEST pasta in London. And yes, that is pasta being cheesed up in a wheel of parmesan.

01 - Padella

Padella really is the OG, we think this humble pasta spot is arguably responsible for the pasta revolution we’ve seen in London over the last few years. It’s cheap, fast and utterly delicious. If you go, you have to try their 8 hour Dexter beef shin ragu served on silky Pappardelle. Due to the popularity of this restaurant, they have a virtual queue you can join online. I recommend grabbing a Vinca Picnic Pack and enjoying a few cans of crisp Rosé on the South Bank before heading to the table. 

02 - GLORIA TRATTORIA

The most Instagramable restaurant in London? Their ‘Incomparable Lemon Pie’ is quite possibly the most beautiful dessert in London. Before you gorge yourself on that, you first MUST try the ‘La Gran Carbonara’ ‑ served in a whole wheel of Pecorino which is what put this spot on the map. Gloria is part of the Big Mamma group which has some other pretty serious pasta haunts, worth checking out.

03 - BANCONE

The hype around Bancone is very justified. There’s nothing like sitting down to a plate of fresh pasta while the chefs make it right next to you. They also have counter dining, for those who like watching the dishes all come together. Their signature dish of silk handkerchiefs (pictured below) is arguably the best on the menu.

04 - LINA STORES

Deli turned pasta hot spot, Lina Stores has been serving up quality Italian produce for over 75 years. Soho or Kings Cross, we’d be happy with either. Just make sure you try their 30 egg yolk Tagliolini or Beef Shin Ragu, as pictured. 

05 - MANTECA RESTAURANT

Fairly new on the block, opened by Chris Leach (formally Sager + Wilde) and Smokestak’s David Carter. The kaleidoscope of pasta dishes will make any pasta lover heart swoon. Duck ragù with pappardelle? Yes please.

06 - BOCCA DI LUPO

You can’t compile a list of pasta restaurants without including Bocca do Lupo. The guy literally wrote the book on pasta. It’s like being transported to a traditional Italian trattoria. Their gnocchi with girolles is to die for.